Atley's Journal

Atley ate some oatmeal and a few dried cranberries for breakfast.  For lunch she ate no tilapia, a large serving of whole wheat elbow noodles, no green beans, and a large serving of applesauce. The kids have been asking to do sidewalk chalk almost every day this week in the afternoons and Atley loves it.  She's been working at it long after everyone else has moved on to something different. Yesterday after she was done she was laying in the middle her art work!  Ha! This morning Avilene said, "I have pockets."  Yes you do Avi and you like your pockets.  You frequently have your hands in your pockets.  So Atley chimed in with; "I like pockets!"  I didn't have time to respond because she immediately followed that up with; "I like cupcakes!"  Haha!  Ok Atley you win!  You're the master of free and random association!!  :) These first two pictures were taken before breakfast this morning.  Avi and Svea were here before Atley ...

Atley ate whole wheat bagel and two servings of peaches for breakfast.  For lunch she ate hamburger and sausage pizza with whole wheat pizza crust, tomato sauce, olives, pineapple, and peppers.  She also ate bites of pineapple on the side.  When we started eating lunch Hudson announced; "pizza movie night!"  Ha! This first picture is from yesterday afternoon.  We'd been outside for quite awhile and the kids were all hot and tired so we came in where it is cool and read some books.  I like how everyone is focused on the book.  :)  Even Svea.  Linnea had already left so she missed out on this Story Time.  Oh! I guess I should mention it was Lauralea who walked in and took the picture.  Ha! I took this first picture today because I thought Atley's hair looked exceptionally pretty this morning! Nice job Momma Megan!  Second picture: Linnea's Daddy Eric and I were talking about the kids pounding on the window when they are "wa...

Atley ate whole wheat toast and two servings of grapes for breakfast.  For lunch she ate beef roast, half of whole wheat dinner roll, no fried little red potatoes, and ate most of fruit salad. Hudson and Atley were singing, "The Itsy Bitsy Spider...." as loud as possible (I think - at least I hope there's not louder volume available!) and Linnea was apparently harmonizing!  Also at an impressively loud volume!!  For added noise Nora was pounding on the piano!  And grinning! Haha! Atley was also playing with the Legos trucks on the window sill and she was singing "Wheels on the Bus" the entire time.  She looked out the window and there was a little birdie sitting on the ground right below the window.  "Birdie Gary, birdie!" This first picture is pretty silly, but it was the big joke of the morning for all the kids.  It started with Atley as she was the first to arrive.  This being the first day of August the kids all noticed the new baby animal...

Atley ate half of toasted whole wheat english muffin and half of dried plums for breakfast.  For lunch she ate bite of chicken, a large serving of brown rice, bite of stir fry vegetables, and no oranges. The first picture: You can't really see the kids across the street, but they had a lemonade stand set up and the Daycare kids were very interested. The kids talk about "birthdays" a LOT!!  There are birthday parties to go to and Atley frequently sings (loudly) "Happy Birthday."  Like today several times!!  And several times Avi said, "It's not my birthday!"  Also, this toy set has birthday cakes in the food toys.  Anyhow, Atley has heard Avi say "November 13th" (Avi's Birthday) so many times that today she finished the sentence for Avi.  "My birthday is November..." And Atley jumped in and said, "13th."  Haha!!  First picture; she's bringing in a semi load of ice cream.  :)  The next picture is just Atley...

Atley ate bites of cheerios and no banana for breakfast.  For lunch she ate most of ground beef, half of whole wheat pita bread, ate olives, no tomatoes, and half of watermelon. Atley did just fine going to sleep without her pacifier.  She was asleep within a few minutes - as a matter of fact, she was the first one asleep!  She mentioned the pacifier two or three times this morning.  When Linnea arrived Atley said, "Hey! She has a binky!!"  I said, "Yes, she's a baby and she just came with a binky."  :) "Do puzzles, Gary? Do puzzles?"  That's always how she asks to do puzzles.  :)  Isn't it amazing how much she talks compared to 6 months ago?!  The rapid growth and development they go through in the first 3 years of their life is amazing!  So thankful I get to be a part of Atley's growth at this time. I enjoy having her here very much!!  She's a wonderful fun-loving kid!  Lauralea's sister is here for a few days and in...

Atley ate a big serving of brown rice and raisins for breakfast.  For lunch she ate half of her salmon patty, ate whole wheat dinner roll, no green beans, and ate mangoes. Atley was saying things like "Atley a goofball" and then she was rolling around on the floor acting like a .....well.... acting like a goofball!  So she was pretty much proving it!  Haha!  Avi got on the floor with her and they were having fun being very silly!  Then the girls came over the to the couch and we did some selfies. The kids LOVE to go with me to the bedrooms to get the babies when they wake up from their nap. Look how Avi is checking things out under the crib.  "It's clear under here everyone!!"  (I said that, not Avi.)  Svea's face lights-up with huge grins and giggles when all the kids show up!  (Except this time it was just Avi and Atley.) In the next picture - we were outside and Atley has her head laying on Svea's tummy.  Svea has a very m...

Atley ate whole wheat english muffin and bites of oranges for breakfast.  For lunch she ate ground beef, whole wheat elbow noodles, peas, and applesauce.  I help Atley wash her hands for meals and we sing our "hand washing song" together.  I always give her a hug and tell her I love her.  Yesterday she said, "I love you so much."  It was too stinking cute and sweet!!  Thank you Atley.  I realized that's the exact phrase I always use. This first picture is from yesterday afternoon.  This always cracks me up!!  The smallest kid pulling the wagon loaded with the bigger kid or in this case, two bigger kids.  :)  Love it.  Pull Nora pull!!  Avi and Atley just waiting for a wagon ride.  This was happening right before Momma Emily drove up and then Nora abandoned her post and ran to see Mom.  :) When I was getting Linnea ready for nap, and afterwards as well, Hudson and Atley were singing "Good night Linnea, good ...