Short Stuff Can be a Pirate Too

Lately, a topic of discussion around our house concerns Kaitlin and whether or not she is going to be a tomboy or a princess like Jaeda. She adores both her brother and sister, but she truly thrives on Brice's play. She likes being knocked around, and the "boy" games that he tries teaching her. It is really cute. Her very favorite thing lately is swordfighting...Brice has six swords and they love hitting each others swords (and Brice is very careful). She is our little pirate pea. Oh and you can also see from the picture that she is a sword swallower as well. True talent runs in this family. :)

Bluebirds

This week was the first of 7 music classes that Jaeda and Kaitlin are taking...they love it! I am so excited that we have found something that Jaeda loves as much as playing mommy to her babies. She was a terrific student and participated in all of the songs, dancing, and instruments. Kaitlin loved climbing and sitting on top of the drums and playing with her friends. Our Wed. playgroup is taking the class together, so that makes it even more fun! For more pics, click on this link

http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=fgez5zq.a5dnfdei&x=1&y=4e2e96

So Proud of Our Ringbearer

This past weekend, Brice and I drove down to Riverside for Brad's cousin, Amanda's wedding. We stayed in West Covina with Great Grandma and Papa Joe and had a wonderfully relaxing time with them, then joined in the wedding festivities on the weekend. Brice had no idea what a wedding was, and definitely thought it was a "princess" thing. When Amanda got out of the limo in her dress, he told her that she looked so pretty, and his face was totally honest. He thought she looked GORGEOUS! And she did. He did a great job walking down the aisle, may have been a little TOO helpful with his cousin Kaileigh by trying to take her hand and walk her down (she didnt like this very much), but they were all so cute and it was great. We relaxed and spent time with Grandma and Papa Joe the rest of the time, went swimming, bike riding, and shopping, and by Sunday, we were VERY ready to get home to Daddy and the girls. For more pictures, visit our Kodakgallery by clicking on the following link: http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=fgez5zq.7ib5w8xm&x=1&y=er01fg

Sleepless on the Sofa

KJ konked out on Mamaw

Kaitlin LOVES Mamaw's spaghetti
My first time making Granny's cheesebraids...quite the pastry chef, I am.
Lots of love before school.

I am up at 12:15 because I cannot for the life of me, sleep...I know that my friend Abby is having a baby as we speak, across the country, and I am DYING to know how things are going...and it is way too late to call. But, since I am up, I will go ahead and post pictures from my mom's visit. She was here for 2 weeks and left this past Saturday. We had a great time hanging out with the kids (who adore her), and my friends had a great time with her too. It was very fun for me to have the people who mean the most to me (my best friends), meet and get to know my mom and to have her get to know them. Brice keeps asking to see his "Kentucky Mamaw." :) The kiddos sure do love her.
Oh, I would also like to add that I won a FREE ONE YEAR MEMBERSHIP to my gym!!! My friend Rebecca joined under me 2 weeks ago, so both of our names went into a raffle...there were 3 names picked before me, but none of those people were represented at the drawing, then my name was called!!! I am so excited, thank you Lord for this gift!
(I guess that He knew I would need extra motivation when it comes time to renew my membership in 2008)

What You Can Find on a Potty

So, it goes like this. Brice's Teacher Britney took the class to go potty before nap. Brice was in the stall for a minute and T. Britney asked if he was okay. He said yes, but continued to stay in the stall. A couple of more minutes went by and he still did not come out. T. Britney looked under the stall and saw that he was still sitting on the potty. She once again asked if he was okay. He said yes and that he would be out in a minute. A few more minutes passed so she asked him to please hurry because there were other kids that needed to use the potty. He did not say anything, so she opened the stall and he was literally reclined on the toilet seat completely naked. He had taken off all of his clothes, socks, shoes and everything and was sitting back on the seat with his arms propped up on the back of the seat and his head tilted back. I LOVE it.

We Have TWO Kiddos in Preschool

Jaeda started preschool last week, and this was not the easiest thing for me, but was definitely the most fun thing in the world for her. All I know is that I am SO thankful for my wonderful friends who called me to check up on me (because her going to preschool is all about me???) when she went off into the big world last Monday. One of my closest friends Katie whose daughter Kamryn is one of Jaeda's best friends met us for lunch in San Luis and talked me out of picking Jaeda up early from school...I am ridiculous. I would have ruined her day had I tried to take her away during lunch. Then my other Caitie, who I share my ridiculous emotions with all of the time called to see how Jaeda's big first day went and this was very comforting too. I cannot express how much these simple gestures meant to me. I found myself praying a LOT that day for Jaeda and thanking Him for the support our family has of friends that care so much as to pick up the phone to call and see how things that seem so little, are going.

Anyways, I could go on and on about the other encouragement that I received from friends last Monday, but I won't...you know who you are, but I cannot believe the emotions and separation anxiety that moms go through when letting go of a baby even if it is for only a few hours during the week...especially when it is intended for the child's greater good!
Jaeda had an awesome time, napped great (and without her blankie! She didn't even ask for it!), used those manners, and made new friends. What a great week! Brice helped her too...showed her to her classroom (his old class), her cubby, etc. It was a really neat blessing to see how well he takes care of her. ALSO, Kaitlin and I had a great two days, just the two of us...I love watching her blossom when it's just her! Though I think she got bored playing with me after a while, and really missed having her siblings around. She is awesome and I love her to pieces.

Jaeda's Second Birthday Party

Yes, I know, you thought that she already celebrated her birthday, and you are right. However, we also had another party today to celebrate with the family, my mom who arrived in town last night, and all of Jaeda's friends. We outdid ourselves, but the girl had so much fun, and is officially "princessed" out after getting about every princess toy imaginable. She had fun playing with her friends and sharing her new toys...there were plenty to go around...very generous friends and family we have...wow. Choosing a theme for a birthday party can be very difficult for me as I research everything that Jaeda loves and the trends these days for toddler girls, then weigh them against the little interests that Jaeda has that most people don't know about. Jaeda had a garden party because she loves flowers, helping me in the garden, and being outside. Plus, it was much simpler than the princess party I would have unneccesarily overdone had I attempted it. Weeks before the party, people asked why we weren't going to have a princess party for her since she loves princesses, but truthfully, Brad and I really wanted to seek out Jaeda's unique interests and celebrate them, thus the garden party. She loved it. We are itching to try out the new garden tools and set out the play garden animals that she got today.

As I said, my mom is visiting and I think that her first day here, today, did her in due to a combo of both the jetlag and a two year-old's birthday party. I am so appreciative of how she is such an awesome Mamaw to my children, but not only that, she is also still very much separately a mother to me. She whipped up some of her famous fixins today right before the party to help me out, then attempted to straighten up after the party (nearly impossible with three kids 3 1/2 and younger all over the place). I only hope that I am half of what she is when my kids are parents.