Soccer Time!

What a fun day we had yesterday as Toby embarked on a new adventure that is SOCCER! All day he was nervous about playing and was afraid that he would be too shy. I told him that trying new things can be scary but can be so much fun too! Andrew had to work on a few cars last night so he kept Troy at home with him.

When we arrived for his first practice last night, he wanted to stay right by mommy but as soon as a ball was in front of him, it was game on, y'all! He laughed and smiled the entire time. And guess who came strolling in half way through the practice all greasy?... Andrew. He said he couldn't stand to miss his boy's first day of practice.

(Andrew did not like the practice jerseys. Wonder why?)

His coach, Coach Marty, was so great with the kids and understood that it is all about having fun. I think we got really lucky in the coach department. Tate started "dribbling" a soccer ball off to the side like he had been doing it for years and Andrew and I just stared at each other with our mouths dropped open. We couldn't believe that Tate was such a natural. Guess who is going to play next year?

As the kiddos were having refreshments afterwards, Toby yelled "This is the best day of soccer in my whole life!" He can't wait til next practice!

Up, Up and Away!

Toby recently has secret identities. He thinks he is Batman and Mr. Incredible. Of course, Tate always gets the backseat...he has to be Robin or ElastiGirl. ;) But he doesn't mind as long as he can copy EXACTLY what his older brother says, does, thinks etc... It seems like at my busiest moments, I am asked to create his costumes so he can save the world. I think to myself that these mothering moments will soon pass and he won't want me to help him do much so I stop what I am doing and gratefully oblige. Markers, tape, string and paper sure make a 4 year old happy!

Simple Life

I just adore my simple life. I really do have more than I ever thought I would have and my favorite moments are ones like these. Just loving eachother and being silly. I feel very lucky to have three "momma's boys" who adore me and think I hung the moon. Toby and Tate want to marry me when they grow up and I'll take em'.!!!

Easter 2011

Easter 2011 was so much fun! We enjoyed so many activities and I loved talking to my boys about the meaning of Easter. I think Tate and Troy still think it's about the festivities and toys, but Toby understands the significance and the privilege we have to know the truthfulness of the day.
Friday night we had our friends, The Casey's, over for dinner and to paint some eggs.
Toby and of course "Woody" always like to get messy. Tate stuck his whole hand in the green dye. Oh well, at least it is a pretty shade. Troy just loved having people around, as usual. His favorite part of coloring eggs was the plastic wrappers from the coloring kits.
Here are Toby's friends, Stephen and Cori, getting in the action. Cori, Patrick and Stephen.Check out the concentration of my boys. It takes energy to be so creative! Who let these goofballs in? Amy is so fun to be around and I hope we have many more dinners together! The Easter Bunny came to our house while we were at church. Sneaky lil' devil! He must have come in while mom ran inside after church to use the bathroom and dad was driving around with the boys because there was a problem with the car that miraculously fixed itself after a quick drive around the neighborhood. I could just eat these boys up...all four of them!After lunch and naps, we joined the rest of our cul-d-sac for our annual Easter Egg Hunt. The kids always look forward in finding over 200 eggs and we love to see them get so excited. Boy, do I love this crew. HAPPY EASTER, everyone!

"You've got a friend in me"

Tate loves anything that has to do with Toy Story. Sometimes I think he believes HE is Woody. As I said in my previous post, he wears his Woody hat everywhere we go and hollers "Yee-Haw" to us all the time. The following is a conversation that he and I have almost daily.

Tate: "Here Mom, wear Jessie's hat, please."

Mom: "Sure, Tate." (we have a red cowboy hat that he wholeheartedly believes is Jessie's actual hat.)

Tate: "Howdy Jessie, I'm Woody."

Mom: "Well, hey howdy hey Woody! I'm Jessie."

Tate: (laughing) "You're funny, mom."

Mom: "See ya later, Woody."

Tate: "Bye Jessie."

My hat is then removed and I wait an hour or so until he returns to play the same game. He even came up to me last night, gave me hug and said quietly, "You've got a friend in me, mom." Boy, do I love my "Round-Up Gang."

February Fun

My sister Megan and my mom were able to come to Georgia for some fun last month! I was grateful that I was able to spend some time with Megs before she left for her mission. She is such an amazing sister, friend and comedian. I am going to miss her so much that it hurts but am extremely lucky to have such a great example in my life. I don't really understand how she has so much together at the tender age of 21. I don't even want to SAY what I was doing at her age. I am just gushing with pride about my MEGS!!!

They were only able to stay for a few days but the time spent was priceless. We ended up at a park and enjoyed the beautiful spring weather. My boys love acting like fools and love being outside especially with an audience.

Toby ended up hurting his...well...you know. (check out the following picture if you still don't understand. Tate is demonstrating the injury.) Toby just wanted his mommy and I felt so bad for him. Speaking of my Tater-Tot. What is up with this Woody hat? He wears this thing all the time. It is the first thing he grabs when he wakes up in the morning, when we go to the store, when we go to church (I don't let him wear it inside), when he gets out of the bath etc... He has even been known to say "Howdy Partner...I think I have a snake in my boot" to complete strangers when he is wearing it.

I just adore my boys. So much personality wrapped up in such small packages.Now to my sweet Troy-Boy. He has brought such happiness into our home. The boys kiss and hug him all the time and want to be around him....especially Toby. He loves to watch what his older brothers are doing and tries to copy them but doesn't realize he is only 8 months old. (wonder what he is thinking...hmmmm)
My mom and Troy quickly became best friends. She can get him to belly laugh like no other. It makes me ache that he can't see her all the time. That is why these visits are so important.
Can you believe how beautiful my momma is? Seriously...she is gorgeous. She certainly doesn't look like she has 6 kids and 10 1/2 grandkids. This is how I will and have always remembered my mom's smile. Love you, mom!

Toby and Tate wanted to have a slumber party with the girls and watch Toy Story 3. Popcorn, drinks and all!They loved their Nana reading books to them and I bet they wanted her to never stop. I'm sure she didn't want to stop either.

Troy loved having them around. It is soooooo easy to make this kid smile. Andrew and I say that he has a smile like his Aunt Jenny's.
While Megan and Mom were in town, we were able to celebrate Valentine's Day. I received this ADORABLE package in the mail from Aunt Marsha filled with Ohio State goodies for the boys. She is always so good at remembering to help my boys "represent" down here in SEC country. Andrew came home with roses and cards for Mom, Megs and Me. What a sweetheart.

There is no place in the entire world that my mom would rather be than with her grandkids. She feels this way no matter if she is visiting Mississippi, North Carolina, Georgia or staying in Virginia. She is so sweet to my boys and they are in love with their Nana.

Thanks for visisting us. We miss you already!