The Boys Milestones

Lane started Kindergarten last week, and is very much a little boy with only a small trace of preschooler left. Little things like not having a morning snack in kindergarten, dropping his daily nap (he still does maybe three times a week), and his expanded vocabulary show his maturing. He stays on task much longer and is a big helper with Luke. He completed six months of speech therapy last spring, and the improvement was awesome! My friend Kalee is a wonderful speech therapist, and Lane looked forward to seeing her weekly. The highlight of Lane's summer was fishing. He gets this passion honestly--both of his grandfathers and his father love it as well. He would spend all day on the wharf with his fishing pole if he could.

He caught his first red snapper off the Fishers of Men with Pal, Pie, Holden, James, and Bryant Traylor

intense concentration

Holden is four, and is right there in the "middle" of everything. He likes to know who is doing what when. I can mention any plans for the next week or month, and he reminds me of them constantly. (I can't imagine where he gets this from, ha!) He also loved fishing, playing at the beach, and being in the action of whatever activity was happening. I am so thankful for Holden's love to snuggle and chill with me. He also loves to help me in the kitchen, and proudly makes the best rice krispy treats (of course that is the first thing I taught him!).

that face!! FOUR years old

love his enthusiasm

He wanted a Batman cake with Superman plates, always very specific!

Slip and Slide fun!

(side note--those balloons lasted about five minutes, so if you ever get them, have realistic expectations about their longevity around kids

thanks Kate! He is a candy corn lover like his momma

more fishing fun

Luke is a perfect caboose--full of spunk, fearless, and the ability to go with the flow (as long as he is not being left out!). He turns two in a little over a week. He has gotten very verbal, with his favorite phrases being "Oh Man!" at the appropriate destructive moments, "Come on Boys!" to his older brothers when he wants them to follow him, and "I eat!" as he has quite the appetite. He loves all things Daddy--riding around in the safari car, helping him outside, and watching cartoons in his lap. 

He is the first child that didn't cry when I dropped him off for the first day of 2k, didn't miss a beat. 

I want to freeze this stage as toddlerhood is one that is so easy to wish away--the being in diapers, stubborn fits, and nap schedules. But this go round, I am enjoying it all as I know it passes so quickly.

He does what I call the "chicken wing". He gets a little hop in his step and throws out his arms resemble a chicken. He does it on command :)

sand and water--perfect combination! 

this is blurry but depicts his "pouty lip" so well

First day of school--I told him to go get ready and this was what he came back with

swimming with his buddy Aimee

end of summer at Fishers

Luke playing with Emi and Ellie

be still my heart

three amigos

All right, I am sure only grandmothers are still tuned in, but I have missed so much so had to get it all in!!

4/5 months, 2.5, and 1 week shy of 4

Luke is a complete LOVE. I forgot how wonderful this stage is...sleeping, cooing, rolling but not into everything, and all around content. The day he turned 4 months he rolled from back to stomach. In the past week, he has mastered the full roll. He is loving sucking on his hands and feet. I started feeding him rice cereal and a few foods. He still mainly makes a mess, but seems to enjoy it. I am still nursing in the morning, with bottles the rest of the day. He takes about 32 ounces a day....

play date with Aimee, Jack, and Braxton

hanging with Henry

Holden. He is a complete MESS. I have started keeping phrases and things he says in my phone, so I don't forget because they are priceless. Here are a few of my favorites:
"I am saving your place warm."
Me-"Holden where are you going?" Him-"I am going to get my milk and come enjoy the fire." (he might have heard me say this a time or two, insert wine!)
His water cup fell in the car. He said "you have to call the police, and get my water back!"
When Lane does something he knows is not good, "Daddy will spank you red Lane!"
When he gets upset and wants to get his point across, "You understand me Momma?!"
I was reading the cover of Anthropologie, Christmas edition. He saw the cover and said "Did that girl kill that deer dead?" (you will get this if you saw that one)
"My hands are really dirty momma, I need some hand sanitizer."
Me-Holden WHY DIDNT YOU POOP IN THE POTTY?!" Holden, "I'll try again next time, momma."

Lane is turning into a little boy. He really thinks through everything. He prefaces everything he tells you with "I got to tell you something..."

(from the Fair this past weekend)

He has a overall positive outlook on things...He tells me in the mornings, I watched the weather, and it will be a beautiful day!".  James took him deer hunting this past weekend, and he is hooked! He has asked for binoculars for his birthday :) He loves his "baby brother" more than anything. The feeling is mutual as Luke lights up and coos whenever he is near. I can't believe he will be four next week!

Holidays

 Holidays with small children can be so much fun, but also so exhausting! We had a wonderful Thanksgiving, spending time with both of our families. 

This little boy is learning to go with the flow...

Lane had a Thanksgiving program at school, and it was precious. It continually blows my mind how much they learn at two and three years old.

Lane was an Indian

with Foster Jones, their best buddy. Holden was a turkey. Very appropriate

They are very into guns and hunting thanks to Pal. They shoot chipmunks, armadillo, and deer. 

And animals on tv

wish I got a better shot, but Pie and Pal with their grands

blurry but so sweet

two peas in a pod

Hardy busy cracking stone crabs our fams thanksgiving tradition thanks to my generous grandparents

Elon and Luke getting in some loving

Three months and finally sleeping through the night!!

Holden said he wanted his picture taken too

Luke will be tough thanks to this big brother

we celebrated D's birthday when we were visiting Moulton

up next Christmas and Four months...course it might be awhile :)