Road trippin

In June, Ben was traveling to Houston for work, so we decided it was perfect timing for us to take a road trip.  I loaded up the kids and we headed down to Lafayette, IN to visit my friend Angie, and from there down to Chicago to visit Jen.  My kids really are great travelers so I can’t complain.  We had a great trip!  It kept us busy, and we got home just in time for Ben to arrive the next morning. 



On the way down.. we were stuck in a traffic jam for a while on I-65.  It didn’t turn out to be too bad.  The only downside of the trip was that I made the mistake of picking up a big coke before we left and I had to go to the bathroom most of the way!  We actually had to stop at a rest stop in Indiana, Jen talked to the kids on the phone.. while I ran inside to go to the bathroom.  In my defense, I wouldn’t have made it if I had unbuckled all 3 of them.   Then,( if you can believe) this not a half an hour later… I had to go AGAIN.. we were lost in Lafayette.. and so I had to make an emergency stop at a library to go to the bathroom.  Seriously!  Am I getting old or what?



Sadly, this is the only real picture I got while at Angie’s house.  I know, horrible.. but I just wasn’t thinking about my camera while I was there.  We had a great visit, and I’m so glad I was able to see her new house and spend time with her and her kids! They are all getting too big by the way!!!  I’d like to say, I won Aleah over while I was there by reading to her, which I was happy to do.



The next morning, we headed on over to Chicago to visit with Aunt Jen, Uncle Chad & Kids…  We arrived to find them playing outside.. so we joined right in.  Look at these two.. so cute.



Oh my word.  I can hardly handle it.  This picture cracks me up.  Clearly, our family doesn’t have the tall gene.



Would you look at this adorable girl?  Such a poser!!  Love her.



Gavin is super into pirates.. they have a great playscape complete with a pirate flag!



Zach going the easy way up.



While in Chicago, we hit up the Brookfield Zoo!  The kids loved it and I did too!



First stop.. camels!



Cutie girls..



The gang.. Check out the giraffes in the background.



One of Taylor’s favorite parts.. the polar bear.  We were bummed we couldn’t see him swim underwater, but this was still pretty cool.



One of my favs.. I believe this was as we were heading in to see the penguins, and we were scolding about a minute after for taking this picture.



Penguins!!  As you can see Lauren was ready to jump right in!



Hey Lo, what are you doing?



Climbing up here, come on!

Mine.. NO MINE!

Let’s hug it out….




Let’s go see some Monkeys!



Check out these monkeys!  Amazing exhibit.



Gorillas!

Seriously, how incredible.

A little tiger action!


Such a fun day!  Thanks Aunt Jen!



Totally ready for a nap.  Time to hit the road. We had a great time with great friends!  Everyone was so sad to leave, and we can’t wait to go back!  Love you all!

Last day of Kindergarten

Tuesday was Taylor's last day of Kindergarten. Bittersweet, I was so ready for school to be done; but also slightly stressed about having my need-to-be-entertained-on-a-regular-basis child home 24/7. Ha! So, this last day of school was field day! They had a variety of events for the kids to compete in, and it was a HOT 90 degree humid day to add to the mix! I can hardly believe next year my oldest baby will be off to school for the entire day. 5 days each week, 7 hours each day. The longest amount of time I will have been away from her since she was born 6 years ago. She is ready, and I am ready... but I am still sad that time has passed so quickly. Taylor has grown and changed so much this year. She loves art, singing, dancing, soccer and gymnastics. She has learned how to read, and she is writing very well too! She is a pleaser at school- obeying everything the teacher says, and doing exactly as she is asked. She has that typical first born syndrome, she is a perfectionist.. and get's upset when things aren't perfect. She strongly desires praise for the good things she does, and needs individual attention outside of the younger kids so she isn't lost in our busyness. She is bossy, and she likes things to go her way. She is full of energy, and wants constant interaction.. is constantly talking, and jumping, doing handstands, cartwheels.. you name it. She is deep, she analyzes, talks like she is a teenager, and wants to discuss everything. Sometimes I have to remind myself she is only 6! I love our "talks" at bedtime, and I love that she still sees the world in black & white. We are working right now on adding a little bit of grace into the mix. :) I can hardly imagine what this next year is going to bring us.. but if it's anything like the last 6 we are in for a ride. We could not be anymore proud!! We love you Tay-Tay!

The hula champ!
Not sure what this one is called, but they had to fill up a bucket with water.
Sack Races!
Tay's Kindergarten class!
Tug of War!
Girlfriends... Taylor, Nora, Olivia & Geneva
Taylor and her buddy Drew.
Taylor and her friend Daniella
Tay and Mrs. Mohler
Taylor & Mommy!

Last day of 3's..

Last week marked the last week of 3's preschool for Mr. Zach. What a year! After going back and forth about whether or not to send him- I think we made the best decision. He was one of the youngest in his class, but really took off this year and has grown up so much. Zach, for the most part has seriously been the most enjoyable, likable, sweet-heart of a 3 year old. He has the kindest heart, gets along with everyone.. and pretty much doesn't have a mean bone in his little body. :) He is the child I have had to discipline the least. Sure, he fights with his sister's like any normal child does, but he also gives in to his older sister, adores her and would do anything to make her happy. Zach STILL laughs quickly, smiles easily and climbs like a little monkey. These are all traits he has had since he was about 7 months old. Gone for the most part is the over-sensitivity that he had as an infant and he is just such a joy to us. If you can't tell... total Mama's boy! :) It breaks my heart to even think of him going to school more often because I honestly love having him around.

In other news... Zach has had some difficulty with his growth for the past year, and it has been on the forefront of my mind. We have seen a pediatric endocrinologist, and we are just at the monitoring stage of things right now. As you can see in the picture below, he is a tiny little guy. He is not much bigger than he was when he turned 2... and he is the smallest in his class. I am constantly stuffing him with calories, and his eating has improved dramatically.. but no matter how much he eats, he doesn't seem to be growing much. The Dr's have been encouraging, and we know we are doing everything we need to do for now. It is basically a waiting game to see if he is just a late bloomer, has genetic short stature, or a more serious issue like Growth Hormone Deficiency. No matter what, we love him.. we are focusing on God having a perfect plan for him, and that God knows exactly who Zach was meant to be. Does this mean, I don't struggle with worry? Nope.. I still do, but God and I are working on it. :)

Academically & developmentally Zach has really grown this year. He can write his name, sing his ABC's, count, cut with scissors, he can point out to you about 15 of his letters, and most of his numbers with the exception of 6 and 9 where he still gets confused. He likes to dance, to sing, to kick balls, to ride his tricycle and to climb everything as previously stated. :) We have been working pretty hard all year at getting dressed. He can now get his clothes on... but still gets confused on what direction they go sometimes. His speech has also come a long way!! I have had him evaluated 3 times in this past 18 months, and each time they told me he didn't qualify which was pretty discouraging to me. When this year started, I would say people were still really struggling to understand a lot of what he was saying and by the end of this year he is talking away and understandable to us all of the time. He still struggles when he is nervous, excited, or an unfamiliar setting.. but again we have seen huge improvement.

Dear Zach,
I love you beyond words. Just writing to you makes me tear up. You have such a special place in my heart. You will always be my baby boy, and I love the tender-hearted child that you are. I hope you never lose your ability to laugh and smile at everything. I am praying that God will continue to grow you up, and that will make you a strong man who will lead his home & family someday. I pray you will be a great example for your friends, and that God will use your strengths and weaknesses for his glory. I hope you will never be too big to give me one of your great big BEAR hugs. I love watching you grow and change. You have taught me patience, worry & how to REALLY trust in God's timing. I'm so thankful he made you mine.

Love Always, Mommy

Due to an incident that morning.. I missed most of his class singing. This picture is courtesy of my friend Ashley. :)
Zach & Mommy
Pinapple bowling..
Don't they all look excited. :)
Sweet face.