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Not too sure where this week went…heck, or this year!!

We took our family Christmas photos this past weekend and I am SO impatiently waiting to see them. 😆

K was SO good (due to our incentive plan: smile and participate and you get to shop for a new toy 😉), so she got to pick out ANY toy she wanted when photos ended! (From Five Below, of course – I’m not dumb 😂).

I don’t want to give the complete wrong impression – she still thought running away and playing “hide and seek” in the Christmas trees was a good idea mid-shoot 🤦🏼‍♀️ but we can’t fault a 3 year old for wanting to play instead of pose and smile. 🤷🏼‍♀️

While Sunday was the best day (attitude wise) in a while, I wish I could say she’s been a sweetheart all week – but it’s most definitely not the case. Lol

She has her moments of pure defiance and I’ve lost my patience with her lately more times than I’d like to admit. Kens is way too smart for her own good and trying to parent the “me” out of her will in fact be the death of me. 😆

KB can manipulate situations and people better than some grown adults I know and I walk a fine line between being impressed and trying not to completely lose my shit on her. 🤣

Kensie also knows how to work the “sweet” angle and turn her charm on in a split second. She’ll ask for hugs and kisses and pretend like you’re her best friend for a solid 20 seconds (or until she’s told “no” again)…and the fact that she grows up and grows more independent every single day, makes it even harder. I want to soak in her sweetness while it lasts but I don’t want her to get away with her BS. 🤷🏼‍♀️

Last week we had to leave gymnastics class because Kens wouldn’t listen or participate. She kept running out of class and saying “nana nana boo boo” and trying to get the coach to chase her. 🤦🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️

She had a few warnings and I told her if she left class again we were going home. K decided to test that. So, we left. I may make a ton of “mom mistakes” but Chris and I try our best to not say anything we aren’t willing to act on and act on anything we say we will.

Kensie screamed bloody murder the whole way home and basically until she fell asleep for nap about how she wanted to go back to class…

The good news? I think it worked! This week she made serious progress. She spent the first 20ish minutes sitting up in the chairs by me but long story short, she eventually joined class, listened to the coach, AND DIDN’T RUN AWAY ONCE! 🙌🏼

I can be pretty hard on her at times, but while we were eating dinner last night after playing play doh, she said “thanks for playing with me, mom” and my heart completely melted. 😭

Phew. I’m almost as exhausted from attempting to explain that as I am from trying to survive her attitude all week. 😂

On to the one that can’t walk or sass back yet…

Leighton had her first real food and homegirl is PASSIONATE about it. It wasn’t actually intentional (don’t jump down my neck, textbook moms 🙄) but she went AFTER my apple so I let her suck on it to see what she would do. Homie LOVES APPLES. 😯

L is always so calm and it’s extremely rare that she will cry, but she lost her ish when I took it a way and pitched a fit. 🤣😂

She was going in on that thing like she’s been starved. (Her cheeks and thighs can both confirm that isn’t the case).

We will soon find out if she has more of an appetite than her big sister does. 😆 (for those that haven’t always followed our blog, I swear Kensie would starve herself if it were an option…)

Hopefully I don’t jinx it, but Elle is the MOST content, happy and calm baby ever. It’s not hard to please her and anyone giving her attention usually gets a smile out of her. The hardest part (so far) is changing her clothes or diapers because she won’t hold still for half a second. 😆

I truly think God have us such a low maintenance angel baby in Elle because he knew the stage of life we would be in with Kens at the same time and we wouldn’t survive otherwise. 😂

Last night K walked in L’s room and said something to me and L just busted out laughing. Chris or I have YET to get her to laugh like this for us. Kens is the absolute only person that gets these belly giggles out of her. ❤️

They went on and on and if K as much as looked at L she would crack up. 🤷🏼‍♀️

She then wanted to “read sister a book” but that just turned into L trying to touch it and K yelling at her to stop it. 🤦🏼‍♀️

Regardless of the “hard” days – these girls are definitely worth it! ❤️

Well. This week can pretty much be summed up by saying “Daylight savings is the WORST”.

My children do NOT care what a clock or the sun says. Their internal clock is consistent and precise and I FEEL LIKE I MAY NEVER GET TO SLEEP PAST 5AM AGAIN! 😭

Not only was this week accompanied by a lack of sleep, but Kensie has officially shortened “mommy” to MOM and it physically hurts my heart every time she says it. Like WHY are you so “grown” up?! 😭

Thankfully, she still asks me to snuggle with her every day and if I’m lucky I get to be her best friend. If she’s mad at me I get told “you’re not my best friend!” 🙄

Kensie had a swim refresher this week and I was SO proud of her for so many reasons!!! I made a pretty lengthy post about it on my Facebook page – but long story short I was worried that even though K knows how to float on her back, she hates doing it so much that she wouldn’t do it if she needed to.

Mrs. Heidi tested her out and while it was a little hard to watch (because I just wanted to jump in and grab her!) I am SO grateful for the life saving skills that K has completely mastered in her time with Swimsprouts!

Not only did she show off her skills, but she went from screaming and scared on Monday to walking into the pool on her own, tearless, and even loving on Mrs. Heidi by Thursday. 🥰

Leighton babe was my little trooper all week (per usual) even with her nap schedule being thrown completely out of whack.

This little babe is starting to show her personality and it’s the best!! She LOVES to smile, wiggle and eat your face. Also, she now belly laughs and it is the absolute greatest.

Watching their sibling bond is priceless. Elle immediately lights up and smiles when K gives her any attention and she she tracks her around the room anytime she can see her. If K as much as says hi to her, L immediately gets a huge grin.

Though KB snaps her mood back and forth at any second for us, she is ALWAYS happy to see “sister!!!” If she hears her on the monitor in the morning she gets so excited and says “SISTER’S AWAKE!!!” and runs to her room to climb in the crib.

The first thing she does when I pick her up from daycare is climb in the car over to L’s seat, hug and kiss her and say “hi sister! I’m back! Did you have a good day??” (Sometimes followed by a “mommy! She’s not talking to me!” 🤦🏼‍♀️😂)

While she’s got a huge heart and one heck of a sweet side – Kens isn’t all rainbows and butterflies. 😆

Today was a ROUGH day in motherhood with K’s attitude from being overtired and well, 3.

Her meltdowns/tantrums today were triggered by: wanting Cheetos that we don’t have, me not giving her a sandwich because she said she wanted cereal, not letting her drive my car home from the gym and putting her food in the wrong bowl.

BUT, they’re always worth it. Once I’ve had enough coffee at least. 😉

Leighton turned 5 months old on this extra long day and she must have been excited since she woke up at 5:27am to celebrate. 🤪

One of my favorite things about this age is how easy it is to get them to smile for photos. 😆 This monthly photo was hard to get, but it had nothing to do with Elle…and everything to do with Kens. 🤦🏼‍♀️😂

The second K sees what I’m doing, she has to be involved and refuses to get off the blanket. Today she decided to take her own “photos” and it was pure gold. 😂

Leighton was workin it from BOTH angles. 💁🏼‍♀️

As much as Kensie loves to smother and hug and kiss “sister”, I think Elle loves it too. She is happiest being around K regardless of what’s going on and seems to just take it all in.

This chunk is a non stop MOVER.

She’s easily distracted while eating which makes it extra fun when K is around doing everything she can to get her attention. 🙄

Elle’s constantly rolling (off the couch 🤦🏼‍♀️), turning, leaning toward things, trying to grab anything and everything and looking around. If you hold her upright you’ve got no hopes at getting her to relax. It’s her prime look out spot. 😂

L is a party animal just like K was and she’s great at going with the he flow, but this momma needs some time to get things done! This week we started the 2-3-4 schedule which was what K eventually put herself on, and L is crushin’ it. 🙌🏼

She’s officially moved into her crib but still wakes up 1-2x at night to eat. I’ve started dream feeding and I think full on sleep training will be coming by next month if it doesn’t happen naturally. 🤞🏼

Leighton loves to gargle, babble, chew on her fingers and is constantly covered in drool, but she hasn’t had any teeth officially break through! (Thank God)

We still visit the Chiro regularly and truly feel it’s a huge part of why Leighton is such an easy going, happy baby!

Seriously can’t believe her half birthday is just around the corner. It seems like this little babe stretches another inch every single night. 😥

I’m enjoying every second of this stage and age! ❤️

It’s been a fun non-stop week in the Hall house and by non-stop I’m solely referring to Kensie talking. 🤪

The beginning of our week brought a bought of fussiness from the little one. 🥴 Still not too sure what her deal was, but we had 2-3 nights of 4+ wake ups throughout the night and lots of grouchiness during the day. My only guess is that she’s trying to kick the cold that K so generously shared with us.

I really can’t complain though – it’s pretty rare that this babe isn’t just going with the flow, chewing on her hands and cheesing when someone talks to her!

L has been itching to move around, so I busted out the bouncer to see if she’d be satisfied. I think it’s a hit!

Kens has been her usual high maintenance self, but also a sweet and hilarious little ham. She is into “make believe” for everything. There’s a part of the house that are her “castle stairs”and she dramatically runs up them at some point every day (we don’t have stairs…). She’s constantly singing or talking or making her animals climb “apple trees” (don’t have those in our house either. Shocking, I know). 🤷🏼‍♀️ At least she’s creative?

K keeps randomly saying “Happy Mother’s Day!” To me. I’m still waiting on her gift or some sort of special treatment, though. 🤨😂 I mean, I’m on team KB. Every day SHOULD be Mother’s Day.

This Halloween was Leighton’s first and it was Kensie’s first time trick-or-treating!

The morning started with K picking out an Elsa dress…getting all ready and saying “ok! Can I trick or treat now?” Sorry babe – not at 7am. 🤦🏼‍♀️

When the sun comes up she always goes “look mom!! It’s today!!!” – so she used that one against me to explain to me that it is Halloween and therefore, she should be allowed to trick or treat. She lost the battle, in case you’re curious.

L held down the candy fort with Daddy and Bah Bah while K roamed the hood with Mom and Titi.

While she acted shy when people tried to give her candy, she said she had the best trick-or-treat ever! It was probably because she met “blippi” and she spent the night stalking his golf cart and asking him if he liked her dress.

She asked me this morning if he was awake yet so we could go to his house. I hope this guy knew what he got himself into with that costume. 🤣

The best part of the night for me?? I honestly didn’t realize she didn’t have a diaper on the whole time! (Most of you probably don’t care – but my fellow moms will understand 😂)

KB was doing so great with potty training then the last couple of weeks she’s freaked out and begged for a diaper instead of panties and refuses to poop on a potty (yet she wears panties all day at daycare with zero issues…). I figured it was a control thing and her pediatrician said not to push it so we’ve been letting it ride.

Apparently she’s just going and not telling us & I find out by going in her bathroom and getting a whiff of old piss bc it didn’t get cleaned out of her potty. 🤢 Ah, parent life. But hey, at least she’s going!!! 😂 This morning she was in a diaper and told me she had to go potty, ran and went, and was great without diapers all day. 🤷🏼‍♀️ Fingers crossed we don’t go backwards on this journey again…

The best is when you ask her if she needs to potty. Instead of saying “no ma’am” she said “no thanks!” Hahahahaha – still working on deciphering those two.

Today KB started in the big 3 year old class at gymnastics which means I no longer go down on the floor with her! I was shocked she went right into class with zero hesitation! Such a proud moment.

…But then she redeemed herself by running away to go on the trampoline and in and out of class 6 times. 🤦🏼‍♀️ We ended class with an apology the most patient coach ever and Kensie said next week she’s going to listen the whole time. (I’ve got $20 on that being BS)

At least she’s cute?

And I will say – this fun but exhausting stage of K makes me greatly appreciate the immobile, non-talking and non-tantrum throwing stage of sweet little Elle! ❤️

And now it’s time for ALLLLL the Holiday fun!! 😍

The last few weeks have been a little crazy in the Hall house! Chris and I took a trip to Nashville with friends and then our first little babe turned 3 years old!

Year 3 brought Kensie a new home, a new sister and newfound obsessions with babies, Elsa, make up and “performing” in the living room to songs that she yells at Alexa to play.

KB has blossomed into a full threenager the last few months which is basically a temporary version of bipolar disorder and tourettes all rolled into one.

We go from “EH!!! NO!! YOU’RE NOT MY BEST FRIEND. ELSA AND ANNA ARE MY BEST FRIENDS!” to “Mommmmmmyy. I love you. I wanna snuggle with mommy” in a matter of 90 seconds.

KB loves tutus, dress up, doing her make up, getting her hair done and painting her nails; she even asks me to fix them when they chip…so God bless the man that marries her.

K is still a tiny sprout, siting in the 26th percentile for height…but she finally eats! 😆 …sorta…she LOVES Nana’s cooking and eats noodles, chicken, rice, beans and basically anything anyone gives her unless it’s me or Chris. 🙄 Better than nothing?

My absolute favorite part of this girl is her huge HEART. She has an innate ability to care for others, loves everyone and never lets another kid feel left out. If another kid is sad, she tries to cheer them up. She still wants 2 of everything so she can bring one for someone else. Daycare? “I need 2 yogurts. One for Jailene.” Gym? “I need 2 fruit snacks. One for Charlie.” Home? “I need 2 dolls. One for Henley.” …always! 🤗

Kens loves her “coffee” aka steamed milk, helping adjust her sister at the Chiro, yelling “RAWR” at everyone to “scare” them, singing along to songs on the radio and every theme song of the shows she likes.

I’m pretty sure her 2 favorite things in life are “sister” and gymnastics. More specifically the “bouncy bouncy” at gymnastics. 🤣

Happy birthday, KB!! I hope blowing out all the campfires (it’s what she calls candles) makes all of your dreams come true! 🥳

While the show has been all about Kens lately…our sweet little Leighton is still over here filling up our hearts with all the love, smiles and angelic behavior. 😊

She’s growing like a weed and we’re pretty sure she’s going to be taller than her big sis, but regardless of height they may very well be twins. 👯‍♀️

I still do a double take when I scroll through photos because she looks SO much like K did at this age!

Leighton is a MOVER and wants to be part of all the action when she’s being held.

Luckily she also likes to chill, observe and SLEEP. 😅

These girls are hands down the best part of every day!

A little late on this chunkaroo’s 4 month post, but better late than never?

Going to start this one off like every other mom in the world would…with the solid line of “where does the time go? I can’t believe this little one is already 4 months old!”

Elle is weighing in one ounce less than her big sis did at this age, but 1.4 inches longer! I could tell by the onesies she hasn’t worn yet that already don’t fit her long torso. 😒

She’s teething like crazy and her doctor said her gum was swollen and it looks like another is about to pop through!

Leighton is a little Rollie pollie and can roll from her back to her tummy already! She loves her playmat, making squeaky noises, chewing her fingers, smiling and giving big, wet, opened mouth “kisses”.

Most of all, she loves her some KB!!!

She can almost sit up and she’s mastered putting her binky in her mouth all on her own! Elle is super content and has officially outgrown screaming in the car. 😅

While the sound of her screaming is few and far between, if she does cry she won’t stop until she gets what she wants…which is usually milk.

Kensie aka Elsa is still a hilarious mess…she’s obsessed with make up and Elsa and her energy is enough to wear everyone around her out. 🤪

We finally turned her car seat around and apparently it’s her new favorite place to nap.

Every single day K tells us (and everyone) that it’s her birthday and that Elsa and Anna are her best friends and they’re coming over to play with her. 🙄 They ARE coming to her party, but we never told her that. Since she “met” them at a friend’s party, she’s been convinced of all of this ever since. 🤦🏼‍♀️

I’m hoping she chills out once her real birthday is over because if I have to deal with one more meltdown over her wearing the same damn Tutu 4 days in a row, I might lose my mind. 🤣

There’s a reason God makes them so dang cute!!! ❤️

It’s been a whirlwind of a week (and a half). We took a little vacay for Chris’ birthday so the girls got some QT with Gramma last weekend!

Don’t worry, nothing changed while we were gone.

Gramma made sure the girls were decked out in Packers gear on Sunday, K got to show off her skills at gymnastics and L got to show off her new giggle and corner tooth! 🦷

Kensie was a little indifferent about us being gone and FaceTime was hit or miss with the moods. She’d either chat nonstop and be really excited or cry and say she wanted us to come home; however, the second we hang up she stops, acts like nothing is wrong and goes back to playing. 🙄

And all week it has still been “her” rainbow and she kept telling me “mommy! Look! It’s gone. My rainbow is GONE!” (Que the drama…)

At least the little chunk was ALWAYS happy to see us.

While it was a great trip, we were both excited to get back home to the babes.

This last week flew by as we juggled getting back into our routine (whatever that is 😂), squeezing in some extra family time and dealing with Kensie’s ever changing threenager attitude. 😣

Leighton’s tooth is still working it’s way up and she has been NOMMING on her hands.

While I was picking up some last minute things for our trip, I found this awesome teething glove at Target!! Not only is it super cute, but it’s obviously brilliant!

While we’re on the product train, I also got K a new bow holder for our favorite Little Poppy Co. Bows!!!

A friend of mine found this on Etsy and I love how simple it is!! It is SO hard to find cute bow holders that are big enough. I think this one might do the trick. 😆

I linked her shop here and she can customize the size and colors for you!

…and if anyone knows where I can sell 500+ bows once the girls are done with them, let me know. 😂

Until next time…

Life has been a little crazy this last week and a half and now I’m so far behind that I don’t even know where to start with these updates!

K spent a few days with her Grandma B last week and she had a blast!

She is still loving Gymnastics though sometimes she runs out of the activity they’re on to go back to the “bouncy bouncy” 😂 she always crushes this circuit though!

KB started soccer as well…which is the the other thing she actually asked to do; yet, she spent the majority of the time wanting to go “play in mommy’s car”. 🙄

Some of the photos I took look like she is such a great listener and participant.

The reality was K and Addison prefer to just be on a play date without having to listen to any rules. 😂

Kensie is making her way into full on Threenager mode and the last week involved the melt down of a life time. Full on kicking and screaming and losing her MIND.

BUT the journey has some sweet and entertaining moments, too.

Now for the nice quiet one…😆

Elle babe is growing so fast and I’m so grateful for the one on one time I get with her because K tends to take all the attention when she’s around. 😂

All it takes is a little “hi!” for her sweet face to light up with a smile.

She’s ALMOST started to giggle, too! L loves to babble and talk and make noises and squeak. She is such a TROOPER and while I don’t think she’s had a consistent schedule for more than 2 days in a row with everything we have going on, L always goes with the flow.

We took both the girls to the UCF game over the weekend and it was L’s first (and probably last for at least a year 😂) football game!!

L was an angel the whole time – it was K who brought the sass…shocking. 😂 She did finally get out of the stroller to play with her best bud, Levi!!

So many people commented how brave we were to bring both the girls to the game but the reality is we have the best group of friends so we never have to do it alone!

With all the craziness we constantly have going on I have to say I am SO thankful for this tribe we constantly have around us. Our framily is seriously the best and always helping with (and spoiling 😆) the girls & loves them like their own. I’m so thankful they get to grow up with this amazing crew!

I’ve been a slacker with photos lately (and knowing where my phone is in general) but I managed to snap some photos of these gems. 😊

I’ve got to get on a better schedule with these posts – the more days I missed the harder it was to start. Maybe I should go back to daily…🤓

OH MY GOODNESS…I don’t know how I almost forgot this one. It’s the highlight video of the week. K is obsessed with this babydoll…

Who is apparently her brother, named George. 🤨😂