Spring Break Science Specturm trip

During Spring Break, My parents and I took Addison and Avett, of course after they were feeling a little better, to the Science Spectrum. It was a much needed breath of fresh air from our germ contaminated house and it was good for my parents to have some "fun time" with the kids. The Science Spectrum had a butterfly exhibit on show for the month, so without my presence, Nana and Poppa took the kids in to take a look at all the beautiful butterflies. They really enjoyed it! We then took the kids around and played for awhile. I tried to stand back and let my parents play and interact with them as much as possible! Addison had a great time and Avett really enjoyed observing all that was going on. We had a great time and next time, I am sure, will be even more fun because we won't be sick!

Much Love,
The Reynolds

Abilene, Here We come!

For Spring Break, we have always done a little trip here or there. Well, we did not have anything planned for this Spring Break and with Thomas trying to finish his portfolio we did not have a big time frame to take off and run away for multiple days. When thinking about what do to with the kids to still make it fun and have a little family time, I began talking to my Assistant Principal about zoos and she shared that the Abilene zoo was really one of the best that she has been to.  I looked it up and being only a short drive from here, we decided that would be a great weekend trip for us to go and venture out on. We headed out on Friday evening, had a really great sleep (THIS WAS VERY SHOCKING FOR US!),



had some good breakfast in the hotel, and headed over to the zoo. The weather was a little windy, but perfect temperature! It was super great! The zoo was just the perfect size for a baby and  preschool age child.  Unlike the larger zoos where it takes pretty much all day to go through it because you are trying to get everything in and you have dragging children because they get tired, and you have to stop and eat and snack, etc. At the Abilene zoo, this is literally a morning or afternoon activity.  Addison and Avett LOVED the flamingos, feeding the giraffes( SO FUN!), and overall, just how close you were to the animals, the calmness of the zoo, and the ability to see the animals in all the encounters. We definitely will be going back!

After the zoo, we headed for some lunch, back to the hotel for a nap, and then on to swimming at the hotel pool (intentionally booked a hotel with an indoor pool for another fun family activity)! Both of the kids had a great time in the pool! (I think this is where we collected our family sickness though...oh well!)

Sunday morning we had breakfast and headed home! Great little trip, Great family time!

Much Love,
The Reynolds

Pig Day

Last Friday, March 1st, Addison's school celebrated Pig Day. This was an opportunity to celebrate and have fun for a good cause. They were celebrating this day to raise money for the Heifer Foundation, which is an organization that is providing livestock and environmentally sound agricultural training to improve the lives of those who struggle daily for reliable sources of food and income. The activities that Addison and the others in the school participated in were done by choice and donation. If you wanted to participate, each activity was between 1-5 dollars towards the foundation. The following activities included:

• Pig Art Contest
• Pig Tail Contest
• Pig Races
• Pig Snacks
• Hotdog Lunch

Addison wanted to be involved in all activities, so we had quite a bit of fun! Here is her pig art:

Here are her pig tails that she won for Pre-K:

Lastly, here is Tori, the pink racing pig.  Although Tori did not win the race, she sure looked pretty cute!

Addison had such a great time on Pig Day and we had fun getting her ready for it!
Much Love,
The Reynolds

Valentines

Valentine's was lots of fun around our house this year. We did 14 days of cupid delivering goodies to daddy and he got a great photography surprise from the kids. Addison decided that she wanted to give love bugs for her Valentine's, but then found out we had to do the whole pre-k group. So, we decided love bugs for her class and cereal boxes that read, " You cerealsly rock!". Avett gave his friends some socks. The kids also got their teachers, starbucks cards and lotion that read "A little COFFEE and CREAM for a great teacher who makes my heart beam!". Lastly, we had a yummy Valentine's dinner. Pink Heart cut out homemade pancakes, bacon, and sparkling grape juice with a kitchen all decorated, thanks to Addison! What fun we had on our LOVE DAY!

6 months

6 month catch up!!
Avett is growing so quickly. He is now weighing in at 17 lbs. 12 oz. We are on half formula and half b.milk (getting ready to transition to complete formula in a couple of days). He is eating cereal and baby food (wasn't so sure at first...look at the face in the pictures below) and started some finger foods.
Avett is trying so hard to move and groove, but has not quite yet figured out how to get his legs under his body to get moving. He is rolling front to back and back to front, along with twirling himself around on the floor to get to things or see things. He is sitting up for longer amounts of time, but once he tries to grab at something his balance is lost. Standing is a favorite position for him and is a bouncing machine in one of our standing toys.
Avett loves to LOVE! He is gives hugs and kisses, and touches familiar peoples faces with such adoration and love. Sweetest thing EVER! He laughs and smiles non stop and you will not hear this baby crying much at all. Super calm and enjoyable all day long. He is observing everything around him and we are working on signing time with him. As you can see in the pictures, big sister is helping a lot with the signing! Toys with sound, lights, and textures are his favorites right now and he is very much enjoys to place them in his mouth. No teeth yet, but sure does seem like they are trying with the amount of drool and mouthing he is doing.
Sleeping has not been a constant through the night yet. For the past 2 months, we have had non stop ear infections. WE have been on 3 antibiotics and 3 shots.(Could we ever tell he was in pain or had ear infections..NO) We actually got cleared today and as of right now they are gone. Maybe our sleeping through the night will begin soon. Luckily, it is normally only 1-2 times a night and for about 10 minutes and then he is back to sleep.
He is taking a bath like a big boy now, but is needing someone to hold him from slipping. Baths in the sink were getting to be a big big watery mess.  Much better with sister in the big tub, and he just loves to kick and splash and laughs when there are lots of bubbles.
He will be 7 months next week and we are wondering where the time as gone! 

bath beauties

Avett is now needing to take a bath in the big bath. Our little kickers were getting water all over the kitchen counter and floor and that was no fun to clean up. He still needs one of us to hold on to him, because although he is sitting up he is not completely stable and he just won't stop kicking around, therefore he topples over. He is loving bath time with Addison and Addison loves having him in there for a little bit of time!

Much Love, The Reynolds