We Got an Ice Day!

Not too sure...

Daddy is determined to make a snowball.

Don't have a sled, so the kids too turn riding around in the dump truck!

Braden was so bundled up he could hardly see!

Sweet girl attempting to help shovel the driveway.

Daddy threw an snow ball at Allison!

Braden referred to the weather that closed all schools as an "ice day" as opposed to a "snow day." He was right- hardly any snow, but enough ice to shut down the south.

Bowling!!

Last night we went bowling with our life group from church. The kids had a ton of fun! Braden bowled, and Allison was just the resident "ball girl," making sure to point out to everyone where they were and making sure they stayed on the ball rack. Braden had a little trouble at first with taking turns, but got used to it. By the end, most of the kids were making laps around the back part of the bowling alley (thank goodness we were at the end of the building)! Fun time with a fun group of people! We are blessed to be apart of such a great group!

19 Months Went by too Fast!!

If you notice a baby's pants in the corner of her bed, Allison just won't leave them on! She strips that baby's clothes every time! Loves this kitty- in fact, I bought 2 replacements, just in case!

The baby girl that has completed our family is already 19 months! Time has flown since she was born- even more so than Braden's first 19 months. Guess that is the difference when I am chasing 2 around!

She is my kid, so I probably shouldn't say it, but this is my blog, so I can say anything I want- SHE IS SO CUTE!! She is hard to discipline because she has such funny reactions. If she does something wrong she is already trying to spank her hand herself. If she dumps her plate of food on the floor she opens her mouth in suprise as if to say "How did that happen?" I know Mom and Dad, I have to get a hold of her, and I do my best, but she is so funny!

At 19 months, she is still what I consider mostly bald. She just got off the bottle and is still eating fruits and veggies in baby food. I mean, she will get off of it eventually, right? I don't plan to pack jars of baby food in her school lunch. She is my last baby- I'm just takin' it slow.

She has quite a few words and knows what she wants. She is slow to wake up in the morning, but goes down for naps and night time great. She loves her brother, but hates it when he annoys her(which is often). She is pretty much a Mama's girl (until she gets around her Papa), and I love it.

We unfortunately are going to be scheduling surgery for her to have tubes ASAP. With her family history of tubes, guess it was inevitable.

Stats:

24 lbs 14 oz - 54%

head 18 in - 23 % - not cause she is isn't smart- she's just bald!

length - 32 in - 51%

Love this sweet BABY! And yes, she is a baby- she will always be my Baby Girl!

1st Day of School, Take 3

Braden had his first day of school today. AGAIN. He started a mother's day out in Searcy in the fall, then when we moved he began a new school, and last week I made the decision to switch him yet again! I went in to put him on the list for next year, but between talking to his speech therapist, occupational therapist and checking out the school and meeting his very sweet teacher, we decided to go ahead and switch him mid-year. Everyone thinks that more structure in school would be good to help prepare him for next year -Pre-K 4!! He is going 3 days a week 8-3, which is a long day- longer than I would like, but there was no other option.
Here he is with Mrs. Lela (or as Braden says, Mrs. Wewa- can't say L's yet). She seems like she will be a great teacher- and she has 2 little boys of her own, so hopefully she can handle mine!
I can't believe he is growing up so fast!

p.s. NOT an easy task to find SOLID color LONG sleeve POLOS at this time of year- It's all summer now!

New Neighbor Friends

Jamie and baby Liam

The boys, Rowan and Braden, probably already up to no good!

Sweet Stella - aren't her glasses ADORABLE?

Allison and Stella having a snack

Allison delightedly saying "Dog!!"

Braden, on the other hand, wasn't too sure.

There isn't much she can't do! Enjoying their swingset.

Although we miss our Illinois neighbors VERY much, we are so thankful to have great new neighbors! Friday we went to a fun indoor play area at one of the many massive churches here (we're in the Bible belt now!) and then we went to the neighbors to play.

Jeff and Jamie have 3 kids, Rowan is just a couple weeks older than Braden, Stella is almost 3 and baby Liam. The kids played great together!

Bonus for Allison - our dog lover - they have 2 big dogs!

Everything's More Fun at Mimi's!

From baking (and eating!) cookies, to raking leaves and convincing my dad to get a (pretend) haircut, it's all more fun at Mimi's! The kids even got along so well at one point that I caught them holding hands while watching Dora! (It didn't last long).

Thanks, Mom and Dad, for putting up with the chaos that 2 toddlers bring to a home! They always have the best times!

My Big Backyard

I'm not talking about my big backyard where we live, I'm talking about the My Big Backyard at the Memphis Botanic Gardens. If you have kids, and you haven't been to see My Big Backyard, GO!! It is a super fun place for kids to run around and have fun! Exploring different "treehouses" with different themes in them, climbing up into a big treehouse, running across bridges and much more! The only problem is if you have more than one child who can run, you really need 2 adults to be able to keep up!

The Memphis Botanic Gardens is not only fun to take the kiddos, but brings back fun memories for me. Jason and I had our wedding reception at the Botanic Gardens almost 7 and a half years ago, and it was so pretty- I want to do it all again!

We had a beautiful morning to go to Big Backyard and then ate at Yummy Chic-fil-A! The big cow was at Chic-fil-A, so all the way home we heard Allison in the back going "Moooo!"

Fun at the Zoo!

Jason was in meetings all weekend, so the kids and I went to Memphis to visit Mimi and Papa! Between all the new toys waiting for them each time they go, and all the fun kid friendly things to do in Memphis, the kids are always excited to make the trip.

We weren't sure if the rain was going to hold out for us to go to the zoo, but my parents have a membership anyway, so we decided to try it. Turned out great- wasn't too busy, weather wasn't too cold and we stayed right up until it started to sprinkle which turned into rain shortly after we left. The Memphis Zoo is a great place, not only to see animals, but to let kids run! One of the highlights of the zoo is walking on the big logs. Braden is quite proud that he can do this without help! Little Allison ran just as hard as her big brother did, so by the time we left, she was totally spent!

Also, thanks to my friend Leigh Ann for telling me how to get more than 5 pics on 1 post!

She puts up with a lot from her big brother! Allison is becoming a pretty tough little girl, and as you can see, she has to be! The kiddos have a love/hate relationship. I never can tell - one minute they are playing great together, and the next minute Allison will let out a blood curdling scream letting me know that Braden has most likely done something to "push her buttons." Just like a man. All she really wants to do is rock her babies. All I really want is for her to stay my baby! They are just growing up way too fast! Thinking Braden will be 4 soon is hard to wrap my mind around!