Happy Birthday Audrey!

posted by Kandi


I can't believe this day is upon me. It honestly seems like yesterday that I said "Honey, it's time to go". 10 hours later we welcomed a 8 1/2 pound, blonde hair, brown eyed baby girl!



Today my baby girl turns 5! A milestone around here. It means she is heading to Kindergarten this fall. Old enough to get a big girl bicycle (shhh, that's her birthday present!). Old enough to make this Mom tear up when she gets told no and runs into her room, drama oozing out, slams the door and says "you're a terrible Mommy". She's growing up so fast right before our eyes.

Yet in so many ways she's still so small. She's terribly shy until you get to know her. She loves to snuggle and thinks her Dad still put the stars in the sky just for her.



So, thank you Audrey for making us into a family. Thank you for testing the waters and pushing the boundaries so that your brother and sister have it a tad easier. Most of all...thank you for just being you!

Happy, Happy Birthday Peanut!!

The Best Christmas present!

posted by Kandi

This event actually took place last week, but due to the holidays I scheduled it ahead of time. Enjoy!

Well, it happened. This is the first year Audrey is in school and she brought home a present for me and Chuck. Now, I was expecting a drawing or something similar. Something cute to tuck away and save for, well, ever. Something that all the kids did and would say "hey Mommy or Daddy, here". I never would have thought of something like what I received.

Audrey loves to give gifts. It's in her nature. So, when she came running out of her class today and handed me a gift I was surprised! Then, with her hand on her hip, she informs me that I had to wait until "Daddy" got home to open it "cause it's for bof of you". Okay, I *guess* I can wait, if I have to. Talk about a LONG wait. I completely forgot Chuck had a haircut and dentist appointment tonight. My anticipation of opening my first "real" kid present (meaning not bought by Chuck for me) was overwhelming. I was practically pacing by the time he got home.

He did his normal hugs/kisses and asking everyone about their day. I was about to go nuts..seriously. He knew I was waiting to open the gift, so he made me wait longer. Just to be a turkey!!

Let me say though, the wait was worth it! When we opened the card I got misty eyed.
When we tore open the gift (quite like small children ourselves) I got very teary very quickly. It was Audrey's hand print. She had made it, painted it and put a penny with the year 2009 on it!
On the back was a poem that I have read before.
This one had a holiday twist to it. I bawled like a baby!! Really. Chuck started, well, chuckling I was so teary.

It was the best Christmas present I have ever received! I plan on hanging it in a prominent place with some room so that the other two can add theirs to it someday.

What Happened Wednesday

posted by Kandi

This weeks edition of What Happened Wednesday is going to focus on my little cutie Audrey.
She's usually an independent, head strong little girl. That's her. I wouldn't change a hair on her cutie patootie little blonde head. Sadly though, she has been replaced recently. Her spirit is diminishing right before my eyes. I first noticed it when I returned from my trip. She has been crying at school over things she usually would have shrugged off. She has been clingy at home and always wants to be right next to me or her Daddy. I'm not getting it. I called the pediatrician and they said it's probably a stage she's going through. Okay, maybe. That still doesn't help this Mom feel any better. I want my little girl back. I'm selfish like that though. I miss my little girl who didn't need to be told, she just knew what needed done. I want the little girl who doesn't take "No" for an answer, she negotiates to get it. The little girl who is bossy, studious, happy and laughs. I miss her. Come back soon Audrey...Mommy really hopes this stage ends soon!

So, my What Happened Wednesday question for you is this. How do you deal with stages in your children's development that are very much out of their character? How do you "weather the storm" so to speak?

Audrey got caught...

posted by Kandi
Audrey got caught at school kissing a boy!!!!!! She's 4!! I think her Daddy is in for some trouble in the future. Anyway, it was nothing terrible.

At home when Ren helps her clean up she gives him a kiss and hug and says "thank you Rennie". Sweet as that is, she didn't know it isn't, shall we say apropos, to do it at school when a little boy helps her clean up. The best part is, I witnessed it too. I happened to be walking by her classroom and took a quick peek in. It was right at this moment that she kissed the little guy.

While it's all cute and stuff, we had a sit down conversation with her about no kissing boys until she's married and that was okay by her. Thank goodness that explanation worked for her because if it hadn't we could have been in a lot more trouble. So for now, she's not kissing any boys and I'm just fine with that!!

First Day of School.

Well, my little girl is growing up. Am I happy about it...no way. I can't stop it as much as I may try. She started preschool bright and early this morning. Chuckie and I took her to school and walked her in. She looked so big! She took off her backpack and hung it in her cubby like she'd been there dozens of times. When she went in she politely said hello to the teachers and made her way over to the other kids.

We had decided earlier that we weren't going to hang around very long with the goodbye part of the morning, so Chuck told her bye and that he would see her after work. She ran up and gave him a big hug and kiss and said "I love you Daddy". He ask her to be good and she said "no problem, Mommy will be here"...uh oh. I quickly explained that I needed to go home and take care of her brother and sister and would be back later. She started to get a little watery in the eyes, but I **very rapidly** kissed her, told her goodbye and left. Once outside it hit me...my baby was a big girl and was beginning her educational career! Chuck saw the tears and hugged me then laughed and got into his car...men! They just don't get it do they? I walked back to the van and got in just in time to see another mother going in with her little guy. She was bawling her eyes out already! I didn't feel so bad for my couple of tears and took off for home.

Honestly thinking about how the morning went the worst part was just getting out the door! Ren cried so hard! He wanted to go to school too but isn't quite big enough (read potty trained) to go. Once he is he will be going to Tuesday School.

Otherwise, the morning went as I had hoped! Here's to more of the same the rest of this week!

The picture below is what Audrey did at school today. She made a puppet of herself. This week and next the kids will be learning about how God made them each individuals and special. Today Audrey learned that God gave her beautiful brown eyes like her Mommy's, or so she told the teacher. In truth, I have been telling her that since she was tiny and she just repeated it to the teacher....yup, that's my girl!