We're Going to the Farm!

You know what's fun???  Telling your kids that they get to go to the farm.  It really is exciting to say, "Guess what, we're going to the farm tomorrow!" and the kids go wild.  I'm so glad Nanna and Bubba live there!

We went to the farm so Clark and I could go to David's 40th birthday party.  We had a great time and Nanna and Bubba were sweet to let us leave the babes with them!

And, as usual at the farm, Walker and Everly had a ball.

Yep, Nanna and Bubba brought the air hockey game downstairs.  They were surprisingly good at it!

We have a new gator driver.  She's good, but not as good at steering as her brother!

Bubba was excited to see his grandson play a little tee-ball!

And, Walker loved it when Aidan chased him down!

Everly and Nanna picked beautiful flowers during the baseball game!

And, they had a big time on the trampoline!

No wonder they get so excited when we say "We're going to the farm!"

Over the Top

Okay, I guess there is something wrong with me.  I am the "bad" mom at my children's preschool.  When the teachers told us to bring cards for Valentine's Day.  That's all I brought.... cards.  Yep.  Just a little, tiny card.  Hmmm, I followed instructions, didn't I?

Guess not.  I really should have taken a picture of what Walker and Everly got in their Valentine bags.  Huge pencils, TONS of candy, little games, cups, books.... you get the picture.  It was insane. It was over the top.

You see, I'm missing some kind of a special mom gene.  Don't get me wrong, I love my babies and love doing fun things with them.  But, I'm just not into the little parties at school.  I know it's a fun day for them and all that, but at this age, I just find it silly.  ALL the moms (and a lot of dads) are sitting around watching them eat pizza and cookies. At this age, that's all they do!

Do you think Walker and Everly are going to grow up, read my blog book and think that I was a bad mommy????  Hope not.  Walker and Everly, if you are reading this, remember mommy loves you more than anything, she's just not into preschool parties!

The good news... I did take pictures!

See, I'm not that bad of a mommy.... pictures of their sweet faces is what makes it all worth it!

Put Me in Coach....

.... I'm ready to play!!!!

We had our first t-ball practice tonight and Walker was just too adorable for words!  He loved running the bases (yes, he's going the wrong way)....

And, playing with his new teammates....

And, "coming home!!!"...

And, just doing some more running...

And, learning to throw to his new coach....

My two favorite stories from tonight... When he walked up to the tee the first time he just stood there.  So, I yelled out, "Walker, go ahead, you can hit it."  He responded, "I'm trying, but Daddy told to me to hit it really hard!" All the parents laughed and then he got a good, hard hit!  Precious.

And, when we got home he wanted to tell Daddy all about practice.  He said, "I ran to first, then I ran to second, then I ran to the next one, then I CAME HOME!"  He was so animated and excited.  Needless to say, Daddy was proud!  (and so was Mommy)

Man on Wheels!

Walker got a new bike for his birthday.  Yep, our little man is officially tearing up the pavement!

I'm amazed at how quickly he could ride!  He's very confident, which is good thing, but I hope he REALLY learns the brakes soon!

Not only is he learning to ride his bike.... he's learning to hit a REAL baseball!  Here he is all decked out in his new baseball gear!

I absolutely love this picture.  He's having a real serious conversation with Daddy about baseball.

 
Yay, we're learning to run the "bases"!

I've said it a lot lately, but my baby is growing up.  Wow.  He will be on the Braves this season.  Can't wait, Go Braves!

Christmas Pictures (Yes, a Little Late)

So, back in November, we got some great pictures taken of Walker and Everly.  I didn't post them, because I wanted an element of surprise for the Christmas card.  It just dawned on me that I NEVER posted them.  Wow, that's bad.  They need to be in the blog!

So, here they are!  Sweet, sweet babes!

My Baby is 4!

How in the world did this happen?  My little man is turning into a big boy!

Walker is FOUR!  Wow.  It is really fun to watch him grow and learn everyday.  Four is a very fun age, because he continues to try new things and is a little sponge.  He is starting t-ball next week and we can't decide which hand is his dominate, so we don't know which glove to buy!  When he colors and practices his letters, he uses both hands.

Walker continues to be super sweet and very well behaved.  And, his vocabulary is getting bigger as he talks a lot more!  He's still a little shy, but not painfully shy like he was six months ago.

He's still very protective of his little sister, but they do fight some now.  All part of growing up!

He loves hot wheels and all things car related, trains, anything Spiderman and Mickey Mouse. 

Walker had his first "real" party yesterday.  He had 20 little friends come play at Wonderwild with him!!

He had a blast!

So did Everly and Aidan:

 Ms. Gayle came to celebrate!  It's her birthday, too!

Time for cake.... he was a little overwhelmed!

Mommy and Daddy gave him a bike!  He can't wait to hit the streets!

And, he got to eat cake for dinner.  What an awesome birthday for our big boy!!!!!

It's a New Year!

2013?  Really?  Where has time gone?  It feels like 2012 just started and yet it's already over.  I just now got comfortable writing 12 as the date.  I've already had to scratch 12 out several times and replace it with 13.  So weird.

I'm not sure what has gotten into me this year, but last week I got real organized.  Seriously.  I started cleaning out closets!  Gasp!  Closets are funny creatures.  Weird things start going in them and you really don't know how or why it started, yet it never stops.  I really should have taken before and after pictures, because both of my hall closets were in ridiculous shape, yet now they are perfectly organized!  Here's the bad news.... all of the "junk" that I don't want to get rid of doesn't really have it's own spot yet.  Our upstairs spare room is a total mess.  Two more closets to go through and it will also be organized.  I have faith.  Does anyone want to come for a visit?  There's nothing like being forced into cleaning! Ha.

In addition to organizing, the new year has had me thinking a lot.  My babies aren't babies anymore.  Over the holidays we were able to try new things.... like playing real, true blue games!

This is Share a Berry!  It's a great game that includes counting, sharing and fine motor skills.

You know what's so fun about it?  Even Everly will sit and actually play it.  She's growing up!

We've also been playing Chutes and Ladders and matching games.

We went to a party over the weekend we realized, our kids can entertain themselves and play with other kids.  We don't actually have to keep our eyes on them every single second.  Wow, it's a liberating feeling.  Did I mention they are growing up?

We have two major milestones to cross and then we literally won't have a baby anymore.  Getting Everly into a big girl bed and big girl panties.  Santa left her some Cinderella panties, but she has to actually go potty in order to wear them.  It hasn't happened.  I have faith.

We are "thinking" about getting her big girl bed ready for her.  There's no doubt that she can climb out of her crib, but she hasn't actually tried it yet.  If and when she does, we'll be ready.

I have to admit, it makes me kind of sad to think how grown up my "babies" are.  But, I would call it more bittersweet.  I have loved the baby stage, but I'm looking forward to the next stage.  I love hearing the funny things they talk about.  I love hearing about their days at school.  I absolutely LOVE watching them learn new things.  It really is an exciting time.

And, the good news.... I still get to rock my "baby" sometimes.  I love it when she asks me to.  Last night was one of those times.... I couldn't get over how big she was in my arms.  It really wasn't that long ago that she looked like this:

Oh my, how precious are they!!!!!!

Happy 2013, here's to a wonderful year of new experiences and exciting times.