Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Pictures from the 500 Parade!







Pictures from the weekend!

Yummy Corn!




One Down, One to Go...

This weekend we crossed a bridge... I realized that Avery can read her clock in her room and explained that she needs to wait to get out of bed until the first number is 6. That means no more coming into our bed @ 2, 3, 4 etc. She needs to stay in her bed like a big girl. She actually listened! It took a couple of tries, but she is doing it! Yeah!!! Now, on to Jake. He has never come into our bed.. until of course, Avery stopped! On Sunday night Mike heard a rustling on our duvet, which had slipped onto the floor and found him sleeping soundly on our floor at the foot of our bed. Complete with his pillow and 2 stuffed animals, Sal and Harpo. It was so sweet! Mike woke me up and told me it could be the cutest thing he has experienced thus far as a parent. He (Jake), never made a peep. We were not fully asleep when we found him, so he must have come in VERY quietly! Too cute!

We had a great family weekend last weekend. We spent time at the 500 Parade, planted flowers, went to church, went to a cookout, spent time with friends and family. GREAT! We did miss that there was no cookout @ Aunt Agnes' this year, so we didn't all get together but nonetheless, it was relaxing and we spent lots of time together, and that is what holidays are about.

Off to do the laundry!! Have a great week, it is supposed to actually feel like summer in the next couple of days!! Yeah!!!!!

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Summer Break Begins!

Well, tomorrow is the last day of preschool for my kiddos and I am sad! We love their classes, friends and teachers and I know that we will miss everyone very much. Jake has really taken to his classmates and we didn't know how long that would take. It was a rough couple of months in the beginning. Avery has learned ALOT from her friends, not all good, but nonetheless, she does like them and will be asking about them daily! Notice I did not mention the fact that my time alone is gone for the next three months-- that has nothing to do with my sadness ;).

We are going to try to stay busy and have lots of fun this summer. Here are some of my goals:

Start a "chore/responsibility chart" for the kids. We need to reinforce our expectations. With Jake just learning them, the door is open for Avery to test them.

Practice writing with Avery. She has really come a long way in the past few months and she loves to "show off" her new talent.

Potty train Jake. He is not at all interested, so we will see how that goes. I won't push him too much.

Go to the zoo @ least 2x a month. We have to make use of our zoo pass right? Plus, its nice to visit our extended family! Hahaha! (you can decide for yourself which side they are on)

Stick to my yard work. Mike gives me a hard time about being strong out of the gate, but not much for stamina, so I want to work on that.

Feel free to check in on my progress, I sometimes need a thump on the head to remember all of the things I wanted to do.

PS. Larry came out of surgery well and should come home tomorrow.

PSS. We had our last MOPS meeting last night, and to any of you who may see this, I will miss you this summer and had a great time over the past few months. It was great to meet you all! It is really encouraging to know that there are so many other moms out there just doing the best they can to raise good, god fearing,well balanced children in this crazy unbalanced world we are in! See you in the fall!

Pray for Larry

Please pray for Larry as he has surgery today. From what I hear it is pretty routine, but extra prayers never hurt!!!

Thursday, May 8, 2008

Pics from the week

At the zoo with Aunt Agnes, Grant and Tyler, Matt and Grandma Helen
Avery giving her baby a bath during our yard sale at Aunt Agnes' house
Jake was so enamoured with the peguins.
My to waddle, waddle, waddle buddies!
Oh how I love them!

The Days of our Lives

We have been going nonstop for the past few weeks, and it feels GREAT! Sometimes I feel like we do the same things everyday and it has been refreshing to have places to go and people to see.

The kids are growing up so fast and keeping me on my toes. Jake has started talking up a storm since we took his paci-wire, and I swear he has grown up 6 mos. worth in the past few weeks. It is great to hear his sweet voice all day. I have never heard "Why mommy?" sound so sweet and pure. It is truly a testament to God's wonderful plan. Kids are so innocent in this crazy world of ours. "Why hold your hand mommy?", "Why no spoon in my water?", "Why no running away from mommy?" Too sweet!

Avery, on the other hand, whew!! She has taken me on a ride the past few weeks! I have a almost 4 year old who is turning 15 soon. She is sweet and bossy, a caretaker and a toy taker, happy and angry, humble and snooty, thankful and greedy, all within a blink of an eye. We are banging heads at every single corner, and to be honest, I am at a loss. I am the only one she challenges in this way. I am sure it is because we are so much alike, but nonetheless, I have to figure it out and SOON! I can't figure out how to "Break the will, without breaking the spirit". Of course I know that this is installment #1 or 2 of hundreds we will have over the next years, I just want to start out on my feet.

Other than the above mentioned, things are great. Daddy gets home soon from the Philippines, and it will be good having him back on American soil. Wanda and Larry are home from Wilmington, and I am thankful to have them back in our state. Mike is home and doing well, putting up with me with a smile on his face. Thanks honey!

I will write more soon!