Riding Bicycles

Since the weather was beautiful and warm yesterday, we rode bikes all down the driveway and through mud puddles and ditches.   Colton rode his old bike because he is still learning to peddle his new one.  He knows how to do it but he forgets he can't go backwards and it makes him stop.  He will get there.  Gracie is still getting used to a bigger bike.  She is so scared to try new things, so I may have pushed her a little bit yesterday.  With that being said she was so very proud of herself after she did it.  I also had to run along side her to make her okay with it the first time.  She really needs to be more confident in herself but I guess that will come with time.  Hayden has already mastered her big girl bike and rides it like she has had it for years.  She is the one who will not give up on anything she is determined to learn how to do things right then. 

Hayden and Colton had fun riding fast through the mud puddles.  Gracie didn't want to get dirty or take a chance of falling in the puddle.  Probably a good choice for her since she was already learning lots of other things.  The best part of the puddles was Colton.  He was wide open and didn't care how dirty he got. 

Hayden and Colton also rode through the ditches at the end of the driveway.  They were splashing mud all over the place, having a blast.  Gracie didn't try the ditches either but she practiced riding her bike the whole time.  She would cry out "look mommy I am doing it" about every two minutes.  Of course we did have a couple of crashes too.

Linda also came over and we went riding again.  She had her bike too so she rode with them.  This time Gracie was a little bit tired but went anyway.  Linda and I let them ride and play for a little while, well that is until it started getting cold.  I made Gracie ride down a hill and keep going.  Thank goodness she didn't crash until after she got down the hill.  She wasn't real happy with me but she was glad to see she could go down the hill. 

It was a great time riding and playing in the mud!

Christ.mas 2014

Once again Christmas came and went all too fast.  We have enjoyed each and every one of our traditions though.  We made rice krispy Christmas trees, cookies, icing and popcorn.  We also strung some popcorn, although it was a little time consuming that Gracie and Colton decided to eat it instead.  Hayden did string a little bit and enjoyed it.  We read Christmas books every night,  W"e talked about how Christmas is Jesus' birthday and not just about presents.  It was a great holiday season.  The kids got every thing they asked for and more.   They were very excited Christmas morning and they have managed to play with every single thing. 


Christmas Eve we spend with my Mema and my family.  Mark cooked boston hiney we are not allowed to use or say the work butt at our house.  It was all yummy and the kids enjoyed it.  It is still a little different without Pop but we all made it through it happily.  The kids got lots of gifts to play with right before Santa came.  When we got home, we took baths, put Santa's key out and read the Night Before Christmas while eating popcorn.  They were all sleeping soundly at about 10pm.  Then Santa made is arrival sometime after that!

Christmas morning we get up early and do Santa, then we go to Grandmama's house for breakfast.  Mark and Pop cook omelets and we all bring some casseroles and it is always so good.  After fun at Grandmama's house we go to open presents at Mimi and Pop's house.  The presents from Mimi and Pop and Kim and Artie looked like Santa came again.  They all got exactly what they wanted and their surprised faces were priceless.  Hayden got lots of clothes and jewelry (man she is growing up).  She also got a surf board from Kim and Artie.  Boy was she surprised with that and of course she loved it.    Gracie got her radio and Singing Olaf, Anna, and Elsa.  She also got clothes and jewelry too.  Colton got lots of trucks and tractors but most importantly he got his blue tractor from Kim and Artie.  He also got drums from Mimi and Pop! He plays them very well.  The kid is a natural!  Mark and I also got more than we could have imagined.  I am blogging from my new laptop touch screen and Mark got every thing he needed to finish his Jeep the way he wants it. 

Thank you every one for every thing.  We are so blessed to have such a wonderful family.  We love you all and now to celebrate the New Year of 2015!!!!

OH MY GOODNESS THE FLU

Hayden had her musical play Thursday night.  She was a beautiful singer.  She sang her little heart out and enjoyed every minute of it.  We got home and every one was tired so we all got ready for bed.

Gracie woke me up in the middle of the night complaining that her stomach hurt.  Then by morning she had a fever of 102 and felt terrible.  I took Hayden to school because she had her ice cream party Friday afternoon for passing all of her multiplication facts thru the 12s.  Way to go Hayden!  After dropping her off I took Gracie to see Aunt Kim.  Aunt Kim confirmed that Gracie had the FLU. She called in some medicine to help my sweet baby. 

She felt terrible.  She wasn't even hardly moving or eating and drinking.   She pretty much gave me a good scare.  When it was time to pick Hayden up I soon found out that she too had the FLU.  She didn't say anything because she wanted to be there for her ice cream party.  I guess she figured she had worked hard enough to learn all the facts she deserved to be there. 

They have felt terrible and they all missed having their pictures with Santa on Saturday but they are feeling a whole lot better today.  They are actually eating and drinking and have moved into the living room instead of bed. 


Thanks to every one for helping us out while the babies are sick.  We love you all!

Santa at GWA

Santa was at GWA on Tuesday morning.  I took Colton to see him also.  He wasn't scared at all.  He went right over and told him he wanted a garbage truck....I do not know why but he does, chain saw so that he can cut wood with Daddy, Eugene and Richard, bike...that looks like a motorcycle, and grill.  He is easy enough to please!  Right? 

We did get to see Hayden and Gracie before we left.  I wasn't able to hear what they told Santa but I bet it was....

Hayden probably said....bike, American girl doll puppy and bed, real doctor stuff...to be like Aunt Kim, and a pull up bar...what can we say, she is athletic.

Gracie told me what she said... Zoomer...the robot dog, American girl doll cat and bed, and doctor stuff too.  She was very upset that she forgot to tell him about the bike she wanted.  So I convinced her that he knew and she would see the real Santa on Saturday for pictures. She was ok after that!

These are the things they have consistently said they want for weeks so hopefully they have been good enough to receive them from Santa.  Hayden if you are reading this then you know to tell Gracie and Colton to be good and stop fighting with each other.  Those two seem to butt heads pretty well.  Gracie does stand up for herself though.  In fact, yesterday she pushed little Colt Man across the hall and he fell down.  Of course, she got in big trouble for it! Of course, Colton kept coming back for more too, he isn't going to loose.  It can be quite entertaining at times.  Sometimes I literally have to stand in the middle of them.   Then other days they get along so well and share all their toys.  You just never know.  Hayden and Gracie butt heads at times too, usually because Gracie won't do what Hayden wants her to but they usually work it out pretty fast.  Hayden and Colton don't fight to much.  Guess the 5 year age difference keeps the peace!  With all that being said...they are really well behaved kids and they all love each other very much!

Christmas is really coming fast this year.  I know that I cannot wait to see their faces Christmas morning, especially Colton.  He is so excited this year. 

Here are a few pictures.  I finally got them back together to place them on the blog

 

This are from the parade last Thursday...

 

 

 

Scar

So the other night while watching the Voice with Mark and I, Hayden wanted to know why she didn't have a scar.  We were a little confused, so we asked her what she was talking about.  She said that when you have surgery you are supposed to have a scar.  She went on to say that when she had her surgery and that sock was on her arm.  She looked at her arm and she pointed out that she didn't have a scar.  Mark and I just looked at each other.  We don't really ever talk to her about what happened just because.  I told her that she does have a scar and she insisted that she didn't.  So at that point I pointed out her scar in her beautiful head.  She looked really confused but she didn't ask anymore questions.  I looked over at Mark and he had to get up and walk outside so she didn't see him crying.

This whole conversation happened while we were discussing what everyone wanted for Christmas.  My 8 year old angel showed me that I already have every thing I want.  We are blessed in so many ways.  We have our 3 healthy, beautiful kids!  And that is all I will ever want is for them to always be healthy and happy! 

Monroe Parade

Gracie had her first baton performance in the Monroe Christmas Parade last Thursday night.  She was such a big girl and most importantly...She loved it!  I was so worried she would get scared and want to quit but nope, not this time, she was all smiles and ready to twirl.  She followed along very well.  I also got to be in my first parade at the age of 35, it was so dark that the Moms all walked behind their little girls so we could help keep up with them.   It was neat walking down the lit streets of Monroe.  I couldn't believe how many people actually came to the parade.  It was packed! 

Gracie was supposed to be in the Loganville Parade on Saturday but it was cancelled due to rain.  She will be having a recital in May.  She is ready to get her cute little outfit and twirl away!

It was hard to get a good picture since it was dark so I will do much better for the recital. 

Thanksgiving/Decorating

Thanksgiving was lots of fun.  The best part was that Daddy had four days off of work.  Talk about some excited kids to have their Daddy at home, especially one little boy.  Colton did everything with Daddy all weekend....cutting wood, hanging out with Richard and Eugene, checking for deer, and even going to the store.  He was a happy boy and I think Daddy enjoyed it too.  He is finally old enough to tag along with Daddy.  Kind of made Mommy happy too.  He now knows that when you want to say a bad word you say Dadgumit instead and under no circumstances ever do you say the word butt.  We call Colton the butt police because he will give you a verbal citation every time.   I love this little boy so much.  You just don't ever know what he may say or do. 

Thanksgiving was spent with all of our family.  It was all delicious and I am pretty sure we all ate way too much.  The kids enjoyed playing with their cousins that they don't see all the time.  Colton and Lucas really hit it off.  They stayed outside viewing all of Uncle Richard's tractors and stuff.  Hayden and Gracie played with Maeleigh.  After we filled our bellies we went to get our Christmas tree from the tree farm.  The girls were excited and Colton was too but he was also very confused.  This is the first year he is really enjoying all the Christmas stuff and Santa Claus.  We got all the decorations out Thanksgiving night and put the lights on the tree.  Colton was amazed at how our house transferred in a couple of hours.  Then Friday night we decorated the tree.  The girls pretty much did it all by themselves....Ok, Ok I did move a couple of things, just some of the things that needed to be hung on stronger branches.....Dang OCD wins every time!  I must say they did a great job, especially Hayden....Gracie still kind of puts every thing on the same branch.  Colton did not enjoy decorating the tree.  He didn't want to put any of his special ornaments on the tree because he wanted to play with Jake, dump truck, tractor and lighting McQueen instead.  After lots of compromises I finally got them all on the tree.  

Oh and Chipper and Snowflake made their arrival on Thanksgiving night.  Those silly elves are already up to no good at all.  The first night they had a popcorn party and literally threw popcorn all over my living room!  Colton said "mommy those elves are going to be in big trouble they messed up our living room."  Hayden and Gracie made sure we knew that it wasn't them that made the mess.  The next night Chipper took Snowflake on a bike ride...using Gracie's American girl doll bike.  Then the next night Chipper tied string around snowflake and hung her from the ceiling fan.  Last night those darn elves put toilet paper on our little tree beside the fireplace and made a huge mess.  Colton still says that they are bad elves.  He doesn't remember last year.

Hayden and Gracie got to go to the Georgia game or whatever you want to call the game on Saturday with Mimi and Kim.  This was Gracie's first time and she really enjoyed herself.  Except that she was cold and restless at times.  She said she still had fun and would like to go again.  Hayden has been before and she loves to go.  They also got to have Varsity and of course they got a few gift too.  

Little Indian Gracie

Gracie had her Thanksgiving feast at school yesterday.  She looked like a beautiful Indian.  There were limited space so I did not get to attend.  However, Mimi went to see our sweet Indian.  She got to sing a few songs and enjoy a special lunch.  She is always so proud of anything she gets to do different.  She was so excited about her Indian shirt that she had to sleep in last night, and then asked this morning if she could sleep in it tonight too!!!! 

Hayden is so upset with anyone who has put out any Christmas decorations.  She says that Thanksgiving is important too.  She is so funny when riding past houses decorated.  She says "I mean really they just are skipping good Holidays". 

Colton is so excited about Santa Claus this year.  In fact, it is all he talks about and by the way he wants one of everything on TV, especially the commercials on Disney and Nick Jr.  He will call you in there to show you what he likes.  So far he wants a blue bike, garbage truck, and a grill so he can cook like his daddy.  Oh and every thing else on the toy aisle.  He is going to be lots of fun this year. 

OOPS

Well, I see that it has been almost 2 months since my last post!  What? How did that happen?  Sorry for my readers that check it daily!  I have been busy and I must say that social media is much easier to post on at times.  I do want to start back with my blog, so that my babies will one day treasure that their super duper busy Mommy took time to blog about all of the important things in her life!  Which are my three amazing babies! 

So here we go...

Hayden is doing great in 3rd grade.  It has been challenging but she is working hard.  She is doing multiplication and division in math, and I must say she is doing really well.   She loves to write in a journal.  She is like me, she loves to write about what she wants too, just not what she has to sometimes.  She is making all As and Bs in school and loves her teacher so much this year.  She is ready for Softball to start back up but for right now she is resting. 

Gracie is also doing great in school.  She is currently on her yellow site words, which means she has successfully completed 3 pages of words.  She has also completed lots of her challenges.  She just passed one yesterday.  She loves her teachers and even though she is super shy, she is having a great year.  Her teachers say that she really dislikes talking in front of the class.  I can't imagine where she got that from.  She is also loving Baton.  She has learned so much already and she will be in the Monroe Parade Dec 4th and the Loganville Parade Dec 6th.  Can't wait to see this baby shine!

Colton is absolutely loving Preschool.  He is a great student too,  I was a little worried that he might be the one that gets into a little trouble but his teachers assure me that he is wonderful.  He has not ever had to move his clip and always does what he asked.  He is still all boy and keeps me on my toes at all times.  You do not ever know what may come out of his mouth!!!!

So here it is a short summary of my babies.  I promise to do much better from here on out!

I know that Hayden has been reading this too.....So

Dear Hayden,

I love you to the moon and back.  I am so proud of all three of you sweet babies.  Make sure you tell Gracie and Colton that I love them too!

love always

Mommy

Pajama Day Colton

Today was Colton's Pajama Day at Preschool.  He was excited to wear his pirate pajamas and bedroom shoes.  He also gets to have pizza for lunch at school today.  Needless, to say he was excited about all of it and of course he was so very handsome.

He totally melts my heart.  I love him to the moon and back.  We sat in the car this morning playing high five and he kept telling me that I was too slow!

Gracie' s first field trip

Gracie had her first field trip last Thursday.  The most exciting part was the bus ride.  She was so excited.  This is her first time on the bus.  She loved it.  We went to the Sandy Creek Nature Center and it was pretty neat. 

They got to see beaver skins, alligator teeth, snakes and turtles.  They even got to touch a real snake.  To my surprise Gracie was willing to touch it.  Me not so much.  Glad to see she would go along with everyone else and try it.  After all of this fun stuff, we had a hike.  We saw mushrooms, birds, more turtles, different kinds of leaves and so forth.  Gracie had a great time and was as always a sweetie pie.  

Then we went to the Varsity and ate lunch with a few of her friends.  I think this was actually her favorite part.  

So glad she liked her first field trip.  She has another one to go on in December.

Baton and Softball

Gracie is doing Baton this year.  She loves it so fare the is learning so much and it has only been a couple of weeks.  She will get to be in the Loganville Christmas Parade and the Monroe Parade this year.  Hayden tries to get Gracie to teach her all the moves after her classes.  It is funny.  This is the first time that Gracie is doing something totally different than Hayden.


Hayden got the game ball a couple of weeks ago.  She had an awesome game.  She made an out at 1st from 3rd and she made two more outs at 3rd.  She also had 3 big hits.  She is my little slugger and the best Softball player I know. 

So proud of my girls!!!

Gracie's 6th Birthday

We celebrated Gracie's 6th birthday the end of August.  She was excited to share her birthday party with Artie this year.  They both wanted a Georgia Bulldog party and shrimp for dinner and of course cake! 

Gracie was so excited about her Georgia party, but she was even more excited to find the Snowflake, their elf had come to visit her too.  She even had on a birthday outfit.  She also made purple cupcakes for Gracie on her actual birthday. 

Gracie got every thing she wanted for her birthday.  She got lots of American girl doll things, a Sofia piano, clothes, sofia bunny, charm bracelet, the Sofia necklace and a baton.  She was extremely happy with all of it. 

She is my sweet, content little girl.  She loves all little things, never big ones.  She is so shy sometimes but then other times when it is just us she is the silliest thing you have ever seen.  I just love her to pieces! 

Happy 6th Birthday Sweet Girl.  We love you to the moon and back.  You aim high and reach high for those stars.  This is your year to shine sweet girl.  You will always be our smiling baby! 

Love you

Mommy and Daddy

 

 

Throw back Thursday Blog

I decided to do a throw back Thursday blog day.  I have been thinking a lot about where we were as a family 6 years ago today.  One of the hardest things as a parent is to watch your child go through something that you can't even begin to understand.  Hayden was so sick and we all thought that it was viral.  Then it landed us at CHOA in the middle of the night...to find out that she had an abscess in her head.  Talk about hearing something that you never wanted to hear!  Talk about going numb!  Talk about tears streaming down your face and wondering how the hell am I going to fix this.  Because as a parent you are always trying to fix every thing.  I know some things you can't but you still try because you can't stand for your children to hurt or be sick or be scared.  I just remember standing there and in my mind as her Mommy, I knew that she was going to be okay.  I know you think I am crazy but I did.  I just did and I am so very glad that I was right!  I remember holding her little bitty hand and knowing that she had to be in pain and wondering what in the hell was going on, but she never acted like it, she was still the same sweet girl that she is today.  Words cannot describe how grateful we are to all the nurses and doctors that helped us, but as of today my hero is Dr. Wrubel.  He saved my baby girls life and he was such a caring, amazing surgeon.  I still think about going to his office and watching all the people there.  I am going to send him a picture of her after making her triple play in Softball to hang on his wall in his office.  I wonder does he remember us, but then I know that he does because who could forget such an angel and well the fact that I was 9 months pregnant too.  Which brings me to my next little miracle and blessing. 

On 9/2/08, Mark and I left Hayden at CHOA with Mimi to go and have our 2nd sweet girl....Gracie Leigh.  She was the most patient baby in the whole wide world.   I remember my doctors telling me that I had more mind of matter than anyone they knew.  They just couldn't believe that she waited until her due date to be born.  They were convinced that she would be at least 2 weeks early but I kept telling them that she had to wait until Hayden was home.   Hayden did get to come home before the 2nd of September but ended up at the hospital again on Sept. 1st from an allergic reaction to the medicine she was receiving.  When we walked out of Hayden's room that morning all the nurses were clapping and saying congratulations and all did was stand there and cry!  As a Mommy, how are you supposed to leave your sick baby at one hospital and drive 45 minutes away to another hospital for your other baby.  Talk about having you heart in two different places.  However, it all worked out and we made it through the hardest, toughest thing ever together and as a family.  We have such wonderful family members that all helped in every way possible and I don't know what we would have done without them. 

Gracie was such an easy delivery, which was great considering every thing else.  The best thing was is that she came into the world smiling.  She is still my smiling baby, always happy.  She was such a good, quiet and loving baby.  She loved to sit in my lap with her big sister. 

September 4, 2008 both of my girl got released from two different hospitals to come home.  Hayden was so excited about meeting Gracie, and then she had to wait.  Mimi and Pop brought Hayden home because Mark was scared to leave Gracie and I at home alone.  Hayden was so tired, confused and had been through so much that she wouldn't even come to me at first.  It totally broke my heart.  I just wondered if she thought I left her because I wasn't there with her like everyone else was.  Then one of my most favorite memories of all times happened.  She looked over in the swing and saw for the very first time her little sister.  She immediately smiled and asked if that was Gracie.  Mark and I said yes and she wanted to hold her.  We propped up pillows and put them both on the couch.  I love this picture for so many reasons.  Even now when I think I am having the worst day possible I think back to these things.  Six years later I still cry because I am so grateful and blessed that I have two wonderful, amazing and healthy girls....and now I even have a wonderful, amazing and healthy boy to go with our family.  We are so very blessed!

Colton Loves School

Well we have finished our first week of preschool and he loves it.  He gets right out of the car and never looks back at me.  In fact, he opens the car door himself and starts getting out before the teachers get to help him.  He looks so big walking up that walkway!  He had a great week and learned all about red!  He has painted, colored and put stickers on all sorts of things.  He also got to hear lots of great books and as always the best part the playground.  He loves the playground.  He did well with the potty training part except the first day.  I had to go to the school and change a nasty pull up.  However, the rest of the week he did fantastic.  When I pick him up he is so tired that he falls asleep while trying to eat his snack.  Preschool is hard work for this little boy.  Hope he has a great year.


Colton,

Mommy and Daddy are so proud of you.  You have no idea how much you are going to learn and how much fun you are going to have.  You just aim high and reach for those stars....and be GOOD! 

We love you to the moon and back!