Babbling with signs

I just wanted to write this down, because I don't want to forget.  When you teach a baby sign, they usually will "babble" with their fingers.  Just like they babble with sounds, they will make hand gestures and move their fingers and hands around, trying to sign.  Both the boys did this.  They did it more than actually signed, when they were Annie's age.  Annie is doing this as well, be she is doing it differently.  She signs every sign she know (which is quite a lot considering how little she is).  I used to think that she wanted to eat all the time, because after I would nurse her, she would sign "more".  But now I realize she is babbling signs.  Today after I fed her (so I know she was full) and I was changing her diaper.  She laid on the floor happy as could be and signed, more, eat, dad, more, drink, eat, all done, dad, milk.  It was so cute, and then I realized she was just trying to talk to me, signing every sign she knew how to do.  She amazes me.  I don't remember the boys ever actually signing that many signs at her age.  And she is picking it up so fast, she tries to copy almost any sign I try to teach her.  We are working on brother now, but I think that might be harder for her to do since its two signs together. I bet I can get her to sign boy (which is half of brother) before too long.  She knows the sign for mom, which is the same as dad but on the chin.  She has started to sign dad at the ear, and I think that it is her way of trying to sign mom (not sure though).  When the boys used to sign dad, they would just hit themselves on the forehead, she was doing that too, but now has started to put her thumb on the side of her head, (which is closer to the actual sign). I can't believe how good she is getting at this.  She is babbling sounds a lot too, and says mama on command, which I love.  She is getting so close to moving, but is not quite there yet.  No matter how many kids I have, I will always be amazed at how fast they grow and learn.

Reaching "higher places"

"We have to grow to reach higher places” is what JR said to me as I was thinking about how I want him (and his siblings) to stay little forever.  When I asked why he had to keep growing, that was his reply.  I am pretty sure he was referring to places out of his reach like the top shelf of the bookcase, or the kitchen cabinets that he has to climb up on the counter to reach, but what he said has so much meaning to it.  It was something I needed to hear, because as much as I wish my little ones could stay little, they will never reach “higher places” if they don’t grow.  I am still growing and trying to reach “higher places”.  I know that in his 5 year old mind he had no idea the impact that statement could have and the full meaning of what he said, but it’s the purpose of life.  We have to grow and we never stop growing, we are always striving to reach “higher places”. 

I registered JR for kindergarten last friday and I was actually okay with it.  I know he will do great, but I have been struggling with the idea of him being away from me for a whole day, 5 days a week. It's full day kindergarten here, and they don't have even one short day a week. It really is such a long time for a 5 year old to be at school.  JR's words are what gave me comfort and I can be excited for him to start this new phase of his life. I am sure I will shed some tears on the first day of school (which is way too soon here), but I am excited to see the "higher places" that my kids will reach some day.

JR reaching the higher places in the kitchen

Happy Easter! - picture dump again (sorry)

Here are the pics I got Easter morning before church.  The boys really wanted real ties (not the clip-on or zipper).  Anabel is adorable in her dress and big bow on her head.  I am so excited to have a little girl to dress up like this.

Enjoy the pics.

JR likes to be in any pic I take of Anabel

AJ throwing a tantrum in the background

He was not happy about getting his picture taken

My favorite

Anabel didn't like this pose

Brothers

JR's Birthday Party

I think I might just dump the pictures here.  I think JR had fun, but there were so many kids here.  I knew I was crazy to do it, but I didn't know how crazy until our house was full of kids.  It was the first friend's birthday party we have done, and we won't be doing another one for some time.  I had hoped part of the party was going to be outside (so many boys, so much energy) but it was raining so we had to stay inside.  All I have to say is that I am glad we survived.

Happy Birthday

Cupcakes

JR's cupcake

Playing pin the tail on the T-Rex

Playing freeze dance

Stegosaurus, Stegosaurus, T-Rex

Playing with balloons

Blowing out candles

Eating cake and ice cream