Pumpkin Patch

We (the kids, Grannylou, Aunt Kristi, Kadyn, Dylan, Eric and me) spent this past Saturday morning at a pumpkin patch north of town. Clay wasn't able to join us due to Upward and Pop had to work, but we plan to go back for the Christmas tree park they do during December. It's a great place for photo ops, running and fun for all ages. I think everyone had a great time - and LOTS of pictures were taken. The boy went through his first maze and the kids had their first hay ride. The boy was speechless as he saw all the Backyardigans from TV and enjoyed running through the fields of pumpkins. The gal tired out about halfway through, but she really seemed to enjoy the festivities. We had a hard time getting a good picture of all 4 kids, but I think I got a few cute ones. Enjoy all the pictures...many look similar, but I wanted to show all the fun we had! I think this will become a tradition...(and yes, we are in shorts/capris and short-sleeves in mid-October - it hit 91 that day!!!)

PS- Make sure to keep reading - there are two new posts below this one!

Family time

I love that Clay has every other Friday off. We get long weekends without burning vacation time. This past Friday we took the kids to the park for a change of scenery. It was fun to see the boys play so hard together...don't get me wrong, the girls had fun too! Look at the second picture - I love that I captured the boy's love for his dad...melts my heart!

Look what I can do!

I've been working on getting the girl to use a cup since she refuses the bottle (a mama needs a break every now and again!). Another mom shared her girls went straight to a straw totally skipping the sippy cup phase. Well, looks like our little gal is doing the same. This is her first time to truly get it; but if you notice the dark spot on her pants, she still needs work on swallowing all she takes in! What I love is that her brother can't use a straw, but she's almost got it down! (This is one of the cups I bought for him to learn to use.) Anyway, she's quite adorable holding that cup and quite funny when she simply bends over because she's apparently too tired to hold it!
A friend came to play last week while her brother was at the doctor. Hard to believe they're only 5 weeks apart...I think our sweet friend will tower over our girl! We mamas hope they are good friends - right now, they just want what the other has. Don't you just love that big toothy grin?

Sweet aroma

As I sit here in the corner of my sofa (my spot for getting with God), I breathe in a sweet aroma. The aroma takes my mind back a few years when I knew I had been around a sweet friend and the presence of our Lord. Carolyn has been here. I would recognize that fragrance anywhere. A smile crosses my face, and my heart is warmed. How precious are friends in God - ones that are true and deep and lasting. I was honored today when she shared so openly about her life. I was challenged by her honesty about her struggles and the transparency of her heart. So often I hide behind a mask not wanting others to know my hurts, weaknesses or failures. God reminded me today He is best glorified when our weakness is made known. I saw the power of Him working in her as we spoke. Now her sweetness and His presence linger where she has been. How I wish for my life to be just that...a lingering sweet aroma wherever I go.

"Playgroup" at the park

Before I get to the point of this post...the girl has had two firsts - her first tooth arrived last Thursday (the second is on its way) and she got her first bruise (on her cheek) this morning as she attempted to get a toy. She continues to work hard on her crawling, but she has figured out how to get where she wants to go in her own way.

Playgroup at the park today consisted of me and my two kids, but we had a great time anyway! I took lots of pictures and wanted to share them with you. The girl loves to swing almost as much as her brother, and the boy is doing great swinging on a "big boy" swing. The boy also enjoyed running through the field behind the playground. Enjoy the pictures...I only wish I could have captured the laughter!

I LOVE THIS PICTURE! These two already love each other so much. They enjoy laughing together and they definitely feed off each other. I think we have our hands full in the coming years. My prayer is that while the normal sibling fights will happen, they will always love each other more.

Enjoying lunch

The boy FINALLY decided he wanted to use a spoon. He's been practicing with applesauce (a request at every meal - well, that and a spoon), and Tuesday I tried yogurt. It ended up almost everywhere - me included - but he's so proud of himself!

The girl loves her some "real" food. She would much prefer to eat solids over drinking anything. Here she is enjoying the bread her brother didn't eat!

A special outfit

Isn't she adorable in this? My dad's best friend gave this to my niece when she was born 6 years ago, and she kindly passed it on to us. (Dad and Ken spent many hours on the golf course together when we lived in Nashville.) I had to take pictures and share them with you. I LOVE that she loves hats and bows! A girlie-girl I am becoming...

More zoo pics

Here are a few more pictures from the zoo. This first one really shows what a great time I was having, huh? Honestly it was a good day - I really enjoyed watching the boy soak in God's creation. It was just a little warm and I was a bit tired of playing "pick up my cup"! I think feeding the birds will have to be a staple part of zoo visits...and I must learn Bethy's trick to getting them to sit on your seed stick!

Our first "child"

Meet our first "child" - Jasmine. She arrived in our home in May 2000 - that is a story for another day. She's had a pretty traumatic last 2 years as she has adjusted to two new additions to the family that get A LOT more attention than her. She has quietly faded into the background taking whatever attention we send her way. While she mopes, she has never been mean to the kids. I often wonder what goes through that doggie mind as she gets booted from "her" chair so we can rock a crying one or she gets put in the bedroom when other children come to play. There are moments I would venture she resents these new members of our family and the obvious loss of her role as queen. Today would give her great reason for just such a sentiment -

It probably started last night in her mind as much crying occurred in our house. Trying to get everyone settled, she got shut out of the master bedroom and was blocked by a gate from joining me and the boy in the kids' room. She just sat whining on the other side of gate - poor girl.

This morning Clay headed off for Upward football pictures and his game. The kids and I followed about an hour and half later (9:20ish). The kids and Clay got home about 10:30 while I headed off to a baby shower. I got home about noon, we ate, and the kids and I napped. About 3:15 p.m. I realized I hadn't seen Jasmine for a while and we began searching. We searched the entire house and she was no where to be found. The gates were closed so we knew she didn't run away. We began another search of the house, and found her STILL IN HER CRATE quietly waiting. (Note that her crate is in the master bedroom - where the girl and I napped!) In the craziness of getting the kids inside and settled, Clay completely forgot to let her out; and then neither of us noticed her absence for 5 hours! Poor girl - she never made a peep. We felt awful so she was given a few pieces of pepperoni and loved on for a bit.

What great parents we are, huh?

Aunt Virginia and Katy, please don't call the Humane Society on us...we really do love her...it's just easy to forget one who doesn't cry for your attention like our two legged children do!)

Meet my teachers

Tonight I got to take Mommy, Daddy, the girl and Grannylou to my school for open house. I was a bit confused by the whole thing, but it was fun showing them my pictures and the things I do every Tuesday and Thursday. Mommy wanted to take a picture of my teachers, Miss Joanne (next to me) and Miss Linda, and I thought you might like to meet them. They are a lot of fun and give great hugs. They are kind to give me a little extra TLC as I am still adjusting to this new routine, but after a few minutes I join in the fun and have a great time. I have made some new friends too - Zachary, Bailey (I knew her from church), Victoria, Mollie, Christianna, and Zack. Victoria really seems to like me, and even told her daddy that she has a boyfriend (ie. me)! I also got to show everyone the playground and play with some of my friends. I like school (just not saying good-bye to Mommy)! I say it all the time now - School is fun!