Monday, July 29, 2013

White Deer Rodeo



Rodeo weekend in White Deer is one of our favorites of the entire year!


Ileigh loved bossing the horsies around!


This year we started off Saturday morning with birthday donuts for Gramps!


The kiddos were happy to help blowout the candles.

Next, it was time for the big parade.
I have to say, the WD parade is one of the best parades ever. Tons of candy, tons pride and just the right length!

This little girl stayed with mommy and daddy while bubba rode in the fire truck with gramps.




She pretty much perfected the art of 'getting-as-much-candy-as-possible-during-parades'.

Look at that stash!

Cody with the open bag approach...

After the parade was some bounce house fun....


and tractor rides!


After that we had to rush home to shoot a wedding, but what a fun time!

Sunday, July 28, 2013

Ileigh Grace- 2 1/2

Oh, Ileigh. You're so big; when did this happen?
You, my little one have some personality. You are pretty much the most adorable thing on the planet, along with a fierce little attitude to go with it.

Look at that smile. Those dimples. 


This is your 'cheese' face. You close you eyes tight and smile big. Adorable.


You LOVE to dance. Anywhere. Anytime.



This is my new favorite picture. You are so carefree...I love your fearless attitude. You are amazing.

You still love to be thrown in the air, but you get a little antsy on an elevator. You don't like the crack in between the floor and the elevator. Maybe you have a little of your daddy's fear of hights? 

Ileigh, I have to tell you, I was terrified of having a girl. Terrified.
And I'm not going to lie, the two years of your life was solidifying my thoughts.
But over the last six months you have stolen my heart. Completely.
It's almost as if those long, sleepless nights are decades away.
You sleep all night in your big girl bed.
Our days are full of a dancing, singing, smiling precious girl.
And smart. You are one smart cookie.

I am so, so very thankful that I get to be your mommy. And out of all the little girls in the world, I'm so glad you are ours.

My love, sunshine.
Thanks for making our days brighter...

Thursday, July 25, 2013

T-ball round-up


What a great t-ball experience!
We had great friends on the team, a great coach and everyone was so encouraging!

Instead of posting every game, I picked a few pics from every game to share...








Daddy had to go out of town for work, so Papa came to be on the feild with Eli!
Thanks, Papa!

Catcher! Woot! He loved it.



Always sliding for home.
Get it, E.








Monday, July 22, 2013

Big Girl!!!

I've been putting this post off because I was weary (or leery), but I think it is official. 
Ileigh is potty trained!
Woot!

We have been going on and off for months and months, and I finally made time to commit to the job and make her stick with it. Chris was out of town when all of this transpired, so victory is completely my own! Bam. Who's ya momma?

I am pretty sure we could've accomplished this feat months ago, but I never created the opportunity to go straight to underwear, no matter what- We were busy, it was cold outside, it is gross, created more laundry....I have every excuse in the book, and I could sit here and think of 20 more. But I won't. 


Wanna hear what we did? Of course you do. 
Our little Ileigh loves dresses. In fact she tends to be disappointed (read:throws a fit), if I don't pick out a dress for her every day. 
If she chose not to put on her (literal) big girl panties, she didn't wear a dress. If she had a accident she had to change clothes into shorts. The torture.

After successful use of the potty, she got a special 'potty dance'. I know- I can't believe it worked either, but along with dresses, this girl loves to twirl.

The dance is performed by her with singing from me and big brother (who doesn't get a piece of candy if he refuses to support baby sister in her potty training accomplishment). It involves lots of jumps and twirls and a grand jump off the bed at the end, along with cheers from the crowd.



The final reward is a small piece of candy. She usually chose 3 chocolate chips- she likes the chocolate.

Congrats, big girl! We are so proud!
I can't believe that when we were doing this with Eli you were a tiny 5 month old.... :)

Excuse the poor quality iPhone pictures, but I'm loving updating my blog from my phone though!


Friday, July 12, 2013

Our big 4 1/2 year old...



Sometimes, I just stop and stare at this picture.
It is one of the few we actually had printed and is hanging in our kitchen.
He's amazing. 
A-mazing.
I can't believe he is on the downhill to five.
So big.

Today, I took all three kiddos (ours plus baby Polly) to the library.
As I was filling out paperwork, Ileigh announced to the world that she had to go 'shoo-ie'- it was our first offical outing after formal potty training.
Eli announced that he would take her to the potty. I glanced up at the librarian with fear in my eyes. "I'll be right back," I stammered.

I decided to hang back and see what happened. He opened the door for Ileigh, showed her where the bathroom was and lead her inside. 
I followed and baby Polly started to tell us she was hungry. I ask Eli if he would come feed baby Polly so that I could help Ileigh.
As I stood there, waiting on Ileigh and watching Eli be such a good helper with the baby, I almost cried. I felt like we were crossing some type of perverbial line or something. Instead of frantically trying to meet the demands and needs of three kids, I actually had a helper- a real helper, not a kid version of 'helper' causing more harm than good. It felt so surreal.

Eli P.,
You are incredible and I am so thankful you are our son. You are so full of joy and wonder. You are almost always dressed in some kind of 'gear'- a firefighter, army guy, cowboy...the list seems to keep growing.

You adore your daddy. And I love that. You say the best prayers.
You LOVE to make new friends and be with people. 
If you are in classroom environment, you are the first to answer a question, first to share what you think, and probably the first one to be told "Sit still and be quiet".
And I love it.
Ever since you were a baby I've prayed for boldness, courage, and passion to be predominant. I continue to pray that God will give you a passion and a purpose early in life and that God will use you in a mighty way to further His purpose.

You have a crazy awesome memory, and you are one smart cookie. Nothing gets by you.
I can't believe you will be starting 'real' preschool in just a few short weeks. I don't know how I will handle not having you with me all day, but I know you will love it. You love to learn and you love to be with with friends. You will be fine.

You are my favorite little guy and I'm totally smitten'. You stil hold my heart in your hands and you can almost get anything you want with a flash of those big, brown eyes. I always hoped for a kiddo with brown eyes. 

We love you, Eli P. You bring us so much laughter, so much love.
Just stop growing up so fast, okay?

Thursday, July 11, 2013

Summer in pictures...


According to my iPhone, this is what our summer has consisted of...

Learning new hobbies...

Handing out fire hats...

Working on our 'princess' (Word of advice: Don't ever TRY to keep your daughter sheltered from princesses. It will totally backfire on you and you will find yourself with a little girl who refuses to wear anything but a dress.)

Loved on baby Polly...

Did a little reading...

Destroyed a wall...

Played with neighbors...  

Bought sports gear for the first time....

Color ran...

Pretended to be a reporter...

Got uncontrollably cuter... 

Went to the Zoo...

'Worked' VBS...

Made lego building during lunch breaks...

Had first t-ball games...

Made 'the ocean' because we missed Hawaii...

Face 'painted'...

Loved baby Polly more...

Had some good, clean fun...

Went on a mommy/daughter date...

Learned secret talents...

First theater trips...

Had a bad day...

Had a REALLY bad day...

Played hide-and-seek...

Visited Nanny and Papaw...

Were 'wow-ed'...
at Wonderland...

Spent time with cousins...

Loved baby Polly EVEN MORE...
Seriously, they pray for her every night...

Danced in the rain...

Got in some good practice...

Decided to be a ballerina...

Learned that things don't always work out the way you planned...

Visited Bob and Larry...

Had a garage sale and wondered at out amazing good taste from years past...

Made new friends with daddy's old toys...

Played catcher...

Wowzers...what a full last few weeks. Bring on the second half of summer!