Eighteen Months with Edith

Edith is getting so old! Although, upon being asked, she will still tell you she's a baby. A baby who can pretty much say whatever she wants and insists on doing things by herself. But, still, a baby. 

I think that Edith is the perfect blend of tomboy and girly-girl. She likes to play sports and poke at bugs and loves to dance and wear earrings. She is busy perfecting her soccer throw-ins and kicks, her basketball shot, and her hip swivels. 

Edith is getting better and better at pretending things. We love to watch her play and talk to herself and the characters she's using. Her dad is still her best friend and her preferred playmate, with Big being a close second. Her mom will do in a pinch. When playing, whether it be with construction guys, cows, work trucks, all must call each other 'Honey'. 

I am especially glad that she is getting better at pretending on her own. 

Edith still continues to be a close-sitter. When one of us sits down on the couch to read or take a breather, she climbs on up and then sits and re-sits, sliding down the side of your body (seeming like she's trying to get in your body) until she feels like she's close enough. We have learned to not even waste our time trying to reclaim some space. Edith will just stand up, back into you, and sit and re-sit all over again. 

Yup. A really close-sitter.

As you can see, Edith still prefers to read non-baby books of her own rather than have someone read to her. She is requesting that I read to her a little more often than she was, but she really would rather read a book by herself or out loud to me or to a toy. I love it when Edith reads aloud. She reads with such great inflection.

Edith is always so excited when she wakes up from her nap in the afternoons, because she knows that her dad will be home soon. She loves to sit in the bay window in the living room to watch for his arrival. Plus, she can usually catch sight of a few birdies while we wait. Edith loves birdies.

Being outside is pretty much Edith's favorite place to be. She has been loving this soccer season because of all of the games she gets to go to. And when you tell her you're going to take her to the playground, her face does this:

I took a bunch of pictures of her playing basketball outside yesterday. She was so happy to be outside and playing with her brother. What a perfect thing to do to celebrate turning 18 months old.

(I know this first one is blurry, but I love that she was informing me her ball was wet.)

It was so fun to just watch her and take pictures, but next time we're going to work on getting more arc in her shot...

(Yes, I know this next one is blurry, too, but just look how flat that is!)

To top it all off, she found some ants. What a grand celebration!

Perfect for poking...

...and stomping on.

I don't think Edith's 18 month celebration morning could have been any better. Then, when she got up from her nap, the two of us went on a date to the bread store. She was so happy to be out. So much so that she actually mugged for the camera. 

Seriously. So cute, Edith!

I know there are so many other great things I was going to write about what Edith is up to, but Big got to talking to me about coyotes and my brain filled up with coyote facts instead. Hmmm... let's see....

Oh, yeah. Edith adds an -uh ending to words that end in 'p'. It's super cute. So, 'cup' becomes 'cup-uh', 'lap' becomes 'lap-uh'... you get the idea. I love it. 

Anyway, she's fabulous and wicked-awesome and we love her. Happy 18 month, Edith! I can't wait to spend time with you this year!

Forgotten Favorites

I realized today that I completely spaced doing Friday Favorites yesterday. Oops. I hereby apologize to my most ardent follower. Anyway, the fact that I forgot probably has something to do with the fact that school started, soccer has consumed our lives, and I've been sick. So sick that the pain from sinus pressure made me want to pull out my newly shod teeth-nubbins with pliers. Anything to relieve the pain. I'm sure that something good happened this week, though...

1. The 3 older kids started school this week. It seems like it will be a good year-- the kids all like their teachers/classes, etc. I did a whole post on it and you can read about it by either scrolling down the page or clicking here. I can't wait for Big to start next week.

2. Big and I made some fun drop sugar cookies to ring in the new school year. We wanted the kids to have something fun in their lunches. It was nice to do something together.

3. The kids are still enjoying soccer. It's a bit of a juggle getting everyone where they need to go, sunscreened up and water in hand, often at conflicting times. But it's worth it. 

4. Boot camp still rocks. And it's turning me into more of a rock. Cool. 

5. Big found out that he will have the same teacher Bud and Ginger had for kindergarten. Now he's super excited to get started on his school year. I'm excited, too!

6. We went out as adults to celebrate my mom's birthday last night. It was nice to hang with my folks and my sister, Art, and her husband. We met my folks at the restaurant so my mom would be surprised. I think she was happy about it. Good job, Dad.

7. I think the most important part of the week is that I learned that my family can function quite well even if I take time for myself. I did boot camp 3 mornings this week, arriving home with just enough time to make lunches and remind the kids of a few little things before we head out the door to school. It's nice to know that Rophone and the kids can work together to make it all happen. Thanks, family, for stepping up so I can do this!

First Day, Not for the First Time

The three older kids started school today. I can't believe it. The summer really flew by, but I must admit we were all ready for school again. Big starts kindergarten next week (he has his testing tomorrow), so I'll have to do a separate post just for him when he heads out. It's going to be a loooong week of waiting, I can tell you that. There's an excavator toy sitting on the kindergarten playground that has his name on it.

I was going to have the kids hold up a whiteboard with their grade on it and what they want to be when they grow up. Yeah. I couldn't even get them to wear their backpacks so they looked like they were going to school. And I didn't even get a picture of Pen until after school, since this morning she was getting ready right up until it was time to head out the door.

I did make an attempt to at least ask what they want to be when they grow up so I could include it in this blog post. But I didn't remember until Bud was in bed, so I'm not sure what his plan is today. Ginger wants to be an undercover FBI agent (a change from the teacher she has wanted to be for years), and Pen wants to be a professional eye-roller, it seems. At least that's what I gathered from her response. She is well on her way.

Here are Bud and Ginger, ready to head out. Bud is in 2nd grade, Ginger in 6th. They were so excited. Really.

I managed to snap a few photos of Pen when she returned at lunch time after her freshmen-only-half-day. 

All of the kids were super happy about how things went today. Bud and Ginger absolutely loved their teachers. After school when Bud and I were talking about his day and he was telling me how nice and funny his teacher is I asked, "So, you think you're going to have a good year, then?" Bud replied, "I'm going to have a great year!" Just what I want to hear. Pen is just so thrilled to be in high school. It is really where she has probably felt she should be since first grade, so I'm glad she's finally there. 

I just love that my kids love school so much. And I'm glad that they are excited for what the next year will bring. I'm excited to see what it brings for them, too. It's always a bit of a roller coaster ride, isn't it? 

Aaaaand heeere we go...

Friday Favorites

1. Rophone and I got out together for a little bit on Saturday. It was nice to chat and just hang out. 

2. Bud lost his first tooth! He looks so cute with it missing. Now we just need to work on the others that are loose.

3. I got my new teeth on Monday. Finally. I'd have to say that modern dentistry is definitely a favorite. It allowed me to go from this:

To this: 

And then to this (thank goodness):

4. Soccer started up again this week. I got a chance to see both Bud and Ginger play, but missed Big's game because it was at the same time as Ginger's. I know I'll get a chance, though. I just really love seeing my kids running around, having a great time playing a sport I enjoy. I'll have to do a separate post with pictures.

5. I took a friend to boot camp twice this week. It was really great to have her along. I'm still loving boot camp and the changes it's bringing about in my body. 

6.  Rophone had to work tonight. Not a favorite, but I'm glad that he was able to get out of working on both Tuesday and Thursday night this week. It allowed him to see Bud and Big in their first games. Plus, I got to see him more. That's always nice.

Friday Favorites

1. I took Edith and the boys on a hike up the canyon on Saturday morning. We missed the girls, but it was a lot of fun to have it just be the 4 of us. Edith was pretty unhappy about having to be in the carrier, though. She's jealous of her brothers and all the exploring they get to do. She just can't wait to go, go, go.

2. A favorite within a favorite is how this picture really demonstrates the boys' difference in style. I tried to convince Big to change either his shorts or his shirt but, as he explained to me, "Blue and blue just go so well together." Bud, on the other hand... let's just say he's a little more metro. I love my boys.

3. We paused in our traditional picture spot and I was lucky enough this time to get to be in the shot. Thanks to the rock climber who encouraged me to squeeze in the slot in the rock with the boys! I just realized I used 'spot', 'shot', and 'slot' in this favorite-- I think I like that, too...

4. One more favorite from the hike-- it was great how Big found himself the most perfect, awesome rock while we were on the hike. "Look at this rock, Mom! It's just what I was looking for! I can't believe I found it!" He then hucked the rock with both hands. (Since it was pretty large and that's what you do with rocks. Even perfect ones.) I just really loved Big's excitement over finding 'The One'. Especially since a lot of the hike had terrain like this: 

5. I love it that I had willing helpers at times this week. It's always a favorite when that happens.

6. The wife of one of Rophone's cousins started a blog for kids to write reviews of books they've read so other kids can get ideas of what book they'd like to read next. It's a great idea and my kids have really enjoyed participating this week. I think my favorite part is how it's getting their writing chops going for when school starts in a week and a half.

7. I really love it when my kids do art. I am so happy we were able to set up our art center because it allows my kids to do things like this together:

What can I say? I love to see it.

8. We got the kids all of their necessary school supplies last night. I think we all breathed a sigh of relief, knowing that we're now prepared. At least, I know I did. Being organized and prepared is a huge favorite of mine. 

9. I got to play 'Cows' with Edith today. Several times. I'll let the picture speak for itself.

10. I was able to finish off my week by going on a date with Rophone tonight. A fantastic dinner, frozen yogurt for dessert, and wonderful company. My husband is hot and he loves me. A favorite? Oh, yeah.

Friday Favorites!

Woah! I almost forgot that it's Friday...


1. Last Saturday I worked in the yard. Not really what would normally be on my favorites list, I guess, but it felt nice to be getting things done.


2. Rophone's brother and two of our nephews stopped by Saturday evening. It was great to see them, so we're glad they were able to fit us into their busy schedule.


3. Monday we went to the splash pad at a nearby outdoor mall with my sister, Art, and her husband and their twin boybies. My folks came along, too, to watch the fun. And, indeed, it was fun!

4. I did some grocery shopping this week. Not a momentous thing, to be sure, but it's nice to have food in the house. 


5. We went to the library as a family this afternoon. I love it when Rophone is able to come along because Edith is able to really enjoy herself. When it's just me with all 5 kids I have to leave her strapped in her stroller while I help the others find books. I loved hearing her giggle with delight as she explored and wandered among the shelves. Great.


That's pretty much it. We've got to start doing more. Summer's almost over!