Cole's 18 month stats

Cole has been dominating the blog lately.  I'll post pictures of the rest of the family soon!  I took Cole in today for his 18 month check-up.  Everything looks good, with the exception that he isn't saying many words.  I think his sisters do all the talking for him!  Hopefully he'll catch up soon.

Here's his stats:  33 lbs. 14 oz. (99%), 34.5 inches (92%), 50 cm head (93%).  He is a consistently big boy, trying desperately to keep up with Laine and Mead's activities!

More painting

This time Cole did some real painting... on his face!

The girls had finished up their pictures and moved on to something else.  Before I got everything cleaned up Cole decided to try out the paints too!  So proud of himself.

Painting

The girls have been "painting" with water outside lately... anything and everything.  A paintbrush and a little bowl of water will keep them occupied for quite some time!

Not to be left out, Cole decided to do some painting of his own.

Concentrating...

A nicely painted patio!

Decorations

Mead and Cole were playing the other day and decided to "decorate" the living room with their toys.  They took everything off the coat racks and carefully placed something on each hook.  Very cute!

Cool guy shades

Look who is finally willing to keep his sunglasses on for more than a few minutes!

They're super cheap glasses, but he loves to wear them!

School's end

Hard to believe the school year is almost done.  Laine loves school, so she's not quite ready to take a break.  Here's a few pictures from her year in Junior Kindergarten.

Dressing up and pretending to be a veterinarian.

Getting ready for her part in the Mother's Day play recently performed by her class.

So excited to be the final "scene" of the play: showing off the birthday cake Max and Ruby made for Grandma in Bunny Cakes.

So proud of you, Laine!  You add a spark to life.

Enjoying yummy snacks, especially the "dirt cup" her teacher made.

Mrs. Hayes and Mrs. Byars - amazing teachers who love on Laine like crazy.  So thankful for you both!  Laine has been in Mrs. Byars class for three years in a row - her entire school experience!  Though Laine is excited for kindergarten she will also dearly miss being in class with her first teacher.

Backyard fun

St. Louis weather is so bizarre.  One week it's in the 50's, the next week it's in the 90's.  Then we're back to the 70's - for which I am so thankful!

On one of our recent hot days we brought out the sprinkler and let the kids play in it for a while to cool off.  Laine was the only one who actually ran through it completely.  (Mead only went through in Daddy's arms - safety in numbers, I guess.)

Cole stayed on the outskirts of the sprinkler's reach and enjoyed a few drops of water here and there.

He seemed to have just as much fun as Laine though.  Whatever works!

Trouble

This guy is a climber.  I have found him on top of all kinds of things lately.  And getting into trouble.  

Nothing is off limits for him: the kitchen and dining room tables, the dishwasher, the top of the piano, and on and on.

He's clearly not afraid of heights.  I'm just having to keep up with him before he destroys everything that isn't baby proofed at that level!  Who knows what he'll get into next.

Lovies

Each of my kids has a lovie.  It all started because Laine got two of the same thing at a baby shower before she was even born.  We gave it to her at 6 months, and she totally attached to it like we wanted her to.  It is so helpful for kids to have something special to help them feel secure!

We bought similar lovies in different colors for Mead and Cole, and they have both become attached as well.  For the first time the other day, this is how I found them - snuggled up together in Laine's bed, each with their lovies, sucking their thumbs (or fingers, in Cole's case) and relaxing.  They were so cute together!

They are not supposed to take their lovies out of their rooms - a motivation for having them relax in their room if they ever need a break!  Cole is a sneaky one, however, and we often find him walking around the house with his lovie - looking just like he does above.  Normally at that point it's time to let him take a nap - he's clearly ready to relax for a while!

Pastors' Retreat

Last week Penny and I were able to go to Pere Marquette in Grafton, IL for a couple nights on a pastors' retreat.

We had beautiful weather, and it was good to have a break for a few days to relax, talk, connect, and enjoy time with one another as well as other pastors and their wives.

 Here is most of the group, though a few couples had to leave early.  Thanks to everyone who made it possible for us to get away - it was a huge blessing!

Little friends

It's always fun to see friendships develop in little kids.  Initially their friends are their bigger siblings' friends.  But soon enough they develop peer friendships of their own.

These three - Cole, Campbell, and Caroline - love to hang out together.  And there is only 6 months difference between them all.

Looking forward to many happy years of play time together!