Summer Fun!!

Here's a little about our summer. I am working a Summer Bridge program for struggling rising freshmen. If they do not complete this 8 week program or pass they will go back to 8th grade. It's from 8:30-1:30 and it's good money. Ben works from 4-9 or 6-9 most nights. We get to see each other a little more. But that's OK. It's what we have to do for our family. My parents got an above ground pool and now Abby has decided she wants to stay there the entire summer!! She is going to stay there this week and says she won't miss me or the boys but will miss her daddy. No surprise there!!! She has become the little swimmer and I'm thinking we might get her into swimming. She seems built for it. She went to Camp John Knox for a week of Day Camp and absolutely loved it. She wants to go to all of the camps she can- too bad we can't afford them all. We are blessed that someone from church wants to sponsor her and send her to the overnight mini-camp. Unfortunately it is the week that I am off, but Abby is really excited. Maybe that week we will be able to work A LOT on our house. I am so ready to move and sell it's driving me crazy. The boys are starting to talk more and LOVE to be outside. Blaine is trying to swim without in assistance and wants to be under water. He is hilarious in the pool. If we have enough people around I hope to take some video of the boys. It is challenging to get videos when you have 2 toddlers!!!! I need a helmet camera!!! I won't tell Ben because he might make one. Christian is not as fond of the water but he is our little track star. He runs so fast- we can barely keep up. Well- hope to report more and with some pictures and/or video.

Ok- I'm behind!!!

Well, needless to say it has been a busy few months. No major happenings- just busy day to day life. Abby finishes school tomorrow and then will be officially a 2nd grader!!! I can't believe it. She has done so well. We cannot be more proud of her. She is growing up into a beautiful young lady. She helps so much with the boys, I can't even express how lucky they are to have such an awesome big sister. She is playing the piano and is advancing quickly. Her first piano recital is May 25th. She will be playing 'Over the Rainbow' with me and then 'Under the Sea'. She is sad that she will be leaving 1st grade and will miss her friends and teachers. She has not moved her 'clip' at all this year (for bad behavior)!! Now on to the boys. They are finally saying words!!!! Christian has been talking first- mama (with help of froot loops- but now on his own!), moo, meow, hiss (for Piper), woof woof, and Abby. Blaine called me mama for the first time wanting me to pick him up- of course it worked!!! He also does hiss for Piper- and was the first one to say Abby (more like Abba). So cute!!! I can't believe they are actually trying to say words now. If only we can stop them from squealing so high pitched and much we would be doing great. Poor Ben has probably lost some of his hearing from the boys. We need to find more constructive outlets for the boys rather than destructive. I've been extremely busy and will continue that through the summer. I have accepted a position for 8 weeks of the summer teaching the Summer Bridge program for at-risk upcoming 9th graders. Basically, they have to pass this 8 week course if they want to 'graduate' to 9th grade. It will be a challenge but I'm excited about it. Well, hopefully I can post more frequently so it won't be so long!!!

January 10, 2011- Snow Day!!!

When we woke up this morning there was about 5 inches of snow!!!! It was fun to wake up, find out both school systems (Maryville and Knox) were out and go back to sleep. When we woke up again to get the day started we enjoyed pancakes- blueberry, pecan and plain (for Abby). I think the boys ate at least 3 pancakes each (plus half a container of blueberries)!!!! They LOVE food. We then decided to get ready to go out and play in the snow. After about 45 minutes we were dressed and ready to go!! and mom and dad were sweating after getting everyone ready!! Christian was the first one out followed by Abby. He ran into the snow and fell down- Abby chased after him. He was running around like a wild man laughing and smiling. Blaine followed but just stood at the front door watching. He was not as sure about running in the snow as brother. Christian then began eating the snow by picking it up which was later followed by putting his face in the snow and eating it. Blaine finally decided it looked like fun and joined his siblings. We could tell them apart easily because Christian was covered in snow and Blaine wasn't!!! Abby started to sled on a laminated poster and cookie sheet (homemade sleds). Christian thought this looked exciting and joined her. He smiled the whole way down. Blaine was next. Abby took them down one at a time several times. Then the boys wanted to venture on their own. Christian was first by himself and he just laid down on the cookie sheet and went down the hill, even backwards. He just smiled and laughed. Blaine loved it also. By now it was difficult to tell them apart because they were both covered in snow. It was finally time to go inside for the boys who were not happy about it all!!! Luckily, I started the nice warm bath which made them forget about the snow outside and Abby and daddy still out there. After their bath, I lotioned them up and decided they should have a yogurt snack before their nap. About halfway through the yogurt they crashed!! During feeding they both had their eyes closed and I would tap their lip with the yogurt and they would open their mouths but not their eyes. Too cute!! I put the boys down and Abby and Ben came inside after sledding on an innertube that Ben remembered we had. I made them tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches!!! What a fun snow day!! Hopefully I'll put more pictures and maybe even a video soon. We had another snow day today (Tuesday, Jan 11) and they all went sledding again. The boys were so excited to go back out that they helped us get ready and brought everybody their shoes!! I think they were trying to make us get them ready as quickly as possible!! Too funny. Lots of fun during these snow days. I've enjoyed being lazy and spending time with the family. Abby and I have had a fun girl time playing on the Home Depot site 'decorating' rooms. She takes after me!!! Hope to post more soon!!