Happy Independence Day

First and foremost we thank all the men and women and their families who have sacrificed in order for us to celebrate July 4th!!  Without your passion and willingness to protect, this day and the many fun memories we have would not exist.  So thank you from the bottom of our hearts!!

The Second Annual Reed/Shell Fourth of July party was once again a super fun time.  A little rain in the afternoon would not deter us from celebrating our freedom.  Last year we had a great dance show put on by the children and this year we had fun with sparklers and other small fireworks before heading to the big show.

Nothing says Happy 4th of July like extra long sparklers.  I have never seen sparklers this big before.  Usually the children are disappointed because the sparkler is finished real quick but these were so long that they got bored with them before they were even half way done.

After dinner and a few very stinky stink bombs we made our way to see some real fireworks.  Of course by this point we were getting giddy with excitment and anticipation.....

No, I wasn't bloated from bad food (we ate really well and the food was delicious); that ever expanding belly is because of the Pickle that is growing.

Another funny picture moment....Pratt and Shelby showing me how to act like I can't jump.  So thankful I have those two to guide me through life:)



Jumping for freedom...I feel like Toyota should be written across this picture (do you remember the old Toyota commercials where the happy people would jump at the end?)

We had a wonderful night. The fireworks show was amazing and lasted forever.  Then the children enjoyed running around for a bit.  I paid for the late night the next day with tired/crabby children, but the memories of that night with friends and family were well worth it!

Happy Birthday 'Merica!!!!

JP's First Lost Tooth

In keeping with the idea that second and third children don't get the documentation of major milestones like the first I am pleased to share with you that JP has lost his first tooth....about a month ago.  I know, bad mommy!  But better late than never.

JP had a loose tooth for quite a while and one night last month right before bed it just fell out.  The tooth was so ready to come out that there wasn't even any bleeding.  It just got pushed out by the big tooth growing in behind it.  JP was so excited and of course we had to write the tooth fairy a letter.  Shelby quickly volunteered to write it for him and the next morning we found that JP's tooth fairy's name is Jingle.

A few days later we were swimming at the pool and a friend bumped into JP while swimming knocking his second tooth out.  It was a traumatic experience for him as the tooth was completely lost.  We have no idea if it was in the pool or if he swallowed it.  As a result he got extra money from Jingle telling him that it was okay because sometimes things like that happen.

So now he is two teeth down.  My baby is really growing up...bitter sweet!

One Way to Survive

We all cope with changes in life differently.  Some live in denial, some face the change head on, others pout and complain, some try to recreate the "good old days"; me, it depends on the change as to how I respond, but in the case of my children growing up and gaining independence I have gone the route of a little bit of everything.

There are days where I live in denial and try to keep them little, there are days where I embrace the change as good and look forward to all the fun things to come with older children, sometimes I have been known to pout and complain about it (shocking, right?!?!?!) and then there is recreating the good old days and we have done just that....

Baby Reed #3 will be coming sometime in early October!!  We are so excited to have this precious gift and look forward to getting to meet her very soon.  Yes, I said her!  We went against our norm and found out that we are having a baby girl. 



The children are excited.  They are asking tons of questions, some of which are easy to answer and others that aren't so easy but each question proves to be a good time for teaching them.

JP goes back and forth about whether he thinks this is a good idea or not, especially since we found out it was a girl.  One day he is hugging on my ever growing belly saying how much he loves the baby and then the next day he is upset that the baby is a girl.

Shelby is eagerly awaiting baby girl's arrival.  She is looking forward to helping, but has made it quite clear that she will not change any diapers.

Kindergarten Graduation Part 2

How can it be that my baby boy went from this....



To kindergarten graduate in the blink of an eye?????

It is truly hard to believe that next year he will begin first grade and that in 12 very quick years we will be packing up his stuff and sending him off to college.  A mother's heart can barely stand the thought.

JP, we are so proud of you and how much you have grown and learned over the years in the Sunflower Room.  We can't wait to see what amazing things God has in store for your life and are honored that we get to be your family in this great adventure!

Love you buddy!!!

HSM2

Friday night we had family night and for our special activity we went to see High School Musical 2 presented by Hilton Head Christian Academy.  Our babysitter was in the play so we were excited to get to see her and also if I am truly honest with myself, I was really excited to see the play as I love all three of those movies.

The children were excited to see Miss Emily and were also excited, when as the play started, they realized there were a few other people that they knew performing.  Shelby was on the edge of her seat the whole time completely enthralled by the singing, dancing and everything else. 

JP on the other hand quickly lost interest when the two main characters started holding hands.  He looked at Pratt and said that he was going to hide his eyes and then said, "I wish this was a sports play."

After the play was over we asked Shelby if she liked it and she said, "Yes!"  Then we asked JP the same question and he said, "NO. I mean you just sit there, you watch it and you get bored."

Well, I guess he still has a ways to go before he appreciates the finer things in life.  The funny thing is that he really enjoys music and dancing and all that stuff but I guess all that hand holding was too much for him to even be able to pay attention to the fun music.

0 Years Old

Since day-light savings time on Saturday night/Sunday morning has occurred we have all be walking in a fog.  So this morning on the way to school it was dead quiet; I mean dead quiet.  The children were even too tired to argue about something silly which tends to happen often on the way to school.  JP broke the silence with this random conversation....

JP-Mommy, is Aunt Lala older than you?

Me-No, I am older than her by 6 years.

JP-So how old is she?

Me-Aunt Lala is about to turn (I will leave blank just in case Aunt Lala wouldn't appreciate me sharing that info, but in case you are wondering it is more than 20 but less than 30).  Next Tuesday is her birthday. 

JP-And she is already out of college?? (said with awe and admiration like that is a huge accomplishment)

Me-Yes, most people typically finish with college around 22 or so.

JP-So, when you were 6, Aunt Lala was 0?

Me-Yes, that is one way to look at it.

I love conversations with my children!  It really gives you a glimpse of what their little minds are like and you can see how they are trying to navigate through life in their limited knowledge. 

I heard once on the radio that a study was done and they found that there has been a correlation between a child's behavior and how much time their parents spend on the phone in the car.  Essentially it said, "Parents, hang up the phone and spend time with your children.  Being in the car with them is one of the best places to talk because you are together in a small space and they aren't distracted by toys, tv, friends, etc. and they are more likely to talk with you about life."  I am so thankful for that nugget of information because we have had some super fun conversations!

Well Visits

Yesterday the children had their annual Well Visits with the pediatrician.  Here are their vitals:

Shelby-8 Years Old

Weight: 60lbs (63%)

Height: 53in (88%)

JP-6 Years Old

Weight: 51lbs (75%)

Height: 48in (87%)

Shelby grew 4 inches from last year and JP grew 4 inches from last year and they both gained 4 pounds since last year.  It is safe to say that they definitely got their height from their dad.  They both are doing very well and right on track developmentally in all areas.