reminders

We had a wonderful Christmas - full of family and friends and fun.  On Christmas night Maggie and I chatted while we were playing.  Our conversation went like this...

Me:  Mags, Did you have a good day?  What was your very favorite present?
Maggie:  Ummm...I don't know.  You know what?  Baby Jesus.

I am not making this up.  I was shocked and touched in a way I can't explain.  I don't really think that Maggie understands the gift of grace and love that God gave when Jesus was born in the manger so long ago, (right before this I asked her what color her pants were and she said "D" :)), but there is no doubt in my mind that God was using my sweet baby girl to remind me as I sat in a sea of toys and wrapping paper that His Son is the most precious gift of all!  I am so thankful for this reminder and all of His blessings!!

Santa Claus is Coming to Town!

family photos

My mom thought I was ridiculous for paying someone to take pictures of our family, because these days getting all three kids to look/smile at the camera is next to impossible.  When we left the session, I'll admit that I thought she was right - the kids were AWFUL - we left the session and needed a drink.  Who am I kidding - we needed several!  But guess what?!?  She got some good ones!  Well worth it!!  Check them out below!

Studio Bloom Photography

Soccer girl!

Kirby is playing soccer this year!  The jury is still out on whether she likes it or not, but she sure looks cute running up and down the field, and we've had fun cheering her on!  The real reason she wanted to play has more to do with her desire for a soccer ball for her charm bracelet than the game itself!  I'm glad she's trying something new, but it won't surprise me if soccer doesn't turn out to be her thing - she informed me last week that she "loves flowers and butterflies and rainbows...and ALL the girly things!"

I don't know why she didn't make contact with the ball!!  

1st Day of School!

All 3 kiddos started school this week!  I can't get over the fact that M&W are old enough for school and that Kirby is in Pre-K.  Blows. My. Mind.

Kirby started on Tuesday and seems to love it so far!  She has the same teacher she had when she was 2 who is super sweet, so I think that's made the transition back into school a bit easier for her.  She also has a room full of all new friends!

I can't believe how much she's changed since she started at St. Luke's 2 years ago!!

2009

2010

2011

 I love my babies - even if they're not really babies anymore!

Maggie and William started today with the teacher Kirby had when she was 3.  The had a great day - they weren't overly sad when we left them this morning and were super happy when I picked them up this afternoon!  YAY!

Maggers was super excited about "cool" this morning!!

 

William grabbed his bag and walked right down the hall!

 I'm so glad things went well today because our "meet the teachers" last Friday didn't start off so smoothly!  I'm sure all the parents in the room were beyond shocked when I barged in literally dragging M&W kicking and screaming.  William broke away and bolted down the hall and once I got him back in the room I realized he needed a diaper change...and diapers and wipes were in the car.  All of this was going on and the parents with their one little kid quietly playing with the toys just stared at me with eyes as big as saucers and jaws dropped to the floor.  If it weren't for my screaming kids, I'm sure you could have heard crickets chirping.  As you can see, things did calm down :)

Happy Labor Day weekend!!

I yub a beach

We had the best week at Crystal Beach.  Clear skies, cool breezes, happy kids - I couldn't ask for a better combination!   It was a perfect vacation!  

I had my doubts in the beginning, though - we left all three of the kids' bags at home and didn't realize it until we were almost to Galveston.  Then Maggie woke up with yucky drainage from her ear.  Our trip to the "med center" was a trip - the receptionist had to move her Marlboro Reds out of the way to give me the paperwork to fill out, and we had to wait an extra 10 minutes to be seen because the entire office staff along with the pregnant lady in the waiting room had to take a smoke break.  Wow is all i can say!!  After that it was smooth sailing!

 

 

Kirby and William LOVED the sand and water, and once we got Maggie some water shoes, she was sold, too!  All week William sang, "Where are we going?" Dora style and Maggie would answer, "To the beach!"  Kirby told us several times that she wished she could have a beach cabin of her own...me too, Kirbs, me too!! 

They loved it so much that I got a little nervous - William would take off toward the water yelling, "Tame ooon, Mommy!" (come on)  I can't explain how perfect it was though - the beach and water were so clean, and there was a very shallow sand bar about 20 feet from the shore - we had a perfect little "pool" to play in all week!

 

 

Impromptu photo shoot...

I already can't wait until next year!  William put it best...I yub a beach!!

Mine (cont'd)

William/Willum Tell/Tails/Buddy/Scooter Bill/Pooter/Booger Bear/Handsomest (amazing that the nickname "Will" hasn't even begun to creep into the mix!!), it's your turn!  I have been blessed with some super sweet kiddos, but there is something about you, sweet boy, that grabs my heart.  I guess it's true what they say about boys and their mommas!

You are always SO excited to see everyone and greet us with an enthusiastic, "HI, Mommy!" (or fill in the blank with your name) whenever we enter a room. You love to hug and kiss and pat and rub, and when we love on you, you say, "Thank you, Mommy.  Thank you." (or fill in the blank with your name) like we're doing you a favor. 

You love our attention but are quite content to play by yourself.  Your absolute favorite things right now are cars (Daddy is thrilled that cars have replaced your shoe affinity!!)...Mater, Lightning McQueen, and Finn McMissile top the list.  You eat with them, you sleep with them, and if we'd let you, you'd bathe with them!  You love to line them up and push them back and forth.  You do not, however, love to share them.  The other day Kirby had one of your cars and you threw a huge fit until she returned it.  You immediately stopped crying once she gave it back, grinned and said, "Look!  I got it!"  I think you know how to work us all!

 

You are our super sensitive kiddo, and you get your feelings hurt very easily.  Your eyes fill up with the fattest tears, and you cover them with the palms of your hands and just boohoo when you don't get your way. You also like to vent your frustration by hitting and pushing.  Unfortunately, Mags bares the brunt of this.  We're working on using gentle hands, but you spend some time several times each day sitting by yourself. 

You are beginning to talk more and more, and I love hearing the new things you say.  The other day as I was rolling up with water hose, you came over, put your hands on your knees, cocked your head and said, "Can I try it?"  You emphasize the second syllable of lots of words - like biCYCles and blueBERries and oPANES (airplanes) and hellCOPters.  I hope you say them that way forever! 

You can be such a silly boy, but you are very serious most of the time.  You study everything very carefully - I can tell you're thinking about some very important things - I can't wait for you to be able to tell me all about them!

I love you and your sisters so much, Tails, and I am so grateful that you are all MINE!!