"Stuff-es"

One of those things that is adorable about a 3 year old is how they say things. One of my favorites of Hailey's is "stuffes". As in, "Mom, where did you put my stuffes?" I didn't know what to title this post since it's pictures are from a several different things so I settled on STUFFES! In no particular order this is what we've been up to the past month or so...

Brighton Barlow Bash!

We are greatly growing in numbers! 17 1/2 grandchildren in all were in attendance and that's not counting 11 adults (my bro-in-law, Jon, was not there because he's 'Mr. Cool Air Force off to awesome places' guy). It was fun to have my sister, Emily, and niece, Ellie, arrive last minute! You wouldn't think a trip from Japan would be last minute but it was! My kids had a blast and did not want to go home when the weekend was over! Hailey keeps asking when we get to go back to the forest with our friends.

Eating donuts at Donut Falls! Thanks Uncle John!

Some canoeing...

What could be better than s'mores?

(Although, they always like making them more than eating them!)

Swinging on a ski lift!

California here I come!

The end of July we spent a week in beautiful San Diego with Eric's family. We were right on the bay and the kids loved walking right out on to the beach in the morning! I think I am still getting sand out of things...

Didn't bother this girl one bit to eat sand! Vegetables? Nah...but sand? No problem!

We visited both Sea World and Legoland! It was great fun!

Gateway

I met my sisters, Becky and Emily, at the Gateway Mall to let the kids play in the water. We haven't been since Hailey was a baby because I always figured it wasn't worth the drive when we had splash parks closer. But as a mother I can sometimes be wrong. LOVED IT!

I didn't even get Olivia's swimming suit on yet before she was in the water. She likes to be a part of everything! It would stun her as the water would spray her in the face but then she'd giggle and clap!

This was my favorite...Hailey laid out her towel, told me it was too bright and promptly asked for my sunglasses!

Eating some snacks!

Soccer

Micah started soccer this past week. I wasn't sure about signing him up at first because he is so timid but my cute boy hung in there! He ran like crazy and now proclaims that soccer is his favorite sport! I am officially a Soccer Mom!

Olive

I didn't think life had changed much or was too complicated adding a third child...that is until she became mobile! It might have taken her awhile but now there is no stopping my sweet Olive! She learned stairs in a matter of minutes and climbs in, on, up...everything! She is taking 4-5 steps on her own but gets too excited and then falls. She has constant bruises on her forehead! It's fun to see how Micah and Hailey react. They will cheer for her and it always makes Olivia smile and clap for herself! I think they are more excited about her learning to walk than I am. Showers have become somewhat of a luxury these days! Her hair has also become long enough for me to put a ponytail or two in...when she leaves them alone! Makes her look so grown up!

Dead end

Of course she was done sitting in her saucer when it was up but as soon as we took it apart it became a whole new toy!

Gymnastics

Hailey recently completed her first round of gymnastics! She was so excited to finally be able to do something for her and loved going every week.

Future gold medalist!

The "Toddler" Years

Being a parent of more than one child the toddler years never seem to end. Once one grows out of it the next one is in it. I have been known to say that I "hate" this stage and I wish I could skip it all together. I don't like the potty training, the tantrums, falling/bruises/cuts, the fighting, the picky eating, time outs, what sometimes seems like constant sickness...need I go on? Ironically, this is when Eric starts to really enjoy our kids. He says they are "finally fun to play with!" I guess it's no surprise Daddy is the favorite around here. I also have not been shy in the fact that from the womb Hailey has been a more challenging child. When she was a baby I wondered what the toddler years had in store for us. Surprisingly...The Toddler Years are also very much The Wonder Years. I've been trying to make a greater effort in recognizing the things I love about this age and how cute and fun it can all be. The wonderment and excitement is like nothing else! I know that even though there are days I am literally pulling out my hair and want to put myself in time-out that my kids will be grown before I know it and then I will be sad! At 3 1/2 years old Hailey seems to be in the "prime" toddler years. Oddly, I think she's only gotten easier to handle. I've learned she needs different parenting techniques and attention and her ability to reason and understand is getting better. Not to say she isn't still difficult. We have tears daily...if not more. But I have started to try and make notes of the funny things she says and does. I honestly don't know where she comes up with most of it. She is hilarious! (Probably more to her parents than anyone else!) I want to keep track of these things so when she is a teenager and slamming doors and telling me life's not fair I'll have something to look back on and smile!

Hailyisms

*I'm a superhero princess!

*The baby in my tummy is crying

*When asked to brush her teeth she simply replied,

"but my tongue can clean my teeth!"

*Hailey has started taking gymnastics. She loves it! Most of all she loves to wear her leotards and does so several days out of the week. However, when she says it, it comes out "reatard"!

*I don't like that because I'm a girl

*Micah's going to punch my eyeballs!

(The best part of this one was Micah's mischievous smile!)

*It had been a few days since Eric had shaved. Hailey reached over, touched his face and said,

"Daddy you have porcupines on your chin!"

*Mom, my head and eyes are trying to go to sleep!

*When Cinderella and Prince Charming kiss that means they are married

(Yes, and just keep thinking that!)

And what post would be complete without a picture (albeit a fuzzy one)? I asked them to stop Olivia from going down the stairs and they threw themselves down as a barricade! I guess I should also mention there are only 2 stairs in the particular spot!