23 months and end of year festivities

James will be two in a month! James is a mess! The way he talks is hilarious. He still has that British style (words trail up towards the end, if that makes sense). His words still primarily revolve around BIG trucks, tractors, and other vehicles (he'll even point out a "cop car"- where'd he learn that??). I am trying so hard to get him to say ABCs or count, but he just acts silly and says, "A, B, TRACTOR". Ergh. This is just one example of when he totally knows what we're saying to him, but he does the opposite. He is testing us every minute! :) At school they use a "no-no mat" for discipline (and he has gone there frequently!) and we use a tall stool at home for time outs. James also has gone on a food boycott. All of a sudden he hardly eats! I am not exaggerating when I say that for a week now, he has eaten just enough to survive. This kids normally loves to eat! I'm sure it is just a phase. 

We've been B.U.S.Y with wrapping up the end of year activities. We have had so much fun at preschool, gymnastics, and ballet this year!

Adelyn went on her first trip without us. Seth's parents took her to Jeckyll Island with my sister in law's family. She had a blast playing with her cousins, visiting the sea turtle museum, and briefly seeing the beach (it rained a lot). Seth and I were home with just James, which is a rarity. I'm not saying James gets neglected by any means, but we definitely were able to shower him with one on one attention. It's very different with just him and we enjoyed our time together! Here's a video of him at Toys R Us. He could have spent all day on this particular aisle. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZgroK-pX28

That same weekend, I ran my first 5k (May 4th)! It was the Emory Scrub Run. It was pouring down rain, 48 degrees, had more hills than I was prepared for and I didn't have my trusty rap music (no music at all!) to keep me going. HOWEVER, I did it in 31 minutes. I had to walk for about 5 minutes because of all the hills. Seth was really sweet to meet me at the end (with James and in the rain)- made my day! My next goal is NO walking and finish in under 30. 

Ran in my raincoat

Gymnastics Jubilee 

Adelyn and Mae have been taking gymnastics together pretty much since they were 18 months old (we've taken breaks here and there)

Adelyn's end of year 3 year old preschool program- here she is getting her "diploma" from Mrs. Missi, her wonderful teacher. I hope James will have her as a teacher one day!

How cute are these? A parent made them for the beach themed class party. It's blue pudding (ocean) and crushed graham crackers (sand) layered with the goodies on top. After a little picnic, they went to various stations outside. They had a sand sensory table, water guns, bubbles, fishing for prizes, bean bag toss, and sno-cone making. 

Adelyn's ballet post-recital party. This class has some sweet girls (and parents) in it.

James devoured his pink iced cupcake. There are 3 boys that play together while the girls are in class. One parent brought Cars plates so they could have their own little celebration. :)



My dear friend that I've known since 7th grade, Heather, got engaged! She and Trevor went to St. Lucia and he proposed. I am beyond excited for them! We met at Cheeky's one day for lunch to celebrate.

You know....just getting the mail

The kids both had a great school year. James went to Playschool on Mondays and Wednesdays (I added the second day in January) and he had two wonderful teachers, Mrs. Hope and Mrs. Paige. They are loving but firm, and taught James some crucial lessons (how to be away from Mommy, how to eat at a table, how to clean up, how to sit on the no-no mat- haha). Adelyn went to 3 year old preschool on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. She had Mrs. Missi and Ms. Stephanie, also amazing teachers. She had a great year- lots of very sweet girls in her class and she learned so many neat songs, did cute art projects, and learned valuable lessons. We love CFUMC! However, I'm looking forward to no real set schedule for the summer.  (check back with me in month....I'll probably be changing my tune!)

For now, we are having fun days at home. The weather is finally warm enough to do normal May activities! Adelyn loves her water hopscotch! 

And James loves the water table, especially with the tractors added

Mother's Day

It was a great day! My parents joined us for church and headed back to SC from there. Seth and I spent a relaxing day at home (family bike ride, yard work, etc) and then ate dinner at his grandfather's. We are both extremely blessed to have such wonderful mothers!

Muffins with Mom at CFUMC (May 10th)

LOVE, love, love this plate! It will be displayed year round!

These crack me up! So glad I'm 16 and my favorite show is The Bachelor!

I was thrilled to spend Mother's Day with my Mom! She's the best. :)

Love them!

Grandeddy and Nana

Exhausted :)

FOUR years old!

Happy 4th birthday to my sweet girl, Adelyn Grace Thomas! She was born the day after Mother's Day and this year, we celebrated her birthday the day before (May 11th). She's definitely the best gift I have ever received!

This girl:

• loves her baby dolls and takes extra good care of them
• is earning allowance 
• is so close to reading...if she'd only see it as something fun and not a chore when I ask her to do it
• can just about count to 100 (with assistance) 
• is constantly adding and subtracting to figure out how old she'll be when James is 8 or how old James will be when she's 15
• loves Doc McStuffins, Dora, Sophia the First, and will still happily watch Sesame Street :)
• sings and makes up songs all day long (I need to videotape the one she sings when putting away silverware)
• will NOT wear jeans (or really pants for that matter) because they're "too hard". A dress or skirt, especially one that twirls, is more her style
• loves to "read" long after we've said goodnight. We have caught her several times reading by the light of her digital clock. She will hold it right up the book to see. We usually don't say anything because it's hard to be mad at your child for that!
• still naps an hour and a half each day. Adelyn has NEVER skipped a nap- she will find a way to squeeze it in somewhere (and there have been some pretty odd places)
• sits in our bent legs on the couch and calls it the bird's nest
• is a sweet big sister to "Jamesy-James"

May 3rd: Adelyn at her school birthday celebration (with 4 other classmates since it's the end of the school year). They had ice cream and toppings, fruit, and cheese its. 

Friday night (night before her birthday): Opening gifts from Nana and Grandeddy. I WISH I could capture her reaction. She was covering her face and making the sweetest comments ("Oh it's adorable!" "I LOVE IT!!").

Saturday morning, we ate breakfast at Cracker Barrel and then came home and she opened gifts from Seth and me. 

Adelyn has never liked riding anything with wheels. However, she loves this bike- especially since Kate can ride along in back. She rode this bike up and down Fast Lane. This is a new child!

And of course, James has to go for a bike ride too!

Adelyn's first ballet recital was on her birthday. It was a circus theme and her class was lollipops.  I put her hair up in a princess bun and she wore mascara, blush, and lip gloss. She looked about 14 years old. I couldn't wait to get it off!

She had both sets of grandparents, Seth, James, and me in the audience clapping for her. She did great! Seth and I got her roses and she would not let go of them! I am very proud of her for getting up in front of all those people and performing!

Grandma and Grandpa came over to deliver their gifts

We grilled out hamburgers with my parents Saturday night and then she got cookie cake!

It was a great birthday for her! We are doing a joint birthday party for Adelyn and James so we'll celebrate again in a few weeks! Seth and I are proud, proud parents of a 4 year old. 

You know you almost have a 4 year old when...

Adelyn has been acting so mature today! It's really hitting me that she is  growing up too fast. She'll be 4 in just nine days. 

Evidence #1: She wrote "Happy Birthday Grandma". No complaints and it didn't take her long at all. 

Evidence #2: We're almost to ballet when I realize that I FORGOT her ballet bag! Hello? I have her dressed in her leotard and tights but forget her shoes? I told her and she calmly informed me that she got it and it's in the floorboard. She thought of that all on her own. 

Evidence #3: She has made her bed for the past two days (and this is not something I've asked her to do). This morning we created a chore chart so she can earn money. 

I love this behavior, but it does make me sad to realize how fast time is passing.