I was going to post a Christmas picture and realized I never posted about their first day of school! So I am a little behind! Kindergarten has been a huge adjustment for our family. The kids love school but its nothing like preschool. They catch the bus at 7:10 and get off at 2:40. Next thing I know its time for dinner and baths, then bedtime at 7:30. Each day goes by so fast. I thought that I would have more time during the day but I seem to be busier than ever! The orientation and Christmas parties were overwhelming. It was so hard to split our time equally in each class. I think we were in a groove by the time Christmas rolled around. Is it summertime yet?

I went with my friend Ann to San Juan in June. She had a business meeting so I was her date for 3 nights. Jamie took the kids to his parents house while I was gone. Then they picked me up from the airport. Maddie saw me first and ran to me with a big smile. Then I picked up Ben for a hug. He buried his head and next thing I knew he was crying. I didn't understand why he was crying at first and asked him what's wrong. He wouldn't look at me or say anything, he just clung to me and cried. Finally, I realized he was so emotional just from seeing me. After some hugs and kisses and a reminder that I had a present for him, he was fine.

This week they are in Charleston with their Aunt Tina. She offered to keep them for week for no reason other than she wanted to spend time with them! They LOVE Aunt Tina. She always plays with them and gives them lots of TLC. So they were really excited to go to her house and do all the fun things she had planned. But when got ready to leave I felt like Ben was acting kinda weird. As we pulled away I told Jamie I thought Ben was about to cry. Sure enough, we saw him running by with big tears in his eyes. Of course, we stopped and hugged him some more. Aunt Tina took him inside and they made brownies, so he was fine. That boy loves chocolate! I think its actually harder to leave them now that they are older and they have a better concept of time! What will I do when we go to London and Dublin for 8 long days?

The kids graduated from pre-K! Peeples Elementary here we come! They have been handfuls over the past few weeks and I can't figure out why. They aggravate each other more than usual. Everything has to be fair because they are overly concerned with who gets what and who went first and last, blah, blah, blah. It is making me crazy and I wonder if I will pull all my hair out over the summer. Madeline has an argument for everything. If I say no I hear,"but Mooommm"! I guess this is some kind of independence thing. They are growing into more of their own person which will be important for kindergarten. At least that is what I am telling myself!
Their graduation was short and sweet with light blue cap and gowns. The teachers asked the kids what was their favorite thing about pre-K. Maddie's was "lunch" which is the truth cause anyone who knows her knows she loves to eat! I went by her class one day and found her sitting at the table eating lunch while all the other kids were outside playing. Her teacher said she wouldn't get up until she ate everything I packed for her. I started packing her lunch a little lighter after that!
Ben's favorite thing about school is centers. The teachers each have a "center" in their room. The kids are allowed to pick a center or activity to go to each day. I always ask which center they went to and who went with them. There were so many days that Ben or Maddie told me they went to centers with Carleigh. Carleigh was in the class across the hall from Ben and Maddie. What I love most is that Ben would say he "picked up Carleigh". Meaning, that he would go to the doorway of her classroom and get her to walk to their center together. Maybe one day he will pick her up for a date?!

I know its been awhile! I have two things I need to post about the kids. First we went to church Sunday only to find it wasn't a regular service, but a musical put on by 5th graders. We gave the kids the option of going to "big church" to watch. Maddie wanted to go socialize of course. But Ben wanted to stay with Jamie and me. He did great! He sat very still and watched the hour long musical. At one point he whispered to me, "how come you don't let us come in here every time we come to church?" I know he thought we must be going to musicals every week while he's in Sunday school! So I explained that church was usually Preacher Warren talking and that he would be bored.

Secondly, Ben was mad at Madeline the other day and came to tattle on her. He ran in the room and said, "Mommy, Maddie thinks she's awesome, don't you Maddie?" He said "awesome" like it was something terrible. Maddie didn't really answer. But I told them I think they're both awesome!

Have you ever seen a cuter soccer player? I haven't!!!!

Sweet Madeline is a heavy sleeper. I found her like this before I went to bed last night. Maybe she had to go to the bathroom and didn't feel like going back to bed. Or she's practicing for late nights in college!

The other day she said, "Mommy, do you know what's better than watching TV?"
I said, "No, what?".
She said, "watching TV with YOU!"

I had to post this so I wouldn't forget all the sweet things she says to me.

I took this Christmas morning, before they got to see their presents.

The past month has been so busy. Christmas and New Year's came and went faster than ever. Jamie and I just got back from his annual business trip to the Caymans. The kids spent the week with Grandma and Grandpa. They got lots of TLC and spent quality time with cousins, Aunts and Uncles. I know they had a great time! But I was so glad to get home and get them back home with me!

When we reminded them that they go back to school after being out of school for a week, my little priss pot's very serious reply was, " I don't even know what I will wear!" She really loves dresses and tights, that she puts on herself. She changes several times a day. The dressier the better. Luckily, we have some fancy hand- me- downs, so I just let wear chiffon, velvet and lace everyday to school.

On the other hand my son refuses to dress himself. On a rare occasion, with the right motivation he will dress himself. Usually he just sits and ignores me until we are going to be late and I just help him. While with the grandparents, he told me his Aunt Tina "taught" him how to get dressed. Little stinker also told me he doesn't want to dress himself even though he knows how, cause its too hard! Men, they will always let a woman do it.

Merry Christmas!

Only a few days left. I finally finished all my shopping last night. Thanks to Jen! The kids are so excited for Santa to come see us. We have an Elf on the Shelf, which has been a lot of fun. We named him Bob. The kids run downstairs every morning to see where he is in the house. Since Bob talks to Santa he has been somewhat of a motivator for good behavior. Note-somewhat. I may have gone a little overboard this year with presents. The kids see stuff on TV and talk about it. All those advertisements really work! Its been harder this year to keep things minimal with the kids asking for things by name. Hope you all have healthy and happy holidays!

The Disney Cruise

Well, the Disney Cruise came and went so fast! We had a great time. It was a very busy vacation though. No real breaks or rest! We were able to convince the kids to stay in the kiddie area so we could have a couple of beers. But the first night we were there, they paged us to come get them after about ten minutes. Everybody keeps asking me if I would recommend it. I would say yes but not to expect a lot of R and R! There is so much to do each day. Karen had a highlighter to mark what we wanted to do on our schedule! The shows at night were awesome! We got there early and had 2nd row seats. The kids couldn't take their eyes off the stage. They are at a perfect age for believing everything they see. Tinkerbell sprinkled the theater with magic dust during one show. After it was over, Ben asked if we were flying. Of course, I told him I thought we were flying!

Thought I better post a pic from Halloween. In addition to Pirate James, Spidy Ben, and Princess Madeline, we were joined by The Grinch, Cindy Lou Who, and their dog!!

Jen and I made these out of pillowcases for Madeline and Carleigh...cute huh?!

We see these "paw" signs everywhere since the local high school team is the Panthers. Everytime we see one, the kids get so excited, pointing and screaming, "Mommy look a clue, a clue"!!! I don't have the heart to correct them, its too cute!

They still crack me up...

Ben-Mommy are those black things saying yes?
(he's talking about my eyebrows, since I had them raised)


Madeline-Mommy, Ben needs some more medicine!
Me-For what, is his nose running?
Madeline-No for his mouth, he's coughing!

My babies started PreK today!! They were so excited to go back to school. They keep asking me if summer is over. Madeline ran downstairs with this dress first thing this morning. She couldn't wait to get it on and out the door!

In case anyone is interested this is how my backsplash turned out!!!

I got new counter tops!!! Wahoooooo!!!We still have work to do, but the difference is amazing! We cut the bar down, got a new sink and faucet, and a new dishwasher! I know I am a dork to be so excited but the white laminate was awful.

My sweet daughter loves to say things like, "if you are wearing pink you can do this". So at dinner, she was saying, "if you are a kid you can eat, if you are a big person you can't eat."She kept going and got louder and louder. I said, " If your name is Madeline, you are very loud." Her reply was, "If you are mommy, you are too mean and bossy!" Nice! My kids think I am mean and bossy. I tried to explain that after asking them to do something several times with no results, I have to resort to threatening them at times. But they just don't get it. The crazy thing is, they always want me. They fight over who gets to sit behind me in the car, or beside me on the couch or at dinner. So maybe I am not that mean and bossy.

OK my husband figured out how to send more pics. Check him out carrying all our crap, hey my hands were full too!

We are at the beach!! We got here yesterday and the idea of "vacation" seemed hard for the kids to grasp. They wanted to turn around and go home before we made to the interstate because they said,"this is taking too long!" we finally made it to the condo and they didn't want to leave. They were afraid someone would get it while we were out. They asked if we were going to live here forever even after we told them we were here for a week. Ben asked about Macon, but was glad to hear Aunt Jen would be checking on him. I think Ben was up around five this morning. He climbed in bed with us and kept tapping me with a huge grin on his little face. Madeline had her bathing suit on and was ready to go first thing. By dinner they were exhausted. Ben was so tired he didn't know what to do with himself, he couldn't sit still for fear of falling asleep. I will have to try and post pics of Madeline later, my phone wasn't sending the pics for some reason...

I Can Sew!!

Here is a picture of my first attempt to sew a purse!!!

A special thanks to my assistant/supervisor-Jen.