First half of 2015

What my little ones are up to in 2015:


Maverick's vocabulary has soared. He knows his ABC's, counts to ten, knows most of the primary colors, loves books, loves "fast cars", monster trucks, and trains, still loves any balls and can already throw a mean baseball, has the sweetest laugh and is so funny, likes to chase Danica and have her chase him, runs to me when I walk in the door (I love that), and so much more. His latest funny is running into the bathroom when Danica was in the bath to yell, "I need my privacy" (teaching my children about privacy is a big thing; my privacy motto is, "I demand my privacy so you will demand yours"). He loves to watch Curious George, Jake and the Neverland Pirates, Thomas the Train, and the Wiggles (we have an old DVD, and I think it's the funniest thing that he chooses it over everything else he have). We have switched rooms around and he is getting a big boy bed. We are still going to keep a baseball theme and add some things. We are going to take him to Tweetsie Railroad in July! He's going to love it!

Danica did so well in school and is onto to 1st grade. She balanced school, homework, gymnastics, and ballet like a champ this year! So proud of my girl. She still loves ponies and I'm a bit sad that the princess phase is officially out. She asked if we would switch around the rooms and when we did, she did the decorating. She is also negotiating more mature television watching; not the kissy stuff... the scary stuff. Her latest is the Bible series on Sunday night. And since we let her watch it, she has been exposed to all the annoying previews and is convinced she would like to watch that new show that's coming out about a girl and her imaginary friend- not happening until I find out what the twist is (it sounds violent) We did let her watch Pirates of the Caribbean and Home Alone (that's as far as this momma is ready to go). She also loves mainstream music. Her favorite band is One Direction and she also loves songs she heard on the Voice like Masterpiece and Diamonds. She also got her ears pierced!

School is out for the summer! Danica is officially a 1st grader and Maverick is moving up to the 2 year old class at his preschool. We've got a lot planned for the summer- VBS, Paint Class, Drama Camp, Tweetsie Railroad, Water Park, Beach, Swim lessons, etc. It's going to be a fun summer :)

Christmas and a 6 year old

We had a crazy Christmas! Campus closed for two weeks and it was a nice holiday with my family! Danica was sick Christmas week. Maverick was sick New Year's week and when it was time for me to go back to work- I woke up with pink eye! Then it traveled to Maverick and then to Mema. Mema took the sickies back to her house that weekend and I cleaned my house top to bottom! What a break! But Christmas was great and the kids received tons of stuff. We asked family to come over the afternoon of Danica' birthday to celebrate. She wanted a Rainbow Dash themed birthday party, so I obliged (of course).

The best part was Uncle Travis' visit. He spent Christmas week with us. The moment he arrived into town his mom took him to the grocery store and he hand picked the very ingredients he would need for his favorite sister-in-law (that's me) to make her famous Manicotti. Of course I did! I would do anything for my baby brother! So I made it on Christmas eve and let the boys hang out. Needless to say, the "Santa" gifts that were supposed to be put together for Christmas morning were presented to Maverick in boxes! But it's o.k. Joe and Travis put them together for him Christmas day and all was well with the world!

I can't believe my baby girl is 6! We took her to get her ears pierced and that was her gift from us (she received enough stuff for Christmas and at her birthday party). She chose pink studs and only cried for a few seconds after they pierced both ears at the same time. She is doing a great job taking care of them and has asked for a pair of blue topaz earrings once she is allowed to change them out.

Joe and I were invited to a New Year's Eve party by one of my closest friends in high school. It was nice to catch up with her! We are already making plans to hang out again.

Back to the grind again. I am teaching Crisis Intervention this semester and LOVE it! Teaching Counseling is truly my calling. We have so much fun in my class! We're also saving money to put a fence around our yard- so the extra cash helps :)

I'm also planning a trip to Florida soon! I am officially a GREAT Aunt to Ally Rose, born January 9. I'm anxious to meet her and see Lanie and Kayla! I'll probably be going in March!

Preparing for Christmas

Christmas is upon us, so we are busy preparing for it. My holiday always starts with PCC's Holiday Show. I bought the cutest Christmas decor! I decorated the house Thanksgiving weekend and I must say- this year's tree is my best yet! I'm super proud! The elf is visiting the Advent calendar daily and leaving treats for Danica and Maverick this year. And it's so fun to answer Danica's questions about the elf- is he still here?, where is he hiding?, how did he get into our house?, why can't we see him?

I teach Danica's Sunday school class the first weekend of the month. This past Sunday, the lesson was centered around the Christmas story. When I realized the kids knew this story well, I decided to add some things to it that I knew they might not have heard before. So we talked about the Christmas star and the gifts the wisemen brought to Jesus. It was fun to teach them all new things. It was also a pivitol moment when I realized that Danica's level of understanding is maturing and it's going to be time to talk to her about some tough stuff soon. She is already asking some amazing questions about God, strangers, violence, sick children, etc. And I tell her almost daily that we are not perfect and life is full of trials. And I'm sure I tell her daily not to let the bad things ruin a good mood and to see the bright side of all things. Gotta raise a happy girl! (And thank goodness for Pharrell and his song, "Happy". And that he has been a judge on the Voice and that Danica loves that show!)

Joe and I are close to finishing our Christmas shopping for the kids. Danica has only asked for the Elsa with the Ice Dress and My Little Pony stuff. Elsa is slowly making her way out. Elsa was the theme of our Christmas and her birthday last year. She has spent the entire year dressing up as Elsa and singing Frozen songs. I'm getting her the Ice Elsa and taking her to the Frozen themed Disney on Ice, but I have a feeling that Frozen is on it's way out. My little ponies have taken over. She started a collection of the ponies this year and is only missing a couple. But now they released a new movie- Rainbow Rocks. All of the ponies as we know them are in their human form. So now she wants all the humans, the movie, and wants a Rainbow Rocks themed birthday party. We are going to miss you, Elsa.

Speaking of music, I found myself thinking about Danica's musical interests since age 3 today. When she turned 3, she jumped on the brick fireplace at Mema's house during her birthday party and sang for the family in her one of her princess dresses. Then at 4, she was in love with Barbie's Princess and the Popstar and would put on a concert for everyone. At 5, it was Frozen. And now she is getting ready to turn 6 and prefers the rock-n-roll style of the Equestria Girls (that's what the My Little Pony humans are called). She certainly LOVES music and dancing. She reminds me a lot of myself when I was young. I remember singing all the time- just like she does now. And I remember buying cassette tapes of all of the fun music from my favorite cartoons. I've even shown Danica you tube videos of Gem and the Holograms! Gem is OUTRAGEOUS! Did I mention Danica can carry a tune? She can really sing. Her voice is amazing. She is already in tune to the different ranges in her voice. She used to tell me she sings just like Elsa. Now she tells me she sings like Adagio (Equestria girl). She is a hot mess for sure! But she is so precious!

We still need to take the kids to see Santa. Maverick hasn't seen one yet and the magic of Christmas for a two year old really doesn't start until they see that jolly old man, does it? He likes the Christmas tree a bit more this year- at least, he's not taking the ornaments off the tree and throwing them on the floor! I think we'll see Santa this weekend and go see some lights. I understand Hillridge Farms has pretty lights and that there is a drive-thru light show in Windsor. I LOVE this time of year!

Maverick is 2!

Maverick turned two on November 12. I took a treat to his preschool the morning of his birthday. Then we celebrated with my dad that night. We also invited family over for BBQ Saturday night. I took Wednesday-Friday off last week to spend time with the kids and catch up on mommy work. I feel like I celebrated his birthday all week- but nothing less for my buddy buddy!

Maverick is around 30 pounds now. Although he is using a cup for juice and water, he still likes his milk in a bottle (we are going to have to start working on that buddy; big sister dropped the bottle the day she turned one). He is certainly making a statement about being "my baby". LOL! He loves to eat but still has a peanut allergy. Not too long ago, Joe made a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for himself. All he did was touch Maverick with a peanut butter finger and Maverick broke out. So we don't give him anything with peanuts.

His favorite snack right now is fruit snacks and apples. He loved bananas for a long time, but now he wants apples. He also loves sauce (ketchup). Danica is at the age she wants sauce on everything, so Maverick wants a little on his plate, too. I just gave him M&M's for the first time last week. I'm going to start potty training and I used M&M's with Danica as a reward- had to make sure he likes them!

He still loves everything ball. He got a new basketball and goal and a new baseball bat and ball for his birthday and it seems he has had either one of those balls in his hand since. Joe reported that Maverick took his basketball to school this morning because he didn't want to put it down. He now throws ping pong balls and tennis balls down the stairs. I had to put all of his baseball bats up because I'm afraid one of them is going to go through my t.v. or my glass cabinet soon. LOL!

He is such a sweet boy. He loves giving kisses and hugs. He still loves to snuggle and lets me hold him all of the time. I read books to the kids every night and he still loves for me to sing to him. He tries to sing along now. It's been since the summer that he started singing the last word of each line in a song. It started with Let it Go; now he is singing Twinkle Twinkle and the ABC song. He also copies everything that Danica does, so if she is singing or dancing- so is he.

The other night, I took Maverick upstairs to bed without Danica and he kept calling her name. He wouldn't sleep unless she was with him. He used to call her "Sis" and now he calls her "Dan-ca". It so presh! Everything he says is super cute! He can say so many words now; but the best is when Danica is teaching him words. She will say, "can you say apples" and then Maverick says, "apples". And then she continues to ask him about different words and it's just so sweet that she is teaching him.

Maverick is such a happy boy. He does throw a mean tantrum when he is woke up (instead of waking up on his own- because sometimes Danica just can't wait, or be still, or be quiet). He gets a bit mad when he doesn't get his nap out. But for the most part, he is super happy.AND he is so funny. He loves to laugh and we love to do funny things to provoke him. He already thinks poop and stinky are funny words (thanks to his comical sister).

I have noticed that things scare him a bit more than they did Danica. He doesn't like the sound of thunder (even though he can hear an airplane from a mile away and LOVEs airplanes). I also have a baby animal book that features a Tarsier. The tarsier has big eyes and it's picture scares him a bit.

I know there is so much more to my super sweet and fun-loving guy! He is so full of personality and certainly ALL boy!

Happy Birthday Maverick! We love you to infinity and beyond (he loves Toy Story).

Kindergarten and Preschool 2014

My baby started Kindergarten! Her teacher's name is Mrs. Moore and she is so sweet. There are 12 other kids in her class. They are using the Rigg's Reading program. She has only been there a month and has learned so much. We help her with homework on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday and help her memorize a bible verse each week. I volunteered to be her Room Mom! So I send information out to the parents and coordinate events for the class! We are really having so much fun!

Maverick also started Preschool. He is in the 1 year old room and his teacher, Julia, was also his gymnastics teacher over the summer. LOVE HER! And LOVE Mrs. Judy, too. Some of our sweet friends enrolled their son in the After-school program there and Mrs. Judy is the teacher, so when I learned that Mrs. Judy and Miss Julia were the 1 year old teachers, I signed him up quickly! I could have waited another year, but he is ready. He is only attending 1/2 days, 3 days a week and it's working out nicely. It gives Mema a few days to sleep in! With Danica and Maverick being in school, she doesn't have to come to our house until noon.

 

 

Another important thing to report is that Danica lost her first tooth on July 6! Yay! She was so excited. It fell out in the bathtub, so we thought we lost it. She was so worried that we wouldn't find it for the tooth fairy! But we found it, and the tooth fairy left her $5 and some dental floss. She used the money to buy ANOTHER pony (Sunset Shimmer-My Little Pony).

And don't forget it's FOOTBALL season, and we are tailgating! We've got a new spot to hang out and there's a big field for the kids to play! Here are the kids at the annual Meet the Pirates event. We go every year to get everyone pumped up for the Pirates!

 

 

 

Happy Fall, Ya'll! And GO PIRATES! ARRGGHH!

Kayla's HS Graduation in Florida

We "drove" to Fort Lauderdale for my niece's High School Graduation! Goodness (the drive and the graduation)! They live on the west side of Fort Lauderdale, but Joe and I desperately wanted to enjoy some kid free beach time, so we booked a room for the weekend. We had an amazing time! It was the first time that my whole family visited them in Florida at the same time! The only time we all get together is when they visit us in NC, then everyone plans their trips to visit them separately. It was a special event!  We got to meet Kayla's best friend, Zoe, and her boyfriend, Andres. I also got to see Lanie's best friends, Michelle and Caroline. It was hard to leave!

 

Congratulations Kayla!

My dad, my sisters, and me with the graduate!

Joe isn't going anywhere unless we go to a Baseball game!

As long as I get to meet a cute baseball player!

Fort Lauderdale has a beautiful beach!

Summer with Mema

Toddler Time at Chick-fil-A

Summer means more Ice Cream!

Toddler P.E.

Toddler Time at E.C. Cats

Trouble!

Farm Life!