girl time on the lake

Sometimes you just need a change of scenery. That is how I have been feeling lately. Luckily, one of my friends invited me and the kids out on her boat this past weekend. We had so much fun! It was my two friends Sherri and Mary Glenn, Mary Glenns two boys, and me and the kiddos. Oh, and Sherri's dog Max. We beached the boat on a nice sandy beach (not hard to find these days on Lake Lanier).

The boys and Max ran around and swam, Callie played on the beach, and us girls just hung out. It was a great afternoon....music, sun, beer, great food, and floating in the lake. Can't beat that!

Callie loved the boat!

Bryce, Cody, Luke, and Callie

Max really loves rocks.

Bryce's 5 rules

On the way to camp this morning Bryce tells me that he has a list of 5 rules all kids must follow. Here is his list.

1) Never go in the street without looking both way. Even with a grown up you must look both ways

2) You have to finish your dinner if you want ice cream

3) Always stay in the bed at night. Even if it's still daytime outside and you want to play

4) Don't hit your sister. Even when mom's not looking

5) Always use a rope and spikey shoes when climbing trees

I was chuckling at 4 but I laughed out loud when he got to number five. I said to him "But Bryce, you don't have any spikey shoes" and he says "well mom, that is why I don't climb trees". He even had this "well Duh" expression on his face.

Don't you just wish that life was as simple as it is in a five year old's mind?

another milestone

Bryce learned how to ride a 2 wheeler yesterday! I have been asking him forever "are you ready to take off the training wheels?" and he always yells "no" very loudly. Well...yesterday I asked him again and he looked me right in the eye and said "yes Mommy, I want to try to ride my bike". So Uncle Jason removed the training wheels and off we went to the front yard to give it a shot (I figured trying in the grass would equal easier falls). It took one little run and off he went. An hour later he was riding down the street...all by himself!! It seems like such a big milestone ya know. Everyone remembers the first time they rode a bike. And I am happy I got to be the one to be there for it. To see the sheer joy on his face while wobbly riding towards me. It is a moment I know we both will remember forever.

winter boots, sparklers, webkinz, and jumping

This is pretty much everything new going on in our world.....

Callie is a very stubborn, headstrong, little girl. When she gets an idea in her head look out! Depending on the situation, I will sometimes go along with her ideas....Choose your battles I have been told. She is loving wearing her winter boots right now and she gets no argument from me....I have to many other things to say no to daily.

We had a fun July 4th with Nana and Pop at the pool and grilling out. Bryan got some sparklers for Bryce and he loved them!

Bryce got a Webkinz for his birthday. He is enjoying it and loves to go onto my laptop daily to "feed" and "exercise" his pet. He also loves to play the video games. Callie tries to get in on the action from time to time.

The kids got a Little Tikes bounce house for their bdays. Around our house it is known as the "jumpy". It is the absolute best thing ever! It sets up in like 5 min. and it entertains them forever! It also is a great way to get all that energy out. I highly recommend it for anyone thinking about getting one for their kids.

hallway camping

Bryan took Bryce camping this past weekend. They had a great time fishing and enjoying the great outdoors. I guess Bryce is ready to go again. Last night when I went up to bed I found Bryce in the hall in his sleeping bag with his pillow and Ellie. I had to take a picture he looked so adorable! I'm sure he was having a great dream about camping with his dad.

4th of July in June

Bryce and Callie's preschool (where they are going to summer camp) had a 4th of July parade on Thursday. They spent the week making hats, wands, and banners for the big event. It was so cute! They marched around the parking lot to patriotic music. Everyone had on Red, white, and blue and waved flages and homeade streamers. They even had patriotic tatoos on (Bryce has the US map in red, white, and blue smack dab in the middle of his forehead). It was a great way to end the first session of camp. Here are some pics from the event.

Video of Callie

Thought I would share a video of Callie saying she is five. One week later and she is still saying it!

Birthday Party

It has been a crazy week and I just realized that I haven't blogged in a while. I also realized that I did not blog about the birthday party last weekend. It went really well and everyone had a wonderful time. Lauren (Aunt RoRo) came into town last Thursday. It was great getting to visit and hang out. The kids loved having her here and are already asking when we can go visit her in NYC. Friday we picked up the water slide (it was huge and very heavy) and set it up in the yard. Saturday, party day, we spent the morning setting up and getting ready. I had a slight freak out about the weather but it ended up being perfect! The kids enjoyed playing on water slide and the bounce house. They also had fun with the pools and the waterguns! After Yummy cupcakes and homemade Ice Cream (yes, homemade....just call me Martha Stewart!) the kids left and the adults had thier own play time! We took turns on the slide which was soooo much fun! We even got my parents neighbors to try it out! All in all it was a wonderful birthday weekend. I can't believe that Bryce is 5 and Callie is 2! Time just seems to fly by. And a funny little tidbit about Callie....When you ask her how old she is she says five. When you say no Callie your 2 she laughs and says No, Five. She wants to be just like her big brother!! Below is a slide show of pics from the weekend.

Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.

my little fish

Bryce has never been a fan of the water. Every summer we go to the pool and I get frustrated that he will not even try to learn to like the water. He cried every time someone splashed him and it would take him 10 minutes to get to the 3rd step with his swimmies on. Well, those days are gone! He has all of a sudden decided that swimming is fun. 3 days ago we showed him that goggles keep the water out of your eyes and we took off his swimmies He hasn't wanted to put them back on!! He is swimming under water, trying to dive off the steps, and jumping in off the side. The change in Bryce's swimming ability is so huge that 2 neighbors have asked where we took him for lessons!! Callie, not to be outdone by her brother, jumped in off the side all by herself today too! Thank goodness mommy was there to catch her. I have a feeling that swimming is going to be a favorite activity at our house this summer.

party planning

Bryce and Callie both have birthday's this month. We have decided to have a joint bday party for them. I found some cute party ware with a girl and boy monkey with surf boards, so we decided to go with a monkey theme this year. We are going to have the cute plates and napkins with the monkeys. We are going to order monkey beach balls and tattoos for each child as their "goody bag". I am also going to make monkey cupcakes!! We reserved one of the big waterslides for the yard and are also going to set up a small pool, a sprinkler, and a jumpy moonwalk. I worked on the invite this afternoon (I am doing them myself to save some money). Here is what I came up with. Let me know what you think......

a new friend and a trip to the pool

This afternoon was quite eventful. First Bryce found a new friend ( really...Bryan found the new friend and put it in a box for Bryce)....a turtle. Bryce and Callie had fun watching him walk around in the yard. Maxi wasn't too impressed and growled in it's direction whenever she could. Bryan wanted to let Bryce keep it as a pet, but I put my foot down. Thank goodness Bryce decided it would be a good idea to let it go free in the morning. So tonight the turtle is snuggled down in a nice box with some water and food.

We also took the kids to the pool this evening. Bryce put his face in the water and swam without his swimmies for the first time! Callie wasn't too sure about the water. She decided it was more fun to sit on the edge and watch everyone. I think she knew how cute she looked and was just showing off :) !! I loved last years suits but this one is my favorite by far. And check out the upside down sunglasses. She refuses any help and screams "by self!!" Gotta love a strong willed, independent girl!!

favorite conversations

Here are two examples why living with kids will keep you laughing:

This is a conversation that happened while riding in the car with Mary Glenn, Cody, Bryce and Callie:

Mary Glenn: Cody! Please stop shouting in the car. We are all right here and we can hear you just fine. Stop yelling in my ear.

Cody: But Mommy, Bryce can't hear me. I need to talk loud for him.

Mary Glenn: Cody....Bryce can hear you just fine and....

Bryce (interrupting Mary Glenn): What did you say Cody? I couldn't hear you!

Cody: See...I told you mommy.

Nothing like getting Tag Teamed by four year olds.

This is from today. Bryce got into trouble and was sitting in time out.

Bryce: I am so mad at you mommy. You are a bad mommy

Callie: no bad mommy. bad Bryce.

She is learning early that girls have to stick together!!!

lazy summer day

We had a great day today. I really just wanted to stay home and do nothing. I am craving a day at home. I can't even remember a day where we didn't go anywhere. That was pretty much the plan until I got a call this morning from a friend asking if Bryce could come over and play. He really wanted to go so I sucked it up, got everyone dressed and in the car, and drove over to my friends house for a "play date". I am happy that we decided to go because we had a great summer day. I hung out with my friend and Callie while the boys went to the barn with Cody's dad. They visited with the horses, chased the kittens, and rode on the golf cart. Later, we set up their HUGE pool / water slide in the backyard. The kids had a blast playing in the water. Even Callie had fun hanging with the big kids. Later we ate dinner and laughed at the boys and their antics. The playdate ended up turning into a spend the night party and that is where Bryce is right now (hopefully fast asleep and not causing any trouble!). The more I think about it the more I realize the lessons I learn from my kids. Why spend a beautiful day all by yourself when you can hang out with a good friend, laugh, and have fun?

boys will be boys, girls will be girls

It amazes me how kids seem to gravitate to your stereotypical gender specific toys. Bryce loves all things boy....trucks, mud, sword fights. Callie loves all things girl....dolls, purses, shoes.

sewing 101

I have been toying around with the idea of learning to sew. I decided to try to sew Callie a pillowcase dress... a project that seems pretty easy. Last weekend my mom and aunt Kay gave me a sewing lesson and I completed my first dress! I am hooked and can't wait to make another one. I am adding a sewing machine to my wishlist.w

fish fun

I just got these pictures downloaded to my laptop so I thought I would share. Last weekend my cousin Matt, his wife Krista, and their baby James Dylan (Jay for short) were in Atlanta. My extended family decided to take a trip to the aquarium and we were invited to go along. It was so much fun. Bryce had a blast...he kept saying "this is amazing!". It was a wonderful afternoon and it was so nice sharing it with family. The kids were completely worn out, which is also very nice! They both fell asleep within 5 min of getting back in the car!

observant + outspoken = embarressed mom

Here is glimpse at what living with a very observant, outspoken four year old looks like:

The other day we stopped to see Bryan at the store and to have dinner with him. On our way out of the store we ran into one of Byran's coworkers and he decided to walk with us. Here is the conversation that followed:

Bryce (directed at Bryan's coworker): "Why do you have a big, fat, belly"

Me (in a hushed whisper): Bryce..that is not a nice thing to ask. Everyone looks different and that is okay.

Bryce: What do you mean?

Me: You have skinny legs and it would hurt your feelings if someone asked why you are skinny

Bryce (in a very loud voice): But Mommy, I do have skinny legs. My legs are skinny because I eat a little. His stomach is big and fat because he eats a lot. His tummy is funny.

Me: Bryce! That is not nice. It is not nice to say things like that. And it is not nice to point out why you think other people look funny.

Bryce: Why mommy? I do have skinny legs so it's okay for you to say that. One of the kids in my class has a very little head and I tell him that all the time!!

fun in the sun

Summer activities have begun at our house. Thought I would share some of the pics from playing in the sprinkler, going down the slip-and-slide, and a fishing trip to the lake.

summertime is here

It's summertime! Both kids are finished with preschool for the year...or at least until summer session starts in June. we are really blessed to have found Bryce and Callie's preschool. They are both doing so well and really love school! I can't believe how fast the year went by. I also can't believe how much they have grown and changed since the first day.

Callie's favorite things at school are art and music. She also loves playing with the other kids. It was so sad watching her say "Bye Laney" as we walked out the last day (Laney is one of her closest school friends). She is such a little girl now!

Bryce loves everything about school but the schoolwork! He makes friends really easily and got along with everyone in his class. He tells me he is going to miss Reiley the most. She is his "girlfriend" or at least that is what he tells us. Her mom laughed the last day as we took their picture together. She says that Reiley talks about Bryce nonstop! We have decided to send Bryce back to the same school next year so the graduation wasn't really sad for me this year. I'm sure next year will be a different story!

Callie on the first day and Callie on the last day with her two wonderful teachers....She went from Baby to little girl!!

Bryce on the first day and on the last day.....he grew a lot this year.

Callie and her friend Laney. I'm so happy that they will be in class together again next year.

Bryce and Reiley. When I asked him what he will miss most about school his response was Reiley.

free haircut

Bryce decided that Callie needed a haircut. He got out his "safety" scissors and chopped off a couple of sections in the back. He also snipped a section (about the size of a dime) on the top of her head down to the scalp. I was furious when he showed me and sent him to his room so I could cool off. After I calmed down I explained that he is never to cut anyones hair and I asked him to apologize to his sister. His response: I don't need to tell her I'm sorry because she wanted me to do it.