Hoyt Family Drive By!

In late September my Aunt and her whole family were going on a vacation to San Antonio.  We were lucky enough to have them stop and see us for a night. 

Since we live so far away we rarely get to see my little 2nd cousins Nathan and Kinley. 
I looked forward to this visit for a whole month, and they didn't disapoint. 
With 4 kids three and under our house was full of fun.



Blake, Nathan and Kinely jumping in Kate's crib.




All settled in on the couch bed. I tell you, the couch bed is a life savor.  If we are bored at home, I just pull that sucker out and we have hours of fun.



Nathan!!

Kinley!!

Kinely impressed us with her skills. 

Kate watching TV.

I wish I would've gotten a picture of the adults.  We were so happy they got to come stay a night with us.

First Day of School!

Just pretend this is early September...
The girls just started preschool again for the fall!

Blake is in her 3rd year at YCW! She is in a class with 20 other 3 year olds, and has three amazing teachers.  Blake loves school.  Ms. Katie is the teacher she's most taken with, and I can completely understand why. Katie is so kind and patient.  This week Blake was "Star of the Week".  We made her a personalized poster board with all her favorite things and she got to stand up and explain all the pictures and decorations.  Katie commented that Blake was calling herself the "SUPER Star of the Week". LOL.

This is Kate's first year at YCW. She will go on Thursdays and is in Miss Sarah's Class.  Miss Sarah also taught Blake in the toddler class. 

It's such a great resource to have a preschool at our church.  The girls see the same group of wonderful women at church, bible study, and preschool.  They've known Blake since she was 9 months old in the nursery. 

1st Day pictures never go how I expect. 
Blake did her part by smiling nicely before we loaded up in the car.

 Kate wanted nothing to do with sitting still on the front porch bench. She needed to be snuggly strapped in for her 1st day picture. 

 Kate and Miss Sarah

I think I'll go to Boston!

The weekend of September 11th Jodi and I had our first ever girls trip.  To say I had a good time is a severe understatement.  I couldn't have asked for a better place, better weather, or a better friend to travel with!  I'm so thankful for you Jodi!!  You tolerate all my quirks and were even gracious enough to extend our trip by a whole day to calm my fears. 

My favorite part of our trip was this harbor tour. 

 We befriended a professional photographer on our tour and he took this picture of us! We were so cold and these sweatshirts looked so cool, how could we refuse :)

 At Quincy Market where I had my first Lobster Bisque...I was in love.

 Watching a Harvard Theater group perform at the Harbor. 

 At the Public Garden on a beautiful September 11th. 

I loved these houses.  I can't imagine what one like this might cost, but I wouldn't mind living there!

I was definitely lazy about taking pictures.  But I have so many memories of our trip. 

Now we just have to decide where to go next year!

A big thanks to my Mom, Grandma and Nick for being so encouraging about me going. 

Dear Kate,
Can you believe you are 18 months old?  Has it comes as quickly for you as it has for me?
It amazes me how much has changed since you turned 1.  As Daddy said the other night "Kate's officially at the fun age!"  And oh boy are you :)

I want to remember so much about who you are right now so I'll write this letter to try to hold on to these memories. 

You wake up so happy.  Your first words are either "Sissy, Eevi (Levi) and Eat!"  You love pancakes (with syrup, I can no longer let Sissy have sugary things like syrup without you begging for your own.)  You also love cheese (eeese!) grilled cheese, bananas, yogurt, applesauce and broccoli.  After your meals in your high chair you like to climb up in one of the big chairs at the big table and just sit for a minute, kind of like saying "Look, I could do this!".   After eating and getting dressed you walk to the door saying "go, go, go, go".  You love going anywhere and everywhere.  You just want to GO!  This is sooo unlike your big sister when she was your age.  I'm thankful that you like to keep busy because we definitely stay that way. 

Snack/Craft/Ipod time in your high chair.

You started our church's preschool program just a few weeks ago.  You go on Thursdays for a whole 5 hours and LOVE it.  It's so fun because Miss Sarah, who was Blake's toddler teacher is now your teacher.  You already love her from all your time together in the nursery, so it was an easy transition.  I still have a hard time believing it but they say you sleep on your nap mat and sit in a big girl chair for your meals.  You are so independent. 



Here you are with Miss Sarah on your 1st Day.



On our way to preschool! 

Any chance you get you will sneak out the back door to play in the yard.  You will drag your little kiddie pool over to me and beg for a swim.  You about scare me to death though, because your favorite part of the back yard is being up high on the swing set hanging from a "rafter".  God has most assuredly protected you this year little one.  Someday I will tell you the story of God's grace on your first year of life..and this Mommy's heart and soul.  But for now just remember God's angels are definitely on your side. 

Your language has exploded in the past month.  You went from about 5 words to well over 50 in just a few weeks!  A few new ones are Blake (Back), Bubbles, Vern (your most favorite neighbor), Up (when you want picked up), Cat, Eat, Kate-Kate, Papaw, Nana, Milk, Juice, Water, and you can name so many animals sounds...my favorite is the rooster! Cock a doodle doo!!

We have started a Mommy and Me swim class together.  I think it is your most favorite time of the week.  You love blowing bubbles, chasing the balls in the water, sliding down the slide and even jumping off the side to me.  It's a big of a workout for Mommy holding on tightly to you so you don't "swim" off but we have a blast. 

You don't look much at all like your big sister, or mommy! You look so much like your Daddy with your blue eyes.  You've got the sweetest, softest skin that I love to kiss. 

You have really latched on to your bedtime routine.  Bath, Teeth, Jammies, Milk, and Books.  You will sit still and cuddle for as many books as we will read.  I love the Sandra Boyton books and so do you.  You also like "One Apple up on Top" and "The Three Little Kittens".  You go to sleep so easily.  Never a complaint.  Your Big Sister can't wait until you are old enough to move in to her room.  

Reading before bedtime.

Your favorite show is Olivia.  She's new since you came along.  You say "Ol li li a".   SO CUTE!!

Mommy went on a weekend trip with a girlfriend a few weeks ago and your Grandma and Great Grandma spent three nights with you.  You warmed up quickly to them and let Grandma Brown be your best pal the whole weekend.  I'm sorry we live far away from your grandparents, but it makes me so thankful for the time you do get to spend with them.  Your Grandma Brown really adores you.  I hope you will remember her for a long long time.

I'm so proud to be your Mommy.  How did God know I needed a spunky, loving, bright eyed little girl in my life?  You are more than I could ever ask God for.  I hope you remember when you are older that I pray for you.  I pray that God will give you a sense of HIS love for you even from this young. I pray you would accept him  and his free gift of love for you.  I also pray that I would be the kind of Mommy that you need. 

I love you the most Kate-Kate, Kate-O, Kater-Tot.

Mommy

Picture Update..

Enjoy!

Tips and Tricks

I good friend has been doing a series of "Tips and Tricks" on her blog so I thought I would add what few tips I have :)  While getting my hair done the other day my hairdresser, who has a 10 month old was asking for a few tips, and believe it or not I had a little advice to give!!  I know I would never be accused of having it all together, I can completely relate to Ann Voskamp's words "I'm a mess."  Really I am.  It is only the Lord's work in me that has made what humble progress there has been in my role as a Mom these last 4 years. 

SO.  Here are a few tips.

  Grocery shopping torture

              Any sort of grocery store trip with little ones can make my heart rate raise by atleast 20 beats per minute.  Nothing says "failing mom" like your kids throwing a fit for all to see in the store.  I remember coming home once and calling Nick crying after one such trip.  I would joke "No need to buy a movie ticket, the Barkers put on a great show at Target today." SO, I've had my moments to say the least. I remember once when Blake was about 18 months old I let her hold a packet of Taco seasoning while I was loading the groceries on the conveyor....she proceded to rip it open and it went everywhere.  Our cashier had some sort of allergic reaction  (coughing, sneezing, etc) and had to have someone else check us out.  I'm getting anxious just typing about it. I know a lot of people go by the rule to go alone when your husband or someone else can watch your kids...but for me, I'm not motivated at all to do an hour long grocery run at 9:30 at night.  So, if you must take the little joys along, here are a few tips I use to make it doable.

1. PARK NEAR THE CART CORRAL!!  Forget the days of grabbing the closest parking spot.  It is no longer your friend.  Find the closest spot you can to a cart corral.  That way you can load the kids directly into the cart.

2.  The rule of no bribing is thrown out the window in the grocery store.  Feel free to bribe.  Suckers (when old enough) fruit snacks, but try to choose something that will take a little time to get down.

3.  Try to shop at a store with kid carts.  You know, these MASSIVE ones with little cars in the front.  This is helpful for me because A. They can both be buckled in. B. They aren't facing you so they aren't constantly wanting your attention or wanting to be held.  Kroger often has these carts.  Even if the store is a little more expensive, it is worth it to me because my kids behave at least 50% better with kid carts.

4. ALWAYS BUCKLE THEM IN!  At the pediatrician the other day he mentioned that the majority of kids coming in with trauma are from falling off or out of the grocery cart.  SCARY!!  

5.  Keep a few quarters...for the little -no- fun- at- all- firetruck outside the store that costs $1.00 to slowly rock back and forth for 30 seconds.  We ride this if Blake has had good behavior while shopping and checking out. (Refer to rule #2)

6.  Try to keep calm.  They will have fits. At times they will cry. (Mostly likely while you are checking out) And at some point they will 100% certainly embaress you and make you look like a terrible terrible Mom :)  Take a deep breath.  Act like it does not bother you in the slightest, and do your best to get you all out of the store in one piece. 

**Sidenote, if your children are being little angels and you see a Mom going through a melt down, as you are walking by you could say "I've been there!!"  This atleast lets them know someone in the store feels their pain. Someone relates to the torture they are experiencing.  Trust me, it will make them feel at least a little better.****

7.  To load the car, load the kids first, then the groceries.  Then take the cart back!  Nothing says rude like leaving your cart in the middle of the parking lot.  Remember, you parked closely to the corral so you don't have to walk far from your kids. 

Friday dose of Cuteness.

Kate and her BFF Mitzi

Couldn't you kiss and kiss and kiss all those sweet cheeks!

They just KNOW I want ONE picture of them both smiling...so.....kissess and peak-a-boo it is!

I really need a whole post dedicated to Kate, it's coming soon.  She is at a super sweet happy stage.