What's going on with those Crowl kids?

It's been a while since i've done a post about our kiddos and what they're up to these days.

Colter is becoming a little boy right before our eyes. One of the biggest changes i've noticed recently is that he's starting to notice and enjoy interacting with other kids. He has always been pretty independent in social settings- not really caring what other kids are doing. Just in the past few weeks, it's been fun to see him try to engage with other kids and play with them.

His language is developing more and more. We are at such a fun stage where out of nowhere he'll say the funniest things. One day he was hiding his nordy doll in the crack in the couch and he said
"and he hid in the darkness for three whole days." (bringing in a little Jonah & the whale story). He will randomly quote books throughout the day  "18, 19, 20. Numbers Numbers they are plenty." It is so crazy how much he picks up from what we tell him. It's bizarre to have a little mini me running around saying things I say all the time like "that will be fun!' "you did it! Good job!"

Another fun development is his relationship with Madison. He continues to pretty much ignore her and he very rarely interacts with her, but his stage of hitting and seeming to be bothered by her is over. He actually seems to like having her around how and will often ask if Madison is coming with us. When we go in to get Madison in the morning, he almost always runs into the room first and lays his head on her belly and says "get her up!" He loves to turn on the music on her various toys and will sometimes bring her toys to play with.

                                 

We've recently noticed a lot of changes in his physical ability. He's becoming much more daring and adventurous and he's FAST! I don't know when it happened, but now I actually have to work to keep up with him when he runs. He's taking on challenges on the playground that freak me out like randomly deciding to hang on monkey bars, or trying to climb up tall poles. It's really hard for me to find the balance of always wanting to protect him from harm, but letting him have some good challenges too.

                                  

He has also entered the stage of wanting to do everything by himself. He never wants to hold my hand when we're crossing the street, and he most definitely doesn't want me holding on to him in order to prevent him from falling in water. He always wants to climb into the car seat by himself and buckle his seat belt.. even when it's 120 degrees in the car and Madison is crying. He likes trying to put his crocs on by himself, and when we cook together, he gets so upset if I try to pour or mix things with him.

                             
His favorite things are trains, going to Edmonds, getting swung around in a blanket by daddy, playing "concert", cooking pretend food in his play house, "driving" in mama's car, going to the park and pretending to sell tickets, cooking, looking at pictures of signal lights on the computer while listening to "go go Thomas", James & Saisha, and eating. This child wants to eat all. the. time. Boy do I love this little guy.

                                    

Our sweet little Madison is growing up too fast. She continues to be a delight in her temperament and almost always offers up a smile. She is in that perfect chubby baby stage, with rolls all over her legs, rubberband wrists, and dimples on her knuckles.

                                  

                                   

She is grabbing her feet and can stick them all the way up into her mouth. She seems to see pretty far and is always looking to connect with someone. She loves people.  She laughs easily- blowing on her belly & legs, making funny noises, lifting her high in the air are almost all ways to get her going.

                                 

On the 4th of July, right before I put her to bed I said "all right Madison, how about a 4th of July roll over?" Wouldn't you know it, but I put her down, and she rolled over from her tummy to her back! We were all laughing so hard. She's been really close to rolling from her back to her stomach for a while, and she finally did it when Gigi, Nana, Grandpa & daddy were here!

Her favorite things to do are play in the jumperoo, suck on burp clothes, toys, clothes- whatever. She also loves her play mat, especially the mermaid toy hanging down. Most of all, she wants to be talked to or look in the mirror.

We love our little sunshine.