These pictures weren’t taken at the same ages, but I thought they needed to be side by side.
(Kaitlyn is about 1 month and Ben is about 3 months).
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Alex’s new favorite show is Ben 10 so today he made himself the alien-watch-thing.
The sweetest example of teamwork between a witch and an astronaut.
Ben.
Teague loves his baby brother and was so excited when I suggested pictures of just the two of them.
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Today was actually sunny and warm. We headed to the park!
Brothers.
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These boys (Alex, Teague, and Abram) figured out how to play Minecraft over the distance. They included face timing to help everyone get in the same place and agreeing to the same plan.
Teague got a radio for his helmet. Now Wade’s trying to figure out how to wire the other one to a headset unit.
With our visitors last week we forgot to check out Kaitlyn’s Valentine’s until this morning when we were packing her bag for school.
A dog and his boy.
Judy and Jerry left today and we were all sad to see them go. I have done more cooking this week than in a long time. (Not that I don’t cook often, but we tend to frequently have “leftover” night to clean out the fridge.) Tonight I pulled everything out of the fridge and we all picked our favorites. (And will probably do so for the next few nights.)
Wade and I got a little tired of the craziness inside our house today. Wade finally offered a minute for minutes exchange on reading and video games. Alex read to everyone for 20 minutes and then they played 20 minutes of video games. Genius.
Ben got to be one of the big kids today and watch morning cartoons.
Today Wade and I had a rare day out with just our oldest two. We left Kaitlyn and Ben with Granny and Pop and got in the car for an adventure. The boys both received gift certificates to Beanstalk and couldn’t wait to check it out. I wasn’t sure if adults were allowed on the ropes courses but I was hoping! Some of the high wires were a little freaky but the zipline was my favorite. The course is laid out so that you have to do some of the more challenging walks to get to the zipline (Smart. Very smart.) Teague was quick to try the harder courses and even went to the upper level with Wade. Alex had fun but was a little more hesitant overall. We all had a blast!
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The boys found a cool couch while we were exploring a furniture store.
I’m not exactly sure what time Kaitlyn woke up this morning but when I got downstairs at 7:30 she was already taking a nap.
Granny is a wonderful cook, but my kids’ favorite (and probably mine too) is her Maple Nut Twist Coffee Cake. This has always been a special treat for Christmas morning, birthdays, and occasional random visits. Alex requested one for his birthday and Granny made it with his help. I decided to document most of the process (I forgot a picture of the final coffee cake but did find a close replica online.)
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Alex has spent part of each day this week at art camp. Today he brought home an emoji tic-tac-toe board.
Fishy face.
Kaitlyn has had her pick of people offering to read at naptime. Today she wanted Pop.
Granny and Ben obviously got together on their outfit choices today.
Kaitlyn got this “phone” for Christmas but just realized it has a camera button. She spent the day taking pictures and would often join me when I was photographing. I looked up from taking pictures of Ben to see her just out of the frame taking her own pictures.
As I was tucking Alex in tonight, he told me he didn’t like sleeping in the room without Teague.
Today was Teague’s special day with Granny and Pop. He was so excited to swim in their hotel pool and loved being the only person in the water.
Group snuggle.
Teague turned 7 today! Wow! The kids have winter break this week so there is no school. Even better that Granny and Pop came to visit for the week. Teague got to celebrate all day long starting with chocolate donuts and ending with brownie cupcakes. It was a pretty awesome day.
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Happy 7th Birthday to Teague!!
Present time!
I think he’s a little confused by all the birthdays and celebrations the last week but he wears the hat like a champ.
Have you seen these signs at your local stores – especially grocery stores? At first glance it seems like such a great idea. Those infant carriers are heavy and awkward – especially if you also have shopping bags.
Then let’s scan out and look at the big picture. The closest cart return is quite a ways away. This makes the awesome parking spot not so awesome.
You are left with the choice of leaving the baby in the car while you return the cart or you can push the baby in the cart (after unloading the groceries) and then carry the heavy baby and carrier back to the car. Either way, suddenly the parking spot isn’t so grand. I almost always choose to park right by the cart return. Then I grab the cart and push the baby in and have an easy return when I am done. (On the same note, this has to be annoying for people using the handicap spots too. They are still forced to go a further distance if they put up their cart after unloading.)
Checkers is alway a favorite.
A gorgeous day meant a ride to the park.
How we grocery shop.
Big sister was here.
These guys are the worst pretend sleepers in history.
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Granny and Pop took Alex out for a special day to celebrate his birthday. He chose a movie and pizza.
He wanted cookies. It worked out well for the rest of us.
Kaitlyn talked on her “phone” for quite a while today. Heaven help us when she has a real phone with someone on the other end.
Ben has discovered his hands and that he has some control over them. He will slowly raise up his right arm and then stare at it for a while – then eventually hitting a toy or chewing on his fingers.
I love fake vampire teeth. They make for the silliest faces.
Reading a new book.
“Helping” Pop play Rummikub.
Napping.
We woke up to 5 inches of snow! With our crazy warm temperatures we knew it wouldn’t last so we got everyone out and played. (Ben didn’t love it quite as much as I had hoped.) Kaitlyn kept asking to go snowboarding (thank you olympics) so Wade helped her out.
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We spent the rest of the afternoon playing games and taking naps.
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The boys couldn’t wait to show off the go kart for Granny and Pop.
The boys couldn’t wait to show off the go kart for Granny and Pop.
Kaitlyn has had trouble hearing the last week. Of course, it took me a few days to realize she wasn’t just ignoring everything I said. I’m hoping to get her in to see the doctor in the next few days. I feel like I have to yell every time I talk to her.