Audrey the Artist

Audrey is really becoming quite the little artiste! Her painting and drawing ability have already surpassed mine and she LOVES all kinds of art. Today she showed me how to make a Santa Claus from tracing her hand. She traced it, then had to flip the paper around before adding all the touches. Anyway, I was impressed that she remembered how to do it from school because I certainly couldn't have. She also just started a new ballet class. I like it so much more than last year's school. There are only 4 students in her class and she is beautiful to watch! Today, she was doing these toe touches and then leaps on the count of 4 and 8 perfectly. I know I'm biased but she was WAY better than the other 3 girls. =) Anyway, I hope that the artsy side of her brain develops more than mine ever did. If it does, she has Iain to thank!!

Tomorrow the girls start a new art class, so I'm going to try to remember to take the camera to take some pix.

Tattle-Tale

Last night at dinner, we were explaining to the girls what a tattle-tale is and why it's not nice to be one (this conversation followed closely on the heels of Avery pointing out loudly and repetitively that Audrey had not said "please" when asking for a spoon). Anyway, we told them that in general, they should limit the need to tattle to cases where someone was in danger or someone was doing something safe. I said, "for example, if a boy runs into the street without looking, it's okay to tell his mommy so that she can help him." Without missing a beat, Avery said, "or if a bear is chasing behind me it's okay to tell someone." Um, yep, it sure is!! Iain and I were cracking up and that was the end of the lecture. =)

Kai's Name

Yesterday we went to a party at a neighbor's house and I put a nametag on Kai's Baby Bjorn. Avery saw it and told Kai, "Kai, you have a nametag on. K A I. Only three letters. That's because you're little and don't have a whole name yet."

First Day of School

I think they had fun. Avery had some moist eyes (no tears) and Audrey held my hand a bit longer than normal, but when I picked them up, they were both happy and were excited to talk about their day. School started and it was cold and rainy, so I'm sad to say that summer has apparently ended. But life is good!

Fun with Cousins

We had to bribe the girls with pretzels to sit and smile for the camera at the picnic table. No bribery was required for the smiles where Addy and Avery are chasing each other. =) And the chaotic look of the picture with all 8 -- well, that's about as good as it gets! (Note Carly stealing a sip of Audrey's water when she knows nobody can do a thing about it).

My dad would have LOVED watching the action of all these babies!!




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Lots of Kids!!

Yesterday afternoon at Mim's house, we had 8 children ages 4 and under. Good times! Our three, Audrey (4), Avery (3) & Kai (2 months), my brother's three, Ava (2), Emma (7 months) and Sophie (7 months), and my cousin's (who I consider like a sister) two, Addyson (2) and Carly (10 months). Harry, we missed you!

We didn't manage to get a pic of all 8 together, but I'll try again today. Below is a pic of my mom's grandkids (only Audrey and the twins would smile) and a pic of the five "big" girls (you know, ages 10 months to 4).

Iain in Naples, Italy