The beginning of our VERY busy past year. Joseph Drew was born and it seems that time has flown from there. My old computer died, with it most of my pictures. So I had to start over and then we just go busy. Lilly played soccer in the fall and I was the coach. Tied one game and won the rest. How exciting. Because I was coaching, I don't have action shots. There was also dance and the beginning of First Grade. And Jackson's second year at LUMPS And visiting Joseph, Heidi, and Rob On this trip Jackson magically got a bead stuck in his ear. So a trip to urgent care confirmed there was a bead. They tried to get it out,unsuccessfully. It was surgically removed later that week. Oh the joys of a boy. By the way Rob was blamed first for putting the bead in his ear. He finally stuck with dinosaurs in the trees that put that bead in his ear. From that point on we were back to an ear infection that just wouldn't go away

Random Jackson Pictures

Jackson and I were able to meet friends at the park for pictures. As usual he was not still enough to get great pictures. HE had fun playing with the other fellows though.

Jackson LOVES ball. He wants to play t-ball (and is pretty good) and golf all the time. Poor Jonathan and Grandaddy spend alot of time playing ball. We thought Jackson was too young this year to sign up for t-ball, but I think he would have done great. He is still my sweet, fun loving, little fellow. He also told me one of the few times I played ball with him, "Mama, you don't know how to throw that ball." Well said Jackson, I don't know how and don't really care to learn. I wil be your biggest chearleader...ALWAYS!

Easter

THis is our first Easter without Heidi home. Mom and Dad were able to go visit and we just missed Heidi and Rob. Pictures were not the same.

The kids enjoyed hunting eggs. Jackson hid under the trampoline and got grass stains on his suite during pictures...guess that is a boy. Meme was able to come to church and she was talkative (for her).

Lilly turns 6

My sweet/stubborn little girl turned six. Very hard to imagine that she has been with us six years. I don't know what we did before we had her.

Lilly LOVES school still. Has been "bullied" by a boy on the playground and twice wrestled/pushed him to the ground. She got in trouble one of those time because she was caught by the teacher. As a Mama it makes me proud because she stands up for herself and doesn't let people bully her or take advantage. As a teacher I am supposed to say "keep your hands to yourself" but that kid had it coming. He was trying to kiss my little girl. Hope this last for a lifetime :)

Lilly weighs 50lbs and still has a hard time finding pants to fit. She is slim and tall. She tolerates Jackson, but not big on sharing attention or toys. Jackson LOVES Lilly and always wants to be with her doing whatever she is doing.

Still dancing and decided to sign up for t-ball. We tried to convince her to play soccer because she is fast and I think this sport would hold her attention more, but she is determined to play t-ball.

She still likes to snuggle with her Mama. After school she will crawl in my lap and just let me hold her a few minutes and that is the best part of my day. Lilly is very crafty and artistic and loves to spend her time making things.

she is my snuggle bug, sugar pie.

PS: She got a splinter in her behind on the playground today. Just another example of whey she is Heidi's because that is so something that would happen to Heidi Drew.

Christmas 2011

Christmas always seems to pass in a blur. We spent CHristmas Eve with Jonathan's family. THe kids were so excited to open presents. They got a WII and lot's of clothes. Jonathan and Lilly have become game experts. Just Dance, Golf, and WipeOut are their favorites.

Christmas night we hurried home so Santa could visit. Lilly had asked for a jumprope, talking purple diary, and hula-hoop. She got all except the jumprope because Santa knows she already had about 5. She was a little disappointed over that fact. Jackson started the season with drums on his wish list. I told him Santa wouldn't bring drums because they were just too loud, he revised his list to a blue flashlight, blue pen, and pocket holder for his tools. He didn't get the pen because he doesn't quite understand that pens are for paper. He did get lot's of tools and we travel everywhere the holder on his belt. He really is the "redneck" of the family. He calls himself the "working man." The kids big gift was a trampoline and this was WONDERFUL. The weather was perfect and for a solid week they spent their days outside jumping.

Off to Gran's where Santa came and there were lot's more tools for Jackson and crafts for Lilly. We really enjoyed the day with our families and had lot's of fun PLAYING! I also spent the week just CLEANING! Lilly's room alone produced 3 bags of TRASH, mostly paper. She does LOVE to spend her time writing and being crafty.

Christmas day night we had a birthday party for Jesus where Lilly made the cupcakes.

We then enjoyed a nice week at home as a family. Jonathan and I were both home for the week and we didn't even get mad at each other among all that family time! :)

**Heidi was in charge of Jackson's pictures Christmas morning so I don't have those on my computer. He is loved and we do take pictures of him!**

Taylor Swift

When the tickets went on sale Jonathan's cousin bought three extra tickets. So guess who got a surprise...Lilly, Granny, and I were able to go to the Taylor Swift concert. It was a fun experience, but neither Lilly nor I really know much Taylor Swift. Lilly was taken with the show and as usual I just loved watching her reaction to what was going on. I have decided that Daddy may be the one to take the kids to future concerts. Screaming, loud music, and little kids EVERyWHERE...along with the general chaos of crowds is not my idea of fun. THank you Leslie Young for the idea of bright clothing in crowds. I always thou hgt you were a little paranoid now I know why!

Lilly's Field Trip

Lilly's first field trip was to Vollmer Farm. The kids went on a hay ride, made butter, saw the animals, jumped, played, and picked a pumpkin. The first scheduled day was rained out so I ended up with two days off and the second day Gran was out of town and unable to go. We missed her!

I LOVE watching Lilly interact with other kids. She LOVES to be around people and had so much fun with her friends. Instead of being bossy, she was really kind and played well with the two girls assigned to our group.


Since going into teaching I have not had a desire to teach Kindergarden. Who wants to cut, paste, and color all day right? OH my! What a joy to watch Lilly learn so much in such a short time. Listening to her read and seeing the smile on her face when she does this by herself melts my teacher heart.

Jackson Turns 3

Jackson had a dinosaur birthday party. Every year he has had the perfect weather for his birthday, so I planned a dino egg hunt. Wouldn't you know it rained and was COLD. The kids all had fun. Jackson got a grill from Heidi and Rob that he LOVES and a tool bench from Gran and Grandaddy that he really plays with. We gave him a nice pair of boots and he wears those everyday. Except for those times he has accidents with pot tying and then he looses his boots.



He is still my loving sweet little fellow. He goes with Mama to visit Meme often and she has told me stories of how great he is with all the old people. Recently Mom and Dad were out of town, so I had Meme duty. Jackson went with me and each time I was amazed. He would all of a sudden be gone and I would find him in the room with the man across the hall talking away. The next day we went at lunch and he ran up to a different man and hugged him and sat across from him and just talked and talked. He walked through the dinning room and talked to all the residents. He really brings them joy. I got a good laugh when one man came in late and they asked him what he would like to drink. "A crown and coke" was his reply. When told they were out he said, "Well I guess I will have a Seagrams Seven." All of us in our "right" mind at that moment just laughed.

Pumpkin Patch

We had fun visiting the local pumpkin patch with our church. The kids and I had already been pumpkin shopping and decorating, but we had fun hanging out, picking out pumpkins, and on the hayride.

Trick or Treat

Pirates! Jackson has loved pirates since this summer,so he was excited to be a pirate and Lilly couldn't think of anything she would rather be. I was excited because I got both outfits at a consignment shop for $12 and came home and made pirates.

Halloween was rainy, cold and miserable, BUT both kids LOVED going trick or treating this year so it was worth it.

Oh Well

I thought I was going to make a nice change on my blog and seems that I messed it up. I will add that to my to do list...fix blog.

We have been extremely busy since school started. Lilly has dance on Tuesday's (tap, ballet, and clogging), church on Wednesday's (when we aren't too exhausted to go), and cheer leading on Thursdays. Lilly really LOVES dance and cheer leading so I guess we are just beginning the life of running all the time. Lilly usually CRASHES by 8:00 (another reason it is hard to go to church on Wednesday nights. We like to have baths and read before 8pm) Lilly does good at getting up using her alarm clock. In fact she gets up easier with the alarm clock than when I wake her up. I have been pleasantly surprised that Lilly eats lunch and breakfast at school. Since she goes with me each morning she usually eats breakfast after we get to school and that allows her to sleep a little later in the morning. Lilly riding with me does cut out my little bit of quiet time. I just love that Lilly loves school. She happily puts on her book bag each morning and walks to her class all by herself. I hear she socializes all the way to class and I guess this is why I got the boot. This past week Lilly lost her two front teeth. She pulled one herself and RoeRoe pulled the other. BOTH at school....she was excited. Lilly had her first cavity filled this past week and I was expecting A LOT of DRAMA....she didn't flinch or shed a tear. I was SOOOOOOOOOO PROUD Of what a trooper she was.

Jackson is ALL BOY and I am still AMAZED at the things boys will do. He LOVES to wear blue jeans and boots and shoot guns. FOr his birthday all he will say he wants is a T-Rex. This past week he did say he wanted a hunting gator (camouflaged gator). Hope he doesn't remember saying that because he is not getting that and his daddy doesn't hunt so he better hope Mr. Scott or Michael will take him hunting. He is not longer a baby/toddler. Definitely growing and so full of LOVE that I could just eat him up. HE can do the most mischievous things and yet smile and say I loves you Mama and that is all it takes. A few weeks ago Jonathan gave Jackson his first "real" spanking (from his Daddy) and Jackson's heart was broken. Jonathan was telling J to quit crying and listen and J went up and hugged (and patted his back) Jonathan and said "I am trying Daddy." It was sooooo sweet.

Jackson goes with Mama to see Meme at least every other day and according to Mama he is so good to have to sit. He goes up to one of the men and shakes their hand and talks to each resident as he passes them. I think Meme recognizes him some days but the good thing there is no matter what Jackson doesn't know and he loves and kisses her anyway! He is really a very loving little fellow and compassionate when others are hurting or upset. He is also a true little brother and terrorizes Lilly constantly.

Lilly and Jackson are getting much better at playing together. We went to the fair yesterday and Lilly would take Jackson's hand and help him onto each ride.

Sorry no recent pictures....I have been too busy. I didn't even take the camera to the fair, I decided to travel light. Hopefully in the next few weeks I will have new pics of toothless Lilly and Jackson turning 3.

From the Mouth of Lilly

Over the past week Lilly has had the following to say about school.
-The librarian is The Library Boss, The Writing Teacher is The Book Writing Teacher, and my favorite, The Couselor is Sunshine Girl. She has loved going to specials and the being exposed to new things.

Ove the course of the week she has shown her perfection issues in Homework and Art. She has meltdowns when asked to draw herself because she just can't draw people. THis is defintily a Jonathan trait because I would not care less.

Last night as we were talking before going to bed Liilly asked me "What is tomorrow?" I answered "Friday" Lilly "Can you remind me tomorrow?" Me: "Yes, Why?" Lilly: Because Caroline always get the answer right and tomorrow I am going to get the right answer."

That is how we have always gotten Lilly to learn new things, telling her her friends can do it. She doesn't like to be the kid who doesn't know.