It Was Time

Mason's FIRST Haircut

So, I became that mom who got all sentimental about her son's first haircut.

You know it's time when...

 you can put your son's hair in a ponytail,

or when his hair sways beautifully to the beat of the music when he's dancing,

or when his blonde mullet curls bounce gracefully with each one of his baby steps...

 

I didn't get the least bit sad or sentimental when Makayla had her first haircut because her first hair cut was merely a trim to help her hair keep growing - whereas Mason's first haircut drastically (in my opinion) changed his appearance.  

 While Mason kept busy filling his mouth full of cheese puffs and feeding me wet soggy leftovers, Aunt Jenny did a fabulous job with the scissors!

In 10 minutes, he went from a baby,

to a todder. 

*sniff

*sniff

I am definitely going to miss his little boys curls, but oh boy! - he is so handsome!!

He's growin' up!



When I Thought She Was Sleeping

The other night, we were laying in bed - Kevin and I, with Makayla between us.  Kevin was watching TV and I was reading my book.  Makayla was laying there, so peacefully, with her eyes closed.  Her skin was flawless, soft, and smelled of Mason's lavendar baby wash.  Her lips were relaxed and shaped oh so perfectly - pouty, full, and red.  Her soft blonde curls layed gently across her cheek.  She was beautiful.  She was my baby girl.  I leaned in and whispered in her ear that I loved her, I gave her a soft gentle kiss, and couldn't take my eyes off of her.  I thought about what's in store in life for her and her brother as they grow and I thanked God for giving me Makayla and Mason. I'm not sure how long I was in La-La Land, but suddenly, Kevin ruined my moment. Kevin:  Stop staring at her! Me:  (as I look at him cross eyed) - Don't you love to stare at her when she's sleeping? Kevin: (looking at me like I am crazy) - No!  I don't stare at her! Me: (thinking if I re-worded the verb, I might bring out his sensitive side to push his admittance that he does stare at her) Don't you ever gaze at her?! Kevin: No!  I don't gaze at her, but you need to stop!  You look weird with your eyes locked on her and your body frozen with your book held up in mid air.  (as he imitates me)     I told him that I couldn't help it and started giggling. Makayla then popped her eyes open, grinned, and said "Read your book, mommy"...Then I started giggling even harder and told her how much I loved her.  I absolutley love that when I thought she was sound asleep, she actually had been awake.  She was quietly laying there, soaking in my gazes, kisses, and whispers. I ALSO love how our first Parent-Teacher conference went!  Yes, we had a Parent-Teacher conference for a 3 year old! I was surprised at how well Makayla is doing. She listens to the teacher, follows directions, and even raises her hand when she wants to talk. She loves story time and working in her Weekly Reader. She is very attentive to other children's needs and loves to be consoling when her classmates are sad, mad, or bad.  She is very intune with her emotions and her classmates emotions. She loves to play at the "kitchen" station, craft station, and reading station. She has her favorite toys in the class room and is very protective of them! She asks lots of questions and is so interested in learning what the answers are. She knows her letters, numbers, shapes, etc... She made me proud! The only things we needed to work on were cutting with scissors, zipping our coat, and galloping.  We've perfected the zipping, have fun in practicing galloping, and are getting better with the scissors! Children are like wet cement. Whatever falls on them makes an impression. - Dr. Hiam Ginnot

Kevin Turns 30

I have so much I want to write about -

things about life,

     things I've learned over the past two weeks (what's important in raising kids),

what I love about my kids (Mason's kissing obsession),

what makes me smile (Makayla's parent-teacher conference),

my goals (Relay For Life)

and all the other "things" weighing on my mind...

 ...but this post is going to be dedicated to Kevin's 30th birthday.

The day before Kevin turned 30, I had a little surprise planned for him.

Throughout the day, he would be receiving 30 cards.  Each card would be delivered by people he would be meeting (some planned, some surprised) throughout the day and each card would contain a puzzle piece.  So, by the end of the day, he would have a 30 piece puzzle.  As the day went on, he put the pieces together.  At the end of the day his puzzle read "Surprise, you are going to be spending your 30th birthday in...".  I gave him his last piece at the very end of the day that said "Florida".

He was surprised.

We left that night and spent the next few days in Destin, FL as a family.

View from our balcony.

We did a lot of "hanging around"...

Watched a gorgeous sunset over the gulf...

Ate lots of yummy food...

Smiled under palm trees...

And laughed at lunch on the beach...

Splashed in the warm swimming pool and went under water...

Played in the sand, ran from the waves, and soaked up the sun.

The essence of pleasure is spontaneity.

A last minute, planned in a week, trip to Florida with our family was something that not only took Kevin by surprise, but also took me by surprise.

Our time away was beautiful.

Unforgettable.

Be Mine

Hockey Game Plus Birthday Parties

Cheering and clapping,

Music and dancing,

Dippin' Dots, popcorn, and soda,

Nachos and cheese and candy,

Goals, whistles, and horns,

Hockey players and fights,

Family and friends,

Fun and memories...

...all at the Riverman hockey game!

We had another great night in Peoria with our friends and family.  My kids love going to the hockey games.  They love the excitement and fun.  They love the whole atmosphere that the arena has to offer.

I've always had fun going to hockey games, but it's even more fun since we've started taking our kids.  I can see the excitement of being at the game through the eyes of child and I've discovered that there's a lot more to it than people watching!

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Candles and cake,

Fried chicken and mashed potatoes,

Tours of a new house,

Playing with Dave Meowtthews,

Taking pictures,

Staring at butt cracks,

Family and fun,

"Happy Birthday"....

 ...all at Aunt Nina's house!

We had a nice visit at Aunt Nina's house, celebrating her 24th birthday and purchase of a new home!

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Roller skating,

Music and disco lights,

Bruised butts,

Video games and tickets,

Pizza and soda,

Cake and ice cream,

Laughter, hugs, and memories...

...all at Jersey's 5th birthday party!

We had a wonderful time celebrating another birthday over the weekend. 

 Makayla had fun skating and Mason had fun munching on cake pops! 

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We had a very full-filling weekend.  We were surrounded by family and friends, having lots of fun - making wonderful memories. 

Last night, once our weekend was all wrapped up, I was giving Makayla a bath and I asked her what her favorite part of the weekend was.  She said eating candy.  After a short pause, she then said "and giving Jersey a hug".

Life is good.

Precious Time

Time is precious.

...and time with the children is even more precious.

As Makayla and daddy experience ice skating for the first time together -

As Mason watches in fascination in the cold arena -

As Grandma and Grandpa Allen join us in our adventure, Makayla knowing that they are there to cheer for her, to be happy with her -

As I take pictures for memories and smile ear to ear -

Full of joy, full of love, full of happiness -

Cherishing this precious time with our children, with our family.

9-1-1

Makayla and Mason have always had our old cell phones to play with and have as their own. 

It never dawned on us that an old cell phone that doesn't have a simcard would still be able to call 9-1-1. 

The other night, Makayla was "texting" grandma.  She was really getting at it and texting away!  Suddenly, we all heard a male voice come over the phone.  She excitedly and repeatedly said "Daddy, your boyfriend's on the phone!".  She jumped up and down on the couch and handed Kevin the phone. 

...She had called 9-1-1.  The operator on the other line asked what our emergency was and Kevin had to explain to him that our daughter was playing on an old phone that we didn't know had the ability to call in an emergecy.

Lesson learned:  ANY cell phone can be used to call for emergency help, regardless if it is registered or has a simcard - which is good to know!

I still can't stop laughing, though, that Makayla was so excited and kept telling daddy that his boyfriend was on the phone!