Grocery shopping

I want to make sure I always remember the everyday things we do...like grocery shopping. Today we had a bunch to get at the store but we still had a lot of fun! Some of the fun was at William's expense. Of course, we took pictures and sent them to Kevin at work.  Can't wait to see these pictures of William at his rehearsal dinner!

Caroline's pretend friends

Caroline has a very elaborate imagination and an extensive group of pretend friends, all with unique names. They have slumber parties in the playroom, dance parties in the living room and ride in the car with us everywhere we go. Their names are Haley, Megan, Arianna, Denise, and Charlotte. (Molly, Olivia, Caroline, Ava, and Audrey are the younger kids they hang out with. But the 5 older girls are the main players.) These arent new friends either. Most of them have been with us for over a year but Charlotte just moved to SA with her family so the girls invited her to hang out with them.

Yesterday Denise and I had a dance contest against Caroline (the real one) and Haley. When I took a break from the dance contest, Caroline told me Denise started crying. I'm a busy mom. :)

First brother/sister bath

While I'm not one for posting naked pictures of the kids, I couldn't pass this one up. Caroline and William took their first brother/sister bath tonight. They had fun splashing and playing with the rubber duckies. As a bonus, Caroline bathed William! (He was strapped in his bath seat.) Lucky us!!

Buddy and Snowball

William loves Snowball and always tries to catch her with his new crawling skills. Snowball does not care for William and is always trying to get away from him. (Apparently she didn't like his pulling of her tail and fur.)

But I captured this picture the other day. William used the window to brace himself as he slowly walked over to her.

I can't wait to see them together when he's old enough to be gentle to her.

I love you because...

Kevin and I don't get each other gifts for Valentine's Day but I found a cheap idea I liked on Pinterest, my current obsession.
You frame a piece of paper that says "I love you because..." and take turns writing things on it with a dry erase marker. Usually we write things that are funny and just leave the frame in the kitchen and it surprises the other when we walk by it.
But I walked in to the kitchen to find this the other day. It didn't just make my day, it made my life. I was speechless.

Kindergarten Roundup

Tell me it's not true. It can't possibly be time for our little Caroline to go to school. But it is. And boy is she ready!

Here she is at kindergarten roundup where she will go to Elementary school. Rosemary and Grant are our neighbors that are going to kinder with her. It's so nice for her to already know kids there!!

Super Side Breather!

Caroline still loves to swim and I still stare in amazement every time I see her in the pool. Her front stroke and back stroke are phenomenal. A couple weeks ago she mastered the side breathing technique for the front stroke and received a "Super Side Breather" ribbon. She was thrilled and we are so proud!

Rodeo day at school

Cowgirl Caroline is loving her new boots!

William at 8 months

Our sweet little buddy is 8 months old! He loves to crawl and to be held. Seriously, he still screams if I put him down unless there is something really cool to crawl to - and even that doesn't work sometimes. I used to use the exersaucer as my temporary babysitter while I cooked but as soon as I get near it he starts screaming now. I cook, clean and organize with one hand while holding him in the other. (Or maybe I just play on the floor and don't cook, clean, or organize. :) )

He still eats a variety of fruits and veggies and has developed a love for blueberries. Kevin thinks its because I ate so many blueberries while pregnant. If that's the case, William will also love chocolate, queso, and coffee. :)

William goes to bed around 6:30 or 7 and gets up at 6. He tries to get up at 4 but I've decided that's not an ok time for us to hang out so he usually goes back to sleep until 6.

William still prefers Caroline over anyone. She still calls him "Will-EEE-um" and he lights up when she says it.

He makes lots of noise but not too many words yet. He says Papa, Baba, Gaa, and Gee. (Side note: Baba is Arabic for father so I think this is a good time to point out that our 8 month old is bilingual. I hate to brag but a fact is a fact.)

More than anything William is so happy!! Everywhere we go people comment at how he smiles constantly. As soon as anyone makes eye contact with him, he flashes a huge smile.

Love this little guy!


Note: these monthly pictures are getting harder because the little dude won't sit still. Today he ripped the tie sticker in half before I took one picture. I pieced it back together for this one picture and that was all he gave me. :)