The Sweetest Things

Kids can say the darnest things, but today, our kids decided to say the sweetest things! First of all, Caleb has just become the little talker, and you never know what he is going to say next. However, he has become the most polite little thing ever! For example, he was trying to play with Abby Grace's stamps today, and she kept taking them away. She finally decided to give him one, and he said, "Tank you, Abby Grace," and it was just the sweetest thing! Then, he was at the pool yesterday, and a little boy started playing with the ball Caleb was playing with. He took it and threw it away. Caleb cried, saying, "Share!" He also says the same thing when Abby Grace takes toys from him. But it was tonight when he really melted my heart... I read him his 3 books as usual before bed, and he said, "Mommy, say prayers." Wow! We had just started praying with him over the last week, and he has seen Abby Grace say her prayers, but I didn't realize that it was important to him too yet! We've also been working on getting rid of the bottle, and it hasn't really been going the greatest. So I decided yesterday that "ba ba" was going to go "bye-bye!" He asked/cried for it a little, but I kept telling him that "ba ba" had gone bye-bye because Caleb is a big boy now and that we had given it to the babies. He actually seemed okay with that. He still asks for it, but for the time being, seems to be content with the sippy cup. We'll see!

Abby Grace has also been melting our hearts too, especially her daddy's tonight! He was putting her to bed and was about to leave the room, when she said, "Daddy, come here, I have one more thing I need to tell you... I love you, Daddy." What a great, unexpected father's day gift! She has also been saying "I love you, Mommy" to me just out of the blue, and it's just so sweet! Now realize, she can also get on our last nerve, especially when she is tired, but her sweetness definitely wins out! We've also been amazed at how much she is talking about Jesus and what she has learned from VBS last week. She really seems to be understanding much of the Christian faith and tells us that she already believes in Jesus.

Anyway, I just had to post about their cute comments and just say I feel trully blessed to have two wonderful children! Also, Happy Father's Day, Daddy! You're the greatest!

Abby Grace's Birthday Times Two!

Abby Grace's actual birthday is on May 25, and at school, she was able to share cupcakes and ice cream with her friends. She was actually the third birthday in 3 days that was celebrated in her class because 2 other boys in her class also turned 4 right around the same time. So let's just say that I know of ten 4 yr olds that were on a sugar high for the last week of school! Later that night, we took Abby Grace and Caleb to Chucky Cheese's for some fun and then she opened her presents from us and Caleb. I will have to say that Abby Grace had a pretty good birthday! And she wasn't even done yet; she had one more party with family when we headed to Birmingham later that week!

Abby Grace is wearing the special birthday hat that Mrs. Cauthen makes for her students when it is their birthday.

Caleb felt like a "big boy" because he had his own seat at the party!

Abby Grace's class at school celebrating her birthday.

Having fun at Chucky Cheese's!

Another cupcake at home! (It was left from the party earlier that day--we couldn't resist one more chance to blow out candles!)

Excited to open presents from us and Caleb!

Her big surprise: Cinderella's castle from Walt Disney World!

Abby Grace's Pool Party

Abby Grace celebrated her 4th birthday party with friends on May 22 at our neighborhood pool. I was a little worried at first about getting it all set up since we didn't have any family in town to help, but it all came together! I managed to pick up the cake and balloons and set it all up before everyone arrived, but I was definitely running around like a chicken with its head cut off! Brian was in charge of keeping the kids entertained while I worked. Anyway, Abby Grace was thrilled with her Mermaid party and cake... the cake was really cool b/c it was cupcakes that could be pulled apart, and it came from Publix. I will have to say, this made serving cake to 4 yr olds a breeze! We also ordered pizza and had chips and goldfish served in buckets for snacks. The kids were definitely hungry after having a good time swimming in the pool, and I will have to admit that we have the perfect pavilion for entertaining. Caleb had a grand time too, especially when it was time to eat! First, he has to have a whole piece of pizza, then he eats the cheese, and then the bread. He has also mastered the spoon and is proud to be able to eat his own ice cream and cake. Now, I didn't say he doesn't make a mess, but at least he was happy and confined to his chair for 30 minutes while we did the birthday thing! Abby Grace had lots of fun and was really glad that her friends were able to come and celebrate with her!

Summer's Here!

There is nothing like living in Charleston when it's summertime! School has been out for 2+ weeks, and we have been nothing but bored! After school was out, we actually headed back to Lake Martin and Birmingham for a great week of visiting with our family and friends, plus we celebrated Abby Grace's 4th birthday. Despite the fact that Caleb and I got strep throat, we still had a great time! And I will have to say, there is no place like home!
Since we have gotten back though, we have hit the pool, parks, and beach, and it has only been about 3 days. Plus, Abby Grace has begun swimming lessons, and her teacher tells me that she's pretty advanced. That doesn't surprise us too much because Abby Grace is a fish that could swim in the water all day long if we let her! Now, Caleb, he is not as crazy about the water as Abby Grace is, but boy is he growing like a weed! He can really say about anything and is just as cute as can be when he talks. Now, if we could just get him off his bottle! I have just posted a few pictures of the kids playing and will post birthday pics soon.

Abby Grace playing in the rain

Our little fish


Caleb loves to blow bubbles and play outside

Abby Grace's Dance Recital

On Sunday, May 16, Abby Grace performed in her first dance recital at West Ashley High School. Her class was the youngest in the show, and they performed a tap dance to "Animal Crackers." This was a great achievement for Abby Grace because at the parent watch at the first part of the year, Abby Grace did not want to dance, and then she cried at the picture shoot in the early spring. However, over the past few weeks, she has gotten very excited about the recital, and when she danced this past weekend, it showed! She never stopped smiling while she was dancing unless she was singing the song! At the end of the show, the girls "danced" across the stage one by one to receive their medal. She was so proud! As a special treat, she also received a "Princess and the Frog" balloon and flowers from her mommy and daddy. We were very proud of her! She, at the age of 3, danced in front of an auditorium of over 400 people! Wow! Anyway, she had a great time and says she wants to take dance again next year! Check out my facebook page for more pictures.

Backstage

Very proud of her medal!

Shakin' it!

Abby Grace's Gymnastic Gymboree

On Saturday, May 15, Abby Grace performed in her end of the year gymnastics gymboree with Charleston Mobile Gymnastics. This whole past year, she has taken gymnastics as a class that meets right after school every Wed. afternoon. Abby Grace has been learning lots of tricks, and at the show, she was able to demonstrate some of them. She actually had to perform with a different group because her school's show conflicted with her birthday party. However, Abby Grace did not seem to mind at all and just jumped right in to participate. At the conclusion of the show, Abby Grace was proud to receive her first trophy!

AGB's teacher, Mr. Charlie

Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique

I mentioned in the earlier post that Abby Grace had an appointment at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, which is in Cinderella's Castle. It was so much fun seeing Abby Grace have her make-up and hair done! She definitely looked like a little princess Cinderella!

Before...

Make-up has been added, and AGB holds the plastic shield to protect
her eyes from hairspray and Tinker Bell dust.

And after...

Caleb is even star-struck!

And he had a fun time playing with the curtain!

These are just a few pics from the Wilderness Lodge where we stayed

and would definitely go back!

Day 5: Magic Kingdom Revisited

I know, I am still posting Disney pictures and the trip was almost a month ago! Sorry, I guess I took too many pictures! Anyway, our last day was spent at the Magic Kingdom. We were hoping to finish seeing the rest of the park, but the weather had a different plan for us! As soon as we arrived, it started raining. Somehow, we manged to squeeze in the Mad Tea Party, It's a Small World, Winnie the Pooh, Peter Pan, and some of Mickey's Toon Town. Abby Grace even got to ride her first roller coaster, Goofy's Barnstormer, and loved it! We got to see Mickey and Minnie for the final time and then headed for Abby Grace's appointment at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique for her princess makeover! Then we and our little princess were treated like royalty at lunch in Cinderella's Castle (The Royal Table). Abby Grace was excited to see the princesses one last time, and then we ran out of the park before the terrific downpour that lasted all afternoon. Abby Grace had a great time playing at the Wilderness Lodge while Caleb napped. Then, we headed to the Polynesian Resort for our dinner reservation at Ohana's, which turned out to be one of our favorite meals. Their food is served family style and is just awesome! Abby Grace participated in the luau, and then we sadly headed back to our resort as we sad goodbye to the theme parks. On Friday, before we headed home, we ate breakfast at the Whispering Canyon in our resort and played around a bit before Grammy and Granddaddy's flight. We sadly said goodbye and then headed to Downtown Disney for some last minute souvenirs and lunch. Then we began the 6 hour drive back home. Leaving Disney is just not fun! It really is one of the most magical places, and we can't wait to go back!

Riding the teacups

Abby Grace on her first roller coaster

Last visit with Mickey and Minnie

Princess Abby Grace

At the Royal Table with Snow White, Aurora, and Belle... We saw Jasmine and Cinderella too!

After leaving lunch, we luckily ran into Cinderella's Fairy Godmother.

Abby Grace doesn't seem sad to be leaving the park early! She has her Mickey lollipop to completely entertain her as she rides the ferry back to the resort!

Dancing in the Luau at Ohana's