Easter Pictures

Taking my kids to have pictures taken together is quite an ordeal.  They're great individually, but together they're nearly impossible.  I'm confident it's the most frustrating thing, ever.

We went to a new studio this time.  They took nearly 70 pictures.  Here a few of my favorites...

Zing, Zang, Zoom!

We took the kids to the circus a couple of weeks ago.  Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey: Zing, Zang, Zoom was at the Asheville Civic Center and thought it would be something fun for everyone.  William ended up going into work for a few hours that morning, but he made in home in time to head to the big top.

The kids had a great time.  Megan jumped up and down, a lot!  And Andrew did his little happy dance a few times, too. 

These girls were hanging by their hair!

On the way home, Megan fell asleep.  So, we pulled over and let Andrew explore the playground at the school he will start in August.  He had a good time, but it was bittersweet for me!

Day out with Papaw

My dad is a mail carrier by day, but after work he spends his time at his shop where he does lots of auto mechanics and a little farming.  He's always asked that I let Andrew spend Saturdays with him.  Up until just recently, I would have never considered that.  Andrew went through a phase where he didn't like for me to be out of his sight and I was afraid a day without me around would be just miserable for all involved.  But lately, he's become more independent.  And last Saturday, I needed someone to take care of Andrew for a few hours while I ran an errand in Rutherfordton.  So, to the shop we went.

Andrew wasn't too happy when I left.  That was very painful for me.  But, my dad assured me he was over it real fast.  While at the shop, Andrew rode his bike, helped work on a few things by handing my dad the tools he needed, painted a little, and spent a lot of time playing with sidewalk chalk on the shop floor.  He had a good time.  A really good time.  Wanna know how I know?

Dirt.  This is, by far, the dirtiest Andrew has ever been.  But, I know it meant he had a good time.  And secretly, I kind of considered the day a stepping stone for us both since, as you read in an earlier post, I'm having a hard time accepting the fact he'll soon be going to school.

And I didn't even mind how dirty I was after we shared a great big hug! :)

Our Little School Boy (Almost!)

So, Andrew will start school this fall.  As a stay-at-home mom, I find myself near panic mode over the whole idea of sending him off to school.  I've never entrusted the care of my sweet boy to anyone else, and now I must leave him with someone I don't even know?  It's hard for me to be okay with all this.  But, I'm trying.

I have no doubt Andrew is ready for the academic side of kindergarten.  But I do have some concern that he might not be ready socially.  And I attribute that to his being a stay-at-home kid.  I definitely see advantages to daycare/preschool.  I kick myself for not enrolling him in something that would allow him to interact with other kids his age.

Kindergarten orientation is April 21 and registration is May 2.  I seriously cannot put into words how this makes me feel.  It crushes me.  I don't let Andrew see my heartache, though.  I want him to be excited about going to school.  And I want him to love school.

Now all I can do is pray that my little man will be ready for this new adventure, and pray his teacher is one that is a good fit for him.  And while I'm doing that, I'm going to enjoy every minute we have together!

Go Fly a Kite

Earlier this month, we attended "Go Fly a Kite" day at one of the equestrian centers in Tryon.  This is an annual event, but our first time going.  The kids had a great time running and playing, and the weather was just beautiful.

Afterwards, we took the kids to a local park to play.  They had  a great time, and I took lots of pictures.  You've been warned. :)

Look closely - you can see Andrew's kite flying high!

The best of my failed attempts to photograph them together.

Megan was scared to ride the dinosaur, so Daddy tried to show her it was okay.  She still wasn't interested. :)

All tuckered out...

Sweet Kensie

Our youngest niece, Miss Kensie Grace, is quickly approaching 5 months old.  She is a very sweet little girl and is developing the cutest little personality.

A couple of weeks ago, we all went out to lunch.  I was holding Kensie, and Megan reached over and held her hand.  It was oh so sweet. 

Here are a couple of pictures of the little cutie!

Mommy-and-Me Day

03.11.2011

On Monday, Andrew had his first "official" dentist appointment.  He's been before, but this was the first time he had his teeth cleaned.  I was super worried about it.  I imagined all kinds of chaos.  But he was a champ.  When we first went into the exam room, Cassie (the hygienist) offered him his pick of any toothbrush from a drawer filled with hundreds to choose from - after that, Andrew was in love - not just with Cassie, but with his new SpongeBob toothbrush, too!

He was a little apprehensive of the tools that made noise but Cassie and her hygienist friend, April, were real quick to tell him it was the sound of their special train (Andrew had on a Thomas shirt) and that calmed him right down.  They polished his teeth and flossed them, and when Dr. Angie came in to do her part of the exam, she brushed "teeth vitamins" (fluoride) on them.  He received a great report - no cavities and no plaque.  And when we go back in September, they'll do his first set of x-rays.  Now I have something new to worry about. :)

Now the very best party of Andrew's dentist appointment was that I took him without anyone else in tow.  I don't remember the last time he and I had one-on-one time together, and I thoroughly enjoyed it!  We had lunch at "Old" McDonalds, ran by William's work to see him for just a second, and took care of a few errands. 

Then I had to go have lab work done.  I was a little concerned about how Andrew would react to the blood draw, but he actually found it funny and even earned himself a special sticker for being such a good boy.

Funny, the nurse who gave him the sticker obviously wasn't in the waiting room.  That's when he announced to everyone he had pooted.  And in case they didn't understand, he spelled it out for them... "p.o.o.t - poot!"...over and over again.  Oh, the joy of boys...

Here are a couple of pictures of this mommy's little boy!

Oh, Megan...

03.09.2011

So, Megan has recently discovered the joy of taking off her diaper.  I don't care what you put on her, she finds a way.  At night, we have to use a baby pin to keep her from unzipping her sleeper when we put her to bed.  But, sometimes...we forget.

Please excuse the poor quality of this photo. 
(I hate my camera!)

Our Little Valentines

Well, this post is a little late, but...

Valentine's Day has never been one of my favorite holidays, but I do try to do a little something special for the kids each year.  We had heart-shaped pancakes for breakfast and gave them a little special treat later.  Andrew was surprised with candy, of course, and a new game for his Leapster 2 - a Thomas game!  And Megan's surprise was a new red ball, a bag of one on of her favorite snacks (Goldfish crackers), and some heart-shaped marshmallows.  Megan loves to play ball!  Megan does not, however, love marshmallows.  Lesson learned.

Megan, making a big mess of herself after church!

Andrew, enjoying his new video game.

Aunt Jo-Jo

03.08.2011

I know I never posted our family's need for prayer for my Aunt Joyce, but several of you have been aware of her illness and have been so good to ask about her, so I'll update you now.

After many years of feeling ill and meeting with at least seven different doctors trying to figure out what was going on, a few weeks ago,  Aunt Joyce was rushed to the hospital by ambulance after she fell unconscious at home.  Once she arrived at the hospital, it was discovered she had bleeding ulcers and has lost 50% of her blood supply.  She was given several pints of blood and transferred to another hospital where she spent several weeks hanging on for her life.  It seems the ulcers - one of which the surgeon said was the biggest ulcer he has ever seen - had eaten away at some of her intestine.  This story is pretty drawn out, but after emergency surgery, a short (but still much-too-long) comma, and lots of prayers, she started improving and has returned home to continue her recovery.  She is still weak and can certainly use more prayers, buts it's very nice to say she's doing a lot better.  Her physical therapy is going very well and she's beginning to move around a lot more.  She still has a long way to go, but we're so happy to see such great progress.  Thank you for your prayers!

Aunt Jo-Jo and Megan
December 2009