T-ball 2009

Our first game was tonight since the fields were too wet over the weekend and Kyler had a great time! Kyler played right field and made awesome plays. There was only one Daddy talked to him about...tee hee. They are playing real ball with special rules and outs now so they are learning alot! Daddy couldn't help himself, he started on the bleachers and ended up third base coach. Most importantly Kyler had fun, is proud and we are too! They did great!! As you can tell from the picture of him on second...I need to tighten his belt. YES, they got belts with their pants, they are big boys now!

Beauty

It just amazes me that someone so beautiful and smart came from me! Just her bubbly and strong willed personality can melt your heart. I am fully aware of where the stubborn came from ... HA!

Kyler's invention...

Look Mama made a fishin pole!

Austin meets Spike

Kyler couldn't have been more proud to introduce the two and especially when Austin said "he's awesome!"

Ian Kinsler A.K.A. Spike

Kyler got his birthday present from Grammy and Poppy early and brought him home today! His name is Ian Kinsler (after the Rangers' player - Kyler called Papa to get run down of all the players so he could choose who to name him after) and Kyler is now calling him spike...He is just loving having this Sunfire Bearded Dragon. Thanks Grammy and Poppy, he is "going to take GREAT care of him"! He has very cool markings and is extremely quick.

Personalities...

I have had some family members ask about my kiddos personalities and general daily happenings outside of the "bigger events" so to speak...

Some insight into Mandy...
1. Mandy has decided she is not cool, she is pretty!
2. She is going through separation anxiety all over again with me returning to school from Spring Break and showed EVERYONE just how much she missed her Mama Monday at dance class. (We could hear her in the "lobby") After about 45 minutes she returned to class...
3. Mandy can't wait to get up on the "big girl stage" in her costume but needs me to take a tape to Mrs. Pam for her musget (music)because she "doesn't know the words".
4. She LOVES her Bubba and tells all of us every chance she gets. She asks for him now when she is tired or sad...TOO CUTE!
5. Mandy thinks that if she asks you a question the answer should be yes and reminded Grammy of that one day when she didn't get her desired response.
6. And the last one I can come up with for the moment is that she wants to look pretty before she gets down and dirty playing!

Some insight into Kyler...
1. Kyler loves T-ball ... to the point he believes he can't play anything else "because it's not what he does, he's a t-ball player".
2. For Kyler everything has a place and all the pieces belong together...if he is missing something we MUST find it and return it to it's home.
3. Kyler loves science...at home, at school, at the book store...the things he picks out are science related (and I promise I am not pointing him to it!)
4. Kyler is becoming more and more "ALL BOY"...anyone with boys will know what I mean.
5. He wants to read the words but wants to do it himself! (I realized that he actually is starting without my knowledge when he sounded out the letters for Outback on the take out box unprompted, then Paw Paw helped him put it all together...AND HE LET HIM!)
6. Kyler really enjoys "reading" stories to Mandy and "taking care" of her. What a sweet big brother!

I know there are MANY more little annecdotes from our daily conversations and I will TRY to be better about keeping my scattered family in touch with their blooming and hilarious personalities!

We have been adopted...

Yep, Saturday night Blue visited our garage and hasn't left since...(Thanks Gran for hooking us up with some ammenities for him)

Happy Birthday Gran!

Sunday after church and naps we were off to Gran and Papa's house for Gran's birthday celebration. It was a lot of fun...the weather was fabulous so the kids got to play in the driveway and the "big" kids got to try to ride their bikes with no training wheels...they are all back on! They sure enjoyed trying though, Kyler says he will practice again soon. Aunt Kelly brought a YUMMY cake and we got take out for dinner so as to avoid cooking, cleaning and dishes...GREAT idea. We played and played and painted Easter Buckets for the Nottingham celebration and that was A LOT less messy than I anticipated and the kids had a blast! We threw them into the tub for a bath, jammies and headed home... All in all a great afternoon birthday celebration...Happy Birthday Gran, we LOVE you!

Skating with Sydney!

Who would have thought...rollerskating rinks haven't changed a bit since I was a kid! From the rental skates to the disco ball, hilarious! The kids had the best time and Kyler is sooo ready to go back and do it again. He was so determined that he kept disappearing to various parts of the rink on me... Mandy wasn't quite as enthusiastic but she had a blast with Aunt Lisa showing her all kinds of two skater tricks! Sydney was ferocious and determined to tackle the skill of rollerskating. They were so much fun to be out there with! Yes, I got out there too...not quite as skilled as I used to be, but still had fun. They didn't use the walkers the whole time but they spent much less time on the floor when using them...what a great idea!

Mandy decided to take them up on the sleepover offer and stayed with Aunt Lisa and Sydney after lunch. This is the first time to stay at Sydney's house and she is just THRILLED! They are too precious together.

Cousin Megan

When we picked up Daddy's truck from the dealership last night, we also picked up cousin Megan to spend the night. If you think either of these girls are a hot mess you should see them TOGETHER! A total trip!

Daddy and his Girl

I just love this! Ofcourse I missed the snuggly one but I got the playful one...

Lunch!

After taking Austin home we were off to lunch with Aunt Erica, Uncle Jeremy, Megan and Connor. What a treat to carry around and snuggle a little boy again! I just loved snuggling on him, he was so sweet and love me patting his little bottom! Mandy and Megan had a great time playing and Kyler finally washed his hands and got up the nerve to ask to hold him. He really likes the idea of another boy cousin...

Austin and Kyler sleepover

Austin stayed the night with us last night and this is where I found them all playing this morning...they crack me up! These two boys are so good to each other...I just love watching them and thinking about how sneaky they already are when we AREN'T watching them!

Prayers

If you pray please pray for the Huckaba family. This truly touches my heart, family and community! We received a call from the church last night that Matt Huckaba was killed in a roadside accident in San Antonio this week leaving his wife and 4 children behind. Their ages are from 3 to 17, the youngest was in the church nursery with Mandy, second youngest in Kyler's preschool Sunday school class and his widow (WOW that is hard to type!) is in my bible study group on Sunday nights. This is a wonderful family and I pray for God's help in getting them through this awful time.

Slumber Party!!!

Mandy and Livy had their first slumberparty together last night! OH the fun! We started with play, outdoor play (turned into needing a bath...MUD), bath, dinner with Mrs. Jennifer, Mr. James and Maren, MORE play, and then Snow White on a palate in the play room....then with stillness...sleep set in! This morning we made green muffins for breakfast in honor of St. Patty's day and put on our St. Patty's Day buttons. Now, more play....the giggles are so much fun and they are playing so well together. Kyler is being a fantastic big brother and for now he has 2 shadows instead of just one!

Dr Kyler

Our doctor's office told Kyler he could have the gown since his sister refused to wear it. He was so excited to take it home to play with...I did insist that ALL clothing stays on when playing at home!

Cute photo op

I don't get many of these so I took it! This is daddy showing Mandy how to write her name...TOO CUTE!

3 year Check up

Mandy had her 3 year check up today and all is well. Mandy is 37 1/4" tall and 34 pounds. Her development is great and she is healthy! She did NOT, however, want anything to do with her pediatrician today...she cried about taking her clothes off, cried when he came in the room, cried when he looked in her eyes and ears and refused to give him 5 until her Bubba did it first. He was such a fabulous big brother...he got on the scale for her first and got his height measured first for her too! So sweet the way he was willing to "go first" so she would be more comfortable.

Dinner with PawPaw and Grandma Sarah

Yesterday, Kyler called PawPaw to see if he and Grandma Sarah could come for a visit. They quickly obliged and came over after nap time. We went out to dinner and came back for some yummy apple pie and ice cream. The kids were sooo upset when it was time for them to go but assured we will see them again soon!

Donuts with Dad

I am so thankful that Kyle's work was flexible with him to be able to go to this with Kyler. Daddies took their kiddos to school just a little early to have donuts together and ask their Daddy's questions (we are guessing for a project). Kyler was so excited to tell me about it when I got home and Kyle said it was nice (and short too). His boss let him leave work for a little time to do this with Kyler and then he went back in, thanks guys! I don't have pictures since Kyle left the camera in his truck but he says Mrs. Robin took a bunch of pictures so I hope to get my hands on one to post in the near future!

Performers!

Mandy and Olivia had their first full night of dance and gymnastics (tumbling) tonight. They officially "made it" into the big girl class last week when they tried it out. They had so much fun. We can't watch them dance but we can watch the tumbling and I was impressed they were still listening and enjoying it after such a long time. They are growing up sooo fast! I am so proud of my girl!

Austin and Kyler

These two boys are so close you would think they were brothers so we get them together as much as possible and they love it. Saturday night Austin spent the night and went to Sunday School with us Sunday morning. What good looking kids!

Mama Kyler Time!

Lately Kyler has been in very strong need of my time and attention. I am not sure what has created this sudden need to snuggle and see me before I leave for work but I won't deny loving it. Friday night Mandy spent the night with Grammy and Poppy so Saturday before we went to get her Kyler and I got some Mama Kyler time! It was great. We played Hi Ho Cherry OH 4 times, Spiderman Memory and went to get to get a few warm weather necessities. We had a great time and really just enjoyed time together.

Finally!

My baby girl is 3!

I know this post is late but things are CRAZY here! Every birthday I am still amazed at how quickly they grow up! No more babies/toddlers in this house...Mandy is 3 and Kyler is almost 5!!! It is definitely surreal. I am so proud of her with each new milestone she conquers. And yes, conquer is the word for Mandy with anything she takes on! Yesterday she tried out the "big girl" dance class (no mommies) and did great so she is officially a "Performer" for Mrs. Pam! I was so nervous that I sat outside the doors just incase she came running out...OR...they brought her out because it wasn't working. An hour later she came out so excited and wanting to stay for tumbling too! That will have to wait for next week but she did it! She is so smart and clever too...I hear things from her daily that surprise and impress me, yes, everyday there is SOMETHING. We did a morning birthday in bed before we started the day and Mandy loved getting woken up with a song. Thanks to all of our friends and family that showed for her birthday party she had the BEST time...see her sleeping at dinner? OKAY...I tried to create a slideshow and the site froze up on me soooooo I will try again tomorrow!