Beach Getaway

We're headed off to the beach today for an impromptu trip with Grandmama & Poppy. We'll be beaching it on the Atlantic side of Florida, so hopefully Gustav won't interrupt our fun- in -the- sun plans. I've been on weather.com like crazy the past few days to see if it's worth the 8 hour drive. Rain or shine, we're determined to have a good time.
Fortunately, our neighbors loaned us their portable DVD player for Miller's viewing pleasure. Hopefully, animated vegetables in Veggie Tale movies will tickle his fancy and quiet his spirit ;) Curious George is also a scheduled movie showing. This form of entertainment should make the travel time a little more bearable for Miller& family this go around. Other things in my bag of tricks include cardboard books, cars , "Mickie Mouse Fun House" music for family sing-a-longs, crackers, peek-a-boo & tickling toe games. An animated momma & daddy should work in our favor too!! Miller's still too young to play my family's traditional car game of "I Spy". Until then, we'll occupy our busy boy in other ways!
Praying for safety and a relaxing time with family. Hurricane Fay & Gustav don't mess with this momma ( pretty please? with sugar on top? extra cherries?)

Happy Anniversary

Three years ago today, I married the man of my dreams. Just look at us...excited newlyweds. A wave of nostalgia came over me today, as I looked at all our wedding photos again. What a fantastically , wonderful day to begin a marriage. I'll never forget the calm peace I felt just before I walked down the aisle and my dad gave me away. I surprised myself that I didn't have butterflies all over the place!

It's so hard to believe that three years have passed. Our lives have changed in so many wonderful ways since August 27, 2005. Purchasing our first home, job changes, nesting for nine months & a new baby to name a few! God's been so good to our family. I'm thankful for such a giving husband and a healthy active toddler. Here's to you babe! Thanks for being such a fantastic family man and dad to Miller. You serve us in SO many ways.

Happy Anniversary! Looking forward to many more years of wedded bliss!

"Monday, Monday"

La la, la la la la....! Monday's are the day where Miller and I get our groove back. Weekends are relaxing, action packed and SO wonderful as a family, but Monday greets us with our familiar routine. Now that's something we like around here. Or is it me that's a slave to predictable time frames and the expected?

The past few Monday afternoons, Miller's enjoyed playdates with his buds. Today was just one of those days. We enjoyed lunch at Jessica, Gracie, Andrew & Noah's house with Mandy, Anna & one month old baby Jackson. A whole little kiddie troup entourage played and dined together...oh what fun! Miller ate his lunch as soon as we got there & I discovered new mealtime etiquette that he's picked up from the kiddos at Miss Karen's. I always drain his fruit cups before I serve him. Today a little juice remained in the bottom of his cup from his mandarin oranges. He picked up his cup with both hands, leaned back his head to take it all in and drank the juice. Orange sticky juice dribbled down the sides of his mouth, but I'm sure the mess was well worth the sweet taste! That was the first time I observed that new trick!

Anna and Gracie enjoyed playing dress up and the boys chased eachother up & down the stairs and around the house playing with trains & such. Miller loved the Ward's bus! Andrew introduced Miller to his love of trains. He loved playing with another bud who shares his passion for wheels.

I still can't figure out if the playdate was scheduled for the mommies or kiddos? What wonderful play date opportunities having little Miller has granted me. It's given both of us memorable socialization experiences together.

Happy Monday Everyone!

Congrats!

Congratulations to Terra & Andrew who are expecting! Terra, whose made a recurring blog appearance more than once, was my college roomy and sorority sister in college. We've evolved to telephone pals every week and blogging buddies across the miles. Did I mention that there's not just one baby...but two! TWINS..can you believe it? I've been SO thrilled about this announcement for weeks and have about blown a gasket trying to hold all this anticipation in. It's about killed me;)
These little tiny miracles have no idea what a fuss they are causing!
Heartfelt Congratulations and love to you both. We couldn't be happier for you!

School Days

Here are our belated First Day of School mommy& me traditional door pictures. Notice my upside down name badge. Even momma had the first day jitters! Miller is loving his new big boy backpack. He can even carry it on his own. Well, we're practicing how to wear the pack. Miller can't figure out how to remove it. He turns and turns in circles with his head looking over his shoulder in order to get a good look at his big boy bag. How did it get there...and how can you make it go away, momma?

He won't be carrying markers, crayons, paper and folders to Miss Karens. Right now, his pack is filled with diapers, breakfast, sippy cup and wipes. If anything, he just has the "look" of a preschooler!

We're loving our great start to the school year and Miller is in heaven at Miss Karens. The first week, he came home ready to eat lunch and exhausted from all the morning playtime. He's still napping in the morning, but his nap is dwindling down to 45 minutes. I don't think he wants to miss any of the action with the other kiddos.

All grown up, with my choo choo backpack!

Miller is determined to climb over the baby gate!

Lunch & Play

Miller and I had a blast over at Heather, Meg & Kate's for a lunch playdate today. The kiddos dined on pizza & fruit picnic style in Meg's playroom. Poor Meg had to sit in between two boys and guard her plate before it was "free game" open to curious hands wanting to sample her food. She takes it all in stride! Miller actually sat down at the picnic table for only a few minutes before the sights and sounds of the playroom lured him to get up and run around. Who has time to eat when there is SO much playing to do? He then ate lunch on the fly, stopping by the picnic table for a quick bite before hopping to the next game or activity with friends.

Five busy toddlers and one newborn made for a fantastic group of playmates. They turned that playroom upside down and inside out on their quest for the perfect toy. Miller enjoyed Meg's piano and karoke set for sure. Then it was off to the playscape for some swinging and sliding fun. We kept these toddlers on the move! Before long, crying won out over laughter. That's when you know to start packing up to head home for naptime! Thank you Heather for hosting us at your house. You make mothering two look so easy. We loved it!

Meg "pushing" Miller on the swing after she sweetly kissed his cheek.

Miller diving in front of Jack to sit on the slide. Ahh..these boys...SO active!

Budding Artist

When I picked up Miller from church nursery this morning a little surprise awaited me....Miller's first piece of artwork. There it was sitting in a row with all the other children's artwork proudly displaying the name "Miller" in the bottom right hand corner. I know...I know...it's only stickers on a piece of paper. But, he chose those stickers and decided where to put them on his construction paper. Promotion Sunday has brought many changes for Miller. He's in a new big- boy room with new teachers. The biggest change is that he hears a weekly lesson and participates in a craft. At least, he's traveled with a few of his buds that he's grown up with over the last year. Familiar faces have made the transition easier on our little guy. Enjoy!