Morning with my Mister :)

I don't know who was the lucky one in this situation, but Tyler and I were lucky enough to be able to spend the morning with each other.  We had cereal for breakfast, spent a little time painting a wooden airplain that he got a kit for for Christmas.

Then we played with Tyler's ever-growing collection of trucks and cars that live in the Garage.  Tyler loves to play with his toys in the mud, but once they've been in the mud, they become "outside toys", and are no longer "inside toys."

We also put together a puzzle while we were out there, then Tyler's monster truck had a race with my (parked) car.  The Monster Truck won :).

Then the Winshield Man (affordableautoglass1.com) came to replace Daddy's windshield, which had a crack that was spreading.  After he got there, Tyler was a captivated audience!! I kept trying to get him to come inside with me to leave the man to his work, but he wasn't budging! (and even though the man was extremely nice, I couldn't leave my child outside with a complete stranger.) Tyler, of course, was asking a million questions.  I tried to answer some, but after Mr. Ben sensed my ignorance of glass replacement, he took over fielding the questions, and even let Tyler "help." He was great! During this whole process, Tyler relocated from his chair to my lap (which was closer), to the cooler, which was right in front of the truck. He was watching his every move! Then he turns to me, and says, "Well, I would help him if I knew what he needed." It was too cute!!

(and just a little disclaimer on Tyler's clothes: for some reason, he loves those sweatpants (size 3) that fit him fine in the waist, but are about 7 inches too short, and I only let him wear them around the house, and since we weren't going anywhere, he picked them out to wear.  he is also wearing the shirt that is too small that says "if you think I'm cute, you should see my aunt" that lindsey gave him 2 years ago!)

A Fun Afternoon

Yesterday afternoon, we went out on the lake with Carolyn and Kenny, Kevin, Sarah, and Kaelan. They were already out there when we came to meet them, but after they picked us up, we had a blast with them :).  The kids played by the boat ramps while they were coming to the dock to get us.

After we got out there, Mr. Kenny took us to a humongous rock where we could jump off.  I didn't think the kids would want to go, but they did.  And Olivia liked it more than Tyler! She's been surprising me this summer, with her love of splash mountain, and her courage to try new things.  After I got home and told Junior about it, he acted like he wouldn't have let them do it.  I bet he would have, though. It was a lot of fun... but I tell you what, it looked alot higher from the top looking down than it did from the bottom looking up! Mrs. Sarah took some pictures; I'm hoping she remembers to email them to me when she uploads them. I don't care to see myself in the pictures, but I sure do want to see the kids.

Unexpectedly Fun Day :)

My plans for today (since the kids were with their other mother) were to clean out the refrigerator, do laundry, and change sheets. Notice the "WERE."

When I woke up, Junior asked me if I wanted to go to Jefferson with him to look at a scooter and get some parts off an old Nova to go on ours.  So up I got, and off we went.  We stopped and got a chicken biscuit for breakfast (YUM), checked out the scooter (which was in worse shape than he expected), got the parts off the other Nova (which didn't work :(  ), rode around down some dirt roads (which brought back some fun memories for both of us), and then we ended up at the Junkyard.... imagain that, MY husband, taking me to the junkyard.... looking for more parts for the Nova (which we found).

Then, unfortunately, we got a call from the daycare that Olivia had a tummy ache, and wasn't feeling well. So we headed to daycare to pick her up, her cousin Kaelyn was going to daycare with the kids this week, so we picked up Tyler and Kaelyn too.  When I got to the daycare, Olivia had been in the bathroom for a good deal of the morning, and had just woken up from a nap, but when we got home, she was good as new.  I fixed them lunch, and they played in their rooms for a while, then we got out the waterslide and let them play on that for a while, then they jumped on the trampoline for a while, and then they came in to dry off and have some more fun.  Tyler and I made cupcakes, and worked on a puzzle while it baked.  Then, Junior took over with Tyler and put together and painted an airplane with him, and the girls, who have just emerged from Olivia's room in dresses and jewelry, and I headed to our bathroom for a makeover.  We did hair, nails, makeup, and accessorized with more jewelry and some shoes from my closet. Olivia and Kaelyn were so sweet.  They did their own make up and thier nails on their non-dominant hands (I had to paint the hand they write with), but then I stepped in with the hair-do's.  Olivia, who has curly hair, requested the flat iron.  Kaelyn, who has straight hair, of course, wanted rollers.  It was so much fun playing with them and fixing their hair and nails. I think they enjoyed it too.... then afterwards, we enjoyed some cupcakes, courtesy of Mr. Crocker, Tyler :), who enjoyed having both beaters all to himself since Olivia was preoccupied with her cousin.

When Kaelyn's dad got off work, all three of them went to his apt until Olivia and Tyler had to go spend the night with their other family. I hate that Olivia wasn't feeling good, but I was so happy to get to spend the afternoon with all 3 of them.  It was some good, quality time :).

After the kids were gone, I fixed supper, cubed steak and gravy, rice, and green beans, and we ate and relaxed.  Then decided to go for a ride on our fourwheeler.  We went down a dirt road, and through the neighborhood and stopped and talked to a neighbor, and came back home, and Junior tinkered around with the car while I relaxed and watched :) The weather was great and so was the company :)

The Beach!

So after all the planning and excitement over taking the kids to Disney World, what do we hear after the first day?  "Why can't we go to the beach?" SERIOUSLY! You little punks!

So after the last planned activity was done, Junior and I decided that a little side trip to the beach wouldn't be out of the question.... not to mention, that my cousin lives near Tybee and was kind enough to let us crash at her place! It couldn't have worked out more perfectly.  Not to mention, it cut our drive in half when heading back :).

I can buy it

We just got back from our vacation, and of course, after unloading, unpacking, and starting laundry, my first priority was PICTURES!!! All 178 of them!

I had a coupon code to get them for 11cents at walgreens for one hour processing, so, although it was more than the 10c processing to have them shipped to me, I had to get them immediately!

I was going to pick them up, and asked Tyler if he wanted to go with me, but prefaced my invitation with "I'm not buying you any toys, we're just going to get the pictures." He says he wants to go, I tell him to go get his flip flops, and he comes back wtih his flip flops and his piggy bank.  He'll buy a toy for himself, he says!!!  Little stinker.  But, who could say no to a clever little monkey in a situation like that?!?!

Thoughts from today:

1. Sometimes when you're trying to work something out for yourself, God will will just fix it for you while you're not even looking.
2. Fearless little boys who act like their father are HILARIOUS but can give you (and their father) high blood pressure.
3. There are still some really awesome people in this world!
4. Kids grow up way too fast. (I called my dad to tell him we got to Orlando safe and sound and was wondering to myself if he was thinking about the first time that he and Mom took Lindsey and me to Disney World... it doesn't seem like yesterday, but it definitely doesn't seem like over 20 years ago!)
5. I'm certain that Junior is the man that I prayed for. I'm so thankful for him.

More riding practice :)

Sunday, we got to have another day of riding at Mr. Kent and Mrs. Janice's house.  Mrs. Janice made us a wonderful lunch, after which we headed outside for some four wheeling action.  Surprisingly, Olivia was getting wild with it! Last time we had her riding, I had to coax her down the road, but this time, she was a woman on a mission!  She was riding all over the place. At one point, I guess she looked away for a minute, and ran into the end of Mr. Kent's barn.  The little four wheeler doesn't have reverse, so someone has to pull it back.  We were probably a good 60 or 70 yards away, and were watching, waiting for her to start hollering for help, but she didn't.  She hopped off, snatched that thing backwards, cranked it back up and was back on her way.  It didn't slow her down one bit.  Junior's truck was parked between where she was and where we were, so she didn't notice us watching her.  She didn't even tell us what happened. I was so proud of her for taking care of business on her own.  I didn't get a picture of her man-handling the four wheeler, but here's our big man.  His 4-wheeling mishap was slightly more serious than running into the barn. This little guy flipped it but both he and the 4-wheeler landed right side up, and other than a pretty serious bruise, he was just fine :).  Of course Junior made him get back on it right away! He did, reluctantly, but the sting of the flip only lasted a few minutes.



Since Santa brought 1 four wheeler to share until he knew that both kids would enjoy riding, the kids had to take turns riding with Daddy. I think this girl is about big enough to start riding behind the driver.  She was killing me when I was trying to give her a ride.

Hot Date!!!!

and I mean HOT!!!!!

Junior and I took a day to hang out at 6 flags. We've been wanting to go together ever since we started dating, we just never have.  But the other day, we were fortunate enough to get the opportunity to do that. It was SO hot, but luckily, most of the lines have shady areas where you can stand. I went last year or the year before with my friend Rebecca, so I've ridden all the newer rides except for the Daredevil Dive, but Junior hadn't ridden Goliath, The Scorcher, or Daredevil Dive, so we hit the ground running when we got there.  The longest we had to wait to get on was about 30 or 40 minutes, and that was for the new one.  And let me be the first to tell you, it was SO worth the wait!!!!!!! It is FANTASTIC!!! It may be my new favorite!

We enjoyed hanging out with each other, and joking around, and having just an all around great time!!

When we rode the Goliath, we finished the ride, but hadn't pulled back into the little loading zone yet, and finally after what seemed like 10 minutes, one of the employees came back there and explained to us that a woman had come in the "Exit Pass" entrance and got on the train and refused to get off, and that security was on the way to escort her out. So they finally got her off the train, and we got to get off the ride.... but while we waited, I took a moment for a photo op :) (we took the sim card out of my phone and put it into an old phone in case it got smashed, or flew away from one of the rides... still took a decent pic, though ;))

On the way home, Junior and I were talking about how much fun we had, and how it was a different experience that "it used to be".... yeah, like it or not, we are not as young as we used to be.  Then Junior says, sarcastically "its just not as great as it used to be.... I mean, after you've been to the largest indoor waterpark, and sailed across the ocean on a monster ship, spending the day sweating at a theme park is just not that great" to which I responded "oh, honey, I've opened your eyes to a whole new world since we've been together, that's awesome." And he says, "NO, you've ruined it!" LOL.  sorry babe.... I'll try to be more boring, and not plan as cool of vacations from now on.

5 years old = 2 wheels

Today, we made a churn of homemade icecream to take to my dad at work.  I know he changed what time he went but I didn't know what time, so we came a little early, and I brought a couple of beach balls to play with while we waited, and Tyler's bike. Not his new bike, though.... when Tyler got the new bike, we took the training wheels off the old bike for him to practice riding a two wheeler.  So we were in the parking lot at Mr. Kent's work, Olivia was shooting the beach ball at the basketball goal they have out there, and Tyler was working on his riding skills. I've helped him a couple of times in the driveway, but he didn't quite catch on.  But today, I guess, he was just ready, because I let go, and there he went!!!!!!!!!!!! It was TERRIFIC!!!!! I'm so proud :).

Olivia wasn't getting the wind in her hair like Tyler was, and it was pretty hot... so she retreated to the A/C.  Here's my little mini-me :)

Paint Party

We reorganized some of our arts and crafts supplies, and rediscovered the paints that Mrs. Carolyn gave the kids for Christmas. They are finger paints, but for some reason, they prefer to use brushes. They LOVE it :). Thanks Mrs. Carolyn!!

Fun with our new friends

This summer, we've been able to have breakfast and play time with some new friends :).  Olivia and Alex, and Julian and Charlie, are the grandchildren of my friend Beth. And Mrs. Beth just happens to have an awesome pool that she invites us to come play in. We've had a lot of fun there, and looking forward to more fun times :).

Here's my girl, ready to play in the pool.

And here's Tyler bug playing on the pirate ship and loving every second :).

Green Eggs and Pancakes

For some reason, Tyler decided that Green Eggs and Ham was what he wanted for breakfast... AND he wanted to make them himself.  Olivia, of course, wanted to make pancakes herself.

It was quite an adventure, but turned out pretty great :).

You can't tell from the blur in the picture, but Olivia does have a spatula, she's not flipping them with her bare hands :).

Thank you, Angel

Last night, our friend Ms. Tressa came over and they were talking about halloween, so of course, they had to sleep in their halloween costumes. This morning, we were out of milk, and out of poptarts, and out of waffles, so we decided to go to McDonalds for breakfast :).... IN COSTUME :). Olivia was a fairy, and Tyler was a Cowboy :).

It was really neat, that when we were walking in, everyone that saw us, just smiled from ear to ear :).  I don't think the kids noticed, but I loved it!

There was another little boy in there, that was playing while we were eating, and he got up to the top of the playplace and got either lost or stuck, and started yelling for help.  His mother, who was a good 8 months pregnant, was trying to calm him down from down below.  I sent Olivia up to help him.  She was kind of relieved, I think :). When they got back down, she reminded him to say "thank you" and he looks at Olivia, and says, "Thank you Angel."  It was sweet.

Punk Kids.... GRRR

Yesterday afternoon, I took the kids to Frances Meadows (again, imagine that...lol) and since they've already been 2 times this week, Tyler wanted to play with a truck and car he had.  He was right at the edge of the pool, rolling the truck over the grate, and on the edge of the concrete.  Then I see a bigger kid over beside him, and think, "oh how sweet, that big kid stopped to play with Tyler." A couple minutes later, Tyler comes to me, upset, saying "he won't let me put my cars in the pool." I said "Who?" and he points to the kid who was sitting beside him earlier, but at that point, the little PUNK was at the lifeguard stand telling the lifeguard! SERIOUSLY! The kid was like 10! Is his self concept so low that he has to pick on a 5 year old?!?!?!  So the lifeguard comes to me, telling me they are not allowed to have toys in the pool.  I explain to her where he had his trucks, and she said "Oh, Okay." So then the little punk comes to me, telling me that Tyler can't have his toys in the pool, and I couldn't help myself.... I shouted at the little jerk "Go away and mind your own business!!!"

And then, my sweet little rule-following boy takes his toys away from the edge of the pool, and sits on the HOT concrete, in Flipping 98 degree weather and plays with his trucks. OOOOHHHH!!!! I just wanted to punch that little kid!!!!!!!!

And here's my sweet little rule follower in the hot sun, on the hot concrete playing with his toys.

Rain, Rain, Come and Play

I'm loving these summer days at home with Olivia and Tyler (and Junior, some days, since work's been slow). We have done a lot of different things, but they still love doing the same old things too, like riding their bikes to the park, and jumping on the trampoline. Unfortunately, when its raining outside, our summer activities are limited.... unless, of course, the rain does not come complete with the thunder and lightning.

On this particular day, we were already outside when the rain started :)

Tyler played a little more, but as you can see, Olivia broke out in a dead run to the garage as soon as it started.  When the rain got a little heavier, we went inside, but after I heard hail, we opened the back door to check it out.  I got to teach them what hail was, then Tyler got to discover it for himself... he wanted to eat it, but couldn't catch it mid-air.  I think he ate one off the deck, though. lol. We sing that song "If all the rain drops were lemon drops and gum drops, oh what a rain that would be. Standing outside with my mouth open wide. Aaah Aaah A Aaah Aaah A Aaah Aaah A Aaah" I know the verse for rain drops and snow flakes, but has anyone ever heard a verse for Hail balls??? I may be working on that one pretty soon :).

The thunder kicked in pretty shortly after this.  I told the kids weeks ago that the thunder was the Angels Bowling. A week or 2 later, it had been thundering like crazy, then stopped for a few seconds, and Tyler says "I think the little one missed." It took me a minute to figure out what he was talking about, since we hadn't talked about the Angels bowling that day, but once I did, I thought it was SO precious!!  Well this day, once it started thundering pretty steady, Tyler says with complete enthusiasm, "Hey! That little Angel is getting pretty good." LOVE THAT BOY!!!!!!!

Poor little Pumpkin

The kids had their yearly check up the week before last, and of course, they did great, and were just as healthy and normal as can be! (Thank you God for healthy children.) Then last week, we got to take another trip to see the doc (who is AWESOME, by the way).  My sweet Olivia got an infection in her eye.  It didn't hurt or itch or anything.  She didn't even realize anything was wrong, she just kept getting "eye boogers" all day. But by the end of the day Thursday, her sweet little face was puffy, so Friday morning, we were on our way.  I went in her room in the middle of the night Thursday night to see if it had gotten any worse.  I rolled her over and tried to see with the light from the hall, but I guess I wan't gentle enough because she looked up half asleep and asks "is it still fluffy?" I love her. Love Her! LOVE HER!!!!

Here's my big brave 7 year old reading a book while waiting on the Dr.

Fire Cracker, Fire Cracker, Boom Boom Boom

The kids are with their mom this fourth of July, so Junior decided he'd let them play with fire works last week.

Here's Tyler with his sparklers :)

With a little assistance from Daddy :)

The kids did pretty well with throwing some of those spinning sparklers and poppers after they were lit.  Junior even let them hold the roman candles while they shot out fire balls.... even though it says in big letters on the pack "DO NOT HOLD." There was only one close call with the over hang of the garage, but other than that, they did great. Lindsey and Matt came up to hang out and watch.  Olivia and Tyler LOVE their aunt Lindsey.  She took them for a ride on Matt's four wheeler, and they loved that too.  I asked Tyler if he had bugs in his teeth when they got back, he was smiling so big. :)

His Real Birthday

Tyler's Birthday party was last Sunday, after Church.  His Birthday was Monday.  Junior was off work, and the Slide was still out from the day before because it rained that night, and we couldn't put the slide up wet. Junior took the kids to the park to ride bikes, then we had steak, and a baby cake with 5 more candles :). It was a nice little spontaneous party :).

Happy Birthday Baby! (he's in his undies because he started changing into his swim suit before I got the cake out)

"Hey Jessica, take a picture of me doing THIS"

This wild man was getting some serious air!!

He figured out how to climb up.  The material in the middle divider is not as slick as the slides :)

Tyler's Birthday Party

For Tyler's Birthday, we had our families over for a cookout, cake, and some waterslide action.  I made Tyler's cake last year, and put a huge monster truck on top.  This year, he wanted me to make his cake again, and put a Motorcycle on it.

Here's Last Year's Cake. (yes, we had a similar party last year, hence the trunks)

Here's this year's cake.... 5 CANDLES!! I can hardly believe it!

He didn't even ask to lick the candles, he went straight for the bike :)

And they're off!!!

I LOVE this one!!!