He's a CHAMP!

Taa DAAH!

Tonight Garrett had his gymnastics show. I missed it because the blankity blank Direct TV installers were still here (after like 3 hours). But I hear it was pretty dang cute. All I know is that when he got home he was BEAMING and so proud of his new medal. Joel videoed it, so tomorrow Garrett and I have a date!

A Tale of 3 Children

Chapter 1: Madeline
Madeline (in her announcement voice): I have some boy news.

Me (trying to be serious): Um, do you have a boyfriend?

Madeline: NO! (Rolls eyes again.)

Garrett: A boyfriend! Who is it, ME?

Madeline (rolls eyes): NO, GarrETT. Well, I was walking past Andres today and he said, 'Hi, Pretty Eyes.' Josh says that Andres loves me.

Me: Does he?

Madeline: YES!

Note to Madeline: 1)You are too young, 2)Please don't be boy crazy, 3)I am NOT ready for this!!

Chapter 2: Carter
6 AM. I am laying in our not-nearly-big-enough-bed between Joel and Carter. (Carter had joined us somewhere around the 2am hour- like always). Carter's big blue eyes pop open. He rolls over, crawls up and leans on me, stares at Joel and says, "BOO!" Total deadpan. Joel and I burst into laughter, despite the early hour.

Chapter 3: Garrett
Setting: In shoe store while purchasing new ballet and tap shoes for Madeline.

Garrett (eyeing sparkley purses haning nearby): I want a purse.

Me: A purse, huh?

Madeline: GarrETT! Purses are for GIRLS.

Me: Well, men carry Man Bags, I guess.

Garrett: Well I want one. I want a boy one. With a purple star with sparkles.

Me: Hmmm....we'll see!

Good luck with that, sweet boy.

Zoo!

Last week was Maddy's field trip to the zoo. Papa Ed came to watch the boys and I got to go with Maddy. It was a gorgeous day-not too hot and not too cold. The day got off to a great start when we found out Diana was going to be in our group. Maddy said, "Mom, my dreams came true!" They were both so excited. We hooked up with my good friend Mary, her mom, and her group which consisted of Maddy's other best friends....a fun day was had by all!


Welcome to the Zoo!


Recess is important even on a field trip!


Little Monkeys watching...well, monkeys!


Don't even ask what happened next in the Elephant house. You don't want to know.


When the girls spotted their teacher, you'd think a celebrity was nearby. They truly love her- she has been such a wonderful 1st grade teacher!


We only had a couple of minutes left and really wanted to see the bald eagle, so everyone grabbed a hand, and we RAN! (Yes, we made it.)


One last snap of our fun day.

Happy Mother's Day and Carter's First Haircut...

I am one lucky Mom.


Carter's first haircut!


All hands on deck! Papa Bill and Grandma 'Nita getting the job done!


Finished product! It was hard to get a good one because by then he was GRUMPY! Doesn't he look HANDSOME though?

Happy Birthday Miss Madeline

Yesterday was Madeline's 7th birthday. S E V E N! I get sentimental with all of my kids, but extra so with Madeline. After all, it was with her that I began my 'career' as a mom. Plus, we were so young, and it was such a crazy time in our life- with SO many changes. Her birthday marks so many things for me personally and for my grown-up life.

Anyway, she had a great day. We had a low key party since we've just returned from a week at Disneyworld, but she did have her best buddies over and they played and played. Happy, sweet kids...and watching them reminded me how lucky I am to be a mom!

And so, happy birthday to you my sweet girl!

A couple pics from recess- Papa Ed took Garrett to have lunch with Sissy on her birthday.



Carter was as thrilled with the day as Madeline.

SuperMAN!

We got together with our good friends, the Ryans, last night to celebrate Garrett's birthday. (I have started calling it, 'the birthday that never dies.') They gave Garrett some new SUPERMAN pjs. As soon as we got home he changed into them and then ran around the house playing the part. He cracks me up! Carter thought the whole thing was pretty entertaining too. He (STILL) isn't walking, so he couldn't join in.

Final Day in Florida

On Saturday, we just relaxed. Did a little shopping at Downtown Disney and let the kids pick out some items. Maddy was thrilled with the Cinderella outfit she got for Pearly Jo. When we got back to our condo, she dressed up like a princess, and dressed Pearly up as well. (She used the 'girls dressing room'- aka her and Garrett's bedroom). Joel and his parents took the kids swimming, and Carter helped me pack up. (Ha ha.) In the evening we went to Mexican to celebrate Cinco de Mayo. (We celebrate anything and everything!)



It was a great trip. I feel so blessed that we have so many people that love our kids enough to put up with them for a week in the heat. And that Joel's parents and my family have fun together. And I am just completely thankful for my precious babies and Joel.

Friday, May 4th MAGIC KINDGOM

On Friday we let Madeline be the birthday girl. She got to wear the birthday pin, and we celebrated with an INCREDIBLE lunch at Cinderella's castle. Seriously, if you ever go to Disneyworld, you HAVE to have lunch at Cinderella's castle. First was a meet and greet with Cinderella herself. Complete with pictures! (I'll scan mine later...) Then up a winding staircase for lunch in a room adorned with stained glass windows. Visiting during our lunch was Fairy Godmother, Belle, Snow White, and Aurora. Madeline was THRILLED.










Magic Kingdom was fun all the way around though. My personal highlight was riding Thunder Mountaion Railroad with my kids. They BOTH loved it. It was so much fun. We rode Splash Mountain too. Maddy was really proud of herself, but didn't want to do it a 2nd time. Garrett went for ride #2, but was NOT happy, as we got COMPLETELY soaked that round.







It was a LONG day, as we were at the park for opening, and stayed through fireworks. But a great end to a fun trip.

May 3rd- Happy Birthday Garrett!

Thursday was Garrett's birthday and we spent the day at DIsney MGM Studios. We went to a birthday breakfast for him with some of his favorite cartoon characters from Playhouse Disney. He was pretty funny- not wanting attention directly at him, but he was big on the singing and dancing with the other kids. He loved the cake I'd ordered for him as well. His favorite ride of the day was Star Tours- he LOVES Star Wars even though he's never seen any of the movies. So that ride was pretty fun and the guy at the entrance made a huge deal about it being G's birthday- let G lead the line, ect. It was pretty cute.

Happy Birthday, Sweet Garrett!

Daddy trying to wake Garrett up on his 4th birthday. Garrett said, "BACK UP!"

Yes, even I am dancing with the Little Einsteins. 'When in Disney...'


Garrett loved his cake!


Carter thought people at 'Beauty and the Beast' were clapping for him. He was thrilled.


Seeing a "REAL" Storm Trooper made Garrett's day complete. Although, he has no clue who Storm Trooper are.

May 2nd "Rest Day" (not)

These pictures are from the opening of Magic Kingdom. I love how at first the kids are just glazed, and then the excitment builds! THIS is what it is all about!

So Wednesday was supposed to be a hang out and lay low day...but it didn't turn out that way! We decide to hit Magic Kingdom for a while in the morning to do Fantasyland and Toon Town. The kids were DELIGHTED. The highlight of the morning though was the teacups.



We rode once, and as we got off Alice in Wonderland and the Mad Hatter got on the teacups and rode with a lucky family. Papa Bill saw that and saw the wistful look in sweet Maddy's eyes. So he asked if they could ride with Maddy and Garrett, and they did! Maddy was SO happy and excited, and Garrett was in a daze (he has no clue about Alice in Wonderland!). It was truly magical.








After a long morning at Magic Kingdom and an awful lunch at Downtown Disney (boo and hiss to Fulton Crab House), we spent a long afternoon in the lazy river at our resort. Niiiiice.

Animal Kingdom (May 1)

On Tuesday we went to Animal Kingdom. It is one of Disney's newer parks down there, and still on the small side, but it is one of my favorites! Madeline LOVED the "Kali River Rapid" ride there- she rode it 3 times! She was very proud of herself for being so brave. Garrett wasn't such a fan of that one though, as one of his quirks is that he HATES to get wet. And we got SOAKED on that one. He held it together though.

We started the day out on "Triceratops Spin" which is suspiciously like Dumbo...a big hit with my mini thrill seekers.



Gotta love the river ride!



Sweet brothers digging for dino bones.


Reading the map as a team.