Strawberries and Fishing

Today we took the girls to pick strawberries.  We do this a lot because they both love strawberries and these are very sweet, juicy ones.  They have so much fun picking them, of course Mark and I helped a little.  Look at these beautiful Strawberry Pickers:

Then we went fishing, the girls were very excited but basically Gracie ate all the snacks I packed and Hayden got frustrated because the fish weren't biting.  Hayden finally got one little bitty one and then she was done.  Then we came home to play outside, they are two tired little girls this evening!  We had a great day today!!!

Dr Appt 34 weeks

Today was my 34 week check up and everything was fine.  Dr. Prade says that he is not quite in position yet but he is heading in the right directions and still has time to get there.   She also said that even though I look huge and like he is about to come out, that she would really like for me to at least make it to 38 weeks.  She said that even though I am miserable, he could possibly be very comfortable and stay in there until 40 weeks.  I am also okay with him hanging in there until closer to his due date because Hayden has lots of end of the school year things and a ballet recitial coming up.  Her play at school is May 12th, and she has recitial rehearsal May 14th and then the recitial is May 21st and 22nd.  I guess we will just have to wait and see.  I am getting really excited about meeting this little boy.  Mark, Hayden and Gracie are also getting very excited about his arrival.  I had Sharon(one of my Mom's friends) come clean my house on Monday and I was able to help do a whole lot of the stuff I have been putting off for months.  It is amazing how much better you feel when every thing is clean.  I am now able to focus on boiling bottles and packing his diaper bag.  Aunt Kim and Mimi are throwing me a shower on May 7th and I can't wait to see what I get and get it all put up. 

Easter 2011

Hayden woke up before everyone else in the house Easter morning.  This is the first year that I haven't had to wake her up.  Gracie was still sleeping, she decided that she didn't want to go to bed until late Saturday night being that she took a nap at 6pm.  I didn't even hear Hayden in the living room but she came running into our room and her exact words were "Mommy, Mommy the Easter Bunny brought me exactly what I wanted"  so I asked her what is was and she said "Hanging Earrings" and she had them in her hand to show me.  She has been begging for some hoop like earrings and I kept putting her off because I wanted her to get them on some sort of special occassion.  She was so excited, I asked her if that was everything and she said that she also got a Cinderella doll and an ipod(one of the kid ones of course).  She kept telling me over and over again that "The Easter Bunny knew everything I really wanted Mommy".  It is a good thing Mommy and the Easter Bunny are good friends!  After that she woke up her Daddy so he could be part of all the excitement too. 

Hayden couldn't stand that Gracie wasn't up yet, so she kept going to try to wake her up.  Finally she just took Gracie's basket to her in bed, so Mark and I missed her first reaction, but that's okay.  Gracie wanted a Thomas the Train so she got one of those and a Tinkerbell.  She is really into Tinkerbell these days.  She also got a necklace, since she has been asking for one.  She does have earrings too but we don't change hers yet, not sure if she would be a good sport about that.   However, her favorite thing was all the candy.  Hayden asked her why she only wanted to eat the candy and I told her that she used to do the exact same thing until this year.  They also got some costume jewelry, the absolutely love to play dress up and Mommy. 

They played with all their new stuff and then we got ready to go to Grandmama's for lunch and the Easter Egg Hunt.  They both enjoyed the Easter egg hunt this year.  Hayden did really well, I would say that this is probably the first year she did most of it all by herself.  This is the first egg hunt that Gracie understood what to do, she still had to have lots of help,  but every time she would find one she would scream " I found one".  She is such a cutie!  Hayden looked like a pro compared to all the younger girls, it is so hard to believe that she is 5 now and not still the smallest egg hunter.  Layla and Katelyn were also there so there were lots of little girls.  I can't wait to see how Colton handles being the only boy next year, well maybe in two years...next year he will only be around 10 months old.  Hayden and Gracie love playing with Katelyn, especially Gracie she never gets to play with kids her age.  All I know is that there are some beautiful little girls in our family!  After all the excitement of candy and eggs...Hayden and Gracie went fishing in the Easter dresses.  I brought extra clothes but thought that it would be cute to stand on the dock fishing in their fancy dresses.  Aunt Kim, Pop and Daddy took the girls fishing.  Hayden caught one little fish but she sure did enjoy it.  Gracie didn't fish long, but doesn't understand it yet.  We had a great Easter!!!

Getting Ready for Easter

Friday was Hayden's Easter party at school and she was so excited that Daddy got to come too.  They had an Easter egg hunt and each child had a certain number they had to find, so now I understand why I had to number each egg that I sent.  Hayden was #2 and she found all of her eggs, with a little help from Mommy and Daddy.  Then they had a picnic lunch with chicken nuggets, chips and fruit.  After the party we went to Nana and Steve's house to play, then it was back home to dye eggs.  The girls had so much fun that we had to promise to do it again tonight. 

This morning Mark went hunting and when he got back we headed to Athens for the day.  We had lunch at Carrabbas, which was one of the best meals we have had in a while.  Even Mark enjoyed it and he hates Italian food!  Then we went to Academy Sports and bought Hayden a tennis skirt, Mark was determined she was going to have one!  Gracie was upset that she didn't get a tennis skirt but they really didn't have one that was her size.  After a quick trip and spending some money, we headed to the movies.  We took the girls to see HOP!  It was a really cute kid movie and it was about believing in the Easter Bunny.  It was just good timing that we went today, so Hayden made sure to get in bed and go right to sleep so that the Easter Bunny would come!  Gracie still doesn't really understand but she will be pleased in the morning too.  After a very full and fun day, we came home and dyed more eggs.  It was a very wonderful day for our family! I must admit that this pregnant Mommy is very worn out today!

Tomorrow is Easter and we are going to Grandmama's house for lunch and an egg hunt.  I know the girls are going to have lots of fun.  Then hopefully we can get home and get a little rest before we start another week of school and work.

Proud

Well as usual we have had a busy week.  I have decided that my little Hayden is going to be very athletic.  She is awesome at everything she does.  She was a great Soccer player last fall, and she is a fantastic TBall player this year.  It truly amazes me, being that she is so shy, she doesn't hesitate for one second to go after that baseball and she also hit off of the pitcher at her last game.  That is really something to be proud of and she is...of course Daddy was at work when she made her big accomplishment but she couldn't wait to tell him all about it!  Just like Mommy, he was so PROUD of her, but a little sad that he missed it!  As far as Tennis goes, she seems to be learning fast and getting better and better at each practice.    Aunt Kim surprised her yesterday and came to watch her lesson...she even stopped to tell her coach that her Aunt Kim was there,  I thought it was sweet!  Maybe we can all get together and play a little tennis one afternoon or weekend,  I don't know how long Mommy will be able to last but I think as long as everyone hits the ball right to me and I don't have to move, I should be good!  hee hee!!! 

I also have to say that I am very proud of Gracie.  She is such a good sport about sitting, watching and waiting for big sister to do all her extracurricular activities.  I think she is going to be a good athlete too.  She still has a little bit longer before she can officially sign up for anything.  She has also picked up a cold this week and hasn't really felt 100% this week. She has had a fever for the past two days and has a cough and snotty nose, she still gives it her all but Mommy can tell that she really doesn't feel great! 

As for our little precious boy, he is a very active little stinker.  He bounces all around, all day now and I have to say that I LOVE IT.  In fact, when I haven't felt him in a while, I push on him to get him going.  I am not sure how he is positioned but it still feels like he does a complete flip sometimes.  The only thing is that I am starting to get very tired again and I find myself not wanting to do anything at night, but that doesn't really work out when you have two little girls that need baths and food!  Mark is a huge help in the evenings even though he gets home late and is tired too.  He can tell how tired I am and sore.  Colton has somehow been positioned on one of my nerves for the past 3 months but as he gets bigger so does the pain when I get up and down and try to lift my leg, like getting in my car!  Anyways we only have 6 more weeks and he will be here and I can't wait to see his sweet face and hold him in my arms. 

6 Years!

Mark and I celebrated our 6 year anniversary on Saturday!  We spent it just the way we wanted too...with our precious girls.  We went to chick-fil-a and Brusters for lunch and then to Hayden's ball game at 3pm.  After Hayden played a great game, we headed to Athens to buy Jessica a baby gift and of course since we were in Toys R Us...Hayden and Gracie had to have something too.   Then we went to Outback for dinner and we even saved money...it was only $31 for all of us to eat!  Thanks to Uncle Randy, he had given me a gift certificate not to long ago so we took advantage of it!  It was also Prom for some schools on Saturday, so Hayden and Gracie were amazed at all the princesses and princes at Outback!  Then it was back home for showers and a little family fun time and bed.   It was a perfect day! 

Spring Break is Over

Wow, it has been a busy week this week.  Last week was much more fun being on Spring Break and making our trip to Disney World.  Monday, we had to make our weekly grocery visit and wash what seem to be a million loads of clothes and clean the house...sounds like loads of fun.Right?  Tuesday, Hayden had her first Tennis lesson at 3pm and then we had Ballet at 5pm, so by the time we got back home it was time for dinner and showers.  Wednesday,  we had lunch with Mimi and Kim at the pasta place, then we went to the park, got ice cream at Brusters and then back for Tennis lessons at 3pm, so once again by the time we got back home it was time for dinner and showers.  Thursday, I was computer Mom at school, which made for one very excited little girl or maybe I should say 2 excited little girls.  Gracie enjoyed computer class too!  Hayden was so proud, she got to be the line leader because her Mom was the helper.  She is even more excited that every Thursday in April Gracie and I get to help out in computer class.  After computer class, Gracie and I had to run in Wal-Mart for a birthday gift for Sarah and when we picked Hayden up at 12, we surprised her by telling her that we were going to the Soda Shop in Downtown Monroe to celebrate Sarah's 5th Birthday!  It was so cute, they had a room just for kids...little stools, little booths and they got to make their own ice cream with any kind of topping you could imagine.  Gracie enjoyed the party too!  Hayden was such a nice big sister and shared her sandwich and cheese balls with Gracie so she didn't feel left out.  I bought Gracie her own ice cream to decorate and let me just say that I don't think I could have eaten their version of good ice cream....it had chocolate sprinkles, colored sprinkles, chocolate chips, gummy bears, cherries, strawberry syrup, caramel syrup and chocolate syrup.  They loved it but it made me sick to look at it!  The only thing we didn't have this week was TBall but we do have a game on Saturday at 3 as long as it isn't raining.   Everybody keeps asking me how I do all these things but I really do love it.  The kids love it too and each and every thing Hayden is involved in she really does love and that makes it worth it.

DISNEY WORLD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I don't even know how to write about the most amazing, short vacation I have ever been on!  We left at 1pm on Thursday and got to Disney World at about 8pm, so Hayden decided that she could go swimming in the pool and we could order pizza, instead of going out to eat!  Gracie had to go swimming too.  They did have new Rapunzel and Minnie Mouse swimsuits to try out and get in the spirit.  The girls were so excited but really had no idea what to expect.  I must admit, I was totally excited too and couldn't wait to see The Magic Kingdom.  Mimi and Pop took the girls swimming while I unpacked all the surprises I had bought from the Disney Store at Discovery Mills...we were trying to save money and I think we did a pretty good job.  The first surprise was really, really fancy Cinderella nightgowns!  They didn't swim long being that the pool was freezing cold, but I guess all that matters is that they enjoyed it.  When they got back to the room, we surprised them with the new nightgowns...you should have seen their faces, they were excited. 

Here they are in those fancy princess Cinderella nightgown...Aren't they simply gorgeous!

Gracie was really excited!

Our beautiful princesses went straight to bed without a peep after this.  They got a great nights sleep before going to see Mickey, Minnie and all of the Princesses.

Friday morning we were up and ready at the park around 8:30am, we were all so excited.  We parked, got on the Ferry and arrived at The Magic Kingdom.  At this point they were amazed by the boat but had no idea what was next.  We entered the park and immediately stopped to buy autograph books.  Hayden got a Princess one and Gracie picked Tinkerbell and of course they got matching ink pens to go with them. 

The sign says it all!

Check out Gracie's smile



Here we go!  Oh and Happy Birthday Daddy!  He is  so lucky he got to spend his birthday at The Magic Kingdom!

 The nice guy that I got the books from informed me that 3 of the Princesses were in the building right next to us if we wanted to meet them and so was Mickey and Minnie Mouse.  What a great start to our first magical day!  We were so lucky, we only had to wait a few minutes and they only let one family at a time in so it was truly amazing.  When we first walked in and saw Cinderella...words cannot describe the look on Hayden and Gracie's sweet little faces.  I think this is finally when they realized what Disney World was all about.  Cinderella talked to them, hugged them, signed their books and took pictures with them....Then they got to meet Belle and once again got the same treatment and last but not least was Princess Aurora(Sleeping Beauty) and she also took her time with them. They were so amazed, if nothing else that one moment was worth the whole trip. 

Her they are with Cinderella don't worry I got a better picture of them with her later on!

Belle!  I couldn't believe how easy going Gracie was!

Sleeping Beauty...look how well they were paying attention to what she was saying!

Then we went right next door to see some of Gracie's favorite characters....Mickey and Minnie Mouse!!!!

So excited  and amazed!



Mickey even gave Gracie some kisses, oh and he also gave Colton some kisses!


Then they saw Pluto and almost got to see Daisy Duck.  After visiting with Pluto we got in line to see Daisy but she was scheduled for her break, so they didn't get her autograph. 

Gracie couldn't figure out this statue...I think she thought it was supposed to be a real man.

 

Gracie got sunscreen in her eyes right before meeting Pluto, but it is still cute

Then we walked down main street and saw this...Cinderella's Castle

Then we rode the tea cups and Hayden got to see the White Rabbit and Alice in Wonderland.  Gracie was tired and didn't get out of the stroller to see Alice!

They loved the ride!

Then we rode the Winnie the Pooh ride and they played in his house!

Then Hayden drove Mark for the first time all by herself.  I think she did pretty well...may still need a few lessons before she turns 16.

Then we found some lunch and waited for the Celebration Parade, it was so HOT but it was so worth it.  They got to see lots more characters and there were more smiles and giggles.

Then we went back to the room to get ready to eat dinner with Cinderella, Prince Charming, the Stepmother and the Fairy God Mother.  We had also bought them a perfect Cinderella gown, jewelry and tiara for the celebration.  They were so excited about their dresses and I must say I think they were much prettier than Cinderella and I think Prince Charming did too.  He gave them both a kiss!





See I told you they were much prettier than Cinderella!

Then we watched the night parade, it is like Christmas lights on all the floats and characters but I didn't get any pictures.  For some reason my camera does not like night pictures.  We also stayed for the fireworks, which were great but the girls were so tired I don't think they even really enjoyed it.  Oh well at least we can say we did it.  Finally after a long day we returned to our room at 11pm.

Even after staying so late the night before we were back at the park around 8:30 Saturday morning.  We still had a lot to do on our last day.  The girls really wanted to see Rapunzel, so Pop was nice enough to wait and hold us a place in line for almost 2 hours while we went a rode some rides.  We rode Peter Pan and A Small World, which was absolutely Gracie's favorite ride.  She was in awe the whole time.  We did a little shopping and then went back to see Rapunzel.  Rapunzel spends more time with the kids.  They colored, danced and got to get her autograph.  It was so much fun!

Then we had lunch and rode the Train around the park.  It was a nice little rest.  Then Mark, Mimi and the girls rode the Pirates of the Caribbean ride.  Mommy wasn't allowed on that one but it must have been fun because the girls had to do it twice.   Next we rode the flying carpet ride and Mark, Hayden and myself went to the Stitch show...Gracie was asleep in the stroller but she wasn't big enough anyways.   This is the one show/ride that Hayden was terrified of...she was so scared, she was crying.  After that we headed to get some dinner at a really good steakhouse and then back to our room so Mimi and Pop could take the girls swimming again.   While they were swimming I packed all of our stuff up and got things ready to go, which I really wanted to stay a couple more days! 

It was a great mini vacation before Colton gets here.  We all enjoyed it and hopefully we will get to go back again maybe next year!!!