Thoughts from a Preschooler Mom...

So my little girl started preschool on Tuesday. She was so excited; so excited that she woke up at 5:15am that morning and wanted to leave right away. I think it was a combination of nervous energy and the excitment of something new. Mom and Dad groggily and not very happily made her stay in bed with us until 6am. The day started early and with some reluctance to get out of bed, but we got going and drove to Preschool. Lots of cars, lots of mommies, lots of daddies and lots of younger siblings. I think there may have been lots of mommies hiding behind sunglasses in the parking lot as well! I am happy to report that I did not cry, but did choke back some heavy emotions as I left my oldest daughter at school for the 1st time...perhaps now is when I will cry - reflection! Addison did seem a little nervous, but sat down at the table with the other children and started coloring. Tony, Olivia and I kissed Addison, told her to listen to her teachers and then left out the back door of the classroom. Olivia and I went home and cleaned for the "big" party this weekend, and Tony went to work; where I think he got asked numerous times if I had cried, he didn't even know (he had to ask later). Tony and I picked Addison up from school, and took her to lunch at her favorite, Ruby Tuesday. She was able to tell us that she colored, played kitchen and made a hotdog and had ice cream for her snack!

As I drove to work after lunch, I thought about what had just transpired over the morning. My baby girl, my tough, independent peanut had grown up in the blink of an eye. Where in the world did my little baby who struggled with jaundice, couldn't gain weight; where did she go? My little toddler who used to poke her sister's eyes and squeeze her so hard while giving hugs (oh wait, she still does that one), my little girl who wants no one in the bathroom with her and amazes people at Sams Club that she needs to poop in private and can even make the noises to go with it, where did she go? She just walked through the doors of Peace Lutheran Preschool as a big girl. (Hope she knows that with that now comes some new repsonsibilites, like minding her manners, not throwing tantrums, not whinning, eating all her dinner when it is presented to her and sleeping until at least 6am EVERY morning!!)Now she is Miss Independent going to school!

As I wipe the tears now, and laugh at how she really is still my baby girl, my peanut and oh so much like me when I was little (so I have been told), I pray she just don't grow up so fast over the next few years!

Olivia's Birthday Party

Happy Birthday Olivia!!! We had a great birthday party for Olivia last night. We went to Valentino's for dinner and she ate great...peas, noodles, and half a whole piece of pizza! She loved it, no yelling and was just an angel! When we got home, we had a "quick" party with presents from Addison and let Olivia dive into her cake which was quite a site. Addison was anxious to have Olivia play with her Bounce and Go Zebra. She has promised us that she will always ask Olivia before she plays with "her" toys.

Olivia throughly enjoyed her cake.

Not so happy when mommy took the cake away for her to get into the bath:

Happy 1st Birthday Olivia

Hard to believe a whole year has already flown by and Olivia is one years old!!! Where has all the time gone? This first year with Olivia has been full of lots and lots of different emotions, some I would like to forget and many many others I hope to never ever forget. Olivia has been a true miracle to Tony and I. As many of you know, our chances of ever having a family were very slim, then came Addison and then to find out we were having another little miracle...it filled our hearts with so much joy knowing that we relied on God to pull us through and show us the miracle He had planned for us. Tony and I have both shed lots of tears through the years, and the best tears where at the births of each of our children. I know there will be many more tears as Olivia grows up; but it is still the cry that we have this miracle that warms my heart the most. I love to just snuggle with her (she still loves to snuggle too)! Olivia has filled a spot in my heart that was reserved only for her. She has given us so many laughs over the last year, some scares (okay many scares), but she is tough...she's gotta be with a sister like Addison!!!!!!!

Happy Birthday Olivia!! Enjoy your party today with mommy, daddy and Addison!! Addison is so excited to give you your gifts and watch you eat your cake...do NOT disappoint her!!

Naps are for Wimps

Please let me preface this video clip: sometimes telling a little white lie is necessary in order to get your children to do things.
Addison played in her room for almost 2 hours yesterday coming out only a few times to know if it was "wake-up time". I told her she needed to go to sleep on many occassions; she NEVER did!

Olivia on the other hand slept great, but also likes to play in her crib.

Summer Fun

The girls have enjoyed the summer very much. We have been busy, therefore the lack of updates. Thank goodness for Bubba and Grammy who always seem to have their camer ready to catch a moment with the girls. The latest adventures have taken us to Omaha to wedding dress shop with Cassie, the Taste of West Omaha, and a trip to Fun Plex with Bubba, Lou and Grammy.


We are anticipating the arrival of Kevin, Jenny and Leo intoGrand Island on September 1st while they are enroute to their new home in Pocatello, Idaho. Addison is especially excited to see Michael Leo, and it appears that Leo is excited to see the girls as well. Apparently he has found a new fun trick, hitting people, animals and various other things. Don't worry Kevin and Jenny, Addison will set him straight and tell him that it is not nice to hit!!! She will probably also give him "the lecture" about keeping his tongue in his mouth, using nice words, being a big boy, the list could go on. You will quickly learn all the things we are telling her about being nice and about being a big girl so that she can go to school.


The hot days of August are taking its toll on us, Addison has so much energy that she can't run off, and Olivia is having some heat rashes. Both the girls are such "hot kids". They sweat very easily. We are "forcing" water. Olivia is officially off the bottle, she has been for about a 1 1/2 months now. She loves to be just like Addison and drink from the sippy cup. Matter of fact, whatever Addison is doing, Olivia wants to be doing it also. She has found that when Addison takes a toy from her, yelling is a great way to mom and dad's attention. We are trying to teach "sharing"; but Addison is pretty protective of "her stuff". At daycare Olivia has learned that when she does not want to eat something to throw it on the floor because the dogs will eat it; not so much at home. She just kind of gives us this look like "you won't yell at me for throwing this because I am so darn cute".


The rest of the pictures are of our"little fishy". Addison loves to swim and play in the water. She has figured out that jumping into the pool is a lot of fun, and so is going down slides. Still not a big fan of having water in her face, but getting better.




One last picture for you to enjoy! This cutie will turn 1 years old in 6 days!!
Where has the time gone?

Swimming Time in York

Okay, so I am trying to have more posts this month since we have been
so busy with activities this month. We spent last weekend in York with Tony's family; including Tyler, Latisha and Londyn. The girls had a blast, although I think they wore thier grandma out! She was watching all 3 girls all day Sunday while the rest of us were at the golf course. Thank you Gail! I had a great time watching Tony and it was nice to just be out there with him and have some quiet time. You know I can't talk on the golf course!! I do not think I have watched Tony golf since June 2004!

Here are some pictures of Addison and Londyn swimming. Olivia was sleeping, and not a real big fan of the water. Addison was wnjoying jumping into the pool as Londyn wanted to fill up the cup and ump it out; over and over again!! They had a great time and really fed off each other. Latisha and I decided that they really need to get together more often and that they are pretty alike in a lot of ways. Addison has asked a few times since we came home when she going to see Londyn again! She just loves playing with everyone!!!





Here is a little video of the girls playing in the water, Addison jumping into the pool, and being her ornery self!!

Olivia and Addison's BIG News...

Because so many of you can not wait any longer, mainly just Kevin and Jenny; I will share the BIG news with you now...

A New Feature

We added a new page element to the side-bar (curtesoy of Aunt Bubba). Check it out, take the poll and find out the answers on Monday. We spent last weekend in York with Tyler, Tisha and Londyn. The girls had a blast playing and wearing grandma out! Will post some pictures as soon as I get them off my camera!

Enjoy the new feature.

"Fireworks, close your mouth"

Happy 4th of July! At our house, we are glad the 4th is over and it is now quite in our neighborhood. Addison was NOT a fan of the fireworks this year. She spent most of the evening on July 3rd and July 4th with her hands over her ears, asking the fireworks to please close thier mouths. We had told her that there woul be loud bangs and pops, because it was America's birthday. She started saying "Happy Birthday Camerica"! Well then the conversation evolved a little and went a little like this...

A: Mom, when is Camerica coming to our house for her birthday?

M: Addison, America is not a person, it is where you live.

A: Huh?

M: Grand Island Nebraska is in America. America is where you live.

A: Huh? (this is her favorite response when she is either not listening, or just doesn't understand)

M: Peanut, America is a place, not a person. America can NOT come to our house, we live in America. Please go potty so we can leave for Aranea's.

A: But, it is Camerica's birthday mom, when is she coming?

(Dad now speaks up to change the subject becuase mom obviously is not getting anywhere with her)

D: Addison, America is the country you live in. Would you like to watch the Hero's now?

So, she was disappointed that she did not get to wish "Camerica" a happy birthday, but realived the fireworks were finally over. She did end up watching some of them, and enjoyed them for a breif period of time as long as her ears were covered!

Kristin, Brian and Keyara went to the water park with us and then came over in the evening for a little while to grill out and play with us! The girls had a GREAT time running around, playingon the swingset and throwing "poppers" on the ground. (Of course, Addison had to hold her ears every once in awhile.)






We tried to get some family shots of the girls, mommy and daddy; however, Addison was not real cooperative. So we just have the girls to show off. Besides, none of you really want to see us, you just want to see the girls!!


Gail, notice Olivia's outfit, the one you bought for Addison's first 4th of July and had to take a tuck in the pants because Addison was so skinny. Well, Olivia fit into them, a bit snugger around the waist though!!



Now, make sure you all check back soon for some more pictures!! Olivia is learning so new tricks and will want to show them off soon. And Addison, well she is a proud big sister and will cheer her sister on all the way! Don't forget to leave a comment, we enjoy reading them!

Special Vacation in Omaha

The girls spent a great few days in Omaha on their "special vacation" with Grammy and Aunt Cassie. They did a lot of things, and had a ton of fun. I am told both the girls were well behaved and slept great and did good for being away from Mommy and Daddy for the first time for more than 2 nights. We missed them like crazy and talked about them ALL the time, but Kristin and Brian and Tyler and Latisha talked about their kids too; so we did not feel too bad.

Sounds like the girls did a lot of swimming, running in the sprinklers and taking walks and going to the park! Addison enjoyed some time with Max, a grandson of Grammy's friend. Olivia enjoyed the pool more than the sprinklers. The water needs to be somewhat similar to bath water for Olivia to enjoy it! If you look real close at the picture of Addison with the sprinkler, you will notice she is trying to get a drink of water, what a nut!



Walking in style!


Addison and Olivia spent a lot of time at the Henry Doorly Zoo and the Omaha Children's Museum as well. Olivia had a blast showing off her cuter than cute voice...at least that is what the picture tells me! They spent about 3 hours there, and Addison did NOT want to leave; she convinced Grammy to spend the big bucks and buy a membership...SUCKER!!! Kidding mom!!








The girls also went to a 4th of July party, and had some bonding time with Lou! We heard you paid for a toy Lou!




All in all the girls had a great vacation! We were sure glad to have them home though!! Oh, by the way...we had a great time in Branson also. Not many picutres to prove it, the girls weren't there to take pictures of!! We went to some great shows, ate at some great places, and had a lot of fun with Kristin and Brian and Tyler and Latisha!



Sisters bonded by their love for their sippy cups!

Lazy Days of Summer

Our days have been anything but lazy. Here is just a brief synaposis in pictures (lack of time to write much). We built a swingset for Addison and Olivia, finally and took on the task of covering up the purple walls in out living room. Which then went on to include updating the kitchen, and now we are anticipating the hall and steps leading to the basement. We have spent much time outside, playing at the park, in the pool and going to the water park. Enjoy the pictures and know that when we return from our vacation we will spend some tie updating this site and adding some pictures.






The next few pictures are really for Kevin and Jenny who want to see the living room with no purple walls!! These were the best I could get! Notice the light fixture in the kitchen, that is new as well. Kevin you would be proud of Tony, and I with the awesome help of mom putting that darn thing up!




We are headed to Branson this week for Kristin and Brian and Tyler and Latish, all childless!! Addison and Olivia will be enjoying some time with Grammy and Bubba (Aunt Cassie) on their "special vacation".