What the kids love...

Rachel and Bradley are such amazing kids...they find joy and entertainment in the simplest things. They bring us so much joy and the little things they say and do just add to the fun.

They both currently LOVE their new fishing poles (courtesy of gege and papa)...we had to bring them home even though we have nowhere to fish at our house. It doesn't seem to matter to the kids. They swing with their poles, slide with their poles, walk around with their poles, put the ends of their poles in muddy puddles, etc... Rachel actually does practice casting her fishing line all the time...sometimes on Bradley or on Dixie or in a nearby tree, but she's getting the hang of it.

They both currently LOVE muddy puddles. Probably because we've been doing alot of watering lately (with our WELL water). Nick has moved a bunch of bushes from the front of our yard to the back and we're hoping they will survive, so we've been making sure they get watered. Anyway, with the backyard undergoing some changes, we've got plenty of low spots for water to collect. The kids LOVE jumping in the muddy puddles. I made the mistake of letting them jump in them last week and get their shoes, socks and pants saturated with muddy water. So, now, everytime a puddle appears, the kids want to do it again. Oh well! They keep dirtying the same old pair of shoes, so who cares! They think it's fun!

They both LOVE listening to music while they take a bath. We recently got a new kid's tunes CD from a birthday party and it has a huge assortment of great songs. I tell you what, it has really changed our bathtime. I think it may help me more than the kids. I like singing along to "This little light of mine" and "Cars:" 'Life is a Highway' (and many others). Anyway, the kids love dancing and moving their little arms while it plays. We all seem to get cheerful and it lightens my mood at the end of a long day.

Bradley still LOVES his beloved "Bay". He still carries it everywhere, chews on it, sucks on it and stuffs as much of it into his mouth as he can. It's definitely his little pacifier.

Rachel still LOVES her "Hairbaby". She still makes comments about how soft her hair is, even though it's like a coarse "fro". She still treats her very special and doesn't want us messing with her hair or her dress. Hairbaby definitely comforts her and keeps her company.

Bradley LOVES getting into things. EVERY day, he gets into the bathroom drawer and pulls out whatever he can. Today, he started out with a jar of vaseline...which he thinks he should use massive amounts of on his eyebrows, cheeks and nose. I got that away from him and a little while later, he had one of Nick's colognes. Rachel got that away from him and offered him an empty toothbrush holder. (I thought it was cute that she noticed he shouldn't have it, and that she tried to replace it with something safe.) A few minutes later, he had a bag of make-up remover cotton rounds. The little booger is just into EVERYTHING!!! Usually when he sees that he's been discovered with something he shouldn't have, he runs and giggles, thinking it's a game. What a precious little stinker!

Rachel LOVES being a helper. She likes to look out for Bradley (most of the time) and lets me know if he has something he shouldn't have. She also likes to give Bradley food. If she thinks he's dropped something that she thought he wanted to eat, she'll go get it and give it to him. She's very in tune with Bradley's needs and wants. She likes to tell me what he needs or wants if he's crying or fussing. Most of the time, she's right. What a precious little helper!

They both LOVE Dixie. They think she's the greatest dog. They LOVE feeding her and giving her dog treats. Bradley loves playing with her dog food. The sweet dog is such a great dog, she doesn't even mind.

They both LOVE Caillou. I haven't figured this one out yet. That kid is such a dork with no hair and a whiney voice, but Rachel and Bradley both love him!

They both LOVE their families...they love people who give them individual, undivided attention, adoration and affection. They're just such sweet kids who are so easy to love back!