Thanks Aunt Kim, we had so much fun. They talked about it all the way home and couldn't wait to tell their Daddy all about it.
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
Magic Show
Last night Aunt Kim made reservations at the Country Club so that the kids could see a Magician. Mimi was there too. Pop, Mark and Artie couldn't make it but we had fun for them. The girls were so excited. They got to wear their costumes. They got to see a lot of their friends from school. They also had a yummy dinner before the show. Colton wasn't to sure about any of it at first but then he really came out of his shell and had a great time. Hayden and Gracie really enjoyed the show. Gracie was more shy, but this year Hayden got to be a volunteer. She was the best one ever. Bet you already knew that. Right? She wasn't shy at all, she did fantastic. I was so very proud of her. The Magician was great, he was really funny to all the kids and he even managed to keep Colton's attention, which a major accomplishment. They all got a balloon animal or hat or whatever they wanted. Hayden was such a big sister, she got Colton a balloon hat first and then got at the end of the line to get her balloon monkey. Gracie let lots of people in front of her by being too shy but she ended up with a kitty. Colton's balloon hat lasted all of about 5 minutes, then it became a sword and then...well, then it popped and no more balloon anything. He used his sword for a few sword fights with the other kids and managed to hold his own. He is definitely all BOY!
Thanks Aunt Kim, we had so much fun. They talked about it all the way home and couldn't wait to tell their Daddy all about it.
Thanks Aunt Kim, we had so much fun. They talked about it all the way home and couldn't wait to tell their Daddy all about it.
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
I love my Pop and Mema
I don't usually write posts like this one on my blog because it supposed to be all about my babies, but I really wanted to put this into words for myself and my babies one day.
My Pop is very sick. He has some kind of super nuclear fancy name disease that is part of the Parkinson's family. He was diagnosed with it about 3 years ago and it just gets worse each month. Hospice now comes in the mornings to do vitals and check on his bed sores. They have been so nice and very helpful. He has always been such a big part of my life. He has always been like a father to me. I lived with my grandparents for about 7 years, well until Mark and I got married, so we have a very special bond in a lot of ways. We also had a few fights and disagreements along the way too. He is retired from the Atlanta Police Dept., where he was a police officer and detective for a long time. He always worked so hard to provide for all of his family. His partner still comes to see him at least once a month. Pop can't talk anymore, he tries but you really can't understand anything he is saying.
When I go to see Pop with the kids, he smiles a lot. He doesn't try to talk much but he will laugh at them if they are being silly. Colton usually does a pretty good job entertaining. All three of my babies always kiss him on the cheek and tell him that they love him when we leave. I love that, it always makes me cry too. Pop has always been a bigger man and very tall. Now he is just skin and bones because he can't really eat. He chokes on almost every thing that Mema feeds him. The one thing he does get is the Ensure, and he does pretty good with that. I admire my Mema for all that she does for him, I know that she loves him with all her heart and that this has got to be so hard on her too for so many reasons. They have been married for 60+ yrs., that is a long time. Pop does a lot of sleeping too, which is hard to watch because he has always been such an active person. He had the routine all of my life. In fact, Mema and I always made fun of him because he never changed anything and he was so slow at every thing. It would take him forever to take a shower and shave. We used to sit in the living room and just laugh, we would be dressed and ready and already gone to the store before he would even come out of the bathroom. He also always slept late, I guess after all those years of working hard he earned that right. He would then fix a ham and lettuce sandwich and cheese crackers, go sit in the den and read the paper for what seemed like forever. I guess the most important thing is that he enjoyed it. After that he would go out in the yard and do whatever needed to be done. He would also go to my Mom's house and take care of her yard. He liked to be outside doing whatever he could. Lets just say Mema and Pop always had a well kept yard. It is funny how all of these things come back to me when I think about him.
He always kept Randy and I in the Summer. He would take us swimming every day and the one thing I could never understand was why he wore long sleeve shirts, pants and a hat. I remember thinking he has got to be burning up, but he would always tell me that he made him cooler. I don't know about that one but it worked for him. He also picked us up from school. He always had me a salad ready to eat and Randy got sandwiches. It was always the little things that we loved the most. He would make us do our homework first then we could play.
I got in lots of trouble for speeding and still do, but he would always surprise me outside and give me a pretty good lecture about it. He was also one of the slowest drivers ever, we used to laugh if there was a line of traffic he was usually the leader through town.
There are so many things that make him such a role model and special person to me. I could go on and on forever. I just love him so much and hate to see him going through all of this but at least he all of us to be there with him.
Today we went to visit Pop and Mema and even though he doesn't look like my Pop is supposed to, I took some pictures of him with the kids. I also made Mema take a few herself. She had to put on her lipstick first. She has always been a huge lipstick person.
I love my grandparents so much, they have always been there for me.
My Pop is very sick. He has some kind of super nuclear fancy name disease that is part of the Parkinson's family. He was diagnosed with it about 3 years ago and it just gets worse each month. Hospice now comes in the mornings to do vitals and check on his bed sores. They have been so nice and very helpful. He has always been such a big part of my life. He has always been like a father to me. I lived with my grandparents for about 7 years, well until Mark and I got married, so we have a very special bond in a lot of ways. We also had a few fights and disagreements along the way too. He is retired from the Atlanta Police Dept., where he was a police officer and detective for a long time. He always worked so hard to provide for all of his family. His partner still comes to see him at least once a month. Pop can't talk anymore, he tries but you really can't understand anything he is saying.
When I go to see Pop with the kids, he smiles a lot. He doesn't try to talk much but he will laugh at them if they are being silly. Colton usually does a pretty good job entertaining. All three of my babies always kiss him on the cheek and tell him that they love him when we leave. I love that, it always makes me cry too. Pop has always been a bigger man and very tall. Now he is just skin and bones because he can't really eat. He chokes on almost every thing that Mema feeds him. The one thing he does get is the Ensure, and he does pretty good with that. I admire my Mema for all that she does for him, I know that she loves him with all her heart and that this has got to be so hard on her too for so many reasons. They have been married for 60+ yrs., that is a long time. Pop does a lot of sleeping too, which is hard to watch because he has always been such an active person. He had the routine all of my life. In fact, Mema and I always made fun of him because he never changed anything and he was so slow at every thing. It would take him forever to take a shower and shave. We used to sit in the living room and just laugh, we would be dressed and ready and already gone to the store before he would even come out of the bathroom. He also always slept late, I guess after all those years of working hard he earned that right. He would then fix a ham and lettuce sandwich and cheese crackers, go sit in the den and read the paper for what seemed like forever. I guess the most important thing is that he enjoyed it. After that he would go out in the yard and do whatever needed to be done. He would also go to my Mom's house and take care of her yard. He liked to be outside doing whatever he could. Lets just say Mema and Pop always had a well kept yard. It is funny how all of these things come back to me when I think about him.
He always kept Randy and I in the Summer. He would take us swimming every day and the one thing I could never understand was why he wore long sleeve shirts, pants and a hat. I remember thinking he has got to be burning up, but he would always tell me that he made him cooler. I don't know about that one but it worked for him. He also picked us up from school. He always had me a salad ready to eat and Randy got sandwiches. It was always the little things that we loved the most. He would make us do our homework first then we could play.
I got in lots of trouble for speeding and still do, but he would always surprise me outside and give me a pretty good lecture about it. He was also one of the slowest drivers ever, we used to laugh if there was a line of traffic he was usually the leader through town.
There are so many things that make him such a role model and special person to me. I could go on and on forever. I just love him so much and hate to see him going through all of this but at least he all of us to be there with him.
Today we went to visit Pop and Mema and even though he doesn't look like my Pop is supposed to, I took some pictures of him with the kids. I also made Mema take a few herself. She had to put on her lipstick first. She has always been a huge lipstick person.
I love my grandparents so much, they have always been there for me.
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
Conferences and Report Cards
There are two posts today. I bet you are surprised. Right? I have been slacking a little! We have had lots of accomplishments in the last couple of days!
I had Gracie's conference last week for K4. They don't do a regular report card the first 9 weeks. I can't believe they have been in school for 9 weeks already! Mrs. Sherre said that Gracie is an angel and doing great. She is above average on fine motor skills...writing, coloring, drawing, painting and cutting. Let me just say that Gracie is the best cutter in the world. She loves to cut up all sorts of paper into little bitty pieces and tape them everywhere. She is below age level on math but Mrs. Sherre said that in the last week, she was already doing much better. She was mixing up the 2s and 5s. Mommy bought her some flash cards to work with also, and so far she has gotten them all right. So I am not to worried. She is age appropriate in reading skills, in fact Mrs. Sherre said that she couldn't believe that Gracie can listen to a story in accelerated reader and get 3 out of the 5 questions correct. She said that was great! I told her that Gracie loves to read or pretend to read books. Last she is age appropriate in all gross motor skills. Gracie always follows directions. Gracie is also a great friend to all her classmates. Mrs. Sherre said that she is truly an angel to have and that she just loves her to pieces. Gracie always has a smile on her face. The only thing Mrs. Sherre said she would like to see Gracie be more assertive and confident by the end of the school year. I laughed and told her that I would video Gracie with Colton and Hayden to show that she can be pretty assertive when she needs to be. Mrs. Sherre said that was great and that she couldn't believe that Gracie would say anything mean to anyone. I would like to see Gracie more confident by the end of the year also. She sits back and watches other people so that she knows exactly what to do. In other words she doesn't want to be the first one or the center of attention. Which she totally gets honest because I was and still is the same way! I am so very proud of my little pootie. She is loving school and so excited about all parts of it. I love that she smiles and can't wait to tell me all about it when I pick her up.
Gracie,
I am so very proud of you. You are becoming such a big girl. I miss you being my baby but I am so proud of all of your many accomplishments. Keep on smiling baby girl because that smile will take you many places. Reach high and aim for those stars baby girl. We love you to the moon and back and infinity.
Love,
Mommy and Daddy
________________________________________________________________________________
Hayden got her first report card for 2nd grade today. I am one proud Mommy! She is doing so well in 2nd grade. Mrs. Howard said that Hayden is a sweet, well mannered young lady. I love hearing that, it makes me know that Mark and I are doing a good job with our baby. She also said that Hayden is a good friend. It just melts my heart, I love her so much. She is a little peace maker and always wants to be friends with every one. She is doing great in all subjects. I know it is really no surprise, we all know that our kids are geniuses. Hayden truly loves school and Mrs. Howard. She has gotten off to a great start. She loves all classes and she even likes doing homework. She loves to read and do math facts at night even when she doesn't have too. She loves to play all the math games on my laptop and practice her keyboarding skills for Mrs. Britt's class. She is the perfect student. She reminds me of myself, I always loved school and enjoyed it.
Hayden,
I am very proud of you. I see you working so hard every day to learn as much as possible. I see you get so frustrated with yourself when you don't truly understand something, especially learning how to count money. I also see you as the most determined little girl to always figure it out no matter how long it takes. I love that you always want to be the best at everything, you keep reaching high and aim for those stars sweet girl. We love you to the moon and back and infinity!
Love,
Mommy and Daddy
I had Gracie's conference last week for K4. They don't do a regular report card the first 9 weeks. I can't believe they have been in school for 9 weeks already! Mrs. Sherre said that Gracie is an angel and doing great. She is above average on fine motor skills...writing, coloring, drawing, painting and cutting. Let me just say that Gracie is the best cutter in the world. She loves to cut up all sorts of paper into little bitty pieces and tape them everywhere. She is below age level on math but Mrs. Sherre said that in the last week, she was already doing much better. She was mixing up the 2s and 5s. Mommy bought her some flash cards to work with also, and so far she has gotten them all right. So I am not to worried. She is age appropriate in reading skills, in fact Mrs. Sherre said that she couldn't believe that Gracie can listen to a story in accelerated reader and get 3 out of the 5 questions correct. She said that was great! I told her that Gracie loves to read or pretend to read books. Last she is age appropriate in all gross motor skills. Gracie always follows directions. Gracie is also a great friend to all her classmates. Mrs. Sherre said that she is truly an angel to have and that she just loves her to pieces. Gracie always has a smile on her face. The only thing Mrs. Sherre said she would like to see Gracie be more assertive and confident by the end of the school year. I laughed and told her that I would video Gracie with Colton and Hayden to show that she can be pretty assertive when she needs to be. Mrs. Sherre said that was great and that she couldn't believe that Gracie would say anything mean to anyone. I would like to see Gracie more confident by the end of the year also. She sits back and watches other people so that she knows exactly what to do. In other words she doesn't want to be the first one or the center of attention. Which she totally gets honest because I was and still is the same way! I am so very proud of my little pootie. She is loving school and so excited about all parts of it. I love that she smiles and can't wait to tell me all about it when I pick her up.
Gracie,
I am so very proud of you. You are becoming such a big girl. I miss you being my baby but I am so proud of all of your many accomplishments. Keep on smiling baby girl because that smile will take you many places. Reach high and aim for those stars baby girl. We love you to the moon and back and infinity.
Love,
Mommy and Daddy
________________________________________________________________________________
Hayden got her first report card for 2nd grade today. I am one proud Mommy! She is doing so well in 2nd grade. Mrs. Howard said that Hayden is a sweet, well mannered young lady. I love hearing that, it makes me know that Mark and I are doing a good job with our baby. She also said that Hayden is a good friend. It just melts my heart, I love her so much. She is a little peace maker and always wants to be friends with every one. She is doing great in all subjects. I know it is really no surprise, we all know that our kids are geniuses. Hayden truly loves school and Mrs. Howard. She has gotten off to a great start. She loves all classes and she even likes doing homework. She loves to read and do math facts at night even when she doesn't have too. She loves to play all the math games on my laptop and practice her keyboarding skills for Mrs. Britt's class. She is the perfect student. She reminds me of myself, I always loved school and enjoyed it.
Hayden,
I am very proud of you. I see you working so hard every day to learn as much as possible. I see you get so frustrated with yourself when you don't truly understand something, especially learning how to count money. I also see you as the most determined little girl to always figure it out no matter how long it takes. I love that you always want to be the best at everything, you keep reaching high and aim for those stars sweet girl. We love you to the moon and back and infinity!
Love,
Mommy and Daddy
Moving Up in Gymnastics
Hayden and Gracie received their certificates at Gymnastics yesterday. They were both promoted to the next class Hayden is super excited because she is going to be doing real gymnastics now. She has been learning the basics and doing lots of cartwheels. Now she will be doing more on the balance beam and stuff. Gracie is still in the little classes but she did move up to the 2nd level of her age. She is excited too. They will both have classes on Mondays at 5pm. The one thing I love about this place is that they can go at the same time on the same day. That means a lot to a Mommy of a very active little boy. As always I am so proud of my angels. They always do their very best and work hard at every thing they do!
I love you to the moon and back and infinity baby girls! You always reach high and aim for those stars sweet girls!
I love you to the moon and back and infinity baby girls! You always reach high and aim for those stars sweet girls!
Sunday, October 20, 2013
Fun Run and Parties
Yesterday morning I did the Fun Run at GWA with the girls. Well, Hayden ran with her friends because I knew Gracie wouldn't be as fast. With that being said she did extremely well, she held my hand the whole time and she kept up. She only stopped one time and walked about 10 steps and started running again. I was so proud of her, she was such a big girl. Hayden finished 96th and we finished 140 and 141. Mimi and Colton were waiting on us at the end. The best part was when we were almost to the finish line Aunt Vickie, Mrs. Sherre and Mrs. Kim were watching and they were screaming Go Gracie and cheering her on, she was all smiles. It was so much fun and something she can always say she did with Mommy. Hayden was to worried about her friends to hang with Mommy. She is getting way to grown up! Then we stayed for the fall festival for a little while. Hayden did the Haunted House, which I was concerned about but she liked it. She doesn't get that from me because I can't stand them or to be scared. They got their faces painted, played games and Gracie won a cake on the cake walk game. They all had a great morning even though it was rainy and nasty.
Last night we went to friend's house for a Halloween party. All the kids wore their costumes. Hayden is a Monster high girl, Gracie is a kitty cat and Colton was Superman. They were adorable! They had so much fun playing with friends from school, decorating pumpkin, wrapping toilet paper around each other to be mummies and the hayride. The hayride was a little scary for some of them, it was dark and they were a little unsure...but we finally convinced them that it was all pretend. They all had so much fun and they were worn out when we got home. All three of our babies were asleep within 5 minutes of being here.
Last night we went to friend's house for a Halloween party. All the kids wore their costumes. Hayden is a Monster high girl, Gracie is a kitty cat and Colton was Superman. They were adorable! They had so much fun playing with friends from school, decorating pumpkin, wrapping toilet paper around each other to be mummies and the hayride. The hayride was a little scary for some of them, it was dark and they were a little unsure...but we finally convinced them that it was all pretend. They all had so much fun and they were worn out when we got home. All three of our babies were asleep within 5 minutes of being here.
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
Aww, what at View!
Mark and I surprised the kids by planning a wonderful little getaway weekend in Helen, Ga. We found the perfect place to stay...all the places kept telling me how wonderful the cabins were, but I told them we already live in a cabin and that we wanted to be in a house with a awesome view of the mountains. Boy did we find the perfect spot. It is on Trey Mountain...we had to travel up a gravel road for about 3 miles to get to it. The view was the most amazing thing I have ever seen.
The girls and I watched the sunrise every morning. I was able to get some great pictures but it still doesn't describe just how beautiful it really was. Hayden and Gracie loved getting up in the dark, as Gracie says and watching it all take place. The sunset was beautiful too, we watched it while roasting marshmallows for smores. We also ate dinner at the picnic table outside every night, which was one of the funniest things to the girls. Colton had the most fun just running around in the yard and being silly as possible. Oh, and the hot tub, they all three loved it. Hayden and Gracie were so excited when we let them get in it with us on Saturday night after Colton went to bed. It is so funny the things that make them so excited. They told us over and over again that they were having the best day ever.
We went into town every morning early, since we were up watching the sunrise, we decided to get an early start. We went to the candy store every day and got chocolate covered strawberries and boy they were the best ones I have ever eaten. We also got lots of fudge, caramel apples, suckers and divinity. Yeah, we were all sugared up! We tried some of the yummy places to eat lunch too. Everything was really good, especially the ribs we got at one of the BBQ places. We also got to let the kids eat their very first funnel cake, and Hayden was very impressed. Gracie liked it but she was too worried about some sucker she had just got at the candy store. We rode a horse and carriage around town and they got to feed the horse carrots at the end of it. They were all three too scared to get to close to it, so Daddy did it for them. We played putt putt, Hayden was pretty good, Gracie kept holding her golf club the wrong way and well Colton was just Colton. He was all over the place, throwing the balls and club around. And because of all of this, we only got to play 9 holes but they still had fun. We were going to hike up to Anna Ruby Falls but they were closed because of the government shut down so instead we surprised them by taking them to Babyland General.
The girls weren't familiar with Babyland General but when they saw that it was Cabbage Patch dolls they got excited. That place has really changed since the last time I was there. It was so neat, and they were amazed. Especially when they got to watch one be born. They did an ultrasound to confirm the sex and this one was a boy. Their faces were priceless. They also got to name him, his name was Alexander James. They got to watch his first check up. Talk about a show. Then it was time for Hayden and Gracie to adopt their very own baby. It took a while but they finally found the perfect one. Then it was time to pick a name. Hayden's doll is Katie Elizabeth and Gracie's doll is Lisa Academy. And yes, Gracie's doll is named after the store Academy Sports. Silly Girl. That is what she wanted so that is what we did. Then they had to hold their right hands up and repeat the adoption lady, Gracie was all smiles and Hayden was very serious. It was so cute.
We also went to the glass blowing place, the girls got their names made. It was really neat because they got to watch them do it. Then we watched them make a candle and cut it. It was really interesting.
I got to try out my amazing new camera the whole time and it took great pictures. We even used the tripod and got a pretty awesome family picture. Colton was quite the entertainer. He has to be the silliest little boy ever.
We went back to our house after lunch and just enjoyed it there. It was truly one of the best weekends we have every had. The kids didn't want to come home on Monday. Hayden made us promise that we would try to do it again next year.
And here is what you have been waiting for....PICTURES
The girls and I watched the sunrise every morning. I was able to get some great pictures but it still doesn't describe just how beautiful it really was. Hayden and Gracie loved getting up in the dark, as Gracie says and watching it all take place. The sunset was beautiful too, we watched it while roasting marshmallows for smores. We also ate dinner at the picnic table outside every night, which was one of the funniest things to the girls. Colton had the most fun just running around in the yard and being silly as possible. Oh, and the hot tub, they all three loved it. Hayden and Gracie were so excited when we let them get in it with us on Saturday night after Colton went to bed. It is so funny the things that make them so excited. They told us over and over again that they were having the best day ever.
We went into town every morning early, since we were up watching the sunrise, we decided to get an early start. We went to the candy store every day and got chocolate covered strawberries and boy they were the best ones I have ever eaten. We also got lots of fudge, caramel apples, suckers and divinity. Yeah, we were all sugared up! We tried some of the yummy places to eat lunch too. Everything was really good, especially the ribs we got at one of the BBQ places. We also got to let the kids eat their very first funnel cake, and Hayden was very impressed. Gracie liked it but she was too worried about some sucker she had just got at the candy store. We rode a horse and carriage around town and they got to feed the horse carrots at the end of it. They were all three too scared to get to close to it, so Daddy did it for them. We played putt putt, Hayden was pretty good, Gracie kept holding her golf club the wrong way and well Colton was just Colton. He was all over the place, throwing the balls and club around. And because of all of this, we only got to play 9 holes but they still had fun. We were going to hike up to Anna Ruby Falls but they were closed because of the government shut down so instead we surprised them by taking them to Babyland General.
The girls weren't familiar with Babyland General but when they saw that it was Cabbage Patch dolls they got excited. That place has really changed since the last time I was there. It was so neat, and they were amazed. Especially when they got to watch one be born. They did an ultrasound to confirm the sex and this one was a boy. Their faces were priceless. They also got to name him, his name was Alexander James. They got to watch his first check up. Talk about a show. Then it was time for Hayden and Gracie to adopt their very own baby. It took a while but they finally found the perfect one. Then it was time to pick a name. Hayden's doll is Katie Elizabeth and Gracie's doll is Lisa Academy. And yes, Gracie's doll is named after the store Academy Sports. Silly Girl. That is what she wanted so that is what we did. Then they had to hold their right hands up and repeat the adoption lady, Gracie was all smiles and Hayden was very serious. It was so cute.
We also went to the glass blowing place, the girls got their names made. It was really neat because they got to watch them do it. Then we watched them make a candle and cut it. It was really interesting.
I got to try out my amazing new camera the whole time and it took great pictures. We even used the tripod and got a pretty awesome family picture. Colton was quite the entertainer. He has to be the silliest little boy ever.
We went back to our house after lunch and just enjoyed it there. It was truly one of the best weekends we have every had. The kids didn't want to come home on Monday. Hayden made us promise that we would try to do it again next year.
And here is what you have been waiting for....PICTURES
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)