A Dirty Situation

We love to go to a local kids/science museum, and we found ourselves there again last week. We try to get up and go early, be there when they open, spend a few hours and hopefully let the kids nap on the way home.

All was going well, we were having a great time playing and trying some new things. We ate lunch in the foodcourt of the museum. The kids were beginning to get tired. Jeremy and Ella Grace were away from the table when Major gave me "the look" and said "I poo-pooed." Luckily, Jeremy and Ella Grace were coming back. I grabbed Major (held him sideways) and out the door we went.

What a mess! Changing poopy underwear in a pubic place was not fun. I hated to wash his pants out in the sink, but what else was I supposed to do? I had to call Jeremy from inside the bathroom to find a plastic bag (thank you Subway!). Then, he sent Ella Grace in the restroom to find me and pass it off.

Potty training is hard.

We do carry plenty of plastic bags, now.

New Years Resolutions

A little late, but I have been thinking of a few things I would like to begin doing or improve on this year. What about you? Maybe they are really goals, rather than resolutions, or hopes of things I would like to do...maybe at the end of the year I will decide what they are or were!

1. Read more. I did start focusing on this a little over the Christmas break from work. I have already finished one book already! Yea! I would like to keep this up and read more - whether fiction, biographies (I do like to read about former Presidents) or Beth Moore books.
2. Exercising. Again I have already started on this one. I have exercised twice already! Ha! Some girls at work have decided to start running together after work. Some are training for half- or full marathons, others of us are just beginning.
3. Cook more. While I was in school Jeremy was the chef and kitchen clean-up crew almost entirely. He took on a lot of responsibilities. I want to take (some :) ) of those back and give him a break. I love to cook sweets, but if we are exercising, I think I need to just stick with dinner.
4. Housework. Yes, while I was in school I really didn't do much around the house. Jeremy and I cleaned a lot while we were off work for the holidays and I want to maintain what we did and work on other areas, organizing, cleaning out, all of that FUN stuff that we all look forward to!
5. More husband/wife time and girl time! We have found some great girls that love to spend time with our children. That helps so Jeremy and I can get out and maybe have an occassional date time this year. I would also like to spend some extra time with my family and girl friends this year, yet another thing that suffered while I was in school.

So, here are mine. What are your resolutions? Here are lots posted at Kelly's Korner.

Happy, Happy Birthday, Baby!

Happy Birthday to my baby girl and little princess!

Your daddy and I were so excited when we learned we would have a precious little girl. You rushed in to this world so quickly, and we were loving on you dark and early at 1:30 am. You have been an exciting, loving ball of energy since that early morning. I have cherished holding you, reading to you, coloring and playing games with you. I love how you love me and your daddy. You are such a fun big sister to your little brother.

I pray that you will continue to love Jesus with all of your sweet heart, and that one day you will let him be your Savior. I pray you will continue to be a good example to Major and all of your friends. We have watched as you have grown to be a smart girl, a leader in your class.

This new year will bring a lot for you. I am excited about teaching you new things, like tying your shoes. I hope we will get to bake lots of cookies together and write and color and paint.

I love being your mommy! You make my heart so happy!

Happy Birthday, Ella Grace! I love you!
Mommy

An early birthday surprise

Ella Grace, Major, Daddy and I stayed with Gran-Gran last night. We drove to Nana and Pop's house before lunch today. After eating, Daddy and I took Ella Grace for a birthday surprise.
On the way, Daddy asked Ella Grace if she wanted to go pick out something for her birthday. Of course, she did! Were we picking out new shoes? Socks? Shoelaces? What about a new dress?
Nope!
We were going to pick out earrings for our little girl and have her ears pierced. Oh, she was so excited!

Ears marked and ready to go!
Just a quick "Ouch!" and a few tears!

Such a big girl!

Look at them! (still sporting our tattoos!)

She loves her daddy!

She even got a certificate for being a Super Brave Kid!

And what goes good with pierced ears?

Chocolate ice cream!

Dear Coach...

Dear Coach:
Thank you for a great season. Congratulations on your new trophy and being the champions. We'll see you back in T-Town soon.

Oh, and I am excited you will have a statue. That is pretty neat.

I'm glad President Obama called you. Maybe you will get to visit the White House this time.

Roll Tide!
Ella Grace, Major and Mommy and Daddy

P.S. Did those boys get in trouble for pouring Gatorade on you? I like Gatorade, but I don't want it on my clothes.

Christmas Pictures

The weekend before Christmas Major caught a virus. I ended up sleeping with him Saturday night and going through multiple changes of bedding, washing sheets, sleeping on the couch, then back to his bed. He seemed so much better on Sunday and just fine Monday. However, I woke in the middle of the night feeling nauseous myself. I went to work Tuesday, then took myself to the Faculty/Staff Clinic. VIRUS! Yuck! I went home, took my phenagren and slept all afternoon. Luckily, Jeremy called at 4:30 pm and woke me up to go get the kids from school. Wednesday I felt much better and off to Jeremy's parents after work to begin our Christmas celebration.
That night, Jeremy began feeling the effects of the virus...
Christmas Eve morning we spent with at Great-Grandmother's for breakfast.

So thankful they love each other!

Ella Grace and Major with their cousin Hunter.

Granddaddy, Lindsey, Hunter and Ella Grace

Yep, already had chocolate this morning!

Practicing on our new keyboard

After naps, back in the car we went. We left a little later than expected. Ella Grace said her tummy hurt soon after we left Grandmother and Granddaddy's, so we stopped at Nana and Pop's for a potty break. Then back in the car. About 30 minutes in to the trip, Ella Grace got sick in the car. We were semi-prepared, and had a bag handy. We stopped at a store, changed her clothes and bought some Gatorade to help her.

When we got home, Santa's elves had a made a visit to our house. And just like in years past left Ella Grace and Major a new pair of pajamas to wear that night.
Ella Grace took some medicine and off to bed they went. I made some homemade chocolate chip cookies for Santa.

What is this?

Excited!

Handsome little man!

So proud of our new pajamas!

When Ella Grace and Major finally woke up they didn't think Santa had come. We walked through the kitchen and Daddy spotted the remains of a cookie! Ella Grace and Major were so excited. Major decided he would help the big guy out and eat the remainder, while Ella Grace moved on.

Here are some pictures from the morning:

Can I eat this cookie?

(I suppose he remembered what his shirt said!)

Movies!

Modeling a new necklace.

Not even four yet, and a hair dryer was on her Christmas wish list!

Yea! A princess dress!

Yea! A doctor's kit!

Major loves a Magna-doodle.

Everyone needs to have their heart listened to Christmas morning.

Even though we don't watch Thomas at home, Major has gotten in to trains.

Jeremy: "Well, this looks like work."

Ella Grace: "Ewww!"

Just kidding! I like it!

Ella Grace and Major monkeying around with Major's froggie.

Jeremy cooked a wonderful breakfast for us Christmas morning!

A Day at the Museum

On December 31 we met Jeremy's brother David and his wife Laura, along with their children Austin and Caroline at a local museum. Our kids had a ball! There were so many interactive things they could play with and explore. We stayed all day, from about 9:30 am until after 1:00 pm. Our kids only slept a little while on the trip back to Granddaddy and Grandmother's house. Here are a few pictures of our trip:

This is my favorite picture from the day. Major has the bluest eyes and I just love them!
A little experiement with alka-seltzer that made "rockets" out of old film cannisters. POP! They hit the ceiling!

Pull, Major!

All of the kids loved this - showing how the pressure of water can push an object up. Caroline enjoyed playing in the water, too, with her mother Laura!

Are we tall or short?

One exhibit had you test whether you could roll your tongue - Major almost has it!

Ella Grace and Uncle David try their hand at weather forecasting.

Ella Grace's musical feet!

Major playing with the BIG Lite-Brite.

They all wanted to look out the window from the 3rd floor to see the city below.

Looking at the model trains (Ella Grace, Major, Austin).

Major enjoyed playing at the water table.

Ella Grace loved playing with Caroline. Here they are at the water block table.

Ella Grace taking a turn at the water table.