Ty is Crawling!!!!

He made it official last night, he is crawling!!! Slow and steady seems to be his motto at this point as he very cautiously moves one arm, then knee, then arm, then knee. He does not travel very far yet but I am sure it is just a few days away!! And for those of you wondering, he does not drag the leg like his brother!!! Let the races begin!!!
Orion on the other hand has decided he can stand without holding onto anything for seconds at a time and has been spotted nearly running along the furniture to get something he wants. He came down with a very sudden nasty cough and fever last night so we are hoping this time of strengthening his immune system is short lived.
The girls had a ballet recital yesterday and both did an amazing job. They really enjoyed this session with a new teacher and are asking to continue into the next session. They are both busy schooling, both doing first grade math and history together while doing other subjects individually.
Elijah has learned how to spell his name verbally and has been busy helping me cook lately.
Look for pictures soon!!!

Time For Me

As I type this, I am taking two hours of "me" time. Boy is it quiet!

The kids have been busy enjoying summer. Playing outdoors, going to the splash pad/wading pool, having playdates and planning to make a "club house". They have four different sets of blueprints drawn, have been creating things to sell to the neighbors to make money to buy the wood and creating the club house "notebook".

We are preparing to start homeschooling on a more regular basis in a few weeks and preparing for Anika's 7th birthday. Can you believe she is going to be 7, I can't.

Orion has decided to crawl MUCH earlier than any of our other children have. He crawls with one leg tucked underneath him and has gotten quite efficient in one week!
Amittai enjoyes watching Orion move around but has not taken the plunge yet. He has found his voice and enjoys blowing raspberries and making funny sounds with his mouth.
They are so fun!

Look for pictures later!

Summer Fun

Rub a Dub Dub, Three Boys in the Tub and More

Well tonight was a big night in the Preisler household, the babies joined Elijah in the big tub for a scrub (and of course a few pictures). Both boys are sitting on their own, Orion cut his first tooth last week and then attempted a fast escape this week (see the pictures). I have known since the beginning I have one mover on my hands but this is quite unbelievable. He is figuring out how to spin around while sitting or plop on the floor and roll. He moves his way to the edge of the blanket when we are outside to play with the grass, he is fascinated by it and would rather be in it then on the blanket. He is alo gaining a reputation for stealing toys from Amittai and taking him to the floor by his hair. He is a very happy boy, always smiling and babbling.
Amittai is continuing to gain rolls and I love it! I am secretly hoping his beautiful blue eyes stay that color forever! He loves to kiss, is enjoying exploring more with his hands and I believe he is getting close to cutting a tooth too. He loves to be talked to and just gazes at you with those blue eyes and smiles.
We have been enjoying going to the local wading pools and parks and even camped with the whole family over the 4th of July.
Check out the pictures!

First Pool Trip of the Summer and More

In a move that some of you would call "crazy" (you know who you are), I took all 5 children strawberry picking yesterday morning (well, kind of) and to a local wading pool yesterday afternoon.
The morning, off to pick strawberries:
It was 7:30 am when we all were up and moving for the morning (late for us). I asked the older 3 if they would like to go strawberry picking and they of course said, "yes". Strawberry picking started at 8:00 about 5 blocks down the road. We rushed to get dressed in grubby clothes as it had rained just a few hours earlier, eat a quick breakfast and get everyone out the door with stroller and water in tote. We pulled in at 8:20 and as I started unloading the van, a lady approached me and said, "before you get your kids unloaded, we are not letting anyone else pick today, we will open again at 8:00 Saturday." So...we loaded back up and headed home with plans to return Saturday.
The afternoon, off to the pool:
Last year we learned of the lovely Park and Rec rule that strollers were not allowed in the fenced pool area, although there is usually plenty of room. This was not an issue last year as Eli was walking and wanting to go in the water anyway. Different story this summer with two babies in tote. So...the babies and I parked under the shade of a tree right outside the fence. We were immediately approached by the lifeguard who asked the ages of the children. She then kindly informed me that they have a rule that any child under age 4 needs a swim diaper to go in the water. Elijah, 2 3/4 years old, took it very well as I explained that I know he does not need it but they have a rule because not all children know where to go potty like he does. After I let my frustration go (and payed her $2 for a swim diaper) the kids jumped in the water and had a blast!!!! The babies hung out with me on the blanket playing and watching the older 3 enjoy the water.
A day of adventure and fun!

Beautiful Sunday Afternoon