Four is Funny

I swear Kenley gets more entertaining every year. Here are some of her latest and greatest (sorry, lots of repeats from Facebook):

* When Parker was copying her: "Mo-om! Parker is following my voice!"

* "I smell good. Parker smells like yucky pickles."

* "Mom, Taylor Swift knows EVERYTHING. And so do I."

* "UGH! Wa-alllll! Why you always bang my head, wall? Every single time I run into you, you bang my head! EVERY TIME!"

* For a frame of reference for this quote, a few weeks ago we had someone come to our home to do a speech evaluation for Parker. I think that's what Kenley was thinking about when yesterday, in a fit of despair over not being able to draw a pumpkin, she told me sadly, "I think I need someone to come out and test my body. I can't say marshlellow, I can't say lellow, and I CANNOT draw a pumpkin!"

* Aaaaaaand, my newest favorite. Minutes before I took the picture below, she wheeled that stroller into the bathroom where I was doing my makeup, and asked me, "Mom, can you watch Pepper for me? Just text me if you have any problems. Okay? My number is 1-2-3-4-5."

Claire's Blessing Day

We blessed Claire this week, again surrounded by family. Because of various travel arrangements, we decided it would be easier to bless her during the week, so we did it on Friday down at the church. It was a beautiful blessing, and such a special night to have so many family members there to share it with us. We had all three sets of grandparents (including the Hamptons, who came down from Utah), and both my siblings. I was extra excited that my Grandma Teddy was also able to be there, all the way from Alaska!

Thankful for sweetness

The thing I love most about my kids is the tender relationships they have with each other. They are so sweet and loving.


First, these two. They are just two little peas in a pod. They spend all day together, playing, laughing, fighting, wrestling, snuggling, encouraging, and loving. Kenley makes up all kinds of crazy games and activities, and of course Parker willingly follows along. My whole day sounds like a variation of, "Parker! I frow this ball and you catch it! Parker! I play these Polly Pockets and you be this dog!" "Otay!"

They are just lost without each other. A few months ago, right before Claire was born, they had been fighting a lot, so James and I each took them separately out on a date. By the time an hour had passed, they were asking for each other and wanting to go home.

They also love to do nice things for each other. Today Kenley decided to clean her room, and made Parker's bed for him (note the Elmo wrapped in a washcloth, my favorite part).


I hope that they will always keep the sweet closeness they have today. I know having kids 18 months apart isn't everyone's cup of tea, but they really are best friends, and I truly feel blessed at how close they are.


They are also both enthralled with Claire. I knew Kenley would be loving and nurturing, but I didn't anticipate how sweet Parker would be with her. The other day when she was crying, he went and got her little book, and put it in front of her and started reading to her.

Seriously, if that picture doesn't make your heart melt, you are made of stone.

Here's one of Kenley yesterday. I made Claire a bottle and then went to do something, and when I came back Kenley had taken it upon herself to help me out by feeding Claire.


Kenley and Parker ALWAYS want to be around Claire. When I was trying to take a picture of Claire in her blessing dress, they were just swarming around trying to make her smile. I had to step back and take a picture of what I was dealing with. The poor kids just could not understand why I didn't want the backs of their heads in the picture.


I am thankful for my kids, but even more thankful that they have so much love for each other. It'll give me something to hold onto during the next ten years of fighting, biting, scratching, and crying!

Halloween

I am under serious threat of death from my mother to update my blog. So here are our Halloween pics! Parker was Luke Skywalker, Kenley was Taylor Swift, and Claire was a pink leopard.




Total vent but seriously NONE of our neighbors said ANYTHING about the kids' costumes. Didn't tell them they looked cute, didn't even ask who they were dressed up as. So since I worked so hard on their costumes, if you want to tell me they looked cute, I'll totally take it.

Oh, and just for fun, here's Kenley crying in the same costume when she wore it, and then Claire on Halloween. Apparently if you have to wear the pink leopard costume, your life sucks.