Grammy's Tea Party

 It would not be a proper tea party without hats, crust-less sandwiches, and tiny cookies.

There were no boys allowed at the tea party, only babies. This was the first time we had all four new Wilson babies in the same place at the same time. Aren't they a cute bunch?! 

Beau, Isaac, Samantha, Paige

All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth!

I'm not missing anything.

You are the trip I did not take, you are the pearls I could not buy,
you are my blue Italian lake, you are my piece of foreign sky.

You are my Honolulu moon, you are the book I did not write,
you are my heart's unuttered tune, you are a candle in my night.

You are the flower beneath the snow, in my dark sky a bit of blue,
answering disappointment's blow with "I am happy! I have you!”

-Ann Campbell

Will turns 7!

How in the world am I old enough to have a seven year old?  Time marches relentlessly on, and we celebrated another birthday at our house.

Will turned 7 today.  It's crazy because I still imagine him as my car lovin' 2 year old.  He's most definitely not.  He can do multiplication better than I can, he reads chapter books well above his grade level, and I even (gasp!) let him stay at home by himself for the first time ever the other night while I ran the young women home after our activity.

So, what I'm saying is:  HE'S NOT MY BABY ANYMORE.  Heartbroken.  And a little excited.  We trudge forward knowing this new year will bring different challenges and joys, all packed into one seven-year-old kid.

Oh, boy, do we love him.

The festivities were three-fold:  Zoo Birthday with his 3 best friends (Grace, Julian and Beckham), an early surprise- a pet lizard!, and finally presents and cake.

Family Hike

I love the outdoors.  Hiking is one of my favorite pastimes.  You probably wouldn't know that about me because I hardly ever do it!  It seems Dallas and I often think of the work involved in hauling three kids up to the mountains rather than focusing on the reward once we get there.

Spur of the moment, we decided we were going!  We threw camp chairs in the Tahoe, ran by Smith's for a rotisserie chicken, and off we went!  We were Strawberry bound.

 It's a shame that we live so close to this and don't take advantage of it.

We had a quick dinner, and then set off.  It was a perfect evening.  We kept debating about who liked it the most, and I think it was Scooter!  I think he was actually smiling the entire time.

Paige was a close second.  She was soaking up all of the scenery.

We are already planning our next small adventure!

Onward to Animals

Will only plays with one thing at a time.  It started with cars, and then motorcycles, then Lightning McQueen stole his heart for some time.  Thomas came and went, monster trucks, Legos, drawing, and now the boy loves animals.

He reads for hours in his Animal Encyclopedia.  He has measuring tapes that he measures them with to see how big they really are.  He memorizes how much they weigh and where they live.  He writes, and rewrites, all of these facts in his own animal books.  His brain is incredible!  I've learned not to doubt him when he tells me something about an animal- he is rarely, if ever, wrong.

Because of the hours of research, his knowledge of animals surpasses other kids his age.  For example, in his first grade class they are talking about things that are living, and non living.  For his assignment he had to color a picture of two things that are living, and two things that are nonliving.

First, "A ROCK is nonliving."

Second, "A TWIG is nonliving."

And here's where it gets interesting...

"A MONITOR is living."  {accompanied by a crayon drawing of a monitor lizard}

"A RETICULATED PYTHON is living."  {another crayola reptile is portrayed}

I'm sure the teacher would have been satisfied with "lizard" and "snake."  :)

Will and Annie play animals a lot.  I giggled when I heard Will in the other room say, "I'm a North African Spiny Tailed Lizard.  Annie, what are you going to be?"

When she replied with, "A Porcupine," he wasn't satisfied.

"A Brazilian Porcupine?"  He asks.

I can't help but wonder what this kid is going to do with his life one day.

Annie's Off to Preschool!

In spite of my pleading, Annie continues to grow up.  When I ask her why she keeps getting so big, she responds with, "Because that's the way Jesus made me!"  I like that response.

Annie started preschool with Miss Katie at "Hands On Preschool."  This is the same school where Will attended and I taught.  We love Miss Katie and I'm so excited for Annie to learn and grow with her.

Annie told me all about her day at school, including, but not limited to:  Getting three stars on her paper at the writing center, that she was the leader for her job, that one of the boys lost his job for hitting another kid, that she made new friends, and that it turns out she was ready for preschool because she knows how to be a good friend and to listen.

I love this girl!

5 Months

Newest nickname: Paigers

Size: No idea! But people still constantly comment on how long she is.

Tricks and talents: Still rolling, likes to play with toys (especially her fairy with crackly wings), sits in the bumbo, and puts everything in her mouth. Peek-a-boo is her favorite and will belly laugh every time. Her tickle button is located on her chest by her shoulders. Paige also gave mom a real slobbery, on purpose kiss for the first time!

New Adventures: First sleepover at Seth and Sierra's, rode on the carousel at the zoo, and met best friend Riley Perkins.

This has been the fastest 5 months of my entire life! Paige continues to be the sweetest doll, but is turning into a mama's girl and will cry sad alligator tears when someone she doesn't recognize tries to pick her up.