Today's Thomas Take: August 2016

WED - 8.31

We had to get an additional carseat to leave at daycare since Mara will be starting school this fall (!!!!!!) but Kenna seems to have claimed it as her throne at the moment. She loved crawling in and out of this thing all day! I don't understand this girl's obsession with seats.

TUES - 8.30

First honey crisp apple of the fall season! Of course Mara had to have it with peanut butter. This is always a favorite treat in our house!

MON - 8.29

11 Months!!! She is still not great about sleeping through the night but that smile and goofy personality are hard not to melt over!

SUN - 8.28

We really have the most helpful 3 year old on the planet! She begs to help us perform almost all of the chores around the house. Today she was so proud of the fact that she was able to water the plants all on her own!

SAT - 8.27

It was so much fun to gather with some dear friends (of all ages) to help "break in" the Thompson's new house today. This group really is growing like crazy!

FRI - 8.26

Kenna had a blast today playing with the baby dolls. This is really the first time that she has shown any interest in them. I think we may have to get her her very own baby for her birthday next month (CRAZY!!!).

THURS - 8.25

These two always play together so well but this summer was so crazy for both his mom and me. This is the first (and probably only) time we were able to get these two bookworms together! Don't be fooled, we didn't just get to gab while these two read to themselves the whole time, but there was a good portion of time where this was happening. I don't know if I have ever met another kid who shared Mara's love for reading as much as Zander does! Such cuties!

WED - 8.24

Look at that smile! Mara is so excited about her new bike! It took us a little bit today to figure out how to start and stop but she loves it! I am so proud of her because she got right back on the bike even after falling a couple times (quite a skill really...the bike has training wheels!). I see many backsides in our future.

TUES - 8.23

Today we got to share one of our favorite places with Miss Maranda and sweet little Josie! Thanks for heading our way and adding to the fun of today's adventure!

MON - 8.22

Mara asked if we could have ice cream after lunch today. Since I only have a week before I head back to work I thought it sounded like a good idea. Also, it wasn't crazy warm out today and backside sounded like a good idea. I did not consider the number of hills between our house and the ice cream parlor. The top is the before picture and the bottom the after. Ice cream has never tasted quite so sweet and we all needed a nap as soon as we got home! Memories...

SUN - 8.21

I have tried to keep her off of the fireplace but she just loves sitting here so much. I think it is because she can bring herself to standing from sitting here which is bringing her one step closer to walking. I have a feeling she is going to be walking before she reaches her first birthday.

SAT - 8.20

So...we almost ran into a tornado on our way back from celebrating Kaytie and Kyle and their soon to be baby boy. We took refuge in the stairwell of a hotel and got just a tad stir crazy as we waited for the storm to pass. So much excitement in one day!

FRI - 8.19

This girl loves to climb! Lord help us when she starts climbing out of her crib!

THURS - 8.18

We are loving watching the Olympics this summer! The girls are really enjoying all of the gymnastics. GO USA!

WED - 8.17

I decided, since it is almost football season, to bust out my new Spartan apparel. Mara, having just gotten a Spartan shirt as well, quickly decided that she needed to match me. My little mini-me was my twin for the day so, of course, I had to take a picture.

We then went for an after-lunch bike ride/walk with our neighbor friends. The shade contrasts in the clouds were just amazing! We were hoping to get some time before the rain started but that didn't quite happen. We all got a little wet but that just added to the fun!

TUES - 8.16

Today Kenna's newest climbing accomplishment was using Mara's step stool for the bathroom like a balance beam. She fell off a few times but never cried and always got right back up. She was just so proud of herself and thought it was the coolest thing. This picture sums up her "little stinker" personality perfectly! I think it may be one of my favorites!

MON - 8.15

Mara got to pick out a new backpack today in preparation for preschool next month. I think it may have been one of the highlights of the summer for her. She loves shopping for school supplies just like her Mama!

Last year Mara wanted to try on a backpack as well and I couldn't help but snap a photo (this blog has be so trained!). The comparison of the two photos taken almost exactly a year apart is so crazy. The pose is almost spot-on (without any prompting from Mama) and i just really shows how big our "little peanut" is getting.

SUN - 8.14

Mara has become quite the skilled little driver (as long as she doesn't need to go in reverse) and Kenna was all too happy to ride along for the first time today. This crinkle-nose-tongue-out smile of her's is just adorable!

Big girl Mara helping out yet again by taking Kenzie for a walk with Mama and holding the leash all on her own. She was so proud of herself for doing something just like Mommy and Daddy. She is growing up way too fast and keeps showing us daily just how big she is getting. I can't believe she is starting preschool in the fall! Also, look at that ponytail shadow!

SAT - 8.13

This August we have been having a lot of rain and Mara is loving all of the puddles. This rain boots that Grandma Gayle bought us last fall have gotten a lot of use (always with a smile of course!).

I don't quite understand her obsession with climbing onto and into things but I just love her proud little smile when she does!

FRI - 8.12

I love my little neat-freak who loves to help around the house. Today she asked Daddy for a wipe and then proceeded to clean all around the house. It was so cute to watch! Also adorable was her little shadow. We're hoping that Kenna is going to love doing this as well when she gets older...

I love giggling with my girls! I can almost hear all of the laughter just by looking at these photos!

THURS - 8.11

I giggle every time she wears these glasses and they have become a favorite of her's this summer. She is just the cutest in them!

Just a couple of sisters clowning around in the kid area in the local mall. Kenna's smiles are so contagious and Mara thinks it is so much fun to love on her sister.

WED - 8.10

Today we ventured to Frederick Meijer to explore. This was our first time their during the summer and all of the kids had so much fun. The heat was a little intense and we faded fast but we will definitely return sometime in the future!

What are we going to do with this girl?

TUES - 8.9

We had a popsicle party with our neighbors tonight after dinner. This is how lifelong friendships are made!

MON - 8.8

Mara was so excited about playing in her princess dress today. I kept calling her Elsa from Frozen but she was quick to point out that she is Cinderella in this dress (as you can see from the button on the front). Knowing your princesses is serious business folks!

Snapped this cute photo of our Kenzie girl today. I can't believe how gray she is now. It is hard to believe that this little cutie had an all black face when we got her nine years ago!

SUN - 8.7

Having a little family time at the park while we supervised some of the wedding clean up from the night before. I love capturing moments of these girls with their Daddy. It is so plain to see how much they both adore him. Mara has turned into quite the little Daddy's girl which is to be expected when a new baby arrives. Kenna has had the opportunity to spend some more time with him recently and now she gets so excited when he gets home from work! Love it! Daddy thinks it is pretty great as well!

Our precious little angel!

SAT - 8.6

Happy Wedding Day Pam and Sean!!!!

FRI - 8.5

Those who run together, stay together! We were quite the sight today running around in a giant group of 10. I can't believe how big this group is getting and how long this wonderful group of people have been together. We are so lucky to have known these people for 15+ years and, even more important, to be able to call them friends!

Starving from our morning run, we went to the local grocery store that had these tiny shopping carts with signs saying "Shopper in Training." So cute! Mara thought they were the best thing ever! She loved being responsible for pushing our groceries around the store. I wish our local grocery store had some of these!