Reading Time

One morning we were rushing around getting Will and John ready for preschool when I happened upon Alivia reading to Matthew and John. It was so absolutely precious that time stood still. I grabbed my camera to capture the moment. And then retreated into the background just watching them all together. Needless to say we were late to preschool that morning, but it was so worth it. I need to remember to take time out to enjoy these fleeting moments. I am incredibly grateful that Alivia is at Veritas so that we are given these times with one another.

I was laughing behind my lens because Matthew was totally hamming it up for the camera.

Boy in a Boat

Nanny Alva found out that Matthew loves sitting in an empty laundry basket. It is a great way to contain him for a short amount of time. While he is not crawling yet, he has learned how to roll around to get what he wants. You notice the paci in his mouth! I am trying to help him quit sucking his thumb by using a paci instead. He seems to like the paci just as much as his thumb. . . yay! Now if I can only keep a paci around at. all. times.

He's about 8 months old now.

Perseverance

Speaking of Alivia's reading. .  .it has totally taken off! She is like a new student this year. Something clicked over the summer. We just completed an interesting Occupational Therapy program and I wonder if that had anything to do with it? The program required various things from Alivia - with me - and things that she could do on her own.

I decided to make a chart for the things that she could do on her own and when she completed them, she would check them off her list. The list included things like: listening to Mozart, listening to books on tape, doing a computer program that flashed words on the screen. .  .

Alivia amazed me with her dedication and perseverance. She would almost EVERY activity EVERY day - she may have missed one or two every now and then, but for the most part she completed it on her own. And I never reminded her. Now that is amazing.

When she got close to completing the last month we told her that we would buy her the "Poo Poo Pee Pee" doll that she had been wanting for awhile. She was so excited.

Matt and I talked with her about how proud we were of her perseverance. She asked me what that meant and I said "It is doing something when you don't feel like it." This is also the trait that her teacher gave her at the end of kindergarten last year and I could not agree more.

Alivia, you amaze me! God has given you a special personality.

Baby Matthew at 7 1/2 months

Still the easiest baby on the planet. . . he's starting to really change so much. Just this past week his two bottom teeth have started to poke out, he's flirting with sitting up independently and just tonight I saw him get up on his knees and hands like he is trying to figure out how to start crawling. AHHH! I am NOT ready for a crawling baby around our mine-field, disaster of a house. Just the other day I saw - a bit of a balloon, a marble and a length of yarn all on my floor in a small radius where Matthew will be crawling around.

I will truly mourn the loss of this stage. I really think 7 months may be my most favorite baby-stage. He is sleeping 12 hours at night, takes 2 good naps of 2-3 hours each, loves to snuggle with me and is still nursing 3 times a day. His gummy smile just makes my heart melt. I LOVE you sweet Matthew!

I included this picture to show how he loves being in the middle of all the action - Will and John had just gotten out of the bath

Swimming on land!

AHHH! He's gonna start crawling soon!!!! Can you see his two teeth poking out?

Alivia loves having her picture taken with Matthew

This time without the laundry basket in the background. :-)

Practicing his balancing skills

Dove Hunting in Bertram

After I sounded the alarm that Matt needed some guidance on dove hunting, my Dad and Peyton took him out to Bertram for the afternoon a few Sundays ago. I see a LOT more hunting on our horizon with 3 boys (and a girl!) so Matt needs to get up to speed!

I'm pretty sure my dad has worn just about the same outfit for dove hunting for the last 10 years. Wait, maybe the shirt is new - but definitely not the hat!

Funny Conversations

In the car with Alivia on the UT Campus as college kids walked the sidewalks getting to class.
Alivia: I can tell they are adults (referencing the college kids).
Me: How can you tell?
Alivia: Because they look old, carry backpacks and wear watches.

In the car with Will after dropping off Alivia at her first sleepover.
Will: I like to teach school to my stuffed animals.
Me: What do you teach them?
Will: Stories from the Bible.
Me: Which ones in particular?
Will: Noah and the boat. And about the animals on the boat.

First Day of School for John

John had his first day of Preschool today with Miss Bonnie. He seemed a little unsure when we dropped him off, but Bonnie said he did great once we had left. All the kids came with me to his classroom. For John, the most exciting part of school is getting to wear a backpack and have a thermos like his older brother and sister. Miss Bonnie said John loved the tool set in the room and talked about "fixing stuff" while he was there. Like father like son!

His backpack is HUGE. What was I thinking?

John with Miss Angie and Miss Bonnie