Update on the Kids

Today I wanted to do a quick update on how all of the kids are doing.

Ashtyn 

Ashtyn is flourishing. She has so many things she is interested in and is constantly learning new things. Some of the things she is interested right now include Perler beads, writing music (she's assigned notes to the baby piano we have and she writes them out into different orders and then plays them), creating recipes for a recipe book she's making (of different colored water that "tastes good"), Super Smash Brothers, making things out of paper (recently it's been necklaces and matching games), and making mini video games (Ben discovered a program that is good for kids and he and Ashtyn make them together).

Some other things she likes to do: she loves to "make pixy dust" out of chalk by grinding it to powder on the sidewalk and to make colored water out of the chalk. She also loves to dig in the dirt, play make believe games with Parker, do tricks (somersaults, jumping off the couch, etc.), do yoga, draw and color, and make blanket forts.

Ashtyn has lost five teeth now (four grown up teeth have come in) and is wiggling her sixth. She's learning to ride a two wheeler. The bike she has is a little tall, so it's harder for her to start, but once we start her she rides and stops on her own. She's also making progress with reading. She recently moved up from pre-level 1 books to level 1 books, something she was very excited about. I don't think it'll be long before she moves up again.

The chores she is in charge of right now include cleaning the bathroom mirror, sink, and toilet; getting her room ready to vacuum and vacuuming her room; cleaning up toys after she's done with them; clearing her own dishes after meals; helping set the table (she is in charge of sweeping under the table and putting waters at everyone's spot). She a dollar for doing the bathroom and her room.

She is pretty picky about what she likes, but she'll eat most anything. Her least favorite foods are beans and rice, spaghetti, and sweet chicken. Her favorite meals are chicken nuggets with honey mustard, cheese pizza, hamburgers, grilled cheese sandwiches, and potato cheese casserole.

She loves reading and being read to still. Her favorite books to read are Dr. Seuss books and Elephant and Piggy books. She also loves getting nonfiction picture books about things like bugs, baby animals, and the solar system. We just finished reading the first Harry Potter book (me reading to her) and she loved that and right now we're reading Charlie and the Chocolate factory. 

Parker 

Parker is a light in our lives; when she's happy, she can't help but spread that happiness to everyone around her. She loves to do things herself and often laments that she's not a grown up yet. She loves babies-if there is a baby around, she stays close to play with the baby, rather than playing with the older kids.

Parker loves to dress up and accessorize--she will spend big chunks of time in the pantry picking out her outfits throughout the day, then shed her accessories as she plays. She still loves to dance and move her body, and often sleeps in her ballet shoes. She also still loves princess movies, but doesn't play with her princess toys as often. She's also very into super heroes, especially Spiderman now (thanks to her love of her cousin Thomas, who loves super heroes). Her favorite things to do are to play make believe with Ashtyn or to draw.

We recently potty trained Parker and she's done pretty well. She went through a period of poop accidents and that was really hard, but she makes it every time now.  She still has pee accidents sometimes, but she knows how to clean them up herself and is making good progress.

Parker cleans the lower part of the bathroom (the baseboards, doorknobs, tub, etc.), always to Disney music (so it's not "boring") and vacuums her room as well, for a dollar. She also is in charge of cleaning up toys after she's done with them, clearing her dishes after eating, and helping set the table (she's in charge of silverware and sometimes helping with the plates).

Parker is not a picky eater at all. She will eat almost anything. Her least favorite meal right now is spaghetti. Her favorite foods include crackers with sandwich meat ham, cookie dough balance bars, chicken nuggets with honey mustard, hamburger and potato casserole, and tacos.

Parker is slowly learning her letters and loves to look at books on her own. Her favorite books include Fancy Nancy books, any books of princesses or super heroes, and books with mermaids.

Rylee 

Rylee is growing up so fast, it's hard to keep up with her. She is talking more and more, copying everything anyone says. Her most common phrases are, "read the book," (while bringing us a book to read to her), "ew no!" (when we give her food she doesn't want), "Ashtyn, Parker, Mommy, Daddy", naming my body parts ("Nose," "Shoulders" "Button" (Belly button, but she does it on my chest/neck everytime), "Ariel," Jesus," "No," "yes," "Big rock!"

Rylee's favorite toy is a ball. She also loves things she can dump out and then put them back in a container to dump them out again. Her favorite thing to do is probably draw, she loves drawing (on paper, the walls, and herself). She loves counting to ten and the letters r, x, and w. Her favorite character is Elmo and she walks around singing Elmo's World. She also really loves songs and singing. She is a ham and is up for any sort of game. She loves to laugh (and her sisters love to make her laugh).

Rylee is not a picky eater, but she's really stubborn. If you can get her to try something, she'll probably eat it all and ask for more three times. But ... good luck getting her to try it. Her favorite foods are any fruit or vegetable, cheese, crackers, and candy.

Rylee loves to be read to. She is constantly asking us (and Ashtyn) to read to her. Her favorite books include Cat the Cat, Peek a Who, The Three Little Pigs, The Spooky Old Tree, Good Night Moon, Blue Hat Green Hat, Horns to Toes and Inbetween, and Dear Zoo.

All three girls are growing and thriving and healthy. I have loved watching them grow and learn, the older it gets, the more fulfilling it is. It's also so wonderful as a mother to watch them interact and learn and play together. They are such sweet girls and I love them.