My Babies

They are not so much “babies” anymore, which makes me sad. They are both getting so big & changing so much. Averly has hit a growth spurt lately-both physical & learning. She is really starting to take more of her surroundings in & starting to communicate through words so well. She has started putting 2-3 words together. The other day she climbed behind the chair in her room & couldn’t get out so she started yelling “Stuuuuck! Mama! Help!” She loves to work puzzles & “daw” (draw/color). She understands 2 part commands like throw this away & then bring me your cup. I remember Riley hitting this stage just like it was yesterday! He was around the same age (she is 17.5 months) because it was a couple months before Averly was born, which put him at about 17 months doing the same. She is like a parrot & will repeat, or attempt to repeat anything you ask (or don’t ask!) her to. Yesterday I was getting Averly dressed at my sister-in-law’s house & Brooke was calling me from another room. As soon as she did, Averly started hollering “Jesh-ca! Jesh-ca!” It was hilarious to me. She also tries to keep up with everything her big brother is doing. She is literally his shadow.

She has started wanting to wash her own face & brush her own hair. Here she is washing her face with a wipe. :0)



We have been staying so busy with all kinds of things. Birthday parties, playing with the slip & slide, going to visit Aunt Brooke & Uncle Josh, as well as Bubba & Vivi. Plus, there’s still that one BIG thing that’s taking up LOTS of our time. I am close to being ready to let y’all in on what’s going on. Either in the next few days or next week.

Oh & my big 3 year old is about to start pre-school in a few weeks too! We are a little late in enrolling due to that “BIG” thing going on, but I think it will be fine. They are holding a spot for him, so we are good to go!

I was trying to teach him the 1st President of the US last night & a few minutes later he told his Bubba so proudly that the "Pwez-a-dench is Mike Wash-a-ton" :0) Where he got Mike-I don't know but man, I love him.
 

She was so cute laying down getting ready to slide!



We’ve been blowing bubbles a lot lately too. They love it. What is it with kids & bubbles?! Cheap entertainment!



Gah, I can’t believe she’s practically 1.5!!



Peek-a-boo!



“Uh oh bub-buls!”



These are the days that I will remember forever as some of my favorites.

Wordless Wednesday

So much to say, so little time

Therefore, I will just let the pictures do most of the talking. One day soon I will actually write a post with words.



I love them.



Riley’s fascination with Hot Wheels cars has re-appeared. He wants to sleep with them now too.



Averly makes a mess no matter what she’s eating. It's tons of fun to clean up after her!



He has been 3 for 10 days now. I still can’t believe it.



Something good was on TV. I couldn’t get them to look at me for anything!



Yep, I love them. A lot.



And just to embarrass her someday…



(She was actually not trying to pick her nose, but saying shhhh. This is just how she does it! Ha!)

More of Riley’s Birthday

Saturday was Riley’s actual Birthday & we always do a little family celebration on the kids’ actual Birthdays. This year, it just so happened to fall on the same day as his party. We woke up Saturday & I was going to make Birthday pancakes for breakfast, but I was out of Bisquick, so we settled for frozen waffles on his Spiderman plates (that he picked out) instead. We sang Happy Birthday for the 1st time that day & he blew out his candle.
 

Then we got ready for his party.

And after the party, we played with his gifts some more.



Then after supper we sang Happy Birthday again & let him blow out his candle for the 3rd time!



Happy Birthday to my firstborn! Mama & Dada love you more than you’ll ever know! You are such a joy to both of us!

Snips, Snails, and Puppy Dog Tails—Riley’s 3rd Birthday Party

Saturday was Riley’s Birthday & I still can’t believe we have a 3 year old! It literally seems like he grew up overnight. As soon as he turned 3, he now acts so old! It’s crazy! But no matter how old, he will always be my baby boy!

Happy Birthday Riley Man! We love you soooooooo much!!!



My cutie pies!



He’s such a ham!



Outside decor.  “G” is our last name initial. I wanted to make an “R” for the party but ran out of time.



The invitation that Kelly made. She did a wonderful job & is great to work with!



The favors. We had a small crowd this year, which was fine. Mainly family & Riley’s best friend, Hartley.



Puppy Dogs!



Our snail centerpiece that worked perfectly! Thanks, Mindy! 



Riley’s snail cake! It was so cute & tasted wonderful too!



He was so proud of it.



Telling Averly about it & that it’s “for big boys.” ;0)



More details. Limeaid.



Snail shaped cresent rolls.



And my favorite, cinnamon snails! Brooke helped me do these & I thought they turned out so cute!



Snips, Snails, and Puppy Dog Tails…that’s what little boys are made of!

 

Present time!



Thanking Hartley for his gift.



Averly had fun with his presents too! :0)



Riley says he is “Uncle Dosh’s (Josh) buddy!”



I love these pictures of him while we were singing Happy Birthday!



Yummy cake! Eating it up so we can go outside to see what Riley’s “big” present is!



His first reaction to his “big” present.



He got a grill/patio set!



It doesn’t look like it, but he really was excited. Sometimes he gets super hyper when he’s excited, other times he just calmly takes it all in, which is what he was doing here. While Averly decided to chow down on the plastic corn.



Aunt B pulled out the big guns!



He was soaking the girls!



It was such a nice, low key party. Thank you to everyone that did come. Riley said it was the best Birthday ever!