It's Potty Time

It's that time!  No more diapers.  I can honestly say I'm tired of changing diapers. So....we bought Maddox a brand new potty this week.  It sings when you pee pee in it. (genius, right?)  Obviously, he loves it and he did pretty well with his first day of  big boy pants.

Thumbs Up!

Potty Scorecard

                                                 In potty           8 times

                                                 Outside           2 times

                                                 In the floor     1 time

                                                

So a pretty good day for Maddox!  And seriously, how cute is he?



 

and I'm crying again....

It's that time of year again.  The time of year when the laughter stops, the fighting ceases and the little spark in our lives heads back to school. I really am crying again.  It seems absurd especially since its first grade.  I know, I know....I've done this already but I'm convinced I'm just lousy at change.  I love my crazy day to day life; both kids at home, yelling, running, giggling, flipping, hugging, snuggling, and playing.  I don't need anything to change.  I like everything just the way it is...but, nevertheless, here we are staring first grade right in the face.  I'm a mess and Amelia couldn't be more excited.  I mean, she has a new teacher....and "he's a boy." She's had her backpack packed for 2 weeks and her outfit is ironed and ready.  She's pumped, Mom is not. However, I must admit, it does make it easier knowing how much Amelia is looking forward to her new adventure.  So, Amelia, I write to you.....

My Amelia Rose,
Sweet, sweet girl, it's time for first grade!  You are so excited that I think you may pop.  You have a new teacher, Mr. Robinson and you absolutely loved meeting him.  You found out that several of your friends are in your class and I think that will make this year a breeze.  When we walked into orientation, all of the teachers remembered you.  They were so happy to see you.  Mrs. Scott hugged you for the longest time and told you to come to her room if you needed anything.  I could almost see the relief on your face.  I watched you walk down the hallway to your new room with your little ponytail rocking back and forth.  I tried to hold your hand as we walked up the stairs, but you let my hand go.   I don't know why it made me sad but it did.  Of course you don't need me to hold your hand as you walk up the stairs, but I just wanted you to need me or maybe I just needed you to hold MY hand.  It just made me realize how much you have grown up in a year.  You have gained so much confidence around your friends and teachers.  You are still as sweet as ever and funny, too!  You can read and write and sadly for dad and I , you can spell.;)  You are a great big sister and I credit you for teaching Maddox his colors and numbers.  I must say I am most proud of the love that you have for your family...I'm not just talking about me and Dad and Maddox.  I'm talking about the people you pray for every night...Granzy, Grandma, Grandpa, Matt, Dani, Tyler ,and GP.  If you can just continue to remember it really is all about family, then you are ahead of the game. You really are the best kid in the world.  So are you ready?  Heck yeah!  Knock em dead, Amelia.  Just remember, if you ever need anything in your life, big or small, night or day, Dad and I are here for you.  We love you and are proud of you and can't wait to see all the things you accomplish this year.

The Not So Lazy Days of Summer

Wow!!!  Back to school already? On one hand, I cant believe it....on the other hand, I feel like its been a really long, fun summer!  We wasted not one day of our break.  The very first week of summer, Amelia went to acting camp.  Believe it or not, she's a shy little thing outside our house.  Drew and I were convinced it would be good for her and it absolutely was!  She loved it.



 A week later Amelia started pre-team (Hot Shots) at gymnastics.  That child has flipped all over this house for the past 8 weeks...and the Olympics only made it worse;)

In late June, we went to Cincinnati and the kids had a blast. 

Honestly, we could have saved some money and just gotten a hotel room down the street.  Don't get me wrong, they both loved the zoo and the museum and the baseball game but those activities just couldn't compare to staying in a hotel room.  Their favorite thing about the room?  Staying up late and jumping on the beds, of course!  They loved swimming at the hotel, too!  And its a good thing because we swam alot this summer.  In fact we just finished the last week of summer lessons.



So, so, so thankful that we were able to spend time with our family this summer too.  We saw the Ulmers in Louisville and visited Granzy and Tyler a couple of times.  The kids loved swimming at GP's and we even stayed a weekend with Matt and Dani.  And of course, we had our annual July 4th get together!

And finally somewhere in all of the fun, Amelia was able to bust her little tail in gymnastics and make the team.  I don't know how she does it but we are so proud!  All 39 pounds of her:)

Now I also must report that I totally intended to help Amelia with her bike riding and get that paci away from Maddox, but didn't quite get around to it...saving them for the fall;)  So here's to a great summer of 2012!  Now let's get ready for first grade!

Amelia on the bars

So proud of sweet Amelia.  She has been working extremely hard this summer on bars!  First video is Amelia doing her pullover back hip circle.

And finally...Amelia's dismount!  Still needs a little work but oh so proud of her!

She became a little frustrated but maybe because I kept saying one more time, one more time!!  Anyhoo, congrats Amelia!!  Hard work pays off:)

We love love.

I was putting Maddox to bed last night and told him I loved him.  He said, "Me too, Mama."  I then asked him, "Do you know what love is?"  He said, "You, Dad, hugs and kisses."  I think that pretty much sums it up.  I am so grateful that at age 2 he understands that we love him so much.  Drew and I try to make sure both kids feel loved every second of every day.  I know that seems so unrealistic, especially when a good portion of my day is spent saying, "pick up your toys, don't hit each other, no jumping on mom's bed, and don't pee in the floor."  (You can guess who this reminder is for.)  But for the most part, I am proud to say that I think we have succeeded in this department....just ask Maddox;)

A boy with a paci

Today while Amelia was at gymnastics, Maddox and I actually caried on a full conversation.  I looked at him and told him that we had to get rid of his paci soon.  I explained that only babies had paicfiers, not big boys."  I asked him, "Are you a baby or a big boy?"  He said "I a boy!"  I said "But big boys don't have pacis, remember?"  He thought for a second and looked at me and said "I a boy with paci!"  I love him!  But seriously, that stupid thing has got to go.

The sweetest kind of love

Here they are yesterday loving the snow....

and today, poor Maddox is sick.  He started running a fever during the night and felt pretty poopy all day.  Amelia could tell he felt bad because he wasn't playing with her at all.  They have fought like cats and dogs the last two weeks so I thought Amelia may enjoy some one on one time with me but she really missed playing with him.  As Drew carried Maddox to bed, Amelia started to cry.  She said she was worried about him and didn't want him to be sick anymore.  At that moment I thought, wow...you guys really love each other.  Even with all the bickering and occasional spitting episodes (thank you, Maddox), you love each other.  I realized I was watching the love grow between a brother and a sister.  And that love, well...it is the sweetest kind of love. 

(Feel better, Maddox...we love you!)