Henry turns 2!

We are behind on the blog. Time to catch up

Henry turned 2 in March.  Instead of a party, we just had a special day for him.  We started with his favorite breakfast, eggs and toast.

Then we opened some presents

Then Jennifer took the boys to the zoo.  It had been a while since Henry went so he had a great time.

After the zoo, we met at a park and had a picnic during my lunch break.

brotherly love

That evening we made him some brownies for dessert

Henry is lots of fun. He loves taking walks in the stroller.  He is still very attached to his mama and tends to not want to go anywhere without her.  He is still taking a nap in the afternoons, usually right after lunch and is used to being woken up to go pick up an older sibling from school.  When we wake him up from his nap he says, “Car, car, go.” He knows the routine.

He likes to listen to the radio in the car and sing along with the songs. He loves playing baseball in the backyard and will keep himself busy hitting balls off the tee for over an hour. He can literally hit the ball almost as far as Nathan. It’s crazy. He loves reading books, especially at bed time. A few of his favorites are: Curious George, Goodnight Moon, Goodnight Gorilla and Good Dog Carl.

Since he has turned 2, Henry has really started talking a lot more.  We were so ready for him to start talking but now he jabbers all day and we can’t get him to be quiet :)

He loves playing with Hannah and Nathan.  One of their favorite games is when he chases them around the yard and the house and all three are screaming.  It’s so great, especially after a long day.  He also loves to wrestle with them and is pretty physical in general. 

He loves doing “more” of anything that was fun the first time. We moved him up to the table with the rest of the family and retired our high chair that all three kids have used.

We had his 2-year portraits taken in the same suit as Nathan and I used when we were two.

He still loves his mama in the evenings and his daddy in the mornings.

He has discovered the tv and Paw Patrol is his favorite show. He calls it “Pups.”

We also got his first real haircut not long after he turned two

We love you sweet Henry!

Cousin Camp: Day 3

At one point this morning I looked at the clock and said “It’s only 8:45!” It seemed much later.

Mike brought out a deck of cards and explained to Nathan what all the different suits and numbers meant. Then they played a game of trying to throw them in the hat. Nathan thought it was the best game ever.

Later he got them all together for a “game” of dominoes. It didn’t last very long but they had fun. It’s all about the process.

Nathan really liked O’s hat and wanted to pose with it for a few pictures. He came up with these on his own. Because every cowboy waves his hat in the air,

looks super cool,

and gives a thumbs up.

Where’s Ruby?

Where’s Charlotte?

He tried too.

Mike took Hannah and Nathan home with him around five, so after dinner Scott and I took the remaining four kids on a walk.

Cousin Camp: Day 2

Today for breakfast we had cinamon toast and strawberries. Little Charlotte is always the last one to leave the table.

Hannah made Ruby “fancy”

This activity was loud

This was one of the few times today that Aylah and Nathan actually played well together

Looking at chickens.

Time for a mid-morning snack. Henry and Charlotte liked to play peek-a-boo under the table

After the babies woke up from their naps we went outside and played until dinner. They liked splashing in the little pool.

My help today was Mama Jo and her neighbor, Cindy. Once again, I couldn’t have done it without them. Among other things, Cindy played several board games with Nathan to keep him from melting down and Mama Jo brought pimento cheese sandwiches for lunch and a delicious roast for dinner.

After the pool, we broke out the sprinklers.

Then the bubble wands.

Then the balance beam.

Then what started out as painting with water turned into paiting each other with sidewalk chalk.

Hannah labeled everyone on their backs.

When Scott got home around 5:30 we ate dinner outside and then did bathtime while Cindy picked up the backyard and Mama Jo watched kids in the tubs while Scott and I ran back and forth bathing, rinsing and drying off in all three bathrooms. Then our help left us for some well deserves Joe T margaritas!!

But then we called in more reinforcements!! Mike got in around seven and will be with us tomorrow!

Cousin Camp: Day 1

Rebecca and Jon Michael went on vacation this week so we got the girls! That’s six kids under seven at our house for four days! I wanted to document the week as we go, but it’s day one and I’m really tired so I just might post pictures. I’m making no promises.

I’m trying to think about what we did today, but all I can remember is serving them food ALL DAY LONG! Jeanine came early this morning and stayed until Scott got home. She was a life-saver!! Thank you Jeanine!

Scott got up and made eggs, bacon and biscuits for everyone. Henry slept late and missed the gathering. Charlotte kept following me around and asking for another “bikit.” It was pretty cute.

Hannah tried to get an assembley line of books going before she left for her morning of science camp.

Around 9:45 I took Nathan and Henry to Nathan’s swim lessons on the next street over while Jeanine stayed with the girls. I dropped Nathan off and ran back home to see how things were going then loaded up the twins and ran back to pick him up. That was my exercise for the day.

At some point we had a talent show.

And went outside to play with sidewalk chalk.

Later we were back outside painting with water.

Then we ate dinner. Ruby hasn’t warmed up to Scott yet and won’t even look at him.

Charlotte did not like the peas in her pasta!

Bathtime was really the only time we had several meltdowns at one time. I think Nathan, Aylah and both twins were screaming. But we finished baths, put on pj’s and everyone was happy.

I think Charlotte thought she was going somewhere.

It was a fun day!