Summer MDO!

Summer MDO is back in full swing, and for both of them to be gone 4 hours during the day, 2 days a week, is ALL new to mommy. I forgot what it's like to have "me" time on a consistent basis....I think I'm going to like it!! Reese is in her same classroom, same friends, same routine, and of course, she had to be a drama queen for us and scream bloody murder. Thank goodness Joe was with me and could help. We ended up having to "pass her" to the teacher and just walk out. Lucky for us, Charlie's room comes before Reese's and we had already dropped him by his room. I don't think I could have handled 2 screaming melt-downs, and the way she was screaming would have surely scared him to death! Anyways, I stood around for a few minutes and it didn't take long until the drama was gone, and the tears dried.....when I went back to peek in on her, her and her little friend Kate were sitting with the teacher reading a book. Both kids were REALLY excited to see me when I picked them up (my favorite part!). They both came running with open arms, followed by some of the best bear hugs around! Reese did wonderfully as well today. Now if we can just get past the drama departure! Keep your fingers crossed for Thursday!!

Doesn't Charlie look thrilled? And don't ask me what's going on with Reese's shorts....I have no idea how one leg is hiked up and the other down?!?!

we have GOT to work on this picture taking thing!

Off they go (sniff, sniff!)

Charlie's First Day of MDO!!!

Oh my sweet Charlie man, where has the time gone? I can't believe he's started MDO. Yesterday was his first day and he did unbelievably well. He is familiar with the school from last year when we would take Reese, but I had no idea how he would do when I "left" him. Well, let me just tell you, he didn't even tell me goodbye, and I'm pretty sure he didn't know I was gone until I came back 4 hours later and walked in to pick him up! They stay so busy with different activities and things to do, I think the time flew by for him. His teacher said he did great, sat at the table and ate his lunch (amazing), played really well with the other kids (even more amazing), and even colored me a picture!! We are so proud of you Charlie!! Love you!!!!

Happy Father's Day!!!!

Let me just start off saying that, I know I'm partial, but I'm pretty sure I have the most wonderful father figure in the world for my kiddos. Joe is such a good daddy -- couldn't ask for better, and I don't tell him enough, so Joe, we love you and we are so thankful for you. We can't imagine life without you and I thank God everyday for putting you in my life and blessing me with these 2 sweet little ones!! Thank you for everything you do for us and your family!

Ok, now with that said, Sunday was a great day for us. We started off by going to Church, then we headed home and packed up a picnic lunch and went to Ruffner Mountain. We had never been there before, and I was a little skeptical, but Joe loves to be outside and loves to hike, so I thought we should at least give it a try. I am so glad we went -- it was perfect. We sat out and had our picnic lunch, then went on a little (and I mean little) nature hike/walk with the kids. They also have a little building with animals/wildlife inside to look at, so the kids of course loved that. When it was all said and done, Joe was happy and that was the goal of the day -- after all, it is Father's Day!!!

picnic!!

you see what I'm working with here??? ssshhhheeesshhh!

she's looking more and more like a big girl (sniff, sniff)

the kids were troopers and actually loved their little nature walk -- Charlie stayed right behind Joe the whole time, and Reese would turn around and say, "come on Mommy, come on".....guess I'm too slow for their liking!!

can you tell Joe's tired of me taking his picture???

We love you daddy!!! Happy Father's Day!!!

More Father's Day

Last night we celebrated with my dad and Joe. We took them to eat dinner at Brio (yummy), then did cake and presents at our house. We are one lucky family to have both these wonderful daddy's in our lives -- they are the best! I hope you two know how much we love you -- Happy Father's Day!!

Poppa got a new Honda Pilot last week, so this will look perfect on the front of his car!

Joe and Charlie LOVE to play the Wii -- Joe was so excited about this!!!

I love this picture of Charlie looking at his Papa

what a perfect ending to a wonderful weekend -- homemade Strawberry Cake -- it was seriously one of the best cakes I've ever had.....yummy! Thanks so much for making it Mom!!!!

Happy Birthday Sweet Scarlett!!

On Saturday, we celebrated Scarlett's first birthday party! It was such a cute little party -- pink and green party favors, a princess jump-a-roo, brunch, and cupcakes galore! I don't think Scarlett had any idea this celebration was for her, but she had such a good time and looked so cute in all her little outfit changes (there were a few!!!) Happy Birthday Scarlett -- we love you so much!!

Jennie and Scarlett

smash it Scarlett, smash it!!

Reese would live in a jump-a-roo if we would let her!!

always finding a ball somewhere!!

I'm not sure what that face is that Charlie is making.....just another honest attempt at a family picture!!!

Reese's First Trip to the Dentist

Wow, what a surprise today held for me! I am not going to lie, I was DREADING going to the dentist with little Miss Drama Queen, and I had put it off until she is the last of her friends to go, so I finally bit the bullet and made her appointment. We've been talking about it now for what seems like weeks and going over what the dentist is, what will go on, etc. She was all smiles this morning when I woke her up and told her where we were going. Once we got there, the staff was SO wonderful and welcoming and kid friendly (thanks so much Julie!!), it made it a breeze for me. We watched a short video on what to expect and they had a giant chalkboard to keep her busy while we waited. Right off the bat, they let her pick out a new toothbrush -- which, was her favorite part. They had a Little Mermaid pink toothbrush, which we haven't stopped talking about. (We are obsessed with Aerial right now!) She sat up in the chair with me and let the sweet hygienist polish, floss and put fluoride on her teeth. I could not have been more shocked or proud! Not a tear was shed, not a whimper was made! After doing so well, she got to pick out stickers and a bouncy ball. Then came the dentist exam.....which I was nervous about. Well, I was wrong again. He was hilarious and wonderful with Reese and she loved him (which is rare for a stranger!). She let him look all in her mouth, count her teeth (she has 20!) and tell her how pretty she was!!! He said her teeth are perfect, all in place and well spaced for her permanent teeth to one day come in! After his exam, he gave her a token and took her to the "treasure tower" where she got to get, yet another prize!! This time she got a pink ring (another favorite). We got our picture made with him and off we went. Can I tell you how relieved I am that this is over and even better how well it went!!! I am so proud and now so much more calm.....we go back in 6 months, and I will also take Charlie with me.....fingers crossed he does as well!!!!

they had a perfect play area to keep her distracted!

Sitting with Mommy like a big girl!!

Candice, our hygienist, she was wonderful!!

still shocked at how well she did for Dr K!!

treasure tower!!

what dentist appt is not complete without a sugar free lollipop?!?!?!?!

Pool Fun

Today we got the girls together and let them practice their swimming. They are all still doing so good. They wore themselves out jumping off the sides and swimming from one side of the pool to the other. We had a picnic lunch and then went to have yogurt......yummy!! Charlie went to Gymboree with his Gigi and had a blast. He got gymbo stamps on his tummy today -- he was so proud!!!

It's near impossible to get 4 two year olds to look at the camera at once!

taking a snack break!!

they're so funny -- they hold hands everywhere they go!!

lunch time!!

finish off the day with some yogurt......it was so good!!

buddies.....

Charlie showing off his gymbo stamp......can you see it??

it's right smack in the middle of his big ol' belly!!!

Alabama Adventure!!!

We kicked off our summer Alabama Adventure spree yesterday and the kids had a blast! Reese remembered going last year, but it was all new to Charlie!! We had a crew go yesterday -- lots of kids and lots of running around chasing them. I was so worried about Charlie wandering away from me, but it was quite the opposite. He stayed with me and didn't roam at all.....now Reese, on the other hand, she's Miss Brave Pants and I could hardly keep up. She kept telling me, "I'm a big girl, I can swim". Oh, it's going to be a long summer!!! I didn't get many pics at all, because, as you can imagine, there was very little free time -- most of my time was spent chasing somebody!!

we gotta work on this "cheese" thing.....

my little buddy.....he liked to play "around" the water, but he wasn't much of a fan of the slides, bouncers, etc.....

Reese and Riley -- time to go and they were pooped!!!