Caroline at 19 months

Our baby is:

ACTIVE
smart
funny
talking
independent
in love with her siblings
a mommy's girl
either outside or crying to go outside!
feisty
a blessing from God.






She is such a joy and makes me laugh, smile and cry all in one day. She says no when you ask her any question and it's hilarious!!!

Leighton's first goal

Leighton scored his first goal a couple weeks ago at the soccer game. We are so proud of him. I hope maybe next year he will like soccer even better, I think it's growing on him.  As soon as he scored he said "Dad I did it!".....my heart smiled and I'm sure Matt's did too.

Go Leighton we love you!!!

4th tooth

Anna  Claire lost her 4th tooth tonight!!! This is the 1st one on the top and she looks so cute!

I guess were off to the ATM, bed so the tooth fairy can come! :)

Being still

My babies don't sleep well (at night). Anyone who knows me well knows that. In a weird way I think I like it that way.

It's 10:30p.m and I'm still up doing laundry, packing back packs/bags, ironing school clothes, cleaning the kitchen, picking up the cheese cubes that a cute lil one yr old threw ACROSS THE DINING ROOM, etc.! Nothing new, this is every night, my mom friends get it, it's the drill. The usual feelings of frustration for not doing enough during the day to be able to go to bed before midnight and all that comes with that vicious cycle can every now and then rob me of my joy and gratefulness.

Caroline woke about 10:30 tonight very sleepy, holding her arms up in the crib for me to get her. I held her and realized there is nothing that smells better, feels better, sounds better, or warms my heart more than one of my sleepy, warm cozy babies letting me just hold them for a minute or 15 or 30  while she sleeps. Thank you God for reminding me that life is not about always getting things done, there is a time for everything under heaven as He so beautifully tells us in Ecclesiastes 3. I love that the words were written so long ago and are so wise even now. What a gift. 

                    

 

Donuts with Dad

What a lucky girl she is to have such a sweet daddy!!!! And what a lucky daddy that he has her! They had a good time at school for donuts with dad. I love that he still holds her, she is so big!!! We were talking today about what a SUPER sweet friend, daughter, and big sister she is. We love you Anna Claire!!!

A wedding weekend

Last weekend Anna Claire, Leighton and I went to Arkansas for my cousin Curt's wedding. It was a beautiful outdoor wedding at a Botanical garden. All of my family was there and we had a great time. Such a beautiful couple and a beautiful ceremony. Leighton and Anna Claire enjoyed their cousins so much.....so wish we lived closer to each other. I love those boys (and their parents too). Caroline stayed with Matt and they had a good weekend together too!!!

                                                

       Flying their remote control helicopters in the hotel lobby.

 My dad jump roping in the hotel lobby. One of my favorite things about my family is they (we) are usually doing something most parents tell their kids not to do. Love that!!!! This man is the ring leader and a RULE BREAKER. :)

          The kids waiting for the wedding to start.

                      Groom's cake

 The beautiful bride Sara and Anna Claire. AC was in awe of the whole evening, but especially Sara.

Darlene, Blake and Anna Claire on the shuttle bus to the wedding! Love the arm around her. Blake is the sweetest boy. He even stood up and made a toast at the rehearsal dinner.


We sure did miss little miss blue eyes and daddy.....but appreciated being able to do big kid stuff which is hard with a 19 month old. 

Sweet Leighton

Well, my little man said good bye to his dear dear dear friend the paci. He was more in love with the pacifier than any of the others. I thought Anna Claire loved her paci but this boy was never far away from that thing. And to be honest mommy and daddy loved it too, because he would get his blanky and paci and snuggle. The paci fairy came and took it from under his pillow and left him some money. He bought a remote control digger with it :) It hasn't really been all that bad. He missed it for a while but now it is a thing of the past, just like his naps. :(
 

 He also has started playing soccer. He is only 3 so let's just say it is a little hectic. Matt is coaching and I think he likes it, they just all seem a bit overwhelmed with it!!! Of course daddy is hoping one of his kids will fall in love with soccer.

Coach Matt and Leighton :) I love these boys of mine!

 

In other Leighton news he is loving his preschool and is doing great. His teacher is wonderful, and I am so excited we are back at BBC for preschool. 

 

For show n tell he chose one of daddy's running trophy's. 

My little man continues to be all boy, loving trucks, cars, sports, his bike and anything tool/fixing with daddy. He's really in love with his daddy these days and asks for Matt most days over me! I love watching them together.....warms my heart!

Parmesan -Crusted Tilapia

...........since I'm on a fish kick!

This one is a Rachael Ray

 Ingredients:

• ¾ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 teaspoons paprika
• 1 tablespoon chopped flat-leaf parsley
• 4 tilapia fillets (about 1 pound total)
• 1 lemon, cut into wedges

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 400°. In a shallow dish, combine the cheese with the paprika and parsley and season with salt and pepper. Drizzle the fish with olive oil and dredge in the cheese mixture. Place on a foil-lined baking sheet and bake until the fish is opaque in the thickest part, 10 to 12 minutes. Serve the fish with the lemon wedges.

What a difference some sleep makes

I am one happy mommy today. My Caroline slept all night last night. I know, I know crazy that an 18month old does not sleep all night. I don't let any of my kids "cry it out" so they take like 2 years to sleep.HA! What can I say I'm a sucker.  Anyway I don't know if granny just wore her out by playing hard all day or what, but I will take it!! We will see what tonight holds, but I am praying it's another all nighter (for sleep that is).

I forgot what it's like to be this productive! :)

Leighton's first day of pre-school

My baby boy started Pre-K 3 this week. He is going 3 mornings a week to the pre-school at our church. It is such a great school and the teacher's are a gift from God. They are a great group of Godly, very loving women.We are looking forward to a great year. Tonight when I put Leighton to bed he looked at me and said "mom I like my school. " I love that!!!! He has done really well and I am so proud of him. He just walks right in like such a big boy, never a tear and says "bye mommy".

              Leighton with his teacher, Mrs. Broussard. We love her already.

Some of my favorite memories from this summer

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We went to visit our bff Billy in south Louisiana. Leighton cried when we left. We ALL Love Bill!!!

Anna Claire got them all dressed and played "rock star"