June girl....and other summer birthdays

Maggie Claire is turning two come and celebrate at Maggie Moo! For Maggie's 2nd birthday we had a birthday party at an ice cream parlor called Maggie Moo's. It was just too perfect and I couldn't pass it up! The kids had ice cream cupcakes and Maggie got some great gifts like this adorable 'bike' that Daddy accidentally ran over a month later. Some how it got left out behind his car and well...it was fun while it lasted. She also received baby Millie her baby that drinks and really sucks a bottle. She LOVES her babies. Sweet Girls...I mean who wouldn't want to just eat them up?

There were soooo many parties this summer but just a little room to document with pics.

Jack's party was so neat. It had big trucks that the kids got to get in. They also brought their ride on toys so we had to go to Mamaws and borrow the gator! It was a hit with at least three kids on it at a time.

I just LOVE this picture of Parker. He is the one center stage with the blue trunks. This was also one of the neatest parties. Our local fire station let Caden celebrate his 5th birthday with the real firemen. We got to eat cake in their cafeteria, see where they sleep, watch them slide down the pole and then they took the ladder all the way up and sprayed all the kids! They had a ball!

Baby Vivian had her birthday this summer too! All summer Devon (who hardly looked pregnant) kept up with the rest of us at Magic Springs and then had a perfect baby girl...to go with her two boys! We tried to stay up and wait for her but decided at about 1 that if we would just leave she would come and we were right!

March and April cont...

Easter came and silly me had no decent camera to document how cute my babies were. This is after a long day of church, lunch, and indoor hunt because it POURED rain all day. There were adorable though. Parker had these pin striped pants I found at Gap for 10 dollars and a long sleeved polo for 15. I bought him some fake Sperry's from Target and since a teenager that plays the drums in the band at church has some like them, we still refer to them as drummer shoes. Maggie had a pink sailor dress and precious Willetwhite shoes. Before I had a girl I used to look at all those classic willit shoes and think how cute they were. She also had a white bow on a headband which looked so sweet with her curls. We took Parker with us to big church because our service was a musical that morning. He was perfect. I am sure he thinks there is a big performance every week that he is missing out on!
Maggie became quite the artist. It does run in the family but...well...I would appreciate a different canvas! No big deal because down the road from this time (last week) I repainted her room. Parker sang with the preschool at his spring concert. So funny! He was an angel (literally) but the only picture I have of him in his wings he is about to attack Tate...not so angelic moment!

I kept my nieces in April for a week. It was a lot of fun and only a bit more work to have them. I am so glad they are all close in age.

On the last night Anna and Kate were with me Mom came down and kept the babies while I took Parker and Anna to Disney on Ice. Fair warning: the price of the tickets is not the expensive part! The souvenirs had to cost more than the ones at actual Disney World! We had a good time and will have to go again with Kate and Maggie! Anna dressed as Tinkerbell and truly thought people didn't know she wasn't the real one. So funny!

March...and a little of April

Since it has been so rediculously long since I have updated I will try to update last spring and summer in a few posts. Sad I know but it is better than nothing! We will start with March and April.

Jer turned 33 and I baked him a pie and the kids gave him all kinds of wonderful toys from their rooms! How thoughtful! Daddy usually gets the short end of the stick when it comes to birthdays. Money just doesn't seem to be in abundance that time of year. He is a good sport and somehow we make up for it later in the year.
Parker had his first of several precious T-Ball games. He played for the learning center and had the most wonderful coach ever. He played Baseball at Henderson State (Jer and my alma mater) but was as laid back and patient as could be. His little boy and girl were on the team as well so it was just a wonderful time of getting to know new parents and kids. Parker LOVED it! I have always thought he was rather ahead of the game when it comes to loving sports and several times he proved my theory correct. I loved being at the park and can't wait to spend more time there over the years.

Parker turned 4 in April. We had a great party at Build A Bear in the mall. Ten of his adorable friends joined him to build their own animal and joined us for cake in the food court. It was a great party. Parker asked for super hero stuff. He got a lot of great gifts including a Leapster from Mommy and Daddy and a batmobile from Mamaw and Papaw. He got a life size Batman from Mimi and lots of other fun stuff.

Where is my blogging spirit?...and T-ball

I have had so many big events this past month but absolutely no drive to post. Since this IS my scrapbook I have to write about it now before I forget.

T-ball

Parker made the T-ball cut off by almost a month. Tate and Parker are the youngest on the team. He is playing with boys that are already six. At their first game Parker and Tate were still three. I was worried that we may have started too soon but I feel better after being to practice and a game. His buddies Tate, Caden, and John Michael are all on his team which adds to the fun in the stands. Parker had his first "practice" which was actually just a meeting where parents recieved the schedule and supplies needed. He was very disappointed when he found out that they were not actually practicing so Coach Chris let the boys hit the practice stick.

Can you tell he was excited?

Tate, Parker, and Caden three of the cutest baseball boys around!


The Rockhounds had their first game two weeks ago and it was probably the cutest thing I have ever seen. It is funny how proud you can be of a little boy who know next to nothing about the rules of the game. Honestly though I was suprised how well they actually did. Parker's first turn up at bat you would have thought he won an oscar he was smiling so big. When he made it to first he did try to field the next team mates ball. Too funny! When he made it home he faced the crowd and gave a big "I did it!" I am not going to lie... I teared up. I see a long future hanging out at the ball field in a lawn chair. Good times!

Go #6!

Big girl bed!

Since I posted last things have changed a bit here. Jer is on the road during the week for the next few months so mommy dearest is in full charge. It is hard but I have great friends who are very thoughtful to help out now and again. I don't know how single moms do it. Last week Maggie climbed out of her crib and hit her head pretty good so I decided to go to a toddler bed. My mother in law suggested Duck Duck Goose and since it was opening for the presale I tracked down a pass so I could get first pick. Thanks Jordan! Well I was looking for a $40 toddler bed but instead I bought a sleigh bed with a trundle...a bit more than I was going to spend : ) I just thought what is the point of buying something for a short while when I could get a great deal on a gently used bed...with a trundle. When Jer got home on Friday we went to LR to pick it up. As I moved the crib out of the way I realized I never took pictures of her crib and canopy. So I snapped a few shots of the canopy. Her bumper and crib bedding had been replaced with not so matching practical blankets so I didn't include them in the picture.
Then kids 'helped' Daddy with the bed. It is kinda sad letting the crib go. When Parker moved into a bed it was because Maggie was on the way. Now I don't have a baby anymore. (sorta)
This is a picture of the bedding I picked out. It was harder than I thought to find something I liked. I really liked all the whimsical birds from her nursery but it seemed all the girl bedding I found looked the same...floral pink. I can't stand princess stuff so that was not even an option. For a little girl it is either butterflies, flowers (daisies), or princess. If you don't care for any of that it is slim pickins! It is supposed to be here tomorrow and if I am a better blogger than I have been lately I will post a pic of it all made up.


Maggie slept in her bed for the first time Monday night and did great. She slept until 9 AM. I went in to wake her up and take her picture. Sorry the picture stinks but it is from the video camera...I couldn't handle both so I used it instead.

Kites and an award

It has been so long since I posted and I really have no excuse. We had a really windy day recently and I had promised Parker that we would fly kites as soon as it was warmer and windy. I am pretty big on the nap schedule thing but after school and lunch we decided we couldn't wait till nap was over. The weather around here is so unpredictable you just gotta go with it. Parker did great. It was so windy that I really didn't have to help all that much. Which was a good thing since it was one of those days that the mail man wanted to talk and the Jahovah witnesses did too. Ha. They have been after me since college I swear! As usual Mags was content doing her own thing...pulling around a wagon collecting nuts and random pieces of mulch...basic 21 month old projects. She did take a seat to be Parker's cheerleader. It is days like these that make me wonder why I am so blessed. Gotta love that belly!


I think the only reason he wasn't upset here was because he knew I could reach it.




And...

I recieved an award!


Adrienne sent me this award. Not sure I deserve this one because my attitude not always lemony fresh! But I love her for it anyway! Thanks. I do have gratitude to my God. I know everything that is good in my life is from Him!

Here are the rules:



1. Put the logo on your blog.


2. Nominate 8 other blogs which show great attitude and or gratititude.


3. Link to the nominees.


4. Let them know by leaving them a comment.


5. Share the love and link to this post and to the person from whom you received your reward.

I nominate:

Amy
Jordan
Ashley
Mandy

Hide and no seek...

Today we got the play dough out. Sometimes I feel bad for Parker because Maggie is too young to know how to play with a lot of fun things so she ends up messing up his creation or stealing the tools. I guess those are the things that build the older siblings character. This is Maggie with the play dough roller hiding from me. Every time I called her name like I was looking for her she looked down a little further and leaned in the closet a little more. It was so funny. As soon as she saw I had a camera she turned around and cheesed for the camera.
Parker made me a cake! I just love play dough cake!

Preschool

For anyone who knows me knows my precious baby boy has had a rough first semester of preschool. I, being a former teacher and former class pet was truly horrified by the wildness of my perfect child. I could not believe for example he 1. stuck his tongue out at the preschool director 2. Slapped his teacher of the bum! 3. and countless other minor infractions during the course of the semester. I have been extremely emotional about the whole thing. I have been unable to talk to his teacher about it without tearing up...which has made things slightly awkward. LOL. During the course of my bible study last week I discovered this whole thing is NOT that big a deal. The problem has been my attitude. I learned I can not control my son. It doesn't mean I can't discipline him but I can't control him and I can't let his behavior control me. I have given it to God. I am working on responding instead of reacting and would you believe he has had WONDERFUL reports this week. Another teacher actually stopped me to compliment his behavior at recess. Recess is where most of his problems seem to happen. I know he won't always have perfect days. He is three. But I have decided I will not agonize over his behavior any longer. I will be diligent in discipline and leave the rest up to God. I think God knew what he was up to because this week happened to be Parker's turn to be "Star Student" This entitles him 3 blissful days of bringing snack, leading the line, sharing show and tell, AND

holding the flag! For snack his crazy mom thought it was 'N' week but really it was 'O' so the Nemo fruit snacks, Nutty bars, and Nilla Cakesters were a waste. ugh...it pays to be organized! So Parker and I made orange jello jigglers, and oreos to make amends for Wednesday's and Friday's class. I guess I can say that preschool has definitely been a learning experience....I just hope I am not the only one learning.

Big gol Pannys!

Maggie has become infatuated with the potty lately. She pee-peed in the potty a few mornings in a row. Since we are stuck inside with bad weather I decided we would try out our new panties. I was convinced (still am) that little boy underwear is the cutest thing ever but Maggie in panties is almost a tie.

The title of this entry comes from my niece Anna. When she was learning to talk my mom kept Parker and her while I was still working. My mom was folding laundry which included her underwear. Anna kept saying what my mom thought was "Big Ole Panties!" My sister laughed when mom told her what Anna said. Then figured out she was saying "Big girl panties!" Too funny!

Update: in the less then ten minutes from her initial visit to the potty, my taking the picture, and starting this post....a puddle on the floor and a very confused 20 month old. Oh well she only has three pair. This potty training session will go by quickly!

Examples of those questions/arguments:

"Mom, what are they doing?"

"It looks like they are cutting down trees."

"No they're not.......Well if they are why are they doing that?"

"Maybe they are going to use the wood to make a house or paper. We use wood to make lots of things."

"Like zoos?"

"I guess some things at the zoo are made from wood."

" I bet they are building a zoo there." (keep in mind this is on a rural road in Bryant)

"I don't think they are building a zoo right here."

"Yes they are! Why would you say that Mom?"

I knew as I wrote my post yesterday I wanted to remember those conversations that happen 100 times a day. So this is for me....one of those things I will look back and laugh at but right now drive you up the wall when they occur sooooo often. I love that kid!

Speaking of cute!

Today at nap time I found Maggie in Parker's bed. She said,"night night, bubba" I said you want to sleep with Parker. " uh huh" She then points to the bookshelf and says "I uh book." Her communication blows me away. Parker could list hundreds of nouns at this age. He did not speak to communicate at her age. It was totally to list. He loved word books, so does she, but she wants to talk about the pictures. It is amazing to me. She can tell me she is hot or cold. She can tell me, "i wan down/up" She can ask me to open or close something. She even says thank you without being prompted. I have definitely seen babies more advanced them my two but I still think mine are brilliant...and being exceptionally sweet doesn't hurt either. We went to lunch the other day and ran into a girl I went to high school with. She has cerebral palsy and is slightly MR. Parker knew right away she was different and was a little scared. As soon as I introduced her to the kids he was so sweet. He told her about T-ball in the spring and I could tell it lightened her day. Or maybe it was just me being proud that he wasn't hiding behind me.

As far as communication goes with little ones...I am so excited that Maggie can tell me what she wants. I am sure in a year or so I will be wishing for a rest to her tongue. I know some ...okay most days with Parker end that way. He can ask questions that have no answer and then argue when you try your best to give him an answer that makes sense. Remind me of my pride of her vocabulary next year!

Best friends and baby Jonah

If I could go back in time 3 years and whisper something in someones ear it would be to my best friend Adrienne. I would say, "On January 18, 2009 you will hold Jonah Russell and he will be perfect." My best friend has been on a roller coaster ride for three years now. One that us moms that conceived relatively easily will never understand. Sunday morning I got a call from her husband that she was being admitted. In two hours I had my kids dressed and ready for church, their spend the night bag packed, arrangements with my sister made. I packed myself picked our third b/f and we were on the road to NWA. Adrienne is a true tough nut. Sometimes I think she enjoys pain. Why else would you run three miles pregnant? I think she met her match yesterday and it was called child birth! I told her in a few days she won't even remember the pain. She said she hopes not! He is absolutely perfect! Seeing that little round backside in a sleeper with his legs pulled up makes any mom skip a heart beat. As I left the hospital today to return to my own precious babies I got really sad and couldn't say goodbye. Those of you who have a true best friend...the kind where you were inseparable spirit for a good part of your life know what I mean. I have hurt for her so bad these past few years and now that he is here it stinks to not be able to be close enough to be there. As we left, her family and those that surround her on a daily basis were coming in. I have to say I was quite envious of their time. I had only a few short hours to do those best friend duties like cleaning house and making meals. All those things she did for me even in her own pain. We have cried together over drill team/cheerleading, boys, separating for college, boys ; ), we have been each others maids of honor, we have called each other practically daily for the last fifteen years of life which made yesterday so wonderful to me. Jonah is truly blessed. He was and will be prayed for and he has a mommy that wanted him so badly. Congratulations! Love you!

It's a bird, It's a plane!

I made Parker a cape for Christmas. With all the other gifts it kinda ended up in a corner somewhere but it thrilled me when he put it on yesterday to do some super hero work in the front yard. Love that kid!

Christmas rewind

Christmas was so much fun this year. We had several parties and did several activities but I want to remember Christmas day.
Jer and I set our alarm for 6:30. The plan was to do Santa at our house then go to Mamaw's and Papaw's for gifts and breakfast. At ten till 6 I was wide awake. I could tell Jer was awake too. He let out an 'I'm too excited to sleep'. So we got up and got everything ready to leave after the kids opened gifts. At 6:30 we went into Parker's room. The video is priceless and if I knew how to upload it I would. He sat straight up in bed and smiled a big smile. I told him Santa came! He hopped out of bed and the squeals and excitement were just all I hoped for. The two things my sweet little boy asked for still make me smile. He asked for a violin and a trumpet. Santa brought a workbench and two wrapped gifts. (can you believe I don't have a picture of the set up?) He loved the workbench and quickly saw Maggie's toys...a precious doll I researched for weeks before settling on and a pram to push her in. I also came upon a rocking chair just like the one I had when I was little. With a little work it looks as good as new. He was so excited for her. So typical. We all went to get Maggie knowing she is my late sleeper. She quickly came around and gave a few wows! Before we set down to open,we all went outside to place baby Jesus in the manger thanking God for what Christmas is about. When we came back in he looked at the workbench and said, " I guess Santa didn't bring a violin." I pointed out the gifts and of course his violin and trumpet were there all along. After taking our time opening gifts we loaded up to Jer's mom and dad's. I always thought my mom went above and beyond when it came to gifts but Mamaw takes it to another level. I still am not sure how I feel about it. It gives her such joy...and who doesn't like to be spoiled. We opened gifts, had a wonderful breakfast, and cleaned up the rest of the morning. Jer and Maggie took a nap while Parker and I opened all the boxes. I love putting together toys. I guess my childhood love of Legos is explained. At about 3:00 we headed to Mom's. She lives in a beautiful little condo on the lake. I mean little. My sister and her two girls and husband and then my family...we were busting at the seems. I had imagined it all a little more romantic then what transpired but it turned out okay. We made steak and hash brown casserole and lots more great food. We all actually set down to eat at the same time. A Christmas miracle! Ha! We bathed the kids and settled the older ones down with a movie in bed. Jer and I, my sister and her husband and the two little ones went to a neighboring condo for the night. I bought Jer a new game he plays with the guys from work called Settlers. It is kinda like Monopoly and Risk in one. We all played till 2:30 in the morning. The four of us used to play games all the time when we had only one child each. Things got more complicated with two more kids. We had a great time. Christmas ended and we didn't even notice. This past week I have spent taking down decorations and putting away new toys. Thankfully I had spent the fall purging the kids rooms of just about all their toys. I love Christmas and can't wait till next year but I also look forward to this new year.