Halloween 2011

Halloween is always fun. This year was probably the most fun yet. Our plan was to go trick or treating at the Maples, the nursing home where I work, and then come home to meet up with our friends the LeClerc's for our annual walk around the neighborhood. Calla was a princess, Carter was supposed to be Buzz Light year, and Cedar was of course Thomas the train. I thought I might be in trouble when Carter would not try on his costume earlier in the week. Halloween came and he did NOT want to put it on. He talked about it all week but when it came time he threw a FIT!! So much that he made himself sick (which of course was fun to clean up). Luckily we have a decent supply of dress up clothes which included this fireman's outfit. So we dressed him in some normal clothes and put the jacket on. Luckily he didn't just have to go as the grumpy twin! They had a great time at the nursing home! This was the first year that they really went trick or treating. Other than wanting to walk in everyone house they had a great time!

Calla the princess and Carter the fireman. I had a really hard time getting any pictures they were to busy!

My sweet little Thomas!

Our pumpkins that daddy carved for us. They helped clean them out which was a gross mess but they enjoyed it.

Corner Cabinet Fun

10/25/2011 So when we had children (so many so close together) we didn't even try to teach them to stay out of the cabinets. When the childproof items available started to fail (because Carter could open them all!) we just moved everything out of the cabinets. We are blessed to have lots of cabinets so we were able to do this. This is one of Calla's favorite things to do. I really don't like her to do this but we have compromised that she will only do it on the bottom shelf so that we don't break it. Oh, to be a kid again!

Thomas the Train!!!!!

10/22/11 The twins love to play and love toys. Carter loves trains for sure, but there is no comparison to Cedars OBSESSION with Thomas the train. From the very start! My mom introduced them to it and one day when she left my house from watching the kids for us Cedar kept saying mama over and over. (this was a while ago when he first starting talking like probably 4 to 5 months ago) I have always been mommy to my kids so I thought that maybe he was trying to say maw maw which is what my mom is called. He said it all night. It actually hurt my feelings. Of course I am thrilled that my kids love my mom, but really, to ask for her all night? Well within the next couple of days my mom was watching them again and she turned on a Thomas movie and he got so excited and kept saying mama again. So there was our answer. Mama was Thomas! Over time mama turned to mamas and now today it is homas. He still loves Thomas probably more than he loves us. He has several Thomas trains and many of thomas's friends. He knows them all by name and they are his buddies. I have tried to get his Thomas excitement on video many times and this is actually a mild version. This video was taken as a Thomas movie was starting to come on the TV.

Pumpkin Patch 2011

10/17/2011 We went to the pumpkin patch at my moms church. My main goal in getting them there is to take some picture. Cedar and Calla cooperated but Carter had his own agenda. His main goal was to pull, push, fill, etc. the wagons. He would not even look at me for a second, too busy! Here are some of my favorites.

Cedar thinks he is just as big as his brother and he was going to pull that wagon too!

There was a photographer from the newspaper there taking pictures and Calla became a model for him. It was too funny! Her and Cedar did make the front of the Northwest Arkansas section.

This hay pile was a favorite. They had so much fun in it!

I'm pretty sure Carter was off somewhere pulling a wagon and filling it with pumpkins at this point, but I did get Calla and Cedar to sit still for me.

I had to physically put Carter here, he stayed for this picture but was on his way out when i snapped it.

Second half of September 2011

10/1/11 GO HOGS GO!! We all had to wear our game day attire. The kids would always know it was Saturday, game day, when we got out the red shirts. If I didn't have one on, Calla would ask where it was. Our friend Holly comes to see us every now and then on Saturdays. The kids love her!
10/1/11 Game day with daddy!!

9/28/11 Cedar playing in the sand box. That dump trucks sticker has seen better days.

9/28/11 When my Aunt and Uncle came and brought the hand me downs from my cousin, this was one of them. I quickly realized that I would rather my kids live in a bubble. I was terrified they would fall off and yes they should have had helmets on!!! Daddy was close by the entire time and I don't think it will come back out until they are a little bigger. Carter was in heaven though and he did allow Calla to ride with him (after he almost ran over her).

9/28/11 This was daddy's birthday too! We have so much fun when we have family time. It is so rare these days. I cant wait until I finish school and we can settle into a normal routine and have regular days that we are together as a family. Hopefully when that happens I wont ever work on Sundays again!

9/28/11 We had brownies, daddy's favorite for his birthday and sang to him! The kids really love birthdays. We love daddy and are so blessed to have him in our lives!!!! Jamey is the best husband and an even better father!

9/25/11 I have no idea why they were holding hands but I thought is was cute so had to capture it. Why not hold hands on the potty in the kitchen while drinking milk?

9/25/11 Poor Cede, he looks so beat up. He was running in the hall and fell down, his head skid down the wall. It was so sad. It is heartbreaking to watch your kids hurting. He got over it pretty quick but the battle wounds stuck around for a while.

9/21/11 The park!! We live not too far from a really great park, Walker Park. We don't get to go very often since it takes two adults but whenever we are able the kids really enjoy it! Calla and Cedar go down the slide over and over and over. Carter seems to have a harder time warming up to the slide but will go down if prompted. He enjoys picking up sticks and just enjoying the freedom to run around.

9/21/11 Speaking of freedom to run. Luckily there is a baseball field with a fence that stops him, otherwise Cedar might run forever.

9/21/11 Carter having fun at the park.

9/21/11 Watch out, he's driving this thing!!

9/21/11 When we leave the house sometimes if it has been a rough day, I will ask Calla, "Do you want me to comb your hair or just put it in a pony tail?". Of course i am sure you can guess her answer. That hair is so beautiful but soooooo much work. She hates for it to be combed!

9/21/11 Our big boy, Cedar. I love that he at least still has his baby fat hands!

9/20/11 The artists in the family.

9/20/11 Yes, his hands are colored orange. He likes alternative art.

9/19/11 Potty training twins........ It might be the death of me! I had to put the pottys in the kitchen just so that they would be willing to sit there.

9/17/11 This was my attempt at potty training prizes. Calla loves candy and carter loves cars. I let them choose a prize every time they go. This worked great to get us started but within a short time we hit a plateau and have been there ever since. Update as of today 1/9/12 is the same. I have never felt like more of a failure at something. Carter can go on command and will every time he sits on the potty but also seems to have wet pants EVERY TIME, even if it is just 15 minutes later. I don't know how to get through to them. Calla is so proud of herself when she goes but she doesn't seem to have the control that Carter has. I DON'T GET IT!!!!! They are three years old and I am sooooooooooo tired of changing pull ups!!!! Oh and they wake up wet from naps and nighttime no matter what I do. Maybe I should just accept that they will be wearing pull ups for the rest of their lives. UGGGGGG!!!!

First half September 2011

9/15/11 We got a special visit from my Aunt and Uncle from NE Arkansas. They were in town so they came over for dinner. Calla warmed up right away. We had a great time and it was good to see them.
9/15/11 They brought with them several bags of hand me downs from my cousin. Who doesn't love hand me downs? This is Cade and Calla playing with one of the great toys that they sent. Thanks Kim!!!!

I just cant get over my baby growing up so fast!!!! He drinks from a cup like a champ. He isn't even sitting down!
9/13/11

9/11/11 I love this picture. All of my kids have a train obsession. And that is really an understatement. Cedar sleeps with one occasionally. Thomas the train is their favorite but all trains are just as wonderful. Here you can see how Carter gets real low to see the train go through the tunnel. Now this is not always the picture. About 80% of the time this picture would involve someone crying or screaming because they feel like it is their turn with the train. We have lots but they always want the one that another has of course.

9/8/11 Carter and his golf set. When he hits it, it does go far.

9/8/11
Cedar is his caddy. 9/8/11 Calla poses. Yes, this was a day that we must have missed the hair comb.

9/6/11 We went to the clothesline fair with Aunt Shelley and Cade, this is what we bought, a basketball goal. Here is Calla making a great shot!

9/6/11 I know this is not a great picture but I love it!!

9/4/11 So when Carter was smaller he was diagnosed with tibial torsion which causes in toeing and a little trouble walking at times. On one of our walks he got a little ahead of himself and obtained this great strawberry on his little (big) head. Poor baby. He bounces back quick!

9/1/11 I like this picture. We went to the Washington County fair with our friends the LeClerc's. When we got there we ran into the Meesey's. The girls and I were chatting and the men sped ahead with the kids. We met MawMaw, Aunt Shelley, Cade there too. And toward the end we also saw the Hedricks. It was a great night at the fair. It was a first for our kids and they really loved it. However, I did learn that I may not be able to go with them when they are bigger because looking at those rickety rides i would be terrified to let them ride them!! I might need some nerve meds!! And yes I know that i did not die on them when i was a kid but for some reason that is different!! They didn't seem as dangerous looking then. I think they may be the SAME ones they look that old!

9/1/11
This is the petting zoo. We spent the most quality time here. These goats were awesome.

9/1/11 I think he is ready for the real thing. Actually he was more interested in the pieces of hay in his hands.

9/1/11 Carters all time favorite was the tractors. He has been turning all boy lately and he does love some tractors. I can not even imagine the joy had the thing turned on and moved.

9/1/11 Calla actually got the ball in the fish tank and won a fish. Luckily it went home with Cade and I somehow doubt it is still around. It was very nice of the lady to let them stand on the counter. The twins really liked throwing balls at things.

9/1/11 Who doesn't love inflatables? Calla does!

9/1/11 Cedar does!!