With birthdays the same week, that means these half yearly updates on each of the big kids happen the same week too.  It completely blows my mind in some ways, yet feels so normal in others that Avé is already three and a half.  She tests us daily, and is wise beyond her years, but such an answered prayer for our little family!! Below are some things I want to remember about Avé at this age.

Three and a Half Year Old Avé

• Everything is yesterday, or last week, or last year.  No real concept of what they mean, but used ALL the time.
• She LOVES school
• loves to skip everywhere we go.
• She says all the time “but that’s going to take forever”
• Her favorite place is Target. (I know…such a mom win ha).
• So opinionated on clothes.  We wear SHIRTS to school, and dresses are for adventures.
• She wants to do anything Jack is doing.
• She is so smart and independent. Always putting on her own clothes.
• Always Elsa braids, Anna Braids, or Cinderella buns are requested for her hair.
• The way she pinches her fingers together and says “I just wanted something crunchy” every day.
• she loves to hide from us. and she commits big time.

I could probably go on and on.  She is full of funny, crazy things she says.  She is up to trouble as often as she’s not, and her heart is ALWAYS in the sweetest most tender spot.  Keep being the big, sweet, wild personality you are sweet girl! YOU will DEFINITELY move mountains.

Im a little sad I’m writing this post.  Not that I am not grateful that I have been Jack’s mommy for a full five and a half years, but because I swear I just had him.  I swear!  Jack has been the constant learning lesson from God who I will be so eternally grateful for.  He’s a total mama’s boy, and a big piece of calm and quiet in my life!! I love you sweet boy.  Stop growing up.

A few things I want to remember about 5.5 Year old Jack

• Wiggly teeth. 2 teeth are gone and the top 2 don’t stand a chance over the next week or two.
• How hard we are working on pronouns. You know them but talk faster than you think.
• The way you sneak out of your room SO quietly when you’re done resting so you don’t wake up your siblings.
• Great group hugs for Walker
• Your love of all things super heros
• and all things legos
• The way you were made for the outdoors
• Your sweet prayers, and the way you always pray for “those who are hurt and sick.”
• Your over use of the word ‘very’.
• What a great artist you are, and how much you love to make books.
• How exciting your first soccer goals were for you, AND us.
• What a free spirit you are at the beach
• When you eat or drink something of mine you remind me that ‘sometimes its nice to share’.

As hard as it is for me to watch you get older and more independent, its such a blessing being your mama, and you’re the perfect, cautious little trail-blazer for us!! We love you sweet boy.  But try not to turn 6 too fast!

This post is sponsored by Everywhere Agency on behalf of Carter’s; however, all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. 

It’s hard to believe that in a few short weeks Jack will be 5.5 and Avé 3.5.  In my eyes they still seem like they should be Walkers age, and nowhere near entering school and becoming so independent.  Although its nothing short of heartbreaking watching these sweet babies of mine grow older, watching them learn, and grow, and continue to reach new goals and milestones has been something I am learning to embrace, and love.  I recently talked about how much what my kids are wearing during these monumental moments sticks with me, when I wrote this post about Walker, but as they get older those memories with the setting and the clothing continue be such a huge part of my memory bank. I have been watching my kids, especially the older two really grow from siblings to being these best friends recently.  It has been such a blessing to watch, and know that the hard work will leave them with these life long relationships.

Dressing my Growing Babies

Jack and Avé would probably gladly share a room (so they could play, and never sleep), but its been so much fun to watch them really grow that bond, and it seems that they just know Walker will be in on it and are involving him more and more daily. I always remember the clothes my kids wear during these milestones, and Carter’s has really struck a chord with me recently understanding how much their clothing means to us moms with their With You From the Start Video, which will probably bring all moms to tears.  It really shows that when you’re shopping for spring clothes, or Pajamas, or whatever your child needs, Carter’s understands what those outfits and those memories mean to us!

They are typically busy either playing together, or at some moments even seeming to learn to give each other the space they need to grown and learn.  I love watching how independent yet reliant they are on each other.  It’s such a great trait I can see them developing that I can’t help but love!

Avé being the middle has been the one who I have seen really love that friendship the most, but also I have seen her need more time to flourish on her own, and to find her own place.  Watching her learn to shine has been a milestone ill never forget!

I don’t know that I will ever forget so many of these Carter’s outfits, and I know I won’t forget any of these amazing milestones, memories, or the way the friendships they are forming is changing our family. Watching my growing babies is so bittersweet, but I am forever grateful for getting to be apart of these moments.