Fun At the Zoo!

In case you can't tell, I am updating my blog almost everyday..... I am completely obsessed now that I got my first hardcover copy in the mail, and I know how great it is to look back at all of this!
Yesterday we went to the SA zoo with DJ, Jadyn, and Patyn.  Jaxson is finally at an age where he seems to enjoy it, although we go all the way to the zoo and all they really care about are ducks and fish.  Maybe we should just head to a pond or a lake!  Poor DJ is still nursing all the time, so I would wander off with the kids to sneak peeks at the nearby animals.  The hippos have to be the best!  But on one of our little ventures I heard an elderly woman say... "look at the that girl with those twins and that little boy... she is brave!" Whew.... that would be brave of me... which got me to thinking.... please don't let me have twins if I ever get pregnant again.  Taking 2 kids to the zoo is hard enough... 3 adds little stress.... 4.... well just check me in at the nearest insane asylum!   But really, we were lucky, considering it was 95 degrees out, they were great sports, and Jaxson still calls all of the animals that are unknown to him "horsies".  The sweetest thing was last night when I was putting them to bed (yes my husband is STILL gone), I was asking them to remember everything we saw.  Channing was getting so excited just thinking about it.... and she would raise her hand and say "OOOHHH! I KNOW, I KNOW, WE SAW A KANGAROO", and Jaxson would say "YEAH.... A KANGAWOO!"

Channing's Graduation!

Channing had her pre-k graduation last night.  I was so sad because Paxton is gone and I hated for him to miss it, but it was SO CUTE!!!!  Every class put on a little performance with songs and bible versus they had been learning all year, and you don't realize how little they all are until they get up there, but you also don't realize how fast they grow up either.  I just kept looking at her thinking how much I love her.  She was so cute.... waving into the audience the entire time she was on stage.  And she sang the songs and did all the hand motions... she has come so far in a year!!!  Thank goodness we have one more year of pre-k... not ready to send her into the wild kinder world yet!

Pics From My Mom and Sister's Visit

I was so excited to see my sister, brother-in-law, niece and nephew, and Mom last weekend.  The kids had a great time playing.... they still think of Jaxson as a baby, and I guess he kind of is... but he just loves the attention.  I think their favorite part about the whole weekend was jumping on the pull out couch!  Whatever kids don't typically get to do seems to bring the most enjoyment.  Little rebels!  We went to the riverwalk on Saturday and took the kids to the rainforest cafe.  Jaxson got face to face with one of the realistic snakes just as all the animals started moving, and that was quite a shock to him.  Channing liked the elephants!  Those animals really do look real!

Channing is graduating from pre-k!

I got the fun task of taking the pre-k pics at F. Baptist and at T.Care learning center this year, and didn't really think much of it because I know Channing is not going to kinder next year (I'm going to keep her one more year since she has such a late birthday)....  but it got me thinking about her little life, and how fast it is going by.  We're sending in baby pics for the end of the year ceremony, and it just all hits home.  Tonight she told us we are going to have a "fantastic" day tomorrow.  She is so excited about going to Sunday school, and it's just so different from where she was a year ago when she wouldn't even let us drop her off without a huge fight!  She's so independent and aware of everything that goes on around her... she challenges me everyday, but I am so lucky she is mine.

Happy Mother's Day!!!

I'm not sure exactly what the day has in store, but it started off nicely yesterday.  Paxton, the kids and I went for a run in the am, went to the groc. store, and I begged him to help me get a couple pics of the kids. Channing got a cute dress in the mail from Mimi that I LOVED on her, and it inspired me to find a red wall!  Oh, and funny, she also got a little bottle cap necklace in the mail that kept breaking, and I just realized we put the "C" back on upside down.... very obvious now!  Jaxson, well, he didn't exactly coordinate, but heck, they're so cute, doesn't really matter!  He went straight down for a nap when we got home, and Channing, well, I attempted to get her to take a nap, but she stayed WIDE awake watching Strawberry Shortcake while I snoozed beside her for a few!  Paxton was having a BLAST with defensive driving all the while!  But, we got to all have fun at Christel and Ross's for a little Mother's Day celebration and AWESOME supper!  Christel and Ross's parents were there, who are so fun, and so welcoming and friendly, and they kind of took us in, I guess since we are "family-less" out here.  So sad!  But the food was so good, the kids had a blast, and we just had fun hanging out.  Thanks for all of your hard work as usual, Christel!  Jaxson will finally run off with all the kids, which = peace for me!!!!  Channing played well with the girls... and the best part was when they were out trying to sell dirty tap water out of a cup for a dollar by the road.  They actually got a customer (a neighbor driving by I think)!  I walked down there just in time to see it, and was CRACKING UP when Caitlyn took the cup to the paying customer with her fingers dipping into the water.  Then after the sale, she turned around to Channing and yelled "Wasn't that COOL???!!!!!".  Kids are funny!

Chann and Jax at the Bowling Alley!

We went to Tate Yow's birthday party Friday after school, and it was at the Pleasanton bowling alley. The bowling alley has been one of those places I drive by everyday and kind of wonder.... "should we go there???". We've been here almost 2 years, but I still feel pretty new! Anyway, it was really fun and Channing loved it!!! Couldn't wait for it to be her turn. I just had a blast getting a chance to talk with all the moms without Jaxson hanging on my leg and being bashful. He was flirting with every blonde he could find in the place, trying on everyone's shoes that were laying around (gross, I know!) I am hoping Kim will send me some pics because I forgot my camera (And I call myself a photographer!). For the most part, this week was a good one. I always have a hard time trying to get back into the swing of things, and getting used to being the "primary caregiver" of the kids. I love them, and always miss them so much, but sometimes getting back into the flow can be hard. I told Paxton that as much as I love vacations alone, it is almost easier when I am just here with them by myself for months on end, because then I don't expect a break and I get into a rhythm. You get spoiled on vacation. But, when we were here alone, without Chann and Jax, we looked around the house, looked at each other, and by 9:30 pm, we were both like... "I'm going to bed". Don't know what we ever did without those little monsters.