My Silly Boy

Birthday Boy

Look what arrived in the mail for Drew...from Uncle Wes (my brother).



Uncle Wes called me to let me know he was sending this very generous gift and make sure I was okay with it. My mom gut told me it was a bad idea...and I was right. Many a fights have ensued over this ride on vehicle. Izzy begs daily for us to buy her one - in pink. When we explain to her that we are not just going to buy her one she gets VERY upset and says she will use her own money. Great, but she doesn't have that much money in her "Mall Money" piggy bank.

Drew's ride on companions...


And I just love this picture because it shows how serious he is about his figurines - even thought it is blurry.


Thanks Uncle Wes you hit a home run with this gift in Drew's eyes - you could make it a grand slam by sending Izzy one in pink :)

Super Cute

Just wanted to show off a super cute new dress that Izzy is sportin nowadays. I know it looks like I made it from old scraps of curtains and bedspreads, but I assure you that I paid good money for this ensemble! Though I do wish I could make this! By the time I learn to sew my kids will be too big for me to use as my models. ...don't forget to notice the fun ruffled leggings too!



Alisha, not sure if you are seeing/reading this, but good luck with getting her to NOT put her head to her shoulders for pictures! For all others - we are having our family portraits done this weekend...SUPER EXCITED!

And here is one more shot with Brother Drew - he is sporting many new pair of pj's these days and wishes to document them with a photo. I do not like characters to be on clothing, but will gladly allow it for pj's. ...so if you see a movie/tv character on my kids clothing then know it was a gift :) Since Drew adores all the character he represents, and has outgrown most of his pj's this seems to be the perfect solution.



I am way behind in posts - gonna try and do some quick recaps if at all possible over the next few days. We are gearing up for a trip to Charleston and I would like to be caught up! HOWEVER, I am home with a sick kiddo :(

Happy 70th Birthday Grandpa

Pete's dad celebrated a milestone birthday yesterday...his 70th! Pete is one of eight children and all eight children, spouses, and grandkids went back to Cleveland for a surprise birthday weekend over Labor Day. We had a fantastic time! I still have hopes of uploading pictures to blog about that amazing weekend. ...remember, I busted a memory card...well, the pics are on it :(

For now, here are Izzy and Drew singing that good 'ole favorite "Happy Birthday"!

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

We hope you had a fantastic birthday!

Drew Drew Turns 3

Drew began his birthday festivities on Friday, September 25th, when he was class "leader" for the day. When you are leader for the day, you get to be first in line, choose the book, report the weather, choose the blessing, and bring in snack. According to Drew when you are the leader you are "first for everything (done with a very excited shout and hands thrown in the air)!"

Since Drew's birthday snack happened to coincide with his class picnic (a picnic to get to know the other parents/students) I didn't go in for snack time as year's past with Izzy, but rather just took his birthday treat to the picnic. Drew's choice was sprinkled doughnuts.

The birthday boy / class leader


Doing the blessing before lunch


That evening Pete was going to take Izzy to Toys R Us to let her pick out a present for Drew, but Drew wanted to go along so we made it a family affair. I had hoped for Izzy to pick out ONE thing for Drew - she wanted to get him a Woody doll from Toy Story. Well, call it guilt because we hadn't planned a big party, or guilt cause Daddy is gone lots these days, but while I was off distracting Drew, Pete and Izzy loaded up the cart. When I say loaded up...I mean enough toys were bought to celebrate Christmas.

The best part was that we made it through the store, out to the car, and into our house without Drew having a clue. But, as Pete carried the nearly see through bags into the house Drew spotted some of his loot. We told him he could open one present after he got into his pj's. Izzy and Pete wrapped up a Cars race track, and although he was ecstatic after he opened it, he said, "Oh! Oh! Oh! So, tomorrow I can open Buzz and Woody and Jesse?" So much for a surprise.



Sure enough the next morning Izzy and I went up to wrap the rest of his presents after breakfast and Drew remarked, "Oh. You goin to wrap me my Buzz and Woody and Jesse now?" Yup, that is what we are doing my friend. That is exactly what we are doing. I had a couple other presents that I had bought and while Izzy and I were wrapping them she said to me, "Mom, when did you get these?" It was all in a "how dare you buy something without me for my brother" kind of tone. Almost as if I should have gotten her approval.

The birthday boy chose cinnamon rolls for breakfast


Opening presents:


This was his reaction to EVERYTHING!


It was an ugly rainy day for Drew's birthday, so in addition to enjoying Drew's new toys, I got some movies at Blockbuster and rented a Wii game. What game? Toy Story of course!



Dinner was Drew's choice, and he wanted pizza. I asked him if he wanted to eat it at home or at the pizza place. His choice was the pizza place, and he also wanted to invite RC and his "other friend Moe" along :) We had a really fun dinner out.

Before you go thinking we are terrible parents with no party - we are planning to have a small birthday party for Drew - it will be just a few of his (ie: Izzy's) friends at Chuck E Cheese. This party has yet to be planned, but his only request (other then Chuck E Cheese) is a Toy Story cake. However, for now he wanted a SpongeBob cake. ...not sure why as we don't allow that show in our house. But, since it is his birthday I did get him a SpongeBob candle.













Of course being his birthday and all also meant that Drew got to eat off the special plate. In true Drew fashion, he also wanted his sister Izzy to eat off a special plate as well. Which reminds me - my Mom sent Drew a card for his birthday and in it were two $1 bills. Her intent was one for each child to spend at the Dollar Store (this is a HUGE thrill for my kids). Drew, of course did not know this, but upon opening the card and the dollars falling out, immediately said, "Oh Izzy! Omi sent one dollar for me, and one dollar for you, ...for us to spend at Disneyworld!" I am not sure why he chose Disneyworld, but regardless he thinks his sister is TOPS in his book. I think if Drew was stranded on a desert island and could take just one thing...it would be his sister :)



...and this Mama couldn't be happier that he loves his sister SO much!

Happy 3rd Birthday Drew

It is with tears in my eyes that I post the following pictures. I can't believe my baby is 3 today!

weighing in at 8 lbs. and 21 inches long




I fell in love with Drew instantly. I remember being captivated with him from the moment I saw him. It was such a powerful feeling. While his birth experience itself was awful, my days spent alone with him in the hospital were magical.

Big boy turns ONE!




And TWO!




Happy Birthday Drew! We love you!

Soccer Practice

On our way home from soccer practice:
Me: "Izzy you did a great job at practice tonight. I am so proud of you! You are getting so close to kicking the ball. I think at the game on Saturday you might actually kick it!"

Izzy: "Yeah Mom. Did you see me? I almost kicked it three times!"


Once at home:
Pete: "Izzy, how was soccer practice? What did you work on?"

Izzy(in a super excited sing song voice) "We worked on corner kicks and throw ins!"

Me: "Wow Izzy, I'm impressed! That is exactly what we worked on. Good for you!"

Pete: "That's great Iz!"

Izzy: "And Daddy, I almost kicked the ball three times!"

Yup, she almost made contact with the ball during our scrimmage. Izzy will run drills like a pro, and lead you to believe she is am awesome little player. However (and this is a big however) she will not try to kick a ball that another player is near. She is fearful of getting knocked down. During our games it is quite comical because if a ball is coming towards her, she will smile and then run the other way.

As a coach, she is wasted space on the field :) And I mean that in the most loving way possible.

As a mom, I can't get enough of watching her just smile, giggle and bounce around the field, all the while trying NOT to make contact with the ball. She is just loving being part of the team and hanging with her friends.