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!

School and Open House for Colton

 

First, Second and Third day of school were a huge success!  My girls are so glad to be back at school and loving their teachers this year.   Hayden is even more excited that she gets to eat lunch with friends from other classes this year.  She has always had to sit with her class until 3rd grade!  She is also a reading buddy for two first graders.  She gets to read to them on certain days.  I am so proud of my smart girl.  She is loving that she has a little more freedom this year but they have all been told that privileges can be taken away if abused. 

She has her first fall ball practice game tonight too.  She is the oldest on her team this fall and she is the best, not that I am biased or anything.  She had different coaches this season and they are all scared to pitch to her because she always hits back where it came from....their faces!  The coaches are also amazed at how she throws a ball.  In fact, most of the girls are a little bit scared of her.  Ready for another great ball season for my #1!

Gracie is loving Kindergarten!  Mrs. May asked me if she was going to open up and talk a little bit.  I told her once she got in her comfort level she would.  She has site words and challenges that she has to work on and she is so excited about both.  She is so ready to read like Hayden!  Mrs. May also said that Gracie is such a good, sweet little girl!

Colton had open house yesterday.  He got to meet his two teachers.  He was a little bit shy at first but then he was a little bit bossy later.  He played with several of his classmates in the kitchen and with the blocks.  He was good, but he didn't have a problem telling anyone that something was his.  He also wanted to make sure every one did every thing the way he wanted it.  Oh and in the block station he wanted to take the biggest block and knock over the other kids castles!  Overall, he was a good boy and really enjoyed.  I sure hope he is good and has an amazing year.  He starts Monday!

First Day of School 2014-2015

First Day of school was off with success!  We got up extra early and were at school by 7:30am.  Of course, that is because Hayden and Gracie couldn't wait any longer.  They looked adorable this morning but that isn't anything new. 

I can't believe that I have a 3rd grader and Kindergartener.  I also have a Preschool little boy but he doesn't start until next Monday.  He does meet his teachers tomorrow though and he is so excited.  I sure hope all three of these amazing kids have a great year. 

Reach high and aim for those stars babies!  Remember that you can do anything as long as you work for it.  I love you all to the moon and back and infinity.