Three Years!!!

Three years already?  Look at this big girl!  Because her birthday is right around Christmas and most of our friends are busy with their families, we had Riley's birthday party at Chuck E Cheese this year with our family.

I had high hopes.  We waited to bring her here for a special occasion. Three years around the sun definitely qualifies as such.  I couldn't wait to see her explore all of the toys and games.  And I was not disappointed!  Jude, being the boy he is, loved this truck.  He didn't want me to put the token in it and make it move, he just wanted to sit and pretend.

At first Riley wanted to spend her time on the slide and the only toy in the place that didn't need tickets.  Nevermind that we got over 100 with our lunch package.

Then we finally got her to play some games that did require tokens.  She was not disappointed and loved the game where she shot peanuts into jungle animals mouths.  She beat Jude every time.  But being the good winner she is, never threw it in his face.  :o)

Next it was time to open some presents!  Surrounded by her two grandmothers, she started digging open packages and bags.  This was her favorite toy, the Simba and Nala she had been eyeing for months at Walmart.  Her Memaw and Pepaw gave these to her.  She sleeps with them every night.  And most days, she offers Simba to Jude because "Simba is a boy and Nala is a girl."

She helped me make pink cupcakes with pink icing.  This is the first time she has eaten cake, not the first time she has been offered it, but the first time she ate it willingly. She has really expressed a lot of interest in helping me cook and prepare foods lately.  Every time I start to make something she says, "Can I help you?" as she is moving a bar stool towards the counter where I am working.  I love this, even if she only makes a mess the majority of the time she is up there.

Opening a gift from her Nona and Poppi.  I find it so cute that her Memaw helped her open this and her Nona helped her open the gifts from her Memaw.

I didn't think she would enjoy recieving clothing as a gift.  From the look on this face, I was wrong.  She LOVES the new "twirly dresses" her Nona and Poppi got her.

Riley Grace, these past three years have been eye-opening, humbling, wonderful, and such a joy because of you. You are becoming such a thoughtful person.  You always offer Jude a hug or a toy when he is upset. It makes my heart glow when you say, "It's okay Jude, I'm here.  I'm your sister."  You share your toys (most of the time) with your friends and your "Bra-yer".  You freely give hugs, kisses, and lots of "I love you's".  You are so helpful when you help me cook, clean, and fold laundry (even if you are just helping me so you can use the empty laundry basket as a toy). 

You drink out of a cup these days, but mostly like to drink out of your Minnie sippy cup.  You also have stopped wearing diapers and wear big girl panties all the time.  Oh, and how could I almost forget?  You don't suck your thumb anymore!  See what I mean about being a big girl?!  You are there!

You're personality makes me giggle all day.  You always want to make me laugh by doing silly dances where you just shake your whole body.  You talk almost as much as I do about anything and everything.  Please never stop talking to me about anything and everything.  You like to sing into your microphone all day long, with one of your favorite lyrics being "all day long", although I'm not sure where that line comes from.  You sing songs about Jesus and songs from Sid the Science Kid, still your favorite show.  And when you have a question, you hold your hands out to the side of your body, palms up.  One of the cutest things I've ever seen.

I think one of the things I love most about your blooming personality is the way you won't go to sleep without praying and we can't drive anywhere without your "Jesus songs".  I love that you have such a love for the Lord. I pray that only continues to grow like wildfire as you get older.

I am beyond blessed to be your Mommy.  I love the relationship we have and pray that it continues to grow as it has in the past three years.  I love you more than you can know.  Happy third birthday sweet girl.  My cup runneth over.

The Christmas Card & Decorating

Pinterest is my new thing, not an obsession, just a thing.  Anyway, lots of neat ideas come from there, one of which was our Christmas card picture.  We took SO many pictures of the kids and still didn't manage to get the perfect shot.  The first attempt while Jude was finishing breakfast and we were trying to get the lighting just right.  I liked the reflection on the floor, but the lighting on Riley's face wasn't the best.

New lighting, new camera setting.  I liked this one, but no Jude.

I think this one looked blurry so we didn't use it...

And the one we used, with the outlet cropped out of course.  We gave up on them both looking at the same object (the camera or soemthing else). I am not good with Christmas card pictures, but there is always next year.

Another pinterest idea for the card.  Missing a kid!  Can't use this one, even though it's so cute!

While putting the decorations up, Jude found the tree skirt and wanted to wear it like a coat, his Father Christmas impersonation. Riley donned her (my old Homecoming) crown.  We are full-fledged into the princess phase.

He was amazed at the tree.  Couldn't keep his hands off of it.  Eventually most ornaments ended up 3 feet up the tree.

One of Riley's favorite ornaments is the Christmas Vacation house ornament.  When the button is pushed, it lights up and sings the Hallelujah song from the movie. She loves to push it and dance around the house.  I think it'll need new batteries next year as she does this multiple times a day.

Another card reject.  We liked it, but I really wanted to see their sweet faces on the card...and Jude's hat is out of focus.  I need photography classes.  This camera makes me feel like an idiot most of the time, unless I'm outside, with lots of light, and subjects that aren't moving.

Garvan Gardens

Some friends of ours told us about a place called Woodland Garvan Gardens in Hot Springs.  Tons of Christmas lights, great family place.  Cool, let's try it out.  So we were in town for the state championship football game the first weekend in December, what a perfect time for a family outing!  We had no clue how cool it would be!  When we first arrived, the sun was setting so we got one or two pictures with some natural lighting, although we did not ever manage to get a family picture with everyone looking. Shocking.

But because we are still learning how to take pictures with our new fancy camera, so many were blurry.  Boo.

Jude loved the train.  We had to pry him off.  He didn't stop crying until I gave him the paci.  He only gets it in bed, so I definitely caved and didn't fight the battle.  Don't judge me.  We were around hundreds of people and everyone around us was much happier with a happy baby.

My parents.  How cute are they?

AND there is a chapel designed by E. Fay Jones there.  Who knew?  Like my photography skills?  Like I said, I'm learning.

Wait, did we get a picture of everyone looking?  I don't think so.  Looks like Riley is looking away.  The kids were really so good while we were there.  Afterward, my parents treated us to Rod's Pizza Cellar, the best pizza I've ever eaten.  Italian pizza has nothing on this place.  If you are ever in central Arkansas, I would highly recommend it.  The kids were great there too.  Both stayed seated, happy, and ate a lot of pizza.  We've really been blessed with 2 great kids.

Riley-isms

Riley's foot/leg "fell asleep" for the first time today.  While eating lunch she said, "MOMMY, MOMMY!!!!  My feet are sparkling!!!"  She didn't like it, but it got much better after she walked around and got her blood flowing again.

At lunch on Sunday she told us "God heals all our boo-boos."  LOVE IT.

Tailgating

Oh how we love tailgating!!!  The kids usually end up in the back of the Denali playing.  This works so great for us!  It's a little play area that is partially shielded from the wind and keeps the kids somewhat contained.  As you can see, we always get suckered into playing in there too! :)

We finally managed to get a family pictures.  I don't know if we'll ever get that elusive perfect picture when everyone is looking at the camera AND has a happy face on.

Poppi showed the kids a new trick, the sunroof.  Both we very excited about it, for about 10 seconds, then it was on to the next thing.

Another attempt at a family picture Zoe is my second cousin?  Cousin once removed? Either way, she and her family- my cousin Josh's family joined us for the last tailgate.  SO much fun.  We live so far from them that its such a treat when we can get together.

Did I mention the girls loved the pom poms?  Oh, and Riley things Zoe is the coolest!

I think Zoe has the pose down, I wonder if she could give Riley & Jude some of her pose secrets.

Harvest Season Fun

Aunt B and Uncle Bryan came over the other night to watch the kids while I sold some jeans and Woody scored some football.  Jude has a large crush on Aunt B, he likes to do whatever he can to impress her.  On this evening, he chose to show her his impeccable balancing skills.  And I bet he said "Haa!" For Hat.

Aunt B always has great activities for the kids.  Riley and Millie got to make pictures with stickers!  Riley tells me all the time how "Millie is my best friend."  We are so blessed by the friendships with the Smiths.

At the October Craft Fairs, Riley got a nap mat. Its one of the coolest inventions.  It's a mat that has a pillow and blanket sewed to it.  She takes it to Bible Study Fellowship each Wednesday morning to use during their quiet time.

We didn't get enough pumpkins on our first trip to the pumpkin patch, and since there are a few to choose from up here, we went to a different one last weekend.  Lots of fun games to play and pictures to take...if your kids will sit still.  Mine aren't to that point yet, WAY to much to discover and touch.  Woody and Jude wore their hats, so Riley wanted to wear hers and wanted me to wear mine.  So I obliged.

How cute are they?

Daddy and Jude waiting on the hay ride to come around.

Pickin' punkins.

On the hay ride.  It was a lot of fun, but my allergies had two days of retaliation waiting for me.

When we got home with our pumpkins, we carved them.  I carved the first one.  The kids used the cut out pieces and the Jack-o-lantern and made a 3D puzzle to entertain themselves while Woody took his time creating more of a masterpiece.  Meanwhile, I roasted the pumpkin seeds.  SO good!  I've never done it before, but they were so good.  The kids loved them too.  I love finding fun treats like that!  As Riley would say, "Nutritious AND delicious!"

Her daddy dared her to try the pumpkin, she pretended but never tasted it.  Don't blame her!

His masterpiece on the left, Riley's in the middle, mine on the right.

And you can't have a jack-o-lantern with no candles inside!

Jude thought his new friend looked hungry, so he spent our photo session trying to feed the pumpkin leaves.

When he couldn't get the leaves in it's mouth, he just picked it up and removed the top.  That's problem solving right there!

She's so big.  We had so much fun on our family day at the pumpkin patch.  Family time.  LOVE it.

18 months

Okay, not the picture I was hoping to get with Jude sitting on the couch with his frog, but we've been busy lately, and Jude never stops moving.  I know I'll probably later regret not making it a battle...but I didn't want to make it a battle as so many things have become battles these days.

So what is this boy up to these days?  Everything boy, that's what. 

• He still loves to eat and normally out-eats his sister at every meal.
• As a result of all of this eating, he has grown 4 inches in 6 months.  Not to shabby for a short little man.
• Eats his food very quickly so that as soon as I sit down to eat, he is ready to get up. This results in my scarfing down a few bites of my food while he screams "down!" and starts throwing his food on the floor (one of the aforementioned battles), then cleaning him up so he can get down.  Note to self: toddler induced portion control has resulted in weight loss.  I think I may create a new diet program and mass-market it.  One week with a toddler will guarantee a weight loss of at least 5 pounds. 
• Loves to talk.  He can say several words right now.  Mommy- "Mah-nee", Daddy, Riley-"Wiwee", Juice, Milk, Eat, Down, More, Please- "Peas".  I'm sure there are more that I am forgetting.  He's a pretty vocal baby.  I attribute it to the fact that he hears Riley and I talking all day everyday, the chatterboxes that we are.
• He loves BSF, Bible Study Fellowship.  We go for 2 hours each Wednesday morning.  The kids go to their own classes while I go to mine.  It is so good for each of us.  I get restoration, adult conversation, and a deeper relationship with the Lord while they get play time with other kids their age, a lesson, a snack, and songs about Jesus and how extremely cool He is. They are even learning how to have a quiet time!  This is so awesome to watch when we are at home.  He reaches for his teachers when I drop him off.  He turns on the charm while he is there, saying "Please" and "Thank you" in sign language and sometimes verbally.  His teachers also brag on the great hugs and kisses he gives them.  I love that he loves them.  I hope he blesses them as much as they bless us.
• He is a climber. We often find him stuck on chairs and stools.  He hasn't mastered getting down yet.
• He loves to hide and rearrange things for us.  He has a few hiding spots I've discovered.  He hides Riley's stuffed animals in the bathroom cabinet.  He hides sippies, snacks, and kitchen supplies in their little play refrigerator. He has a gift for hiding the exact things I need to prepare dinner each night.  I wonder if he is trying to tell me something about my cooking?
• Loves loves loves his sister.  They play so sweet together right now.  Beyond the occasional, or more frequent, fight over one particular toy, they play very well together.  And when either falls or gets hurt, the other is right there ready to offer comfort.
• When he wants to love on someone, he normally beats them on whatever body part he can reach, usually a leg or back.  I really have to watch him when he is around Caroline Penturf as he loves on her so much. We are quickly learning what gentle means.

I know this post is larger than the normal updates, but he's pretty fun to watch these days.  And I've been so busy watching that I haven't updated this blog as much as the Melanie of the future would like.  Maybe I'll get right on that, or maybe I'll enjoy these kids right now and post later.  ;o)