Our Not So Snowy Day... But We Will Take What We Can Get...

The snow came on a Saturday.  A total waste in a teacher's eyes.  But still fun for the mommy part of me.  We got up and outside early to enjoy the little bit of snow that fell in the night.

Addie and Drew were super excited to play... licking the snow, "sledding", and throwing snowballs.  

 

January Ordinary Days...

January came and went...  I was fortunate to have 4 snow days at home with my babies.  We had fun being lazy with no where to go.  We went to play with friends, played outside ( not in the snow because there was not any) and had plenty of tea parties. 

Addie loves her new head gear for the cold winter days.

This crew is cut throat when it comes to family game night.  When we play Trouble, Kyle and Addie will send you back home in a heartbeat.... I guess I am not much better.

Addie received her first award at school for mastering all of her report card skills.  I cannot express how happy I am to see her at school and loving every minute of it.  She has began reading AR books and is working on getting her star on the wall for the 15 point club.

We enjoyed a fun day at the park.  Drew could not get enough of the swing.  He loves when you hold on to his legs and push him with all of your might.  He sings and laughs the whole time.  I just wish I could bottle up his sweetness and save it for the teenage years. 

We went on a hike.  Drew found lots of sticks and Addie found lots of rocks. 

Drew's past time these days... Our ball collection is getting large.  56 balls to be exact.

Drew's new head gear for the cold wintery days...

Aubree love... she came and spent the night with us to get away from Rylee's sleep over.  We always have fun with Aubs.  The girls tried out their skills at the FBC Basketball camp later that day.  The funniest memory of this picture... the pants Aubree is wearing are Drew's and they are a size 24 months.

I Pee Pee in the Potty!!!

Well it seemed like it took forever but we finally did it... Drew is out of diapers! 

He started potty training at Granny Franny's last spring but would NOT do it at home.  We tried everything but it just did not take.  After Christmas, when everything settled down and I had a week off from school, we hit it really hard.  Drew was walking around the house in his big boy undies.... We were reading the Potty Book... Addie was even giving her advice on the matter.

This was the conversation Addie and Drew had while I was cleaning the carpet after an accident.

Drew: "I don't want to pee-pee in the potty."

Addie:  "Drew it is easy.  In the bathroom, there is this white thing with a hole in it.  It is called a toliet.  You put the pee in it.... not on the floor... not in your pants."

This was the conversation she heard from her teacher, Mrs. Janessa, when the boys peed in the floor at school.  Life lessons are the most important ones of all, because now Addie knows what to say to her little boy.

 

So we have been out of diapers for about a month now.  EVERY TIME he uses the potty, you can hear a voice in the bathroom saying, "I am so proud of you!"  Drew likes to cheer himself on.  Drew is sleeping in undies and has not wet the bed yet.  He is good about waking up to use the potty, which is a good thing but we are getting use to the night time wake up calls again.  

So once we get the sippy cup gone, the baby stage will be done for Drew Boy.  We are very happy for him but I just cannot believe that diapers are gone from the house.  Almost 6 years of diapers, Destin, and wipes.  I am still getting use to not looking for the changing pad and basket of goodies to put on our bed in the morning.  Change is just hard for this momma... even good change.

We WIsh You A Merry Christmas....

I know... but better late than never right????  I just refuse to give up the blog even though I cannot stay up to date.

We went to see the lights at Opryland with Ninnie, Poppy, Clint, Kristen, Tripp, and our best friend Aubree.  We looked at the trees, went for a ride in the boat, and ran around way too much.  We were very happy to kick off the Christmas Season!

Addie's dance class performed one weekend at a Christmas Festival.  She was so cute and loved giving us a present... a ballerina picture of herself.

Does this face say "I love Christmas!" or what???

Gingerbread house night.  The day my class makes Gingerbread Houses at school, we use the leftover icing and create our own little village for our home.  Drew really did enjoy creating his house this year.  He was covered in icing.  Addie is just a little professional house decorator by this point.

Christmas Card Photoshoot 2012

What is fun?  

Trying to get your children to look at a camera when you have a Christmas Card to create.  When you say... smile at the camera... no not that smile... don't hit the tree... stop playing with the ornaments... do we have Allie... and about a million more in the total of 20 minutes of trying to get a couple of pictures to send family and friends. 

I think we have a winner!

The year of the gymnast!

Addie's gymnastics class had their winter exhibition.

She is so cute in her uniform and is so proud to "show what her body can do" ~ her words not mine.

Addie's crew for her Christmas party.  

It is such a blessing to have great family to step in when I cannot make the big days at school. 

 

The Sanders/Primm/Illyes families came together for some food, presents, and fun at our home.

Kyle made a super yummy brunch for us.

The kiddie table

Addie 5 years old and the kid in charge

Drew 2 years old and the life of the party

Hayden the only one that will actually eat.

This year Drew "gets" opening up presents and loved to pile them on top of him.  

He would say, "What is happening to me?" from under his pile.

Addie loved Molly's new winter outfit from Aunt Kellie and Uncle Jason

Poppa loved his photo book... as always!

What a crew...

Off to Lexington we went for Christmas with the Sanders/Woods Crew.  Poppy had a breakfast for dinner meal to welcome us.  Addie and Drew ate about 10 pancakes between the both of them and could not wait to open presents.   We had fun celebrating Tripp's first Christmas and stayed up till midnight opening presents, playing, and laughing with one another.

Nothing like Mr. Bear photo bombing Tripp's picture.

Addie searching for one.more.gift.

The kids at Nanny's house... I think Drew is out numbered.

Back home in time to set cookies out for Santa and get in bed for the big day.

LiLi and Poppa stopping by to see us on Christmas Morning... Drew was still in bed.

Fun times with our new dream lights.

We hope you had a great Christmas and did not have to walk the plank.

Merry Christmas to all!