Ambrose awakening

Here's proof that Ambrose is out of the cot and onto a mattress. He looks lonely down there, but don't worry, Nate has already whipped up a toddler bed for this mattress using all 2 x 4's that came with our crate. I'll put a photo up once it's been painted. 

This is Ambrose's I-just-woke-up-and-I'm-not-going-to-smile-for-you-mama look.

And this is two minutes later when I said "Don't you smile, Ambrose!" Works (almost) every time!

Anastasia pulling up

Our little baby is pulling up, and feeling very happy with herself about it! She was half doing it at 7 or 8 months on us and the girls small chairs, but now she is doing it every chance she gets!

Isn't that big cloth nappy bum so sweet? (and that's a good hubby doing language practice in the background). 

Ambrose at two and a half

Ambrose makes life so fun. He's now potty trained (Whoopee!) and as of yesterday, is out of the crib. He is saying new words every day and he talks to us very seriously about a lot of things. He laughs along with us when we all crack up at the table, although I think he is only now getting the jokes :) He loves to jump, go for walks to our neighbours, go in the car for drives, color in, and look at books. His favorite song for a while was "Miss Polly" and he would ask me to sing it over 15 times. His new favorite song is "Jesus, what a beautiful name" and he requests it every night and before each nap. 

Ambrose loves to play outside and can climb the fort Daddy made and go down the slippery dip on his own. He watches everything we do and copies all that his big sisters say and do. He loves to kick the ball, and he kicks it like a champ, but doesn't like to share it, so kicking the ball back and forth with Ambrose isn't so fun as of yet. One day… 

We love you buddy. You are bursting forth with such wonderful boyish character. You are a breath of fresh air in our home!

Eliana at five and a half years old

Eliana is a beautiful five year old. She loves her brother and sisters, loves her home and loves to be active. She is always looking for a tree to climb, something to draw on, a stick to play with, some grass to pick, anything to explore!

Homeschooling is going well. She's halfway through kindergarten and loving it. She seems to be a natural at Math, she quickly understands new concepts. She loves to create stories for me to copy down and she really enjoys reading the science books together. She is now starting to get the hang of reading. There is something special about seeing your child read her first sentence, and then seeing her sound out other words she sees throughout the day on books, milk cartons and t-shirts. 

The other day I asked Eliana what she likes about living in Africa and she responded visiting friends and that we get to teach people about Jesus. When I asked her what she doesn't like about living in Africa she responded, "I like everything!". What a grace of the Lord. We're so thankful for you, our sweet Eliana.

Anastasia catch up

There a few things I haven't mentioned along the way… Anastasia's first sit up bath at 6 months

Anastasia rocking back and forth on hands and knees at 6 months

Anastasia going from hands and knees to sitting up at 6 months:

Anastasia cute alert. What a Happy Baby!