Memorial Day F-U-N

On Monday, the college friends crew...minus the Birdsell's came to our house to celebrate the beginning of summer! Too bad it was cold and rainy. We had 5 children under the age of 2 1/2 all under one roof, and one more will be joining us in Dec! Yay April and Gary!! :-)

So, we went from this a year ago....

to this....total toddler chaos

It's oldest to youngest starting with Ava, Reese, Trent, Lila and Max. We told Ava she was going to be the baby boss, and she took that title proudly. She woke up on Monday morning and asked, "my babies here mommy? I be baby boss today, mommy"! When everyone left she asked in a sad voice, "my babies go?"!

Now, we move on to Reese. She turned out to be the undercover bruiser! The day ended with Reese and Trent playing outside on the porch, suddenly I see Reese somehow take Trent down to the ground and he nailed his head on the door! Disclaimer, that Trent is ok. I had never seen Reese do something like that, and she immediately had to go inside and go to bed. Very embarrassing. That night, I was going through our pictures and realized, she not only took Trent to the ground, she also poked Trent's eyes and then proceeded to rip Lila's bow out of her hair. Let's just hope this is a bully phase, not a way of life for her! Sorry Apes and Amanda!!

I think it's funny that Amanda, Amy, April and myself were all pregnant at the same time with the 4 of these kiddos. Reese is the oldest by 4-5 months, and literally she is the shortest and weighs the least out of everyone. She's my little runt!

Here's some candids.

Trent

Lila and daddy (Photog didn't get any with just Lila). Disregard the trampoline net that is masking them.

Max (also hidden behind the net)

We had lots of fun and can't wait to see everyone again soon!

When I grow up

I want to be.....

An architect like daddy

OR

A professional baby

Happy Birthday Bebe!

Ava's world....we're just livin in it!

We're still here! It's been hard to make myself post the last couple of weeks, we've been so busy with family, Ava throwing meltdown fits, playing outside, Ava throwing more fits, searching for the perfect swingset, Reese throwing food, Ava screaming as loud as she possibly can, and you know everything else!!!

Does it sound like I'm being hard on Ava??? In the last few weeks she has definitely entered that phase that is so nicely referred to as "the terrible 2's"! If you've been out to Wal-Mart, the YWCA, or Ron and Marcia Jacob's house in the last couple of weeks you might have witnessed it firsthand! It's the classic throw myself on the floor screaming and crying, go limp so no one can pick you up type of fit! It's great! I'm hoping Seth was an angel toddler, so that I can remain hopeful that Reese will sail through these years with no melt-downs!!

With the bad does come the very good, Ava is quick to tell you "Wuv You" and give big hugs and kisses. Or she will pull out her breakdance moves, and then do a little Shake Booty song, and shake her booty along to her song! Now who can resist that???? It's priceless!

I'll leave you with a quote from Ava right after one of her recent melt-downs, "I not throw fits mommy, I big girl"!