and a half

The kids have been asking if they are 6 and a half. It's a really big deal in case you didn't know. So much older than just 6. And when they are six and three quarters?  Boy howdy, then they'll really have things figured out. But until then, I want to jot down a few things about my and-a-halfers.

Ethan: 6 1/2 and 3 days

• Playing soccer this fall.
• LOV.ING. it.
• Favorite movie: the Lego Movie or Star Wars
• Favorite foods: (this one is my foodie, although you could never tell by looking at him) Soup (particularly tomato basil, corn chowder, or creamy chicken tortilla), and burritos (with "everything" on them- beans, steak, avocados, cheese, and salsa).
• Best friend at school: Oliver
• likes to button his top button, always. For someone who is so easy going about life in general, I love that he's putting a personal touch on his wardrobe.
• Favorite colors: red and green
• Takes "big brothering" to another level. He's very protective and sharing and caring about their feelings. He's also really good at pushing their buttons. Like I said, "brothering."

Kate: 6 1/2 and 3 days

• Loves having her own room.
• but she won't sleep in it.
• Playing softball (tball) this fall and loving it. 
• Also trying gymnastics this year. 
• Her favorite part of all activities is the friends, probably because she's so good at making them
• Favorite movie: Frozen
• Favorite color: HOT pink
• Favorite food: tie between hot dogs and pepperoni pizza (so healthy)
• Loves animals
• Except touching them
• Best friend at school: Sage
• In the right mood, she is a really good helper.
• loves decorating for holidays 
• I realize this doesn't hold much weight coming from someone who could not write legibly to save her life, but she has really good handwriting

Drewbug: 3 1/2 and 4 days

• doing gymnastics this year. iiiiit's adorable.
• 2 days a week pre-school
• favorite thing about school is coloring
• favorite color: doesn't really have one, it changes daily. Today, it's red.
• best friend at school: Walter
• favorite thing he's learned at school: "criss cross applesauce."
• favorite movie: "the Lego Movie. Cause everything is awesome."
• talks to random strangers everywhere he goes and thinks telling the backstory to his thoughts is overrated. 
• Favorite foods: rice and chicken
• Removes ALL articles of clothing (including shirt and socks) before going potty.
• he's really good about using adverbs correctly. 
• gives really, truly, great hugs.

These three. They're just the cutest. 

"It's been so fun living in our new house and not having to go to it anymore" (says all three, on a regular basis). They explore in the backyard, they ride bikes down the street in the cul-de-sac, they play in the playroom that's right off the family room. They're all sleeping in the same room and it's going miraculously well. I finally figured out lunch-packing this year. The menu ranges from bean and cheese burritos to turkey/ cheese/ crackers combos to pb&j roll-ups to soup to pasta (the thermos funtainer is my best friend), and so many other options. My favorite time of day is when Drew and I walk to the bus stop to pick up the twins. We talk as we walk home like I can never get them to talk any other time of the day. We're also really busy. With softball 2-3 times a week, gymnastics twice, soccer twice, Greg's calling taking him two very full nights a week, homework (quality, mind you), and spelling words, we enjoy the quiet family time of Sundays so much. Bedtime is between 7 and 7:30 (unless sports gets in the way) and most nights, their heads hit the pillows and they sleep soundly till that 6:35 wake-up. 

It's a very full, good life.