A Build-A-Bear Birthday

When your birthday falls on a Sunday, you just have to extend it a day or two since you are a bit limited to where you can go on your big day. So after Josh and Matt's day full of presents and phone calls on the 29th, we were ready to head over to the mall for our annual visit to Build-A-Bear courtesy of my parents' birthday check. We started this years ago and the boys have amassed quite a collection. I love having a special event to look forward to. The kids feel the same way.The boys check out the selection. For the first time there was not a new green animal for Matt. He happily opted for a cool Cheetah. After we purchased his new friend, he spied a brand new T-Rex that comes in on July 20. He's counting down the days. I'm just wondering where he'll get the extra funds for another new buddy....The girls loved the computers. Thankfully the employees didn't seem to mind their pounding on the keyboard and told me it happens all the time. I bet it does. The girls got bears last year. I didn't feel the need for new ones and they didn't seem to mind one bit. They did tote around every sparkly and shiny bag they could find, but I managed to put them back when it was time to check out.Brynn loved finding the container of hearts.The stuffing begins. Trey got a red, white and blue bear he named Stars. Josh got a black lab and puppy he named Jack and Jake. Matt named his cheetah Cheety which fits since his new Webkinz is named Gecky Jr.They give their new friends' heart some extra love.Cleaning timeMatt's was super smoothA perfect way to celebrate turning SEVEN! Thanks Grandpa and Grandma!

Tuesday Tell All: Touch

For the last TTA about the five sense, here are a few of my favorite things to touch or feel...

Feeling the movement of my unborn baby in my belly- esp. when they get hiccups

My newborns smooth silky skin and soft fur-like hair

Walking across my Grandma Nance's rug like grass

A massage

Someone combing or playing with my hair

Scratching an itch

Climbing into bed that has clean sheets

My sheets (Bed, Bath and Beyond's Pure Beech Sateen sheets 100% Modal- AMAZING!)

Walking across my just cleaned kitchen floor

Sweat dripping down my face and the pounding of my heart beat after a good work out

A hot bath or shower

Washing my hands after they were sticky

Combing through my hair after it's been conditioned

Johnson and Johnson baby lotion on my dry skin

Cherry Softlips on my lips

Putting on clean clothes

The fit of a great pair of jeans

Wearing flip flops on a summer day

Feeling the hot bright sun on my face

Sand on my feet

The spray of the ocean as we gather seashells

The air conditioner blasting cooling me down

Wind on my face when the windows are rolled down

Sitting on the heater on a cold winter morning wrapped in a blanket

Feeling the hot chocolate trickle down your throat and warm inside your stomach

Getting goose bumps after hearing an amazing story

Butterfly and Eskimo kisses from Matt

Brynn doing my hair and whispering secrets in my ear

Kaitlyn's snuggles and holding her tiny hand

My palm throbbing after playing catch with Josh

The vibration of the PS2 paddle as my virtual car goes off road while racing Trey

Holding Rich's hand

A tight embrace from a loved one

Kisses from my kids and husband

Birthday Fun!

Having twins really cuts down on the number of celebration days we get each year. Since we only get three days a year to celebrate five birthdays I try to make the most of it. This year was a no friends party one, so I had to make it special for them. The preparations started the night before, after the kids were fast asleep.JoshMattI love seeing their faces as they wake up and rush down to find a party waiting for them.Rich even managed to get another resident to cover his Saturday night call so he could sleep at home and enjoy a day going to church with the family and celebrating Josh and Matt's special day. Last year he was on call for EVERY birthday. It was high time he got to join in the fun.Can you say SPOILED? Thanks to everyone who called and sent goodies their way.Let the opening begin...They had two extra assistants watching closelyJosh was surprised when he unwrapped a fishing poleMatt was giddy over his new Indiana Jones toysGifts from Grandma and Grandpa Blackhair and Heather and Kris.Kung Fu Panda Monkey Staff and Sword of Heroes. Just what they wanted. Good work Grandma Blackhair.Trey said he'd happily help Matt play his new game. (What a saint!)The gifts just kept comingJosh loved his new batting helmetThe girls couldn't resist such a cool hatBrynn giggled as she tried it on and ate pickles at the same timeThe package from the Nances required some serious muscles and teamwork.Happy Birthday Josh and Matt. We are blessed to call you ours!

Big Number Seven

These two handsome boys are celebrating their birthday today. I can hardly believe that seven years ago I eagerly awaited their timely arrival. I had been on bedrest for a month and was so nervous they would be born prematurly and need extra care and an extended stay at the hosptial. Our prayers were granted, they were born large (Josh 7 lb. 2 oz and Matt 6 lb. 8 oz), healthy and we went home together the next evening. It was something I had hoped so long for, it felt like a miracle. I love these two boys so much. They are as different as night and day. From their physical structure to their passions, they are truly their own inviduals. And I wouldn't have it any other way.
JOSH

1. Gives 100%

2. Is the first on to pitch in and lend a hand

3. Is driven to practice and succeed

4. Loves to play baseball and all sports

5. Can't tell a lie, but wouldn't want to anyway

6. Loves dogs

7. Loves ice cream and snow conesMATT

1. Loves special alone time with me
2. Is a chatterbox, especially when it's time for bed
3. Loves to build and create
4. Has an intense love of the color green
5. Has a collection of action figures and weapons that could rival any
6. Lives on chicken nuggets and ice cream
7. Says the funniest things and keeps us on our toes

Happy Birthday guys. WE LOVE YOU!

Happy Birthday!

To my dear sweet mother: Happy Birthday. Even though I am here far away in the Bluegrass and you are drifting out at sea in Alaska, you have been in my thoughts and hearts all day. You- my constant friend and confidant, my best cheerleader and supporter, my sounding board, my advice guru, my secret keeper, my aid through life- you deserve the happiest day possible. For you are beautiful from the inside out and I'm so proud and bless to be your daughter. I love you!

Swim Fast!

I can't seem to keep up with the posts this summer. Here is a recap of swim meets # 2 and 3.June 11, 2008: Home meet vs Equestrian WoodsJust before the start of the meet, our team demonstrates their enthusiasm with the “Pirate Chant.” The origins of this are not known, but you really have to experience it for yourself to appreciate it:
Oogy La Bamba!
(echo response)
Iggy La Piggy Wiggy!
(echo response)
Ethel La Gethel Wethel!
(echo response)
Ooh Ah!
(echo response)
Ooh Ah!
(echo response)
Pirates, pirates, Rah, Rah, Rah!
(echo response)

Matt and Josh are ready to swim fast!The 6 & under boys line up for freestyle.Josh and Matt were in the same heat- Josh lane 1, Matt lane 6. My camera only took one photo of Josh and told me it needed a new battery (which it didn't) but with the girls wrapped around my legs and video camera in the other hand, this was all I got for their race. They looked great.
Trey hanging out with his little sistersTime to swimTrey has been working on trying to breath more to the side instead of just popping his head up. He's doing a better job.I always like to see a smile afterwards no matter what place you got.Brynn was soon sporting this scary look. She actually took all her clothes off (except the diaper) but I managed to wrestle her shirt back on and secure it with a rubber band in the back. She is quite anti-clothes right now and it's killing me! Every day at swim practice Brynn complains that her diaper is wet (yes it is, it's a swim diaper!) and wants a new one. Since they are 50 cents a piece I make her keep it on until she's done playing in the water. Before I know it she's stripped down to nothing and asks for a diaper. She's crazy!I had to stay after and label ribbons. I knew it would take a while, so I brought along the DVD player to help pass the time.The boys proudly show off their new ribbons (I labeled) the next morning.
June 18, 2008: Away meet vs the Palomar Piranhas Luke, Matt and Josh are excited it is Wednesday: Race Time!This pool had a tiny pool deck, so the swimmers and parents were off to one side. The setting was lovely because it was green and beautiful and shady with a pond off to your left, but you couldn't really watch the meet. When it was time to watch your kids swim, we gathered by the baby pool to cheer them on. The pool was also a lot smaller than our pool. It was only a 25 yard pool instead of 25 meters. We just had to multiply their race time by 1.11 to get the equivalent of their other time on the longer pool. I took a few pictures of my heat sheet to record their times. (The times are in meters.)The girls brought their new chairs from Target and wore red to support their brothers.Josh is ready to go!Coach Phillip was showing some extreme Pirate spirit.Josh and Matt were both in the second heat.Josh only touched the wall twice and got first place in his heat.Matt dives in.He kept moving forward and looked good. Matt really has improved his year when you think he didn't dare swim on the lane line during those first few weeks of practice.But he still was mad he was the last one out of the pool.Here is pure truth in a photo. When you took first place in your heat, they gave you a squirt gun. Josh was thrilled with his new prize. Matt was a tad jealous of Josh's new toy.Thankfully he recovered quickly.Soon it was Trey's turn. With the shorter length to swim, he pushed himself and only took a few breaths. When he got done with his race, he found out he had taken first place and got a squirt gun too.The boys were so happy about their prizes. The parent volunteers that had to watch over the kids weren't quite as excited since the children kept running off to the drinking fountain to fill them up and chasing each other around shooting people. I can see why Pinnacle doesn't give out squirt guns at our home meets. Trey gets set for his 25 yard backstroke.He swam straight and took first place, earning his second water gun of the night.

Rich made it from work in time to see the boys swim and then stayed the second half of the meet working two (of our required 4) jobs. He was a timer and helped clean up the pool after the meet ended. Another fun meet to add to our memories!