Haircut

Last weekend Grace got a haircut and you would have thought she was getting a shot from the doctor. She screamed bloody murder until we gave her a sucker. geesh!!! She has gotten her hair trimmed before, but she didn't even know what was going on. We just told her that Kelli was brushing her hair, you know, in hopes that the real thing wouldn't freak her out or anything. Yeah that didn't work. hahaha She was however, excited to take the "pictures of my haircut for Annie, Abby, and Scott."

Here is the front of the cut. You probably wouldn't even notice if you didn't know she got her hair cut. It just looks cleaned up and no split ends. (Do you think she is ready for school?, she stole this shirt from Seth for a night shirt)

Here is the back, long layers. The one really long curl in the back is now gone and her hair is straight.

Look at those cheeks!!!

Watching the kids...

I was watching the kids tonight and something hit me. They really do love each other, they don't always have to argue. Tonight, my mom and I took the kids to a Cardinals game and we were out pretty late. Seth has school in the morning and he was getting antsy so we left early. On the way home they were laughing so hard in the car at each other (they were probably dillusional)LOL. When we got home I told Seth to brush his teeth and then get ready for bed. Instead he brushed Grace's teeth and got her ready for bed. (I know he wasn't listening to what I told him to do, but how do you really get upset at this.) Sometimes he really amazes me with the things he does. Tonight is a good example. Of course when I am watching him brush her teeth, I am completely thinking, "where is the freaking camera when I need it?"haha

Anyway, after he was finally ready for bed, I had put Grace in bed and already closed the door, when he said he needed to sing to her. (Richie was at work and he ALWAYS sings "take me out to the ball game" to both kids EVERY night before bed) Seth took it upon himself to crawl into bed with Grace and sing to her. I about cried. He was so cute sitting there singing and they always finish the song with "play ball" together. He gave her a kiss good night and then pulled the covers up and tucked her in.

He and I then went into his room and he got into bed and he asked me to get the phone. (We call Richie at work for him to sing to Seth). He gets tucked into bed and Richie sings. I give him a kiss good night after he hangs up the phone. Now, I usually say "I love you and will see you in the morning", but tonight he said it first (word for word). I know this may not sound like much, but they are growing up so fast, it is freaking scary. Sometimes I wish I could just push a pause button or freeze frame these moments in time.

SWEET DREAMS EVERYONE!!!

SCHOOL..

has officially started for Seth today. Grace and I dropped him off for his first day of Kindergarten. He was so excited about going. Last night we got everything ready and made lunch. He gets to use his Rick Ankiel (St. Louis Cardinals player) lunch box.

Getting ready to walk into the classroom. He is getting sooooo big, it is kind of scary!!

Seth is showing me where his seat is.

He is ready for a FULL day of learning.

I didn't cry when I dropped him off, but I felt lost. Grace and I didn't know what to do. Grace even asked if she could "stay with her brother". Everyday she asks when her school starts and everyday she gets dressed in her "pretty dress" in the hopes that we will be going to her first day of school too.

I can't wait for Seth to come home from school today. I have so many questions for him, I am excited for him that he is excited about going to school.

Preston turned 3..

on Saturday. We all went to his house yesterday to celebrate. We had a great time. The kids played and played. "Batman" (Preston), opened his presents after we ate dinner. He got lots of cool things.

Grace is helping Preston open the presents.

Reading a book that he got for his birthday.

Time for cake. Grace once again is waiting patiently for the food, trying to help him blow out the candle. As you can see Preston likes anything that has to do with super heros.

We needed some extra lung power for this candle. Batman called in the reinforcements.

He didn't want to wait for his piece and decided to take a "bite out of crime".

His daddy had other plans though.....

It was great time had by all. Thank you "Batman", hope you had fun too.

Pool Days

It is getting be the end of summer and we haven't been to the pool lately, with all the home improvement things we have doing around the house. Yesterday was a beautiful day and we met Aimee and the boys at the pool, along with another friend, Nikki and her two girls. We even called Nina and asked if she wanted to join us for awhile and swim. The kids were so excited that Nina came, they talked about it all day long.

The pool in Mascoutah is sooooo fun, the kids pool starts out at 0" and slopes in. It has a frog slide, and fountains in it.

Grace is sporting her new bathing suit. It is actually her suit for next year, but I couldn't find this years suit anywhere. She picked this out, she has a thing for skulls, she even has blue skull shoes that were Pearl's.

Here is Seth running out of the pool from the fountains. Hayden and Carson are in the background standing on the water holes. It is always good times at the pool.

Sunday...

was a beautiful day and we invited the whole family over for some BBQ. Hamburgers, hotdogs, potato salad, chips, and some good ole fashion family time. The boys put the piano back in the house. (boy did Luke and Pete earn their keep that day, they spent all day at Mom's school painting and then came over here and moved furniture.)We ate dinner and then it was time for the marshmallow launcher.


Seth got a launcher for his birthday and we hadn't taken it out yet. I thought Sunday was as good a day as any. Everyone got a turn.

Pete was up first. He shot the furthest, I think.

Luke was up next. He needs a little more practice. His daughter had to show him how it was done.

Here is Erin showing her Dad how to use the marshmallow launcher. She is a pretty good shot too.

I was next and Erin was handing me my ammo, at least the ones she hadn't eaten yet. haha!!!

Mom even got in on the action. I think the adults were having more fun with this toy than the kids. Well, the kids may have had more fun if we had given them a chance. LOL

Seth was next. He did a great job. Our target was the plastic pool. (It was full of water, so the kids were drenched as well.)haha

Here are Grace and Pearl chasing the marshmallows in the pool. No surprise there, Grace is were the food is. hahaha!!

After our fun we played some Comsic Catch (another game Seth got for his birthday. Boy, I sure am glad we got those for him...hahaha) It is actually a really cool game. I hope everyone had a good time, I know I did. We watched the kids play in the water and spray each other with the hose and put on a show of American Idol (I guess they are getting warmed up for the next season.) I hope everyone had a great weekend.

I do...

are those famous words we hear at the wedding when the bride and groom are pledging their love to each other in front of their family and friends. I wrote earlier that my brother, Luke, was getting married in Florida to a very lovely lady, Tiffani. The wedding was held on the beach on 8-8-08. My youngest brother, Pete, was the bestman and the bride's sister, Helena, was the matron of honor. Mom, Dad, Missy and Preston, Aunt Maryann and Uncle Mike were also in attendance. They all said the ceremony was beautiful. People were playing in the water and sand. Others were watching from their hotel balconies. The whole beach was clapping and cheering for them and their 2 daughters, Erin and Pearl.

Here is the happy couple, Luke and Tiffani.

The complete family. Luke, Tiffani, Erin and Pearl, we wish you all the best in your future. We love you guys.

OMG...

today was one of those day where I just wanted to curl up in a ball and scream my head off for no reason, other than to let out some steam. I know that it is me, stress, PMS, etc....but for some reason the kids were just getting on my last nerve. This story goes along with the one when kids will make you smile no matter what mood you are in.

Tonight was just one of those nights we wish sometimes we could rewind and try to start all over again. They were probably just fine, but I was only ever seeing the things that irritated me, pestering each other in the car, screaming at the top of their lungs in the car, telling each other what to do in the car, etc. Notice everything was in the car, we had a lot of errands to do today, as you can probably tell.

Well, after the running was over I told the kids we were going to eat then it was bed time. I told Grace to get undressed and of course she starts playing with her toys in the bedroom. (lovely, right!!!)I finally get her dressed, by this time Seth is getting ready for bed in his room too. I brushed Grace's teeth and then went to get Seth to brush his. Now this is the funny part. I opened the door and for some reason I looked up(probably because I noticed him turning on the ceiling fan and wondering why he even turned it off)to find his shorts were hanging from the fan and he wanted to see how far they would go with the fan on!!! I could not help myself. I laughed so hard, my stomach hurt. He started laughing so hard too, and not just laughing, that laugh that kids do when they think something is soooo funny they can't stop laughing.

These are the days. Sit back and enjoy the ride. Hope everyone is having a good weekend. Tomorrow is BBQ day!!!Richie is off work and I am looking forward to some marshmallow launching....

Horner Park

Today was a good day. The kids and I slept in this morning(which is a rare occasion around here). We all got dressed and headed out of the house(I completely agree with you, Andrea, about the weather, who could possible complain). We had been in the house for the past 3 days because the kids have had a bad cold and didn't feel well. I asked them what they wanted to do and Seth told me to call Aimee and see if she wanted to meet us at Mascoutah Park. I told him that she was working but we would see them tomorrow for sure. I asked the kids if they wanted to go to the park in Lebanon, and they said yes. Of course, Seth has to take his bike wherever we go now. We went to Horner Park and walked all the way around it. The trail is gorgeous with hills and trees (which I like because that means shade). LOL

Here are the two goof-balls.

This is the hill in the trail. Seth thought he could make it up riding his bike.

I guess riding was too hard. hahaha

Grace chillin out by the tree in the shade (my favorite part). She and Seth were making funny faces at each other to see who could be funnier.

It is officially finished

Richie has been working his tail off putting in the new flooring in the house. We went with Bamboo hardwood. He did such an excellent job, I am trying to convince him to put the last 4 1/2 unsed boxes in the closets of the bedrooms. I am not sure if it is working or not. hahaha Here is the finished product.

He put the floor in at a 45 degree angle. We still have the finishing touches to do. Baseboards and transition pieces, but we can't put them in until we get the doors for the bedrooms.

Here is the hallway. The doors are being replaced with solid core 6 panel white doors and white trim/baseboards.

Here is our new front door. A wind came through and bent the hydraulic hinges for the storm door, which in turn ripped the frame of the door. The storm door still worked but had to be locked at all times so it wouldn't blow open. This door Richie and I actually agreed on. Shocker, right? We really liked the design in the top.

We hope you like and if you are ever in the neighborhood you will have to stop by and see it.

YAY!!!

Just a note to let everyone know that my brother, Luke, was married today at 4pm on the beach in Florida. I just want to wish him and his new family the best. Sorry we couldn't be there guys. We sure hope it was great.

Free time...

is not something that we get around here for ourselves. However, during my free time I do like to go ride out at Aimee's. Today was a beautiful day and I asked Heather if she would like to go out there with me and the kids. We packed up the kids and set out for the barn. The kids love going out there... Grace's favorite part is feeding the horses(I guess she doesn't think they are big enough).

Foxy was not really into being riden. She was being attacked by giant horseflies. I rode for a few minutes, before it got uncomforable with her kicking herself in the stomach.

She is a very good girl. She is however, very attached to the other horse that Aimee has, Candy.

After I put Foxy away, I got Candy ready for the other to ride. Seth was up first. He is getting the hang of it. I have doing circles around me to get used to turning her in the direction he wants her to go.

This is Garrett (Heather's oldest). This was the second time he has riden. He did a great job. He was telling me in this picture that he didn't want to let his mom ride, because that would mean he would have to get down. We were laughing about it.

Grace and Wyatt were more interested in playing on the swingset.

Heather is looking forward to moving to MO, were they are building a house and she can have horses of her own.

This is what Foxy does when her other half is not with her. She acts like a maniac. She was galloping around the other pasture to try to be next to Candy. When Candy saw Foxy doing this Candy had had enough and wanted to go back. I guess that is her way of saying we are done for the day. These two are quite the characters when they are together.

Getting ready for the weekend.

This week has been hectic. We have been putting in wood flooring in the living room and hallway. Richie has done a great job of doing this. The kids and I have been trying to stay out of his way so he can get it done. The other night we had a really bad rain storm come through and it tipped the plastic pool over in the backyard and filled up with water (upside down). I told the kids to go out back and play the next day to get out of the house for awhile. They were getting really antsy in the house. Grace walked outside and first thing she does is jump in the pool with all of her clothes on. Somehow I am sure this is not surprising anyone who is reading this.

Here is the result of not looking in the backyard before sending your kids out to play.

Just more ways that kids will always keep a smile on your face.

Success...

About 2 months ago, I stopped buying diapers and put panties on Grace. I used up what diapers we had left and told her I wasn't buying anymore. I bought really cheap pull-ups for naps and bedtime (she will usually wake up dry anyway, more procautionary than anything else). She has come a long way.

I think I am safe to say that we are successful with the potty training. Last week we went to the zoo (no accidents), went to the Macoutah Homecoming (no accidents), running around, going to the pool, and tonight we went to the Cardinals Game (no accidents). She tells us when she has to go to the bathroom (even number 2).

This is exciting for me, as now I have thrown away the diaper bag and bought a purse that I can put a pair of panties and shorts in to carry with me. YAY!!!

Sunday...

has been pretty busy. We started out the day with some flooring. Dad came over this morning to help Richie start our new hardwood floor in the living room and hallway. We have decided to put in Bamboo flooring.

Keep in mind we got the flooring in on Thursday while I was at the zoo. I was thinking that Richie was at home just hanging out, but much to my surprise he had dusted the house, started a load of laundry and then decided to pull out all the carpet in the living room and hallway. That night after the kids went to bed I helped him pull out all the staples left in the subflooring and sweep. Friday night he put all the flooring in the house (it has to sit in the house for 24 hours before being layed out to adjust to the house temp). So, this morning was the big day.

Dad helped Richie get started before Richie had to go to work this afternoon. He will be at again in the morning. I will be so happy when it is all over. I am tired of dust. hahaha. I just keep thinking it will all be worth it in the end.

While he was doing this, Aimee and I met up at the Mascoutah Park for the rest of the homecoming events. There was an event that we thought the kids might enjoy, Pedal Tractor Pull. The kids had to pedal a tractor as far as they could pulling weights behind them. Definitely not as easy as it sounds.

Carson was the first up to try. They had 3 classes (based on the weight of the child). Carson was in class A (which BTW was repeated at the end of the event because the weight the kids were pulling was too much. The kids could only pedal about 3 feet).

Here is Hayden. Look at the determination on his face. He and Seth were in class B. This class had a few kids that pulled the weight until the tractor couldn't go any further. (there is a box on the trailer that goes up while the tractor is in motion, when it gets to the top the tractor will automatically stop)

Seth tried his best and got it moved about 15 feet before he looked at me and wondered if he could go any further. What a good sport.

Mascoutah Homecoming...

was this weekend. Since we moved here we have made this a family tradition to attend with Aimee and her family. The kids look forward to the parade and racing to get the most candy. Mascoutah, like Lebanon, is a small town. Local farmers and lots of tractors.

Here are the three stooges laying on a blanket waiting for the parade to start.
They are gearing up for the first set of giveaways.

Here is what the parade mostly consists of. We also see the school dance teams, local businesses (advertising, of course), lots of tractors, boy scout troops, Homecoming court, and of course 4-H.
Fire trucks galore!!


After the parade we headed over to the 4-H area and saw the animals. Seth has 2 friends that had rabbits entered in the show. The kids thought that was cool that they actually knew someone that was participating in the show. (This year Aimee and I are looking at getting the two older ones involved in 4-H.) They even got the pet the rabbits.

Here is Grace looking at the rabbit. The little girl standing next to Grace is Lorena and she was in Seth's class last year. The rabbit's name is Storm.
This is Foo-Foo. She belongs to another girl that was in Seth's class last year.

Here is a local 4-H'er that was explaining to the boys all about pigs.
By the way, his pigs are 6 months old and already 225 pounds. OMG!!!


Then it was off to the Draft horse relay. We caught the womens competition. The horses pulled a sled to a pile of straw bales, where the girls had to load the bales onto the sled, turn around and then unload them in a different location. Kevin and Richie missed this part of the show.
Here is the start of the race.

This is the end, where she is unloading the straw bales.


Now it is time for the rides. Too many rides and soooo little time. They got to pick the rides they wanted to ride on. They all have their favorites.

Seth and Hayden on the swings. It must be a guy thing, SPEED!!!
This ride was just the right size for Grace, however this was the only ride she rode. The seat belts don't tighten enough for her and she is a wiggle worm, trying to get out of the ride while in motion. Nothing like a little adrenalin rush for me. Ok, that is enough for me for one night. We left the night hot, sticky, and full of snow cone juice all over the place.