An end to February

Our final weekend of February was a busy one for me. I kicked it off by having my Mom watch the kids so Vince and I could go Winter Jam 2010 at the AAC. One of my favorite artists is Third Day and they were head lining the concert. Although I wasn't sure what kind of crowd to expect, I definitely wasn't ready for half of the youth groups around the metroplex to be there. I should have known. Listening to three hours of worship music and Christian speakers will definitely put you in a focused/spiritual mood thinking you can tackle any thing that comes your way.

On Saturday Zachary had his last basketball game. He definitely enjoyed playing. He did give me a chuckle on the way home. All season long I told him that if he made a field goal during the game I would take him to 7-11 and let him get a big slurpee, not the little ones. Well today being his last game he still never scored. I told him on the way home that I would let him go get a big slurpee for being such a good team player all season. He let me know that he did not score during the game so he would pass getting the slurpee. What kid passes on a slurpee???? I'm thinking maybe a little disappointed one.

On Saturday night my father in law came over for dinner and afterwards took the kids to Incredible Pizza while I went to game night with a few people from Church. What a brave soul he was. At first Zachary was literally crying that he did not want me to leave him to go play games with my friends. Once he heard thought that he could play bowling at the tall blue castle all the tears instantly dried up. Thanks Grandad.

On Sunday I was very thankful to have so good quality time with the kids. It was a beautiful day out so they got to play on the play ground at Church. I was so proud of Zachary. After giving him one push to get going, he was able to swing on his own. Although I have been waiting for this moment for over 5 years it finally came. No more getting the wood chips and rocks in my sandles/heals after church. Ok so I will miss pushing him just a little.

Once we got home Katie rode her tricycle around the drive way plenty of times plus took a few rides in the grocery cart. She thinks it is a blast to be driven around in that thing. Afterwards Katie and I played a game of hide and seek. Both the kids love playing this. Katie still tells you were she is going to hide and if she doesn't tell you before she goes and hides she is always saying "I'm in hear" in case there was any doubt on where she was. When it was her turn to count she would actually cover her eyes and count to 20. I've never actually heard her go that high all on her own so it made me smile. She would sometimes skip the 6 and 16 for some reason but that doesn't really matter.

After our game of hide and seek Zachary started playing tic tac toe on his white board and then hang man. I will say it blew me a way a little playing hang man because that actually means that you have to know to spell a little. I always knew that they learned a lot in Kindergarten I just forgot that one thing they really start to gain is their independence.

Snow Days

Well, along with all the other kids out there, we ventured out to play in our 10 inches of snow. I was lucky enough to leave work early on Thursday and pick up the kids right as Zachary got out of school. When we got home we decided to go out and build a snowman. This was the first time that Katie has been able to go out and really play in the snow and enjoy it. The last time it snowed enough to make a snowman she was one and cried her eyes out. This time she was really into it.



After we finally found our gloves and bundled up (yes it is definitely a lot harder to get the two kids dressed to go outside then just myself)we were off to go outside and have a snowball fight.





The snow was perfect for snowball fights and to build snowman. Along with building our Aggie snowman, Zachary also enjoyed throwing the frisbee and riding in the cozy coupe.




We had so much fund building that we went outside the next morning and built another snowman. It was awesome to go outside on Friday morning and you couldn't even tell we played outside on Thursday. Not only did the house look like a picture from up North but the whole neighborhood looked really cool.

January Adventures

January brought us many fun adventures. Zachary has gone on many quests throughough the house. May I present Zachary the fierce Gladiator to you.



In their free time the kids enjoyed playing their instruments and being a part of the band.



Zach loved playing the part so much that he thought it was styling wearing a heart bracelet as an earing.



Although it was a little past her birthday, we had a party for Katherine at my Mom's. She really enjoyed spending time with her cousins and eating icing.




While playing outside, Zachary really likes to play basketball so we decided to sign him up for YMCA basketball. They had two practices and then started playing games. So far Zachary really enjoys playing. His favorite job is throwing the ball in. In his eyes he gets to at least touch the ball.




This past weekend we attended our cousin Megan's birthday party. Since we got to the Parks mall a little early, we ended up taking a few turns on the Carousel. Zachary really enjoyed riding the horses while Katherine got a little scared.





Once we finished our horsy ride, we went down to the ice rink for the party. This was the first time that either kid went out on the ice. They both had a fun time. Katie needed hand holding the whole time while after a few 9 minute laps Zach got the hang of it and took his hand off the rail. Way to go Zach!

Kind Words from the Kids

I think every person needs to hear kind words everyday. Something to warm the heart and put a smile on your face. After our hair pulling morning (yes I literally mean hair pulling as both kids had tangles in the morning and tried running when I went to brush) both my kids said something sweet in the evening. It started with Katie in the car on the way home. I helped her open just a lollipop and she looked at me and said "Ohhhhhh Thank Youuuuuuuuu. Thank you Thank you Thank Youuuuuuu." She does it in a low voice which just makes it precious. Once we got home we had dinner and then went to play Wii Bowling. In the middle of bowling Zachary came to give me a hug and said "You're the Best Mom". He says he loves me all the time but has never said I'm the Best especially while giving a hug.

How much does it really sink in

With having kids, there are some days I ponder how much of what you tell them truly sinks in.

Well this morning I did find out a little how much Zachary paid attention. Last night Zach spent some time at his Grandfather's as I went to the Dr's for a sinus infection. When we got home it was time to get ready for bed. I told Zach to get his pjs on and then he had 10 minutes to play and then read books before lights out. Lets just say the whole time before lights out was spent trying to get pjs on. I kept on getting on to him to get dressed himself (he always tries to get Mom to dress him). My polite pleases turned into calm reminders which eventually turned into threats and yelling. At this point I told Zach I was turning on the timer and when it went off he was going to bed lights out. Well of course the timer goes off and he isn't dressed. He ended up going straight to his room and slamming the door. I then came in there and politely said it was time for lights out and a nice "I don't want to see you until morning". No hug no nothing. I normally always give him a hug and kiss goodnight and tell him "Sweet Dreams". I hadn't cooled down enough to do that yet. Within a minute he is outside the room looking for his Chipmunk doll. Zach get back to bed. More whining and door slamming. Within a minute he is back out and wants to give me a hug. Breaks my heart a little.

I then take him back to his room and calmly talk to him. I let him know that I was not happy with his actions and we can try again tomorrow. He let me know tha he was not happy with me yelling at him. It scares him. I told him Mommy was only yelling at him because he wasn't listening and following directions.

Well this morning he woke up and came to give me a hug. The first thing out of his mouth was Mommy I'm going to try to listen today.

Happy Holidays

Well the Holidays have definitely been fun with a 5 year old and now 3 year old. We started getting into the mood over Thanksgiving when we drug the tree out and started to decorate. The kids aren't that patient and didn't understand why Mom spent almost 3 hours doing the lights. Once I was done and itching all over from the tree limbs it was time to put up the ornaments. That time will definitely stick with me for a long time. Katie was cute and sang Jingle Bells as she put on the ornaments. Zachary's favorite thing to do was hang the ornaments with pictures of him. Of course in the end a good % of the ornaments were on the bottom concentrated on the right hand side. I did get choked up though when at the end Zachary said "Oh it's so Beautiful".

During the weeks leading up to Christmas we did some fun things. We went to see the Parade of Lights, baked cookies and even went to see some Christmas lights. Since I was a kid I have traditionally always made sugar cookies for Christmas. There is something fun about making the dough, throwing sugar and flour on the counter, cutting the shapes and finally icing the cookies. When I asked the kids what colors of icing they wanted for decorating, they said yellow and blue. Not really holiday colors, huh. Along with sprinkles I let the kids pick out a candy to put on the cookies. Zach chose M&Ms, Katie picked Hershey Kisses and I chose Hot Tamales. At the begining Zach loved using my Hot Tamales - that is until he tried one. Not such a fan after that. They definitely tasted yummy. For Christmas lights we went through some neighborhoods around us. I think the kids favorite house was the one where you could turn on a certain radio station and the lights flashed to the beat of the music. Fast songs were greatly appreciated. I think I must have made it a little too toasty in the car as Zachary feel asleep within 15 minutes of leaving.

On Christmas Eve we got all dressed up and went to the 5pm service at Church. Although my kids were a little rowdy walking around in the cry room during the service, they were being quiet. That didn't stop the lady on the first row though in the room from telling them to hush. She even took away the hymnal from them since she didn't think they were treating it properly. If the room wasn't full and it wasn't Christmas, I might have said something. Once we got home from Church I did let the kids open up one gift. That definitely satisfied them until morning. Might I mention that we actually got a white Christmas which I was excited about.

On Christmas morning we woke up and opened gifts. Zachary loved his basketball goal and hockey equipment and Katie really liked her Dora Mermaid doll. Traditionally I will try to make a big breakfast on Christmas morning. It was biscuits and gravy and hash browns this year. Yes I tried making hasb browns possibly for the last time. It is way too much easier to buy them.

For lunch we went to Vince's dads and then off to my parents for dinner. By the end of the day the kids were exhausted but we had a great time.

Kid Quotes

Well, we are now moved into our new place. We have the basics set up and I know it will take a few months to get all the boxes unpacked. Luckily it is time for Christmas and I know I can quickly decorate. At least I have a little motivation of unpacking some of the boxes as I won't be able to park in the garage until then and it's cold outside in the mornings. With the move Katie upgraded to a big girl bed. For the first 4 nights she has slept in her bed and Zach in his. I'm praying it lasts.

After last night I have discovered why you don't put a shower head with a hand held sprayer in a kids bathroom. Zachary was taking a shower by himself and I let him be for a few minutes while I was in the room next door. Normally he plays in the shower for over 20 minutes - I've discovered that since we have foam numbers and letters for the tub that stick on the wall he sometimes plays school in the shower. Now that Zach is almost 4 feet he can reach the hand held shower handle and get it down. Well after hearing a strange noise I went to the bathroom and was shot with the sprayer as I'm standing outside the door. I won't repeat what came from my mouth next. The floor/toilet/walls were all soaked. I quickly turned it off and made him dry off and start soaking up the water on the floors. Over 5 bath sheets were just drenched with water and he had the biggest grin on his face. Needless to say we might be taking tubbies for awhile.

Even after getting upset with him last night, he did melt my heart this morning. When I dropped him off at daycare, he hurried into the building into his class. As I was walking out after taking Katie to her class I passed him and he waved and said Bye and love you. That's enough to brighten my whole day. My wish would be that he never gets too old or embarrased to tell me that in front of his friends. I think I'm dreaming a little too much.

You know there is always cute/memorable things that the kids say that you treasure and want to remember. Here are a few from my kids:

1. Katie - "Mom, you my baby" She says this to me and got it from her Mimi. Mimi tells Katie that I was here baby.

2. Zachary - While playing bingo, he will call out the number 56 and call it "fivety six".

3. Zachary - I asked Zachary to share his drink with Katherine. He let me know "you don't share with sisters".

4. Katie - Anytime Katie likes something she will tell you "That's my favorite" or "That's Perfect".