The small things

It has been a while since I have posted information about the kids just in general (I know a post with out photos, what am I thinking!) but as this month has gone I find myself reflecting a lot more.

I will start with Anna.  This is a time with a great deal of change for her as she adjusts to life as a kindergartner.  She was at the top of the totem pole at Cal Poly and now finds herself at the bottom adjusting to so many new surroundings.  Today was picture day (I will share when we get them!) and she was a bit nervous, not sure what exactly that meant.  Overall she has done very well and is already working on teaching the boys the little bit of Spanish that she has already learned.

Some of the little things I have noticed about her that I don't want to forget as she gets older:

• She has a handful of light freckles on her nose
• We constantly have to ask her to close her book when she is walking, she LOVES to read
• Gymnastics is going well and she is ready for the next step, unfortunately with both of us working it may not happen but she still seems to enjoy the Saturday classes
• As much as she loves pink and purple, she loves bugs and lizards and snakes

Olivier continues to be a love bug.  If he is playing with one of us while the other is making dinner, he will "check in" every once in a while just to say "I love you" and give our leg a hug.  He can throw a mean tantrum and pushes everything to the limit, including himself.  I am wondering how his hearing is because when he talks (and does he ever really stop making noise??) he is loud!  He continues to love the movie Cars (especially Lightning McQueen).

Some of the little things I have noticed about Olivier:

• He often turns his head to the side when he says "I love you"
• When he hugs me, he doesn't like my hair to be on my shoulder.  He much prefers when it is in a ponytail.  
• He loves to swing and seems so at peace when he is swinging.  Reminds me of when he was a baby.
• When someone ask him what his name is (everyone from adults to kids at the park) he will answer with "Olivier James Arnold".  I am glad I love him name and he says it so cute!

As Mason gets older I often wonder if he is Anna's twin.  He is really getting into letters and writing and is trying to memorize books, much like Anna did not long before she started reading.  It wouldn't be a surprise if he is reading by the end of next summer.  He loves to play games, anything from CandyLand to Crazy 8's.  He is growing by leaps and bounds and it wouldn't surprise me if he passes Anna in the next six month (which won't make her too happy, after all, she is the big sister!).  

A few notes about Mason that I have seen:

• He love his "blue bear".  It is a panda bear that is blue and white instead of black and white.  He got it when we went to the San Diego Zoo last September and he loves it.
• His favorite color is blue and I think it would be next to impossible to get him in a shirt without some blue on it.  
• Much like Anna he is starting to get some freckles but they are more "random".  There is a cute one on the back of his ear.  
• Unlike Anna and Olivier, he "usually" pops out of bed in the morning (when we have to wake them on school days).  

I thought the hard part of being a working mom was going to be when they were little, but as they grow there continue to be so many moments that I wish we could share.  Continuing to learn to cherish all the little moments and be thankful for our three blessings!