Boys, Frogs, and Sleepovers

Gavin's two little buddies came over to play last week and what do they find...a BIG ol' Toad that lives under some rocks in our yard. They immediately had no problem picking it up and holding it. They loved it!! And the second they put it down it pee'd all over my patio. I was SHOCKED at how much pee can come from one Toad. Thankfully it didn't pee on them.

These boys are hilarious. They think they are getting so big now. Tiff (their mom) was eating lunch with me and all of the sudden we look over and all three are mooning us. They are little crack ups.

That night Gavin had his first sleepover at their house. He was so excited. He did call us every hour or so to make sure he wasn't missing anything at home. I think he missed us, although he had a BLAST!! I love watching him with his friends. These boys in particular. Their mom and I have been friends for years and I remember the days when we were scared we couldn't have kids. Then the days we showed each other our pregnancy strips...wanting to make sure we really did see a line. And finally the birth of these boys. Gavin has been friends with Cullen and Lawson since the day they came home from the hospital. So it was very appropriate that his first sleepover would be with them- his oldest friends. Oh how I love these three boys!

SCHOOLS OUT FOR SUMMER!!

A little over a week ago I took my kids to preschool. And it was the last time I was taking Gavin. LAST TIME. Oh, I was welling up with tears as I kissed him goodbye and sent him to his class. I can not believe my big boy is going to Kindergarten next year. He is so ready, and is so excited, but I am having a hard time accepting it. I will be a wreck come August. The last few years have gone by so fast. I must have looked a little ridiculous though that day as a parent came up to me and said, "I need to give you some of my meds." She said she used to cry at stuff like this, but doesn't anymore. Anyway, I felt justified for my feelings but it did make me laugh just a little as I was imagining what I looked like. We had a great year this year. Gavin and Ellie had wonderful teachers who we all just adored. It was hard to say goodbye to them. So, next year Miss Ellie Belly will be in PreK and Gavmo will start Kindergarten. My how time flies.

So Goodbye School....and Hello Summer!!

A GREAT WEEKEND

I had a FABULOUS Mother's Day weekend. It started Friday when my brother and sister came into town. We all met for dinner at Benihana's. The entire Carpenter Clan...my two sisters, brother, parents and grandma. We got a sitter for the kids and had a great night as adults. Had a yummy dinner, a few drinks and then listened to my brother sing a few of his new songs. Saturday, Frank got up early and headed downtown to play in the finals of the World Oilman Tennis tournament. And he won!! Way to go Babe! They didn't allow kids this year so we stayed home and got ready for our family who was coming over. We had a swim party- BBQ and played by the pool pretty much all day Saturday. It was a blast.
Today for Mother's Day I got to sleep in. All the way until 8am...this is big stuff in our house as the kids are usually up at 6:30. And I was instructed to stay in bed. I got a yummy breakfast in bed, flowers, and Starbucks. The kids also made me coffee cups. They are so cute and they were so proud to give them to me. After breakfast we headed to church and then to my parents to hang out with my brother and sister before they left. We don't get to see them as often as we'd like so we made sure to spend as much time with them as we could. Then tonight Frank ordered Cheesecake Factory for dinner..it was yummy and I am so full. I am sure I must have gained at least 5 pounds this weekend. And my day is not over- as I write this Frank is drawing me a bath with my new bath junkie products. And I was promised a massage later. It has been one heck of a Mother's Day. My kids were so excited for Mother's Day. All day I have been hearing things like, "You are the BEST Mommy Ever!" "You Rock!" "Thank you for being the best mommy in the whole world!" Most of this has been coming from Gavin. He is such a sweetheart and has wanted to cater to me all day. Always asking, "well it's mother's day so what do YOU want to do." And giving me hugs and kisses all day. I feel so lucky and so blessed to be these three sweet kiddo's Mom. And VERY, VERY Blessed to have such an amazing husband who always tries to make me feel special. What a great day. And I am also very, very thankful that God gave me a wonderful mom to teach me, show me, and model to me what a great mom should be. I love you Mom!! Happy Mother's Day to you and all the other Mom's out there!

Our Girl is Back...

Just wanted to update and let everyone who has been praying for Hadley know that she is doing GREAT!! Her foot is healing really quickly. After about ten days of keeping her off her feet the skin started coming back on her toes and I actually stopped wrapping her foot this past Wednesday. I just kept a sock on it and by Friday she could walk on it barefoot. People kept telling me, kids heal quickly- but I really had no idea it would be so fast given what it looked like the day of the accident. Thankfully, she is a happy little girl again and we are happy to have her feeling like herself again. Trying to keep a BUSY 14 month old off her feet is not an easy thing to do. We tried the best we could and were either holding her or putting her in her highchair to play. It wasn't too bad, but I am definitely glad it is ALL behind us. One good thing that came out of all of this is that she loves to snuggle again. She hasn't been very snuggly the last few months and now she loves it. Thanks for all your prayers, thoughts, calls, texts and visits. Hadley is a lucky little girl to be so loved!!

Here she is learning to color in her highchair...an activity that actually kept her pretty happy...


Eating Ice Cream...


My little Monkey...Always Attached to Me...


Friday, her First day with shoes on...she was a happy girl to be walking outside....


Enjoying the Afternoon at the Park...like the Good ol' days...