The kids love dress up and play it all the time at home. Who would have thought we’d get the chance to have new costumes when we were visiting family? Jessica had a whole box of Hawaiian themed dress up. The kids had so much fun. Yes, Aleck is wearing Ella’s pajamas. I needed to do laundry so we had to make do in a pinch. I especially love the groovy glasses. They were such a hit that Aleck wore them to pick muscadines.
The kids and I are in Starkville visiting my family. Dad turns eighty-one on Thursday. Everybody is coming for a big birthday bash next weekend. Mom got up with the kids and let me sleep until 8:00. We didn’t get in until a little after 11 last night, and I so appreciated sleeping late this morning. Thanks, Mom.
The weather is cooler and the air was almost crisp this morning. We started the day by piling into the truck in our pajamas and heading across the pasture towards the creek to pick muscadines. I posted last year about my sweet childhood memories of picking muscadines. Ella loved them, but wasn’t very patient when it came time for Mommy to peel and deseed the fruit. Aleck is a little afraid of the woods and talks about dinosaurs and ghosts. That boy of mine has some imagination!
We spent most of the morning exploring outside. When it got too hot, we climbed back in the truck and headed across the field for driving lessons for Aleck. He loved it! I pushed the brake and gas, and he did the rest. He would start talking and looking around, and I would have to remind him to watch the road, but overall, he did awesome. I had to help him crossing the road across the pond, but the rest of the time he pretty much steered all by himself. During driving lessons, we spent a lot of time learning our left from our right. Ella drove some, but was mostly content to hang her head out the window like a puppy dog.
Ella figured out where the cookie jar is kept, and was smart enough to get the stepstool to reach it. When Mammaw took the cookie jar away, Ella pleaded, “Tease, MaaMaa!” Of course, my mom gave her more cookies.
We ended the day outside playing with Tyler, Jessica and Preston. I am so thankful for these times when I can fuse wonderful old memories with wonderful new memories. Thank you, Lord, for these abundant blessings in our lives.
For the last few days, Ella has been so difficult to get down for a nap. Two days this week, she refused the stay in bed and eventually passed out in the middle of the floor with toys everywhere. Afraid I would wake her, I just let her finish her nap in the floor. Today, I checked on her and she had fallen asleep in the glider. The picture is out of focus because the room was so dark, but the way her bottom is sticking in the air is priceless.
Aleck drew this picture at preschool today. He was so excited to tell me about it when I picked him up. He wanted to make sure I knew the robot was holding a balloon. I love my boy’s wonderful imagination.
It’s official. Ella can ride the tricycle without any help from Mommy or Daddy. Since it was so hot outside, we moved the kitchen table into the living room and she rode around in circles in the kitchen. When it cooled off, we took the kids to Chisholm Park and she rode around the circle twice, all by herself. She was so proud of her accomplishment.
Ella refused to put on her diaper this morning. I let her run around for a few minutes and then found her in the bathroom on the potty having a BM. We are headed to Starkville next week for Dad’s 81st birthday, but when we get back to Texas we are going to stay home and devote time to potty training. We were so busy and on the go this summer that it would have been hard to work on potty training but I really think she is ready.
It’s been 2 1/2 weeks since Ella has had a bottle. She watched Mason drink a bottle last weekend and didn’t pitch a fit so it’s official. No more bottles! I’m not sure how I’m going to make her happy on long car trips, but we will cross that bridge when we get there.
How on earth can my little man already be in pre-K? Aleck, you are growing up way too fast. You started pre-K today at St. Vincent’s, attending 8:00 a.m. until noon, Monday through Friday.
Mrs. Dickey is your teacher and Mrs. Reed is the assistant. We are so thankful for such sweet and Godly women to teach you this year.
You start each morning with chapel. What a wonderful way to start the day! I hid in the bushes and snapped a shot of you walking to chapel this morning.
Mrs. Dickey said you had a great first day back. When I asked you, “What did you do today?” you replied, “I don’t know, but it sure was a lot of fun!”
Sweet boy, you make your mommy’s heart smile.
Mason,
I can’t believe it has been a year since we welcomed you into this world. You have grown into the sweetest little boy. The way your eyes twinkle when you smile lights up the room. Happy Birthday, little man. Your Grandda, BeeBee, Aunt Ella and Uncle Aleck love you so much.
Where did the summer break go? Aleck goes to preschool on Monday. It makes me sad that my firstborn is growing up so fast.
We had a very full day. We started the day with donuts at Busy B’s with Brooke, Presley and Dede. Then, we headed to an indoor play area at The Hills Church of Christ. I am always on the lookout for a good indoor play area, and the kids loved this one.
We made it home just in time for an early lunch. Aleck said he was tired and crawled into bed for a nap at 12:15 p.m. I can’t remember the last time he wanted to take a nap. Actually, I’m not sure it’s ever happened.
After nap time, we headed to St. Vincent’s to meet the teachers for the fall. Aleck has Mrs. Dickey, and Ella has Mrs. Cook. Since the kids know both their teachers from church, I couldn’t be happier. They already know and love them. It’s a great start to a new school year.
We finished the day with a play date with Savannah and Peyton, twins from Aleck’s class last year.
No wonder I’m so stinking tired!
Ella woke up from her nap today crying and fussy. She hadn’t been asleep long, and I knew she wasn’t ready to wake up. I scooped her up from her bed and rocked her back to sleep. It has been ages since she has fallen asleep in my arms in the rocking chair. The sweet smell of her hair and snuggling were so wonderful. She slept in my arms for over an hour. I can’t help but wonder how many special times like this we will share before it is the last time I rock her to sleep. I know these precious moments are fleeting, so I am so thankful each and every one.
Ella finished her second week of swim lessons this evening and she did great.
With help from Tom who pushes her to the bottom, she can retrieve rings from 4 1/2 feet of water.
Aleck wanted to swim and was not happy about waiting for Mommy to take some pictures. Patience, my child.
The class had circle time where they sang songs and practices blowing bubbles, scooping with their arms, and kicking with their feet. Although the instructors were very nice, I was disappointed that they not once came around and offered instructions. If the children weren’t in the circle singing, the instructors were hanging out talking to one another as you can see from the picture below.
One of the highlights from the week was Aleck going down the big slides. He would take a slide and I would take the other slide and we would race to the bottom. The first time I went down the slide, I giggled like a school girl. I love how my children keep me young and show me the world all over again through their eyes.
