Picking flowers

 This past weekend we picked up a few mums and Hayden and I planted them.  Today, Emerson decided she liked picking them.  Of course, she also enjoyed eating them!!  Hayden was not too happy about her picking his flowers that he planted.

Taking a bite

Fall is in the air

It has been busy, busy, busy these past few weeks.  Here is what has been going on over the past few days.  Hayden is still LOVING and has a new best friend, Kellen.  The teacher say they are so close and have a blast playing together.  Hayden told me that Kellen told him that he wished they were twin bothers so they could play together forever.  I am so glad he has made a great friend at school and begs to go.  Such a big difference this year.  He is staying busy with soccer.  He is still on a roll and has scored 4 goals every game.  He begged to be in the choir at church, but it is on Wednesday night, the same night as soccer.  However, we did make it to one practice and he loved it.  Mrs. Sarah, the choir teacher and his Sunday school teacher, gave him a CD of all the songs they sing in choir and he has to listen to it non stop.  We carry it from the car to his CD player so he can listen to it while he sleeps.  We will start back with choir once soccer is over.  I can not wait to see his first program at church.  Poor guy also had to have a cavity filled.  He was so brave and went back all by himself.  He came out looking so pitiful and did not like the fact that his lip was numb.  It was so numb he chewed chunks out of his lip and it looks like someone popped him in the mouth.  He also got a long, overdue haircut.  He really looks like such a big boy.  I am so amazed and proud of how he has just come out of his shell lately. 

Emerson is still on the go.  She is like the energizer bunny and never stops.  They only time she stops is if she finds something on the ground to eat or to actually eat breakfast, lunch or dinner.  Both of her front teeth are finally through and she is a drooling mess.  Her stomach has been messed up, probably because of the teething so I have been washing lots and lots of clothes.  She has really been interested in holding your hand and walking around.  I just know that any day now she is going to be walking.  She can take a good 10-15 steps before she sits down.  My baby just looks way to small to be walking.  Other than that, she is just a happy camper. 

We are headed to the beach for a long weekend trip.  We are leaving Emerson with Bob and Nana and taking Hayden to play with his cousing.  I am looking forward to hopefully, getting a little more sun before fall sets in.  I am so ready for cooler weather, but am also looking forward to putting my toes in the sand.

I am going to miss this sweet, smiley face

10 months

Another month down and more milestones met.  Emerson, you personality is really shining through and you could not be more happy.  The only time you are not happy is when you go to the nursery at church or you are have something you should not and mean mommy takes it away from you.  Actually, you show your temper when you don't get your way and most recently have started biting.  You will bite anything in your way.  Today you were mad at Hayden and you bit your own hand and started crying. Your first tooth on top just broke through, so when you bite it REALLY hurts.  I don't do well with biting so PLEASE let this pass quickly.  You might be part monkey as you love to climb.  I have found you on top of the ottoman, on top of the toilet and watched you climb all the way up the stairs.  Speaking of the toilet, you have an obsession with it.  If anyone leaves the bathroom door open you are there in a blink of the eye, your hands go staight in the toilet and you swirl the water around.  When I come running, you stick your hands full of toilet water in your mouth and scream with glee.  I don't know why you love to drink toilet water, maybe you are part dog too.  Your legs are getting strong and steady and you can stand on your own pretty well and you cruise all around the room holding on to the furniture.  I have a feeling in the next month you will be walking.  You are sleeping pretty well, but still like the 5 am hour.  You are eating more solid foods including bananas, cheerioes, pears, cheese, and peas.  We are almost done nursing as you have not interest and would much rather hold your own bottle.  You still only say momma and bababa.  However, you have found your vocal chords and love to scream, especially when Hayden does something funny.  He is really your best friend and you love having him around.  I am so glad you have him around and I know he loves having you for his little sister.  You really have completed our family!!  As always, I can't wait to see what you have in store for us over the next month.  Only one more monthly post until you will be the big O-N-E.  Oh yeah, you really don't ever sit still.  You will see in these pictures that it is nearly impossible to get a shot of you sitting in your chair. 

Hayden's big 5 birthday

 My little boy is now a big boy. He is five years old. I don't know what it is about the number five, but it just seems so BIG. I mean five is when many kids start kindergarten and that is just too much for me to handle. I am so glad Hayden is not going this year. I have one more year of having him home with me until he goes off to school for the next, I don't know, close to 20 years. Okay, I digress, back to the fact that Hayden officially turned five September 9th. He has been counting down the days to his birthday and more importantly, his birthday party. This year he is all about batman so, of course, he had to have a batman party. Not only did he want a batman party, but he requested a batman costume and a bad guy, preferably the joker, so he could "destroy the joker" in front of his friends. You ask and you shall receive, my sweet big boy. I actually really got into his birthday this year and decided channel my Martha Stewart and make capes for all the kids, 14 to be exact. They were not perfect, but they worked. We held the party at the park and were so lucky as it poured rain about an hour before his party stated, then the sun came out just long enough for the party to end. Hayden was geared up in his full batman costume, the kids flew around the park in their capes and mask they decorated, the joker showed up for a few photos (batman was not completely sure and decided not to destroy the joker), Hayden blew out 5 candles on his oreo cupcake and opened his presents before the storm came in and the party ended. He told me this was his favorite birthday ever!

Batman and Andrew

Maria and Maxwell with the capes

Maggie, Hayden, Abigail and Gabbi

Decorating the masks

Hayden and Cole

Batman and the Joker

Batgirl and the Joker

Making a wish

A few of my favorite things

My baby girl, Matilda Jane, and UGG's.

Im going to miss this!

Hayden started his new Pre-K class at our church, Franklin First United Methodist.  This is his third year going to this school and every year has been a new adventure.  Typically, he is one of a handful of boys in the class, however, this year he is one of ten boys.  That is right...ten boys!!  I feel awful for the teacher, I just know that class will be absolutely wild.  Mrs. Kimberly and Mrs. Bonnie are his teachers this year and they really seem great.  The are very comforting and loving, just what Hayden needs.

This first few days of school Hayden demanded at least four or five kisses and hugs before he would let me go and held on to me a little tight.  This is an improvement over the old days where I would have to drag him down the hallway screaming and kicking.  Those days were awful, I will never forget them.  Things are different this year.  I don't know if it is because he is getting older and has this school thing down or if he is truly enjoying this class this year with all the boys, but he really seems to be into school. Like I said drop off has been far less painful and when I pick him up he seemes like he had an absolute blast.  Today was a day I will never forget.  This morning he said he could not wait to go to school, which caught me off guard because he usually says his "stomach hurts" and he does not want to go. In the car, on the way to school he told me he was going to play with his friend Kellen, this is the one boy Hayden always talks about from his class. They have become great buds and they even "invented a potion that will make girls have two heads".   I can see where this all boys class thing is leading too! So we walked into his classroom and there was Kellen and off Hayden went.  I watched him closely as he chatted with his friend and wondered if I should just leave, but I didn't want to leave without saying bye. I called his name and told him to come give me a kiss... and that is the first time he never came to give me a hug and kiss (insert sad face here).  WHAT...I didn't realize the week he turns five he turns into such a big boy.  It is all happening too quickly and though I am so proud of my boy....I am really going to miss those hugs and kisses.  I remember when this song came out by "Hootie" and thinking to myself at this one part in the song, I wonder how long this will last? 

And when he drops him off at preschool
He's clinging to her leg
The teacher peels him off of her
She says what can I do
She says now don't you worry
This’ll only last a week or two

It won’t be like this for long
One day we'll look back laughin’
At the week we brought him home
This phase is gonna fly by
So baby just hold on
'Cause it won't be like this for long'

So true!  Today was the day he did not even look back.  Not one hug or kiss, just a smile to let me know he was okay.  It might take a day or two, but I will be okay too.

First soccer game of the year

 This weekend was busy, busy, busy!  The family came in town from Memphis to help celebrate Hayden's 5th birthday and to cheer him on in his first soccer game of the season.  David and I were excited and nervous to see how Hayden was going to do this season.  Last season we had high hopes that our little boy was going to dribble up and down the field and score goals, but it was far from that.  The first game he scored a goal, for the other team, and from then on I do not think he touched the ball the rest of the season.  I just chalked it up to the fact that maybe we just started him too early.  Flash forward to the first game on Saturday.  Hayden had a sideline full of cheerleaders and his daddy as a coach.  I had it set in my mind that he would probably just run in circles like last season and not to get too frustrated with him.  I took him a few minutes and then it finally clicked for him.  He got the ball and dribbled it down the field and scored.  When he turned around he had this look on his face like "Oh yeah...I got this...it is on".  He did great and scored 4 goals.  We were all so proud of him.  What a difference a year makes!!  He had his second game last night and he is on a roll...another 4 goals.  He may not be the best player ever, but I am so happy to see him loving the game and gaining confidence in himself. 

Getting aggresive

Another goal



Right after he scored





And another



One more

Proud Daddy

Hayden's biggest cheerleader







A little bit of what is to come

This weekend is going to busy!!  Tomorrow is Hayden's real birthday and family is coming in town for all the festivities.  Saturday is Hayden's first soccer game and will be coached by none other than his Daddy.  Should make for an interesting game!!  Last year Hayden just ran around in circles and would never kick the ball, lets hope this year he is a little more into it.  After the game, it will be a full day of college football watching.  Sunday is the big party!! I am hoping the weather will hold out and will be a perfect day to have a party at the park. Here is a sneak peek...

My little Superhero's

Last day as a 4 year old

That is right, today is Hayden's last day as a 4 year old.  It is hard to imagine that he will be 5 years old.  It has been an amazing 5 years and he has brought so much joy to into my life.  I have to say that age 4 is a great one and I am going to miss him being four.  He is growing up so quickly.  I already have noticed his face has changed, he has lost any ounce of baby I used to see in his face.  His laugh has changed, he no longer HAS to have teddy and blankey to sleep, he has become independent and does not have to have his mommy around at all times.  I know that change is constant and is a good thing, but I will always miss him being little.  As much as it makes me sad he is growing up, I also love watching him grow into this amazing boy.  As long as I get cuddles, hugs and kisses from my sweet boy, I will be blessed. 

These are pictures taken from this morning before we left for school.  It is his special week since it is his birthday and he got to bring home the treasure box to fill with special items.  This is how is filled his box...he never ceases to amaze me...His Tennessee hat because "Daddy and I love the Vols", Emerson's pacifier because "It reminds me of Emerson", his "God Songs" that he got from Panda Mania VBS, Batman and Robin and his pirate alarms clock because "it wakes me up so I can have breakfast with Daddy before he goes to work".  I just love how much thought he put into his treasure box.