Summer Growth

Along with summer outings, the kids have been growing and learning like crazy this season!  They are truly little people now with their own personalities.  I love watching them learn new things, even if they can drive me batty some days.  Oh those twos.  

A couple weeks ago Ben's eye was swollen shut.  No idea why and it cleared up in a couple of days.  He looked like the weird guy from The Goonies.  

Allison had a weight check and at 19 lbs she's still not on the growth chart, but she's close!  The doctor predicted that she'd be in the clear at the 30 month well check if she stays on track.  

Proof she's grown in 2 years time and still sweet with Maggie  :)

Andrew got credit for the first 2 word phrase: "more balls".  

We are also noticing some imagination forming- especially when it comes to boys and their car/truck/train sound effects and girls and their dolls.  And, no, we in no way push certain toys to certain genders.  That's what they choose.

finger painting

Leah's first finger paint!

Leah's current walker record is twice around the kitchen island!  She's getting more strength, head control, and weight bearing in her arms and legs all of the time.  I've been giving her more table foods to push her range of textures and tastes rather than quantity.  She's done surprisingly well with staying calm and keeping it down.  We've also been pipetting water through a straw and she's handled that with no issue.  

We noticed while watching Wheel of Fortune that every time a letter was called Leah would smile and coo.  We've tested the theory with different shows and toys and it's true.  Leah loves letters.

You know the nursery rhyme about the little girl with the curl and when she was good she was very very good and when she was bad she was horrid?  Well, that about sums up Caroline these days.  She's in super testing limits mode.  But she can also be super sweet and helpful.  

They are all doing their "chores" (picking up toys, throwing away trash, and putting dirty clothes in the hamper) so much easier these days.  They are really noticing and copying what we do which can be fun and scary at the same time.  

Allison is still keeping everyone and everything in line and from time to time you might see her "working" the front desk of the children's area at church as special treatment for crying and pouting when we drop her off.  She just acts like she belongs up there with her crayon and paper.

And just for fun here's a little rhymey poem I wrote about a recent bath time experience.  It really happened.  And Dave did help with the last two lines:

1, 2, 3 little boys in the tub

having such fun splish splash rub a dub

just then I'm handed something absurd

Yep, that's right, a tiny little turd.

Then they start coming 1, 2, 10

A whole pile of turds, thanks a lot Big Ben.

And what could be grosser than Ben's derriere? 

All 3 boys throwing turds in the air.

The culprit.

More Summer Outings

School has started here in Texas which means summer is winding down.  Of course it's still super mega hot, so it still feels like summer to me!  And I am 100% so glad I am not getting my little people ready for school yet!

Our summertime was full of trips to the pool and splash pad.  I am always amazed that people volunteer their time to help me on these outings, but we do have a good time!  What also amazes me is how differently the kids react to the water activities.  Levi will only sit on the edge of the pool and kick his feet (he's usually trying to get into the lifeguard supply closet) but he LOVES the splash pad.  Andrew and Caroline love it all.  Ben likes being splashed in the pool, but he and Allison are timid at the splash pad.  Leah loves being in the water and she likes it when I run with her through the misty splash pad stuff, but nothing too harsh.  And don't try to get any of them in cold water!  Can't blame them for that one though.

We ventured out to the Barnes & Noble children's area to read and play with their train table, but it turned out to be Batman Day (who knew?!).  Allison was scared of the employees dressed as Batman characters and Ben chased a boy in a red shirt around the store, besides that it wasn't bad for their first time in a store (Yes, it was their first time in a store- not an easy feat).  They even used their walking rope through the store and didn't wander off! 

Art Class

Some of us got on the cooking show!

Cooking Class

Houston Mom's Blog put on a playdate at the Young Leaders Campus in Tomball where they participated in a gym class, art class, and "cooking" class (i.e. dumping snacks in a ziploc bag).  Definitely a different experience, but the kids had fun and they did great using their walking rope for transitions and in parking lots.  Andrew may or may not have stolen an extra box or two of raisins in the cooking class.  Levi did not like stickers on his artwork and he wasn't able to complete the gym activity as he was too distracted by the large mirrors and practicing his latest poses.  Pretty sure the mini marshmallows were everyone's favorite part of the day!  After the class we found a local park for a quick picnic lunch.  They loved walking through the leaves and the train that passed by!

In between all of our local outings, we headed to Austin for a weekend visit with Dave's parents.  The 3 hour drive felt like nothing after Colorado!  We spent most of the time outside- in the pool, chalking up the patio, and exploring the big backyard.  Dave and I even got to go out for dinner one night :)  The kids had a great time and handled everything really well.  Anytime we're driving now, the big boys point out every. single. truck. no matter the size.  And if we see a train it's a chorus of "choo choo!" from all 3 rows.  Laurie Berkner cds are also a saving grace on our road trips.

Sing Along

In this house we love music and dancing, especially silly dancing.  The kind of silly dancing when you act out the lyrics and be goofy like no one's watching.  And by we I mean the kids and I.  Dave only loves 90s alternative rock and Dave does not dance.  Period.

So, what's the point of this post?  Put up YouTube videos of us goofy dancing to awesome music?  Riiiight.  Like I want that on the internet.

I really just wanted to chronicle all of our most favorite toddler songs.  I sing most of these on a daily basis either around the house, while eating snacks, or on our walks.  The kids don't really sing along yet, but they know all the motions.  The classic ones and the ones I've choreographed (I was on the drill team in high school.  So I know what I'm doing.)

The Classics

• Itsy Bitsy Spider
• Wheels on the Bus
• If You're Happy and You Know It
• 5 Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed
• Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes
• 5 Monkeys Teasing the Alligator
• Old McDonald Had a Farm
• I'm Bringing Home a Baby Bumblebee

Laurie Berkner (the modern genius of toddler music as far as I'm concerned)

• Buzz Buzz
• Whatdya Think of That? (we call it The Dinosaur Song)
• I'm Gonna Catch You
• Pig on Your Head
• These are My Glasses
• Victor Vito

Raffi (my 2nd favorite genius of toddler music)

• Willaby Wallaby (again, I use the Pack's names.  They love it.)
• Peanut Butter Sandwich (I use Benjamin instead of David M.)
• Brush Your Teeth
• Aikendrum

Veggie Tales

• Where is My Hairbrush?
• Achoo Moo Moo
• God Made You Special (This is a book.  I rap it.)

There you have it!  The Perkins Pack recommended song list for a 2 year old.

Toddler Tidbits

Yet another dump of the latest tidbits....Enjoy!

Progress:

• Leah has been a little rockstar lately!  She has made slow, but steady progress in all areas.  We are so proud of all of her hard work!  And her hair is finally growing in and it. is. CURLY.
• Allison is still my little Smidge and needs to get back on her growth curve, but she is moving in the right direction now.  She also tested out of ECI services!  That means she's not far enough delayed in any area to qualify for services.
• They are all enamored with Signing Time and have started using signs to communicate, as well as a few new words! Amazing how quickly they picked it up.
• Andrew and Levi have put 2 word phrases together: "more balls" and "uh oh ball" and "bye bye Dada"
• Not progress, but fits in with the medical stuff... Ben had his first sick visit to the pediatrician- infected bug bite.  It was pretty nasty and thankfully chocolate milk hid the taste of the medicine.  
• We have hit the stage of separation anxiety.  Some more than others, and only when I leave or drop them off at church.

Activities:

• Swim days are back again!  We've been hitting up the neighborhood pool almost every week with various volunteers who help me keep an eye on everyone.  Caroline is my little fish with no fear.  The others like to get in and out and walk around a lot.  Leah loves lounging in the baby pool.
• Sidewalk chalk- they LOVE it!  I wish it wasn't so stinkin hot outside so we could use the chalk more often.

• Finger painting- we have tried this once and it was such a mess my grandma said we can't do it again when she's at the house :/

• Church.  It's nothing new, but we are now walking in using our walking rope!  They are doing so well with it and I am so proud of them!  We even got compliments on how well behaved our twins are ;) 

Around the House:

• They have learned dog food is for the dog and not people.  They think it is so fun to hand feed Maggie, and Maggie does not complain.  They also think it is fun to throw dog food everywhere.

• Caroline and Allison attempt to untie my grandpa's shoes every time he's here; they were even upset one day when he wore shoes with no laces- how dare he!

• The boys (especially Ben) love to jump in their cribs, but no one has tried to climb out yet. 
• They like to put trash in the trashcan, especially their dirty diapers!  Allison will only throw her own diapers.  When I give her someone else's she shakes her head and holds her nose like she's saying "No, that one's stinky."
• They have also been helping me put dirty clothes in the hamper, switch clothes from the washer to the dryer, and pick up everything they throw around during nap time tidy up their rooms.  Generally, the cleaning up skills have been improving!

Cuteness:

• Pretend sleeping (this may or may not be my favorite game).  They pretend to be asleep, I say "Oh fill in the blank is so sleepy", they pop their heads up and think it is so hilarious.  Caroline has even developed a decent fake snore!
• They give each other hugs- mostly when we ask them to, but still, so cute.
• Allison has shown beginnings of the Perkins Pout (only cute because she's 2)... she folds her arms and full on pouts if she feels she has been wronged.  
• They'll do anything for a raisin.

• Andrew says hi and bye to anyone and everyone and ooooohhh when he's excited about something.
• Ben cuddles with his giraffe stuffed animal from the NICU
• When Levi is bored of you he says "Bye Bye!" and walks off.  Probably to go pose in front of a reflective surface.  or vacuum.  or be a singer/songwriter with his guitar.

And with that I bid you "uh Bye Bye!" in my best Levi voice.