Kyla Blowing Bubbles

Colin's Bike Riding Skills

Colin has pretty much been riding his bike ever since he got it for his birthday.

It did take him a while to get the hang of how to peddle and look up and steer all at the same time. Just like it would anyone. But he was determined to keep up with his big sister so he caught on rather quickly.

Here is a short video of Colin's mad bike riding skills.

Kyla Sitting

It's A Wiggly Circus

A few tidbits about this video.

• It is dedicated to my sister. She was the one to introduce the Wiggles to Makenna 2 years ago.
• I dislike the Wiggles. I find them very overly happy and cheesy. Yet my children seem to really enjoy the Wiggly Circus video and songs ..... Thanks Erin:)
• I did not put the kiddos up to this. They were already singing and dancing for Kyla. I just asked them to say "Hi" to my sister before I started to video them.
• Oh and Colin is in big boy underwear because I started potty training him this week.

Enjoy the video.

Pinterest Projects : Cow Cake

So this Pinterest project I found for Makenna's 3rd Birthday.

If you don't remember, Makenna wanted a Cow themed Birthday for her 3rd B-day. And what she wanted most of all was a cow cake.

So what does any mama with limited time and limited original creativeness...she seeks out the help of her dear friend Pinterest.

And as a result she ends up pinning this cake.

Which turns into her creating this cake.

Which made for one happy birthday girl!

Peek-A-Boo

Exersaucer

A couple weeks ago I put Kyla in the exersaucer for the first time. I think she was a little confused at first but it didn't take her long to find something to put in her mouth.

I will say though that even though she seems to have fun in the exersaucer I think that she gets tired of it pretty fast and would rather be playing on her tummy.

A Sweet Moment

Jared and Colin enjoying a rare summer rain and a popsicle.

Pinterest Projects : Tile Coasters

So this project happened to be another Christmas gift that I made for my sister and my friend Megan.

Now I know that some of you reading this will probably think wow that really isn't that impressive or blog worthy. And you might also be thinking wow I saw that idea a long time ago somewhere else and not at all on Pinterest.

Well, it was a new idea to me. I found it on Pinterest. And was pretty excited about the results. And I think the gift recipients thought they turned out nice too.

Homemade Tile Coasters

These were very easy and inexpensive to make. Plus like I said above they turned out super cute. And once again I'm bummed that I didn't take any pictures of the actual ones I made.

Colin's 2 Year Pictures : Funny Ones

Colin's 2 Year Pictures...Finally

How to Really Celebrate a Birthday

Turning 30...Oh yes I said the dreaded phrase that many people in their twenties struggle with saying.

But don't worry this post really isn't about turning thirty. It is about the idea of using your birthday as a way celebrate the life God has given you by giving back to others.

So I want to share with you how a friend of mine from High School has decided to celebrate his 30th year of life.

Nate's Birthday Vision

Nate was also on a local news station and local radio station because of his amazing idea on how to celebrate turning the Big 3-0.

So if you would like help Nate celebrate his birthday by donating to World Vision and help eradicate malaria visit Nate's website Happy Birthday, Nate.com.

Kyla Rolling Over

Colin : "The Old Man"

Sometimes Colin does really random things. Usually, these random things are hilarious. And most every time I wish that I would have had my camera out to catch it on video.

One particular day Colin out of the blue declares, "I am old man!" and starts walking like an old man might. I die laughing and had one of those moments where I ask myself where did he come up with that idea. And then ask Colin to do it again and laugh even harder.

Fortunately Colin was willing to recreate "The Old Man" so I could get a video of him. I will say though the very first time he did "The Old Man" he walked way slower than he does in the video adding to the effect.

Olympic Spirit

We have been watching the Summer Olympics with about a million other people the past week.

I'm pretty sure Colin is ok with watching whatever happens to be on but Makenna definitely has her preferences. And those preferences are volleyball and women's gymnastics.

It is fun to have her ask us which color of team we want to win when we are watching the volleyball matches. Jared had Makenna even practicing her serve the other day.

But more than anything Makenna has fallen in love with the "flip girls". (that is what she calls them)

Her favorite is McKayla. I think Makenna picked her out of the bunch because Jared made a comment about how McKayla and Makenna sound similar.

This past week Makenna has dropped the princess bit (for the most part and as a welcome change of pace) and has been pretending to be McKayla most of the day. She only pretends to do the vault (go figure) and the balance beam. Makenna has also convinced Colin to partake in the pretending. She even let him decide which 'female' gymnast he wanted to be. Colin ended up choosing Gabby.

We really have enjoyed watching the kiddos take an interest in something new. As well as something that only takes place every four years. It is hard to imagine that the next time we will be watching the Summer Olympics Makenna will be almost 8 and Colin will be 6. CRAZY!

So because we have been getting such a kick out of Makenna as McKayla we took some videos of her doing the vault. (If you have recently checked our YouTube channel you probably have already seen the videos.)

Enjoy!

Siblings

Makenna and Colin really do love to play together.

No, I'm not just saying that because I'm their mama and have a warped view of my children.

Really they do.

Maybe it is because they are so close to the same age.

Maybe it is because they have opposite personalities. Makenna : mother hen, sensitive to emotions, extrovert, chatterbox. Colin: laid back, go getter, introvert, only talks when necessary.

Maybe it is because humans are social creatures and Makenna and Colin desire to interactively play with another person.

Maybe it is because they are siblings and they love each other.

Maybe it is all of these reasons and more.

But that is not my point. My point is that I love watching/witnessing them play together. It makes my heart just want to praise God, the one who gave these precious gifts to me, every time I hear their sweet voices engaging in play together.

I thought that I would share a glimpse of what I'm so blessed to get to witness everyday. So here are a couple videos of Makenna and Colin enjoying each other.






And just so ya'll don't get a warped view of the Willis household there are times when Makenna and Colin battle each other too. Unfortunately, (well not really...cause it can get ugly) I don't have any videos of these occurrences.

I mean they are human and sin. And I think God gives me the unique opportunity during these times to teach the kiddos how to deal with someone who is currently not making them happy and how to respond in a loving way.

And maybe (actually no maybe needed) God teaches my heart during those times too. To show me my own sin as His daughter and their mother.