God's Fingernail?

Yesterday, Daddy was clipping his nails. Talking to Gabe about fingernails.

Last night, Daddy was taking Gabe to bed when he pointed out the sliver of the moon. Daddy told Gabe, "Gabe look, at the moon...it's just a sliver..."

Gabe asked Daddy, "That God's fingernail?"

Dogwood

I showed the kids a dogwood tree. Which they saw as white. Flowers. Tree.

And so.

Every single tree they see with white blooms, is...well, a dogwood tree.

Simple enough.

And so every white blossom they spy through the car window is 'recognized' as a dogwood tree.

"Momma! A dogwood tree!!"

"Momma! Wook!! A dogtree wood!!!"

Make New Friends But Keep the Old

Remember that Girl Scouts song?

Well, I was super excited Wed. to meet up w/ an old friend whom I think I hadn't seen in over 12 years. Isn't that crazy?

I thought of Michelle often but had no way of getting in touch with her. I really didn't want to call her...I mean, what a shock, "Hi Michelle, this is Amy Perry...well, I mean, you don't know me as Perry... um..." She would've been too surprised to be happy.

So I did what any girl would do.
I joined Classmates.

And tracked down my old work pal. And she looks the same! Only with one more kid to the mix. And we promptly made plans to meet for lunch.

And I got to meet little Tori, who is as funny as she is cute. And my kids had a blast with her.

Our kids wouldn't have forgiven us, had we not made plans for our next meet-up in a couple of weeks. Can't wait Michelle!Flynn & Tori, instant friends

FINALLY agreeing to look at the camera & pose.

"What? We have to go home?"

Dad's Night @ Preschool

A few weeks ago, Flynn's preschool had Daddy's night. She was so excited about this.

She of course, marked it down & counted the days.

They sang songs, did a project, & had a snack (milk-free! yay!).

Flynn has the best dad in the world & he has the best girl!

Eye Love Her

Flynn's left eye has started to cross. I've noticed it a couple of times & Jeff noticed it once.
I'm trying to see if there's a pattern. Like if her eyes are tired...or if it happens when she's focusing on something close or faraway.

Guess she's headed for her first optometrist (or would it be opthamologist?) appointment!

Big Head

Gabe: Finn, you bigger dan me?

Flynn: Yes Gabe. I am taller than you. Because I am older than you. Right Mom?

Me: Well, yes, you are taller than Gabe. And yes, you are older than Gabe. But just because you are older than someone does not mean that you are bigger than that person. As a matter of fact, I don't know how much longer you will be taller than Gabe. Probably soon, he will be taller than you.

Flynn: Why? Because I...

Me: Because he is going to be a very tall adult. Actually, a tall kid. And you are going to be a petite person, not tall.

Flynn: (with revelation) Ohhhh.... it's because his head is so big.

As If Being Cute Wasn't Enough

Those two rascals of mine have reached milestones in the last couple weeks...

On March 12, 2009, Flynn successfully tied her first shoe. And hasn't stopped.

A few days later, Gabe wrote his name without prompting OR help.
Today, he wrote Flynn's.

These Two

Fight.
Make up.
Kiss.
Hug.
Punch & pull hair.
Are less than two years apart.
Will graduate two years apart.
Like different things.
Look at each other when they laugh.
Stand together when we're somewhere strange.
Love each other.

Numbers

8 = How many new freckles Flynn got while playing outside today.
15 = How many minutes went by, sans kids, that their movie played in the van before I realized it.
4 = How many kids I thought I'd have.
19 = How many pounds I've lost since October.
2 = Hours my kids spent outside this morning.
202 = How many times my kids went in & out during those 2 hours.
1 = Hours Hot Hubs & I spent along together last night at dinner.
5 = Months until my "baby" is four.
113 = Coupons in my purse right now.
3 = Number of kids (including me) in my family.
47 = Number of blogs saved in my Google Reader.
6 = Loads of laundry that are waiting to be folded & put away.

And on that note...

My Little Leprechauns

I have 2 wee leipreacháns. Me two small sprites are usually mischief-makers. But sometimes they even trick their momma...and do something that melts me Irish heart.

Like today, when my Flynn asked me for 3 sheets of paper. Was very specific about the amount. So I gave her the paper & she trapsed upstairs. Later, when I went into my bedroom, I noticed a folded paper on my pillow, one on her Daddy's, & one on Gabe's pillow. She made us each a St Patty's Day card.

And when my boy had the chance to play a game at therapy, he was quick to include his sister. Mr. Jacob said, "You want Flynn to play?" Gabe said, "She's my stister!"

I might not find a pot of gold, but have struck gold. And I think if I ever followed a rainbow to its end, it would take me straight home.

Have a little Help from my Friends

A little shout out to my homeys (homies?)...

I blog all the time about the blessings of our family/families. And how we're nothing w/o them. How they bail us out, love on us, & help us with anything we need. And how they're funny & fun & make us proud.

But I'm also nothing without my friends. For reals. No-thing. My friends, all of them, couldn't be better. And are like my own little posse of angels.

My best friends, my friends from growing up, my friends who are like family, my church friends, my school friends, my neighbor friends, my bloggy friends, my kids' friend's moms!

I never have to feel like they are fair-weather. They don't love me because I have money (duh!). They don't love me because I can do something for them. They just love me.

And I love them.

Macho Caliente

I mean, Mucho.On date nights, we sometimes try to get a photo of ourselves.

We can really go hog wild with the photographing, without rug rats demanding our attention.
Sometimes we get lucky & get a good shot.
Sometimes we get downright sassy & capture a keeper.

Then, sometimes. Well. Um, sometimes.
Other things happen.

Spidey & the Princess-Ballerina

The princess-ballerina doesn't care that her recital costume from 2 years ago is almost too small.
She has moves to do & dance hands to pose.

Or that by hiking it up over her sweat pants, she's made them high waters...
And perfect little petite feet with long toes to point.

And Spidey, he doesn't care either. He doesn't care that his socks don't match. Or that he has food on his face. He doesn't care that his momma's wanting to take the perfect picture.

What they did care about was that their Daddy had promised them popcorn that night. And they care about Wall-E. And a movie on the wall.

And they care that right before this photo, they ran from something imaginary in the basement.

A Vday to Remember

Niece Nessa

A dip (or death grip!) from Hot Hubs

My girl (who looks like she's wearing lipstick but she's not)

A jig w/ Papa

I Love My Kids

And wish I could've seen their reactions when they saw me on tv today.

Miss Amanda (BFF Madelyn's Momma) said that Flynn looked shocked & looked around, while Madelyn confirmed for her, "Flynn! That's your MOM!"

Papa said that Gabe just sat & took it in. And when I got home & said, "Gabe, did you see Momma on tv?"
He said, "Me did dis"; as he showed me a very shocked expression.
"And me do dis" as he showed me tears (which we later figured out was watery eyes).

Later, we were downstairs when Gabe pointed to the 'famous' tv star orange basket & said something as he pointed to the tv.

Before leaving for the 'big debut', Flynn asked me, "Mom are you nervous?" & asked Daddy if I had a hard time sleeping because of my excitement.

Flynn & Gabe, have I mentioned lately how much I love you??

More Love in the Air, at least that's what I think it is

Gabe's treat at his party was certainly NOT dairy-free (as was Flynn's).
The parent in charge of that made them heart-shaped THICK brownies which were not only iced & decorated, they featured a white chocolate prince frog AND a full cup of vanilla ice cream (a la mode, only a la carte).

He could've cared less about the art project.

Was quick to pose.

And was done w/ hot potato about 5 minutes in (they played it forrrever).

Flynn spent what seemed like hours at her party, with her project (which was decorating a bag).

Strategically sat by her BFF.

And enjoyed the game that BFF's mom brought, tossing strawberry (pink) marshmallows
into a heart-shaped opening in a cutely wrapped gift box.

Waiting for the game to start,
hot potato w/ a flair.

Not sure how she ended up between two boys! ;)

Checking out their loot!

Showing off some moves.

And we did a post-party party (kinda like the after-party after the grammies)
at the playplace; because it was gorgeous outside & we didn't want the celebration to end.

Right after he went backwards into the slide & bumped his noggin.

"Oh my achin' head."

Love in the Air

What the heck is Gabe doing in this photo? (and why the heck is that hyperlinked?)

They were opening their Vday gifts from Momma & Daddy
(a couple of clearance things I'd bought over the past few months)Getting dipped (or holding on for dear life??)

Me & Papa catch a jig

With niece, Vanessa

With my girl who looks like she has red lip gloss on

We got to enjoy a fun party at church on Valentine's night. So fun. Have I mentioned that I love my church?

Bathing Beauties

Alternately Titled: Our Church Rocks

These are some photos of my two beauts. But also, nearly as cute, are the boats they made in each of their classes (Gabe is in the 3-yr old preschool class at church & Flynn is in the 4-5-K class at church).

I love that they aren't put in a room with a movie. Or given crappy coloring sheets to color.
They're taught God's word, in a very real & relevant way, that makes sense to a child --- and that's not a whole group I'm referring to. I mean, Gabe's class is taught different than even Flynn's class.
They sing praise & worship. They are told a lesson, sometimes through drama or puppets. And sometimes play instruments. Their learning is then extended through a project...and play, of course.

And that's what we did when we came home from church. That evening, at bath time, we floated the boats we made at church. And Flynn told the story.

And that is what church is about.

Thankful

I have a really long list that would apply, but tonight am especially thankful that Gabe has been accepted into the Walker-Scottish Rite Speech Clinic.
He will receive services twice each week, for an hour each time.
After just one session, I kid you not, I already see an improvement.

And here, are some other things I'm thankful for...

• a car that I can get in & start -- without worrying if it really will start
• healthy kids
• friends, good ones...and my kids having good friends
• a job that has allowed me to be a full time momma
• a job that has allowed me to make an impact on the Kingdom
• a husband who is an incredible father
• a safe environment for my allergy girl, who we once thought would never be in large group settings
• knowing that my husband's eyes are always on God
• being raised to 'fight' for the things I think are important (& fight for my kids)
• a church that allows us to be part of a heterogeneous 'community'
• food on the table & full bellies
• heat & a/c
• hand-me-down clothes & toys
• new & old friends & the fact that mid-thirties, I'm still making new friends
• that my family now worships alongside us
• a Pastor that realizes the importance of relevance
• a Pastor's wife who is full of integrity...that I admire & respect
• having a sister who is my best friend
• having extended family who support us
• anti-bacterial gel
• a potty seat in our car
• medicine & prescriptions
• fruits & veggies
• a working computer
• a dvd-player in our mini-van
• a new filling in my cavity
• the ability to laugh, no matter what's going on
• a really smart husband, who has thoughts of his own
• smart kids, who also happen to be really cute

And that, my friends, is just the tip of the iceberg.

Winter Fun

No need for sleds, Flynn figured out that sliding down on her skinny behind, was just as good!
Sun Snow bathing

Freezer-burned

Tractor Tipping

Helping Daddy shovel the ice

Part of my motive behind posting these photos from LAST MONTH's snow, is a sort of bidding adieu to winter. Sianara cold air (altho today's high is only 37) & welcome to you Thursday's high of 67 (fingers crossed!).

I finally got busy editing some photos, so I'm back to my FIRST PRIORITY which is documenting my kids' firsts, cute sayings, photos, & crazyness of our life. It takes priority over my other little 'site' of course. As that won't be around in 25 years, when my kids want to look back & read about how much I adore them.

Check out Flynn's frozen listening skills:

Big Momma & Lil Flynn heading down the giant width of the yard, yes I am crazy: