Grandma's Visit

Grandma, Aunt Josie, Uncle Rob and cousins Andrew, Sam, Ben and Matthew arrived on the 28th. Though our visit with Aunt, Uncle and family lasted only 24 hours, it was WONDERFUL. Madeline and Ryan loved being around their cousins. Though they are much older, Maddie and Ryan loved watching the boys and the boys were very sweet. Friday night we had fun playing games and Saturday morning the ladies got to go to the flea market. Grandma, Aunt Josie and I had a great time at the flea market, bar the fanatic at the kitchen store who held us captive for at least 30 minutes explaining to us the great health benefits of drinking a teaspoon of diluted Himalayan sea salt every day. I must admit that Grandma and Aunt Josie did end up purchasing the sea salt, but I think it was only to secure our freedom! :) Being around Aunt Josie is like breathing fresh air. She is so energetic and kind and loving and real. I think everyone needs an Aunt Josie in their lives!!!

On Sunday we had some special girl time. Since Ry was sick, Daddy stayed home with him and Mommy, Grandma and Maddie went to church, Jason's Deli for lunch and then to the movies to see Enchanted, a princess movie.

Quiet Time Reflections

I have been reading through Isaiah and was captured by Chapter 53.

It is amazing how Jesus is described, actually prophesied about since he was yet to make his appearance on earth.

"He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.  He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering".

Isn't it amazing that there was nothing humanly (appearance wise) remarkable about Jesus??? It was Him, the Lord within Him that drew people to him.  Isn't it amazing that He was despised and rejected, that he had sorrows and knew suffering?  It is amazing that we have a God who understands us as humans because He walked this earth and experienced life.

"Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows. . .But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought US PEACE was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed".

It is so humbling to read these verses.  It makes me sorrowful that I don't live my life completely for the Lord, that I don't spend every moment of the day pursuing Him or seeking to live out His will in all circumstances.

"And I saw that all labor and all achievement spring from man's envy of his neighbor.  This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind".  Ecclesiastes 4:4

This verse grabbed my attention.  In no way do I want to live my life keeping up with my "neighbors" or desiring what they have.  It is so easy to live a life of comparison, but it is so futile.  Ecclesiastes is such a good reminder of why it is important to keep your focus on that which is important--living for the Lord.

Having children makes it difficult to decide how to celebrate the birth of Jesus, Christmas. Madeline and Ryan, I hope you read this some day and know that we (mommy and daddy) have put and will continue to put a lot of thought into how to celebrate Christmas.  We want you to experience the magical belief in Santa and enjoy receiving presents, but we want Christ to be the center of Christmas.  We want you to know that we celebrate Christmas to celebrate the birth of Christ and the salvation it ultimately brought.  

Christmas

The children are nestled all snug in their beds as visions of Christmas day dance in their heads. I cannot believe the day is almost over. It started out very early. . .12:30 am. Why? Because both Madeline and Ryan have terrible colds and coughs. We were up again from 4-5am, but the festivities did not begin until a little after 7am. As soon as Madeline woke up she asked if Santa had come. I told her that he had and she immediately starting jumping up and down and saying yea! I carried Ryan down the stairs and Daddy carried Madeline down the stairs with their eyes covered. Madeline was SO excited to see the presents. So far she seems most excited about the Cinderella doll set that Santa brought. Mommy and Daddy bought Madeline ballet slippers and dance lessons to begin in January, and Ryan got a train set, which he loves.

We then moved into the kitchen for homemade waffles and finished the morning watching Frosty and playing with the new toys. During naptime Matt and I both got to work out, which was good after my peanut butter and jelly waffle sandwich for lunch. . .if you have never tried it, you should because it is DELICIOUS! And after naptime we headed out for dinner with Pete, Tara, Julia and Paul. They graciously still wanted us to come over even though Madeline and Ryan have a nasty cold/virus. Dinner was delicious, dessert was even better, and time with the four of them was the best! We had a crown rib roast, vanilla sweet potatoes, garlic roasted asparagus, and onion-parsley bread. And dessert was a wonderful cake from the Blue Moon Bakery, a chocolate cake layered with a hazelnut mousse and Fangelico liquor, iced with chocolate buttercream and chocolate ganache.

Poor Madeline quickly deteriorated when we sat down for dinner. For some reason, eating triggered a coughing spell that lasted for an hour. At first we thought she was exagerating the cough, but we were quickly proved wrong when not even the offer of sucking her thumb or having dessert gave her the strength to stop coughing. I'm really hoping tonight is a better night, as we have had three rough nights in a row and I am exhausted.

Something cute. Madeline woke up from her nap before Ryan and I told her that when I went for my run she could watch a show. So right before my run I started a show for her and was chatting with her on the couch. She got annoyed that I was talking during the show and said, "Mommy, you really need to go work out now". Ha, ha, ha.

The only bummer of the day were the guilt trips from my family for not coming for Christmas. Here I am 31 years old with a family of my own and my mom is still laying guilt trips on me!!! Madeline and Ryan, when you read this one day, call me on it if I ever lay a guilt trip on you for not visiting me for holidays.

Matt and I feel so blessed today and so grateful for the birth of Jesus, our Savior. We pray there will be a day when Madeline and Ryan call on the name of Jesus as their Lord and Savior and delight in celebrating his birth.

Oh, Daddy got Mommy something very special for Christmas. A coupon book with all sorts of things Mommy can redeem from Daddy. It was very thoughtful and creative. The best gift I have received since we got married!!!

This boy is too cute for his own good! Here he is playing at Southpoint.

How precious! Matt and I loved walking behind them and watching them hold hands. They can be so sweet together.

RyRy on a sugar high. Can you tell that someone got a Pez dispenser in his stocking? Did you know that one can eat all the candy in the dispenser in 60 seconds or less? :)

Daddy teaching Ryan and Madeline how to use their Pez dispensers. . .yes, Daddy did sneak a few for himself, but the poor guy had not yet had his cup of coffee and was desperate.

Madeline is so excited about the Cinderella toy she just opened.

Our silly girl. . .always looking for a laugh.

Ry playing with his train set. He LOVES it.

Visit with Santa

Prior to yesterday afternoon, Ry was scared to get near Santa, but after a high five he was eager to sit on his lap and babble.  There is something unique about this Santa, that one cannot see from the picture. . .this Santa actually has LONG, curly, blondish hair hanging down the back of his suite.  Very unique. . .  We had a Christmas filled day yesterday including shopping, visiting Santa, wrapping presents and a Christmas party with friends.  I'll have to post more pictures after church.

Cookies, cookies, cookies

It is Sunday night and we have had a fun filled weekend.  And the greatest part is that it does not end at midnight tonight because Daddy has tomorrow off!!!  The theme of the weekend has been cookies. . .they have been baked, decorated and consumed all weekend.  Friday night we had an awesome time with Keith, Roxann and the Brister boys decorating cookies and playing dodge ball in the basement (actually, the guys and kids played dodge ball while Roxann and I got to chat upstairs!).  Chase was really fun to watch eating the cookie, because he never actually ate the cookie.  He just piled it high with icing and decorations and then licked off the icing.

And at 9am on Saturday morning, Madeline's friend Rheanne came over to bake and decorate the cookies.  They were sweet to watch, as they encouraged each other in their decorating skills and were eager to share their sprinkles.  Basically, their decorating techniques were very similar.  Add sprinkles and jimmies to top of cookie until they begin running down the sides of the cookie, onto the table.  At 11am, our friend Jackson came over for a visit while his parents went out to eat.  I must say that I am relieved that we did not have to make a trip to urgent care or the er.  While Rheanne and Madeline played quietly upstairs, Jackson and Ryan ran circles around the first floor, landing in the family room for a quick wrestling bout before again starting their circles.  You would have thought we had a tribe of Indians in our home, as Ryan and Jackson hollered and squealed in the midst of their runs and take downs.  It is so fun to watch boys be boys.  

And Saturday night Auntie Amanda and cousins Andrew and Jacob came for a visit, as they headed north after a week long cruise.  Madeline and Ryan loved hanging out with their cousins and I loved hanging out with my sister.  One of Auntie's love languages is gifts so Madeline and Ryan enjoyed a bit of an early Christmas yesterday.  As we speak, I think Madeline is asleep upstairs with her new polly pockets and big eyed animal things.

Today we went to church and enjoyed a time of fellowship at the Windley's open house.  We love our little church and everyone the Lord has brought to serve and worship there!  The sermon today was on having a patient heart.  One thing that really struck me was that we are to have patience in our failures, even when we are frustrated that we are not overcoming them. We never know God's timing and what he is trying to teach us or the ways in which He is molding us.  It encouraged me, as I have been actively trying to overcome an area of struggle in my life that has such a stronghold.  I was also encouraged to be a reflection of Jesus by loving people, even those who are unlovable and difficult.  

Decorating cookies with the Brister boys.

Madeline and Rheanne pose with their cookies.

Jackson and Ryan wrestling.

Madeline and Ryan with their cousins Jacob and Andrew.

Playground Experience and Pee Pee on Mommy

Since the weather has been so beautiful we having been spending a great deal of time outside and at the playground.  On Tuesday we visited our neighborhood playground and had quite an interesting time.  As soon as we got onto the grounds of the playground, a little boy who was about 4 told Madeline and Ryan to go away (no big deal, as that happens all the time amongst young children).  About ten minutes later, he called Ryan a stupid boy.  Not cool with Mommy. . . Since the boy's mommy was not paying attention and far off, I told the boy that it is not very nice to call people stupid and that he would not like it if someone called him stupid.  I could tell immediately that he did not care that I was an adult reprimanding him.  And then a few minutes later he started spitting towards Ryan and yelling ugly things to him from the tennis courts.  I promptly left.  After getting over the anger that some little boy was so unkind to my son, I felt bad for the little boy.  Obviously, there is a reason he acts that way and I cannot imagine what his behavior will be like years from now.

Situations like this just confirm my desire to home school the children when they are young.  It is Matt's and my desire to build them up in character and the esteem they have in the Lord, and not to be shaped and molded by the children around them, whether that's the behavior other children model or the way other children treat our children.  I definitely think Ryan could hold his own in peer situations, but I can see Madeline really withering under teasing.  She has such a sweet and tender spirit.  And right now she is such a follower, doing anything someone older or bossier tells her to do.  And while I think Ryan can hold his own, I can see him getting in lots of trouble, as he tries to keep up with older boys and prove himself.  I'm excited to start our home school adventure next year.

Well, Ryan has tinkled in the potty three times in 24 hours!  The only problem is that he either tinkles on my hands or my shirt and pants.  This morning I REALLY tried to point him in the right direction, but I quickly realized that he enjoyed seeing his tinkle going in different directions.  Thus, it is essential to go to Target today and get the boys' pee pee guard.  No more pee pee on Mommy!!!  Right now I'm sitting here typing, smelling of pee pee. . .

Shows over. . .off to play with the kiddos.  Matt and I are going on a date this morning and I am SO excited!!!  We are actually going go carting. . .I think he has no idea what a wimp I will be. Maybe I will surprise him! :)

Quiet Time and tid bits

I read some verses this morning that really pricked my spirit.  

"The Lord says: 'These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.  Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men'".  Isaiah 29:13

This verse really hits me because it is so easy to become a lukewarm Christian, going through all the motions, but not having a passion for the Lord, a desire to live a life that glorifies Him in every way.  I hope to read this verse daily to be spurred on NOT to live like this.

The second verse has been my favorite verse for the past 9 years.

"This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: 'In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength'".  Isaiah 30:15

I LOVE this verse.  What a great reminder that knowing the Lord can be equated to peace, trusting Him in every area of life.  I don't want my life to be painted as running around like a chicken with its head cut off, or be consistently stressed about life.  I want to find my rest in Him regardless of the circumstances, I want to trust Him in ALL things.

Matt and I have been having such fun with the kids recently.  They are at great ages.  Though he is all boy and a blur of activity, Ryan has a tender spot for babies.  He usually likes to pat or pet their heads and kiss them.  On a walk today, we met a one year old.  He was a bit unsteady on his feet, so Ryan took his hand and gently walked him down the sidewalk.  It was precious to watch.  And I am in awe of how smart and perceptive Madeline is.  She often shocks me with what she says.  Oh, she said something funny yesterday.  We are working on not sucking the thumb, so she told me that she wanted to go up to heaven with Jesus so that she could always suck her thumb.  

Our Week

One of Madeline's birthday presents was an unfinished treasure chest.  She took great pride in painting the inside and outside, and decorating the lid with jewels.

Last night was the Bridge's Christmas party.  Mr. Jamie pushed the kids around in the big stroller.  Actually, the ride in Mr. Jamie's stroller was more like a ride on a roller coaster, as he zoomed the kids from hallway to hallway.

Ryan in his jester hat.  Who couldn't be in love with a boy who smiles like that?

The Wells' were up to some mischief last weekend.  We stole the snowman from the yard of our friend's the Muchnicks and pretended to hold it hostage, sending them a ransom "email".  The snowman has been returned, but we are still waiting for our $1 million in unmarked bills and the Oreo ice cream pie.

At the Christmas party last night, the kids got up on stage and sang a few songs and it was precious!  Madeline sang loudly and Ryan was busting a move.

Madeline loved every bite of her tri-level marshmallows dipped in chocolate.

Can you tell that someone is excited about his first bite of chocolate covered pretzel???

Our Comedian

The boy knows how to get a laugh! Sunday, Daddy gave Ry a hair cut and accidentally used the wrong size clippers. So here we are in December and Ry is sporting a serious buzz. As a result, a hat is a necessity when playing outside. Unfortunately, he has not been keen on hats. The other day we headed out for a walk to the playground. I let Ryan pick out a hat and he did. . .it was a hat that looked like it belonged with a jester's costume. And it was big on him. He quickly realized that he could put the whole hat over his face. To get a laugh he started to put it over his face and do a silly dance/walk down the sidewalk. Madeline and I were hysterical in laughter. And then we almost peed our pants, we laughed so hard. Performing his walk/dance with hat over face, he ran straight into a big bush and ricocheted back, falling on his behind. Though a bit stunned, he lifted the hat, got onto his feet and carried on. The boy is crazy fun!

Town of Morrisville Christmas Celebrations

The Wells' had a great start to the month of December.  Check out the pictures below for details.

Just a cute picture.  Ryan loves his pet hermit crab and could spend hours just watching her walk around.  The only problem is that we forget that she is out and Ryan eventually loses interest and we lose Sarah!  Mommy and Daddy then have to go on the hunt, hoping not to hear a crunch underfoot as we search.

Friday night we started decorating for Christmas.  This is a decoration my mom got me a couple years ago that the kids LOVE.  The ice skaters actually move along the "ice".  It is special to our family because Grandma (my Grandma) had the same decoration when I was a kid.

As a special snack while decorating, Daddy popped us some stove top popcorn.  It was fun watching the foil top grow.  Didn't taste any better than microwave popcorn, but the experience was worthwhile.

Our little sneaky monkey!  Our Ry guy could not get to sleep on Friday night.  We heard him up in his bedroom talking and yelling and making noise.  When we went upstairs to check on him we found him asleep shirtless.  The little monkey had managed to maneuver out of his shirt.

The 1st Annual Morrisville Christmas Parade.  It was only 30 minutes and there were no floats of worth, but it was one of the best parades we have been to.  Wondering why?  The stream of candy was almost non-stop, which meant the kids had a blast chasing after it and guarding their booty.  We got to hang with the Bristers, the Shields and the Muchnicks during the parade.  That meant that out of 10 children, Madeline was the only girl!!!  Ryan had a blast wrestling with his friends and rolling down a hill and watching the older boys.  Madeline chased after her two "boyfriends", Chase and Conor.

Oh Goodness, what a beautiful girl!  This is Madeline in front of Morrisville's Christmas tree.

Before the Morrisville tree lighting we had some fun playing at the adjacent playground.  Madeline and Ryan "raced" their cars, and you would never believe it, but the ducky tied the motorcycle!

Uh-oh.  Pay attention Ry Ry, you are about to crash!!!

Madeline sheepishly sits on Santa's lap while Ryan stands a foot away in fear.

Thumbsucking

Sweet Madeline had her four year appointment with the doctor today.  I was really impressed at how good she was at following directions.  The doctor and nurse asked her to do many tasks, some easy, some hard, and she listened intently and performed each task.  I was also really impressed by her boldness and confidence.  For years she has been very shy, but she is beginning to change.  Though she is not warm to strangers (for which I am thankful), she is confident with people she knows.  It makes me so proud to see her grow up.  I am so thankful to the Lord for the gift of motherhood.  

Madeline LOVES Jason's Deli, as I have blogged about before.  She actually just loves the root beer and frozen yogurt.  I told her that if she made it through nap time without sucking her thumb, I would take her to Jason's Deli for lunch the next day.  Well, about 15 minutes after I put her down, she ran down the stairs and told me that she was awake and did not suck her thumb and was ready to go to Jason's Deli.  What a clever little girl!!!  But, she failed to pull the wool over her mamma's eyes. :)

Happy Birthday Madeline

How did my baby get to be four years old??? What a wonderful day we had celebrating her birthday. We had pancakes for breakfast, Jason's Deli for lunch, Randy's pizza for dinner, and a birthday party in between with a special visit from Grandpa Wells and Grandma Pat. And we discovered something cute. . .Madeline LOVES having "Happy Birthday" sung to her. She beams from ear to ear. It is so sweet to see. Mommy and Daddy love you so much sweet girl. You are truly a blessing from the Lord. We love watching your grow into a young lady. You have such a sweet, caring and tender heart. You are very sensitive to people around you. You play so well with your friends, almost always being willing to share. You are a truly remarkable little girl! Oh. . .almost forgot. When we first told you that it was your birthday, you cried because you did not want to be four. We have been talking about not sucking your thumb when you turn four, so you cried when you realized you were four because you thought it was the end of thumb sucking. One day you will look back at this and laugh. . .I hope. :)

Here's Madeline at her birthday party eating cake. Actually, she did not eat any cake. She ate the frosting off the barbie doll that was stuck into the cake.

What a sweet picture. This morning (the day after the birthday), we played a few rounds of pin the tail on the donkey. Silly Ryan LOVED being blindfolded.

Madeline at her birthday party with her friend Jenna.

The first picture of the birthday girl on the morning of her birthday. Can you tell that we just sang "Happy Birthday" to her?

Madeline posing with her favorite gift, given to her by Ryan. It is Princess Belle that turns around to the tune of a Christmas song. Maddie's Birthday Cake

The birthday room. Of course, this is prior to the birthday party, which I shall describe as contained chaos. I thought it would be a breeze since I teach the preschoolers at church. What I did not count on was the sugar high that resulted from the cake, ice cream, and juice. I NOW know why cake is served at the very end of parties!!!

Turkey and Yogurt

I wanted to share that sweet Ryan has come up with a new idea for eating left over turkey.  It's quite novel. . .one just throws pieces of turkey into one's yogurt bowl, stirs it around, and presto, it's turkey covered yogurt.  The boy could not get enough of this yummy lunch entree.  Of course Mommy served it as a plate of turkey with a side of bread and yogurt, but great things are only discovered if one is willing to go out on a limb and try something new! :-)

Thanksgiving 2007

Thanksgiving Dinner 2007

Thanksgiving Oatmeal!

Could not resist posting this picture.  Matt and I LOVE when Ryan makes this face.  The boy has so many funny facial expressions!!!  He is just very expressive and knows how to get a laugh.  My sweet, sweet Ry guy.  If you look closely, you will see Sarah, the hermit crab, out of her shell on the blue piece of paper.  I hate to brag on my own pets, but she is the most social crab I have ever known!

Movie Night at the Wells' with the Brister boys.  We watched Meet the Robinson's and ate LOTS of popcorn (actually, only the Wells' ate lots of popcorn :))

Here we are halfway through Thanksgiving Day and it has already been wonderful.  This morning we all had some Thanksgiving turkey and then had fun watching the Macy's Day parade on TV, going for a walk, and gardening outside.  Thankfully I had done all my prep work during naptime on Wednesday so I had time to spend with the family this morning.  The only hard part of the day was keeping the kids from eating.  They are used to lunch at 11am so waiting another hour was difficult, but mommy was able to distract them.  We had a yummy menu of slow cooked turkey breast smothered with cranberry sauce, traditional stuffing, carrot souffle, wild rice cranberry bake, green bean amandine, and cranberry walnut bread.  We rounded it out with a ginersnap-pumpkin ice cream pie and pumpkin pie with whip cream.  Okay, I admit that the ice cream pie was not that great.  Matt told me not to do it, but I could not resist since it sounded delicious AND it was somewhat low in calories.  Even Madeline was not too keen on it and that girl has a SWEET tooth!  As I closed her door for naptime, she said, "Mommy, please don't ever make that crust again".  She was referring to the gingersnap crust on the pie.  I will make it up to my family by making them the most delicious apple pie this weekend.  From now on we will be sticking to the traditional apple and pumpkin pies at Thanksgiving!

We all had dentist appointments this week.  Poor Daddy has three cavities to be filled, but he has to wait until January 1. . .renewed FSA funds.  Madeline did GREAT.  This was her second time at the dentist.  Though all night she kept telling us that she did not like what the dentist painted her teeth with (it was a fluoride treatment).  What a cute and clever description.

Oh my, almost forgot.  We had to have the kissing conversation with Madeline and her sweet friend Chase yesterday.  Matt heard them upstairs playing and talking about kissing on the lips. Quickly, I called them down the stairs and told them that kissing is very special and that we only kiss people in our family.  Later that night Daddy told her that if any boy wants to kiss her, he has to first ask Daddy.  Madeline asked if even Grandpa Steve had to ask Daddy.  Very cute.  Needless to say, Mommy will follow Madeline and friends upstairs when they decide to play in her room.

Have not yet decided if we are heading out on Black Friday.  There is a great deal on a big George Forman grill and Mommy REALLY wants a big food processor since her blender broke yesterday.  We'll see. . .

Poo Poo in the Potty

Guess who had his first poo poo on the potty.  Our little Ry guy!  I was so encouraged by this that I decided to put him in big boy pants yesterday afternoon.  He stayed dry for hours with Matt and I continually asking him if he had to use the potty.  Of course minutes before our Bible study started I was sopping up pee on the carpet of the family room.  The difference between Madeline and Ryan is laughable.  When Madeline pee peed in her panties for the first time, she sobbed and from that point on she kept her panties dry and was potty trained in weeks.  Ryan's reaction was quite different.  Actually, there was no reaction by Ryan.  It was Daddy who noticed the stream falling onto the carpet and ran him into the bathroom.  I have a feeling that we have a ways to go, but oh well, it was worth the shot!

Toilet Paper Roll Turkeys

Daddy comes home today. . .yippee!  To pass the time this morning we did some arts and crafts.  Madeline made an elaborate turkey out of toilet paper rolls while Ryan made a hand turkey with an eye and smiley face.  I'm realizing that at this age Mommy does most of the work when we do these projects, but I love it and it's fun watching the kids enjoy their accomplishment.  If you look closely at the picture, you will see green all around Ryan's mouth and cheeks.  Coloring the hand turkey was not enough!  He thought that he also needed a festive look!

We have an eventful couple days ahead of us.  Tonight we watch the Brister boys. . .Jason, Chase and little Lance.  We are excited, but know it is going to be a blur of activity (Roxann watched Maddie and Ryan for our anniversary and they are celebrating their anniversary tonight).  I have a feeling we will spend a lot of time in the basement throwing balls and kicking things and just having fun.  Tomorrow morning we head to Raleigh's Christmas parade. The temperature is supposed to be in the 30's!!!  Family bonding at its best.  And tomorrow night we head to the mall for the tree lighting.  The Wells' love activity and being with people.

We just returned from a trip to the Morrisville playground.  My favorite part of taking the kids to the playground is watching them play together.  They have so much fun chasing each other and colliding as they slide down the slide.  There is nothing more heart warming than hearing them laugh with each other.  Of course, our time was cut short when Madeline took a stick swing to the face.  It was an accident, but still not good!  I wonder who will end up with more scars at the end of the their childhood. . .Ryan because he is crazy or Madeline because she is often the recipient of Ryan's crazies. :)

This picture was taken from the waist up because the little guy is starting to sit on the potty. :)

Grandpa and GG Come for a Visit

The Wells' have had a whirlwind of a week. Daddy traveled all week. Grandpa came to visit on Wednesday and left Friday morning. And GG arrived Friday evening and left on Monday morning. It was wonderful.

The more Matt travels, the more I am realizing how important it is for Ryan to have Daddy around. He really needs someone to rough house and wrestle with, and I just don't do it like Daddy. Though Ryan is one of the joys of our souls, we have been struggling daily with disciplining him. He is adamant about exerting his independence and telling us no. Little does he realize that Mommy and Daddy are far more stubborn than he! Though Matt and I grow weary of disciplining him we are pressing on, knowing that the future fruit far outweighs the present momentary struggles.

This morning, right after Ryan woke up, Matt called me upstairs to ask me about a large water mark on the carpet. I was perplexed by it and touched it. It was warm!!! That of course only means one thing in a home with a toddler in a diaper. . .it was pee-pee. I pulled Ryan toward me and realized that under his half zipped pj's was a diaper that was only half on. Thankfully Matt noticed the spot before we noticed a smell!

Madeline and Ryan enjoy some special cuddle time with Grandpa. Clasped in Madeline's hand is Jasmine's head. Grandpa gave her a Jasmine doll that has not left her side since she got it on Wednesday. Jasmine is even taking baths and having her hair french braided. Ryan, of course, has a ball obsession.

Ryan and Madeline both took terms listening to Grandpa's heart. It is fun to listen to since his metal mitral valve makes an audible clicking sound.

Madeline enjoys a sweet hug from Grandpa. Of course, Jasmine is right by her side.

Ryan is usually a bit slow to warm up to people, but he remembered GG as soon as she walked through our door and he could not get enough of her all weekend. As we watched Dora the Mermaid movie, Ryan cuddled close to GG. And GG loved every moment of it.

GG is the most energetic "30" year old I know (she of course would die, yes have a heart attack, if I shared her actual age)! Ryan and Madeline had so much fun with GG. Saturday was so fun! We started the day at the Durham Life Science Museum. We had a great time looking through all the exhibits, playing in the wooden forts, petting the animals, and watching the bugs. This trip we learned a very important lesson. . .turkey's have VERY sharp beaks. If one doubts that, just ask Madeline about her finger's encounter with the turkey's beak. After the Museum, we headed to Costco for luch. . .GG and Mommy LOVE Costco for lunch. Next we toured Duke and drove through UNC and ended the evening at the play area at the Steets of Southpoint. It is always so fun when my mom comes to visit. I always get sad watching her drive away, even though she still gets on my nerves every once in a while (I know you're reading this mom :)).

Here is Madeline with the webkin that GG and Grandpa Steve got her. She loves it and is enjoying taking care of Owl (don't ask me, I have NO idea why she named it Owl, except that at the Museum we saw owls). On Sunday we had some girl time. The three of us went to Jason's Deli for lunch and then did a bit of shopping. Jason's Deli is Mommy and Madeline's favorite place to eat because of the free frozen yogurt! Madeline also loves the root beer. I cannot get enough of my sweet girl. She is so loving and so stinking funny. She knows how to joke and how to make Mommy and Daddy laugh, and I mean really laugh.

Birthday Party

Thank you Ms. Stacy!  Wouldn't you know that our camera broke the afternoon of Ryan's birthday.  Thankfully, Ms. Stacy brought her camera to Ry's birthday bash and took some pics.  

This is our friend Jackson who turns 3 in a few weeks.  Ryan is captivated by Jackson who also is ALL boy and is a constant blur of activity.  I love his facial expression in this picture. . .maybe he's the one who left the dent in our wall. :)

This is Ry's friend Nate.  He took one hit and decided baseball was not for him.  Given his potential height, we are all banking on basketball anyway.

Ryan LOVED his Elmo cake.

Mommy did not prove to be a great batter. . .eventually Mommy tore through the hole in the top of the pinata and let the candy spill to the floor.  And can you see what Daddy attached the pinata to. . .an extension cord.  Ha, ha.

This is Madeline and Mr. Jamie.  Too bad this is not a video and you can't watch Madeline's head reverberate as Mr. Jamie bats at the pinata.

The kids LOVED this noise makers.  Unfortunately, I gave them out right after cake so you can imagine what spewed out the end!!!