Happy Halloween!

8 Months

Layla has decided just sitting and eating toys on her blanket is much too boring. She is now learning to crawl! Well for now her crawl resembles more like an army crawl or a wounded soldier but she gets where she wants to go. Kayleigh basically never crawled and Zeb did the army crawl at almost a year old so movement at this age is all new for me. I am trying to teach Zeb that not all of his toys are safe to be left lying around now that Layla is on the move. She has also started to babble a little saying "baba". She will sometimes do it on command if you get her in the right mood. She still adores Kayleigh.  I think it is safe to say Kayleigh is her favorite person even above her own mother. 

A Little Get Away

We just got back from a little get away with some of our American neighbors. We decided to pack up 100 pounds of stuff we somehow need for the kids and head 30 minutes down the road to a local resort that has hot springs. Kayleigh and Zeb thought it was wonderful that they were able to swim in October. Our room had a giant bathtub that more or less resembled a small kids pool and I would just fill that up and let them have the time of their lives. We also swam outside in one of the hot springs. We decided to go down the road to a local park and play Frisbee and throw the football around. We had a lot of fun until I busted Zeb's lip with the Frisbee. Let's just say I threw it right to him but he didn't quite catch it. It was so nice to get away even if it was only 30 minutes down the road. 

I promise these pictures are of Zeb in mid-throw. Quite impressive don't you think?

He had the throwing down just not the catching!

K and Z walking at the edge of the pool. They were dying to get in but this pool was not heated!

Kayleigh's First Dance Class

This past winter when we were in the States having Layla, John and I realized how much extracurricular activities there were to offer in America for little kids. It made us sad in a way that Kayleigh was missing out on those opportunities especially since she LOVES music and dancing. So when we heard that some local friends of ours with ballet experience were offering dance classes from age 5 and up we were thrilled. What a huge blessing from the Lord. Today was Kayleigh's first dance class and I think she really liked it. I am looking forward to seeing her learn and enjoy her ballet class. 

Kayleigh with her friends Lydia and Lily.

Got Milk?

This is pretty much the scene in my living room every morning. My kids love their milk.

Layla at 7 months

Layla at 7 months is such a joy. But haven't I said that in every monthly post I have done of her? She really brings so much joy and laughter to our family. She is sitting up now and is happy going through her basket of toys chewing on each one. She now has two teeth which came with a period of waking in the night which was fun for Mom and Dad. I am going to blink and then she will be a year old. It is going by so fast. I just want to enjoy every minute.

Happenings in the Court Yard

Almost everyday we go out to play in our courtyard. It is the highlight of Kayleigh's and Zeb's day. Kayleigh usually tells me that she needs to go out there to get some energy out. I agree with her! They have lots of fun with their friends that happen to live in our court yard. They do all kinds of things from riding bikes, playing hide and seek to picking flowers and berries off the trees. It is nice for me too because I get to catch up with the other moms. Today Danielle and Harvey came in for the afternoon to visit us. Below Layla and Harvey are in the double stroller ready to go outside. As you can see at 6 and 3 months they aren't too interested in each other. I am sure as they get older they will begin to notice each other more. 

Zeb's First Day of School!

Today was Zeb's first day at pre-school. I was a little nervous about how he would do but he did wonderful! He calls the school "Kayleigh's school" and has been wanting to go for quite some time. He was so excited and even more excited to carry his Lightening McQueen back pack. When I picked him up at school he didn't want to leave! He wanted to keep playing on the play ground. I asked him what they did at school and he said " We ate chao fan ( which is fried rice), and played. Well that sums it up. I can't believe my little boy has started school!

My birthday and thoughts on turning 32

For my birthday our crew went out to celebrate at a new Mexican restaurant that just opened in our city. Words cannot express how excited I am that we have an actually Mexican restaurant in our city and that the food is wonderful! When John and I go to America we eat as much Mexican as possible while we are there. We just miss it a lot! So I naturally picked to go eat Mexican for my birthday. I share a birthday with a guy on our crew named Justin. He also was excited about going here. Anyways, we had a lot of fun. My dear friend Kayla made me a chocolate on chocolate birthday cake which I ask for every year on my birthday. It was wonderful.

I have been sitting here thinking about turning 32 and my one thought or feeling that has been consistent in my life for a while is tiredness. When I was pregnant with Layla I was tired a lot, more tired than I was with the other two. But then again I didn't have two kids to take care of with the other pregnancies. John and I dream of having overnight get-aways where we just go and book a hotel room to sleep. I was hoping the tiredness would go away but it seems to have settled in for a long term stay. As I thought more about this I thought about my mom. At age 32 she had a 5 year old, 18 month old twins and a newborn. It makes me tired just thinking about it. I am convinced my mother was tired for a whole decade. She had to be. I also wonder if while wiping our mouths for the 15th time or our butts for the 100th if she thought about whether we would ever be thankful for all that she did for us. Well, mom I am now. As I experience life with a 5 year old, 3 year old and 6 month old I look back and think you were amazing. It also gives me encouragement to think that if she survived so will I.

Justin at the entrance to the restaurant.

My dear friend Kayla with her new adopted daughter Jubilee.

The wonderful feast!

Typical Justin and Zack.

Although, Justin and I were born on the same day he does not share my love for chocolate. He asked me to make a fruit pizza for his birthday. 

Layla is 6 months!

Our sweet Layla is 6 months old. She can now roll from one side to the other and back again. This is huge for me because the past month or so she could roll from her stomach to her back but could not get back over which caused lots of problems during nap time. She is also sleeping through the night now which is a wonderful blessing for me. It comes at a great time since I plan to start home schooling Kayleigh at the beginning of September. I love to watch her watch Kayleigh and Zeb. I really don't think I would have seen some of her personality traits come out this soon if she didn't have siblings. You can tell she is a third child and needs to be heard. She will scream at the top of her lungs not in anger but excitement to make sure that everyone notices her. Of course she gets major laughs from her sister and brother which encourages her to do it more.