Summer is over

The night before summer started, I cried. I had a gut wrenching feeling that my routine was about to be changed and I wouldn't know what to do with Alyssa home all day. Fast forward three months and the night before school started again I felt the same feeling, but now utterly sad that Alyssa would no longer be home. We had a wonderful summer together with easy days at home and now we had to go back to school life. Boo hoo hoo hoo hoo.

We celebrated our last weekend of summer in Dallas. We rode the Swashbuckler Express, sporting our best pirate attire and the kids swam lots and lots! Taft also learned that he doesn't know how to swim, especially with his mouth full of an ice cream cone. Thanks, Camille for saving him.

 Alyssa is a week into 3rd grade and seems to be liking it. She is excited to get math homework and learn how to play the recorder!

The boys and I are having fun at home. Taft and Joel are participating in a joy school type preschool. They like it! Taft is becoming keenly aware of the letter R, which he learned last week. They are also keeping me busy at home. Joel is turning more into a big kid and has a few strong-willed and mischievous moments. I just found him today, in fact, lathering his body in Carmex chapstick. Whatever. Now he won't be chapped.

Kent is rolling around and kind of starting to sit up. He has filled out nicely in the last 2.5 months. I found out at his 4 month appointment that he had lost weight. A flood of emotions came along with that. Mostly I felt really bad that I let my baby lose weight. He is a good sleeper so he didn't eat as much as those insomniac babies, but I think that caused me to not produce as much milk from the get go. We get by with a little help from formula and he's doing great!

I have pictures, but blogger isn't uploading them, so make up some pictures in your head for the time being. There are so many things to tell you. I wish I could put it all down. Trust me when I say we are alive and my kids are cute and kind. Also trust me when I say that I have to take a time out at least once a day because it almost seems too much. And some days I should probably take more than one time out, but I don't and say and do things I regret. I'm thankful for repentance and forgiveness and for the people around me that bring me so much joy!

It's Summer!

Summer time is here! Last week Alyssa enjoyed having Nana all to herself in Dallas! They saw Joseph and the Technicolor Dream Coat, went to the Dallas aquarium, and swam everyday.  She is back now and our family summer has begun! 

It is day 2 and so far, so good! 

We went with some friends to Michael's craft store and made woven turtles. 

We're eating summer lunches like Ramen and quesadillas.

We signed up for the summer reading program. You are supposed to read 20 minutes a day 25 days, or so which comes out to about 500 minutes for the summer. Alyssa is on track to read all of those 500 minutes in about six days. The fun part has been that she enjoys reading to the boys, particularly Kent who loves to watch her as she reads to him! I think everybody will meet their summer reading goal this year!

Kent is growing. Tomorrow he will be 4 month old officially! He is very tall and all of his hair is turning blond! Though I do believe his eyelashes have a tint of red to them. He is an Archibald after all! he's such an easy baby. He naps well and sleeps well at night. I couldn't ask for any thing better!

In general summer is going well! Despite the 90 degree temperatures and hundred percent humidity we are still finding ways to have fun inside and out. The kids are getting along very well and having Alyssa around makes it easy to keep everybody entertained. I am grateful for all of my little children and the joy they bring me! Nothing makes my heart happier than to see them all together playing and enjoying one another's company. I know we'll probably have days where I wish that I could just lock them each in a separate room so that they will stop fighting, but so far I've enjoyed the two lovely days we've had together!

Joel

This post is dedicated to Joel. He has always been a reserved guy. He shares his smiles carefully and really doesn't say a whole lot. Lately he has been shining bright! He does little things that just make my funny bone tickle and my insides smile all over.

During lunch Joel stacked his truck full of noodles.

I sometimes catch him in the baby bouncer. He just has to try it out and can't resist it when he finds it on the floor, empty.

I was finishing up a few things before I grabbed Kent, who I knew to be awake. I went into my room to find that Joel was doing his best to take care of him. 

Joel brought me a roll of duct tape and insinuated that he wanted a piece. I gave one to him and he immediately taped his mouth shut. Taft saw it and wanted to join in the fun. This one particularly just has me rolling in silent giggles when I think about it.

Joel found Alyssa's hat and wore it around while I made lunch today. Look at those big round eyes! What would I do without my Joel?

I can hardly believe time flies as it does. As Joel gets bigger I am seeing more and more how unique each child truly is. There is not a single mold that will fit more than one child. Joel is starting to vocalize more things. He loves the words "choo choo", "Jeesz" (Jesus), poop, and bowl. He also makes dog and cat noises. He is quite and observing and sensitive. He often will come find someone to give them a hug. He especially likes to give Taft hugs when Taft is sad.

The other day Joel found this picture sitting on the floor. He pointed to Jesus and "Jeetsz" and then he pointed to the little boy and grabbed his own shirt. This is one example of how close to our Savior little children are. These moments are some of my favorite as a mother. What a blessing to be able to be with spirits that are still so close to God.