Mini Moments

Another episode of Mini Moments with the Mini Vinnies has arrived!  I must say its a full sized episode and may only be at a family level of interest, which is hard to say since everything my kids do is interesting to me :)

 The Anne Geddes flower head girl came back with a bang in this picture!

 A pose from Amelia!

 I can't quite remember the game, but it was VERY important the gate stayed closed and that nothing fell out!

 Isabelle helping Landon with his pacifier

 Isabelle lately has been going off to her own little area

 Another Wednesday night adventure, this time at COSTCO.  Good thing they have box chairs to sit in!

 So the funnier part of this picture was actually watching Isabelle try and put the helmet on.....she is nearly 2, but practically fell over with trying to pull the helmet to her head....tiny little thing!

 Love this girl!  She is so proud of her pajamas

 Smiles from the little man!

 The little guy trying to sit up on his own.  He is quite a ways off; however, for just shy of 4 months - I think it is pretty fantastic!

 So serious!

 Elmo getting a checkup from the girls

 Landon watching his sisters!

 Mr. Fancy Pants

 Landon's neck strength has really gotten better in the last couple weeks!

 Our first walk of the year!!!!  It was SO great to get out!

 All of the kids enjoyed the walk and being able to splash around

 We have unfortunately gone back into cold weather winter, so I think it will be a while before we can go on a walk again....hopefully not too long!

 Amelia coloring a picture

 Amelia - oh girl, you make me laugh - you are so sweet.  Amelia insisted she needed to make a mask for her sully costume, so after specific directions on how I was supposed to cut it out, we finished it up and she had to try it on!

Lately, Amelia has really enjoyed audio books and following along.

After bath time....something about how her legs don't touch the ground just makes her so cute!

Isabelle found a future Landon coat and made it her own

Isabelle working on her balancing tricks

I sometimes overestimate Amelia's age and what she can do/what interests her.  One afternoon I thought it would be fun to teach her how to play war.  Good to learn numbers, work on which ones are bigger/lower.....yeah she must be too young.....she decided this should be the card game we should play.

Afternoon snack!  Anything on crackers must be scrapped off with fingers.....for both girls.

More bonding time

Amelia decided to put on a show for me and Isabelle wanted to be a part of it!   The blue mat was the stage!

The show included singing and dancing!

Hard to believe this one is going to be 2!  I think she enjoys this more than Landon!

Such innocence -- Love that face!

Landon has so many expressions.

Isabelle going off on her own......and making a mess, but having lots of fun!

What an outfit!

Amelia and Isabelle

I don't write often and this is the first time on this blog-but I wanted you to hear from your dad at least once on here. Landon, I'm sure I will write on here for you eventually as well. First, I want to say "thank you" to your mom for taking the time to publish this blog. I hope someday you both appreciate it as much as I have. Today, I looked back to see Amelia at two years of age (It's hard to believe Isabelle is going to be two years old in two weeks). I didn't expect this to make me sad or bring about unexpected emotion. The cliche that time flies is undeniably accurate when you have children.

Amelia, you have grown so much and have gone from being a toddler to a young girl. You currently have a soft spot for your dad. Two days ago I came home to a present you created just for me. You wrapped it with tender care and were so proud to share it with me when I got home. According to your mom the idea was all your own. The picture is displayed proudly in my office at work. It's hard not to enjoy coming home to see you. You bring a smile to my face when you ask with earnest, "Hi daddy, how was your day?" I am trying to soak it all in, because of the inevitability and the eventuality of you getting older. You love Jesus and also have a tender heart for both your siblings. You look forward to pizza and a movie night (ok, daddy does too). You look at me so hopeful in the mornings when you ask, "Daddy, are you staying home with me today?" when you are up before I leave for work. It breaks my heart to tell you that I have to work and see the sad in your eyes. You are going to do great things in your life and I have no doubt you are going to be a beacon for this world.

Isabelle, my firecracker. You have always kept your mom and I on our toes. I don't see this changing any time soon either. You are opinionated but exceptionally sensitive. You love your brother. Like LOVE him. If he doesn't have a pacifier you make it your personal mission to find it and get it to him. I have also found you on more than one occasion leaning over his bassinet with your feet dangling, patting him on the head or tickling him. You are the definition of boundless activity from jumping to dancing. But, you are also a cuddler after a nap or if you just need a moment of comfort from mom or dad. I can't wait until you start talking more  clearly because you have so much to say and get so frustrated with me for not understanding. You are a natural leader who will interact and play but be just as content going your own way. I would love for you to hang onto your strengths which will help sustain you in the future. Somehow your mom and I have to find a way to harness those, because the fearlessness which will be a strength in the future can get you into trouble now.

I will conclude this post by saying it is a pleasure being a dad to both of you. I have been blessed beyond what I deserve. I pray that I can shepherd your hearts and help you understand the love of Jesus.

The Highlight Reel

So lately, I feel as though my life is kind of a like a highlight reel; however, not the typical kind.  Instead more of a blooper reel......and no these are not all the bloopers....these are the happy/funny ones.

Isabelle, tonight you climbed in the pack 'n play, hid daddy's work pants in mommy's dresser drawer, hid Amelia's pajama pants in her drawer so she couldn't get dressed and ran around and hid on the chair in Landon's room so you didn't have to go to bed.  It is really hard to understand what you say - even though you are getting better; however, you have your moments of complete clarity in words.....like when daddy asks you what you want for supper and you reply, Coooookie.

Amelia, after much discussion you have declared yourself Doc McStuffins Vigneron.  You want a clinic and since its too cold outside to use the fort, you made all of downstairs your clinic.  You even drew a 'doc is in' picture.  There has been a couple nights recently when you have come downstairs dressed in layers....a pair of shorts and tshirt under your pajamas.  You are so proud of yourself and your clever abilities.   Lately your new question has been, Mom are you sure this will be fun?!

Landon, you are still not so sure about the jumperoo (its only day 2) - though you are doing really good in it.  And you are so ticklish that when I go to change your shirt at night you giggle like crazy!

The Home Show

It was another successful year at the home show!  And Isabelle got to partake in the playground this year!

 Amelia going down the slide in her hard hat! 

 Daddy helping Isabelle; however, she really has no fear so it made us a little nervous!

 Isabelle going down the slide!

 Cuddle time with gramma

 Time for a ride from Grandpa!

 Grandpa was a great horse!  He had a lot of giddy-up in his trot!

 Of course the girls could not get enough!

 Isabelle likes to do the sneak attack hop on.....if you lean over too far while on the ground she will hop on up!

Gramma go a puzzle for the girls!  This is how it started......

 ....and this is how it ended!  Go daddy and grandpa!

 She's still got the touch!

Oh Isabelle..... You Crack Us Up

You make us laugh even when you are being naughty by running up with those two little lips all puckered up for a kiss! 

You steal my seat whenever you can and then giggle when I see.   Of course a take over isn't complete until I pretend to sit in you. 

When I change your diaper you spread your arms wide and say 'hug me'.... How can I resist?!   But then you don't let me go and when you finally do... You start it all over again. 

Miss Boy

Today, Daddy came home a little early and Amelia wanted to play school.  Of course Daddy was appointed as teacher.   

Mommy:  Amelia, what is the teacher's name?

Amelia:  Miss Bonnie

Mommy:  Well, daddy is a boy, so you should call him Mr.

Silence from Amelia.....a bit later, Amelia says to her daddy.

Amelia:  Okay Miss Boy, what am I going to learn today?!

The Shoot-Out

Last week I took pictures of the kids - it was an all-out shoot-out!  BUT, I got pictures of Landon at 3 months, a couple of the girls and of all three kids!  Overall, they all did great - though they definitely didn't want to see the camera anymore!

Miss Amelia at 3 1/2.  She looks so old!

The eldest and youngest.  

The firecracker

My favorite!

I have some out takes of this picture, which I may upload in a later post.  

Our little man Landon at three months old.  How time flies and what a big boy he is!

One of all of us!  Its a lot harder to get a picture were we are all looking at the same place and smiling!  In a few years :)