Memorial Day 2012

After Thomas' graduation weekend, the kids and I stayed down in Atmore with Lollie and Poppy for a few days and then headed to the beach! We stayed at GG Mama's condo for the first few days, and then on Friday when the rest of the crew arrived we headed over to stay at Momese's house. The kids had a blast! This little girl has been waiting and waiting for a beach trip! She had 2 swim lessons before our trip and while we were down there she started swimming all over the pool without her floaties! Woohoo! I thought this day would never come. She is doing great!

 Greer was obsessed with the face sunscreen...

Lollie took the kiddos for an evening stroll every day...

I had to catch him with his hat on because of course he wouldn't actually wear it out in the sun!

Day 2 still with the sunscreen...

Searching for hermit crabs...notice the sunscreen still in his hand!

Hermit crabs!! And sunscreen...

When this little guy awoke from his morning nap we decided to get him all dolled up and ready for a dip in the pool. I mean how cute is he here?!!

He did this in the pool for a good 30 minutes...

Greer was a fish and a fish with no fear jumping off the side and going "unner" as he would say.

On the way to the beach we stopped at Target where Greer found these cars. He carried them all around the store for a good 30 minutes. I looked at Lollie and said, "I'm not buying those because they are "Cars," and I know they are expensive just by looking at them! When we got up to the register I handed them to the lady and got her to scan them. They rang up for a mere $29.99 just as I had expected. $30 for a set of matchbox-sized cars. When I handed them back to him he squealed with delight because he thought we had purchased them and then started asking me to open them. After all of that of course Lollie broke down and bought them for him. It was well worth every penny though because he carried them around all week. He tends to favor Lightning McQueen and Mater but does play with the others as well.

We had our annual birthday celebration for Thomas while at the beach. We whipped up a delicious meal on Saturday, and Ellie and Greer were big helpers with the corn shucking.

On Sunday we headed over to the Johnson's house to do some swimming...

Grass eating...

Snow cone making...

And even Webb came! Thomas was at work, but Webb came to visit anyway!

Ellie's new best friend, Mrs. Julie. You see Mrs. Julie doesn't have any grandchildren yet so she puts all of her efforts and energy in with mine when we are around. She kept them constantly entertained, and they loved every minute of it! Ellie came up to me after they made snow cones and said, "Mama, do you think Mrs. Julie can paint my fingernails and toenails now?" Then she said, "Can Mrs. Julie do something else with me now?" So cute!

Tired babies after a fun beach trip. Speaking of tired, Greer got up every morning between 5:00 and 5:45 am! The kid is such an early riser it is unbelievable. Made for one tired Mama, but at least I got to enjoy EVERY part of the day including the sunrise!

Can't wait to go back to the beach in a few weeks!

Thomas' Graduation

I cannot believe my baby brother is all grown up and a high school graduate!! Last Friday night we loaded up the crew and headed down to South Alabama for his graduation. The below group of "5 guys" is his graduating class. Thomas moved to a small, Christian school when he was in 9th grade, and he truly enjoyed every minute of it. These guys are all so great, and I have enjoyed getting to know them through Thomas.

The proud parents with their graduate!

The fam. Josh couldn't make it because he had to work, and Greer and Sims stayed with MeMe.

Thomas with is good friend Webb. My kids absolutely love some Webb, and he is sooo sweet to them! Webb is basically a part of our family. It took some adjusting the first few times when I was at my parents house, and Webb was always around, even if Thomas wasn't! My parents have taken him in, and we all love and care about him like he is a part of our family. Any teenager that loves my children like he does and helps me take care of them is a gem in my book! 

Ellie with her Lollie...

And look what my dad surprised Thomas with while we were down at the beach for Memorial Day...a new truck! Thomas was in shock and so surprised! This is his graduation/birthday present.

If anybody deserves it, Thomas does. He is one of the most loving, sweet, selfless, non-complaining people I know. He would give you the shirt off of his back, literally. I am proud of him and proud he is my brother and the uncle to my babies. He has spent his entire life having 3 Mamas (my mom, Shelby, and me!) and put up with "Thomas, will you go unload my car?" "Thomas, will you stay here and listen out for the baby and call me if he wakes up?" "Thomas, will you get in your car and drive an hour up the interstate to meet me with my computer I left in Atmore?" He will do anything you ask and do it without complaining! I mean, how many teenagers do you know like that? Very few for me! It has been all about my babies for the past few years, and I appreciate him sharing Lollie with us. So again, I say if anybody deserves a new truck it's Thomas! We love you Thomas and are so proud of you! As a side note...this means Lollie is FINALLY "retiring" from teaching, and we are beyond thrilled! 

Ellie's Circus Performance

Ellie's 3 year old preschool class put on a circus performance the last week of school. Ellie told me about a month before the performance that she had decided to be a trapeze artist in the show. Her teachers tried to persuade her to be the ringmaster, but she was determined to be a trapeze girl! Given her love for the bars at gymnastics, I was not at all surprised.

Austin was the ringmaster and did a great job!

Both 3-year old classes performed the show together.

Calli Ann and Ellie singing...

There were tigers...

Elephants...

I must point out Ellie's favorite little elephant, Anderson. From the first day of school she talked all about Anderson. They hit it off immediately and have had such a great time together all year. I am so glad they will be in school together again next year!

The Strong Men...

And my little trapeze girl in action!

She had a cute little tutu just like these but chose to wear her Auburn one! That's my girl! She actually tried on her hot pink tutu, took one look down at it, and looked up at me (as she was ripping it off) and said, "I'm not wearing this!" "I want to wear my AU one!" It really had nothing to do with the fact that it was Auburn and had everything to do with the fact that she is just not a "frilly, frufru" kind of girl! That's my E!

 They all did such a great job, and it was so cute to watch them! Ellie had been practicing all of the songs for so long and truly enjoyed every minute of it!

After the show we headed to her classroom for a circus party!

Greer enjoyed the party too!

Ellie with her teachers, Mrs. Anne and Mrs. Gina. She had a wonderful year, and I cannot believe it is already over. I really cannot believe that she will be starting 4 year old preschool in the fall! She will be starting a new school in September with some of her close friends so we are super excited about that!

Fun Saturday

A couple of weeks ago we went to a fun truck show in downtown Opelika. When I found out they were going to have everything from a firetruck to a school bus to a helicopter I decided we couldn't miss it! Ellie climbed up in the firetruck, but Greer would not have anything to do with it... 

 Here they are in the school bus. This was definitely their favorite! 

Riding the school bus is considered "very cool" around here so they were so excited to actually be on a real bus! Ellie asks me all along when she will be old enough to ride one to school.

Another favorite...a bus full of gymnastics equipment! Ellie was definitely in her element!

Right before we left we watched this helicopter come down and land. So cool!

Simmy was there too!

 After the trucks we headed to the lake for our friend Madelyn's birthday party. 

Ellie had a blast on the slide, but we couldn't get Greer to try it. What a fun day!

Barefoot

My kids absolutely LOVE being outside, and they spend the majority of that time like this...

BAREFOOT! Even our neighbor friends are barefoot! And yes, I must admit that since we have moved to Auburn everything is so laid back, and I find myself allowing them to even go out in public like this. Needless to say we have to do a lot of scrubbing at bath time! After having 3 little ones you just learn to let some things go! These dirty, little boy feet belong to...

this little guy. And did I also mention that he is totally a paci addict. I mean it is bad. We have tried the whole "leaving it in his bed" trick, but after about an hour this Mama gives in! Once things settle down a bit in this house I vow to work on this. His teachers commented to me the last week of school on how great his vocabulary is, and that just made my day after worrying about that very thing a few months ago. And they are right, he is talking like crazy now! Sadly they added to it, "and he talks so well with his paci." I bet given the fact that it is in his mouth about 85% of the day! How can you say no to this sweet little face?

And this girl could live outside!

4 Months

4 months has been a true milestone for this little guy. Sims decided to finally start sleeping through the night! And I mean he started at 4 months and hasn't looked back. I finally feel somewhat back to normal with my sleeping! He also started with rice cereal and has done really well with it. In fact, he has been so hungry that we even added in some bananas in the evenings. He continues to be such a happy, go-with-the-flow baby, and his big sis and big bro adore him!

A few weeks ago we went to see Dr. Greer, our pediatrician, for Sims' 4 month check-up, and everything went well (except for the fact that I stupidly decided to take Ellie and Greer for their yearly well check-ups at the same time)! Sims 4 month stats:

Weight - 17 lbs 6 oz (90%)

Length - 27" (97%)

He continues to follow in his sister and brother's footsteps with being a BIG baby! He actually weighs more than either of them at this age!

Back to the pediatrician appointment. Ellie was due for her 4-year check-up, and Greer was due for his 2-year check-up so I thought it would be easiest to knock it all out at once. Boy was I wrong! Poor Ellie had to get 4 shots, Greer had to get 2, and Sims had to get 3! It was a NIGHTMARE, but fortunately I had our nanny, Ashton, with us since Rusty was out of town. I explained to Ellie that she will not have to get another shot for a LONG time!

Ellie's 4-year Stats:

Weight - 42 lbs (95%)

Height - 43" (97%)

Greer's 2-year Stats:

Weight - 31 lbs (80%)

Height - 36" (80%)