The Sweetest Things

This summer seems to be passing by so quickly (have you noticed the rapid passage of time seems to be a common theme on this blog?) and the kids seems to be growing up so fast. I made a "summer bucket list" of things that I'd like for the kids to do before school starts and the fall is here and things get hectic again. We checked off an item on our bucket list this weekend "go to the zoo", but this post isn't about the zoo (stay tuned for those pictures in the next post).

This post is about our week and all the little moments that I captured this week that I don't want to forget. I was reading a devotional yesterday and it was speaking about the gift of summer and how each day is an opportunity to unwrap all the day has to offer. With this thought in mind, here are some pictures of all the gifts I've unwrapped this week:

Harper and Jack played "parent" to some of the dollys this week. The picture that stole my heart was Jack reading to the baby- that boy is going to be a good daddy one day.

 I love to see the kids play together and hug each other and make each other laugh. I heard giggles and I looked over to see this coming through the kitchen.

We took two trips to the park this week- the mornings are cool(er) and quiet and we usually have the whole place to ourselves.

I finally got a pick of Harper climbing up the tunnel slide; she's so quick I haven't gotten good pics of her climbing before.

I tried to get some pictures of me and both kids....key word here is "tried". I love Jack's face in the second pic.

Our second trip to the park this week had a special featured guest appearance by Abby. I've thought about taking her more than once this summer, but I finally got up the guts to do it. She loved the walk to and from the park, but didn't really love being tethered to the playground equipment while we played. Don't worry, she was in shade the whole time, and we brought Abby her own bottle of water and a special travel water bowl (Harper was happy to give Abby her water).

The kids also decided to turn our living room into a circus act complete with tightrope walking and daredevil "bounce house" jumping. I wasn't thrilled they were doing this, but their belly laughs were worth the wear and tear on the couch...just this once :)

We normally do our grocery shopping on the weekend, but I needed to run to the store this week and grab a few quick items. I let Harper and Jack do something we've never done before: they walked through the store without a cart. I know that this doesn't seem like an accomplishment, but believe me it is. I successfully made it from the front of the grocery store to the back and to the front again without losing a child, having any meltdowns,or having a child pull anything off the shelves. Harper carried the basket for us all the way to the back of the store (when we put items in the basket she quickly abandoned it claiming it was too heavy). I asked the kids to hold hands so we'd say together and it melted my heart to see Harper and Jack look after each other.

 Harper and Jack got to play with something new this week- play doh! I wondered how this would go over, but as you can see, it was a big hit. They weren't too sure what to do with the play doh when we got it out of the tubs, but once we found some toys to use in our play, it was much more fun. The kids played at their table for close to an hour.

 We also went to Tony's office to have lunch with him. Harper saw Tony's calculator and declared "I want to play on the computer like Daddy!" Jack would rather spend his time talking on the phone.

We also made a trip to the library. The kids really like the toddler story time and they're getting the hang of checking out books. When we left the library this week, we made a short stop at the park in the square- Harper wanted to look at the fountain and I think Jack liked it too (along with the train sculpture).

Our week wrapped up with this sight:

I'm so glad this won't be a reality for another 13-14 years (that is a heart attack waiting to happen).

Here are few little bonus gifts this week:

Jack playing "peek-a-boo" with himself

Doctor Harper working on Winnie the Pooh

Daddy and Spider Man

Harper's tea party

Jack and Peter Rabbit

The infamous angry face

Just looking out the window

I love all these little gifts, and I have to remind myself of these cute faces when we're in toddler melt down mode. Zoo trip pictures are up next- stay tuned!

When the Parents are Away...

Tony and I had the good fortune of spending the last week soaking up some sun in Mexico with some great friends. It was nice to get away from everything for a while and de-stress, but we sure missed Harper and Jack and their antics (this is what I looked like the day before we left on vacation- I was art-ha)

 

 Our trip abroad was made possible by Nana and Pop who stayed with the kids for a few days. I called to check in each day and every time I called, the kids were happy, the grandparents were doing well, and even Abby dog was having a good time. Knowing the kids were in such good hands allowed us to relax and really enjoy our vacation. Here are some highlights from Harper and Jack's time with Nana and Pop:

They went to the public library to read some books, put on a puppet show, and check out the toddler story time.

Mom said Jack really enjoyed story time, but Harper was a little nervous with all the other kids and spent most of her time observing while Jack sang songs; they both enjoyed the story that was read.

Another day Nana and Pop filled up the water table and let the kids splash and play. Harper was excited to tell me about it on the phone, and she let us know that Nana put bubbles in the water- so exciting!

Jack and Harper also shoed Nana and Pop the park, played all over the house, took good naps, and ate well while we were gone- I think Tony and I should vacation more often :)

When we got back from our trip on Friday, Harper and Jack looked so big to me and Tony said they must've grown overnight. They now have some new phrases like "I want to show you something" and "whatcha' got" that took me by surprise the first time I heard them.

Our little family of four had two days together before Tony head's back to work tomorrow, so we made the most of our weekend. Jack was so exciting about going to library with Nana and Pop that Tony and I decided to take them to toddler time again Saturday morning. The class wasn't as crowded and Harper knew what to expect, so she had a little more fun this time and both kiddos sang and danced along.

After class was over, the kids got to spend some time on the computer playing toddler computer games (they looks so big here to me) and we let the kids pick some books to check out. Jack was super excited that he got to check out books- the first time we've ever done this- and he had a hard time just picking a few. When we got home from the library, both kids sat down and went through all of their books first thing.

This morning it wasn't too terribly hot, so we decided to take the kids to the park. I take the kids to the park quite a bit, but Tony is usually at work when we go, so today was a treat for him.

The kids had learned a few new things like:
- climbing up the tunnel slide (Jack likes to get up to the top and then slide down backwards on his tummy)

-hanging from the ring above the little slide (Harper is so strong)

-pushing each other down the slide (they do this and giggle; we're not to malicious pushing...yet)

It was also nice to get a few shots of Tony and I playing with the kids- a great way to end the weekend.

On a different note, Harper also had an epic temper tantrum during lunch today (we waited too long to eat and she had a meltdown). This was a cold dose of reality and a reminder that we do have two-and-a-half year-olds that we're trying to guide through life (a task not for the faint of heart).

I am starting a "bucket list" for summer now that we're home from vacation; the list includes things like "trip to the zoo", "eating snow cones" and "potty training". I have 30 days left until I have to report back to school, and I hope to make the most of each day and work on that list.

We are also very happy to welcome a new little boy into our family. We are happy to announce that we have a new nephew born this week! I can't wait to see all 6 Collett grandkids together- they are going to be one adorable little gang.

That's all for tonight- we are so glad to be home in our own beds, with our little family, and can't wait to start planning our next vacation- ha!

2 1/2 Years Old

This week Harper and Jack turned 2 1/2 and had a check-up at the pediatrician's office. We have had some dicey doctor's visits in the past (not at the pediatrician's, but at other specialists), so Tony and I hold our collective breath when we walk into any doctor's office. Thankfully, this check-up was great and the kids both got an "A+" for developments and physical exam.

We waited on the doctor for a few moments, and the kids decided it was a great time to check out the doctor's stool and make sure it was working right.

When the doctor came in, Harper was so cute insisting that it was her turn for a check-up first and eagerly opening her mouth and saying "ahh" or offering her ears to get checked. Harper is a big fan of a cartoon about a doctor, so she was ready to pretend she was a doctor too. 

When Jack went to get his check up, he was interested in all the instruments and spent most of his time talking non-stop to the doctor.

Our pediatrician said they looked great and she'd see them back in 6 months for their three year check-up...are we really only 6 months away from having 3 year olds? Unbelievable. 

After the doctor's office, I decided it was important to celebrate the 2 1/2 year milestone so, I sat down with the kids during lunch and conducted an impromptu interview with each one.

So here are the doctor's stats on both Harper and Jack, and their answers to the questions I asked them:

Jack:

Height- 36.3 inches (53%)

Weight- 27.13 lbs (33%)

Head- 19.8 in (83%)

Harper:

Height- 35 inches (31%)

Weight- 22.5 lbs (3%)

Head- 19.8 in (97%)

*Note, Harper is no longer on the preemie growth curve; she has finally made it to the "real" growth chart! 

Interview Questions:

Jack:

Favorite Color- Red

Favorite Toy- Golf club and golf ball

Favorite Book- The Pancake book

Favorite Food- French Toast Sticks

Favorite Stuffed Animal- Peter Rabbit (aka Peter Cottontail)

Favorite Song- "Pop Goes the Weasel"

Favorite TV Show- Miles from Tomorrow Land

Harper:

Favorite Color- Yellow

Favorite Toy- Little People

Favorite Book- The Animal book (complete with noises of baby animals)

Favorite Food-Mac and Cheese

Favorite Stuffed Animal- Mospy (Peter Rabbit's sister)

Favorite Song- "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star"

Favorite TV Show- Doc McStuffins

I am so proud of these two kids everyday- they are learning so much and doing so many things, like drinking out of real cups, and growing so big. 

So here are some pictures of these big kids, these 2 1/2 year olds, doing some fun stuff this week: finger painting, visiting Dad at his office, playing at the park, watching some tv with Abby, and running errands with Dad.

Here's one final funny picture of Harper. She bought me her baby doll and insisted that I help her take of her doll's clothes. She then put some shorts on the doll and announced that the doll was going swimming; moments later, I looked over to see this...

Apparently Harper decided to go swimming her baby doll as well. :)

The other "big" thing that the kids have been doing this week is "pretending". Jack will now announce that he's pretending to be a character from a book, or a character on a tv show. Harper has picked up on this and will talk about pretending now too. I was amazed that they understood this concept of "pretend", and now I smile at the things that they pretend to do- everything from climb a mountain to swim in the ocean.

I can't imagine what the next six months have in store for us, but Tony and I are both excited for the journey. Happy 1/2 birthday, Harper and Jack! We love you!