February Wrap-Up

Things have been quiet around the Hutchison house but church softball and Ava's soccer will start in a few weeks so we should enjoy the down time.  Jeff started school the end of last month so he has been busy with work, classes and family time but he's doing really well and I think we've found our groove in managing our time.  We are ridiculously proud of this guy!

I thought I would wrap up February today with pics from the last few weeks. 

January ended with this princess turning 2! 

We celebrated with a Bubble Guppies party....

And some exciting news!

We also had a surprise visit from Shelly and baby Nolan!

Keegan was convinced that Nolan's car seat belonged to him.

February photos....

Before dance class

Her recital is coming up in just 3 months!

The kids with my first Valentine gift from Jeff 10 years ago. It was love at first sight.

Ava always has a homework partner

Story time

Keegan's first bike ride Sunday afternoon

A stop for hopscotch at our neighborhood's elementary school

I can't believe Ava will be in school here in 6 months!

And lastly, two of my favorite pics from a few weeks ago.  They make my heart happy!

90 Years Old

On Saturday we celebrated my Grandaddy's 90th birthday with family in East Texas!  His girls threw a great birthday party for him and it was such a special day. 

I think he asked me at least a handful of times, "Did you know I'm 90 years old today!?  I love that he knew why we were celebrating.  He was excited to have so many there.  He and Grandmama will celebrate their 64th wedding anniversary in June.

We had cake, ice cream, lots of laughs and even a few tears.  Then we all headed out for his birthday dinner that evening.   

 Ava and I made his favorite cookies for him on Friday and she was excited to give them to him.  She was so afraid we were going to forget them.  She must have asked me a thousand times to 'not forget the cookies.'

I am so thankful that Ava will have memories and even a few stories about Grandmama and Grandaddy and her time with them.  She and Presley had so much fun playing with their cousins all day....

 Poor Keegan was not feeling great but I put him in one of my favorite shirts that morning and he started patting his chest and saying "Jesus, Jesus."  It took me a minute but once I realized he thought I was dressing him for church I couldn't stop laughing.  Guess I've been a little guilty of sweat pants and t-shirts this winter with the exception of church!  Still cracks me up as I type it.

 It was a very memorable day and we are so glad we could be a part of it.

Happy Birthday Grandaddy! We love you, we are thankful for you and as we've always sung at the end of every birthday song......And many more!

4.5

Our sweet Ava is getting closer to five years old!  Today she is four and a half and as entertaining as ever.  So much passion and sweetness is bundled up in this girl and she holds our hearts in her little hands. 

Her personality continues to come alive every month.  She is so witty and so silly!  Our days together are fun but she can wear me out.  She loves to be on the go.  Every night she asks me what we are doing the next morning and every morning she asks what we will be doing that night.  She always groans at "just playing and having dinner."  She would take a trip somewhere.....anywhere every night. 

 She is still loving school and she loves to dance.  She loves to play barbies and have Mommy read her books.  She started sounding out words a couple of months ago so we've been reading a lot of beginner-reader books.  She's growing up so fast!  Here's a list of some of Ava's favorites:

Favorite Places- The Library & The Mall

Favorite Book-  All Curious George (It's the first aisle she runs to at the library)

Favorite Food- Chicken Tacos (She would eat them every. single. night.)

Favorite Color- Green (Like Mommy)

Favorite Hobby- Painting & Dancing

Favorite Play - Barbies & Princesses

Favorite Movie- Tangled

She is such a protective and loving big sister and Keegan loves her so much.  They are growing closer every day.

Sweet Ava, I can't believe you will be 5 years old in six months!  You amaze us every day with the things you do and say.  We cherish every day we have with you sweet girl and we love you so very much!

A Park Day

Oh January......You force us indoors until we go stir-crazy! Then a random beautiful 70 degree day shows up to free us! 

 Plans with our friends fell through due to illness today so just the three of us packed the double stroller with a picnic lunch and went park-hopping.  The kids really wanted to swing later in the afternoon so we drove to yet another park that has swings.  There were no baby swings but this little guy didn't care.

Once we get to a park with swings, it's difficult to get Keegan to do anything else.  And the fit he throws when it's time to get off and go home always scares me.  This boy has loved to swing since he was tiny!

Looking more like a 2 year old every day....

Ava has become quite fearless lately in bounce houses, trampolines and on playgrounds. 

She's a climber.

My Silly 4 Year Old

I love to watch these two play together when it's just the two of them. 

Ava has become better at understanding Keegan that I am.  She tells me what he's trying to say all the time when I can't figure it out.  They can be so precious with each other.

And I love them so much it hurts!

Growing Up

Keegan is 22 months this week which sounds funny to me.  I've always thought anything past 18 months sounded really funny to say out loud so for the past few months Keegan has simply been "Almost Two" to anyone that asks.  It seems unreal that we will be celebrating his second birthday in less than two months.  And just lately it has hit me just how much he has grown up. 

He started really talking around Christmas and can tell me what he wants or what's bothering him and tells on his sister like a pro.  Usually sounds like "sissy pooshed."  He says "bless you" every time someone around the house sneezes and he utters the sweetest words every night which are "night, night. love you." 

He asks for specific movies by name and even laughs at relevant times during his favorites which are (in order) Cars, Muppets and Ion King.  He begs me to play cars all the time and thinks it's so funny when the cars crash into one another. 

He loves music & movement storytime at the library.  He was so into the motions to head, shoulders, knees and toes last week that he plunged the floor during 'toes' and sported a carpet burn on his forehead for days.  He loves music so much and sings along to his favorite songs all the time now. 

He can throw such a fit but after less than a minute in time-out he runs to me crying and saying "sorry, sorry, sorry."  He has to get a hug to make sure everything is ok.  He hates to be in trouble however it doesn't prevent the next fit that will occur.

I still rock him before bed and spoon-feed him most nights that we don't have finger foods.  Not because he can't use a spoon or won't sleep without being rocked, but because I am so not ready to give up these little things.  It's coming and I know it but I'm holding on as long as I can.  Oh we love this little man!

This and That

So far January has been laid back and quiet around our house.  The kids are enjoying all of their new toys but they are both longing to play outside.  Hopefully we will have a warm day soon.  We've had a really great time without any schedule the last couple of weeks but Ava is so excited to go back to school on Tuesday.  She has been so much fun!  Keegan's tantrums are in full swing as we head into the terrible two's  but he has his sweet and funny moments too.  Here are some pics from the last week and a half.

 Presley & Ava bringing in the New Year :-)

Ava painting an elephant on her new easel

Keegan riding his new truck around the house

Watching a movie with Daddy

Watching Cinderella with Sally

Funny Guy

Getting a much needed haircut

Looking sharp but much too old!

Ava wearing my shoes

She likes to wear them around the house and calls herself "Big Boots"

A trip to the library...By far my favorite picture of the week!  They run straight for the red basket every time and head to their books.  These are the days :-)