Graduation Day

First, he has to go and turn 5. Then he graduates from 4K. What is the world coming to? My kiddos are growing up and I CANNOT stop it from happening. All these changes are really shaking me up - I am an anxiety ridden mess. Paul came home and I just looked at him and told him I was sad. He asks me why, but it is one of those things that you can't really explain. Nothing is technically wrong, just different. I am so happy that my children are happy and thriving and all of these things are good. What is up with me??

So anyway.

He graduated and here he is - looking all big and Kindergartenish.

MY BABY IS TWO!

Happy Birthday to my sweet Christopher. I love you more than I can put into words. You were such a miracle - overcoming so many obstacles to be born...knot in the cord, failing placenta, growth restricted, under so much stress. God blessed you with a special strength. You fight for everything and you have become such a little champ. You will go far, little one! I love you and can't wait to see where God leads you as you grow.

SHE HAS A FAMILY!!!!!

Oh my heart rejoicing! My sweet 'Phoebe' has FAMILY! I have been thinking and praying for this sweet girl. She reminds me so much of my darling Christopher - they could have been twins and nearly the same age. Tonight I was scrolling through my FB newsfeed and Andrea didn't know how thrilling her link would be for me. My husband and children asked what happened and I immediately wanted to read all about Phoebe's new family. Please follow this link and help her family reach their goal and go get this little pumpkin!!! http://reecesrainbow.org/sponsorsmith-2 or http://www.savinganangel.blogspot.com/

SO HAPPY! I LOVE YOU LITTLE GIRL!

Five

I thought 5 was going to be a great age. Maybe I have not given it enough time. Some days my 5 yr old is an angel - sweet, caring, cuddly, fun and easy. But most days he is hard. He is what most people would call "strong-willed". He wants to be the boss. He wants to make the decisions. He cannot help but moan and grown at simple requests. Bath? "I don't WANT to take a bath!" Brush teeth/hair? "I did that yesterday!" Help clean up these toys? "I like it messy." UG!!!

So I am going with a new approach. It's going to be a mix between 1-2-3 Magic and another book that has been suggested, You Can't Make Me (but I can be persuaded). I think with these two tools, I can keep from feeling like running away. Because... you know summer vacation is coming up and we will be spending a LOT more time together. Also, Christopher is a sponge and big brother's bad behavior is definitely rubbing off.

If you have any other tools or tricks, let me know. I am going to make a chore chart and reward system, so I will post an update after I finish my handiwork. :)

Planning Christopher's Party

It's time to plan my sweet baby's birthday. He's turning two. Two. My teeny, tiny baby
is growing up. I seriously love this child more every minute of every day. He and his brother play together and act silly - just like I pictured. Actually, they are playing together now...fighting over a rock. Hahaha.

So, the birthday plans are coming together and I think we will be celebrating at Gymboree Play & Music. He loves going and I can't think of a place where he would have more fun. I need to get the invitations designed and mailed. Time to get to work!

Almost a week...

It's been almost a week since the violent storms raged through our state. One week of pitiful stories, pictures of devastation and people in pain. However, there have been so many people - just wanting to help. TV and radio stations devoting air time to help relief efforts. Students making vacation time into volunteer time. And complete strangers asking "what can I do to help?" and then DOING IT! Water, clothing, diapers, wipes, food, generators, tarps... from all corners of the state and from all corners of the country! People helping people. It's been incredible to witness the GOOD. No one complaining, everyone helping. It's really awesome. God Bless Alabama.

Not...

NOT pregnant

No I am NOT going to have a December 2011 baby.

I know it will happen. But after 3 months of taking clomid, I thought it might. God's timing is perfect. But, it's not an easy road. And I am not patient. It's been 14 months and I am starting to get to the point of saying I am DONE. Of course, Paul had to offer his "that's ok" before trotting off to a fun day at work, where he can think about his beloved cars all day and not be constantly thinking about what his body is doing or what it's not doing. Bleh. I hate this. And I don't say hate much.

HAPPY 5th BIRTHDAY!

Well, my big boy is 5 years old. And the trip went very well. We couldn't wait to tell him, so we decided to tell him Saturday afternoon. We filmed ourselves telling him his surprise, then showed it to him on the computer. I filmed his reaction as well. Maybe one day I will download that...
We left Sunday afternoon and had a nice flight in perfect weather. The first night, we walked to CityWalk at Universal and ate at Emeril's. It was ok... I have had much better meals there and was a bit disappointed. We walked around a bit before heading back to the hotel for a night time swim. Paul Vincent was very pleased when Batman was playing on the big screen at the pool. Very cool.
The next morning we were up bright and early for our first full day - at Universal's Islands of Adventure. Paul Vincent just loves it there. Dr. Seuss' area is his favorite. He really enjoys the water part, where they can splash and play in the spouts that surprise you with a splash. He did just about all the rides that he could do at his height. He would be super nervous in line and then come off jumping and giggling about how awesome it was.
Tuesday we spent the day at the Blizzard Beach water park. Fun! Paul Vincent was definitely all smiles here - I have water babies, for sure. That evening Paul Vincent had a great surprise - his Paul's parents had arrived to spend his birthday with Paul Vincent! He was very excited and couldn't wait to tell them all about the hotel, their room and the water taxi we ride from place to place. We all rode down to eat at a little Italian place at one of the other hotels. It was excellent.
Paul Vincent woke early Wednesday morning and I was eager to cuddle with my brand new 5 year old. We talked all about his day ahead and soon we were set to our first destination - a Disney Character breakfast at O'hana. Let's just say that I will NEVER schedule another character breakfast. Paul Vincent hates the big costumes. We would have been MUCH better off just eating breakfast a the hotel and heading straight to the Magic Kingdom - the happiest place on Earth. LOL! Again, we rode just about everysingleride. The lines were not too bad. Each was about 35 minutes. Paul Vincent was greeted with a "happy birthday" wish about every few minutes. He wore his special birthday shirt and he had two birthday buttons to wear. Even with all this, he still managed to ask, "when is my party?" HELLO! THIS IS YOUR PARTY! Ha! 

On our way to dinner.

Trying to get him to smile...

Riding the wave at CityWalk

With the 'gold diaper' at Hard Rock

Beautiful night

Don't ask ;)

Dr. Seuss' Land

Seuss' Landing

Riding one of Seuss' rides

Any idea who this is?

Dinner at Portofino Bay

Breakfast at O'Hana

Going into the Magic Kingdom

I'm 5!

Parade

Eeek! Excited!

Birthday Mickey - thanks Nana!

Dumbo ride

Islands of Adventure

Blizzard Beach - nice smile...

On "It's a Small World"

Silly Boy!

We're HOME!

Thanks for watching Christopher, Nini!

Great Day

This morning I dropped Paul Vincent off at school and Christopher and I decided to get out and have some fun. We made our way to the zoo with the rest of the world. Membership has our perks and we were able to bypass all of the elementary bus traffic. First stop was the barn, where Christopher can be frightened by the roosters that 'cockadoodledooooo' back and forth to each other. He did enjoy the sheep and goats, which is funny, because Paul Vincent used to be terrified by them! Then it was off to see the BRAND NEW elephant in his BRAND NEW habitat. It was pretty awesome. Giraffes, zebras, big cats, primates - oh my! We worked up quite an appetite with all that looking and walking. We I decided that we would stop at Chappy's (kids are free!). I had a yummy wrap and Christopher had mac 'n cheese. It was a great morning.

After picking up Paul Vincent, I felt like getting a little dirt under my nails. We ran to HomeDepot and grabbed some soil, sand and a few plants. A few hours later and the backyard garden is shaping up. We have bell peppers, mint, cucumbers, watermelon, tomatoes, basil and eggplant. Can wait until we see something happening! The kids had fun in their sandbox, too. We have a new fence and I am SO EXCITED to have a little outside safe space where they can run and I don't have to be all bossy mommy with them.

One Week...

We have one week until our super secret trip to Orlando with our big boy. I am starting to organize
clothes and schedules. I am super excited and I cannot wait to tell him the big news about his birthday surprise! I hope things turn out the way I have them playing out in my head. Because the story in my head is AWESOME! LOL! Eeeek!