Mommy and Hayden Day

I took Hayden to the movies, for the first time today.  We went to see the new Alvin and the Chipmunks!  We dropped Gracie off with Nana and Steve, I don't think she is quite big enough for the movies!  When we first got there Hayden was very confused.  We purchased our tickets, which by the way have gone up a good bit since the last time I went to the movies, and then we stood in line for what seemed like forever to get our popcorn and cherry coke!  It was all about the expierence though!  Then we went to find our seats, we ended up getting some of the best seats in there.  They weren't to close or to far away, and there was no heads right in our view.  She was a little bit impatient while watching all the previews, but I much admit I was too.  It seemed like there were 30 minutes worth of previews.  Once the movie actually started, her eyes got really big and she sat there and watched the whole thing.  There were only a couple of times I looked over and she wasn't paying attention, I think she was almost asleep.  It made me very sleepy too, I think that is the calmest I have been since before Christmas. Of course we drank a huge cherry coke, and she had to get up and go potty one time, but the restroom was right outside of the room we were in and we didn't miss much at all.  All in all it was truly the perfect day for us!  I don't get to spend a whole lot of time with Hayden by herself anymore, but I have a feeling there will be lots more movies in our future for the two of us, although she says we have to let Daddy go at least one time.  I think we may try to go see the Princess and the Frog, maybe Stephanie and Kierstin can come along.  Stephanie and I may have to sit in between them so they don't talk the whole time though. 


Thank you Hayden for being such a sweet girl! I loved spending the day with you!!!

Christmas 2009

Wow, what a Christmas. I don't think there is a toy out there that we don't have at our house. We have had the most fun this year with Hayden and Gracie...Hayden was very excited about every gift she recevied! Gracie wasn't really into opening presents this year, but she has enjoyed all of her toys now that they are set up in her room.

Well lets see if I can remember everything...Christmas Eve, we spent with my Mama and her family. It was the first set of presents this season. Hayden didn't even want to eat...she wanted to go straight to opening presents. I bet if I heard one time...I heard it a thousand times...Hey, Mommy I'm ready to open presents! I finally convinced her she had to eat something first, so she picked at a little bit of food and proceeded to tell every one else to hurry up so she could open her presents. Mema says she is just like me, I used to do the same thing every year. I mean as a child, who cares about food! Hayden was so excited about her gift from Nana and Steve. They gave her the fancy Snow White dress, shoes, jewelry and purse. Her face was totally priceless when she saw it in the box!!! Gracie got a baby doll and bottle from Nana and Steve and while every one else was opening their presents she sat on Mema's foot stool and pretended to feed her baby! It was a great Christmas. After we got done at Mema's house we came home to prepare for Santa Claus!

We had a lot to do to get ready for Santa. We put all of new stuff up that we got from Mema's and then the girls took a long bath and put on their Christmas pajamas! After the girls got out ready for bed, we opened presents just the four of us. Mark gave me a really nice wine cooler and stuff for a nice hot bubble bath(to use all by myself). I gave him a remote control car and helicopter. I think he was happy...I didn't know what to buy for him this year. The girls got matching newborn baby dolls, Hayden's has blue eyes and Gracie's has brown...I am pretty sure Gracie's eyes are turning brown like her Daddy's. Then we made Santa a buttermilk pie and put it on a special Santa plate and poured him a big glass of milk. After that we hung our Santa key outside, because it was very cold and raining so we had to have a fire! Last, but not least we read Twas the night before Christmas and Hayden liked it so much I had to read it three times. Gracie went to bed and we told Hayden it was time to go get in bed and well she refused and ended up crying and getting very upset! She kept telling us "I'm not tired!" I told her to come back in the living room and she sat in my lap for a little while and then decided to go watch TV in bed. Anyway, at about 11:30pm she finally fell asleep. Unfortunately by that time Santa was ready for bed too, but he got his spirit back and had so much fun setting up all those exciting toys. Santa just smiled the whole time thinking of those precious faces the next morning!

Christmas morning came very fast being that Santa didn't leave until about 2am. We had the clock set for 6:30am so that the girls would have plenty of time to play with their new toys before we left to go to Grandmama's house. You should have seen those little smiling faces Christmas morning when they realized what was under the tree. Hayden even told us "Wow Santa left me lots of presents". They didn't know what to play with first. Hayden loved her scooter and skates...those were the things she continously asked for. Gracie was so excited about her pink car...It has a remote control for Mark and I to control so that she can ride around while Hayden drives her Gator. They had so much fun going from toy to toy saying look Mommy and Daddy. Don't worry we got it all on video and I tried to take lots of pictures, but well I was so excited I forgot about pictures! Oh and Hayden was so excited to see that Santa ate the whole piece of buttermilk pie and drank all of his milk!

Mark cooks breakfast for every one on Christmas morning...It has been a tradition for many years! Mark and Pop did an excellent job on the omelets, they were the best this year, or at least mine was(Hayden ate about half of it). Grandmama opened her presents and of course Hayden helped her. Hayden was having lots of fun, until she realized that all of her presents from Mimi and Pop were still at Mimi and Pop's house, so then it started. I think it went like this...Mimi I am ready to go to your house...Pop I'm ready to go to your house...Mommy I'm ready to go to Mimi and Pop's...Daddy I'm ready to go to Mimi and Pop's. I guess you get the picture, this continued for a good hour or so. Once Mark and Pop finished eating their breakfast, the cooks always eat last, we told her it was time to go. She gave very fast hugs to Grandmama and Linda and was at the car door ready to go! She could hardly wait, and she knew she had 11 presents to open at Mimi and Pop's. I don't think I have ever seen so many presents for two little girls in my life. Kim and Artie had bought as much or maybe even more than Mimi and Pop. Hayden had so much fun and got lots of special gifts. Mimi and Pop gave her all the stuff to completly decorate her room in Princess stuff(bedspread, sheets, curtains, and even a trash can). The also gave her the Princess castle and dolls, which we still haven't even opened yet, but we are getting to it! Kim and Artie gave her lots of great gifts including a new Snow White tent and Pink Cowboy Boots! I really don't remember everything there was so much! Gracie got lots of great toys too! Mimi and Pop gave her a giraffe that you pedal and it sings, which I know she is going to love. Kim and Artie gave her lots of bath toys and the silly town, which is where the blocks move up and down and sing. She really likes it too, even though it is still in the box. Mark and I lucked up this year too! Mimi and Pop gave me a new camera that will do everything I need it to do, I am so excited...I should be able to put some videos on the blog now! Mark got the GUN that he has been wanted for awhile! He was very surprised and excited! I love all my new clothes I got from Kim and Artie and well I don't even know what they gave Mark(Sorry). Oh I almost forgot Mimi and Pop gave Mark and I a picture of us from our wedding! We never bought any and in April we it will be our 5 year anniversary! It is in a gorgeous frame and hanging in my kitchen for every one to see(I LOVE IT)!

I think Mimi was very surprised by the gift that we gave her, it is been a well kept secret this year. I had two canvas paintings done from the beach pictures. There wasn't a good picture of the girls together, so I did one of each! In fact when they came from Shutterfly...I told Mark I might need to keep those for myself(just kidding)! I couldn't believe Hayden didn't tell because she was very excited about them too!

We had such a wonderful Christmas. Thank you to every one for all the gifts! This family is truly blessed and we love every one so much!!!

Randy and Gracie:

Santa's buttermilk pie and milk...her Daddy taught her how to make faces while taking pictures:

What a beautiful family:

Santa's key:

Hayden - Christmas Eve:

Santa left lots of presents, and there were more on the couch:

She loves her scooter:

Gracie's car:

Hayden likes the car too:

Going for a ride in Kim's present:

He got his GUN:

Hayden and Kim:

Gracie and Artie:

Hayden was so exited about her castle, Mimi got a big hug and kiss:

New hats from Kim and Artie...Cool Babies:

Gracie - Christmas Eve:

Hayden singing our favorite song that she has learned at school. It is so sweet!

Cooking at Grandmama's House

I took the girls to visit Grandmama today. Hayden was supposed to help make all the goodies with Mimi, Grandmama, Aunt Vickie and Aunt Linda but instead she made her own little cookies with Aunt Linda and they were excellent. She even put lots of sprinkles on them and they were snowflakes, snowman, and star shaped. Mimi had even bought her the perfect little Christmas apron to wear, as usual she adorable. Gracie thought that they were one of the best things she has ever eaten and Hayden brought plenty of them home for her Daddy! Aunt Vickie and Mimi cooked all the other goodies with some assistance from Grandmama. Hayden was more excited about going back and forth to Aunt Linda's house. The first time they went were to get the cookie cutters, the second time they went was to get Hopper(Linda's rabbit) so that Gracie could see him, and the third and last time was to see Linda's fish...Apparently Linda's house was very exciting and every time they came back Hayden had another surprise. She ended up with play doh, pencils and a Christmas coloring book.

Gracie had lots of fun playing in the rocking chairs and she even colored for the first time today. It was very cute, she was concentrating very hard to make a pretty picture. Gracie seemed to like Hopper pretty well, although she wanted to hold him instead of pet him and when she was done she wanted to just push poor little Hopper in the floor...Thank goodness Linda and Hayden were there to protect him. Gracie spent the majority time walking around trying to figure out what every one was doing.

When we all got ready to leave Grandmama's house, Hayden wanted to go play with Tiger(Mimi's new kitty). Gracie fell asleep on the way to Mimi's house, so Hayden only got to play with Tiger few minutes. I finally convinced her it was time to go home, but I think she is planning to spend the night with Mimi and Pop tomorrow night, so she will have plenty of time with Tiger!

We had a good time today, I wasn't much help in the kitchen...I'm not very good at cooking the goodies! I only make buttermilk and coconut pies! I stick to the things I know I am good at!!!

I can't wait until Christmas! Santa is coming SOON! I can only imagine Hayden's face Christmas morning, I am sure it is going to be priceless!

Hayden and Grandmama:

Hayden's cute apron:

What a beautiful smile:

Gracie found some toys:

Aunt Linda and Hayden making special cookies:

Gracie being silly:

She looks like a professional:

Look at that concentration:

Rock, Rock:

Gracie and Hopper:

Hayden and Hopper:

Christmas at Aunt Beth's

Today we spent the afternoon with my Daddy and his family celebrating Christmas. It was really nice to see every one...Being that we all stay so busy, this is the only time we see each other. It was nice to my Daddy, he looked better today than the last time I saw him. It still isn't easy watching him confined to a wheelchair, but he is always in good spirits and happy. I had Mark take some pictures of me and the girls with my Daddy, being that we don't have any of all of us together. My Aunt Beth and Aunt Pam made some delicious food for every one. My Aunt Pam makes the best sweet potato souffle ever, Mark loved it and said it is definitely the best one he has ever had. He even made me bring some home for him to eat later. Beth made butter beans, they were yummy and believe it or not Mark thought they were really good too...He doesn't like any kind of beans except green beans. I guess he has learned to try new things! We don't usually do presents for every one, but Beth and Derrick always buy something for the kids and Pam does too, even though we tell her every year not to! Beth told me that the UPS man waved Derrick down while he was in Monroe to give him the present they ordered for Gracie...It was driving him crazy and now we know why...The whole way back home this afternoon, that toy didn't stop talking. It is a bowling set, the ball is a cow and the pins are milk bottles, it is really cute and the girls LOVE IT! It has been a big hit since we got home. Hayden got a baby doll and a princess book, which she was very excited about. She loves anything that is Princess! Pam and Mike gave Hayden got a newborn little puppy that talks when you pet it and Gracie got the ELMO phone. Of course since we have been home Hayden absolutely loves the ELMO phone. It is so funny how much Hayden still likes baby toys! It was good to see every one and spend some time together. Today was the start of lots of presents and Hayden and Gracie are very excited!!! I can't wait until Santa comes, in fact if it were up to me Santa would come TONIGHT!!!

Me, Daddy and the girls:

What a cutie, in her pretty dress:

She loves her new baby doll:

Happy Birthday Jesus Party

Today was Hayden's Happy Birthday Jesus Party at school. Gracie and I got to the party a little early and helped everyone set up. Gracie and Mark Brantley played a little...Well Mark Brantley sat in his stroller and Gracie pulled on his feet and hands. This is the first time Gracie hasn't had to sit in the stroller! She had a lot of fun walking around and visiting with every one. Hayden was excited, as usual to see Gracie and myself! She ran right to me and gave me one of those BIG special hugs! For the party they got to have pizza and cupcakes...Every kids dream! Hayden decided she wanted a piece of cheese pizza and she ate about half of it, but it was a big piece. The other half, Gracie enjoyed very much! The cupcakes were decorated with green icing, which turned all their little mouths and teeth GREEN! After they all got done eating the cupcakes took effect and they all started running around and going crazy. Oh, and Gracie beat up her first little boy today. I am not sure what happened but I looked over and she was knocking him over on the floor and ended up laying on top of him. Hayden, Kierstin and Addie were just standing there watching the excitement...I guess they knew they would get in trouble and end up on the yellow light. Gracie has a lot to learn! I apologized to the little boys mother, but she just laughed and said he probably deserved it!

The dress she picked to wear today:

Mark Brantley at the party:

Hayden and Kierstin waiting to eat lunch:

Yummy, Pizza:

Green teeth from the cupcake:

Gracie beating up a little boy:

Hayden always makes me a proud Mommy, but today was one of the proudest moments ever. Mrs. Christie told me that Hayden is the most loving, caring, patient and wonderful little girls ever...And yes she did use those words! Mrs. Christie says that Hayden never gets upset or acts out. Of course, I knew this already, but when she told me all those wonderful things about my precious girl I thought I was going to cry(proud cry). I guess this means that Mark and I are doing a great job with our children! Mrs. Sue also shared with me that Hayden is a very sweet little girl and that she loves the fact that we have a dog named Ms. Sue, I can only imagine what she has told them. Mrs. Sue did know that our dog is a hunting dog and stays in a cage(ha ha)!

After the kids got done with their lunch, they made a reindeer ornament...Or should I say all the parents made a very cute reindeer ornament! Hayden did help stuff the reindeer and glued the eyes, nose and mouth on it...I just did the harder parts for her. It is cute, except our poor little reindeer has already lost an eye, but I hung it on the tree anyway! Mrs. Christie had all the kids line up after they all finished their ornament. Kierstin was the line leader today, and she did an excellent job leading them all back to their classroom. Mrs. Christie had them all sit on the rug for rug time. They had been working on two songs to sing for all of us parents. It was so cute. They first song they passed around a candle, star and Shepard's hook...When Mrs. Christie would ask "Who has the Candle?" whoever had it would say "I have the Candle" it was sweet and Hayden actually did a very good job and didn't get shy and scared (yay)! The next song was about baby Jesus and they all sang together...You are not going to believe this but Hayden was the loudest singer...Yes, my little Hayden was the loudest. She was so proud of herself, even Stephanie told me how proud she was of Hayden for not being shy today. I guess school is starting to pay off in that area! Gracie however tried to get in on the singing and kept walking through their circle for rug time. Mrs. Christie kept telling me she was fine, but I wanted all the other parents to be able to watch their little one instead of my little entertainer in the center of the circle.

Mimi, I am so sorry you were not able to make it today, it was so much fun and you would have been very proud!

Reindeer ornament, we forgot to fix the ears before the picture:

Rug time:

Showing off what they have learned:

There goes Gracie to be the center of attention:

Hayden singing the loudest:

Family Traditions

Good news...Hayden and Gracie both got a letter from Santa saying that they were on the nice list. Hayden was so excited...We received her letter priority mail on Saturday morning. However, she spent the night with Mimi and Pop Friday night, so we took the letter with us when we went to decorate Mimi and Pop's Christmas tree. Hayden was a little distracted when we got to Mimi and Pop's house. Pop had bought Mimi an early Christmas present yesterday...She got a little kitten, named Tiger. Hayden was very excited about Tiger, I must say it is a very easy going kitten...Tiger let Hayden carry him everywhere all night. Mark even asked Hayden one time if Tiger knew how to walk. She looked at him like he was crazy and she said "yes, Daddy"! After her excitement about showing us the new addition to the family...I pulled out the letter from Santa for her to open. Although she had a hard time pulling herself away from Tiger, she came over and let me read her the letter. Mark video taped the whole thing, but once again I still don't have the right cord to put it on the computer. He said that while I was reading the letter to her, she would turn around with BIG eyes and OPEN mouth, like she couldn't believe that Santa had sent her a personal letter. She also got with her letter a candy cane ornament that Santa wrote her name on, a one dollar bill with Santa's picture in the middle and a sticker that says she is on the nice list. It was so sweet! I can't wait to see her face Christmas morning. Gracie also got a letter from Santa, but of course she doesn't really understand what is going on, but she will next year! After all the excitement of the letters Mimi and Pop gave the girls another special gift...A Santa Key, it is silver and we have to put it out on our door knob on Christmas Eve night, so that Santa doesn't have to come down our chimney and get burned in our FIRE! Hayden and I decided we will leave our Buttermilk Pie and Milk on the fireplace...Yes, that is correct Santa LOVES Buttermilk Pie! She also says that we have to leave carrots for the reindeer, apparently Rudolph left her a message too! I am having so much fun this year!!!!

Hayden, Gracie and Tiger:

Mimi and Pop have started a new family tradition this year...That all of us get together to decorate their tree! Mark and Pop put the tree in the stand and stood it up. Mark put the lights around the very top and then Kim and myself finished the rest of the lights. Kim decorated the top of the tree, being that I am all of the sudden a little scared of heights(go figure)! I decorated around the bottom, well that is when Poot(Gracie) wasn't crying at my feet(she was getting very tired and hungry). Gracie had so much fun showing off...She made laps around Mimi and Pop's house all night. She threw a couple of ornaments at the tree and Hayden put all of her ornaments in one spot. So if you go to Mimi and Pop's I bet you will see where Hayden decorated! Although, we almost had a catastrophe, I suddenly realized that the tree was getting closer to me...So I started yelling Whoa and Kim grabbed the tree. Mark then says "I think I forgot to tie off the top of the tree after I put the lights on." He ran upstairs and tied it up and then Kim and I had to fix some lights and ornaments. We all had a good time and the tree turned out beautiful! Mimi made her famous Ham Pie for dinner and Hayden was a huge help when it was time to put all the eggs in it! It was DELICIOUS!!! It has been a while since we have had it. In fact I ate the leftovers for breakfast this morning(YUMMY)!

Pop, Hayden, Tough and Tiger: Making Ham Pie:

Candy Cane Ornament from Santa:

Princess ornament, which completes our tree for little Princess Hayden:

New Outfits

Esta(one of Mimi's good friends) sent Mimi some outfits for Hayden and Gracie and I thought today was a great day to show them off. They looked so cute in them! Hayden said every one at school liked her dress except for the little boys, apparently they told her she looked awful. She is learning that boys can be very aggravating and unfortunately it gets worse the older they get. Oh well, she told them it was very pretty and all the little girls agreed with her.

Gracie and I went by to see Mimi this morning after we dropped Hayden off at school. I had to print something off Mimi's computer. Gracie was able to show off her new outfit and the fact that she is officially WALKING...She hasn't knee walked or crawled all day today. It has been so sweet hearing the pitter patter of litttle feet on my hardwood floors. I love it, I am so excited that she is finally walking good! Anyways, it just so happened that Santa was at GWA today, so we took Gracie up to see what he looked like. He definitely wasn't as good as the one we went to see last week but we put her up there for a picture anyway. She ended up pulling a whole handful of his beard out, and yes the beard was REAL. I don't think Santa enjoyed it very much, but he smiled and took a picture with her anyway. It was funny because she isn't shy at all...She wanted down as soon as we walked in the library so she could check out all the other kids.

Hayden and I couldn't help but laugh at Gracie while we were taking the pictures this afternoon. Every time I would put her in front of the tree...She would be gone before I could move back to take the picture. When she figured out that we were laughing at her she got even more entertaining. It was almost like she running away from the camera and just laughing as hard as she could. In other words the pictures are more like action shots all over the house, but they are cute:

Oh, how sweet:

Looking sweet and innocent:

Hayden caught up with her in the kitchen and I tried to get a quick picture:

She thinks this is so FUNNY:

Making another lap around the fireplace, look at that confidence: