11 yr anniversary

We had an amazing anniversary this past weekend celebrating 11 yrs of marriage. We spent most of the day at the lake, then dropped the kids off at my parents late afternoon and had a very nice, romantic dinner (thanks mom and dad!) reminiscing about  the past 11 years. After dinner we headed to Alabaster city park about 10 minutes from our house to hear Lonestar play, who played our wedding song we first danced too.  We had dropped our chairs off on the way to the lake, and they were still sitting where we left them 8 hrs prior, directly in front of the stage.  Lonestar sounded great in concert, and about 1/2 through their set, they played "Amazed" and we got up and danced. I am sure we got a lot of stares, but we didn't care!  Perfect night dancing under the moonlight and stars to our song live, on our anniversary.  Hard to beat!

T ball

Cason took a T ball skills course through the Hoover rec that ended a few weeks ago. It was a great experience for him to get used to listening to a coach and start basic skills. There were no games except at the very end. It was a good bonding time for him and daddy although Kiley and I couldn't help but tag along a time or two.  It was so cute to watch him but got the glance into the "frustrating" part of sports with your kids as did Paul, at times we wanted to shout (and probably did) "why can't you catch/hit the ball, its right in front of you" but then we would look around at the other little ones who were just as much if not more in outer space too!  I had to remind Paul several times that he is only 3!  It was good for him to do something without Kiley and learn to meet other kids on his own.  He really did a great joy following instructions, doing the skills stations, and running the bases of course! At one point during their only game he walked over to the sidelines as told Paul he was bored and ready to go home! Maybe soccer will be his sport!  He was the cutest kid on the team in his little Au cap and way too big team tshirt. At the end they had a little game, party, and trophy hand-out. Another proud mommy moment!!!

First Swim Lesson

Well school is out and summer has officially started! Changed my schedule at work to (hopefully) all day Mondays and 1/2 day Wednesdays only if needed. Gracie, a young teenager in the neighborhood had her first day babysitting the kids yesterday. I was a little nervous leaving but things seem to have gone great and the house was even all picked up when I got home.  Mom kept them in the afternoon, and Christie will be keeping them Monday ams.

Kids started swim lessons this am, and I am one proud mommy!  They did way better than I expected, had excellent behavior and did everything the instructor asked, including jumping off the side by themselves, and going under with him.  I thought the instructor (Zack) was around 15 or 16, and turns out he is almost 23!  Wow I can't judge age very well anymore!  Kiley was a little hesitant meeting him and did not smile much throughout the lesson, she still gets a little nervous around young boys, wish that would last!! She kept turning around to make sure I was still there. Cason was grinning ear to ear the whole 45 minutes and gave Zack several suggestions on what he thought they should do next.

We have really enjoyed the Y since we joined a few weeks ago, my only complaint is the nursery is way too jammed with kids and kids have already caught a bad cold from there.  Their first nanny Jill works there and kids enjoy seeing her again.

We had a blast at the lake this past Memorial Day weekend, kids are so easy now, slept in same bed with no issues, and both passed out on the boat when they were tired. Kiley stayed in the lake the whole time, we called her our little fish, and would only get out to eat and sleep. She would literally get out and say "mommy I am ready to lay down and take my nap now"  Cason was digging sandcastles and refused to put his hands in sand or sit in it, he got over that after the first day but still liked to watch off right away, he sure makes us laugh!  Silvia's parent and their friends came on Sunday, and the kids were quite drawn to their elderly friends, sat on their laps in the boat, cuddled next to them. At the end of the day the lady asked me what we did to make them so affectionate and well-behaved, stating "they must be church kids"  Benson still swears they mixed up the "the juice" in the clinic, that it is impossible for Paul to have such sweet kids!

Highlights included watching the kids catch their first fish, watching them jump off the boat for the first time, with the look on their face like "I had no idea I was going to go under", swimming with no fear, building sandcastles, having them both sleep on my lap as we were boating, fire and smores at night, watching fireworks off the dock, getting on the 58ft house boat for Kiley to potty (since princess wouldn't go in the lake) and her turning to Paul saying "daddy you need to buy us a boat like this".  Cason going up to Benson, unprompted, and telling him "thank you so much for having us at the lake and taking us on your boat, I love you Benson"  sweetest kids ever!  Growing up our summer vacations were spent at the lake, and holds such wonderful memories, I am glad we get to pass on similar experiences and memories to our kids!  Walking into their lake house I could close my eye and swear I was back at Grand Lake, completely different lake and house, but somehow has the same smells!

We have had a great first week of summer, and looking forward to the months ahead. Can't believe we will be celebrating our 11th anniversary this weekend, where has the time gone?

Spring Break 2012

I talked Paul into taking us on a small get away for Spring Break. We headed over to the Ga aquarium on Thursday, not sure what to expect but heard it was fun. A little pricey but well worth the memories. Got to see whale sharks, penguins, 3D Nemo movie, dolphin show and lots of other sea life! Kiley said her favorite part was "the man singing during the dolphin show" and Cason "getting sprayed by the water during the Nemo movie". Paul said next time he would spray him with the hose and save a lot of money!

The kids passed out in the car after a long day and we headed slowly to Benson and Silvia's, thinking how much we didn't miss Atl traffic! We all slept well in a small bedroom together, and headed to the lake Friday am after a few shopping stops. We all had a great time at the lake, taking the boat to different "islands" and letting the kids run around in the sand. Spent most of Sat afternoon at the Beach Club, more sand castle building and time on the boat, lots of snacks and juice boxes for kids and parents! Kiley was brave enough to get in the water despite the chilly temperatures, while I spent most of the time going between a sweat suite and bikini. Cooked out both nights with pretty sunsets on lake followed by campfire and smores, not sure if the kids or us enjoyed them more!

The kids were extremely affectionate with Silvia and Benson, giving lots of hugs and kisses. At one point Cason went up to Benson, gave him a hug and said "thank you so much for the boat ride Benson" Benson looked at Paul more than once saying "how on earth did you produce such sweet kids" I also overheard Kiley telling Cole that he needed some girl toys and girl movies so it would be more fun.

Can't believe it is already time to start planning the kids 4th birthday. Seems like I just got done with their 3rd and doesn't seem like 4 yrs ago we were having dinner with Tom and Beth, who have older twins, reassuring us that things will be so much easier once they turn 4. They were 12 weeks old at the time.

Cason had his first T ball practice last night, he was one of the youngest and the jersey they gave him is at least 3 sizes too big. Paul tried shrinking it but didn't work. It is just a skills practice and no games and Paul said he did pretty good. Was "lost in space" at first but think we was overwhelmed with all the kids, ages 3-6 so he was running around with bigger kids. Played minnows and sharks and he was one of the last minnows. He was so excited before and coming home telling me about it. Kiley dances around doing twirls and telling me how she wants to be a ballerina. Sometimes she's coordinated and other times trips over things like me! Got to put her in dance soon.

The kids continue to entertain us with things they say and do. Still very into playing "family" were Kiley is the mom and Cason the dad, walk around "calling" each other which confuses Paul and I. Had their first conference with their teacher who said they are excelling in all the schoolwork and on their preschool testing, biggest issue is they are very dependent on each other, get upset if they can't sit or stand by each other, and like not only to be by each other, but holding hands. As she was telling me all this, I walked out and saw then in line, holding hands!

Greg and family coming in town this weekend, excited to see boys, haven't seen baby since Dec.

Christmas 2011

Christmas was almost 2 months full of fun for us! I packed in as many activities as possible and started the Christmas music around the clock on Nov 1st, which some, including my husband, thought was a little out of control! Some of the highlights included Homewood and Summit Christmas parades, in which Kiley still reminds me how she "got hit in the head hard with candy" and Cason reminds me how we missed the Hoover Christmas tree lightening every time we pass the library "b/c we were late" but made it to the parade instead.

Christmas festivals at the Hoover library including a play and gingerbread decorating, which the kids had a blast doing; seeing Santa at the mall and picking out 2011 ornaments; decorating cookies with NeNe and several times at home, all which consisted of seeing how many sprinkles could fit on one cookie; a weekend in Nashville and long day at the Gaylord Opery- got free tickets to Ice given to us, but had to duck out of line due to meltdowns and starving kids after waiting 50 minutes and being told the line was another hour; looking at Christmas lights with the cousins and in town with kids telling Paul "daddy you need to put lots more lights on our house" Zoolight Safari where Cason told Santa he wanted an Ipad, Santa's response was to look up at Paul and say "an Ipad" with a raised eyebrow! Paul leaving the house at 5am to get in line to get a leappad for Cason, the only thing he wanted for Christmas, and me hearing the excited that he was #18 out of 20 that got one, pretty sure he was more excited than even Cason was!

Kids in their first Christmas program, I predicted disaster but they both did great, sang all the songs and did the actions with very proud mommy, daddy, NeNe and Papa in the audience. Got many "hi mommy and daddy" from both while on stage but we were beaming with pride! Can't believe they are old enough to be on stage in a program! What happened to my babies? But everything is getting so much easier and therefore fun to take them to! Christmas was completed with kids sitting with us and singing carols in church on Christmas Eve, and having dinner and opening presents here at our house to follow with NeNe and Papa; leaving milk and cookies out for Santa and being so excited when they saw it was gone the next am! Paul and I staying up until midnight to get everything just perfect for the next am while watching Family Man; me awake at 6:30am and had to wait until 8 before I finally woke everyone else up, couldn't stand it anymore!! The excitement and squeals were priceless!

Elfie returned this year and was a little mischievous; some funny things he did was unwrap the toilet paper, dump the candy bowl out, pulled magnets off the refridge, got into the sugar and gum drop tree, and drew funny faces on one of their pictures! Cason was very quick to apologize to Elfie when he was misbehaving and beg him not to tell Santa; Kiley acted like she didn't care. She was in time out one day and told me "mommy Elfie is watching you put me in time out and he is going to tell Santa you are not being nice"

A few other funny things they have said:

Kiley- "Christmas tree is wearing a tutu" me- "no its called a skirt" K- "well I'm calling it a tutu"

"everyone was mean to me today in school" me- "I find that hard to believe" K-"well they were, they wouldn't let me kiss them"

K-"some kids have to live in their cars b/c they are not thankful to God" she said this a few days after we were telling them to Thank God for having a house to live in, that some kids don't even have a house.

Shopping and look over and Kiley had her pants pulled down and was scratching her behind, mortified I quickly said "Kiley was are you doing pull your pants up" K- "you didn't wipe me good enough mommy"

- I forgot where we parked the car at the mall and had to get the cops to help me, it was in one parking deck over that looked exactly the same; I was so embarrassed and told them not to tell anyone especially daddy, well of course as soon as he walked in and we sat down for dinner, it was the first thing out of her mouth. So much for secrets!

Cason- talking to him about Heaven one night and asked him "where is Heaven" wanting him to say where Jesus is and he said "right down the street"

I was holding him and he pointed to my forehead and said "what is that on your forehead", looking in the mirror I said "I don't see anything, what are you talking about" C-"go like this again" (raising his eyebrows up and down) I did this and said "those are my worry lines" C-"no those are wrinkles, mommy"

Pulling up to the store and saying "oh no its closed, that stinks" C-"why is Sams stinky, mommy"

When we were little grandma made up "Yahottie" which was the imaginary person that got blamed for everything when we wouldn't admit to things. Cason has made up "The Old Mother" and she is around a lot! Even if I see him do something, he will say "that old mother was here again" and one time I said I guess that old mother is back, he said "she is really mean, she might even kick you, you have to watch out for her mommy"; also if he gets mad the ultimate insult is him telling you you will not be in his story, you will be in the old mother's story.

The kids will get in these imagination roles, in which they become totally oblivious to everyone else around them, and won't answer to their names, you have to call them by whatever game they are playing "I am not Cason, I am daddy, or doggie, or Ms Brooks, ect..." it is quite entertaining to listen and watch them!

Always sad when Christmas is over, but looking forward to a great New Year with a wonderful family that keeps me laughing! I wish I could bottle time and keep them little longer!

Fall of Changes

After almost 3 years of staying home, I decided to go back to work very part-time while the kids are in preschool. It has taken a good 2 months of adjusting to the new schedule, but I finally think we are in a good routine and I am actually enjoying work! I drop the kids off at school around 9:30 on Tuesday and Thursdays, and am in the office by 9:45. Paul usually picks the kids up on Tuesdays at 1:30 and on Thursdays they go to late care, and I am able to pick them up by 3. Kiley has had a very rough time adjusting to late care and still begs her daddy to pick her up on the days she knows she has to stay. I am not sure why she doesn't like it, they get to have a snack and play on the playground. I guess it is the change of teachers and kids. I would have expected Cason to be the one who was unsure about late care, since he is the one who does not transition great. When I ask her why she cries, she tells me "b/c I miss you and daddy so much and you guys left me way too long" which the first time she told me this I started crying! Now I'm like "oh please give me a break!"

Their teacher told me they are very co-dependent, which really surprised us. She said they always have to sit by each other, and are always checking up on each other. Which I thought was sweet! Until Kiley had to go by herself to school one day b/c Cason was sick, and the teacher told me she was not herself at all, and when she asked her what was wrong, she would say "I miss my Cason". May have to split them up next year so they can adjust being without one another. Right now I can use it as a threat- when they are fighting at home, I pick up the phone and act like I am starting to call their teacher to tell her to put them in separate classrooms since they can't get along at home- and they immediately stop fighting! One day I was actually calling the school to ask about a bill, and Cason asked me who I was talking to. When I told him, he had a look of panic and said "but me and Kiley aren't even fighting"

I am glad to be working some again, but it also makes me a little sad. The end of such a short period in my life of getting to stay at home with my babies. It is going by so fast and I know I will blink and be dropping them off at kindergarten. Sob! Some people don't realize how lucky they are to have the option of having more babies! Then again I realize how lucky we are to have ours!

This is the first year they both have had a strong opinion about what they want to be for Halloween, also the first year they will not be dressing alike. Cason is going as a pirate and Kiley as Rupenzel from Tangled. She loves to sing Ariel and any other princess song at the top of her lungs. She is very bossy and poor Cason usually does what she says. The other day he must of gone down and up the stairs 10 different times for things she told him to go get! "Cason, go get me the pink baby blanket, my baby is cold" "Ok Kiley" I have a feeling he is going to have many years of her bossing him around!

Summer

I have given up trying to load photos! Has frozen up every time I try leaving me very frustrated!

Summer has flown by as usual. Lots of memories including several trips. We started the summer off in June by taking 13 day trip, half with the kids, half without! We took our first "driving" trip to Gainesville to visit Paul's parents and family, which was a long 8 hours. The first 5 hours the kids did great, the last 3 hrs not so much, and I am pretty sure we both said we were not going to do it again for a long time. It was good to be back in Gainesville for a few days, seeing family and friends we have not seen in many years. One of the reasons we went was to visit Paul's 93 yr old grandma, but learned she left for the beach days before and we did get to see her, we were disappointed to miss her! We left the kids at Nana and Pops and went onto Rosemary Beach for a wedding to and celebrate our 10 yr anniversary. We had a great time; despite the place we stayed being a bit of a disappointment, the area was beautiful. Morning swims, reading for hours at the beach, exploring the different seaside towns, cocktails and late dinners! The best part- being on our own schedule and not that of toddlers!

The kids joined us for the last week and we stayed at Sandestin for Paul's conference. I was worried about all the different sleeping arrangements, but they adapted well and slept great. Overall the trip was a great success with lots of fun memories. Cason was still not a big fan of the beach but did better than last year, hopefully next year he will love it! They both preferred the resort pool and loved the band at the pool party on our last day. Will never forget Kiley dancing in the water with her Aierl doll as the band played "Under the Sea", and Cason going under by himself for the first time and loving it, so proud of himself wanting everyone to watch him.

Aunt Lois came to visit for over a week in June and the kids (and me!) loved having her around. She came over almost everyday and came swimming with us, giving me a break! Hope she comes back soon!!

In late June I discovered puddle jumpers, which are the new lifejackets that snap around the waist. They changed our pool days for sure! The kids love floating around in them and no longer constantly grabbing us. They have become much braver throughout the summer, and Cason goes under, doesn't mind being "dunked" and thrown. Kiley prefers to play with her toys and teapot on the steps, but also likes to swim from ladder to ladder. I wish I could bottle their endless giggles up, and some of their energy too!

July was a rough month for us physically. Record high heat and humility; Cason had 2 major asthma attacks and was on steroids most of the month. Frank had his hip replaced, and recovery took a bit longer than expected as far as hospital stay, and was in the ICU for a few days due to blood loss. Mom fell and broke her leg (again) and had to have major surgery (again). Thankfully everyone is doing better and so far August seems to be much better month! PTL!

I managed to take my yearly girls trip, met my 4 college roommates in Destin for a long weekend on the beach/boat. Lots of reminiscing, giggling, story-telling, limo riding, wedding dress shopping, and of course food and drinks! Paul did great with the kids by himself for 3 days and nights, and I only got a few texts throughout the whole weekend. Think they were all very glad to see me on Sunday! Despite the "hair lessons" I attempted to give him before I left, he still opted for his version of a "messy ponytail" for Kiley! I had to laugh. Holly did teach me how to fishtail, which I have done on Kiley's hair several times.

Things kids have said lately:

Kiley: Every time you put her to bed, she tells you "I love you to the moon and back. Don't let those bugs bight you". Then proceeds to tell you what she wants for breakfast the next day.

"Mommy, you are my best friend in the whole world"

When I was watering the flowers, she said "mommy, I hear the flowers saying thank you for my drink. They were so thirsty"

When saying prayers "Thank you Jesus for my best friend Bella. And thank you for the tree on my wall. It is pretty"

Calling me upstairs to tell me her baby had pooped and peed in her bed and I needed to clean it up so they could go to sleep. I told her they were just dolls and didn't need to be cleaned up. She looked at me and said "mommy, they are not just dolls. They are my babies and they can't go to sleep all wet. Do not say they are just dolls". Well OK then!

I finally threw away her fishy aquarium night light on her dresser that had been broken for awhile. When putting her to bed later, I noticed it back on her dresser. I said to her "did daddy get that out of the trashcan?" Kiley- "no, I did. I saw you throw it away, I looked at it and nothing was wrong with it, so I put it back on my dresser. I like it there"

When looking at my cross necklace, me- "who died on the cross" K-"ummm Kelsey did"
me- "no, remember Jesus did. Do you remember why Jesus died on the cross?" K- "because soldiers were chasing him" I think we better get back to Sunday School!

K- "When baby Nash comes, I want to feed him" me- "Well I think Carrie is the only one who can feed him right now" K- "no I want to feed him his bottle" me- "when babies are little, they drink their milk from their mommies boobies" K-" that is Yucko"

While brushing my hair- K-"your hair underneath is black me-"its not black, its just darker blonde K-"its really dark" me-" well you will have the same problem when you get older" note to self to schedule highlight asap

My favorite- when I had my scrubs going to work for first day, K-"Why are you wearing those clothes, mommy" me-"Remember I told you I have to go to work for a little bit today and these are my work clothes" K-"that's so silly, mommies don't go to work, only daddy's go to work"

Cason: Asks every morning "where we going today mommy" and "after our nap, are we going anywhere" C- "Where are you going daddy" P- "On a work trip, but I will be home tomorrow" C- "oh, that's a good idea to come home, daddy"

Still very considerate, when Paul took him to get a prize for being such a good boy, he insisted on getting a ball for Kiley, he did not need anything. Whenever he gets a juice box or snack, he always brings one for Kiley. When Nana told him on the phone she was going to bring him a milkshake, he told her to "make sure to bring one for Kiley too. She likes strawberry"

They used to getting money for their penny bank; we were at the dollar store, gave both of them a dollar bill to spend and Cason said "that's not money, mommy. I need money" I have him change instead, and he said "thanks, that's real money"

In the bathroom at Target, while drying his hands he watched the lady next to him washing hers, then asked her "why did you not use soap?"

Going up to strangers and people he knows like Nee Nee and Papa and saying "what's your name again" and thinking it is so funny

He was jumping up and down loudly and I told him to stop, C-"that is not me, it is a monkey" started doing it again me "stop jumping Cason" C-"I told you it was a monkey jumping, not me"

He went outside to driveway without telling me, I scolded him telling him how a bad person could come take him away and we would never see him again and he said "would they take me somewhere fun"

Had a few girls over to play with Kiley and they were painting their toenails, I noticed Cason painting his Me "Cason only girls can paint their toenails, not boys" C- "I just painted them white, not pink, so that's OK"

Some nights after putting him to bed he comes down to our room, always knocks on the door, I say " who is it" and he says "it's just me" can't help but laughing, he comes in and says "I'm really just not tired" we let him cuddle with us for 5 min, then he leaves, goes back upstairs by himself and goes to sleep! One night he did this, came in our room and said "I don't want to cuddle, I just forgot my B" Picks it up, shuts the door and goes back upstairs! Funny kid.

Me- "Cason stop doing that, how many times to I have to tell you" C-"OK mommy, I not do it again" me-" that's what you tell me every time C-"I'm serious this time"

Can't wait for daddy to get home everyday so he can wrestle, loves to tackle and wrestle, Kiley and I not such big fans of it!