Last Week...

Lots of pictures here, but I guess that's life with three busy kids! I don't know where Alanna learned this, but she is a drama queen (and this behavior is reinforced by James - he thinks she's so cute!) When she gets upset, she will look around and make sure someone is watching her, then cover her eyes and bawl - fake bawl that is! I'm not making this up - it's been witnessed by many beside James and I!


Paul got to have his cast signed by family and friends. The word on the street is that James is to blame for Paul's broken arm - he tripped him! Thanks Jon and Maryann! Caleb wrote "P-Funk" on Paul's cast, because that's what they called our brother Paul. So, now Paul goes around saying he is P-Funk the rapper and giggles.

Alanna's always got a baby doll to take care of!

Alanna enjoys playing in the kitchen with her best friend Pyper. These girls are only 7 days apart, and I've been so excited for them to be old enough to play together. They are too cute!














Fall is here, and the boys love exploring the creek and wetlands that back up to my parent's backyard. It's a boy's dreamland!

















Alanna is playing and giggling with her Aunt La La. She is also spoiled by her Aunt Andrea who carries her and cuddles her and does anything she wants to do!

Some family friends, Fred and Jill, were in town visiting my parents last week. We all went up there on Friday night to see them. They grew up with my Dad, and it was fun to hear stories of crazy things they did as youth! Jill brought all the girls beautiful hand made earrings, and she gave the kids coloring activity books, sidewalk chalk, and some cool rocks that grow popcorn crystals in vinegar. The boys have been obsessed with their rocks and check them several times a day to see how much they have grown. We had fun playing Taboo - it's always fun to play games with my parents and their friends because they think they can't play games anymore, but really they are good at them! Thanks for all the gifts, Fred and Jill, we hope you come visit again soon!

Great Friends !

These are two of my beautiful friends: Allison (Left), and Maryann (Right). I spend way too much time talking to them both on the phone, or anytime I see them actually, but they're so much fun! A few weeks ago we put together a baby shower for our friend, Amy, and the theme was "Under Construction". It was just so much fun to have yet another excuse to hang out with these two for all of the planning and organizing of the shower. We just had to get a picture of us in the hard hats, especially since there is a brunette, red head, and a blond. We're a awesome combo! I'm so thankful to have them both!

Our Lean Green Little Machine...

This guy doesn't slow down for anything. It's amazing that this is the first serious injury that he has had during his three years of life! A couple of weeks ago, he was wrestling and such with his brother, and came to me crying saying his arm hurt. Since he hurts himself multiple times a day, I just gave him a hug and didn't see any visible signs of danger, and sent him on his way. About a week later I noticed he wouldn't let anyone touch his arm, and it had a small bruise and slight swelling. I took him to the Dr. just to be safe, and it turns out he has a radial fracture and his ulna is bowed out 15 degrees! The pediatrician and sports medicine doctor couldn't believe that he wasn't in any pain! Obviously it's a good thing I took him in! So, he had a splint for a few days, and then got his green cast which he will have for about 6 weeks. We had him signed up to play soccer this season, but that will have to wait until spring! The cool part of the cast (besides it being green- Paul's fav color) , is that it is water proof and will be changed at two week intervals so it won't stink! Jackson has been telling us that his arm hurts and it's broken and he needs a cast too! I think he's really going to be jealous when people start signing Paul's cast!

This is random, but I wanted to record something that Paul said last night too. He brought me a magazine while we were brushing teeth and asked me to read it to him. I told him it was too late, and that maybe we could read it the next day. He said "That is unacceptable! I want to read it now!" James and I were laughing so much because Paul is such a little sponge absorbing everything that goes on in his little world! I often tell the boys that their behavior is "unacceptable"!

New Fall Routines...

Paul started preschool this past Tuesday with much anticipation. Jackson has already been in school for over a month, and Paul has been so ready to use his backpack and be a big boy! I'm so proud of him for being so eager to learn, and he didn't mind being left at school at all. Lately he has been wanting to work on learning his letters every morning. He knows almost all his letters and sounds now! I'm looking forward to our new schedule and having some one on one time with the boys. Preschool is in the morning, and Kindergarten is in the afternoon, so the boys get to have
some special time alone.

Alanna loves to carry a backpack just like her big brothers! It's too cute!








Paul, Alanna and I love walking Jackson and Preston to the bus stop after lunch. Jackson gives his brother and sister hugs and kisses, and then we wave to all the kids on the bus. We have to walk up the hill, then we stop and talk to our friend Michelle, for a few minutes until Alanna can't stand it anymore. She gets out of the stroller and starts pushing Paul, and she'll do it all by herself laughing the whole way home! I just had to get a picture of them enjoying themselves!
I have to admit, that by the end of the day, this is something I look forward to! All three kids in bed by 8pm! James and I have been waking up around 6:30am, and we love being in a productive routine now that school is back in session!

My Little Sweet Tooth...

I've written before about how James totally spoils our baby girl and has been feeding her sweets since she was 3 months old! By the way, the boys really didn't have sugar until they were at least 9 months old, probably longer for Jackson. So...this is the kind of monster James has created...

The other night while James was putting the kiddies to bed, I was sitting in the front room eating some ice cream (a rare occasion since James usually eats it all before I get a single serving), and Alanna was playing on the upstairs balcony and spotted me. She started doing her "give me" sign with her little hand, and before I knew it, she made her way downstairs and was begging me for ice cream. Apparently, she has caught on to the fact that the parents have treats after the kids go to bed. Anyhow, I shared with Alanna, James shared with Alanna, and she still wanted more. She walked over to the freezer and was making a sincere effort to open the door so she could help herself to some more! It's a good thing she can't open it yet because I have a feeling that would be a never ending battle during her waking hours! It just amazes me how much she understands at 13 months old. I wish I could know about all that goes on inside that sweet little head!