SURPRISE!!

Greg came home from work today and got the shock of a lifetime...his parents were here, and I informed him I was taking him on an (early) birthday trip tomorrow AM...to New Orleans!!!!

We are taking the TRAIN tomorrow and headed to NOLA for a much-needed getaway for a few days...my man needs a break from his stressful job! I know the kids are in good hands with Mum Mum & Granddaddy while we are gone.

NOLA, here we come!

Proud to be a Soccer Mom

This afternoon, Nate had his first soccer "game." (It's really a practice - that's all they have at this age - but he likes to call it a game. Wonder how long it will take for him to figure out no one's keeping score!)

I misjudged the amount of time it would take to get to the fields, and then we got stuck in traffic, so Nate was crying in the backseat that we'd "be last" and I was honking my horn and driving like a bat out of hell to get to practice as soon as possible.

Yes, I'm officially a soccer mom and have the mini-van to prove it!

Nate did a great job and was happy to see 2 of his friends from school, Anthony and Alex. There are about 8-10 boys on the team, from what I can tell. And the coach, a girl called KK, used to play soccer for both Clemson & Alabama. She was so great with the kids and Nate was impressed that she was a "real" soccer player!! There's also 2 other "assistant coaches" that really just corral all the kids. (Did I mention that it was hilarious to watch!? Organized chaos to say the least.)

They started out playing a "dribble in the grid" game. Watching 4 year olds interpret the word "dribble" is pretty entertaining.


At one point, Nate started swinging his arms around like a crazy man and was complaining about all the bugs. Yes, he is his father's son. I tried to take a video of this but kept laughing so hard I was shaking the camera.

Here's some action shots of my soccer stud:



During the hour long practice, I think they took like 5 water breaks!? Hilarious. And poor N was out of breath each time. He was working hard! Here's his bud, Anthony.


He loved all the other games they played:
- dribble race
- sharks & minnows
- knockout
- firing squad
- red light, green light (he was really good at the "freezing" part

Abby was a trooper while we were there....she followed me all over the field as I took pictures/videos like a crazy person. Yes, I was THAT mom. She loved walking on the lines like a balance beam, as well as holding "Bruba's wawoo" (Brother's water) and showing off her belly. Don't ask. For some reason she does this everywhere we go now. Love her modesty.


I am SO proud of Nate for having fun, listening to directions, and for having a good attitude. I'm sure they'll be some meltdowns in the future, but for now, he said he had a blast!

They don't play next week - due to spring break - but the week after that they get their team shirts. Nate is anxiously awaiting this!!

Going Too Fast

Today, out of the blue, it just hit me.....earlier this week, Nate turned 4 1/2! How is my "baby" old enough to be that age? Especially becuase now it means he's halfway to FIVE...

Craziness. And sadness.

I love this age though. He's such a sponge and wants to help/learn/grow at every opportunity. I am so proud of the little man he's becoming!

And another big milestone - we signed up for Spring Soccer this week! This is Nate practicing his "goalie stance." His first practice is March 7th. Bring it!

Short & Sweet

My parents came into town this past weekend for a short, but sweet, visit!

They ran into some BAD luck on the way home...and the trip on Sunday ended up taking 13.5 hrs instead of 9. I felt awful....they drove all this way just to spend <48 hrs with the kids. (If you asked them though, they'd say it's worth it! Spoken like true grandparents!)

We managed to fit a lot into their short visit...

N&P drove most of the afternoon Thursday, and then made it here by 10 am on Friday. Nanny was bursting at the seams to show me the results of her shopping spree for the kids, and Abby was equally excited to try on & model her new Easter dress. (Please note: it will be worn without leggings/Toms/100 necklaces!)

Then, as a special treat, we picked Nate up from school an hour early and let him pick a place for our lunch date. Shocker: he picked McDonald's. Yum.

After naps, we took advantage of the warm weather so the kids could show N&P their bouncy house from Santa. Nate showed off his flips, while Abby preferred to pop bubbles with her "wand" and pick flowers more than anything.





It's 5 o'clock somewhere.... :)


At one point, both N&P took turns in the bouncy house with the kids. Let's just say it did NOT end well. Nanny took a spill, and it started to deflate on Poppy. The kids (and I) got a good laugh out of it though!!

Saturday morning, Greg & Poppy ran a race together (and both won prizes in their age group)! They met us at The Waysider for a late breakfast. Best biscuits and grits ever, despite the long wait.

After breakfast (which turned more into a lunch by the time we got out of there), Nanny & I raced to CHOM for Nate's friends' birthday party. A sweet little girl in his class, Kendi, turned 5 and was kind enough to invite the whole class to her party! So Nate got to play at CHOM, see his best friend Noah, and celebrate/eat cake with the birthday girl!


N&P also brought along a tub full of presents....leftover from Christmas actually. The kids opened them on Christmas Day and then I quickly hid them in Nanny's closet b/c it was just TOO MUCH. And now they seem like new again! Abby's favorite was the cookie set. She is a baking fool!

N&P babysat the kids Saturday night so Greg and I could go out for a belated Valentine's dinner date. We had an amazing meal at Opus, and stayed way after our bottle of wine was gone. I forgot how funny & charming my husband can be! :) Needless to say, it was a much-needed date night and N&P were happy to stay at home with the kids. Win-win!

Thanks N&P for coming all this way to see us for a day & a half!
We love you!

Abby's "Boo"

Abby's little boyfriend David came over last week while his sweet momma had a quick dentist appointment. The kids were really good together and every time Abby would leave the room, David would shout "ABBY! COME BACK!!"

At one point, David was at the craft table by himself. He didn't want to be alone, so he said "MOMMY! SIT HERE!" and was pointing to me and the chair next to him. Precious.

For about the last 15 minutes of the playdate, I let them watch a show on TV. Abby picked "Franklin" (a show/book series about a turtle) and David sat right.next.to.her on the couch. She pushed him away and said "NO!" I guess she's like her momma and likes her space sometimes. Ha!

He is a sweet little boy and we are lucky to have him (and his momma) in our lives!!

Late Arrival

The kids received a delivery today from Mum Mum & Granddaddy....big V-day balloons....that SING!!! They were a huge hit, to say the least.

If you "tap" on the two biggest balloons, they play a song. One plays "Simply Irresistible" and the other plays "I Got You, Babe!" Here is Nate jammin'.....Abby was being camera shy (for once)....

Bama Belle Riverboat

Greg and I got to go on a fun date night last weekend, for a dinner cruise on the Black Warrior River!

We went to a surprise birthday party for one of my friends in MOMs group at church. She is pregnant with her 3rd baby right now (due in 2 months!) and her sweet husband arranged this surprise party. It was on the Bama Belle and included a catered dinner, drinks, and lots of dancing!

The only downside was...it was FREEZING! (which was so weird b/c it had been in the 60's and 70's all week). So, that meant that we weren't really able to utilize the top level of the boat, since it was open-air. Greg and I went up there for a quick minute though to enjoy the view of the River though.

It was a great night....Greg and I enjoyed the time alone/away from the kids, and I had a ball dancing the night away to some 80's hits with my MOM's group. Those Catholics know how to party! :) And the kids got rave reviews from their 1st official babysitter in AL...Miss Ann (one of Greg's department secretaries). Win win!