Happy 2nd Birthday, Sweet Ainsley!

It is so hard to believe that today my baby girl turned two years old. As I type this, she is saying, "I lub ooo Coddins!" Translation: I love you Collin. Isn't that the sweetest?! And it was done with absolutely no prompting! I'm sure at any minute it will turn into screaming, hitting, and throwing toys at her brother, but for now I'll enjoy the moment! Yep, there she goes! Anyway, Ainsley is still a sweet angel baby underneath all the "terrible two's" stuff she's going through. It's crazy that it's already been two years since she joined our family. Where does the time go??

We celebrated Ainsley's birthday on Saturday with a party here at our house. She had a great time and got TONS of new toys! Time for a garage sale...

Here are a few pictures from her party.

And for old time's sake, here's a picture from Ainsley's first birthday...

And another as a "baby"...

Vacation Bible School

This was Collin's first year to go to Vacation Bible School. The first day was rough. The church was very loud from all the excitement and first day hustle and bustle. Collin cried and clung to me and told me he wanted to go home. He kept covering his ears and saying it was too loud. After staying with him for about 45 minutes, I went ahead and left although he was still crying. I knew he'd be fine because he had lots of friends there. Sure enough, when I arrived to pick him up he was having a blast and couldn't wait to go back the next day! They had their music program on Thursday night, and I was so excited to hear him sing! The whole family came, cameras in hand. Well, apparently Collin had different plans. He hadn't had a nap that day, which is not good. At first he went and sat with his group, but as soon as the program started, he came to us crying, and refused to participate. Once again, it was too loud for him. Oh well, maybe next year! Here's the one and only decent picture I have of him that night. Of course there seems to be a look of uncertainty in his eyes!

On the other hand, Ainsley had a GREAT time! She played dress up in her Memaw's beads and clip-on earrings!

You, Me & WALL-E!

Last night I sent Ainsley home with her Aunt Janice to stay the night in Calvert with her, her Mimi and Be-Baw. This freed me up to spend more one-on-one time with Collin. I took him to Hastings and we rented a couple of movies, then to Papa Murphy's for a pizza. We rented Chronicles of Narnia, which so far has been excellent! We started it too late in the evening, so we'll have to finish it sometime today. I also bought a used rental of Underdog. I think Collin's gonna love it! I like to get Disney movies for the kids, so I'm glad I came across that one at a cheaper price! Anyway, Daddy came home from work early enough that we all got to spend some good quality time together!

This morning, since it was still just Collin and I, we went to the matinee of WALL-E. Oh my goodness, I cannot tell you enough how great this movie was. I didn't really know that much about it going into it, other than it looked like an interesting enough movie that would be good for kids. I had heard from people that it was good, but still wasn't all that sure that it would be my kind of movie. Well let me tell you, it was TERRIFIC! Collin and I just giggled the whole way through. But it's more than just funny - it's touching, it's eye-opening, and just a very good feel-good movie that the whole family will like, not just the kids. So if you have time, you should definitely check this one out. It has a great, powerful story!!!

The Great Grape Jelly Disaster of 2008

This past week, Collin decided he wanted to help me make his PB&J sandwich for lunch. Nothing new, as he routinely eats 7+ of them each week. He was more than eager to retrieve the grape jelly from the fridge, and as he was carrying it to the counter, I heard a huge crash from the living room. Then I immediately heard, "I'm sorry, Mommy" followed by lots of crying. He ran to the recliner, curled up in a ball, hid his face and cried, cried, cried. He was so upset that he would be in trouble! I finally reassured him that he was not in trouble, and that accidents happen. To calm him some, I asked if he wanted me to take pictures to show daddy the mess. For some reason, that cheered him up a bit! After sweeping, mopping, vacuuming and sweeping some more, I'm still finding shards of glass. Hopefully they'll all be found with the broom, and not our feet!

Always a Cowboy

This was taken from a memorial that was put together by a lady named Angela Motz. She did a sweet story on my mother for a little publication called "Hometown Journey." I just thought it was really pretty and wanted to post it here. We will always love and miss you, Joseph.

Happy 4th!

Parade at Mother's Day Out

Ice Cream!!!

Having a ball at the pool!

Independence Day Celebration at the George Bush Library

Before the fireworks started, Collin went "fishing" with his little buddy, Ethan

Fireworks!!!

Not real sure what to think...

Another lazy summer afternoon...

We started off our morning with story time at the College Station library, which is always fun until it's time to go and Ainsley starts screaming VERY LOUDLY while throwing her tantrum at the checkout counter! This happens pretty much every time! I'm sure the poor librarians let out big sighs as soon as they see me and my two walk through their doors on Wednesday mornings. Later this afternoon I filled up the kiddie pool and sand/water table and let the kids at it. They needed to burn off some more energy and that was the perfect way to do it!! Here are some pictures from their playtime.

I said, "Ainsley, do you have a pouty face?" and this is what I got!

"Mommy, hold you!" She wanted me to hold her, cold and soaking wet! Poor baby :o)

And this little boy gets more handsome by the day!