We had another successful vacation at Spirit Lake this summer. We were lucky to go up over the 4th of July again this year. The kids look forward to spending time with Grandma and Aunt Marilyn. Even though vacations with three small children isn't very restful, we had a lot of fun in the water, playing mini golf, and going to Arnold's Park. Brett and I were even able to sneak off to watch the US men's team play their final game in the World Cup.
With all that is going on these days...summer fun, swim lessons, tennis camp, and vacations I missed a monthly update on Cole buddy.:( Here is what he's been up to these last two months.
* He has grown into a little boy. He stomps around with his chest out and his handsome little grin.
* He is ball obsessed! We travel everywhere with a ball in tow. If we don't all we hear is "ball! Ball! Ball!"
* He is sitting at the table with us in his booster seat. He uses his spoon and fork like a champ! He gets upset of you don't give him one and will let you know until you get him something to eat with.
* he is a tidy little boy. Last week he had some grapes at the park. I tried to take the empty baggie, but he stomped away. He put the baggie on the stroller and went back to playing. Five minutes later he wandered over to the stroller and then walked around to all the trash cans until he found one he could reach and threw it away. It was so sweet to watch!
* he is wearing mostly 18 month clothes...even if they are extremely baggy. He is in a size 3 shoe, but ready for a 4.
* he is between 18-19 pounds.
* his hair has some natural curl and lightens each week.
* he has a mouth full of teeth. He is still missing one of his front bottom teeth...I'm not sure there is room for it.
* he loves to go up and down the stairs and can do so on his own now.
* he is talking a bit more, but still prefers taking you by the hand to show you what he wants or pointing.
* he says "ball, car, mama, mom, gama, pop." We think pop is for Harp and any loud noise.
* he doesn't want to be left out of anything and has quite the temper!
* he is drinking whole milk again.
* he is just so darn cute!!! He melts my heart every time I look at him!
Its been a fun and fast summer! It's hard to believe that school starts in 4 short weeks. Here are some of our highlights!!
Here's a peak at Harper at three years old. She can be summed up as spunky, wild, and a 'do what I want' kind of girl. Here's what she's been up to this past year:
* she is wearing 2t and some 3t clothes. She likes to pick her clothes. She went through a short layering phase. Some days she would have three shirts and two pairs of pants on. She likes skirts.
* she is still a finger sucker. BOO! She likes to rub slobber on her cheek. We will start working on quitting in a couple weeks.
* she talks about "her school" all the time. She's never been to school, but is very convincing that she has with her stories.
* She sometimes makes up her own language. We have no idea. She usually just rhymes jibberish when playing with her dolls.
* she is just plain ornery. She does things knowing that she shouldn’t and she just doesn't care. Most recently drawing on the wall with a sharpie. She hates timeout, but ends up there quite often.
* even though she is ornery at home she is a very sweet little girl out and about. She plays well with others.
* she loves playing with her dollies, play doh, paint and markers, sidewalk chalk, and anything water.
* she is still wearing a diaper to bed. We plan to stop this soon. I think she just uses it out of convenience and doesn't really need it.
* we are hoping her egg allergy is gone. She does eat some things with egg occasionally and she hasn't had any reactions.
* she loves to be outside without shoes.
* She now has a cute little bob haircut. No more tangles.
* she somersaults all over the house. She has also started doing headstands. Gymnastics is in her future.
* she fights naps and bedtime, no matter how exhausted she is.
* she needs structure or she finds trouble. I'm excited for her to start preschool in the fall. Two mornings a week. We are both excited!
This year we celebrated Harper's birthday twice. Once with Great Grandpa Melvin and Kennedy, and once with the Murphy's. Harper loved it and requested rainbow cupcakes and Dora cupcakes. With two parties she was in luck!
