Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Celebration #2: 6 years

On August 27th, Chet and I celebrated our 6 year anniversary!

The 6 year anniversary gift is candy....perfect for me! I had a candy bouquet sent to Chet's office the day before our anniversary, but of course, being the "gift master" that he is, he outdid me. Saturday (our actual anniversary), I woke up hearing Cru talking out in the living room. Chet wasn't in bed, so I assumed he was out for his morning coffee, so I hurried out of bed scared of what little man might get into, and I was surprised by this on the living room floor!



His creativeness never ceases to amaze me!

And once again, he's earned his title as gift master.

That evening, we celebrated with dinner at PF Changs, which was uhh-mazing!



We've done a lot in these 6 years - 3 kids, 2 job changes, 2 houses, 1 dog....wonder what this year will bring?

All I can say is whatever it is, I couldn't imagine doing it with anyone else!

Love you, babe!

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Celebration #1: 35 years x 2

On August 24th, my parents celebrated 35 years of marriage!



The kids and I helped my dad deliver cookies and roses to my mom's classroom that day.



Back in June, Chet's parents also celebrated their 35th anniversary!

Why does it have to be such a shock when you hear about people staying married for that many years....isn't that the way it should be???

Chet and I feel very blessed to have parents who demonstrate daily what love and marriage is all about.

Congratulations to both of you! Love you all!

Sunday, August 28, 2011

Just a couple of randoms

August brings about lots of celebrations for our family, but before I post about them, I thought I'd share a couple randoms.

First, Reese anticipates Everlee's afternoon nap awakening every day. I think she knows she can finally be loud again. So, as soon as she hears her make that first peep, she runs to her room and hops in her crib with her. They laugh and giggle, but after about 2 minutes, I think Everlee's had enough of little miss mama, so I usually hear her start grunting, which I think is her way of saying, "Save me, Mom!"

Last week was a little different, however. Everlee woke up, Reese ran into her room, climbed in her crib, but then after a couple minutes, I heard the door shut. I waited a few minutes, but heard nothing. So, after a few more minutes, I thought I'd better check on them, and this is what I found....



Poor Evee!

Our neighbor brought over this costume a couple weeks ago, and it teases Reese every time she's in Everlee's room; she would love to wear it herself! She's been warned many times not to even think about it, so I guess she went for the next best thing.



I must say she looks pretty darn adorable!

And on a completely different note, our family decided to attend a local bbq contest this weekend called "When Pigs Fly."

The "Flying Babe" air show was just getting ready to start when we got there.



Cru loved this!

Then, we moved onto the camel rides, which both kids ended up chickening out of, so then we tried horse rides. Reese was all about it, but once it came time to get on the horse, she was scared to death. The people were very nice and patient with her, and before she knew it, she was riding!



It definitely helped seeing her friend, Lynzee, riding the other horse!

Of course, little man was ready to ride too!



Both kids LOVED it! Cru talked non-stop the whole rest of the night about riding Big John Deere (mind you, the horse's name was Big John)!

After listening to the band play and visiting some bbq sites, we called it a night. All the actual cooking was going on the next day, which we didn't make it back for, but hope to next year. It was a fun family evening!

That's all for the randoms. Celebration posts to come!

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Never Grow Up

With school starting up again and a lot of Reese's friends heading of to kindergarten and big kids moving to college, I've realized more and more how fast all three of my kids are growing up. And as much as I love watching my kids change, move onto new phases, and discover new things, I also hate it! Reese goes off to kindergarten next year, and Cru will start pre-school, and it really won't be all that long before all my kids will be in school. Then what'll I do???

I've been dwelling on this a lot this week, and all I keep thinking is how I don't ever want them to grow up....

Your little hand's wrapped around my finger
And it's so quiet in the world tonight
Your little eyelids flutter cause your dreaming
So I tuck you in, turn on your favorite night light
To you everything's funny, you got nothing to regret
I'd give all I have, honey
If you could stay like that



Oh darling, don't you ever grow up
Don't you ever grow up, just stay this little
Oh darling, don't you ever grow up
Don't you ever grow up, it could stay this simple
I won't let nobody hurt you, won't let no one break your heart
And no one will desert you
Just try to never grow up, never grow up



You're in the car on the way to the movies
And you're mortified your mom's dropping you off
At 14 there's just so much you can't do
And you can't wait to move out someday and call your own shots
But don't make her drop you off around the block
Remember she's getting older too
And don't lose the way you dance around in your pj's getting ready for school



Oh darling, don't you ever grow up
Don't you ever grow up, just stay this little
Oh darling, don't you ever grow up
Don't you ever grow you, it could stay this simple
No one's ever burned you, nothing's ever left you scarred
And even though you want to, just try to never grow up



Take pictures in your mind of your childhood room
Memorize what it sounded like when your dad gets home
Remember the footsteps, remember the words said
And all your brother's favorite songs
I just realized everything I have is someday gonna be gone



So here I am in my new apartment
In a big city, they just dropped me off
It's so much colder than I thought it would be
So I tuck myself in and turn my night light on



Wish I'd never grow up
I wish I'd never grow up



Oh I don't wanna grow up, wish I'd never grow up
I could still be little
Oh I don't wanna grow up, wish I'd never grow up
It could still be simple



Oh darling, don't you ever grow up
Don't you ever grow up, just stay this little
Oh darling, don't you ever grow up
Don't you ever grow up, it could stay this simple



Won't let nobody hurt you
Won't let no one break your heart
And ever though you want to, please try to never grow up



Oh, don't you ever grow up
Oh, never grow up, just never grow up

-Taylor Swift

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Swim lessons conquered

Reese wrapped up swimming lessons last week, and I keep thinking about how at the beginning of the summer she wouldn't even put her head under the water.....



Now she can sit on the bottom of the pool!

And kick her legs and blow bubbles at the same time!



And what's even crazier, she actually jumps off the side now!



This may seem minor to what other kids can do, but it's huge for our cautious Reesey!

And what I'm most proud of is after the first lesson, she wanted nothing to do with swim lessons ever again all because of a little thing called the back float. And even during her last lesson, it literally brought her to tears....



But you know what? She conquered it! Big time!



10 seconds on her back ALL BY HERSELF!

Whoop whoop!



Yes, we were ALL proud!

Katie offered Reese one more lesson, but our girl passed....surprise, surprise.



Which was fine with me because in my eyes, she accomplished way more than I ever expected in six lessons.

Congratulations, Sis!

And just because I don't want to leave #3 out of this post.....Evee was super proud as well!


Monday, August 22, 2011

Another gone

When Reese was 6 months old, she got her first two teeth within a day of each other, so it's no wonder she's lost them within weeks of each other. Yes, that's right, she lost another one!



Since losing her first tooth, she's constantly asked if she can push the other one out, and I kept telling her it wasn't ready. Until Friday evening....

She was sitting by me on the couch, and she started crying, "My tooth hurts. It won't come out." I told her to leave it alone, then asked to see it....it was bleeding and just hanging there. Ack, grossed me out!

Just as I was getting up to get a kleenex so I could pull it out, SHE SPITS IT OUT IN HER HAND!



My big girl yet again just pushed it out with her tongue.

Cue in the hoop hollerin' and high fivin'!

The only problem....tooth fairy had no cash!



She scrambled and pulled through!



As of now, no new loose teeth, so maybe the tooth fairy will get a little break.....teeth aren't cheap these days!

Plus, I'd like to enjoy this toothless grin for a while!


Thursday, August 18, 2011

It's that time again....

SCHOOL TIME!



Reese has been asking almost every day since the last day of school, "Do I have school tomorrow?"



Well, I finally answered YES! And she was beyond excited!



This year, she is attending the pre-kindergarten program at the same school she went to last year.



Her first day was Wednesday. I've been a little worried about how I'm going to get all of us up, ready, and to school by 8:00am. Thanks to Papa, I didn't have to figure it out on her first day (he stayed at the house when I took Reese because Cru and Everlee were still sound asleep).



Without hesitation, she unloaded her backpack, found her name tag, and got right to work. My girl loves school! Loves learning!



Even more, she loves her teachers and her friends!



As much as I love not having a schedule, it feels good getting back into a routine. Probably because it means back to early bedtime!



I think I'm going to relish in this year as much as I can because next year, well that's like the real deal, and I am no where near ready to send my baby off the kindergarten!

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Superhero Party

After returning home from mine and Everlee's weekend road trip, Reese, Cru, and I headed out to the pond for Christian's 4th birthday party - superhero style!



This party couldn't have been more perfect for my kids because they are ALL about superheros right now!



Christian's Mommy (my cousin Jessi) did a fantastic job with the party.





Christian was so excited the entire evening!



And so were my kids....capes and candy.....doesn't get much better!





Happy 4th Birthday, Christian! Thanks for the great party!


Sunday, August 14, 2011

Love birds

Tyson



and

Evee



sittin' in a tree



K-I-S-S-I-N-G



First comes love



then comes marriage



then comes the baby in the baby carriage!



OK, so no marriage or baby for about 25 years, but there's definitely a love connection! When I showed Reese these pictures, she said, "Awww, they love each other."



Meet Tyson



Isn't he darling? He is my best friend's little boy. And since his mom and I have already arranged for him and Everlee to marry, we decided it best they meet for the first time, so Everlee and I traveled to SW Kansas to spend the weekend with him and his awesome mommy and daddy!



It was an awesome weekend! Who knew hanging out with a four and six month old could be so relaxing!



And entertaining!

Everlee was such a good baby!



Thanks to my bestie and her hubby for letting us invade their home and being such wonderful hosts!



I love you, Leann, more than you know! Since third grade, you have been my "go-to" person. Yes, it totally sucks we live so far away from each other, but it makes when we see each other so much more special. I love how when we do see each other, it's like we're still college roommates, except with husbands and babies now! Thanks for always listening, offering advise, and laughing and reminiscing with me. You are such a beautiful person inside and out, and now you have the most beautiful family. I miss you so much already!



And Evee really misses her Ty-Ty!



Great memories made this weekend!