August 2017 Catch-all Post

This post is basically a bunch of random quicktakes from the moments of August that we didn't have visitors and planned events.  A bit of a look at life in between in the little moments.  But they are little moments I don't want to forget.  

1. Dress-up

It happens regularly and is always, always amusing.  

2. Growing up

We got a few handmade dresses from the neighbor girl who had grown out of them.  They are really Ava's size currently, but Sophie likes to snag them and wear them too.  And when she does, I nearly lose it.  She looks so grown up!  Slow down, time.  Or rather, help me to slow down, Lord, and take in each and every moment as they come.  The joy, the struggle, all of it. 

 

3.  Family Walks and Cul-de-sac Life

I hope we will continue our "tradition" of taking family walks and hikes together often.  It's such a great time to get out in God's creation, to slow down, and to spend time in each other's company. 

          

4. Tantrums

Sophie has been very emotional.  She's still struggling to get us to all understand what she's trying to tell us all the time and I know it frustrates her.

But the tantrums pass quickly (especially if you say, "Smile for Daddy!") and her joy is so infectious. 

5. Swim Lessons

We finished up our second set of swim lessons for the summer.  Elise and Ava are still working through their various fears, but making progress.  Kayla met more goals and passed to yet another level.  And Sophie pooped a lot in the pools and shut them down for several hours.  Kolbe tried incessantly to get in the water as well as made new friends on the sidelines.  

6. New Foods

Kolbe has been trying more and more foods.  The pictures below are his first tastes of avocado.  He's definitely our son.  

 

7. Chores

We have been introducing new (to them) chores to the kids in addition to the ones they were already doing (which was fairly minimal).  Elise is now emptying out the whole dishwasher each morning and putting it away, and Ava does the silverware.  Kayla is putting away laundry and helps with some of the wash as well.  Those are the new chores in addition to the old chores of cleaning the table, clearing their dishes, getting dressed and putting away pajamas and dirty clothes in their hamper.

        

Just a few cute shots of some smiling kiddos.  

 

Just a silly video of Kolbe and Ava playing some Tug of War. 

           

8. The Cubby Hole

We haven't figured out what to do with this little cubby in the dining room area, but they enjoyed their little "fort" for a couple days.  

 

9. Homeschooling Space

We are creating a new homeschool space this year since we moved.  Part of our large basement room is set aside for school time.  We moved a table down and the desk.  And we spent a lot of time organizing in the past couple weeks.  It's still a work in progress, but the girls have started off the school year with a bang and are doing great.  

10. Sunrise

Kolbe's sleep schedule has been constantly changing as he begins weaning himself as well as teething (he's getting a bunch of molars).  But the fringe benefit for me with losing extra sleep has been seeing some lovely sunrises recently.  

11. Art Work and Gifts

The girls still love to make us sweet pictures and leave us little gifts.  Kayla left one of the roses that she cut from her First Communion rosebush and this sweet picture on my nightstand on the feast of my patron Saint, St. Rose of Lima.  She is so sweet.  

12. Beer Brewing

Chris is getting caught up in his brewing since we moved in and his taps are all low. 

13. The Close Park

We spend a lot of time at our new "close park" these days as well.  Swinging, playing, exploring the creek, throwing the frisbee around...

14. Kolbe 

He turned one a few days ago, and has been busy, busy, busy all month long.  He's walking like crazy, running really.  More on his birthday in the next post...

He's begun weaning and likes a bottle of real milk during the day when he goes down for his naps.  He still wants Mommy at night if he wakes (which is still usually once, sometimes twice, and more when he's having a rough teething night).  

        

His little feet are just the cutest. 

15. A Grasshopper

The girls discovered this guy in the yard.  He was fun to watch.  

Just a random silly selfie

16. Sunset

And we've caught some lovely sunsets recently too.  

(Chris' shot)

17. Sophie Potty Training

Sophie has decided that she is (once again...) ready to potty train.  I wasn't convinced, but she was relentless.  She just kept taking her diapers off after peeing and then running to the toilet and constantly wanting to try.  I helped out somewhat (still half-heartedly though) and eventually we got her to go potty in the toilet.  That took a couple days.  Yesterday she pooped in the toilet which was a huge step in the right direction.  And for the last couple days she has worn underwear and peed in the toilet.  She is still in diapers for naps and night, but as far as #1 is concerned, she seems to have day-trained herself.  We'll see how #2 goes as we continue on here.  

so proud of herself for pooping in the toilet!

And on that note, I'll end August.  haha.  Cheers to September and Sophie totally getting this whole potty training thing and perhaps only one in diapers again in the near future!