Thanks, Matt.

It's like a toy store in this house these days and the kids are having a blast.  We had such a great Christmas with my family and am so happy to have had that time to spend with them.  Family is all gone home so the only thing left to do is to try out every new toy.  Tonight was beauty shop night.  Amelia had told her uncle Matt on the phone that she wanted an Ooh La La salon for Christmas.  She loves it.  It really is adorable but it has a water bottle.  So if you are lucky enough to have Amelia do your hair, prepare to be soaked.  What a fun time we had!

I looked like a clown but had the best 30 minutes of my break.  Thanks, Matt!

Our 25 Days of Christmas

Amelia and Maddox are so excited about Christmas this year.  I knew I needed a way to count down and keep them entertained.  I had Amelia help me make a calendar for the month of December.  Then we picked out 25 different activities we could do as a family every night leading up to Christmas Eve.



 Here are just a couple of Christmas crafts we have done over the last couple of days.

Rudolph

Decorated the Playhouse

Frosty



We also sat down and wrote letters to Santa.  So sweet!

And by far, my most favorite thing to do is to hide Crystal, our elf.  Just a couple of her hiding places.....

I LOVE Christmas!!  To be continued......



Just 5 minutes

I don't think I ask alot from my kids....use good manners, be respectful, clean up after yourself.  So I did not feel one bit guilty today asking them for 5 minutes.  I needed this time to close 2 jewelry shows that have been hanging over my head.  I gathered them both over and we had a conversation that went something like this.  "Mommy has to get a little bit of work done before we can go to Grand Nana's tomorrow.  I don't want any screaming, fighting, or crying.  It will only take 5 minutes.  If you behave while I'm working, we will do something special together afterwards."  They agreed and off they went.  It was great, really.  I was able to get my computer out and start my work.  I heard no crying or yelling, just laughter.  Lots and lots of laughter.  It soon turned into squealing and shrieking so I just kept typing.  After all, I heard no crying.  Every mom knows that game.  You hear a loud bang....wait for the tears...if there are none, you continue what you were doing.  So I did.  After about 5 minutes I finished, just like I promised.  I yelled for the kids and well, the rest....
there are just no words.

Yes, you are seeing this correctly.  It is a black marker mohawk.  Some of Amelia's best work, I might add.  How about a different view?

Not to be outdone, Maddox did some fabulous work on his legs.

And the artist herself....

Let's just say bath time was an event.  But hey...it washes right off, they had a blast and I got my work done!

Time is just a flyin by....

October 11th, really??  It's hard to believe that I'm busier now that Amelia is in Kindergarten than I was when she was home with me all day.  September went by like a flash.  Somewhere between pumpkin patches, bronchitis, and Amelia's birthday, fall arrived.  Amelia has been in school 7 weeks and I thought it would be appropriate to share everything she has learned at school.  It's amazing how much they learn when they are young.  She is speaking Japanese perfectly.  (I mean I assume she is....I can't understand a thing she says.)  She has learned the National Anthem and a ton of other fun songs they use for reading.  Speaking of reading, it is so awesome to cook dinner and listen to Amelia read books to Maddox.  Her writing has improved so much and she can count to 100.  She does it at least 10 times a day.   And her proudest school moment to date is when she was named "Top Dog" for the Kindergarten class.

Along with the great stuff she has learned, she has brought home some other information that I could do without.  For example, Isabel had to sit in time out for wiping boogers on Jackson's face.  Really?
Oh, and she found out another word for passing gas...I'm so not fond of that F word.  And by far the best lunch time conversation she had was finding out that Breanna's mom had to call the "cops" to make someone leave her house.  Holy cannoli!!  Overall, she digs school.  It's just so sad to see how much she has grown up since starting Kindergarten.  Don't get me wrong, she still wants to snuggle, she still needs me to kiss her ouchies, and most of all, she still thinks I know everything.  Hope this lasts a little longer because it will break my heart when she doesn't "need" me.

And Maddox.....well let's just say God really knows what He's doing.  If Maddox were my first child, I'm afraid he would be my only.  He's a mess...full of life and trouble.  I simply do not have enoung time in this post to fill you in on him....It deserves much more of my time.  And if he will leave me alone for 10 minutes, I may be able to write about him soon;)  Until then......

Well...there is one good thing about Kindergarten

I haven't blogged in so long for many reasons.  Both the kids and I have gotten sick,  we've all been so busy, and the "Kindergatern funk" has not left me yet.  I can't get used to this schedule,  I hate my quiet house, and frankly I miss Amelia.  Oh, did I mention the car line at school.  It stinks.  Poor Maddox sits in the hot car for 1 hour waiting on sis.  I know we'll get through it and honestly, it is getting easier everyday.  Thankfully, one good thing has come out of all this...my time with little man!  Boy, is he starting to talk.   I don't know if it is because the house is quiet and I can actually hear him or if it because he couldn't get a word in with Amelia here.  Whatever the reason, it's awesome.  He yells, "Mama" all day long followed by long searches through the house for "Sis."  He tells me to "Stop" about a hundred times a day (wonder where he has heard that) and says "Yuck" at every meal.  My very favorite thing is to see how excited Maddox gets when Amelia comes home from school.



I really hope they always miss each other this much.  It's just so darn sweet!!  Oh and Amelia just keeps moving on up in gymnastics.  Somewhere between Kindergarten, birthday parties, and Japanese class, she managed to get her handstand forward roll.  Go, Millie, Go!!

The First of Many Goodbyes

If I told you how many times I have sat down to write this, you wouldn't believe me.  It seems like I close my computer as quickly as I open it.  I know every mother feels this way and I know it's only Kindergarten but I just can't seem to get my emotions in check.  It's so strange because on one hand, I'm excited for Amelia to begin this new journey; she is more than ready...but on the other hand, I feel like I'm saying goodbye to a chapter of our lives.  The one where Amelia is with me every second of everyday... the one where we can stay in our pajamas all day long and play in forts...the one where we can go for ice cream at noon on a Tuesday. It's going to be an adjustment, that's for sure.  Not only for me, but Maddox too.  So back to my plan...to write a letter to Amelia in an effort to sum up what the last 5 years have meant to me.

My sweetest girl,
There are just 3 short days until you start Kindergarten!  I can't believe this day is finally here.  You are so excited and believe me, that makes this all a little easier on Mom.  We visited your school and had the chance to meet your teacher.  You fell in love instantly.  And you really are ready.  You are so smart and so social that I think making new friends will come so easily to you.  This is not the part that makes Mommy so sad.  It's the things that I'm going to miss doing with you everyday that cause me to cry at the drop of a hat.  I am definitely going to miss lazy rainy days, taking you to ballet and gymnastics, play doh parties, all day zoo making with your stuffed animals, and board games days.  But more than all of this, I'm simply going to miss spending every second with you.  I can't imagine not having to look for your banky at least 5 times a day.  I can't imagine rounding the corner from the laundry to the living room and not bumping right in to you.  I can't imagine not making you lunch and not having our afternoon snuggle together.  I can't imagine not seeing you and Maddox create cities made of blocks that he eventually knocks down.  And the thought of not hearing "Mom, I love you" all throughout the day breaks my heart. 

I vowed when I became a stay at home mom that I was really going to stay at home and be present. I wanted to teach you, guide you and do things with you. I really think we accomplished that!  This school thing will be so easy for you because you have so much going for you.  You are kind and generous and everywhere we go, people are drawn to you.  You are funny and energetic and so loving.  I'm not worried about you starting this adventure one bit.  In fact, I'm so proud of who you have become that I can't see straight.
 
There is nothing that I can write or no words that I can say to ever help you understand how much I love you.  All I know is that every night, when I put my head on my pillow, I thank God for trusting me to raise such a precious child.  I can only hope that someday you will be blessed with a child that brings as much joy and light into your life as you have brought into mine. 

I love this quote and it pretty much sums it all up.  "Making the decision to have a child is momentous.  It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body."  So walk, Amelia, walk.  Just be careful out there, because you will always have my heart. 

Mom

Amelia and her Monologues

I have always said that Amelia doesn't speak in sentences, she speaks in paragraphs.  Lately, she has been giving these monologues that I don't ever want to forget.   Sometimes, I even refer to them as lectures because all you can do is listen.  She leaves you no room to comment, ask questions, or laugh. 

Amelia has been wanting us to paint a mural on her wall.  I have been pushing for sea creatures while Amelia is begging for dinosaurs.....

  "Mom, I'm sorry that you have a daughter obsessed with dinosaurs.  I don't know why no one likes dinosaurs anymore.  I'm not asking for alot, just small dinosaurs on the wall with a big T Rex above my bed.  I know it hurts your feelings that I don't want sea creatures but I'm just a girl who loves dinosaurs."

Amelia was having a particularly cranky afternoon yesterday.  After a brief discussion on attitude adjustments, this lecture followed....

"Mom, I know that I am cranky.  It is probably because you don't make me take a nap anymore.  I try to change my attitude but I don't know how.  Sometimes, I just feel like crying.  I'm sorry if that gives you a headache but now I can't stop crying.  And now Maddox is crying and it is all my fault.  Can you tell me how to change my attitude now?"

I understand that just reading this doesn't do these speeches justice.  But I just need enough to trigger my memory.  For then, I am sure I will remember the tone of her voice, her hands on her hips, those huge blue eyes looking up at me and that sweet little face meaning every word she is saying.  I am going to miss these monologues. 6 more days until Kindergarten....I may not make it through this.

Backbend Kickover...Check

Little Amelia has worked so hard to get this!  You go, girl!!

Naked Soccer

In the past week, Maddox has really been drawn to playing with any ball....soccer, basketball, baseball, golf ball, even a bouncy ball.  He has turned into quite the kicker.

And Amelia has turned into a jumping bean.  She is flipping all over the house!  Cartwheels, rolls, and handstands...and a little beam work (on the back of the couch).

All day long I hear, "Look, " and, "Mom, watch this!"  And it just makes my days a little more exciting.



Golf Anyone?

When I was little, Mom and Dad would take us kids to Nashville every summer.  We LOVED it.  We did Opryland 2 days, stayed at the hotel and swam, went to the movies, shopped and played mini golf.   So, it seemed like the perfect place to take the kids for a long weekend.  We went to the Adventure Science Center, the zoo, and would you believe we stumbled upon Grand Ole Golf .... the exact same course I played on as a child.  As soon as I saw the sign, I knew we were going.  We were packing for home on Monday morning and I casually mentioned we should stop there on the way home.  As soon as we pulled in, I looked at the thermostat in the car and it said 93.  Should have driven right on by but I simply couldn't resist trying to recreate this memory of mine.  We got the kids out of the car and Amelia asked, " Do they have chairs on this course or do I just have to sit in the field?"  Another red flag.  I just pretended I didn't hear it.  We got our clubs, our balls and the scorecard with that adorable baby pencil.  We picked a course and off we went.  The first hole wasn't that bad.  Amelia's form was like something I have never seen and was in no mood to be corrected so you can imagine how successful she was at getting the ball into the hole.

She became frustrated and played hole 2 and 3 like this....

In her defense, Maddox was crazy.  Every time a ball was left alone for a second, he would pick it up.

Holes 4 and 5 were surrounded by water, and let's just face it, they were way to difficult for our crew so we headed on to hole number 6.  This is where it all went downhill.  I heard screaming and crying and when I turned around, Amelia had thrown her club and was lying flat on her back on the green.  Maddox was up to no good again and she couldn't take it.

Game over at hole number 6.  We were hot, crying, thirsty, tired, frustrated and just ready to go home.   I can safely say that no one had one ounce of fun...except for me.  Although it didn't go as planned, we did it and I was satisfied.  The next day I asked Amelia if she had fun on our trip.  Her reply, " I loved everything except golf."  Enough said.

The Unwanted Guest....and the Friend Who Saved the Day

Wednesday night at about 11 pm, I walked into Maddox's room to check on him before I called it a night.  The poor thing was on all fours sick as a dog.  He threw up until 6 in the morning.  To make a long story short, he was sick for 2 days and eventually ended up in the ER with a stomach virus.  We came home Friday from the hospital and were so relieved that everyone else had avoided that stupid thing.  About an hour after being home, Drew became sick and I quickly followed.  I looked around the room to see Maddox, Drew, and I lying on the floor.

Precious Amelia was literally stepping over us to play with her barbies and crayons and stuffed animals.  I stumbled to the phone and called my dear, sweet friend, Anne Milburn.  All I could think to do was to get Amelia out of the house so she wouldn't become sick.  I told Anne about how ill we were and she said, "Just tell me what to do."  I asked if Amelia could stay with her for the night and we would pick her up early in the morning.  I packed Amelia a bag and Anne came to pick her up for a girl's night.  I grabbed Maddox, put him to bed, and slept for a couple of hours.  I called Anne at 10 and could hear Amelia laughing and giggling in the background.  I headed to bed knowing Amelia was in good hands.  The phone rang at 6 in the morning.  I assumed Amelia was missing Mama.  Anne informed me that Amelia had been up since midnight vomiting.  I was devastated.  Not only was my baby sick, but poor Anne and her daughter, Remy, were exposed.   I felt so bad for Anne because I knew how evil that virus was and I knew how exhausting it was to stay up and take care of a sick little one.   I brought Amelia home and she was pitiful.

We finally all recovered on Sunday morning.  I called to thank Anne for being such a great friend.  And then....she broke the news that Remy was now sick.  She was not mad...she was not rude....she was, well, everything I probably wouldn't have been.

I have alot of good friends.  In fact, I have many great friends.  But a friend like Anne is one in a million.  She is caring, generous, understanding, thoughtful and loyal.  She protected my child and took care of her when she was sick.  I have apologized to her about a million times for getting Remy sick and last night she told me....

 "Release it.  There are way too many other things to stress about.  We don't know God's Plan.  Us being in the house sick could have kept us safe from another situation."  So ......I'm releasing the guilt and celebrating the fact that I'm so blessed to Anne in my life. 

Fourth of July...and a little bit more

Oh how I love the 4th!  I love the weather, the fireworks and the food.  This year was no different.  Matt has always been in charge of the airshow.   With all fireworks legal, he did not disappoint.

We spent the day hanging out with good friends.  We let the kids play in the pool and eat until they were sick.

Poor Maddox couldn't stay up to see the fireworks but Amelia and Addison did!....through the sliding glass door.  They wouldn't come outside for a second.  They hated the noise.  They would only open the door to say...."That was Awesome!"  Those girls were so cute.  Later that night, Amelia had her first sleepover and loved it!!  Fourth of July 2011 equals huge success.

On another note..one day last week I thought it would be a great idea to let the kids finger paint. Oh, they did...and a little more!  It was everywhere.  If you would have told me 10 years ago that I would let my kids ever look like this, I would have told you that you were absolutely crazy.

If you have kids and if you have finger paint, let them go at it.  I have never seen such smiles.  Oh, and add a little music in the background.... and if you are lucky, you will get a special show like the one the kids gave me:)

A Fun Trip....Kinda!

The anticipation for our annual fourth of July fireworks was killing us.  So instead of being one of those families that does fireworks at noon on July 3rd because they can't wait, we decided to occupy our time at the Wildlife Center in Frankfort.  We started packing early that morning because even a "day trip" with 2 little ones is an adventure.  Drew had seen somewhere on the website that fishing was free, so he was all about it.  We loaded the car, and because Matt and Dani were visiting, room was tight.  I found myself in the very back of the Saturn with a stroller and a fishing pole.  It really wouldn't have been so bad except there was a floating hook from the fishing rod above my head.  I couldn't feel any of the air conditioning or hear any of the conversation but that really didn't matter because I was just trying to focus on not getting carsick.  After a breakfast run to McDonald's, we were off.  Everything went pretty well until we realized the dual adapter car charger was not working.  This meant we could either use the DVD player and keep Maddox happy or use the GPS and not get lost.  We had printed out directions, luckily, so we chose to keep "happy" Maddox around.  We drove and drove and drove.  What should have been a 30 minute drive turned into an hour.   Drew finally admitted that he was trying to find a bait store first and was lost.  We did the unthinkable.  We unplugged Maddox and used the GPS.  We drove in circles for about 15 minutes but, by golly, we got 6 night crawlers.  It seemed like we had driven to Michigan and evidently, Amelia thought the same because she yelled out, "Dad, it feels like we are driving to Jesus."  We finally arrived and the kids were excited. 

While we were outside looking at the animals, we noticed different trails you could take.  The path seemed very level and wide enough for a stroller so we thought we would go for it.  As soon as I looked down to see if Maddox was having fun, he fell asleep.

I can easily say it was the worst decision of the day.  The path got narrower and narrower and then it got steeper and steeper.  There were logs in the middle of the trail and steps about every 100 feet.  The only choice we had was to pick the stroller up and carry it over every obstacle.  Poor Maddox rode almost completely vertical the entire trail.

It was hot, we had very little water and no food.  (We did, however, have those stupid 6 night crawlers).  Matt and Drew were soaked with sweat and I had blisters on my hands.  You see, some of the bridges required all three of us to pick up the stroller.

It was brutal.  People were passing us on the trail and I could tell what they were thinking.  "What a bunch of amateurs!"  Get ready....1 hour and 10 minutes later, we finally made it out.  We were miserable but decided we had to see the animals that we had driven so long to see.  We hurried by the eagle, the moose, and the bison.  It was at the bison exhibit when a perfect stranger asked us if we were staying hydrated.  I almost wet my pants.  Do you know how bad you must look if someone asks you that?  We were done.  We headed for the car in need of food and water.  After a much shorter drive home, we took a nap and everyone recovered nicely.  Later that night, I went to unpack the car and there they where....a Styrofoam cup full of 6 dead night crawlers.  A great reminder of a crazy trip!

When it Rains it Pours

I have so much to blog about and sooo many new pictures but everything I touch these days is broken.  Started with my computer....12 days later, it is still in the shop.  No computer means no pictures which means no blog.  With no computer, I thought I would get some cleaning done but....the vaccuum is broken.  Went upstairs to wash dishes and our brand new dishwasher is, you guessed it, broken.  So no writing until I get my "stuff" fixed.  Im on Drew's computer and I'm afraid I will break it;)

Cartwheel...Check!

For Your Feet?

I was hesitant to post this story but finally decided I couldn't resist.  May not be suitable for the males out there so feel free to stop reading now.....

Since I had Amelia 5 years ago I have not been able to shower, take a bath or go to the bathroom alone.  She loves to be in there with me while I'm getting ready, going through all of the drawers and my makeup.  I was fixing my hair last week, talking on the phone, and entertaining 2 kids when I was asked the question "What are these?"  I didn't look up at first and simply replied, " I'm not sure, honey."  After hearing the same question 4 or 5 times, I hung up the phone to give her the attention she needed.  When I turned around, she had a tampon stuck half way up her nose.  Maddox was sitting in the floor with about 10 of them around him.  "What are these, Mommy?  They smell so good."  I can honestly say I had no idea what to do.  I was so caught off guard!  After stuttering around I finally said, "They are for your feet."  She said, "Oh, I get it.  You rub them on your feet and they will make them smell good."  Can you believe that I agreed with her?  "Yep."  Conversation over.....until this morning.  I was doing some laundry and picking up the house when I heard Amelia say " Hold on, Maddox."  She came into the laundry room and said, "Mom, Maddox's feet really stink.  Can I go upstairs and get some of those things."  Are you kidding me?  The child forgets nothing.  I told her we were fresh out smell good feet things and left the room.  I think I might have laughed for 15 minutes, the kind of laugh where you are crying and your stomach is hurting.
 I love that girl.

Fancy Father's Day

We had big plans for Father's Day this year...well, not really big plans, just not "stay inside all day because it's raining" plans.  We gave Drew his present on Friday because Amelia can't hold a secret for more than 30 seconds.  We worked hard and I mean hard on his gifts.  I thought it would be so much fun to paint him some pottery.  Boy was I wrong.  After breaking things and spilling paint and whining and crying, (and by crying, I mean all 3 of us) we left with nothing.  You have to leave your pottery there and pick it up in a week which is sooooo much fun to explain to a 4 year old.  Anyhoo, after all of that, it WAS worth it.  Drew loved his coffee cup (painted by Maddox and Mommy) and a weird statue of a rabbit (picked out by Amelia).

Not knowing how these would turn out, we had a backup plan in place....

So this morning, with gifts already handed out, we found ourselves staring at each other.  Somewhere between 9 and 10 o'clock, Drew started cleaning out the refrigerator.  I started laundry and dishes and before I knew it, we were in full cleaning mode.  The kids started getting restless so we went upstairs for lunch.  What a great idea because Amelia and Drew and Maddox put on an impromptu dance recital.  Drew, with absolutely no musical background, played the piano and Amelia danced.  As I came around the corner, this is what I saw smiling up at me....

And a big thank you to Maddox.  After thinking all the gifts had been handed out, he gave Drew what every father wants to see....His son in high heels!!

We love you, Drew.  Eveyone that knows you does.  You are THE BEST dad and the kids will thank you for it someday...You may just have to wait, oh 20 years, until they realize it.

Conversation with a 4 year old

It was hard for me to make the decision to start writing a blog, but I really wanted to have a place for all of those wonderful comments that come out of a child's mouth, so I decided to make a go of it.  Some things Amelia has said are so funny!   I will never need to write these down because they are forever in my memory.  But there are some conversations, probably the sweetest ones, I'm afraid will eventually slip away if I don't jot them down.

Today I was running around like a nut....no different than any other day really.  I was doing about 10 things at once, when I heard the washing machine stop.  I went to the laundry room and started switching the clothes from the washer to the dryer.  And to my surprise, they were all the prettiest shade of pink......Not good, when it is a load of Drew's white work shirts.  I beat myself up all morning over it and to myself I said, "Stephanie, I just don't like you that much today."  As I turned around, there she was, all ears.  She proceeded to lecture me and this conversation followed....

"Mom, you should love yourself.  God made you and everyone loves you.  Maddox loves you, I love you, and you know daddy loves you because you are his wife.  We want you in this family but you have to love yourself.  And if you don't, then you should just go live with your mother."

Safe to say, she pretty much hit the nail on the head.  I kissed her forehead and said, "Amelia, I'm so glad you keep me in check."

Maddox-18 Months

Took Maddox to the doctor yesterday for his 18 month well check and it is official.....He has the physique of Danny Devito!  Height: 30 percentile...Weight: 63 percentile (27 pounds).  We are totally fine with that because look at this face!!......

Oh sweet boy....we love you so much!!