Riley's Birthday Party

Riley is excited that she gets to decorate her own cupcakes!


Riley has a wheat free and egg free cupcake. The rest of them are
from a regular cake mix. You can't even tell the difference!



My sweet Riley!

As soon as the grandparents arrived at the party, we immediately let Riley open her gifts and then dug into the chocolate cupcakes and ice cream. It was pure and simple, but we all had a wonderful time watching the kids play with all the new toys. Even Jackson got into it there for a few minutes before he went down for his nap.

After the party, my mom and I got away for a much needed manicure/pedicure and a short trip to the mall. Once we returned we all went out to eat at Smokey Bones BBQ! Yummy!

I just love birthday parties and family time! It's a great excuse to eat cupcakes and ice cream without the guilt!

The Big Day

Riley will officially be turning 3 years old on Monday, but we are having her birthday party tomorrow morning. My parents arrived in town yesterday and we are all getting the party preparations together for the big day.

Every since we moved to Roanoke, it's been our tradition to take the girls to Captain Party before their birthday so they can pick out all the party favors. This year Riley chose "My Little Pony". She loves My Little Pony. Therefore, it was the right choice!

Most people know that Riley is allergic to wheat and eggs. Thankfully, the new Kroger in town has a good selection of wheat and egg free products. Considering, I'm not a baker, it's extremely convenient to be able to purchase a wheat free cake mix from there. I simply substitute an egg replacer for the "real" thing. This was the first year I tried this particular kind of egg replacer in her cupcakes so I was a little worried about how they were going to turn out. Ironically, it looks like a thumb print in the middle of each cupcake, but they taste delicious. I had a nibble of one of the "not so pretty ones" and I was pleasantly surprised how good they are. Once I slap a little icing on top, Riley will not even know the difference!

Today I need to make the regular cupcakes for all the rest of us. I love birthday parties. Pure and simple, I love cake!

Dance Recital

The girls getting ready to perform.


Campbell doing "High Kicks"


Campbell and her friend, Hannah


All the dancers with their teacher, Miss Emily.

• Campbell had a wonderful time at the dance recital. She wasn't looking forward to it in the beginning because she wasn't wearing a tutu like all the other dancers. Considering she was taking Jazz, her teacher wanted her to wear a Jazzy costume. As you can tell, we had to improvise on the costume just a little. She is so long wasted that the outfit was a little low cut for my taste. She didn't seem to mind. I think she liked standing out and being different once she arrived and saw all the different colors and styles.

• Campbell's class was the last class to perform and she did a great job. She is really shy, but when it comes to performing in front of others, she tends to come out of her shell and get the job done. It surprises me at times to see how determined and brave she can be with a crowd of people.

• After her performance, Brent gave her a bouquet of flowers. What a great way to end the day!

• Ironically, she isn't interested in taking dance this go around. She just wants to focus on school and that's OK by me. When she is ready to get involved in other activities, I'm sure she will let me know.
  
  

Well Visit

Jackson's well visit went really well this morning. He weighs 18.8 pounds and is 29 1/2 inches long. He is 70% in height and 25% in everything else. He didn't even cry when the nurse pricked his finger when she checked his iron level. (iron levels were good...by the way) He only cried for literally 2 seconds when he got his Hepatitis B shot.

So far he has two teeth and the doctor could feel where his top teeth were starting to come through. He just found a new love for cheese and yogurt in addition to all the other fruits and veggies that he eats.

I almost went into shock when Dr. Moore recommended that I bring him back in three months for his 12 month visit.

What??? 12 months??? How can it be?

My little man is growing up so fast.

Christmas Memories and 9 months old

Christmas is such a special time in our house. The smells of baking, spending time with family and most importantly the anticipation of the birth of our Lord and Savior. The girls enjoyed listening to the Christmas story and lighting the Hope, Love, Peace, Joy and Christ Candles. Thankfully, we were able to slow things down a bit this year and the kids didn't seem to mind at all.

Here's some pictures from Christmas morning with a few of their favorite toys. Campbell loved her Fancy Nancy Doll and Riley was thrilled to receive the pink Three Musketeer Barbie from Santa. Jackson doesn't really know what's going on this year, but seemed to be interested in his stocking for the most part.

• Jackson is nine months old today. He is such a happy little boy and full of smiles. He is making all kinds of noises and doing his best to talk. Brent and I are convinced that he is saying, "mama and dada" when he looks at us. Maybe he is, but he will never do it on command. He is pulling up on everything and is in the beginning stages of "surfing" the furniture. He is also a BIG eater. I can't imagine how much he will be able to consume when he gets older. Brent will have to get a second job just to feed him.

• He has a favorite toy.....balls! Any will do. Between three kids we have plenty of them. Although, now that we have a boy we have accumulated a couple of footballs just his size. One for Alabama and the other for Virginia. I think he is destined to be a football fan...I can't imagine why??

• Happy New Year....tis' the season to watch football. Or at least in my house!

Having fun in the snow.....

We measured up to 13 inches of snow in our back yard. This has definitely been the largest snow we have gotten since I moved to Roanoke. I've been waiting a long time for this. Poor little Riley can barely stand up in it because her legs are so short. She's not a huge fan of it, but will tolerate it for a few minutes at a time. I think Campbell can stay out all day in it if we let her. Although, a nice warm cup of hot chocolate is very convincing when mommy and daddy are ready to go inside.

Taking turns on the snow sled. I think it's time to upgrade with one that has a rope on the end of it.

Riley was having fun making snow angels. We'll get pictures of Jackson in the snow later on today. I'm sure he will enjoy eating it if we give him the chance.

A Big Heart

I knew I should have gone to the grocery store last night when the kids and I stepped foot into Wal-Mart this morning. It was packed!!! Bumper to bumper carts were everywhere. Thankfully, my kids were being well behaved at the moment and I didn't need to get that much on my list.

In the middle of my shopping run my cell phone rang and it was Brent. He was inside of Wal-mart returning some items and said that he would come and find me. Not only did he help me with my shopping he even offered to stand in line to pay for the groceries while I took the kids home.

He will definitely get brownie points for that one!!! It's the little things he does that makes me love him so much. He has such a big heart and extremely thoughtful.

Thank you honey....I love you!

Gingerbread House

Campbell's Kindergarten Class did Gingerbread Houses today. They actually made them out of milk carton's. With a little white icing, graham crackers and some candy, it turns into a master piece. This was right up Campbell's alley too. She LOVES doing crafts. The best part was after daddy came home....she got to eat it!

Campbell loves Mrs. Watson.

You can view all the pictures on the right hand side. Just click on "our pictures".

Didn't quite make the cut...

Brent and I attempted to take pictures of our kids this weekend "together" for our Christmas Card. Needless to say, this particular one was a honorable mention, but didn't quite make the cut this year. Although, I just had to share it because the expression on Riley's face is priceless! Can you tell she didn't want her picture taken?? I just have to laugh every time I look at it.

Thankfully, we did get some pictures of them individually that turned out really cute and we are going to use instead.

Merry Christmas! Hope you have as much fun with your "Grumpalump's", (...umm...kids) as I do!

Feeling better

Yesterday after I took Campbell to the doctor she immediately started feeling better. Funny how that happens. Today she woke up and you would have never known she was sick at all. Ironically, no one else in our house caught the virus. I thought I was catching a cold earlier, but it turned out to be my sinuses. Thank goodness for Neti Pots!

At it again....

Well, I thought Campbell was in the clear, but I stand corrected. Her fever just won't go away. She vomited a couple of times today, but it doesn't seem to phase her much. It's so pitiful watching her lay on the couch all day. Poor thing doesn't have an ounce of energy to her name.

Hope my sweet Campbell is feeling better soon.

One of those days....

It's been one of those days and it has just started. All three of my kids decided to wake up before the crack of dawn. I woke up with my left eye matted together. Therefore, I am headed to the doctor with possible pink eye infection. Campbell is home from school with a fever, Jackson is teething and Riley....well... she is just glad to have Campbell home with her for the day.

Hopefully, Brent will be able to come home long enough for me to take off to the doctor. I'd rather not take all three kids with me if I don't have to.

Other than that....it's a good day. Calm and relaxing.

Happy Thanksgiving

It's that time again. We are all looking forward to visiting my family in Alabama for Thanksgiving/Christmas. Considering we do it all in one stop, we have started referring to our visit as Merry Thanksgiving. It has a nice ring to it, don't you think?

Since last year at this time, we have added an addition to our family. I can't believe that Jackson is almost 8 months old. Not only is he crawling, but clapping his hands, sitting up without any assistance and trying to pull up. Not quite there, but almost.

Riley is potty training. We are making progress, but we still have our share of accidents. She actually went to the potty all on her own yesterday without any help. She is starting to get the hang of it. We have to be fully potty trained by the time Preschool starts next year. I think we can do it.

Campbell is loving Kindergarten and seems to be doing very well and absolutely loves her teacher. It amazes me how much she enjoys learning and is eager to share her knowledge with us.

I just love this time of year. Especially being able to spend time with my family makes it even better.

I hope everyone has a safe and Happy Thanksgiving.

Look Who's Crawling.....

Earlier today I was in the kitchen when I looked over to check on Jackson to make sure he wasn't bothering our cat, Mittens. That is when I noticed that he was crawling past her and making a bee line toward Riley's shoe. He wasn't rolling or doing the inch worm....oh no, he was crawling! That is the look of determination in his face for the "target". I can only imagine that the goal was to put it directly in his mouth.

Only six months old and crawling.....just like his sister Campbell. I guess I'm going to need to keep my floors extra clean from now on until he starts walking. Easier said than done with a messy two year old.......

Riley's First Haircut

We have been talking about getting Riley's hair cut for a few weeks now. We just never really had the time to do it. So, yesterday around 5pm I decided it was now or never. Considering it was her first hair cut, we wanted to make it a family affair and all of us go together. Trying to find the time and working around Jackson's nap schedule was a little challenging to say the least.

She didn't hesitate at all once we arrived. She sat in the chair all by herself and had the biggest smile on her face. The best part....she still has her curls!

Six Months Old

Jackson had his well visit today and it went really well. He weighs 16.6 lbs and 27 inches long. Not as much of a weight gain as I anticipated, considering how much he eats in one day. It must be all that rolling around the house he does when he is awake.

His next visit is in 3 months when he is nine months old. It will be here before I know it!

Not Possible!

It amazes me how much Riley's vocabulary increases daily. Mind you, she is only two going on five years old. Just yesterday I asked her to sit at the table to eat her lunch. This is her response:

Mommy: "Riley, I need you to sit down at the table and eat your lunch please."

Riley: "That's not possible! I need to finish playing first."

Mommy: "Possible? I think it's 'possible' that you will go to time out if you do not cooperate. I need you to say Yes Ma'am!"

Riley: "Yes Ma'am." (as her eyes were rolling in the back of her head)

Oh my. She can be a fire cracker at times!

Milestone

I'm not talking about Jackson this time. However, he recently dropped his last feeding and is getting approximately 12 hours of sleep at bedtime. I just love this baby phase. Actually, I love getting sleep!

This milestone has to do with Riley. I started potty training her a week ago today. So far she has been accident free for the past two days and has pooped in the potty.

It was really by accident. I was in the right place at the right time. Yesterday, she was retreating to a corner and I asked her do you need to go poop. She said, "pee and poop". So, I put her on the potty and she did exactly that. It was that easy. I couldn't believe it.

She was rewarded with three M & M's for that one!

I am very pleased with her progress. She still doesn't go on her own, but at least she is getting the hang of it. Until then, we'll continue using the "pee pee timer" as long as it takes.

Successful Day

A few weeks ago I attempted to potty train Riley around the same time she came down with an infection. Thankfully, that has cleared up and we are potty training....again.

I've known she has been ready for sometime now, but her determination actually surprised me. She doesn't waste any time while she is on the potty. She hops on and goes about her business and gets off to wipe, flush and wash her hands. Apparently she has better things to do than to hang out in the bathroom all day long.

So far she has peed in the potty 6 times and has had three pee pee accidents. Her pull up was dry when she woke up from her nap as well. She hasn't pooped yet, but hopefully that is not too far behind. (no pun intended) : )

A successful day??? I think so!

Summer Fun

We had so much fun at the lake this past weekend. Here's a few pictures to help capture our time with Grandma and Grandpa.


Floating on the water and enjoying a Seadoo ride with Grandma.

We love boat rides with Grandpa. Grandma and Jackson were hanging out at the lake house.

Grandpa and Jackson relaxing on the dock.