Pizza, your way...girl's night

Tonight I had a few mommy girlfriends over to make pizza, salad and dessert together. What a wonderful time of encouragment and laughter. My buddies Jami, Teri, Amy and Brooke came over and I got to sit and listen to some of the most beautiful and intelligent people I know. It was fun to watch 4 women who didn't really know each other except through me carry on such passionate conversations. We talked about everything from nutrition to politics, to our children and husbands, homeschooling, embarrassing stories and much more. We all love our kids and hubbys so much, but it was definately nice to get away and just laugh and carry on. I can't believe how wonderful it was. We need to do this more often. I don't have any pictures, although I totally meant to take some. Maybe next time.

Thank you wonderful ladies for blessing my life in so many ways! God is good and has placed each of you into my life for different reasons. I have much to learn from each of you.

Oh...so much fun!

I have so many fun photos to share. We have been busy the past few days.

Saturday, we went up to a little science museum with our friends, Brooke and Bryan and their sons Peyton and Caulder. Nicole got to touch an alligator (a real life one), but here is a picture of her putting her hand into the mouth of a stuffed alligator.

Nicole got to "experience" a hurricane in a wind tunnel at the museum. (it was only 45mph wind, which is barely a tropical storm). She went once with me and once with her daddy.

Then, Sunday we went up to Pt. Charlotte to visit Granny (Jeremy's grandma). Here is a good picture of Granny and Hannah and then one of Mommy with Hannah and Grammy with Hannah

Monday we celebrated my mom's birthday (which was actually last week). My mom and dad and Justin and Erica came over for some yummy ham, potato casserole and cake.

Dad was playing with Hannah. He had her cracking up, it was cute. But...here is one of my favorite pictures of the two of them.

One of our neighbors gave Nicole some big silly pink dress up hats. The girls had fun playing with these hats with their Yaya.

Finally, this video is of Hannah eating a banana with the mesh feeder. This was one of my favorite eating devices with Nicole. Hannah seemed to like it too. I put the banana in the freezer so it would be cold on her gums.

We are all doing well. Hannah is not sleeping real well. I have some ideas to try to change this around, but I won't be able to implement them for a few days. She likes to cuddle and be rocked to sleep...which I love doing...but she then wakes up just a few minutes after I put her down.

I'm having a Mom's night out tonight with a few girlfriends. We are making pizza and a yummy looking macaroon/brownie pizza for dessert. It should be fun. They are all looking forward to it. Well...I'll check back soon.

The beach and ocean

The first couple weeks of September, we learned about the ocean/beach and our senses. This was a fun study for us since we have the beach so close. The main book we read several times a day was Hello Ocean. This booked used a little girl's 5 senses to describe her day at the beach. The place I got a lot of ideas from was Homeschool Share (see my links to the right), an online community of homeschooling moms who post some of their lesson plans. It's been a great resource so far. Anyway....here are some of the fun activities we did.

~Went to the beach, just me and Nicole, to collect sea shells, build sand castles, and just play.

~Went fishing in a lake, however Nicole seemed to have more fun fishing in the swimming pool ( I posted about this last week, scroll down to see that post)

~ Played Fishing BINGO

~Played seashell memory

~Painted a lot (This is quite possibly the best painting I've ever done....seriously, I'm proud!)

~Strung our seashells into a necklace

~Made an edible aquarium (jello)

~Watched The Little Mermaid

~ Our Lapbook with some of the activities we did.

Today Nicole and I made a popcorn cake from a recipe my Mama Pat gave me several years ago. Doesn't it look yummy?

And, the last picture...my mom came over to see the girls today after being away for a while on a cruise. Isn't this a good picture?

What's been happening

So, I know I have all sorts of great things to share, but I can't remember what they are! haha. Today the girls and I went to hang out again with Brooke and her sons Peyton and Caulder. Brooke did a really fun lesson on worms! I had to be brave enough to touch the worms without screaming or making silly noises so my sweet daughter wouldn't be afraid. Yes...I touched the worms, they were gross:-) Nicole never touched her worms, but she did blow them kisses and wave hello. Nicole and I made dirt cups to take over there (choc. pudding with crushed oreos on top, decorated with gummy worms and silk flowers). Hopefully I'll have a photo soon:-)

Hannah and Nicole are both sick....you know, runny nose, sneezing and such. This is why Hannah didn't sleep well last night, and why I didn't sleep either. I'm very tired right now, so I'll probably have to go soon.

Hmmm....I really can't think of anything to say, unusual. Maybe I should go to bed and try again tomorrow:-) I'm sorry I don't really have anything great or funny to share. We don't have any plans tomorrow, except to have fun and enjoy our day. I'm looking forward to that, we've been to busy.

Sick and Tired

I am taking a much needed nap because poor hannah was up most of the night because she was so stuffed up. Jeremy had Bible study tonight...so I'll try to be creative and post some new stories this evening. Until then.....

Peyton's 3rd birthday

Our very good friends, Brooke and Bryan have two sons...each 9 months apart fom Nicole. Peyton is 9 months older, and Caulder is 9 months younger. Isn't that funny...hmmm....anyway, Peyton just turned 3 yesterday. Today was his birthday party. It was so much fun. Peyton is probably one of the smartest 3 year olds ever! Seriously...he knows how to write his name, knows shapes (such as parallelegram...did I spell that right? I should ask Peyton:-), he is a wonderful speaker and communicator...he's just plain smart (and a major baseball player already...you should see this kid hit the ball!). His little brother Caulder is just as special. He's so much younger right now, so he's not speaking as much, duh...but he is one of the sweetest little boys. When I ask for a hug, he Always comes over, and acts like he doesn't want to let go. He just adores Hannah and was practically crawling all over her trying to give her hugs and kisses...hahaha

Peyton says that Nicole is his girlfriend....hahaha...but both boys also love Hannah. They are fascinated with her actually. I wanted to share a few pictures. Peyton and Nicole...wish I would have snapped the photo half a second earlier when Nicole was smiling (right after this picture, she gave Peyton a big kiss on the cheak:-)

Caulder, Hannah and Peyton

Hannah and Peyton

Peyton got a motorized car which of course, we HAD to put Nicole in too. She was scared at first, but then I think she liked it.

Bryan, Brooke, Peyton and Caulder are wonderful friends to us. We are so thankful to have fun, supportive friends like them who also have children our kids age. We are blessed to have them near by and thankful they allow us to be a part of their lives.

Hannah

I don't talk much on here about Hannah except how sweet and precious she is (which is true!). I thought I'd post a video I took today while feeding her oatmeal. Hang in there with the video...it shows her personality bit. She eats "solids" twice a day. Either Oatmeal, peas, or last night she got sweet potatoes...and LOVED them. Hannah also gets very excited when I drink from our cups with colorful poka dots on them. She tries to grab it from me and drink too. I can't believe how much she is growing! This has gone way to fast. She sees and hears everything! She is very nosey and doesn't sleep much (during the day). She's been waking at 6 or so every morning. I can't seem to get her out of this and make her sleep longer. Maybe she'll be an early riser (UGH!!!). It's also very rare for her and Nicole to nap at the same time. My timing is usually just off...something I need to work on if I'm ever going to get any work done around the house. But, I'm over stressing about it. If it happens, it happens.

I also had to post this

There was NO prompting from us at all. Nicole started playing with her refrigerator letters last night after dinner and we looked over and she had seperated the vowels form the other letters. Now *maybe* she was seperating them because they were red. Either way...I think she's a smartie pants!

The way I like things....by Nicole Renee

I think I am a very normal 2 year old girl. I love to play, to read, to run around and to jump. I love my mommy and daddy and my grandparents. My favorite things to do are to swing, play in my pool, take bathes, jump, watch Blue's Clues, and play memory. I leave a path of toys, books and other items behind me every where I go.

But, I am also very particular about where certain things go and how we do certain things. I think sometimes I drive my mommy and daddy and grandparents crazy with my pickyness, but if they would only understand how I think, then it would make sense to them. Here are some examples of the way I like things...

~Most importantly, my snack and craft table MUST be in the right order. I sit at the head of table in the green chair. My mommy sits to my right in the red chair. If my daddy is home, he sits to my left in the blue chair. And the yellow chair is against the wall for a guest.

~ Almost just as important is the order my doggies and blankets cuddle me at nap and bed time. My most special dog goes on my left. My other doggie goes on my right (both MUST be with their face touching me under my chin...and yes, there is a difference between the two doggies, can't you tell?) and my blankie goes in the middle, on top of my chest. Then my mommy has to cover me in my blanket.

~My bedtime and nap time order is very important. At nap time, mommy reads me my next Bible story. Then we have to look at Job and I have to tell her why he is sad and happy. At bedtime, daddy reads to me and then he has to pray with me. If Hannah is happy and wants to lay in my bed while we pray and read the Bible, then she can lay her head on my sheep pillow to my right. She can't sleep on my pillow though. And she better not touch or kick me...even if it is an accident.

~ When I go potty...it is very important that I get on the potty by self. Most of the time, I like to get my own toilet paper and wipe, but sometimes it's ok if someone else does it for me. I also have to get down from the potty myself. If you try to help me, then I have to go sit back down and do it all over, without any help. When I go potty at Yayas, she has a special fold up potty seat. I have to be the one to open the seat. As I open it, I need to point out Elmo, Cookie Monster, Big Bird and Ernie. Please do not help me, or else I'll have to start all over.

~ I also like to get into the car seat and my chair at the dinner table by myself. Let me buckle too....or else I'll probably throw a fit. But, you need to take my buckle off, because I can't do it.

~ I love to play in my pool outside, but please don't get it, or put Hannah in without asking me first. And if you ask me and I say no...don't do it anyway, or else I'll get really mad. Also, please don't dump or spray water on me unless I want you to. Today, mommy was spraying me with water, and I kept getting really mad at her. Then, later, I was ready to get wet and it was ok for her to spray me then.

~Oh, I also have to have the pull up with Princess Cinderella, Ariel, and Jasmine at nap time. And, I need to point and tell you who they are. If you don't let me, I'll probably break down and start crying. Same thing at bedtime, although I'll also wear the pull up with just Cinderella and the bird. And, make sure you put it on right, or else I'll tell you it's wrong.

~ There are a lot of other things that I like done in my own way. Please let me tell you how to do it if I think I can. A lot of times I start crying because I'm upset and frustrated and I wish you would just listen to me. I'm really becoming a big girl and I like to do things a certain way. As long as it gets done...isn't that the most important?

These were just some of my thoughts today. Thanks mommy for typing for me.

Fishing

We took Nicole fishing Friday night. It didn't quite turn out the way we planned, but I guess nothing ever really does. First of all, it started pouring down rain just as we got set up. Thankfully, we were fishing in our friend's back yard, so we went and hung out on her back porch for a few minutes. Nicole went fishing in their pool. This was probably the most fun for her.

By the time we got to fish in the lake, we only had a few minutes of day light left. So, we ran out of time. And...we didn't catch anything! Maybe next time. It was fun anyway.

Hannah also had fun fishing.

One thing I love to do

I love, love, love to sit and watch the girls. Sometimes I relax more and enjoy myself the most when I just sit back and watch them. I love to watch Jeremy play with Nicole or Hannah. I love to watch them sleep...oh...who doesn't love a sleeping baby! I just put Hannah down for her nap and Nicole was already sleeping. She stirred a bit with the noise we made. I made it out their door just before her eyes opened (If she would have seen me, nap time would have been over!). But, I was able to peek through the cracks and watch her eyes flutter open a close. I love to look at her beautiful face and sometimes wild hair.

Today has been one of those "I'm going to go crazy because I'm terribly impatient days !" Since I had been frustrated a lot today with Nicole I decided to hold her and rock her before nap time. She cuddled up with me ( you know...young children are a lot like dogs. They get over things so easily! If Jeremy had treated me they way I treated Nicole today, the last thing I would have wanted to do was be sweet and cuddle up to him. I would want to nurse my hurt feelings and anger. Nicole isn't like that (yet). She is so quick to forgive.) She snuggled in with me and we rocked and sang for several minutes. Then I put her down on her bed with Hannah to read our nap time Bible story. After story time, we ended up getting into a silly mood. I had both girls laughing (including myself!) and it was a great way to go "night night". I am so thankful for them...even on days like today when I really just want to be alone.

Truly, I want to be more like my daughters...BOTH of them. I want to be forgiving like Nicole. Loving like them both, and quick to smile and laugh like Hannah. They are beautiful.

Pictures

Yay...our computer is back, so I can post some pictures. Nicole got to hold Hannah a few mornings ago....hahaha...aren't they cute?

Let's see. I wanted to post a few pictures of Nicole having a tea party, a common practice right now. Sunday night, Jeremy got home form Colorado so we just sort of chilled out at home. We went outside and filled the pool up for Nicole. She spent close to two hours, not playing in the pool, but having a tea party with an unlimited supply of water (we obviously didn't drink the water, we pour it out onto the ground). It was cute. No pictures of that...but I do have some of an actual tea party.

Hannah is loving the Exersaucer we drug back out. Nicole was never really into it, but Hannah seems pretty content in it. This is extremely helpful as I cook breakfast and dinner each day. Oh...we started Hannah on real food (if you call baby oatmeal real food, ha!). She's doing great and is scarfing it up! I made all my baby food for Nicole, and I'm looking forward to doing it again. I make my own food for several reason. First of all...it's A LOT cheaper! I also believe it's healthier. And, it teaches the kids to eat what we're eating for dinner. Once I get each food introduced, I'll just throw a bit of dinner into the magic bullet for the baby. I actually think it's fun to have all my food ready for Hannah.

Nicole and I went to the beach yesterday, all by ourselves (thank you mom for watching Hannah). I've really missed just spending time with her. She's such a silly little girl, however I am often distracted and can't focus 100% on her...so it was nice to have a few hours of pure Nicole. I wasn't going to post pictures yet because I'll post them as part of our home school review near the end of the month...but, you just had to see how much fun we had. Notice how perfectly flat the Gulf was. You would have never thought there was a storm out there (although in all reality, much of it was over Cuba at the time).

Speaking of the hurricane, for those not in the area, it's been extremely breezy here, however we are loving it. I spent about an hour and half outside today with girls painting and playing in the water (um...yes, I was laying out reading a book on my wonderful new patio too). It's been nice. However, as it often happens, our dream is someone else's nightmare...Cuba and the Turks and Caicos have been ripped apart by Hurricane Ike and it looks as though Mexico or Texas is next...so, please remember them in your prayers!

Well...I hope you enjoyed the update. I'll try to post some other fun stuff later this week (we are planning on taking Nicole fishing on Friday night at the pier...yay!!! I can't wait!)

Computer is D-O-W-N

So....I can't post pics until next week sometime. We are borrowing a friend's computer...it's a long story. So...I can still obsessively check on hurricanes and my blog...woohoo. But, I can't post pics because I don't want to load them on our friend's computer. Here's what's been up though.

Nicole is CRAZY about tea parties! We have several tea (water) parties a day. She just loves to fill up her little tea pot and pour the water into her little cups. At least once a day we also have cheese and crackers, or small cookies with our tea. It's fun...but definately one of those things that gets annoying fast for a mom. When I'm tired of having tea parties, I have to remind myself that although it seems like she may never grow up right now, in just a few short years I'll be yearning for times like these again. I'm excited about the tea parties though. I have a beautiful tea set (Mama pat....did you make it for me? I know I really should know this. I think there are lots of things you made me and then I find out later I'm wrong. ) Anyway, I have the beautiful tea set that I can't wait to use with Nicole in a few years when she understands that things break and she needs to be gentle. Her set right now is just plastic. Anyway...Nicole has been all about the tea parties. (I'll post pictures soon!)

Hannah is...well, she just steals my heart all the time. She is so Happy!!!!We got out a new toy for her (new to her, old to us) and she LOVES it. It's an exersaucer...a cool thing we can put her in and she can rotate around and play with different toys. It keeps her entertained, and she loves it. She been really fun today. Very noisy...but fun. She is very entertained by Nicole. I love to hear Hannah laughing at something Nicole is doing. Nicole often seems annoyed by her. I hope this goes away soon. I would be heartbroken if they don't get along. That is one of my biggest prayers right now.

I am busy trying to keep up with life. Some days I get discouraged because I feel like I end the day no further ahead than I was when I started it. I've just come to grips with the fact that at this stage in my life....if I end where I started..it was a good day! ha. Nicole and I have been talking about the ocean and beach this month. She's really taken a liking to it (I've been watching Little House on the Prairie and that last sentence sounded like something they would say!). The book we are reading is called Hello Ocean...and it talks a lot about our five senses. She knows all five now and we've been using them as often as possible this week:-) She also is learning new letters every day. Yesterday we were driving and she screamed "S" then "P"....about scared me to death, until I saw the stop sign she was trying to spell! (she finished it off by saying "T" and "O") hehehe.

Hmmm...what else? Oh...I went to a MoPS meeting today (Mothers of Preschoolers). It a wonderful ministry to, well...moms! Our church has a group and I'm going to be a table leader this year. We meet the first and third Thursday of each month. It's been (and I'm sure will continue to be) an encouragement to me as a young mom.

Well...I should go get some work done. Thanks for checking in. Sorry there aren't any fun pictures...but I have some great stuff planned for next week...hopefully we'll have good pictures (and um...no hurricane by the way) then! Have a blessed day!