The last days of K & 1st...

As always life has been a bit crazy, and I am once again way behind on the events of our lives. Here is a quick peek into the last week (or 2) of school for the kids. Keep in mind that my kids attended different schools because, being different children, they have different needs. We have enrolled them into the same school for next year in hopes that it is a good fit for the both of them. ((fingers crossed))

Field day at Zachary's school...
this is not his sport (AT ALL) but he had a blast anyway!

haha... could they get any further apart?!?

Field day at Jolie's school...

the entire class playing with a parachute.

Zachary won the Science Award!!!!


Zach's class had a party and "Graduation" on the last day of school.

Jolie's class had a game/play outside day on the last day. Girls vs. boys... and athe girls win!!!

9 MONTHS OLD!!!!

This sweet little baby...



has become this beautiful boy...



Grady is 9 months old today!! I can't believe it! This morning at his well check he weighed in at 24lbs 3oz (he has dropped to the 75th percentile) and 31.5in tall/long (still off the charts), he looks great (even his ears!)he has 6 teeth (4top and2 bottem)and has taken his first unassisted steps (not really walking yet, just a step or two then he falls) he can also say 5ish words! Grady is a very energetic, loving, and inquisitive boy. He keeps me on my toes constantly, he loves water (bath, glass of water he can dump, dog water, toilet, he won't descriminate) and the refrigerator is easily his favorite "room" in the house with the pantry and bathroom coming in at a close second.

Raiding the fridge...


and the pantry...


and if you can't find anything else to eat, water colors are pretty yummy!!

WAHOO!!

I have internet again!! Sorry I have not posted in a while, but the only internet access I have had was through my cell phone. So today I came upstairs and the kids were on the computer, not only the computer but playing on Disney Channel's website (this is their home page, and no they cannot "surf the internet" with out a password). I don't know how they did it, but I have internet again!!!!!! What smart little boogers they are :)

You Know You're A Mom When-sDAZE

This is one I had to participate in.

You know your a mom when...

-you don't really have an answer to the notoriously annoying "why" questions so after the first few you answer "because that's how God made it."

-you are walking out of the Y and your 5 year old is throwing a fit, instead of grabbing said child and whisking them away to your car you mention "if your gonna get in trouble for throwing a fit you should probably do a better job." Said child stomps foot and make guttural/growling noises at you. "No buddy more like this" stamp foot way harder than child is capable of and in a good loud whiny voice "but I don't want to, it's not FAIR!!!" Child is staring open mouthed (as well as many other Y patrons) he quietly proceeds to the car. (just want to mention that I WON!that right, I am not above beating a 5 year old in a whining contest.)

-you can name off almost every bathroom in the zoo. (and various other child friendly facilities)

-you hear a loud bang in the front room/ "formal living room" (you know, the one with the basketball hoop in it) and your response is "bring me what broke and the super glue"

-you carry snacks, drinks, crayons, diapers, wipes, etc... in your purse, but never anything you need like a pen or any feminine supplies.

I am pretty sure I could go on forever, but I need a shower and the baby is sleeping (so I have a very short window of oppertunity)

It's coming...

summer that is. And with the start of summer comes the activities!!! Little League opening day was this past Sat, this year Jolie decided to go with dance (I think she will still play t-ball in June/July, but she wasn't so sure about competative softball) and Zach decided the competative league is the way to go (I think he will do t-ball with park and rec too since Little League ends the first week of June). Zach plays with the Hooks and is #7. He played an awesome game and was a great sport on Sat. I was so impressed!


Jolie at the batting cages.


Grady at the first game of the season!


Zach got a hit! On his way to first base!


The bigs watching daddy in the batting cages.

did you just say that?!?

We have been having some pretty entertaining conversations lately and I feel like I need to share.

Heaven-
Zach: Mommy, Why do people have to go to heaven?
Mommy:Well honey, sometimes they are sick or they get hurt really bad, and sometimes it is just their time to go so God takes them up to Heaven where they can do a different job for him.
Jolie: Where is Heaven? Is it in outter space?
M: That's a good question. (this is me stalling, I don't really know howe to awnser in a way she will understand)
Z: (interupts the end of my statement) No, Jolie. Heaven is everywhere, all around us... well except for in cities, and towns... ya, Heaven is everywhere out of town.
M: (oh buddy, sometimes I feel that way too. but for the most part that is a really good description in a way the kids can understand) WOW, what a great description buddy.

Lunch-
Mommy: Hey Zach, what do you want for lunch?
Zach: I already ate.
M: (HUH?!?) What'd you have?
Z: A sandwich. (very matter of fact)
M: what was on it? roast beef?
Z: No, it had cheese and............honey.(this is when I see the bread and things on a kitchen chair)
M:(EWWW!) WOW!! (stalling, trying to recover myself. and yes there is a smile on my face, no need to crush independance.) Was it good?
Z: Ya, really good. I ate all.
M: (Jaw on the floor. EWWWW!) Wow! Good job buddy!

Buttocks-
Zach: What's a Buttocks? is it your butt?
Jolie: (before her human body unit at school) No, I think it is like a fart. Like your BUTT TALKS! (yes, she was serious, and not tyring to make a joke.)





What can I say, they see the world from a different perspective.

It has been a sad couple of days at our house. Jolie's pet(Cloud) died this weekend, and she is broken hearted. I can honestly say that watching my child grieve has been one of the hardest things I have ever had to do. I want so badly to be able to take the hurt away, but I know this is something that time will heal. She loved that little guy.

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow

We had so much fun playing in the snow today, making snow angels and attempting to build a snow man. It was Grady's first adventure in the snow, so Jo and Zach were eager to show him the ropes.

4 Months Old!!

Look who is 4 months old already!!! We went in for Grady's check up today and he is doing great! He weighed in at 18lb 6 oz and is 27.5 in long! He rolls over both ways and is able to support himself for short periods of time while sitting! We even got the go ahead to start introducing solids, yay!! (Jan 12, 2010)

Grady's first haircut!!!

Grady's first haircut at 3 1/2 months old. Shawn and I decided it was just a little too out of control, so we took a little off the top:) I am pretty sure Grady thought we were out right crazy.

Before...






After... so handsome!

December in a nut shell

December is an exciting and busy month, but so special and fun. I LOVE watching the kids experiance the magic of Christmas, and enjoy watching them understand the meaning of Christmas a little more each year. This year was very neat because the kids were very excited about picking out gifts for others, they spent a lot of time thinking about what they wanted to get each person and picking out that "perfect" gift. They were very excited to watch people open their gifts and see what had been chosen. Jolie got to volunteer at Care and Share with her Girl Scout troop, which started a conversation about how lucky we are and ended with us helping to provide presents and dinner to family that isn't as lucky as us (again, the kids really put a lot of thought into what we chose for that family). So here it is...

December started with a Christmas Tree (a REAL one!!!)



The kids had a blast decorating it.


We went to the Parade of Lights (it was COLD! a lovely -5)


at the parade the kids met "Elvis" :)


Grady all bundled up


The kids meeting Santa at the Christmas party for Shawn's work.

and here it is...

"Say hello to my little friend"


Jolie opening one of her gifts (a fur real kitty)


and Grady playing with his new toy.


I couldn't have asked for a better Christmas. We had an amazing time filled with family and friends. We are so blessed.

1...2...Skip a few... Where does the time go?!?!

I will not neglect the blog. I will not neglect the blog...
So here is a "catch up session" of our life since Halloween, and I promise I will try to keep up from now on. :)

November is pretty typically uneventful for us. Grady turned 2 month's old, and made it to one of the more rewarding stages he smiles!!! He spent a few days in the hospital towards the end of the month so that we could get his reflux issues figured out, and we have not had a problem since (knock on wood). Even in the hospital he was in pretty good spirits...