Swimming with Friends

We are so fortunate to live on a road with wonderful neighbors. Audrey has a dear friend that lives just down the road and we try to get them together when we can to have some playtime. The girls are only 4 months apart and they get along so well.


Another of our neighbors, Mrs. Darlene, has a pool and she is so kind to welcome almost all of the neighbors over anytime for a swim...especially these 2 cutie pies. They love Mrs. Darlene and she loves them. Of course, she is a great friend to me as well.





There is a bad part to this swimming story...for some reason every time we have set foot in Mrs. Darlene's swimming pool this year, a thunderstorm blows up immediately and runs us out of the pool. It certainly seems bizarre since rain is so scarce this year. But it has happened to us 4 times in a row now.


I wonder if folks will start paying me to go for a swim? Wouldn't be a bad job, huh?

Natural History

Since the show Dino Dan became popular in our household, Audrey has been asking to visit a museum where they had "dinosaur bones". So I began to search for a place for us to visit. How lucky are we to have the Alabama Museum of Natural History right in our backyard!

We decided this past weekend would be a wonderful time to visit since we could spend fun time as a family in the COOL air conditioned building (a must in this hot summer heat!) and to my surprise, it was very inexpensive to visit.



We had a fabulous time! Both of the girls enjoyed looking at all the fossils, bones, skeletons, and gems. I was surprised that it actually held their attention.

Addison checking out all the exhibits.

Audrey and Corey admiring the HUGE skeleton.

Audrey was so interested in what the archaeologists do and all their tools.

Why the Second One is Short-Changed

I had always heard that the second child would have much less photos than the first-born. I just couldn't imagine that! I always had a camera on hand and couldn't dream of it being any different.

Well...then I had Addison and she became mobile! Now, I still have quite a few photos of my girls...but since the second child came along, there is much less time for photography because...

....I'm cleaning up where she TP'd my bathroom and bedroom...



...and cleaning out her mouth where she ate all that toilet paper...



...and locating shoes, clothing items, purses, etc that she swiped and hid in a "safe spot".

I can see clearly now why the photos come to a halt after the second is born. Because Mommy is just trying to keep up!!!

By the way...she is into something on a daily basis (along with her big sis) so the fun never ends!

Bumping Up and Down in My Little Red Wagon

Since Addison is TERRIFIED of Boots (our new dog), the only way to get to go outside with her is to put her in the little red wagon and make sure Boots doesn't come ANYWHERE NEAR her.

Here she is keeping the ball away from Boots. (Now, he is about 15 yards away when this photo was taken)



Telling me it is a "ba"



I just can't get enough of that precious smile and beautiful blue eyes!

Puddle Jumpers

Praise the Lord, it finally rained!



Audrey and Boots celebrated by splashing in the puddles!

Our Newest Addition to the Family

Meet Boots! He is the newest addition to our family.



His presence wasn't exactly intentional...at least on our part. He just showed up in our yard one evening. For the next several days, I searched shelters, vets, and websites for the owners of this cutie. All the while, Audrey is falling in love with this dog.

The day after he showed up, we were leaving to run to town and he would not get out from under our tires. He just kept running in front of the car. We finally got out but he was following us out in the road. I was worried about him, but there wasn't much I could do.

When we returned, he had obviously been hit by a car and was laying at the end of our drive. I got the girls inside without seeing and rushed out to check on him. I called Corey at work so upset. I couldn't stand seeing him hurt, even if he wasn't our dog. After I checked him out, he actually stood and walked (very gingerly) on his own back into our garage. We put him up for the rest of the night and by the next day he was already getting around better. I suppose the car just bumped him enough to cause some bruising and flesh wounds.

After a few days, he was feeling much better and chasing Audrey all over the yard. His "owners" were no where to be found and many suspected he had been dumped off. So...we officially adopted Boots.

He is the sweetest puppy and has the best personality. I could do without all the chewing on everything and jumping up on people, but he has been great for Audrey. She loves having him as a playmate. He follows her everywhere. We are hoping he will eventually learn to stop running out in the road and become more fearful of cars (so far he isn't...even after being hit:( )

Now, Addison...that is a different story. This is how she feels about Boots:

She is TERRIFIED of him. Just the sight of him sends her into hysterics. I am hoping that she will grow to love him...someday :)

VBS- "That Kid"

Last week Audrey attended Vacation Bible School at the church where she goes to preschool. She had a wonderful time everyday and was so enthusiastic about all the activities when she came home. Each day she would jump in the car and tell me about the bible stories she learned and crafts she made. Addison and I were even taught the songs she had learned so we could sing along :)

This all made my mommy heart so happy and proud.

Since she enjoyed it so much, we asked her if she wanted to perform on stage with the other VBS kids for family night that following Sunday evening. With a "yes", she became even more excited and practiced her songs daily.

Sunday evening Corey, Addison, Audrey and I loaded up for what was to be a fun time of watching Audrey demonstrate all she had learned and enjoyed.

When the music started, Audrey began like this:


And 5 seconds later she looked like this: (such a cutie, huh?)




And then....well, let's just say Corey and I were OH-SO horrified, embarrassed, and disappointed!!! We became the parents of "THAT KID". Yep, the one who everyone has seen and felt sorry for the parents. (At least I hope that is what people felt for us!) Because I didn't know whether to run out the door or dig a hole under our pew. Either way...I wanted to rewind that tape and forget that night happened.

Our sweet little Audrey who is usually obedient and who was so excited to perform on stage was replaced with some sort of split personality or something. She slithered across the stage, sat on her bottom and slid up and down the steps, played with the speaker and all the wires, turned around and around, picked her nose, pestered another kid, sat on the steps and stomped her feet. Over and over and over again! I even went up to the front to try to get her attention and give her "that look" but she was so engrossed in all her shenanigans, that she was completely oblivious to me.

I looked over at Corey and he had steam coming out of his ears because he was so angry.

I was trying to determine which would cause more interruption- me snatching her off the stage or letting her continue to act like an insane monkey. Fortunately, they didn't sing/perform too much longer and her moment in the lime-light was over. Thank heavens!

Once all was said and done we had a "come to Jesus meeting" and I'm pretty certain that in a time in the far, far future when she gets back up on stage, she will do what she is supposed to do. Or at the very least just sit down on the steps and do nothing. I think that would be less embarrassing.

So, I can now say...I've been the parent of "THAT kid". As much as I hate to think about it, this probably isn't the last time either :(

Addison- 15 months old

I know I say this every time, but...where has the time gone?? It seems like I put Addison to bed one night and the next morning she woke up no longer a baby, but completely developed into a busy, very strong willed toddler.

Addison-

You:

* weigh 20 pounds

* wear size 3 diapers

* wear size 12 month and 18 month clothes

* wear a size 3 toddler shoe

* love your blankie and paci (and call them both a "ba")

* start dancing anytime you hear music or if someone starts singing or clapping

* love to hide in the hallway and giggle

* take off running when someone calls you

* enjoy looking at books and often want Mommy to read to you while you sit in my lap

* like blowing bubbles (regular bubbles as well as with the spit in your mouth)

* climb on anything you can. You are so proud of yourself when you climb onto the chair or couch.

* are mesmerized by the shows- Blues Clues, Backyardigans and Bubble Guppies. You even try to sing the Bubble Guppies theme song

* love to play outside

* enjoy splashing in your little pool, but aren't so fond of sprinklers- you don't like it splashing you in the face

* love seeing cows and call them a "moo". You even try to talk to them when we ride in the pastures.

* are still terrified of dogs

* know how to wrinkle your eye brows and give one "mean" look when you are told no and even when you just want to make someone laugh.

*make us laugh daily

We love you, Little bit!

Audrey's 4th Birthday Party

We FINALLY got to have Audrey's birthday party. It was scheduled for April 30, but the tornadoes on April 27 completely interrupted those plans. The place where the party was to be held was right in the middle of the path of the tornado. While the building didn't suffer significant damage (surprisingly- everything around it was leveled), they were without power and water. On top of that, Corey was working overtime around the clock doing search and rescue for a few weeks.

So, we had to postpone the party until May 14, close to a month after her birthday. But all worked out well. Corey was able to attend and we all had a wonderful time.

Audrey had lots of family members and friends attend. Here are some photos of the fun...

And I had to share this photo... This is Addison and her little buddy Zoe Kate. They were born 10 days apart. Zoe's mommy and I are great friends and worked together our entire pregnancies. We always called these 2 partners in crime...even when they were in the womb. This picture proves it. Can't you tell they are scheming up something good??!! I just love it. They are so cute together. :)

And thanks to our friends D and Mrs. Don. They took a lot of photos so I could actually enjoy the day.

Audrey- 4 Years Old

My sweet Audrey-girl,

You were the first to call me mommy, the first to steal my heart. In the blink of an eye you went from a sweet smelling ,beautiful newborn to a tender-hearted, smart preschooler. I love that you still want to snuggle with me and I love the feel of your small hand when you grab mine. I am so thankful that God blessed us with a healthy, beautiful and perfect daughter. I have always enjoyed the moments we get to spend together and I look forward to many more.

I love you sweet girl,

Mommy

Audrey, You:

* weigh 31 pounds (such a petite little girl)

* are 39 inches tall

* love to read

* enjoy gymnastics and are very good

* are not a fan of coloring, but love to paint

* love Peanut Butter & Jelly sandwiches, chips, and FunDip

* constantly want strawberries, blackberries, blueberries and tomatoes

* still love to watch Dora and you new favorite show is the Bubble Guppies

* spend your day loving on and playing with Addison (and annoying her too)

* are a big helper to mommy. You help gather, sort, fold and put up the laundry, wash dishes, and collect the trash.

* like playing with your play kitchen, baby dolls, and Barbies/Disney Princesses

* play dress-up frequently

* are a very sensitive and tender-hearted little girl. You always care about other people- when they are sad or hurt.

* just finished your first year of preschool and you loved it (after a couple months adjustment time)

* would swing on your swing set for hours and always ask for us to push you

* like to swim and are getting braver in the water, but you are not a fan of sprinklers

* are loved by so many people.

* are a very special girl.

Flashback Friday

Isn't it amazing how much they change in 12 short months. These 2 photos were taken 12 months apart.

Happy Birthday, Pawpaw!

Today would've been my Pawpaw's birthday. I know that he is having such a wonderful celebration with our Lord. But that doesn't make me miss him any less.

He was such a kind, gentle, and selfless man. He was loved, respected and a role model to many.

I think of him daily and wish he were still here so I could share the latest tricks and sayings that Audrey and Addison come up with. They were his world and he would just light up at the mention of them.

I keep several of my favorite photos of Pawpaw in a special folder on my computer and I look at them often. Especially on those really hard days when I miss him terribly. So I wanted to add them to this post. Most have been shared on here before, but I never tire of looking at them. They demonstrate how much love he had for his family, especially his great-grandbabies :)


Pawpaw and Audrey on her "birth"day.



Pawpaw introducing Audrey to the tractor


Pawpaw loving on Audrey on her baby dedication day.


Pawpaw and Audrey on one of her many tractor rides.







Pawpaw with his great grand girls


One of my all time favorites- Pawpaw and Addison getting some loving

Happy Birthday, Pawpaw! We love you and miss you!!