4th Birthday!

 The kids wanted a princess and pirate birthday party, so of course I said yes, even though ever year I swear I am not doing another "at home"party. My thought was to keep it simple with a bounce house and pizza, but then I started seeing all the cute decorations and couldn't resist!  The downstairs was transformed into the princess room, complete with princess dresses, high heels, a make-up and nail station, hair station, and Cinderella showed up for a tea party.

Outside we had the bounce house, pen the tale on the pirate game, walk the plank game, and a real pirate showed up for a pirate treasure hunt. When they kids first arrived, they had a basket of princess and pirate decor to pick from, including costumes. We also had a coloring station, shoot the pirate game, balloon release, and way too much food.  It was so much fun!  We kept the bounce house all weekend and the adults got to enjoy some jumping on Sunday, even Papa joined in.

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.