Ryan

Ryan woke up this morning with the need to be defiant. I would say by 11:30am he had lost most privileges. There were about five timeouts AND no friends for the day. Who does this torture you ask? Namely: ME! Thad was gone all day working on a case, it was rainy and cold, and I got to hang out with the naughty child. I now understand why my parents didn't 'ground' me. They always said, "Why punish ourselves?" I get it. But if you knew how ourwardly defiant and disrespectful Ryan can be you would be pulling your hair out too. I am not even willing to write any more as I can feel my blood pressure rising!
Kate had Lucy over this afternoon and evening. She introduced her to "High School Musical" (the movie). The next thing I know, I have to little girls downstairs in my clothes taking about who is Gabrielle and Sharpay (from the movie). I also heard Kate say that she is now popular! Yikes. All of a sudden, Ryan shows up in Thad's clothes and he is Troy (the stud of the movie).

Other things that happened this week:


*Thad and I had our ninth anniversary. Notice I didn't say celebrate? Maybe we will do that next year!


*My mom turned 64!


*Ryan started baseball

Sometimes there is just nothing to write about

I wish I had more to report. Unfortunately or fortunately (depending how you look at it) we are in our typical end of the school year pattern. I am wrapping up with school so that means end of the year projects, reports, finals, and many, many graduations to attend. This year I am making the effort to attend every one. I get a little nervous to go. It's not like I can hang out with the kids, but in many cases I don't know the adults either. Regardless, I am going! I hit two yesterday. Wow have things changed since I graduated. They are more of a production: huge photo spreads, video slide shows, unique food spreads, etc. Gone are the days of the cheese whiz & olive sandwich followed by your basic graduation cake.
Ryan had his last soccer game today. On Tuesday baseball begins. He has an awesome coach so he is pumped. After school is out he will also tackle golf. I also just signed the girls up for gymnastics. Now, some of you may read this and think, "why so many activities you stupid mother. You are the one who will have to drag them everywhere." That is the point! I have my summers off to be a full-time-run-myself-ragged mother! So be it that all the kids are in different things. I am trying to foster each own's skills as well as independence from one another. Will it be crazy? Sure. Am I looking forward to it? You're darn right.
Kate is now going around reminding us every few minutes that her birthday is coming up. It is on June 4. I am beginning to fully understand how obnoxious I was growing up in regard to my own birthday. She (like I did) keeps asking if I have her presents yet, if she can send out party invites, what I am getting her, if she can have a puppy, and anything else related to her big day.
I for one am counting the days until our Florida trip. The kids are talking about it a lot too. They have way more memories of our last trip that I imagined. I just can't wait! I could blog daily about it, but I won't.
Wow.......for someone who had nothing to report, I sure babbled quite a bit!

Happy Birthday Olivia Grace!

Olivia's birthday party was lots of fun. She about drove us crazy as we cleaned up for the event. She dumped a bag of shredded cheese on the floor and flooded our bathroom..oh well. These are some funny things Olivia does these days:

* Tells everyone "I Love You"

* Sings Twinkle, Twinkle, ABCs, and Baa Baa Blacksheep all in one song

* LOVES Dora, Elmo, and Spongebob

* Fills up her cup of milk or water with whatever she is eating for supper. Then she proceeds to poor it all over her high chair.

* Ryan is "Rynan" and Kate is "Teetie"

*Grandma Jeanne is "Jeannie Jeanne"

*Grandpa is still "Papa"

*Grandma Jo is still "JoJo"

*She loves to bop to music in the car. She also loves to dance.

I remember every moment so clearly two years ago today. The labor and delivery went so smoothly. I told Thad right afterward that I wasn't ready to be done with kids! I am still not!

Even though I had some complications after her birth, that day was just as exciting as when I had Ryan and Kate. I love you Livs!

Almost two

Here is to another year with Olivia! I can't belive that she is going to be two tomorrow. She is the sweetest little angel I know. I have never met a two year old so full of genuine love for everyone. She can't get enough of grandma, grandpa, Jo Jo, Tami, Corey, and oh I could go on and on.

God definitely has blessed us three times over!

Our fearless child

Last night some people from Premier came into town to do some training. We all met, ate pizza, and had the kids swim. I knew that Olivia enjoyed the water, but I didn't realize that she would go up and down the turtle slide non-stop! Here is a glimpse!
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Sleeping beauties...

Isn't it amazing how precious children look when they are asleep? After a very emotionally trying day, this day has ended in peace.

Grandma Jo had to go to the ER this morning. She had serious vertigo (we didn't know it was that at the time). My mom came to close the daycare, my dad took her to the ER, and I brought my girls to school with me for an hour. The fear I felt for her, and the pride that I felt in my parents for helping her so willingly about did me in.

So to end my day with this vision......I just feel so blessed.