When the seasons change, there is that ever so fun task of cleaning through the kids clothes and determining what they've outgrown (or in Barrett's case, what has too many holes for him to wear). This year, I am actually getting to that before the weather gets cold and my kids only have pants to wear to school that look like capri pants. Practically speaking, this is a task that needs to be done (especially with Barrett, because he'll try to keep things he shouldn't be wearing anymore just because he likes them). The task is one that always makes me feel nostalgic though. I always think about how many other times I've completed this task. With the boys, I unpack a tub of clothes that I'd saved from Barrett for Fletcher, and I'm flooded with a ton of memories.
In honor of my nostalgia, I thought I'd share just a few of my favorite photos of my kids when they were 2. I picked 2 since that's Fletcher's current age, and then it's sort of an even point of comparison.
This first one has so many wonderful things about it. First, it has Jack. He loved swimming after toys, and this was one of he and Audrey's favorite pastimes when we were at the lake. Second, this is taken on the old dock. I had almost forgotten any of my kids every played on the old dock with the wooden deck. Finally, it is fun to look back at Audrey when she was the age that Fletcher is now. He looks so much like her. [Dad Note: The thing I like about this picture is the orange life jacket Audrey is wearing is the same one I had at her again.]
This one is Barrett. I love this one because it captures him so well. Sunglasses, because his eyes have always been sensitive. The vest is one of my favorite clothing items we had for him. Still, the best part is what he was doing. Barrett has always liked working. He especially loves construction projects. In this photo, my dad was helping put up fence at a neighbors house, and this is the pallet of concrete mix they were using. Barrett really loved watching my dad pour it into the mixer and then helping turn it. And, he still loves that kind of stuff to this day.
Audrey's fashion sense and love of accessories really started to develop around that time. She was never without some sort of jewelry, hairpiece, and/or purse. She was also (and still is) very picky about her shoes. I am thankful we're past the phase where she always wanted ones that sparkle (including tennis shoes). I am pretty sure she was wearing her purple sequin tennis Mary Jane style tennis shoes with the outfit in this picture.
It still amazes me how God creates every child differently. Even though Fletcher has had a lot of influence from his siblings, he is definitely his own person. In many ways, his personality reflects that of his siblings in his own unique way. For instance...his three favorite toys are boats, baby dolls, and legos. In this picture you can see him carrying around a baby, a boat, and a waverunner. I am not sure what he was doing with all of them, but he looks like a man on a mission for sure.
Of all of my kids, Barrett has been the one to have the most "lovies." There are two in particular that were a pretty important cuddle team for a while. His puppy blankie and his duck. When Christy took photos for us one time, the only way we could get Barrett to cooperate was by including the duck in the pictures.
Fletcher plays by himself better than I remember either of my other 2 kids doing that. Especially when he has legos and boats, he can entertain himself for hours. His latest thing is building "boathouse" and putting his boat inside of it. In this picture he built that all by himself. Oh, and he drools...a lot. All of the time. I don't know how to turn it off.
I guess that's a long enough trip down memory lane. I probably don't do it often enough. Fortunately, I take tons of photos, so I'll never be at a loss for reminders.
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