Pandamania

Carter had VBS last week at our church, Pandamania. He loved it! He came every day asking me about "Patty Panda..." Where does she sleep? How does she take a bath? How these kids come up with some of their questions, who knows. I did what every parent would have done, I told Carter to ask the talking panda.

I was blessed to be able to volunteer one day with Carter's actual group. There is nothing like 11 4 year olds, to completely wear you out. Natalie went to the nursery,but after two hours in the nursery, she wanted to come and join the fun.

At the end of the time everyone gets together and sings as we wait for parents to pick up there kids. Natalie was fascinated and trying to do all the hand motions. Yes, I did almost cry, but thought I should really try and contain myself for the sake of the other kids around. I just can't help it sometimes, when I see my kids on fire for God!

We get the option to purchase a music cd of the songs they sing during the week. I was pretty pumped to buy a new VBS cd, because frankly, I was tired of the one from last year, that we still played everyday. I can't complain too much, because it does make my heart smile to hear Carter in the backseat busting out, "He's wild! He's wild! God is wild about us!" Plus, occasionally I get the hand motions too!

I do have to mention this one last thing, because I am so proud of Carter. He has memorized his first bible verse, Philippians 4:13! We were driving to school one day and he would not stop talking, so I thought I would try and get him to memorize a bible verse and that was the only one that came to my mind, but I do love it, so it worked.

Some updated on our friend's kids with e coli....Our friend whose little girl was in Dallas is home now and doing much better. They will continue to have blood work done twice a week for a while. The other two little girls are finally doing better. One had surgery today to get her port out. God is working and healing these little girls!

Fashion Statement to Say the Least

Natalie making her fasion statement

Painting with water

Natalie is setting a fashion statement like no one else. I was folding and putting up laundry last week and twice, she got a hold of Carter's underwear and put them on over her clothes. The first time, he was a little upset, because they were his favorite Lighting McQueen underwear. However, the next time was just Nemo, so he let her wear them over her pants the entire day. I could care less, but Larry thought she needed to take them off before we left the house. Natalie did not agree and threw her new "almost two year" fit. Guess who won??? Of course, daddy gave in and I am sure it helped that we were just in the front yard playing and not going to the store or anything.

She has shown a little interest in the idea of potty training. I mean seriously, she is wanting to sit on the potty and can't even talk good yet! So far, she has not actually gone in the potty, but seems to like trying to be a big girl. I did go out and buy a potty seat, which might help. I will keep you posted on how it goes, once I get the nerve to actually put the potty seat on the toliet and make an effort.

Okay, all you mom's that need cheap entertainment for you kids, I've got it. I was talking with my mom and I remembered as a kid, she would give a paint brush and I would spend hours painting the edge the pool and deck with water. I tried it last weekend (picture above). The kids loved it! I got some cheap paint brushes and a bucket of water for each of them and the went to town. Carter had a blast! Natalie had more fun dipping the brush into the water and sucking the water off the end of the paint brush (gross, I know). Anway, fun ideas for summer.

Just a little update on the girls with e coli...Our friend's daughter, Jesse, who was a Children's in Dallas is doing much better. They are hoping to come home at the end of the week or first of next week. Her hemoglobin level is still low, but holding steady and not decreasing any. Please pray for that to get back to normal and for the entire family as they are split between Dallas and Amarillo. Coming from a person who has been there, it is so emotionally hard on you. Also, there are still three little girls here in Amarillo that are on dialysis trying to battle e coli. Please pray for them and their families as their little bodies try to fight off this horrible bacteria.

Summer Has Begun

I know my last post was about two week ago. Summer has gotten the best of me to say the least. I never realized how much I enjoyed those two hours three days a week when Carter was in school and Natalie was napping. Natalie still naps, but Carter does not. We do have "Quiet Time" every day, but Carter comes out of his room every 5 minutes to ask a question, so I gave up.

We have been loving summer so far! We have only been to the pool once, but plan to come more here in a couple of weeks. We have spent every waking minute outside, riding bikes, playing in the water, etc. Carter does love to help me water! Of course, that means it takes twice the amount of time and he ends up all wet, but oh well.

I do wish the Panhandle wind would die down. I am tired of 30 to 40 mph winds every day and so are my dry eyes. I should not complain, because I know people have been hit by flooding and tornadoes, but Amarillo is in desperate need of water in the worst way possible. We had another outbreak of fires this past weekend and a few people lost homes. What is going on with Mother Nature these days?

I do have a prayer request...There has been a small cluster of e coli cases in Amarillo in children under 3 years of age, mostly girls. They are not sure where it came from, but 6 of the 7 cases have had paths crossed and some of the kids are related. Five of the cases are good friends of ours and several of the kids have been put on dialysis. One of our best friend's little girl is one who was put on dialysis. She actually flew to Children's in Dallas this past weekend and I talked to my friend a few minutes ago and Jesse, the little girl is doing much better. Her kidneys are responding to the dialysis. However, Jesse's cousin is sick and not doing very good and may have to be put on dialysis as well. Please pray for all these little kids and their families as they fight this.

Carter's Graduation

Carter and Mrs. Crista

Last night we had Carter's Graduation Program. He graduated from his 3 and 4 year old class. I can't believe the little guy is going to be in Pre-K next year.

The program featured a few songs from the Kindergarten, Pre-K and the 3 to 4 year old classes. Carter did great! His first little program he this year back in November, he was so shy and would not sing. In fact, he almost started crying, it was so sad and sweet at the same time. Last night he was just singing and doing the hand motions with all the other kids.

We feel so blessed to have had such an amazing teacher this year. Thank you, Mrs. Crista for everything!

My Sweet Baby

Natalie is getting to that fun of age of loving on her baby dolls. Larry and I went out of town last weekend and when we came back we brought surprises for the kids. Carter got a shake shake firetruck (Red, from the movie Cars) and Natalie got a stroller for her baby doll.

I was not sure if Natalie would like the stroller. We really do not have that much "girl" toys still. Natalie wants to play with whatever her brother does must of the time, which is cars and trucks. I know, I am trying to slowly increase our "girl" toys. It night and day having a boy and girl and I am still getting use to having baby dolls and kitchens in my house. Do not get me wrong, I am super excited, but all I have known for 4 years now is cars and trucks.

Anyway, Natalie loved the stroller! She loves on her baby and puts it in the stroller and then just pushes it around the house. Carter is a little jealous that Natalie has a toy that A) he does not have and B) that she can actually push. In fact, Carter told me he wanted a "Cars" themed stroller the other night. I had to sadly inform him, they do not make that and that strollers are actually for girls, but it was okay if he wanted to play with it too. Oh course, he pushes he trucks around and not a baby doll. Kids are so funny!

We are just gearing up for summer here in our household. Carter is actually about to be home from he last day of school, summer is officially started in our house! Carter has a little graduation tonight from school. I will post pictures tomorrow from it.

We have been super blessed this year with amazing teachers! I could not have asked for a better teacher for Carter. I am really sad that school is over with and he will not have Ms. Crista next year. I can only hope that we will be so lucky to get her for Natalie in a few years.

Well, I better go before Carter gets home and Natalie wakes up. I hope everyone is having a great week!

Swim and Gym

I had to add this one of Carter. A lady that watches our kids from time to time found this for Carter.

Thank you all for the prayers this week. Both kids are doing great! You would never have known Natalie even had strep, she was happy all week. Carter is back to his normal full energy self as well.

Last month, Natalie got to start back her gym class. She started in the fall, but after she got rsv, I pulled her out until after sick season (which seems to last forever by the way). Her class is more of a development class and it is also a Parent and Me class. I did the same class with Carter when he was this age and he not only loved it, but learned so much. Natalie is having a blast! I have attached a picture of her on the slide.

Carter has started swim lessons this month. He goes twice a week for 30 minutes. The first few class they learned about the pool rules and about asking permission before you get in the water. I loved that last one! He is loving it and I am hoping this might help us get out of the life jacket this summer, but we will see as time goes on.

Carter also has only one week of school left before summer. I have mixed emotions about this one. I am super excited for summer, but not sure if I can handle him all summer long with the amount of energy he has. Not to worry, I have already thought about this, he is signed up for VBS, a few camps and I was also able to get him in Mother's Day Out with Natalie. Oh, you heard that right, Natalie is going to start this summer too! She loves taking Carter to school in the morning and actually gets mad when she can't stay and play too, so I am hoping this will be good for her.

We are all doing good in my family, finally well! We are just gearing up for the last week of school and sumer to begin.

Mother's Day with a Twist

I want to first say thank you to all the amazing Mothers out there! Where would we be or our kids be without you. Thank you for all the times you have been there to kiss a hurt knee, fix dinner, read us a book and for the times you did things, that we never knew you did.

A special thank you to my amazing Mom and Mother-in-Law! We love you and would not be the parents we are today, without the guidance you have given us.

I had a little different Mother's Day this year. My children thought we needed to spice things up a little bit. Larry and I started the morning out with Carter throwing up. At least Larry foresaw this happening and pulled Carter to the trash can. Since it was Mother's Day, Larry took Carter to Urgent Care at 8:30am, while I disinfected and cleaned everything in the house. When I say cleaned, I mean the etire house, sheets and even floors were all germ free...or I thought.

Larry and the kids did get me a nice card and ITunes gift card, which I am super excited about! I wanted to throw that in there before the rest of the story, because the day did have some special parts to it.

Larry left town around 1pm to head to Oklahoma City for the night. The kids both took naps, so I thought things were going to start looking up; I got to catch up on all my dvr shows.

After nap, the kids were a bit cranky, but nothing out of the ordinary. We went to my mom's for a bit, just get out of the house. When we got home, they took baths and start getting ready for bed. Now, both kids took extra long naps; big mistake. I finally got Carter in bed, not alseep, but in bed around 8:45pm. Natalie was still hungry, so I got her a bottle and put her on my bed. I noticed she had a little fever, so I gave her some tylenol. She immediately got that look, like she was about to throw up, so I grabbed her off the bed, but not in time. She threw up all over the edge of my bed, the carpet, me and herself. I got her to the bathroom only in time for her to throw up all over my bathroom. I stripped her down to her diaper and myself down as well.

By now, Carter has come in to my room wondering what is going on, only wearing his underwear. He has started sleeping in his pjs, but when we go in to check on him before we go to bed, he only has on his underwear, but by morning has his pjs back on...who knows what goes on in a 4 year old's mind.

I just told him to get on the bed by Natalie and watch cartoons while I cleaned up. I then proceeded to clean my carpet, which then you have to wait for it to dry to vaccum. I had to use the carpet cleaner, my room smelled horrible.

After vaccuming the floors, I got both kids redressed in the pjs and in bed around 9:30. I decide I can finally take a shower. I get in, my hair is not even wet yet and the electricity goes out. Carter starts freaking out! He is scared to death of the dark, while Natalie sleeps in the pitch black.

I get a robe on and look outside, to realize it is not just my house. I find the electric bill to call the electrical company to report it and find out how long they think it will be out. Carter is now attached to my hip with a flashlight, still freaking out. I decide the best thing it to just put him in my bed with me. I get him all situated with a laterin we bought for a camping a few weeks ago. I jump in the shower using a flashlight for light, because I still have throw up and carpet cleaner all over me.

We finally get in bed around 10:40pm and Carter is about to fall asleep when the lights come back on! Now, when they went off, I had the tv on and lamps, so of course Carter pops right up. I think we finally went to bed at 11:30pm...what a Mother's Day.

I did take Natalie to the doctor the next day and turns out, both kids have strep throat. They are both on medication and finally doing better. I can honestly say, I am glad Mother's Day is not for another year and I am praying Father's Day is calm and boring.