HAPPY BIRTHDAY SAMANTHA!

Most all of you know that my sister has 5 kids. They range in age from 11 years to 1. They daily grind allows some of the kids to feel left out. I think Samantha feels that a lot. She is kiddo number 3, but she and her sister are so close in age that I think she does not have her own identity. Anyway, she turned 8 today. My sister, Teri, threw a surprise birthday party for her yesterday. It was just great!
Mom picked Samantha up that morning, took her to get her hair done, took her shopping, they met Pawpaw for lunch, and then mom gave her a pedicure and manicure. We showed up around 2:00 and Samantha still had no idea what was going on. She just thought we were there to visit and that her special day with Maammaw was just that.
Mom took Samantha into town while Teri showed up with all the decorations, food, and gifts. Then the guests started showing. Everyone was there when Samantha and Mom returned. However, Samantha had fallen asleep before she made it back. Teri went to get her out of the car, Samantha woke up and then was wondering what was going on. She was completely surprised and I believe felt like a princess.
Happy Birthday Samantha! I hope you feel as special as you are.


Getting a pedicure at Maammaw's...she just cannot help the fake smile.

Lovely cake!

SURPRISE!

"This is for me? I cannot believe it."

WATCH OUT MIA HAMM...

The boys and I went to a soccer game on Saturday at the Blue Sky Sports Center in The Colony. A friend of mine, Cam, has a 7 year old daughter, Taylor, that plays. We got to see her play once last year and we hope to catch a few more games this year. She is a very good player. In fact her team is one of the best in their age group. They are all 7 years old and they are playing girls that are 8, so the teams they are playing against have at least one year more of experience. Taylor plays forward and this game she scored at least 2 of the 5 points. I did not stay and chat after since we were heading to Emory and Taylor had to go to another soccer game in Mesquite...she plays a lot. However, Taylor did call me while we were driving and thanked us for coming to the game. I told her that I enjoy seeing her play...when the kids enjoy what they do it makes it even more fun to watch.
Good luck the rest of the season Taylor!

PLAY DATE AND PICNIC WITH AUNT TRACI

Today the boys and I met Jeff's sister, Traci, for some play time and a picnic. Instead of her driving all the way here, we met halfway in Irving. There is a park there, Cimarron Park, that has a couple of jungle gyms, basketball courts, tennis courts, a jogging trail, recreation center and covered picnic areas...the covered picnic areas were needed for the HOT sun beating us down.
The boys enjoyed the play equipment and did not seem bothered when students from the elementary near by came flooding over. In fact, Andrew enjoyed it because there were a number of little kids that wanted to push him on the swing...Andrew is big on people watching.
Neither of the boys ate too much for lunch, but Aunt Traci brought some Chili Cheese Fritos and they really tore into those. Andrew wanted to hold them and he finished them off.
A picnic is always a good way to spend quality time with the kids. If it is too hot, or cold, outside then try doing it inside the house. No matter where it is at the kids will love it.


Andrew using the tyke sized abacus.

I liked this tunnel. I could fit through it without slithering like a snake. Yes, I play on the equipment with the kids.

These were some big steps. The playground is really for 5 and older, but he knew he needed to go on his belly.

Joshua loved the fire poll. He would go up the stairs and down the poll over and over and over again.

SEPT CHALLENGE...WELL, OCTOBER NOW

I love being with my kids. Running errands, housework, and working out can take away from my time with them. So, the challenge this month is to multitask.

First, when walking with the kids try to include them in the walk. Have them get out of the stroller and do a race, or after the walk go to the playground and do a mini obstacle course with them.

Second, to get some abdominal work in (develop core control, strength, and endurance) hold your abs tight while doing housework. I vacuumed today and while vacuuming I held my abs tight. When I do the whole house that is a good 30-40 minute workout. As we age and after having babies our abdominal muscles relax. In order to build those muscles back up we have to train those muscles to go back again in unnatural situations. This can also be done with the buttocks.

Enjoy your workout!

WHY LOCKS ON CABINETS ARE A GOOD THING...

We have yet to put locks on our cabinets. We thought that the locks would be too much of a hastle and it is only for a short period of time, right. Well, Andrew has broken a dish, tried to eat sink erator balls, and we always find him in the pantry eating something. Today when we got home from dropping Joshua off at school I thought I would cook something for me for breakfast. While I was cooking Andrew got into the cabinet we use to store bottled water, lunch boxes, and old pots and pans...excuse the dust, we rarely use this stuff. He ended up getting stuck and I had to get him out...what a funny guy!
The moral to the story, if you want to have a little peace while cooking, or even just relaxing then put locks on your cabinets. You will spend less time in the long run.


"Hi Mom!"

"I am cooking up some macaroni and cheese."

"I need out now."

WELCOME BACK...

Each month the parents of the students that go to CCDC, Joshua's school, provides a teacher luncheon. People sign up to bring all kinds of items. Well, since Jeff takes Joshua to school each Tuesday I got to the signup sheet after all the other parents. The only thing left was setup and centerpiece. So, I signed up to bring a centerpiece and help with setup. The theme for September is "Welcom Back to Dinner". Why could I not get October, November, or even December...those would be easy, right?
A few rules for the centerpiece. First, the teachers will draw for the centerpiece at the end of the day. Second, the centerpiece should cost at least $15. I searched for at least an hour, if not more, online for ideas...nothing! Then I got some great ideas from my friend Danni, Meredith, Nicole, and Liz. Thank you all! I really am a mess with this stuff and I am still thinking that it is not good enough...see for yourself. I know it cost me more than $15 and the time I put into it...

THEY ARE IN!!!

So I am a procrastinator! I did not order Joshua a backpack for school until he was already in school for two weeks. I did not even start looking until the day before he was to start school...how hard would it be to find a good boy backpack...kind of like trying to find cute boys cloths, impossible! The backpacks I found had issues. They either did not have the right look (I am not looking for black or camo), the right size, the right price, or would be difficult to get personalized. I did find a backpack that had most all of the above at Things Remembered. I was afraid that I was settling since I could only see it online. The lady at the store even talked me into buying one for Andrew..."they are not going to make them anymore and there are only about 100 left." However, now that I have them I LOVE them. I am so excited that Joshua can now carry his art work, paper work, and nap mat cover without fumbling everything by the time we make it to the end of the hall. I think his lunch box will fit too, but if those were the only two things he had to carry, or me, I can live with that.

THEN AND NOW...7 YEARS MARRIED!

Jeff and I met in college in February 1996. I remember meeting him at a fraternity/sorority pledgeclass party, Babysitter Club. I was dressed like a babysitter and he was dressed like a baby (cloth diaper and all). We danced a lot that night, but did not exchange numbers and just a kiss on the cheek. I got home and called one of his friends to get his number. In fact, I was not even sure of his last name, so I had to get that too. Well, he was not home...he called me either the next day, or later that week. Due to pledgeship we had to sneak phone calls in and seeing each other...I think we both might have forgotten what each other looked like, so I looked on the pledge board to make sure I still thought he was cute. Anyway, we met up again within the week of our phone conversation and have been together ever since, 12 1/2 years to the day (September 22nd).
We were engaged in August 2000 in Canada. He did not get down on one knee. However, we were on some large rocks at Peggy's Cove with the sea water splashing up...I am sure one slip could have been bad. After just over a year of planning we were married at Custer Road United Methodist Church in Plano, TX on September 22, 2001. Just 11 days after 9/11! We did have some guests that could not make it due to the events prior to our wedding date and there were some things about our wedding that were not as planned. Now, 7 years later we work hard toward our marriage. We are thankful that God has provided us with one another and pray that he will always be there in our marriage.
Jeff surprised me this past weekend with dinner and a night with just he and I . We had dinner at Newports Seafood Restaurant and a night at the Renaissance Hotel. It was nice to get away, just the two of us. I encourage every couple to do this at least once a month, if not more.
Happy Anniversary Jeff! I love you!


1996...not the first time we met, but I really don't want to post those pictures.

Our wedding day...first picture as Mr. and Mrs. Kennedy.

Heading to our reception on our wedding day.

Not that great of a picture, but we had to take it ourselves...September 20. 2008.

YOU CAN NEVER CELEBRATE TOO MUCH...

I know. Andrew's birthday has come and gone now. However, Mom and Randy did not get to celebrate his birthday with us. They came over today to give him his presents, get sloppy with his cake, and see him walking now.


I made the cake...Randy iced the cake, including the writing. I know it is pretty messy. We did not realize the cake was still so hot...you really cannot beat homemade though. You see the Y in birthday? It is sliding off the cake. Later the D and W in Andrew slid off too. Too funny!

Mom (Maammaw), Andrew, and Randy (Pawpaw)

Sloppy, messy, chocolate cake...gotta love it!

LET ME OUT!

Joshua has matured a lot over the past few months. He has become more independant in his play, which has been great to see. However, Andrew does not like it so much. The other day I let Joshua go outside by himself to ride his tricycle...I can see him out the back windows. Andrew on the other hand I do not allow outside without me and I was not going out. So, Andrew and I stayed inside whatching Joshua. Andrew was upset with this. He found the hammer and began banging the back windows and screaming at his brother, or me, to go out. He did get to go out. I mean seriously! What is so great about outside, in Texas...they both are mosquito magnets, its hot, and mommy makes them keep their toys inside. Boys will be boys!

OREO

This weekend was Andrew's first experience with an Oreo, Oreo ice cream sandwich that is. He LOVED it! I don't think one drop went uneaten. I know Joshua had an experience with an Oreo around the same time, so I went searching through my pictures...I guess I learned from the first experience. No bib this time to clean up, just a baby to throw in the bath. Also, Joshua just had a cookie, not the ice cream sandwich.

GOOD FRIEND

No, we don't talk every day or even month. However, we can still pick up as if we do talk all the time. My good friend, Rachel, was in town this last week. The boys and I, along with my good friend Danni, her daughter Emma, and another good friend Margaret met Rachel at her mom's house when she came into town from New Jersey. We had not see her in a long while and this was our first in person introduction to Talia, her baby girl. Rachel looked great and has motherhood down. Talia, as you can see below, was just so pretty. I look froward to visiting with them again...when Jeff reads this maybe it will give him the idea to either send me to New Jersey, or we can go together. LOL!

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL

Joshua started school today. He has matured so much since we registered him in February...he did wonderfully! There is a time when they are just ready to experience things for themselves and now was his time.
He woke at 7:30, helped me make his lunch (PB&J, cheddar bunnies, string cheese, and apple slices), ate his breakfast, completed his normal morning routine, and waited for me to get ready by watching cartoons. We arrived to the school 10 minutes early, which made Joshua the first to be in his class...he was not bothered by that since he had first pick of the toys.
Andrew had a difficult time. He just did not know what to do with himself...he followed me around the house crying instead of being his perfect little independant player. After getting some laundry done I was able to get him down for a nap, but not for long. He wanted me to hold him while he napped, so I did. Then we had lunch and went to pick up Joshua.
We were pretty anxious to get Joshua. We arrived about five minutes til 2:00...to my dismay the time to pick him up was not until 2:30! Oh boy! The teacher said, "Go! You have 30 more minutes." Andrew and I found something to do for a short while. When we returned we barely found a parking space, we were still 7 minutes early.
Joshua had a good time. Mrs. Cavanaugh said he was a big help by folding the nap mats and that his day was good. Joshua said he enjoyed school and wants to go back on Tuesday.

On our way to school, lunchbox in tow...funny face too!

He did not want his picture taken...entrance to school.

No problems with pictures now. In front of his classroom here.