Walking Update #2

This past week Kate has really started taking more and more steps. She is actually taking steps that are her idea. Before I would have to really cheer and clap or bribe her with something. Today she even walked across the big living room. We are really enjoying watching each wobbly step! I smile each time I catch her trying to walk. She is so cute and growing so fast!

Lots to Talk About...

First of all, Baby Kate is getting increasingly more difficult to keep up with!!! She is into EVERYTHING!! She has no interest in her own toys. She prefers what ever is in all our drawers and cabinets. I have tried telling her NO, time outs in her play pen, slapping her hands, and all of the above for the same offense. Nothing seems to work. She goes right back to getting into the drawers and cabinets as soon as she is over her punishment. I am about to pull my hair out! I know it is part of being one year old, but her brother and sister were not as curious as she is. I do however forget all about our troubles when she comes and lays her head in my lap and sucks her thumb to tell me she is tired, or smiles one of her big smiles. She is just so sweet!! Here are some examples:

She loves to help with the laundry! Usually she just likes to get the clothes out and throw them on the floor, but she had to get inside to reach the ones in the back.

Can she get any farther inside the dishwasher?Dishes are truly her favorite chore. Chris just left the room for a second.

I was sorting laundry, and she was rearranging the cabinets in the utility room.

I will admit I was on the computer while she was doing this.

I am missing a picture of her turning the water on in the bathtub. That is her favorite thing to do in our bathroom besides playing in the potty if she ever finds the lid up. What a stinker!!!

We had some company this weekend. Chris's Mom and his Grandparents all came to see us. Chris's Grandparents came to see Rachel cheer lead and Luke play soccer. His Mom came to play with the grand babies, see the house, and to help me start decorating. We were busy busy all weekend!

Rachel had her last game to cheer lead for the season on Saturday. Luke made a goal at his soccer game. The goal however was for the other team! It figures! Rachel's first soccer goal was for the other team too. I guess it runs in the family. After his goal Luke turned to me and asked if I got it on video. Unfortunately I didn't have the camera. Luke has one more game this Saturday and his season will be over.

Saturday evening the kids went to a Halloween block party for the neighborhood. They had so much fun! They got to wear their costumes. The party had jumpers, a big blow up slide, candy, games, hot dogs, and popcorn. It is neat to live in a neighborhood where there are a lot of kids. Our old neighborhood did not have any kids around. We were the youngest family on the block.

Sometime between the kids activities, shopping, and eating we found a little time to decorate. We picked out carpet for an area run, hung pictures in the bathroom and hall, hung a huge clock on the wall, but mostly we concentrated on the dining room. In the dining room we hung curtains, a couple of pictures, clock, and we changed the table cloth. It really changed the looks of the room! We still need a few things to finish the room, but we really got a great start! Thank you so much Debra for all your help!

Happy Birthday

One of our very favorite blog followers is having a birthday today. It is our Pop Pop!! Happy Birthday Pop Pop!! We love you and hope you had a great day!

Go Green Gators!!!

In an effort for our soccer team to distract the opposing team, so maybe we could actually win a game, we decided to paint the whole team's hair green. Luke is not happy that his hair is all spiked, but he likes the color. He wants his hair green and combed. Luke is VERY picky about his hair! He is just like his Grandad Bob when it comes to keeping his hair combed.






Here is Luke with his game face on...



Despite the extra effort, I am sad to say we lost yet another game. The boys don't really seem to notice they are loosing. Let's just say they are getting a lot of practice kicking off!

Luke has decided soccer is not the sport for him. He will finish this season and hang up his uniform. He does not like getting pushed and hit all the time. He may give golf another try.

Good Kids

This morning I started to unload the dishwasher and Luke came over to put away the silverware. For some reason he likes to put the silverware away. Kate decided she was done with her breakfast soon after I started on the dishes, so I got her out of the high chair and took her to get her cleaned up and clothes changed for the day. After Kate was taken care of I started making beds and straighting the kids rooms. On my way back to the kitchen Luke met me with a smile on his face. He had put away ALL the dishes!!! He was as proud of himself as I was!! For Luke to put away the dishes it required a stool and climing on the cabinets! He said he did not break any of the dishes!! He did a great job!! What a good boy!!

Since I am on the subject of good kids, yesterday we attended a luncheon honoring kids who have shown Outstanding Citizenship for the first six weeks of school at Greathouse Elementary School. Two kids from each class were nominated by their teachers. Rachel was one of the nominees from her class. We are so proud of her! Rachel was not the only Stansell nominated at the luncheon yesterday. Two of our cousins, Mason and Morgan, were also nominated. I think it is pretty cool that all three of them were nominated in the first six weeks of school! Keep up the good work y'all!!

Walking Update

Well the few steps she took yesterday must have really worn her out because she has maybe taken two today and about six yesterday evening. Every time you try to stand her up her legs turn to noodles. She is a stinker! At least she knows she can walk if she wants to, and so do we! I am glad I have her walking on tape so I can watch it over and over again!

I showed Rachel the video as soon as she got home yesterday. Rachel said, "Is that for real!!? Did she really walk!?" Her reaction was so cute. She was sad she missed it. I think she got to see her take a couple of steps last night, but not near as many as she took yesterday morning.

I know it won't take long before she is running everywhere!

Hallelujah Hallelujah!!!!

Finally.... Baby Kate has decided to take a few steps!!! I must say I was becoming a little impatient!! I guess 14 1/2 months beats the 15 1/2 months her sister waited to walk!! Last night she surprised me by taking one lonely step when I would try to get her to come to me. Rachel and I really cheered her on to encourage more steps, but one step at a time was all she would take. It was progress, so I was happy. This morning when Chris got home we wanted to show him our progress. To my surprise she walked four steps toward him. I am so glad we were both here to see her first steps!!! Mama and Daddy are so proud of her!!!