Boys vs. Dirls (girls)

At lunch today I was asking JP about his day and who he played with on the playground and it went something like this:

Mom-"Hey JP, who did you play with on the playground today?"
JP-"I played with new friends." (This was a nice thing to hear since everyday until today he has told me that he plays by himself because he doesn't like anyone in his class)
Mom-"That's great! What did you play?"
JP-blank stare
Mom-"Did you play with your buddy Cassidy?"
JP-"Mom, Tassidy isn't a buddy because she's a dirl (girl). Boys are buddys and dirls are (pause), dirls are dirls."

Pictures from the Lakehouse and Tennessee

In order to get adequately caught up on the blog I am just going to post some pictures from our trip to the lakehouse and to Tennessee during the month of September. We had such a wonderful time on both of these trips and it is hard to believe that it was nearly a month ago that we took them.

Shelby and JP are totally in love with their cousins Reed and Grant. They had a dance party on Saturday night and during the day on Saturday they threw a surprise birthday party for JP.

Papa John, JP, Grant and Shelby at the Dance Party

Grant and JP waiting for the surprise birthday party

Reed and JP at the surprise birthday party

And the pictures from the Lakehouse. Shelby decided to choreograph a dance for Grammie and I to watch. She took Papa, Pratt, JP and Gracie into the other room, showed them what to do and then started the show. It was so cute. She stood at the door and told each one when it was there turn. It was a big hit and I am sure we will see a rendition on Broadway one day.

The Show

Shelby in deep thought at The Goat

JP not in deep thought at The Goat

That's my girl!

I love that smile

Reality Check

Today I had a moment. I was at the gym working out with my gym buddies and at the end took a moment to myself to finish up my workout when, wham!!! all the sudden it hit me...I am getting old! I have a house, a real house with a mortgage payment. I have two children; two children, not babies or just one child, but two children who are growing up and are in school 5 days a week! I am not in my twenties anymore, I am 31! Did I mention that I have a real house with a mortgage payment?!?!?! Oh my goodness, when did that happen? I must have lost track at some point because I don't remember it or maybe this is all a dream and tomorrow I will wake up 17 again.

Truth is, the time has gone by so fast because I love my life!! There are times where it is challenging and there are times where I want to act like a 3 year old by throwing a hissy fit because I am not getting my way about something, but all in all, I truly love my life!!! I love my husband more than the day I married him and I love my children. I love my friends and my community! What a blessed life I have!

Still Life by Shelby

About a week before Labor Day weekend Pratt was looking at his work schedule and discovered that he had the weekend off so we decided to take advantage of this rarity and head up to the lakehouse for one final swim of the summer. It was a great trip and we of course had a blast, and I will post more pictures about that later. Right now I want to take this opportunity to explore Shelby's fascination and love of photography. It started while we were in Belize earlier this year. She wanted to take pictures of everything so we let her use the camera a few times while we were there. For her birthday she got a children's digital camera and has been taking pictures ever since.

One day while we were hanging around in side for a little break from the sun and water she asked if she could use my camera to take some pictures. Later that night I decided to look through to see what she captured and was tickled at the amount of pictures she had taken and what she deemed worthy of picture taking. These are just a few of what captured her eye; there are probably about 20 more, but I couldn't fit them all in.

I may have to give her my camera and get a new one:)

First Day of School 2010

The first day of school seemed like it took forever to get here this year. We were all ready to get back into a daily routine and have a little structure for our days. Don't get me wrong, we love the lazy, hazy days of summer, we love lounging around in the morning with nothing to do and nowhere to go and being able to say "hey, lets do ______ today."; but after a while that gets old and boring and there is just no possible way you could go to the pool one more time. So our time finally came. The night before was filled with a lot of excitment and anticipation.

This year is going to be different for us as both children are out to school 5 days a week and I have started a little part-time job. I actually have to set the alarm in the morning to get up before the children in order to get things going before they wake up so we aren't late...yes, you read that right, I set the alarm to get up before the children. No worries though because in every week there is this day called Saturday that I can linger in bed a little longer.

Shelby was really excited to get back to see all of her friends and to be the oldest in the classroom. She was also excited because our neighbors daughter was going to be in her class. After I picked her up I asked her how her day was and if she helped Addi with anything and she said, "I wanted to color with Addi, but the teachers said I had to finish my math and language work first so I didn't get to color with her. But I wanted to color with her." It was just so funny to me because now she has responsibility and has to make sure she gets work done before she plays.

JP had a great first day and we had absolutely no problems with him getting out of the car. It was very relieving for me because last year everyday that I brought him to school he put a fight when it was time to get out of the car. When I picked him up he was so excited and talked my ear off about his day.

I have a feeling that tonights gonna be a good night, that tonights....oh wait, didn't mean to go there...I have a feeling that this is going to be a great year!!!