4 Months

Anna is so aware of her surroundings and absolutely LOVES any attention she can get.  She will coo and tell you all sorts of things while wiggling her legs and smiling all over the place.  She rolled over once but never repeated that move so I think it was just a fluke. Her neck is getting stronger and she enjoys sitting up and facing outward in our laps.  She purposely reaches, swats, and holds onto things dangling from her play mat. She lasts about three minutes in the Bumbo seat, but it is a really fun three minutes.  She still loves Pixie and has added a new friend, Mopsy, an old friend of the Kranz boys. She chews on everything from her fingers and clothes to a passie occasionally.  This weekend she started being super fussy all the time, needing to eat more often, not sleeping through the night, and needing to be held constantly...I suspect a tooth might be involved... I guess I will just have to snuggle with her a little more!!! :)

 

Max requested a little holding time!

Chilling in her siblings' stroller watching them play.

Kate is constantly trying to engage Anna in some sort of activity.

Sucking her Thumb

Mopsy

 Sweater set from Mimi

Progress Reports

We had our three year doctor's visit, a conference with Ms. Carla, and a report from Ms. Nicole the gymnastics teacher in the past week.  I am proud to say that all reports were wonderful and hilarious at the same time.

Kate: 29.5lb, 36.9 in. and has great eye site. Ms. Carla says she is "a little mom" to all the kids.  She repeats instructions to others and always makes sure Max is on cue and at her side.  She will do stations without Max but given the choice she returns to Max.  She is in good shape with her ABC's, numbers, colors and most shapes. She struggles a little more with reading her name.  She loves everything about gymnastics especially the trampoline, pit, balance beam, bars, and water fountain.

Max 30.9 lb, 37.3 in. and has great eye site.  When asked to identify the pictures for the eye exam he said, square, circle, apple, and Hen House!  Yes, not just a house, but a hen house (it came from a book), the nurse and I were dying.  Ms. Carla says he is very proud and excited to answer all questions, sing songs out loud, and belt out his daily prayer and Pledge of Allegiance.  He recognizes his name and Kate's name and is asking how to say (spell) other words.  He loves gymnastics especially the pit and doing projects (crafts).

I must be doing something right...

Year 3 Scrapbook

One of my favorite hobbies, besides walking, is creating scrapbooks through Snapfish.  It is mess free and I can do it anywhere, anytime.  I just finished Kate & Max's Year 3 scrapbook with 92 pages and 733 pictures - slightly ridiculous but a wonderful way to reflect on our special memories.

Kate & Max - Year 3

Lovin' Our Sunshine

Going on a walk without coats, hats, and blankets is even more fun! Anna loves facing outward in the baby Bjorn.  We get a lot of double takes with the bumble bee stroller (double jogger) plus infant bobbing along in the baby Bjorn...

Anna wiggled on the grass...

 ...while Kate and Max played in the park.

Pixie

Anna has a new friend, an owl named Pixie.  She grabs, holds and kisses (chews) her.  

The kids love it when they show her Pixie and she grabs it.

Happy Valentine's Day

Oh, how I love holidays...ALL HOLIDAYS!  

Decorating cookies with Neighbors

Heart Pancake Breakfast

 Flowers for Mommy from Daddy!

 Flowers from Papa D - annual tradition for all his girls :)

New Tradition: 

In the spirit of my Dad's tradition, Peter has extended the tradition to our family to

 include a flower for Kate and a book for Max.

Thank you Peter for all my special surprises!

Valentine's Party

I was invited to Kate & Max's preschool Valentine's Party.  Half of the 2's class were first in the carpool line and they were ALL wound up about their party - so cute!  Ms. Carla and Ms. Sandra did a wonderful job of setting up four stations with activities - decorate a cookie, make a love bug, heart magnets, and decorate your valentine's box.  The kids sang us a couple songs and we read a story.  Any excuse for a party is fine by us!

In preparation of the party, the kids made valentine's for each of their classmates!

 Ms. Carla helped get us started with our heart magnets.

 The kids have the cookie decorating down to a science.

 OMG - so cute!  They get louder every time I visit.

 Lots of Love for Ms. Carla! (Kate asked Ms. Carla to marry her)

 Goodies!

Never Ending

The kids got to celebrate their birthday AGAIN at preschool.  They brought in special treats they helped put together, got to be line leaders, wore crowns, the class sung Happy Birthday "and everything." 

3 Years Old!

It is unbelievable to think that three years ago we were sitting in a hospital room with our 4lb newborns, diligently recording each milliliter of formula and praying we would all go home together.  Now Max is shooting baskets... and Kate is practicing her ballet in her princess clothes...! They are continuously evolving into their own little selves reflecting all they hear, say, do, and feel. 

Kate is our Girly Girl - she can not get enough pink, princess, or patent leather!  She makes up stories that start with "once upon a time...in a castle...there was a princess..." She loves picking out her outfit for the day, choosing her hairstyle (one or two ponytails), and selecting just the right shoes for the outfit. She likes to be in charge, telling Max what he can and can not do and always trying to strike a deal or make a plan.  We feel like Kate is our extrovert as she thrives on personal interactions.  We think her biggest change is her interest and compassion for others (real and pretend).

Max is such a boy - continuing to love his tools, trucks, and dirt. He is constantly pointing out and studying construction equipment, emergency vehicles and things that have "robot arms".   He will proudly sing a song, lead the dinner prayer, and spell his name M.A.X.!  He is still our worker bee - loving all arts and crafts, pretending to be a mechanic or construction worker, digging in the dirt, or explaining ____ in detail.  We think Max is more introverted taking quiet time on his own to energize or regroup. His biggest change this year is in his confidence.

Max and Kate's unique personalities compliment each other. Both are interested in doing projects, going on adventures, cooking, reading/being read to, visiting the library, spending time with their grandparents, caring for their baby sister, going to gymnastics and preschool, and being outside.   We feel the biggest change is in their desire to be together!  There is a special bond between the two that is simply amazing to watch develop.

Dear Potomas and Buddy
We are very proud to be your parents. You both fill our days with so much happiness.  We are looking forward to another year of hilarious moments and memorable occasions.

Love Always and Forever

Mom & Dad

A few More...

Ms. Shannon took some wonderful pictures at the party.  I just have to share a couple because they make me smile. Way to go Ms Shannon - fun edits!!!

Birthday Celebration

We celebrated Kate and Max's birthday at Play Nation with a few friends and family. It was such a good time!

The kids just ran wild at play nation, climbing, swinging, sliding, bouncing, and make-believing!  Kate was absolutely CRAZY with excitement.  She was spinning in circles, screaming, laughing, and flying off slides - hilarious!  Max was busy as a bee, methodically climbing ladders, ringing bells, sliding down greased slides and cooking in the log cabins - no time wasted. 

We all gathered for coloring, calories, and cupcakes!

I know Kate and Max had a blast.  Thank you to everyone for making this a very special day!