Babysitting Adventure

We got to babysit our nephew for the first time this week.  He is certainly loved by all!!

Josiah: 5

It's hard to express all that adding Josiah into the mix of our family has changed things.  He fulfills his 'little brother' role quite well.  He is loved and adored by all.  The kids fight over his affections, he never wants to be alone, and he loves loves loves his family.  He's smart, observant, and funny.  His current obsession is with Legos.  He literally plays with them all day long and in my language...spews his Lego vomit all over the house.  Wherever he goes there is a massive lego trail.

It's sweet to me that Josiah's preferences and opinions are regularly based on what Aaron and Greta do.  His priority is making sure that he's doing what Aaron and Greta are doing. He is disoriented when they are gone and does not like to be by himself.  I'm grateful that they both like to help take care of him!!

Josiah, we love you so much.  Happy 5th birthday, Buddy!!!

Birthday Boy

A few weeks have passed since Josiah's 5th birthday.  All my other kids had their first 'big kid' party at age 5.  Some of them went well, some were a little CRAZY.  I decided to skip it this year for Jojo, he has no clue.  And... his closest friends are his siblings.  When I asked him who he wanted to have over for his birthday, he named all of Aaron's friends.  So sweet.  I think that speaks to what a good big brother Aaron is.

So we had Aaron's buddies and some family over for his birthday.  It was a fun night!!

Sleepy and happy birthday boy!!

For his birthday dinner he wanted hot dogs, mac and cheese and clementines.

Flashback: Swim Lessons

Going through my pictures I realized that I never posted these from this summer.  Aaron and Greta loved their swim lessons!  I am so, so grateful to now have 4 strong swimmers.  One more to go!

It was fun to be able to hang with our friends the Planks during lessons!!

Fall beauty

I always forget how much I love fall until I have a sunny day and the leaves are screaming colors.  It's such a short window of unique beauty and I really do enjoy it.  I just wish it would last longer!!

All my photos here are from our yard.