Wow. To think of the things that have not made it on a blog page, it's a bit scary... but that's what happens in the insanity of home living with two little ones. So lets see what I can bring you up to speed on.
First the kids.
Everett is the kid with the endless motor. Turning 2 in late July, he has really come into his own on a variety of things. Previously only saying a few words here or there, he now (thankfully) has been using full sentences. It might not be up to the articulation level of his cousin Georgie, but please keep in mind that George is more verbally succinct than most junior high students. I asked Everett to "use the right word" one evening when reading books and instead of "please" he uttered "Read me books please." A pretty significant improvement from 3 months ago. He is passionate about anything with a motor. His ears perk at the starting of each lawn mower in the neighboorhood, he points out each plane that flies overhead and is near tears (of joy) when a big truck or bus rolls by. As I debate on whether the grass is long enough to make worth cutting, Everett is already running to the garage to make sure he is ready to help with his mower. He is the ultimate helper, following around Papa around the yard ever-willing to hold tools, dig with a shovel. His ultimate love is pushing small ladder next to the toolbench picking apart my toolkit and examining each drill bit and hex wrench. In the house: every electrical outlet has been used (despite the covers that have been placed), every light switch flickered, every button pushed, every cabinet and drawer explored. There was a "aha" moment that he acquired around 18 months where he found out that pushing chairs across the room would bascially give him access to all of the counter tops, all of the unreachable cupboards, and allow him to more thoroughly investage the contents of the drawers. Now as the official little helper that he is, he loves to help cook, mix, stir, wipe, sweep, dustbust and anything else that requires exertional activity. It's a small miracle if Jen can make a meal without a chair being pushed to the middle of the room and a little buddy trying to access the pots and pans sitting on the stove. The latest and greatest includes a fairly seemless transition from crib to "big boy bed" the last few days. Originally a little nervous, he helped bring most toys, books, and other items from the nursery to his new room on Wednesday, and now sleeps the whole night... if we could only redesign the 5AM wake up time. There is always some work to be done! Everett follows his sister and mother wherever they go. More often than not he will realize he is alone in a room and come to me to ask "Where is Audrey/Mama?" and then track them down to make sure they are doing ok. He LOVES his mother. I am rarely the choice for bedtimes or comfort when the injuries occur (there are many). He and sister Audrey get along pretty well. I need a self-help book to figure out how to avoid refereeing the sharing stuff, but there is nothing more heartwarming than to see them both reading books in Audreys room or find them playing side by side at the play kitchen downstairs. Audrey's love of books and propensity to break out into song has rubbed off on his brother. And that too is quite endearing.
Audrey is wonderful. There was a period of time a year ago when Audrey was struggling with her role as a big sister (more tantrums than her norm) but beyond a sharing dispute a few times a day, she does a pretty good job playing with her brother. Her imagination knows no bounds, she beams when she is at school, and she does a great job helping around the house. Preschool suits this kid like white on rice. I'm not sure there is a time when I have seen her more happy. It is definitely bittersweet now dropping her off on wednesdays to school- but she is SO enthusiastic about school and do very much enjoy my one on one time with Everett. Audrey has developed a closer relationship with her buddy Chase next door. The two of them squabble like siblings and the play together like them too. If they aren't arguing about a toy or "who is winning" then they are side by side working on a mutual project in the sandbox or driving along in Chase's little jeep around the yard. She inisted on camping outside this summer when I was getting the tents out for the boundary waters and made it the entire night this time (compared to last summer). She also is a big fan of bonfires and the Smores that come with them- hopefully we will be having more of those this fall. Of course, parental fatigue limits those a bit more now than in the past. The last thing I will mention about Audrey, is that she has an amazing bond with her grandparents, aunts, and uncles. There will be no way to summarize all the outings and moments that she has had with her family over the summary, but those e
Updates on baby three to come...
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