Catch up

With the exception of one very fun Disneyland trip, we have been spending a lot of time at the house.

We've had a sick baby and the big kids have been troupers.  

Making fun around the house and being patient (also impatient) as I care for Thatcher. 

Our summer school study of famous Americans is super fun.

We checked out some book from the library about the people we are studying for some more info.

Sacagewea is a favorite so far.  

Here Ava is reenacting the expedition with her baby on her back. 

This week it's Abe Lincoln.  

Here is his log cabin.

Sooooo many teeth coming in right now.  

It's just not fair to get a cold and fever on top of it (it was actually roseola, we found out today :-()

It is so strange how their look changes once those top teeth poke through.  

I entirely blame this thing called crawling...aka, putting your hands and mouth where everyones feet go.

Lego maniac.

What would we do without Legos on days around the house.

We got away for a fun afternoon at Disneyland.

It was our last chance to go before our passes are blocked for the summer months.

 

 In Disneyland news...the teacups are made for Daddys.  

Also, Judson now loves the characters.  

A fun change from crying and hiding behind my leg.  

I took some maternity photos for my cousin and his wife.

They are going to be such sweet parents.  

I hope to get a website up for my photography by the end of year.

We did get out for a real quick peek at the house last weekend.

Jesus is all over this place. 

It's awesome

This also happened...

Ava in sparring gear.  

OH. MY.

Summer!!!!

Summer is here again!

The proof is in my washing machine that's filled with beach towels and my children who permanently smell like sunscreen.

Sometimes I dread when the schedule gets switched up but this year, I was ready. 

Before our official summer started, we wrapped up Ava's school year.

She was promoted to the 3rd grade.  

Seriously :-(

So proud of her though.  

It was a tough year in the very best way.

The kind of tough that God uses for GOOD!  

We saw so much growth in her and learned a lot as parents as well!

The boys and I picked out a special end of the year present for Sis.  

She loved them!

And the boys got a little something too so don't you worry about them :)

Since my hands are pretty full with these three, I had this brilliant idea...

Why don't the kids and I tie-dye some backpacks together so that they can be really excited about carrying their own stuff when we go out. 

It turns out that tie-dye isn't as easy as it looks and I wouldn't recommend it unless you have about 20 pairs of gloves and a really large space that you don't mind completely ruining.  

The finished products were not as I envisioned but, oh their sweet little faces when they saw them!  

They were so proud.

Week one of summer vacation is in the books and it's been filled with fun already.

Beach time...

(My kids are so free and joyful at the beach.  It makes me feel the same the way.)

Pretend City...

(I love to see their little imaginations run wild)

Time with family...

(Ava helped cooked Father's Day breakfast)

(I am so thankful to the Lord for my family.  What a sweet gift they are.)

School...

I love it and can't just call it quits when summer rolls around.  

I love learning with my kids and I love seeing their faces when they make connections.

This summer we are doing a unit called Famous Americans.

And even Judson is remembering a ton from our lessons.  

Go ahead and ask him about Johnny Appleseed, it's adorable.

(Did you know that George Washington's favorite career was being a farmer?  I did not.)

Thumbs up for summer!

Sibling Love

I saw a video today online of two brothers who compete in triathlons together.

One is 8 and one is 6.

One has cerebral palsy and one does not.

The older brother pushes his younger one in a stroller for the duration of the race.  

It wasn't exactly our situation of course, but it hit close to home.

When we decided to adopt Ava I remember people asking if we'd thought about how it would effect our future children, having a sister with a disability like cerebral palsy.  

I asked myself the same question.

Our boys are still young but there is no doubt that Ava is the apple of their eye.  Like any younger sibling, Judson idolizes his older sister.  He mimics her and loves the things that she loves.  When he was 16 months old he started trying to walk with a limp because he was so closely observing Ava's movements.  He glows when she compliments him or pays him extra attention.

To him, she is typical.  He doesn't see any special need in her.  But, without even knowing it, he is learning lessons in compassion, sensitivity and patience that can't be learned through anything but life experience. 

These are the things that I wish for all my children.  For them to be kind and sensitive to the needs of others.  

These lessons aren't always easy (I know because I am also growing and stretching as I learn to parent a child with special needs.)

But they are good.  They are SO good and we thank God for the lessons learned.

So now when I think back on the question I asked myself, How will having a child with CP effect my other children, I can answer confidently,

 In the best way possible.   

Let Them Be Little

It's what they do best!

And while littleness isn't always clean, tidy, or according to plan, it's sweet and innocent and it's a season in life that goes by way too fast!

In our home lately, being little looks a lot like this...

Being crazy about super heros...

Cuddling

Creating

Enjoying

Being active

Learning

Trying new things

So much evidence that little ones are in our home.

I love it so much

{Repeat to self when stepping on Legos late at night and scrubbing paint off the walls :-)}