the start of solid food...

I thoroughly enjoy most of the baby stages and have not tired of them thru the three kids. But there is one stage I really dislike, that has also stayed consistent thru out the three kids (see Chase's first food post here). The start of solid foods, yuck... There are many reasons I don't like it, but I find it more of an annoyance than enjoyable and the thought that it provides really no nutritional value doesn't help. It is hard fitting in another feeding in our busy schedules, it is hard doing one food at a time to make sure that they aren't allergic to anything... I really wish they could just jump to eating real food, bring on the cheerios and puffs! But they have to start somewhere and Grayson has been eyeing our food every night at dinner so Charlie finally said enough is enough and fed the kid the other night. Can't say he loved it, but as Aunt Diane commented, I can't imagine it tastes that great!

I also found another disturbing fact about rice cereal which makes me dislike it more. I'm not a huge label reader, but have been trying to be better at it, especially for the kids food. So I look at the side of his Gerber Rice Cereal that I of course fed both other kids, and how many ingredients do you think were on there? At least 15 and I of course couldn't pronounce any of them! Really, in baby food, that has plastered all over it "good for you"??? I promptly went and got his some oatmeal from a crunchy organic brand, much better...

I bet that is why my other 2 are terrible eaters, right????  

American Girl...

I decided a couple of weeks ago that I wanted to get Audrey an American Girl Doll for her birthday. Charlie thought I was crazy since she has never asked for one, but I envisioned this special trip with just Audrey and I and thought it would be something she would love. Making it happen with just the 2 of us proved to be a little challenging logistically, but my wonderful neighbor Kara stepped in a watched the boys while Audrey and I went.

Audrey had no idea where we were going (I actually told her we were going to a doctors appointment so Chase didn't want to come) and guessed the entire car ride. We walked up to the store and I wasn't sure she would recognize it but boy was I wrong... "American Girl"!!! I told her she could pick out any doll she wanted which was fun but also a little overwhelming for her. Talk about eye candy for a 5 year old... She ran around for awhile and we finally ended up with one of the My American Girls with long curly blonde hair and brown eyes. I wanted to grab something to eat at the cafe but we didn't have time for lunch so we sat down at the bar which turned out to be way better. We ordered a milkshake and banana strawberry sundae and they sang Happy Birthday to her so Audrey was in heaven. It was a lot of fun and I'm so glad we did it. I really enjoyed hanging out with her one on one and Audrey said several times on the way home that "this was the best day ever" which made my heart melt... Doesn't get much better than that...

Pre-School Graduation...

Audrey had quite the week this week. Not only was it birthday week but she graduated from pre-school too! She came home for weeks talking about how they had been practicing for graduation and singing the songs so it was awesome to finally see what they put together. Her school did a great job, it was a very sweet program with lots of singing and then each kid walking across stage to get their "diploma". It was bittersweet watching her, it is sad for to leave her school but so exciting for her to be starting kindergarten in the fall! Chase will be taking her place at Lollipop in the fall which he is so excited about too...

Congrats to our grad, we are SO proud of you! 

5 years old...

Well, Audrey turned 5 this week and let me tell you it has been quite the birthday week! We have celebrated her birthday 4 separate times (yes 4) and she has loved every minute of it. We were lucky enough to celebrate with family and friends which does not usually happen. I just re-read her birthday post from last year and I laughed because she hasn't changed a bit. This girl LOVES her birthday and literally talks about it for months beforehand. I think I can say with confidence that she enjoyed the week, though I am going to need to break it to her tomorrow that we are all done celebrating... 

This was a big birthday, 5 seems to be the start of them really growing up which is sad and exciting at the same time. She is headed to kindergarten in the fall which just blows my mind. She is the sweetest girl and I hope that she continues to be. She loves her family and friends dearly, loves to dance and sing and if you haven't guessed by now she loves pink and all things girly (more on her party to come)...

Happy Birthday to my sweet sweet baby girl! May all your birthday wishes come true!