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%)

April = Birthday Mania!

We started the birthday weekend off on Friday night at the lake. My mom was sweet enough to think of ME so we celebrated ME that night! Unfortunately I started feeling a little puny Friday afternoon so I only ended up having 1 piece of my cookie cake the entire weekend. Everyone else sure enjoyed it though!

 By Saturday morning I awoke with a 101 fever and felt pretty bad all day, but by Sunday morning I was feeling much better and ready to celebrate with my almost 4 and 2 year olds! Ellie loves The Little Mermaid, as does Greer, so I thought it would be the perfect birthday theme for them both. We decided last minute to throw together a small party for them at the lake.

 The party would not have been complete without their buddies Mally and Claire!

 So this is what happened when we attempted to take a group shot of the three of them. Sims wasn't happy...

 And Greer ran away!

 I never realized the pinata would be such a "hit," but they absolutely loved it!

Ellie and Greer both were so fortunate to have such great friends at their party!

 Greer didn't mind being the only boy, besides his little brother, because he had his best buddy, Anna Kate, at his party. These two go to school together, and they are always together according to their teachers!

The entire group (minus Katherine) right after their boat ride...

 More sweet friends at the party... 

The party would not have been complete without a ride on the tube! Greer even rode!

And even Uncle Thomas made their party.

 And of course She She wouldn't have missed it for the world!

After our busy weekend, it was time for Ellie to celebrate her real day with her class...

And that evening we all went together to gymnastics and then out to dinner. She picked Mexican for our birthday dinner, and that sounded great to me! The girl loves her some cheese dip!

Present time!

This little guy was wired after a full day! 

 And then on Friday it was time to celebrate his real day!

Josh and She She came by that morning to see the birthday boy...

 gave him a present...

and then took him to IHOP for breakfast!

 He had a blast with his chocolate chip pancake...

Then that evening after Daddy got home, it was cupcake time!

 And time to open presents...naked!! He saw the presents in the living room before putting his pj's on and just couldn't wait!

So there you have it! Whew...that makes me tired just telling you all about it! Ellie, Greer, and I had great birthdays. I cannot believe we have a 4-year old around here. It will be just fine if this is the longest year ever because I do not think I can handle her turning 5!