Routine

I have been really enjoying our "new" schedule these past two weeks.  While I used to work out during Colton's morning nap, now that both kids are sleeping in until 8, I have been getting up early and getting time to work out, have quiet time with the Lord, and shower, all before the kids get up.  It has been such a great way to start the day, and it allows me to focus on Summer during Colton's morning nap.  Because Colton doesn't get the one-on-one time with me that Summer did when she was Colton's age, we started implementing "Colton-Mommy-time" and "Summer-Mommy-time".  Between breakfast and Colton's morning nap is "Colton-time" where we do things that Colton likes to do, such as help him push his walker, read his books, let him climb the stars, play with his toys, etc, and Mommy is focused on Colton.  Then, after Colton goes down for his nap, it is "Summer-time", and Mommy is completely focused on Summer.  We do puzzles, play big girl games, do tot-school, etc.  It has been a great way to start our mornings, and I love my time with each of the kids.  By 11, we are ready to get out for a few hours (run errands/playdate/etc) and we are home in time for a 1pm lunch and 2pm naps/quiet time/tutoring.  This has worked out great for the past few weeks, and I would imagine stay pretty simliar until Colton is done with his morning nap.    Here are a few videos of our Colton-time and Summer-time this morning, as well as a few pictures from our trip to the zoo today.

Colton practicing walking

Summer practicing writing her name:

Summer is loving 24 and 48 piece puzzles now, and it is a special Mommy-Summer-time thing to do while Colton is napping so that Colton doesn't get into the pieces :-)

Zoo- We loved going to the zoo and seeing the highlights--the fish tank, the penguins, and playing in the bee hive.  Colton is old enough now to enjoy the bee hive, so it was fun to watch the two of them play!

Going down the slide together

Colton LOVED the slide and kept crawling back for more.  He learned how to scoot to get himself going down the slide all by himself!

Summer liked practicing her gymnastics moves on the honeycombs

Here are two more videos:

Colton finally learned to clap today (despite trying for many months!!!)

Summer learned some new dance moves from Daddy....;)  (This video was taken while I was at Auntie Kristin's wedding shower a few weekends ago).

Colton 11 months and Silly Summer

Happy 11 months to my sweet little boy!

I love this little girl!

A few updates

With my favorite two kiddos

On Thursday, Grandma Kirkwood came and we went to the mall.  She took this picture of the three of us in the play place, which is fun, because I don't often get a picture with the two kids and me. :)  It was fun to watch Colton be big enough to enjoy playing in the play place now (full of little cars with slides and things to climb in and under).  While I used to enjoy being mom to a toddler and baby, I think being mom to a preschooler and toddler is even more fun!!!! 

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Here are a few updates:

Summer quotes of the week:
1) "Mommy, where is my tank-top computer?"  (She has a pink, play LAP-top)
2) While giving me a hug, "Mommy, your hair is so pretty, your eyes are so pretty, your nose is so pretty, your goobers are so pretty......"
3) "Mommy I am going to give this picture to God." (Proceeds to walk over and put the colored picture next to her spot at the table where she prays to him before each meal.)
4) "Mommy, God is with me all the time.  When I eat, when I nap, and when I poop in my diaper."

*Summer is just STARTING to recognize when she is going to the bathroom in her diaper---sometimes.....

Colton has mastered the stairs and goes up and down without help.  He is literally CONSTANTLY on the move.   Some of his current favorite things to do are:
1) Climb the stairs
2) Open and close cabinets (he is allowed to open and close, but not touch the contents!)
3) Slide the dishwasher drawer open and shut (he is allowed to open and close it, but not touch the dishes!)
4) Turn pages in board books

 *Colton is very good about not touching something when I tell him not to, and I am impressed with (so far) how obedient he is.

Weird to think about this time last year.....Colton was a month away from being due.....!  Wow!  My baby is closing in on a year old!!!