Saturday, October 3, 2009

Hailey's big night out


So, Pete and I dropped the kiddos (Avery and Pete) off at Nana and Papa's for a big weekend in the country and we decided to go get some dinner with our one child! As we were driving I reminded Pete of the fabulous mexican restuarant we had previously gotten take out with our friends Emily and Dirk. We both thought that was a great idea, but I didn't have my cell phone and felt horrible about eating at a restuarant that my friend lives so close to and not calling her. But in the end, hunger won over, and we decided to go on to the restuarant. I kept telling Pete "We are SOO going to run into Emily and Dirk!", and he kept saying "Let's just go by their house and see if they want to go" and I said I would rather DIE than "pop in" on someone on a Friday night.

So, Pete, Hailey and I had just sat down with our margaritas (Hailey's a milk sans the margarita) when who do we see walk in the door . . .Emily, Dirk and their brood! I ran over to them, invited them to join us and we had the best time! Hailey and Campbell just loved each other and we just know they are going to be the best of friends (since they are only a few months apart!) They just loved on each other and kept laughing and touching each others faces!

I love "impromptu" meetings like that and couldn't have asked for a better surprise from one of my best friends!! It was a great start to our "kid free" weekend!

Monday, September 28, 2009

Gramps 80th Birthday

My parents threw my Grandpa (aka - Robert, Dad, Grandpa, and Gramps) a party for his 80th birthday. They held it at my grandparents house in the itty bitty town were they now live (and also where they grew up). My mom did a great job with all the centerpieces, decorations, food and cake . . . she sure knows how to pull it all together!


I worked to get just the right outfits together, get my little family all color coordinated, and guess what . . . didn't take one single picture of all of us together. I wouldn't be a very good photographer . . . but oh well, the memories will still be there.


Aunt Ashley with Hailey - who got passed around and loved on all afternoon!


The girls with Gramps and G.G. - Avery's favorite thing to do whenever she sees the camera now is to shout "CHEEESSSEEEE!" She also was throwing in "Touchdown" in this particular photo!




The blocks go EVERYWHERE with us. Hailey is so cute, trying to mix it up with the older kids.

My sister Ashley made these centerpieces for outside - so creative!

Worst week ever

I thought about writing a long extended version of the week that forever will live in infamy in our home, but decided against it. Let's just say, the stomach virus hit our home with a vengeance at about the worst possible time. So there, I've chronicled it, I'm done with it, I want to forget it.

Time to move on . . . happier posts coming soon.

Sunday, September 20, 2009

Go Tech!!



Well, we suited up and went to watch the game, but alas, our poor Red Raiders did not defeat this time.

What a great game though, and truly a rebuilding year for our team. I hadn't planned on the kiddos being there at the party(long story), so I didn't have outfits for them. I think I improvised pretty well! Hailey could wear Avery's cheerleader outfit from last year!!


I love these pics so much, because every time Avery sees a camera she has started yelling "CHEEEEEESSSEE!!!!" and you can totally see her doing it in these! Priceless!

Our neighbors, Melissa and Andrew, were nice enough to host the party at their house. Have I mentioned we have the BEST neighbors ever???

Saturday, September 19, 2009

Visits


The kiddos Grandma and Great Grandma came for a visit last week. My kids were fantastic and really put a show on for them! Singing, reading, dancing . . . it was quite entertaining. Great Grandma kept saying "These children are so well-behaved"!



My parents also came to visit last week. It's getting a bit cooler here, so we went to have lunch and the kids rode the train for the very first time! They seemed to love it and I ran around trying to see them everytime they passed by. Avery also "helped" my mom and I finish the invitations for my Grandpa's 80th birthday party that is coming up!!!






On another note, I am loving photo editing. I don't really like the trial program that I am trying out, because I don't know what I'm doing. But, I'm eager to find a program that is a bit more simplistic for a beginner like me!!

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Walrus!


WALRUS!!!!! Pete with his favorite book, pointing at his favorite word to say!

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

First day of school

Pete and Avery started Mother's Day out on Tuesday, Sept. 8. They both were in fantastic moods before leaving and seemed really excited. I didn't want to jinx it by taking alot of pics so I just tried to snap a few as they were walking out the door!! They're little backpacks and lunchboxes are so cute!!! Avery loves to wear hers and Pete is in charge of holding the lunches! And yes, that is a santizer wipe taped to the top of their lunches . . . some things will never change for this germophobic mom!!!

(Not sure what he was looking at . . .but the is the longest I could get him to hold still, without making him upset!)

Pete started crying when I left, so I really expected all morning to have to go pick him up, but the teacher said that he did just fine after a few minutes! Avery went straight in and started playing. When I went to pick them up, Pete looked at me, blinked a little, and then started screaming "Mommy! Mommy! Mommy!" as he ran toward me. Avery came running too and was yelling "Up! Up!"

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Meet the Teacher


We went to Meet the Teacher at Avery and Pete's Mother's Day Out program. They are in the same classroom as last year. I totally understand why, since their birthday is not until December, but I still would rather them be with more their "peer" group. Last year they were the youngest and this year now they are the oldest. I talked with the director about moving them to the "2" room after December, but we have to have two spots open up, so we'll just have to wait and see.

Luckily this year, Avery is not the only girl. There will be two other girls this time around (yippee!). They were a bit apprehensive when we walked in, but then just started playing like old pros.

When we got home I tried very quickly to get a picture of ALL of us (since we still don't have one)! Right before bedtime, and without a really good background . . .but we got a few!

Friday, August 28, 2009

Last of the August Adventures series

Whew, it has been a busy month! I keep thinking things will slow down but they never seem to! So I'm just going to put all the pics, not so much writing this time . . . all from this weekend (whew, again!!)

Visiting the beach . . .

My little "organizers" . . .


My friend Kerri and her family came to visit . . .


Photography class . . .

Some practice shots . . . realizing how much I love the "automatic" button, but all of the pics below were taken "manually"!!!




PaPa can finally pick up the kiddos! They are very happy!

Thursday, August 20, 2009

5 and 20 - My Irish Triplets



I heard the term "Irish Twins" and became intrigued because I thought my kids fit the description. So, I looked it up and actually Irish twins are siblings who are born within 12 months of each other. So (thankfully, luckily, and everything else -ily) my kiddos where not born within 12 months, just 15 months (ahem)! But, I think I still might call them Irish Triplets instead. (Oh and Wikipedia also states, that Irish Twins is a very derogatory and un-PC thing to say, so if your offended, sorry!)


So our big milestone "birthdays" are here, and I've been a little lax about writing about what each is doing, so here goes . . . (stop now if you don't want to be reading for a LOOONG time!)

Miss Avery cat is 20 months and as full of energy as ever. She refuses to ride in the cart, only wants to carry groceries, and stops and stares at anyone and everyone she passes in the store. She has full on learned how to throw fits, and often is seen throwing a fit when Momma won't let her play with keys, knives or other sharp objects (but it doesn't keep her from trying).


She has decided that she will only take 1 nap a day and that has become a fight sometimes too. I make her at least go lay down in the afternoon, because she's only 1 1/2, she needs a nap, right?? She now sleeps with a pillow, stuffed animal and of course that lovely paci. She has the cutest way of saying "NOOOOO!", which of course shouldn't be cute, but is so precious!

She's jabbering up a storm. She has put a few words together at a time, but mostly sticks to pointing out things. She still loves books and has found out that TV can be really enjoyable, too. Dancing is a favorite pastime, which makes us smile every time she starts shaking her head and hands around. I think she might be a girly girl (PLEEEAAAASSEEE!) because she loves to put on bracelets, shoes, and try on clothes.


Another name for her might be Smarty Pants. She seems to be doing so much with her books, comprehension and drawing. She can point out most things in her books and is very delighted with herself when she finds it! I have taught her 1,2,3,4,5 and she can usually do it 1,2,3 and sometimes I'll get and A,B,C out of her too!



Petey Pooh (oh he's going to love that someday) is also now 20 months. Pete loves playing outside even when it is so hot. He is often seen throwing fits about not wanting to come in! He has become all B-O-Y, throwing balls and pushing trucks around. His biggest "vice" right now, is his impatience! I better have dinner on the table at the right time, or watch out! A favorite pastime of his is swimming - the boy is a fish and is pretty fearless in the water.


He has starting jabbering alot lately too, but in a different way from his sister. He seems to have made up his own language. He's totally comprehending, because he can point when I ask him a word but is so cute when he is trying to say it. I have taught him every animal sound I can think of and he is pretty accurate about reciting it.

He seems to be very intent on "studying" and his favorite books are the ones that have many pictures with the identifying word (like My First Animal Book, ect.) He will sit and point out everything on the pages, and he wants to make sure you are paying attention, before turning the page.


He loves hats and cats, and I only add that because it is two adorable things that I always want to remember. I have never seen a toddler so willing to wear something on his head and keep it on. I hope it stays that way, because he looks like such a little boy when he wears one. He also seems to love animals, because our neighborhood cat is his best friend. Oh and he also loves running away, hiding in empty neighbors houses and scaring the s#%* out of his mother (but another story entirely!)


Hey Lee Lee (aka Hailey) has been growing, moving, and grooving lately. The colic has all but disappeared and left us a lovely, happy, chubby baby! Hailey seems to be our non-stop smiler. I can be across the room and she will see me, light up that smile, and start to giggle. Her brother and sister are the best at making her giggle, and they truly have grown to love their little baby. Avery is ever the little mommy trying to give Hailey her paci and bottle. I will catch Pete every once in awhile sitting by Hailey and "reading" to her. Sometimes he even likes to hold her hands - it's precious!


Hailey's playing in the Excersaucer and absolutely loves it. She is rolling and sitting up very well on her tummy. She also has started to like her play yard much better and will play with the toys hanging above her. She likes to move around to different activities, and will often fuss for a bit, and then quiet down once she has been moved.She is almost sitting upright by herself, she is still a bit wobbly.

She has started eating solid foods and is a natural at it! So far we have done sweet potatoes and applesauce. Avery has even had the chance to feed her, which I think they both liked! Hailey is always grabbing at my food when I have her in my lap, so I don't think it's going to be too long before she is getting little finger foods.