Independence Day 2013

As always, our holiday started with a little decorating (any excuse to have a craft project).  I had, what I consider to be, a really great idea, and let the girls decorate t-shirts with a cookie cutter dipped in paint.  They loved it.  Turned out really cute and with minimal mess.  Of course, we also blinged out the wagon and bike in preparation for the big parade.

On the night of July 3rd, our neighborhood always has a fireworks show

On the 4th, our fantastic friends/neighbors organize a super duper family party complete with games, parade, food, and water slide.  This year was extra special because we got to borrow a shaved ice trailer for 3 days...free shaved ice (any flavor you wanted, whenever you wanted) for 3 days!  Does it get any better?

June 2013

We had such a busy, fun June.
It started off with a visit from cousin Gracie, all the way from Colorado...and, of course, Scott, Christy, Ginger and Ronnie also.

The next weekend, we went to Hallettsville and finally made it to Splashway (thanks to help from ZoZo, Nana and Jeanette).  I had never been there before and was very impressed and the girls had a blast.

The girls helped Papa G with the feeding

 The next week brought a visit from some special guests...Aunt Carmen and Aunt Sonya (and Brian, too!)

Aunt Jana, Alex, Abbi and Aiden stayed here all week so we had lots of fun with the cousins

Then we all packed up and headed to Lubbock for Anthony and Amanda's wedding.  The kids handled the trip like ROCKSTARS!  There was more time with cousins, more fun, many late nights, and a good old fashioned dust storm.  The kids had a blast at the wedding and the adults had a pretty good time, too!

Lila was a flower girl, and she was excited because she got to throw rose petals "like they do on TV"

While we were in Lubbock, we had a chance to visit with the Matthews for a few hours.  It is hard to believe that it had been almost 5 years since we had last seen them (4 children have been born in that time).  It's funny how so much has changed, and yet so much is still the same.  Old friends really are the best friends!

Pre-K Graduation

Lila's Pre-K graduation was on Friday, May 24th.

We started the day off with lunch at Subway, followed by mani/pedis with Charli and Michelle

Lila does not like anyone clipping her fingernails or toenails, so this was actually a little necessary.  She was excited to see Charli there, but when she realized that they were going to give her an actual pedicure, she told the lady, "I'm scared".

By the time we got home, it was time for a quick wardrobe change and off to the graduation ceremony.

Nana, Papa, Oomma, Oompa, Natalie and Jonathan, and Ms. Heidi all came to support our Lila Bug.

It was an over-the-top Pre-K graduation, complete with song and dance, caps and gowns, and it was fantastic!  The Pre-K teachers put in a lot of time planning and prepping, rehearsing and fundraising to be able to give the kids this spectacular event.  They are a fantastic group of ladies, and are so dedicated to not only giving these kids the highest quality education, but also to giving them a support system and great memories.  Lila's teacher told me that she starts planning at the beginning of school what kind of theme the graduation will be, so she can start putting together music, decorations, and clothing accessories because she has so much fun doing it.  I got emotional listening to the teachers talk about how hard it is for them to see the kids go after they have watched them grow up since they were babies.

 

After the ceremony, they had a reception and cakes with all the kids pictures on them

I cannot say enough good things about the teachers, owners, and staff at this school...we feel very blessed to have them in our childrens' lives.  Each and every one of them love their job and it shows.   When we first started there, all I cared about was that Lila was happy and felt loved there, just the way I did at Playtime Nursery and at Nonnie's all those years ago.  Mission Accomplished!   I have gained many valuable friends along the way, and learned so much from all the staff there (how to cure diaper rash, and how to make the perfect green beans.)  

Stars T-ball Spring 2013

Lila played her first season of t-ball this spring.  She was on the Town and Country Stars which was an all girls t-ball team (ages 4-6), and they played with a softball.  She was so excited when I told her I had signed her up to play.  Her whole face just lit up, and she had us outside everyday practicing (sometimes in the dark).  She wasn't the best player on the field, but I would be willing to bet that she was one of the most dedicated, and of course we are so proud of her.  She is a pretty hard hitter, and not a bad fielder.  I really didn't remember t-ballers being this good back in the day...there were numerous innings where the teams actually made 3 outs. 

Lila was awarded the game ball for her hard hitting, and her Nana and Papa were there on that day to watch her game

The girls rotated positions every 2 innings to give everyone a chance to learn every position

Lots of pink

My "Big 6"

She had a lot of fun and so did we.  Natalie, Gran and Toby got to come to some of her games, and we are so grateful we have support nearby.  Her coaches were fantastic; they were so patient and encouraging with the girls.  There was a game when play had to be stopped because a player lost a tooth, there was the game where we played very near the train tracks, and the entire team would turn around to watch the train go by, there was a game where it looked like it might rain, and my daughter started crying on the field because she was afraid, and there were times that one of the players would just decide they didn't want to go one the field in the middle of the game...it takes a lot of patience and a good sense of humor to deal with these little ladies.  

This is a cute story:  One of the games, we were playing a team that was older and better.  One of the girls was sitting on the bench and was getting a little down-in-the-dumps, and another little girl went up to her and said "it doesn't matter if they are older, or if they have played before.  It doesn't matter.  All that matters is if we are getting better, and we have to get smarter, and you have to feel it in your BONES"...You gotta love it!

Easter 2013

 

Once again, our Easter was fantastic!  We started off dyeing eggs.
We let the little girls dye eggs using colored shaving cream.   They loved it, and the eggs turned out so pretty.  Lila is now old enough to dye eggs by herself, and she did a great job.  She measured out her own water for the cups, and took great care in "checking" her eggs to see the color progression

Lila found the golden Easter egg at her school party.

Friday evening we went over to visit everyone at Gran's house.  Easter is a BIG deal because my sister-in-law and her family ALWAYS come here for Easter...Aiden had been counting down for weeks, and Lila loves her cousins.  Oh, and of course, Ginger comes and brings a ton of treats.  The girls enjoyed a practice egg hunt, and we all enjoyed the great weather.

On Saturday, everyone got to go to Lila's t-ball game.

and then we went to Gran's for the annual cookout.  Ginger brought a pinata and it was entertaining for everyone.

Sunday, we woke up to find that the Easter Bunny had filled our baskets to capacity with Bible story DVDs, snack size Nutella, floaties and sunglasses.  Then it was off to church.  I have to admit that other than their Baptism, this was the first time the little girls have been to Mass.  They did great.  It's like they knew what to do; they never made peep (There was a curtain that was accidentally pulled down).  Then it was off to Pappasito's followed by egg hunting

another attempt at getting all three of my girls in a picture was made, and failed...looked something like this

So I settled for individual candid shots

The Oscars

  I love the Oscars...I love the fashion and the glamour, and yes I sit and watch the Red Carpet for hours.  This year, I put Lila's creativity and energy to good use.  We talked about having an Oscar "party", which turned out to be just us...and we had a great time.  Earlier that week, Lila asked me when I was going to take her shopping for an Oscar dress.  I happened to have about 3 yards of sparkly fabric and an idea popped into my head of how to make a simple dress for her, and our "party" just took on a life of it's own

We came up with a menu: white cheese which Lila cut into "party squares" all by herself, and grapes

Rolled out the Red Carpet, and made some decorations

Did make-up...she already figured out that sitting in front of the windows gives the best light for make-up

had a photo shoot

Dad even got in on the action.  Lila really wanted me to put on a dress, but her Dad sprung into action and went and put on one of his blazers and even found and Oscar for her

by the time the Oscars actually came on, Lila was asleep on the couch and this guy had taken over

In some ways, the past year has flown by, but in some ways I can't believe it has only been a year.  A year ago, I never would have imagined that we would be able to incorporate 2 babies into our family with such ease.  Of course we had a couple rough patches, but for the most part having these girls has been so much easier than I even could have imagined.  These girls were an answered prayer, and I give thanks to God everyday for my 3 healthy, happy girls. 

Both little girls are walking, and we do not have bottles anymore.  They have started to eat their yogurt with a spoon, love to be outside, and love bath time.

Audrey Lane

(aka Audi Bear, Boo, Needy Smurf)

1 yr

19 lbs, 3 oz

29 inches

Audrey Echols how did I get a blonde, blue-eyed kid?  You are extremely social, and do not like to be left alone.  Most kids your age play by themselves, but not you.  You like to interact and play with someone...mostly Lila.  You are a great eater; haven't met anything yet you don't like.  You are so predictable.  Everyday at 11:30 and 5:30 you get hangry and if you don't have food, you throw a fit so intense that I have gotten called from daycare and they thought you were in pain.  I said "no, just give her something to eat"  Works like magic.  You love to climb and are smart; you know when you are doing something wrong and you will glance back to see if anyone is watching you.  I will watch you on the cameras at school and you are always front and center, you already know your body parts. Favorite toy right now is blocks and bowls.  You are a little needy, however that has gotten a little better now that we can communicate a little more.  You are also a good little dramatic actress.  You will come up and sit behind me and pretend to cry so I will pick you up.  I will say, "Oh, now, come on Drama" and you will start to laugh...and you like to fake sneeze, and of course you like to blow kisses just to melt our hearts.  You also love to go anywhere.  The minute you see your shoes, you start waving, and when we open the door you get so excited and squeal. 

Landry Cate

(aka Lu Lu, nugget)

1 yr

20 lbs, 10 oz

29 inches

My little nugget.  Oh, how I love that expressive little face of yours, and that big tummy.  You are such a happy baby.  You are a good self entertainer, and are very low maintenance.  You love to "talk", and speak something that resembles Japanese.  Any object becomes your phone and you walk around jabbering, and will stop and laugh and throw your head back, and then come hand me the phone.  I could watch you for hours.  I don't think it is fair that you eat about half of what your sister does, but you weigh more.  You are trying to run and jump.  I have caught you twice jumping in your bed.  Your favorite toy right now is the phone, and the kitchen.  You seem to like shoes.  I have noticed you trying to put on my shoes and Lila's shoes.  You can blow kisses, but you will also give big hugs.  And, if I tell you no, you burst into tears. You have already been caught pulling hair and pushing your sister, but beware, she is starting to push back, and I think she may be a biter, so look out.  At home you are so independent, but when we go somewhere you become shy and want to be held.