Payton's Art Party

Our sweet girl turned FIVE on February 21st. She's been excited about it for months. Mommy and daddy on the other hand...very sentimental. How is our tiny baby almost big enough to start school? With that being said, she is so excited about the big milestone, so I guess it's just God's way of helping me deal with it. We debated for a while what we would do for her party. She didn't want it at my school again, and Auburn is very limited on selections in February. We decided for an art party at the house and prayed for good weather. Thankfully, it turned out to be absolutely gorgeous and everything went off without a hitch. 

When everyone arrived they decorated a paint smock with markers before painting.

Then it was time for painting!

There were other tables set up with stickers, coloring, glue, pipe cleaners, any art supply we could think of. Payton LOVES art right now so it was perfect.

Masterpieces!

Eating time!

Mommy and Daddy with the birthday girl!

A rare picture of all five of us. 

We had an absolute blast and hope all of our guests did as well! 

Funny Harper

Harper is hilarious. She keeps us laughing and frustrated all at the same time. She has really been giving us some trouble with bedtime lately. After getting her settled the other night, she quietly came into our room to use the restroom. She didn't say anything when she came in, probably because she really didn't need to go since she had been right before we put her down. Anyways, it was about 15 minutes after putting her down and were already in bed. I asked Jonathan if it was Payton or Harper and we were just talking. She then comes out of the restroom and says, "Hey, you two supposed to be asleep. It's night night time." We lost it! Afterwards she quickly went back to her room, shut the door, and got back in bed.

Payton at 5

At Payton's well visit we got a great report! She got her big round of shots last year, so she only got a flu shot this time. She was such a champ! She weighed 42 lbs. 6 oz. (68%), was 42.5 inches (51%). We just can't believe that she is 5!

Anderson 6 months

At 6 months, Anderson's first tooth finally broke through. He's still sleeping pretty well, and beginning to nap more consistently. He's wearing mostly 6 month clothes and size 3 diapers. He's eating solid foods twice per day most days, and drinking about 5 6 oz. bottles. His hair is growing more, and many people comment how light it is, even though it looks a little darker here. He continues to be all smiles the majority of the time. At 6 months, he was really just starting to sit up, usually with someone right behind him because it didn't last long. We went to the dr more about his 6.5 month birthday because I was trying to take him and Payton in one trip. He weighed 17 lbs. 4 oz (37%), was 26 inches long (13%) and his head was 17.5 in (73%). He had a nasty little cold that had him wheezing pretty badly, so we were prescribed some breathing treatments to try and get him back to himself. These pictures were actually from his 6 month birthday, but he looked pitiful at that time. Thankfully, he's back to his happy self again! Happy 1/2 hear angel boy!

Daddy Daughter Date Night 2014

This year both girls were big enough to go to DDDN. It really snuck up on me this year, and a week before I had not looked for dresses at all. I actually had one that would work for Payton, but nothing for Harper. A sweet friend at school came to the rescue and let us borrow Harper's dress.

As it would turn out, Payton loved Harper's dress more than hers because hers wasn't a good twirl dress. Before it was all over she ended up in her flower girl dress anyways. Everyone was happy.

This picture was not posed at all. Sweet Harper just loving on her daddy.

Payton had been a little upset about the whole dress situation. I just adore this picture. It is a small glimpse on how much these girls adore their daddy and how the feeling is mutual. I'm so thankful that he is such an amazing daddy to them.

Getting flowers from daddy ($20/piece a might add). Next year we're picking something from outside!

We were all smiles by this point. Beautiful girl!

Daddy and his girls. It's near impossible to get a normal smile from Harper.

They finally headed out and enjoyed dinner at Chappy's. We had a few friends that went the same night, so the girls enjoyed dancing with Haisley and Reagan. What special memories! I'm so thankful that the girls have the opportunity to do this with him. 

Snowmagedon 2014

I guess we'll start on January 27th. The weather starting showing a possibility of snow and ice. I wasn't thrilled. Due to our strict calendar, our make up day is the Friday of Spring Break. Since we already have a Disney trip planned, that means that I would have to waste one of my minimal and coveted personal days if we had a weather day. I went ahead and turned in my leave request form on Monday in fear that everyone in the world would try to take off that day, and I was determined that I wouldn't be leaving Disney early to return for that Friday. I was shocked when they called school off Monday night. I mean, this is my 7th year of teaching and the only other time they've done this was for the National Championship game in 2010 and it ended up being a joke. Shortly after getting the call Monday night that school was cancelled, I received an email explaining since we were under a state of emergency for the state that we most likely wouldn't have to make up the days. In that case...bring it on! Time at home with my babies? I'm all in! Luckily we had been grocery shopping that Sunday so we didn't have to join the chaos that ensued at the grocery stores. We just snuggled together and enjoyed being home! Jonathan went to work Tuesday, as they expected the weather to get worse Tuesday afternoon/evening. After an essential run to Kroger for snow treats (calories don't count when you're stuck in due to weather by the way), the snow started to fall. The girls were pumped to get outside and explore. Payton has really only experienced snow once when she was 1, and Harper really hasn't ever seen it.

Payton trying to catch snow on her tongue.

Making footprints

Harper was freezing.

It kind of worked out because little man hadn't been feeling great so the time at home gave him a chance to rest up. We took him out only for a quick photo op.

Wednesday morning we had snow on the ground and lots of ice. I think the most exciting part of all of this for Jonathan was getting to utilize "the Beast" since it has 4 wheel drive. He was planning to head into work a little later in the morning. About the time he was heading out, the neighbor was walking back to the house because he slid in a ditch less than a mile from the house. Jonathan's day quickly turned into helping people. He's a super nice guy, but I also think he enjoyed utilizing the beast :) Love you, babe! Anyways, he stayed home and the girls went outside in an attempt to make a snowman only to find the snow was too powdery. They settled for snow angels.

We ended up home again on Thursday (three days total) due to the lingering ice as the temperatures stayed below freezing. We're just so thankful to have been at home together after hearing about all of the chaos in Birmingham and Atlanta. We also loved our 3 days at home together! Of course the following Sunday we ventured to park in 70 degree weather to play and feed the fish. This crazy Alabama weather I tell ya!

Harper

Our Harper bug is 2.5 and keeps us laughing ALL the time. We're either laughing or ready to pull our hair out, one or the other. She is such an independent child, but yet loves to be one step behind her sister MOST of the time. She makes sure that her independence is known at times. I'm going to try to capture our little bit at 2.5 the best I can, but these pictures speak a thousand words as far as her personality:

• No lovey for this girl. She cuddles with her farm book every night. When tucking her in, she will ask where her book is and tucks it under her arm. It must stay in her bed at all times. Minnie Mouse is sometimes in there also, but not near as important.
• She can say her prayers, blessing, and Pledge of Allegiance. When saying her prayers at night, she will put her hands on each side of your face. As sweet as it is, she gradually moves her hand to cover your mouth so that she can say "Amen" first at the end. We usually bust out laughing at this point and she proceeds to explain, "I already say amen."
• Her speaking has really taken off. I just love this stage where she is beginning to develop her own ideas and sentences, and not always just answering questions. Her vocabulary seems to be growing so much right now also.
• She has also started singing, especially in the car and to her brother. She wants you to sing with her and really won't take no for an answer.
• I always thought Payton was going to be our gymnast, but I might be wrong. She loves to watch tv in a headstand. 
• She's tall and skinny, not sure where those genes came from. She has no hiney, and has long legs and arms. It's impossible to keep a pair of jeans on her little self. She could wear 18 month clothes if it weren't for her long arms and legs. She's inching into 3's right now.
• She loves going to school and playing with her friends. She'll ask me to tell her who all of her friends are that are in her class. She also adores her teachers. She goes to CDO on Mondays and Wednesdays and preschool Tuesdays and Thursday. She loves preschool so much she keeps up with the days and always asks, "I go Mrs. Carmello class today?" usually followed by a squeal. She even made up a song a few weeks ago about being excited to go to her class.
• Eating is interesting. She may go 2 days without eating anything, and then you can't get her full the following day. She's pretty good about trying new things, even if she then decides she doesn't like it. She loves pizza, bananas, milk, any form of a carb (quite opposite of her sister), chicken (currently circle chicken...also known as chicken bites), etc. She's not big on vegetables but loves lima beans.
• She's been potty trained since about a month after she turned 2. The process was much shorter lived with her versus Payton. 
• She got boots for Christmas and loves wearing them, but will correct you if you refer to them as shoes. They're boots.  
• She got her second hair cut and she is looking like such a big girl. 
• She still takes a pretty good nap. The only problem is if she falls asleep at some point in the morning, even if for 10 minutes, it ruins her opportunity for a good nap. 
• She is very strong willed and keeps us searching for new ways to discipline. The past few weeks have actually been quite challenging. To the point that if there were videos in our home I'm quite sure we would qualify for Super Nanny. We're working hard to try and figure out what works and doesn't because she is definitely her own animal in this department. Prayer. That's all I can say.
• We love our sweet and spunky little girl to pieces. She keeps us laughing and is such a compassionate little thing.