Reminders of Summer

There are lots of things that remind me of my childhood summers.  We loved playing in the sprinkler to cool off from hot summer days.  

It is fun watching the kids having a blast with a baby pool and a water hose.  There are lots of squeals and laughter in our backyard.

Another summertime memory is catching fire flies at night.  We would catch them and put them in a mason jar to watch them light up.  No bugs harmed.  The kids have enjoyed staying up a little later to catch fire flies.  They even named the two that they caught.  Charlotte and Marshall were with us for a day.  May they rest in peace.

What is your favorite childhood memory of summer?  Enjoy lazy days and late evenings.

Bailey the Ballerina

She is off to her first ballet class!!  She has been looking forward to this for a very long time.  We decided to do a ballet class this summer.  Our little ballerina was thrilled about her outfit and ballet slippers.  She was so excited that she did not even look back when the teacher led them to their class.  The best part of class is that she gets to take it with a friend.  It is all about having fun!

Toes in the Sand

Ahhh...sand between our toes.  There is nothing like it.

We enjoyed a week at the beach with family.  Lots of relaxation.  The kids loved the sand.  It was the very first time that we did not have screaming, tears, gagging, snot flowing, etc from our Bailey Boo.  Now it is B for Brave Bailey.  She was so proud that she got over her fear of the beach and really enjoyed it.  She even got her ankles wet.  And Keenan loved it soooo much that he got a major diaper rash.  Poor little fellow.  So here are a few pics.  I will have to say that I need to work on my focal point.  Several of my pics were out of focus in the face.  So when color or focus is not just right....turn them into black and white.  As Bailey would say...I made a rhyme.

I shot this same pose last year and it gave me an idea.  I can shoot a picture like this every year.  I can only imagine what they will be like when they are 14 and 16.  And I can hear it now, "Mom, do we have to do this every year?"  

Playing on the sand dunes

Bailey getting her toes wet.

Keenan taking it all in.

The kids had so much fun with their cousins.  It was hard saying goodbye.

I hope you get to put your toes in some sand this summer!

You Know Your Little Guy Is Not Ready When.....

You know your little guy is not ready to potty train when......

he pulls up his shirt and points to his belly button and says "Pee Pee, Poopie like Elmo and Daddy."  I will just leave you with that laugh of the day.

Have a great day!

Ready to Roll

Today was a big day in our home.  There is something about buying my child her very first bike that made my heart feel that funny way again.  It just goes by too quick.  It seems like yesterday that she was learning her tricycle.  We could tell she was getting a little too big for it and soon little guy would be able to learn how to ride it.  We took Bailey to look at bikes about a month ago.  We just wanted to see if she was ready to ride one.  She had no idea what we were up to.  So when we got to the store, she jumped on one and there she went.  I thought I was going to burst into tears in the store.  My heart kept saying, "No she can't be ready.  What if she falls? and on and on."  Meanwhile, Daddy was cheering her on and and giving her some pointers.  He is so good with her.  So we left the store knowing that she was ready.  

However, we had another little lesson to teach.  Her bottom lip was turned down when we left.  I asked her what was wrong and she said "I really want that bike now."  Oh my....where did this come from?  She is normally one not to demand things at a store.  So we had to talk about how special some things are and not get the "gimmies" when we are at a store. It was a big lesson for me as well.  It made me realize that I get the "gimmies" at stores too.  So what kind of example am I setting for my children.  For those who know me in real life, you know how I can get excited over the smallest thing (like a $10 dollar flea market find) and I find myself making a big deal over a new toothbrush for the kids.  They are probably thinking, "mom, it's just a toothbrush."  

We came home that night and Daddy talked to her about how blessed she was to have a family who loves her and that is what is important.  And sometimes we may see things we want but can't always get them.  I listened to him talk to her and it was so sweet.  She asked questions to make sure she understood.  The next day, she talked about the bike a little but it was not in a demanding way.  She just talked about the things she liked on the bike and the fact that it was pink.  And that was the end of that.

A few weeks later, coupon in hand, I headed to get the bike.  Daddy called right before I went and said, "Hey, let me throw out an idea.  Instead of getting the pink one, what if..."  HOLD IT...did he say instead of pink!!!  Are you kidding me?  I stopped him in mid sentence.  He wanted me to get the red one so we could pass it down to Keenan.  Great idea BUT it is all about the color.  I know you are saying, "Ok, who has the gimmies now?"  So my sweet hubby agreed to the pink one.

And today, we were able to surprise our little girl with her first bike.  She had a smile from ear to ear.  Due to the rain showers, we were not able to immediately take her outside for a ride.  So she rode around the basement and sat on it to watch a tv show.

And did I mention the bell?  

After dinner and after locking myself out of the house with the kids inside the house (that I won't go into), we were able to take it for a spin.  She did great!  Keenan cheered her on and loved putting leaves in her basket. Happy Birthday Pumpkin!  We love you.  

Full of Activities

Fun Fun Fun

It has been a full week!  May is a busy month in our family.  Mother's Day and 3 birthdays keep us pretty busy.  We also have been spending lots of time on our back porch.  

Mother's Day was a typical day for me but it reminded me how special it is to be a mom.  The Big Guy had to work so me and the kids went to church and then had McDonalds for lunch.  Yes, I said McDonalds.  Just one thing to remind me again that I am a mommy.  We came home and enjoyed some relaxation when I suddenly realized that I really needed to go grocery shopping.  Another thing that reminded me that I am a mom.  Someone had to go get milk.  So after grocery shopping, I did some laundry.  So see, it was not the Mother's Day that Hallmark writes about but it was a day that reminded me that I am really a mom 24/7.  We ended the day at my in-laws for a yummy cookout and I did not have to cook!!!!!!  

So all these things that I did on Mother's Day is so worth it because of the smiles and love I receive from my kids.  And here is a sweet smile from the little guy.

Fun at the Park

So moving on to the next special time.  We spent the morning at a park with some friends.  The kids enjoyed a fun morning of playing.

Mommy Turns 40

And then Mommy turned the big 40!  It was a beautiful day outside. The kids and I enjoyed playing with friends in the backyard and then they treated us to lunch.  

I also got to celebrate on Friday night with my husband and some friends.  It was a fun evening.

Pupcakes (Keenan's word for cupcakes) with School Friends

Keenan celebrated his birthday with cupcakes at school.  Daddy got to come and be with us.  Always a special treat when Daddy is there.

It is Party Time

And then it was time to celebrate both birthdays with a party.  The kids were excited to share their party with each other.  We had a few friends over and Ms. Cotton came to sing along with us.  As a mom, I love planning the kid's party.  I think one reason why I love having their parties is because I remember how my mom always made my birthday special.  It wasn't a big bash or anything....just family and friends.  It was about being together and celebrating the day.

Happy Birthday Bailey and Keenan.  I am proud to be your mommy.  

Daddy enjoyed watching the kids sing in the backyard.

It was special to have grandparents there to help celebrate as well.  Paw Paw enjoyed singing the songs.

Proud Grandmothers....Gee and Maw Maw

Keenan liked having his sister's friends there.  He especially likes the girls.  He may be asking to come to her parties when she turns 16.  

Bailey loved all the instruments that Ms. Cotton brought with her.

Some Backyard Fun.

We enjoyed having Ms. Cotton and her pink guitar.

I think Bailey is ready to go with Paw Paw to the next Blue Grass Festival.

Strawberry Picking

Yesterday was a fun day with Bailey's preschool class.  We went strawberry picking and to a farm.  The kids picked some yummy strawberries.  

Keenan enjoyed the strawberries as we picked.

Down on the Farm

Baa Baa Baa....that is what we heard when we pulled up to the farm.  There is something about a farm that makes you relax.  I could have spent all afternoon there.  One of the teachers at Bailey's school lives on this farm.  We were able to enjoy our lunch outdoors and everything a farm has to offer.  

Love Being a Mom

Lots to Celebrate!

With Mother's Day tomorrow and my babies turning 2 and 4 in the next 2 weeks, there is lots to celebrate.  Mommy is also turning 40!!!!  

Motherhood is hard to put in words.  It is the most exhausting job that I love doing.  I think back on my life before I had my children.  I look at life different now.  I love looking at life through my kid's eyes.  They see things that I have not noticed in years.  Like being able to see the moon in the daytime.  God has definitely used them to show me things about myself that I never realized.  They have brought so much joy to my life.  

The days can be long and just when you think you are going to break, they say something so cute or run and give me a hug or tell me I look "bootiful".  And it is all worth it.

It is hard to believe that they are about to be 4 and 2.  Where did the time go?  They are at such a fun stage right now.  We have spent lots of time on the back porch and playing in the yard.  Somehow Bailey can play in the dirt and still come out clean.  On the other hand, Keenan can be outside for 5 minutes and be covered in dirt.  They truly balance each other out.  God knew what He was doing by giving them each other.

These are a couple of pictures I took the other night after dinner.  We like to eat on the porch and hang out after dinner.  As you can see Bailey is all relaxed and Keenan is full of smiles.

Happy Mother's Day!