Potty Love...

I don't know what it is about the potty that both my girls, as babies, love.  Once (actually more times than I care to mention) I caught 12-month-old-Ellie eating toilet paper out of the unflushed potty.  This sent chills up my spine every time I thought about it.  Two years later, I experienced a repeat performance when I caught Mollie doing the same thing.  So I shouldn't have been so surprised when I walked into the bathroom this evening, only to find Mollie cooling her toes in the 'porcelain pool'...and back into the bath she goes.

The Makeover...

I think it's safe to assume that Ellie was a little confused about the proper placement of mascara when she decided to experiment with my makeup.  In my humble opinion, I think she may have laid it on a little thick.

Play Ball...

My favorite way to spend a Friday evening--watching this little guy...

Eighteen Months...

Precious Mollie, last week you turned 18 months old.  You started out as the most laid back of the three, but lately it seems that with every month older you grow, the bigger your will and persistence grow too!  And what a big personality you have!  You are learning so much.  Each day is a new discovery and you soak up everything like a little sponge.  You copy everything you see us do, from putting dishes and groceries away to dance moves and attempting to work the phone and computer.

Three months ago you began feeding yourself with a fork/spoon, and by now you've become very proficient at it.  It's lots of fun to see your language developing, in that even though you don't say much yet, you understand and follow through with most simple commands.  To date, your favorite words are "bir" (bird), "hot", "tickle", "dits" (thanks), "Eh yeh" (Ellie), "zoos" (which you use for juice, shoes, and cheese), "ish" (for fish or goldfish crackers), and if you don't know the word for something you just point to it and say "daddy...daddy!" (not quite sure how you made that connection, but it's funny anyway.)  You also 'bark' when you see dogs, 'moo' when you see a cow, and say 'ahh' when you see a cat.  You love playing outside, being read to, drinking slushes, and looking at animals. You also love to collect rocks and other small things in your little hands, and you will carry them around (or hold them in your mouth) for a long time!

At 18 months you weigh 23 pounds and you are 32.5 inches long.  Many days I wish I could stop time, as I cannot quite grasp how fast it seems you are growing up.  I'm holding on so tightly to every single minute of your babyhood because I see it so quickly fleeting.  Every day with you is a precious gift, my sweet baby girl.  I'm so thankful you are mine. 

Ellie's Donut...

The remnant of Ellie's donut with icing and sprinkles.  She is not so subtle in letting us know which part she likes best.

Opening Day 2012...

Yesterday was the Little League opening day for the 2012 season.

Mason was especially excited for this season to begin because this is the first year that he gets to play on the junior minor league, which uses a pitching machine, unlike t-ball, which was the league he played on the previous two years.  He did a great job--he got hits off the machine every time!

In yesterday's game, Mason played 3rd base and catcher.  He was so excited to have the opportunity to play catcher, because that is a position that t-ball didn't have.  He loved getting to wear all the gear too!

 This one almost got away!

The look on Mason's face when his coach announced that he had won the game ball! 

These four brothers are some of Mason's closest buddies.  We're so blessed to be on their team for the 3rd year in a row! We are proud of you Mason...we love to watch you play and have fun!!

My April Fool...

I'm very impressed with my seven-year-old's ability to plan and carry out an April Fool's joke.  Today he put a gigantic fake bug in my shower, which scared the heck out of me when I got in and saw it.  And then he switched his underwear with Matthew's in the underwear drawer in hopes that, while dressing in the dark of the early morning, Matthew would accidentally put on little boy's undies.   Well played, Mason.  Well played.