Spring is almost here!

Just wanted to update everyone really quick on the babies well kiddos now. They have been very active lately. They are climbing, running, playing, banging, exploring (getting into things) etc... It is getting pretty noisy around the Bumgardner house these days. We can't wait to get them out to play outside. I let them out the back door one day last week and they absolutely loved it. Anniston just took off running. Collin was just taking it all in. Bailey was fine until she felt the grass and then it was slowly going down hill for her. She enjoyed being outside though.

The kids had a checkup recently to evaluate them on how they are doing in the area of development. They have caught up both based on their chronological age & adjusted age which is great. They don't have to go back for a whole year. We are so proud of them. I sat there and watched each of them and it was like getting a report card for each one of them and I couldn't be prouder of them. There were some things they did that I didn't even know they could do because they don't do it very much. Bailey lit up the stage though which I was pretty shocked about. Bailey is pretty lay low or at least we thought. She does things in her own time and no one can push that. She was being tested on her fine motor skills which is the area she excels in even more then the others. They were putting three blocks out, one at a time, to see how they would problem solve and figure out how to pick all of them up at one time. They put the first block down and she picks it up. They put the second block down and she picks it up with the other hand. When they put the third block down she put the second one in her mouth and picked up the third one. We all thought it was too cute including the therapists. They thought that was pretty clever of her. They are all walking (Anniston is running) now and are eating mainly table food. They are learning to use sippy cups now. We are trying to get them prepared for our trip to Florida this summer so we want them to be able to drink from sippy cups on the trip down so it will be easier for them and us.

We have explored a few places just to get out during the cold season. We went to Jump N Play which we highly recommend even for kids as young as they are. They had a blast. They loved bouncing around and it was an area for kids their age so they weren't trampled all over. They even seemed to rule the place since there are three of them. Bailey isn't quite so excited about the bouncing but she loved going down the big slide with mommy and daddy. Collin & Anniston did also. We look forward to visiting again here soon for their cousin, Xander's, 3rd birthday party. We also checked out the play area at the Children's Museum. Unfortunately we could only go in certain areas with the three of them. I was having to play the zone with them. There are three of them and only one of me. Cousins Xander & Riley and also Grandma Bum got to join us. We had lunch and then headed home so they could nap. We have also arranged lots of play dates. They tend to enjoy those even if the kids are older because it is something different. I have found play dates have helped keep us sane through the winter months and I think we will continue to do those in the spring summer but more of them outside of course.

We are having a great time with them. They are able to play more, they try to talk a lot, they want to explore more and it has been an amazing time watching them grow and become who they are today. You parents out their totally understand what I am talking about. It is a very unique experience that only comes in the raising of your children.

Thanks for keeping up with our family! We are so glad to have great friends and family that are so eager to hear about them and how they are doing.

Thanks again!

JKABC