Sweet Baby K had her check-up

Kinley had her 2 month check-up today. I always like taking my kids to their doctor because our doctor is awesome. She takes the time to talk and remembers things from past conversations that we've had at previous visits. I can tell that she loves my kids (Kinley got a kiss from her today) and i love that about her. Anyway.

Kinley is doing great. Her stats are impressive: 24 inches long (97th%), 14 pounds 5 ounces (off the chart and the size of a five month old), and head circumference in the 60th%. Holds her head up like a older baby, too. Kinley got her first round of shots today. I won't lie-its been a rough afternoon. Kinley has been fussy and cranky all afternoon. There have even been periods of straight up screaming. Poor girl. And, yes, I did give her Tylenol.

Two more things: 1. Baby girl had a better late evening. She got a second dose of Tylenol and didn't appear as uncomfortable. She fell asleep around 11pm, being held by Andy and, no lie, she slept until 7 am. Nice break for me, needed sleep for Kinley.

2. For funsies, I just looked up Kella's 2 month stats (22 3/4 inches, 13 pounds 4.5 ounces). Ok.

Liam @ 4

In June, I finally made time to get Liam's 4 year old pictures taken.  I was a little nervous about how he would do.  A year before, I was able to get 1 picture taken of him and he looked unhappy.  This year, Liam did great!  He warmed up quickly to the photographer and was willing to take lots of photos.  Here are some of Liam that I didn't send out, but that are so sweet, I wanted to share them.  Enjoy!
 

Oh yes, Liam and his beloved blankie.

 

Liam wanted a picture of him carrying blankie in this crate.

 

 

 

 

 

Father's Day catch-up

I don't remember what we did on Father's Day. I remember offering Andy a chance to go for a bike ride. Maybe we had some steaks. Maybe we were too tired to do much because of the new baby and Andy having to do homework. I didnt even get a picture of andy with all the kids. Regardless, a few of the kids did a Father's Day craft I children's worship that morning and I finally got around to 1. Finding them and 2. Taking a picture of them to post for posterity.

First is Ewan's. He thinks Andy is funny.

And, Ewan also colored a nice picture. Looks like a tent, but I'm not sure.

Apparently, someone in children's worship think Andy is strong. Could be Kella, but I'm placing my bets on the actual writer. Kella holds a pencil great, but this is advanced sentence structure for a 2 year old :-).

Last is Cale's. he thinks Andy is a mastermind. I'm pretty sure this is I reference to a game we have called mastermind and not to being an evil genius.

There we have it. Better late than never.

The big 3 got to go to Colts' camp

The older boys got a nice treat this week when they got to go to the Indianapolis Colts training camp with the school Andy is working with.  I can't say that we're Colts fans, but we are experience fans.  And, we live in Indiana-the boys might as well get excited about the local team.   According to Andy, the practice was just like any other practice he has ever watched or been a part of.  The cool things for the boys were the bounce house, obstical course, fan shop and autograph signing.  It was a great, extra trip to wrap up our summer fun.

clearly a colt's head, but also an inflatable slide

trying to catch a pass

 

       
   

Hmm.  Looks like a trophy.  Probably from when the Colts won the Super Bowl.

They came away with some trinkets, also.  Fatheads and an Andrew Luck card for Cale, a wallet and a little football for Marcus, little robot people for Ewan.  They also got their autograph football signed by some players nice enough to hang out after practice.

Kinley is 2 months old!

Kinley turned 2 months old last Wednesday.  In the past month, she has started to show her little personality more.  She likes to coo and loves to be talked to.  We can get her to laugh by tickling her feet.  We have christiened her with a new nickname "sweet baby K". She is wearing size 3-6 month clothes and size 2 diapers.  She eats whenever she wants, which works out to be anywhere from every 2 to every 4 hours.  Her sleep habits are still being worked out.  Kinley likes to stay up late and not fall asleep until around 11pm.  She gets up 2 to 3 times a night.  In the morning, she takes some great, longer naps and then in the afternoon the naps are shorter and she starts to get fussy.  Evenings are a bit tough, because Kinely doesn't want to take the nap she needs and we are usually trying to get dinner made and take care of the other kids.  This will pass also, I'm sure.  Right now, we have started sleeping Kinley in her little crib at night (with the head of the bed elevated) and sleeping in her bouncy seat for naps.  Her 2 month check up is this week.  I am curious to know how much our girlie weighs. 

Kinley and Daddy

Kinley and Mommy

 

naptime underneath her name quilt (made by Aunt Sharlyn)

VBS 2013-Armor of God

Last week was VBS for our church.  This year's theme was the Armor of God.  It turned out to be a pretty cool theme, because we put a medival spin on it complete with knights and castles, swords and shields.  This year, I did not teach the 2 and 3 year old class.  Turns out, there was a sign up list for teaching that I missed.  I thought I would be asked, but they found some willing victims, I mean, volunteers, for the class. I volunteered to help in the kitchen.  Let me tell you, it was so easy!  And, it's a good thing I helped in the kitchen with snacks, because that left me free to take care of Kinley when she needed me-which apparently was all the time.  The first night, she scared off one the nursery workers with her inability to calm down.  Mommy came to the rescue.  Andy was there for the rest of the nights of VBS to help handle Kinley, too, as needed. 

We were a little late the last night due to meet the teacher night at the kids' schools.  Luckily, we made it just in time for Liam to run up to the stage to sing with his class.  His teacher was nice enough to drag the singing out long enough so he could do a couple songs.  That made his day.  (What made some other peoples' day was Liam yelling "Hey guys, I'm here!" as he went running up to the stage to be with his class.)

The kids loved it.  Even Kella went to her class every night, no problem.  One of her class helpers mentioned that Kella was always so happy.  During snack time, Kella was sitting, bopping her head and singing the VBS theme song.  "castle" and "heart" were the words that could be made out.  How cute!

So, here are some pictures from the last night of VBS.  One of the high school-ers was kind enough to walk around with my camera and take pictures of my kids.


Liam, in time to be with his class.  Yes, he does have his beloved blankie with him.

 

Ewan's class.  You can see Ewan's head in the back, second over.

Cale's class.  with their swords.

Marcus's class marched in and did a chant and then had a sword fight.  I tried to get a picture, but I was trying to hold Kinley and calm Kella at the same time.  

A picture from the VBS slide show.  Kinley with "Grandma" Kathy.

Some of the royal actors.

Marcus with his sword.

 

more sword play

Liam with some of his friends-Erin and Kayleigh

and one more of Kella

Ephesians 6:10-18

New International Version (NIV)

The Armor of God

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

the boys went back to school!

Our school switched to a modified schedule for this school year.  This means that we go back to school sooner, get two weeks off for fall break and two weeks off for spring break.  Probably going back earlier is the biggest change, but maybe more for the parents since I'm pretty sure the earlier start date didn't phase my boys. 

Meet the teacher night was Wednesday.  Marcus (5th) and Cale (3rd) are in the elementary building and Ewan (1st) is in the primary building.  The same bus will drop them off at each building (which are right next door to each other).  We met all the teachers the boys will have.  Cale and Marcus will each have two teachers-1 for reading and 1 for math/social studies/science. 


Cale at his desk in his reading class.  I think he was excited, but nervous about starting at the elementary school. 

Thanks for sticking out your tongue, Ewan.  I forgot to get a picture of him in his classroom.  And, I forgot to get a picture of Marcus at all. *sigh

  
The boys at the bus stop the next morning.  How convenient that it is right in front of our house.
The bus picks up at 8:15.  They were out the door by 7:50.

The bus stop crew this year for our street.

They all had a good first day. Ewan said his teacher was nice. Marcus was happy he did not have homework. I even got Cale to admit that he had a good day.