What Would Daddy Say?

Oh the things that Daddy doesn't know, huh? And oh the things they come up with to pass the time! I mean, what else is there to do with a kindergarten 'rest' mat that was given to you by your cousin? Surely it's not meant for resting!! Nahhhhh! It was Taytum's discovery one day that such a mat turned the stairs into a PERFECT slide! Oh, and don't think Regan is innocent in all of this! Check the 'devilish' look on her face!

Climbing up for another ride...

WEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!

And which one of my kids do you think is the daredevil? Here she is!!! Regan was the first to try the slide on her stomach! She's a wacko!

Shhhh!!! Mom, don't tell Dad!!!

Check Taytum out in these pics! Sure, some nice reading time with Dad, but her look SOOOO says, "What? I wasn't doing anything!!!"

"Who me? Nope! Don't know what you're talking about!"
Just innocent little girls who love to sit all day long and read! HA HA HA HA HA HA!
Oh, what Daddy doesn't know!! Hee hee hee hee!

4 Yr Old Preschool... Day 1

I seriously thought the summer would last forever! At least that's was what I was anticipating! After having Taytum at school for two days a week and with Regan sleeping during that short time, I was not looking forward to being 'busy' all summer long. You get too used to that 'quiet,' 'me' time.



But, alas, summer came and went... and where did it go? Look at my little girl now as she's all dressed and ready for her first day of 4 yr old preschool!!!


I know everyone has talked about how fast time passes, but I am truly amazed at it's light speed!! I look back now at pictures taken of her a mere SIX months ago and I think she still looks like a 'baby.' There's no mistaking how much she is growing up...

At this time last year Regan was in a pumpkin seat! Now the two often walk into school hand-in-hand!

Taytum was 'stuck' to the play dough table just about the entire time we were at school...

Regan was (and still is) right at home when we took Taytum to school. Here she is exploring the kitchen in the room. To this day she thinks she belongs in the classroom...

Taytum also got to participate in one of her other favorite activities... SINGING!!

See... Regan knows what to do! She was right up there with her big sis the whole time!

Lastly, Taytum took some time to write me a note. The note said that I would be OK at home without her. That I could play with Regan while she was gone and that she wouldn't be gone long! So sweet to think of her mom, huh?

By the way, here is a picture of Taytum just ONE YEAR AGO!!! GULP!!!

First Game

Here are some pics of the 'big day'...

Taytum was EXTREMELY excited about her first real soccer game! We were the first ones to arrive (seeing that her dad is the coach) and she couldn't wait for her friends to get there so that they could get started! Here she is showing off her #...
Participating in a little pre-game warm up...

Even Regan couldn't contain her excitement! She had to help out as well!!!

Anticipation is horrible, isn't it?

I wish you could see this picture better! This is after Taytum scored a goal! "Elation" is the only word I can think of to describe the look on her face!

Here is an action shot of her scoring yet another goal! THREE on the day! Dude, she ROCKS!

One Day Chillin'

Here is a record of just one of the many times the girls spent hanging out outside and around the house...

Yes, there are days when I DO allow my kids to wear pink (yuck)!!!...

The 'lounging' child...

And the 'devilish' one...

Enjoying some of the more grand things in life...

Stopping to smell the flowers...

And joined by some fun little critters...

Seek and you shall find...

Here's the 'Mad Dog' in action. At 13 years old, her action isn't quite what it used to be! Even the rabbits know she's not so fleet-a-foot anymore... they don't even really run from her! Poor Maddy!

TWO girls in pink???? UGH!!! What WAS I thinking that day???!!! :o)

I envy what these two share. Sometimes I think they speak their own language to each other.

Dance like there's no tomorrow...

And for goodness sakes, dance to your own tune! Always!

A quick break to visit one of the 'horses' (there are 2 Great Danes that live behind us) in the yard next to us. Ellie, the dog, is always curious what the girls are up to!

A bit of time with Big Sis, and now it's time to romp and explore on her own...


Is this some sort of 'Titanic' image? Ha ha ha ha ha!

I just love the innocence of children. I envy the freedom of which they think and do. They really do dance like there's no tomorrow, because to them, there isn't. It's just the here and now. I guess that's a lesson we all need to slow down and learn once again, huh?

Sweet Sounds

What are some of the sounds that you just LOVE? OK, OK, what were some of the sounds you loved BEFORE your kids (if you have any) came along? Me?? I have always loved to hear birds chirping in the early morning. I used to love it when we had the windows open growing up and I could wake up to the birds in the back yard! I also used to love going to sleep to the sound of the crickets. It's just something about the outside sounds sneaking into my inside world that have always been soothing. I have also always enjoyed the sounds of the waves crashing onto the shore. Maybe that has to do with childhood memories of trips to the shore? Or maybe it has to do with the feeling of having nothing to do but lie on the beach and close your eyes? Ahhhhhh....!!!

I still love and enjoy all those sounds even though it seems as if these days I hear and enjoy them less and less. I'm not sure why that is, but I think it's because those sounds are often overtaken by OTHER sounds that happen to be a bit newer in our environment... I love to hear Taytum playing make believe as she talks on the phone or feeds her baby. I love to hear Regan's little feet pounding across the floor as she runs from one thing to the next. I love that deep breath I hear them take while they are sleeping, assuring me they are sound asleep. I love to hear them both giggle and 'squawk' as they play together. And, of course, there is nothing sweeter than hearing that belly laugh as their dad tickles them or throws them into the air! Ahhhhh....!!!

So what's the point of this post? Well, as much as I enjoy hearing all those sounds, those are not the sounds that are ringing in my ears today. So I'm here to ask you, what sort of sounds do YOU hear throughout the day? Here's what I hear more often than not...

"Mommy?" ... which is often followed by some intriguing question like...

Mommy, what are werewolves?

Mommy, can girls play football too?

Mommy, can I wear different colored socks?

Mommy, does this have a lot of sugar in it? Is it the good kind of sugar or the bad kind?

Mommy, what time is lunch?

Mommy, what does that say?

Mommy, is Ellen on?

Mommy, will you read this book to me?

Mommy, what kind of bird is that?

Mommy, have I ever had squash?

Mommy, how do you make pumpkin pie?

Mommy, are there more pizza rolls left?

Mommy, why does our juice look brown?

MOMMY!!!! REGAN IS PUSHING BUTTONS ON THE COMPUTER!!!!

Ugh... so you can see (and no lie, most of these questions came TODAY, BEFORE noon!!!) how it's hard not to answer each, "Mommy?" with "Whaaaaaaaat????!!!!!????" But I take a deep breath and remember how important it is to try to not stifle the curiosity of children. Is it working? Well, when I hear the following things, it feels like it is...

Regan, c'mon let's go read a book?

Regan, c'mon, let's go cook some pumpkin pie!

Regan, want me to put your socks on for you?

Regan, c'mon, I'll be a werewolf and you can be ______________.

Regan, let's go dance with Ellen!

Regan, this says ____________________.

Regan, wanna play hockey with me?

Regan, wanna play with my computer? I'll show you how...

And so it seems as if chirping birds and soothing waves have been replaced with belly laughs and pitter pattering of feet. Life happens. And it also seems as if lazy afternoons enjoying the peace and quiet have been replaced with picking up toys and kissing boo-boos. Life happens... and it all seems SOOOOO worth it!

MORE Summer Happenings

Yeah, sure, it's November and I'm posting about summer happenings around our house. Maybe it will make us all feel warm and fuzzy inside as the temperature seems to keep dropping outside...

My kooky child got a hold of her sister's shin guards. Sneaky little gal!


And just what is it about little ones being naked that is SO cute? I'm sure when Regan grows up if she ever gets a chance to see this she'll want to kill me! Ha ha ha ha! But I look back, even now, and see she was still taking a bottle!! They weren't lying when they said 'time flies!'




This would be my OTHER kooky daughter... just where do they get this from? For a while this summer Taytum was into me braiding her hair (what little she has). So here she is showing it off... along with a few of her dance moves. Check the socks!




Apparently there's nothing like a 'lazy' ride in the back of a dump truck!


Later alligator!


A little summer reading to help pass the time...



Don't ask... because I have NO idea...

One day I caught Regan just hanging out under the table. She had her snack and her spatula. I mean, what else does a girl need, right?

Now she knows she's busted! Just look at that grin!

She was finally joined by her big sister, who can't miss out on any attention these days. I do remember Taytum doing the same thing. What is it about being under the table?
Honestly, I've tried it. I don't get it...