Friday, March 25, 2011

This Week

We haven't had anything major going on the last week but I had a few pictures to share.  Actually, we did have another injury.  Noah knocked his front 2 teeth loose and he is on a soft diet.  Hopefully, the teeth will make it.  He has to go  back to the dentist for a follow up next week.  On a positive note, he was an angel for his first dental visit.  So cooperative!!!  Why can't he be like that at home? haha! 

Abby had her final cup stacking competition for the year.  The competition was a little stiffer since she moved up an age bracket.  She still managed to come away with two medals.  We are finished with cup stacking for the year.  I'm glad since practice falls on the same day as ballet.  She has her spring recital in a couple of months and they are working hard at getting their dances down.  Abby doesn't do well having 2 activities in one afternoon. 

Daddy was gone one night this week for a dinner.  It was a long evening for mommy.  So I did what any tired  mommy would do.  We had extra long  baths with play time!  That means a little peace for mommy!  Wet but peaceful!  Noah and Nathan haven't quite mastered the concept of "No Splashing."  I did at least manage some cute pictures.
An attempt at some "brotherly love"
Nathan:  "Look Mommy, I'm a dolphin."
Mommy: "Where did you see a dolphin?".
Nathan:  "Disney World"
Noah in his newly converted big boy bed




Nathan in his big boy bed


Abby with her medals


What a couple of cuties!





Just for fun- 3 years ago










Thursday, March 17, 2011

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!!

The boys celebrated St. Patty's Day on Tuesday at school so they were probably a little confused.  They came home and told me that "him" turned over our table and messed up our classroom.  They told me they had to help Mrs. Sharon clean the  room.  I asked them, "Who is him?."  They told me it was Chester, who was our Elf on the Shelf.  I asked them if they meant a leprechaun.  Then they told me it was a leprechaun.  It was so cute the way they said it.  Abby celebrated today at school with some "4 leaf clover" (shamrock) cookies and Lucky Charms. 

Tonight we went to Abby's Art Show at school.  She put her self portrait in the show.  She did a great job.  She also had to show us how well she could climb the rock wall in the gym. 
Check out Nathan's pose!
Daddy and Nathan
Abby beside her self portrait
Our big girl on the rock wall

My Happy Little Leprechauns!


Daddy and his little buddy, Noah











The rare picture of Mommy with the whole crew

Saturday, March 12, 2011

Birth Week Finale

On Wednesday Abby celebrated her actual birthday.  The whole family joined her for lunch on her birthday.  The boys were awesome.  They were so entertained watching the big kids.  We took birthday cookies in the shape of crowns.  Abby was so excited to see us.  She was thrilled that her daddy took the morning off to celebrate her birthday.  She and her friend Jolie, who shares her birthday, said the pledge over the intercom that morning. We followed this up with a birthday dinner.  The birthday girl chose the food which was pancakes, eggs and bacon (for the rest of us.)  Then the kids had cupcakes (muffins) and Abby blew out her candles.


Enjoying her pink crown cookies!
















Mommy and Abby



























Daddy and the birthday girl
Had to include this one of us leaving the school in the rain (Noah)

Celebrating with her birthday buddy, Jolie




Celebrating her 6th birthday for the final time!

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Abby turns 6!

Dear Abby,
Six years ago today you made your entrance into the world.  You weighed 8 lbs. 15 oz. and had a head full of black hair.  You love hearing the story of how Daddy took a pink bow into the delivery room.  You have been wearing your bows ever since.  You had a whole waiting room full of people waiting on you that evening.  Everyone agreed with Mommy and Daddy that you were beautiful!  You rarely cried at the hospital and Daddy and I thought we had it made.  After we came home the first 3 months were hard.  You had colic and you were very fussy every evening and night.  You were perfectly healthy other than a little tummy trouble.  We tried everything from different formulas, sleeping in carseats and swings, gas drops, a little cereal, etc.  We did it all.  Finally at 3 months just as the doctors assured me it stopped.  Magically one night you begin sleeping 12 hours a night.  After that you were the easiest, happiest baby ever. 

Abby, you are such a one of a kind little girl.  You are so smart!  You catch on to everything so quickly and never forget a thing!  You were talking in full sentences and able to carry on a conversation by 18 months and you could already count to 13.  You knew all your colors and shapes by 2.  You could retell all of your favorite stories to us as if you were reading the book.  You have always been a little shy and slow to warm up to people.   You like a lot of structure in your little world and do not like change.  There is also a very strong willed side to your personality that only your family sees.  I constantly remind myself that strong willed children make leaders.   You have always been such a little helper to mommy and daddy. It's hard to believe  that you were still just a baby when your  brothers came along.  (not even 3)  You adusted so well.  Mommy wouldn't have made it without you.  You knew where everything was and brought me things all the time.  You were very good about sitting with the boys and singing or talking to them while I made bottles.  You were a great big sister from day one. 

Abby, Daddy and I are constantly amazed at the changes in you and how you have become such a big girl.  Physically, you have changed tremendously.  You have grown taller and are  very slim these days.  No more little dimples from your baby days.  You have beautiful, long light brown hair that you sometimes like to wear without a bow these days. :(  You are still a very girly girl who loves to dress up but lately you like the older looking clothes too.  You love your miniskirts, boots and jeans.  After 3 years of dance, you have become very graceful.  You dance beautifully and we feel that you show a real talent for it.  You have come a long way from the 3 year old that could barely jump and get her feet off the floor.  You have matured so much this year since starting kindergarten.  Daddy and I were amazed at what an easy transition that has been.  You started a new school where you didn't know anyone.  You made friends so quickly. You have a whole circle of little girls that you love to play with.  We enjoyed watching you interact with all of your friends this year at your birthday party.  You were just a little social butterfly.

 Even though you love being with your friends you still love hanging out with mommy and daddy.  You have always been somewhat of a daddy's girl.  You two have your own special traditions.  Each year you two go shopping together for mommy's birthday.  This year you and Daddy started a new tradition of spending the day at work with daddy and attending his work Christmas party.  You talked about that for days.  Mommy is glad that you are a girly girl.  You enjoy doing girly things with mommy.  We have already had our nails done together several times.  We take any opportunity we can to sneak away for a "girls only" day. 

Abby, I can't believe that 6 years has gone by since the day you were born.  We will blink and you will be a teenager.  We love you so much and are so proud of the big girl that you have become. 

Happy Birthday Princess!
Love,
Mommy








What a doll! 2 days old!





Our first family picture
5 months old (notice Bunny's pink color!)
7 months old-first trip to the park



First Official Shopping Trip with Daddy -7 months


9 months -First Christmas

Abby walks at 13 months!
18 months old
17 months -playing dress up already!
Thanksgiving 20 months old
2 1/2 yrs. at St. Simon's Island (Our last vacation as a family of 3)

2 1/2 Halloween


4th birthday

3 1/2 yrs. old- First field trip

















4 1/2 yrs. Girls Day Out at the Teahouse
4 1/2 First day of Pre-K
Celebrating your 5th birthday at Disney
5 1/2 yrs


First Day of Kindergarten
5 yrs-St. Simon's Island

Happy 6th birthday Abby!!!!

Sunday, March 6, 2011

The BIG one!!!

Today Pawpaw celebrates the big 6-0.  Happy Birthday to a great Dad and a wonderful Pawpaw!  Here are some of our favorite pictures with you.

Father's Day 2006
Daytona Beach 2005
Always holding a tired baby on the beach
4th of July 2008
with Nathan 2008
2009 with Nathan and Noah
with Nathan 2009
with Noah 2010
With a sleepy big boy (Nathan) 2010
Nathan 2010
Blowing out Pawpaw's candles
With Abby 2010
with Abby 2005
Abby 2005
Abby and Clayton 2006
2007 Clayton and Nathan


Father's Day 2005