Stop and Smell the Honeysuckle, 27 Months

I love honeysuckle! It is my absolute favorite scent. It reminds me of being a kid and the start of summer. In Tennessee, it usually blooms in May. I remember my mom showing me how to get the "honey" out of each flower. I get very nostalgic when it blooms and could sit outside for hours taking it in if it wasn't so humid.

We are finally getting to an age where the kids are more mobile and outings are worth the effort. We've had a pass to the zoo for several years but barely used it. Previously, it was simply not worth the time to get them ready and go only to deal with breakdowns and crying. They didn't seem to understand where the animals were even though they were right in front of their face! We have finally been able to take them a few times without major breakdowns. a few weeks ago, I pushed Townes and Caroline in the double stroller around the path to see the elephants while Nate had Natalie. It was covered in newly blooming honeysuckle. It's awesome to be able to enjoy these moments and inhale the beautiful scent of summer.

Here's what's going on with the kiddos at 27 months:

Caroline:
Our little fighter continues to be very mischievous and a jokester. She will grab one of the other kids' lovies and play "keep-a-way" until screaming tantrums start. She loves to tickle her siblings and bait them into some kind of chasing game. She is still a skinny little thing. I'm guessing she will have an enviable metabolism and body type! She had strep 2 weeks ago and still weighed about 23 lbs at the doctor's office. I can definitely tell that she has grown taller. She wears a Size 4 in shoes and wants to wear her periwinkle crocs all the time. Don't let her small stature trick you! She is getting into her terrible two's and can really let lose when she wants. Definitely not the quiet angel. :) Caroline is talking much more and making more sense. She isn't able to speak in sentences, but is almost there. Her hair is slowly growing. She won't let me put a hair bow in and it's not long enough for a pony tail. It will get there someday.

Showing off her lashes at the Dr

Townes:
My little boy continues to be the most laid back, save random tantrums when he is super hungry or tired.  He has definitely become more clingy and wants mommy a lot. He is really into sports and enjoys playing with balls, bats, and wrestling around. I have to restrain him sometimes because he's so much stronger and rough than the girls! He is just playing but someone ends up screaming for uncle and he's laughing hysterically. He LOVES Thomas the Train. My sister and brother in law gave us a table with all the tracks and different engines. He has been in heaven since. His wardrobe is decked out in Thomas gear. He also loves cars and trucks. He is a fantastic noise maker for all vehicles and GI Joe cartoons. He still loves his Mr. Moose and pacifier. We will have to get rid of the paci soon. Not looking forward to that! He is almost 30 pounds and very solid. He's a short guy so thankfully can't jump out of his crib. He is starting to make more sense with his vocabulary. He can name all kinds of things but it is sort of muffled. Everyday he gets a little better.

Townes and his cousin Drew playing ball

Natalie:
This little girl is still full of spunk. She has this crazy love affair with purple. EVERYTHING including plates and bowls needs to be purple. We finally bought her some purple tennis shoes because she kept taking off her New Balance pink ones at school. She is the consummate diva and carries about 5 things around at any given moment. Currently, it's her purse, sunglasses, purple paci, pig lovey, and some sort of necklace. She is the most developed and is now speaking in small sentences. She is also about 30 pounds and about the same height as Townes. We went through a rough patch in the terrible two department, but she has gotten better since she is able to communicate more. Lots of time outs!! We're already benefiting from letting her make choices. I leave her wardrobe up to her because it caused so much drama! She and Caroline are very independent and are head strong in different ways. Gee... wonder where they got it from?

She chose this lovely outfit!!