These Days

These Days I haven't been great keeping up with Rhett's monthly milestones on here but thought it might be time to update what life is like right now. 

These Days Rhett is talking a ton and cracking us up. he often wakes in the mornings and says "mommy, daddy where are you?" over and over. His most said phrase is "Hold you?" when he wants to be held. If we say come here Rhett, he says in full Oklahoma accent "Commin!'" He loves to play catch, kick, pass or anything of the sort with you. He loves outside, and in true Oklahoma fashion last week we had an 78 degree day where we spent almost all day outside with a 30 degree day where he was so upset and would throw himself on the ground near the back door pleading to go outside. He loves Curious George. Often when he's upset he runs through a list of his favorite things and foods that might make things better "George! Chicken! Chips! Milk!". He survived his first stomach bug in January. He was such a trooper, few tears, he would wake up vomit and then go right back to sleep. 

These days Ava has her first boy she talks on and on about at home who she already has plans to Marry. She tells me she has two sisters, that are her best buds G and Izzy. I use to say "you sure do love them like sisters" which she corrects my reflection, "no they are real sister's to me" so we just go with it. Anything Peter Pan is still a fav. Ryan finished their hidey play area under the stairs in January and they have named it "neverland". She has started practicing sleeping upstairs and is eager to move upstairs next to Rhett's room but we wanted to do some trial runs before we go through with relocating furniture. The first night she came down in the middle night "I got lonely and scared" but has  made it most nights all the way through. When she started Gymnastics I wondered if she was feeling nervous about the first day - "I'm not nervous mom, I am just unsure about new people". She loves pre-school and is so upset if she's sick and unable to go. Ava hates throwing up with a passion. The drama and tears were big time for getting through that night. She recently learned quite a deep lesson at school about how we all have invisible buckets that we can fill up for each other with kindness and love. She keeps me on my toes and if I am using an inpatient tone she will let me know that is not really filling up her bucket. It's been a good door to talk about mommy and daddy's bucket and how obedience can help fill up our buckets. 

The kids had a round of stomach virus' followed by colds and they were well for a week or two and now we are another round of colds. Very ready for consistent wellness that I hoping spring will bring. 

Glow baths are a fav around here right now. 

We've enjoyed a few barefoot backyard days this month, love there little feet next to each other under the picnic table!
Can't wait till we can do this everyday again! 

School day scenes, packing backpacks and lunches on Tuesdays and Thursdays. 

Sweet and ornery this one! 

It's been fun to watch him emerge more into getting lost in play, building, cooking in the play kitchen, or working with his tools on something. 

One of her many performances. A song about herself that she wrote herself. 

Rhett loves to "Jump" off things this month, there is very little actual jumping.
A lot of preparation followed by stepping off whatever it is. 

She has been excited to start Gymnastics in January after Santa brought her the gift of lessons. She can be found cartwheeling and practicing all her moves at home and church. She has been really enjoying it and I notice she is so her mother's child watching intently to follow the instructions from the leaders and loves to get in practice at home to improve her skills. The leaders are so fun and positive and it's been a pretty good experience so far.

Today's my birthday and I am spending most of it on the couch with a fevered and coughing Ava. Not as glamorous as birthday's past but tis' the season and a very real snapshot of life these days.