3 Hours

3 HOURS...that's how long we stayed at the park today!  We met 3 of my girlfriends and their kids at 10:30 and didn't leave until almost 2:00.  At first it was a little chilly, but by lunchtime it was really really nice.  

 Landry sat in her stroller for a few minutes while she checked everybody out.  Robyn & I pushed Lilly & Landry in the swings while we visited.  After awhile, Caden wanted to show Landry around all the play equipment.  

 There was an area by the tennis courts that had some really great trees for climbing.  I didn't get a picture in time, but Caden actually climbed the trees a little.

The park we went to was in the neighborhood that Zach grew up in, so I drove by and showed the kids the house where Zach lived.  We packed sack lunches and ate at the park, and by lunchtime the kids were playing without their jackets and hats.  It was a really beautiful day!  There were 4 adults & 11 kids (ages 9 years old to 10 months old) between us, and believe it or not it was actually a pretty relaxing & stress-free day.

15 Minutes Outside Challenge

*Christmas and New Year's posts are below...in date order (New Year's should be just below this one and then Christmas will be a few posts down).  I was finally able to catch up a little today.*

My friend Kristy has challenged herself and anyone else to spend 15 minutes outside each day with their kids.  We decided to join the challenge!  We spent more than 15 minutes outside today...we were probably out there for over an hour.  We rode scooters and bikes, we took our outside lights down (Thomas and the ones in the bushes...Trent will have to get the ones off the roof), and our driveway is covered in sidewalk chalk.

 We also played hopscotch for quite awhile! Daddy drew the hopscotch board so there were 20 spaces instead of the usual 10...thanks Daddy :)

We ran two quick errands this morning, and the rest of the day we just "were".  Preschool starts back up tomorrow so it's back to our normal routine.  We'll probably be anxious for summer to get here because we've really enjoyed these last couple of weeks.

2012

I remember making New Year's resolutions with my grandmother when I was younger.  Then I remember going thru a phase where I thought they were dumb because no one ever "kept" them.  I don't think I've made any resolutions the last few years, but I decided to this year.  We'll see how it goes.  Maybe I should put them on our refrigerator or somewhere that will remind me daily...maybe I'd be better about "keeping" them.

#1 - Have a consistent, daily quiet time.  I pray everyday, multiple times a day.  Sadly, though, I don't read my Bible everyday and spend time trying to learn more and soak in more. 

#2 - Do a devotion with the kids...EVERYday.  I bought a devotional book for preschoolers in the Fall, but I haven't been consistent in doing a devotion everyday.  It's easier when we're in our routine and we all sit down for breakfast, but I'm not good at doing it if we're having an "off" day. 

#3 - Finish Bringing Up Girls (by James Dobson...I'm 1/2 thru it), re-read Bringing Up Boys (I read it when Caden was just a few months old...we have that book to thank (and I really mean I am thankful) for initiating my strong desire to quit my job and stay at home with Caden), read 2 other books.  3 1/2 books may not sound like alot, but I am not a reader and that would actually be a big accomplishment for me.

#4 - Lose the rest of my baby weight...and then lose some more.

#5 - Make Sunday nights "me" nights.  I want to make Sunday nights, after the kids are in bed, a time that I do things for myself such as: paint my toenails & fingernails, do a fun face mask or at home facial, etc...things that take care of me since I spend the rest of the time taking care of my family and our home.  I'm not complaining at all and I'm very grateful that I spend my time take care of our family, I just still want to feel pretty and girly. 

#6 - Stick to my new cleaning regimen.  I absolutely despise cleaning house (as in cleaning the whole house at once so it takes 5 hours and I still don't get finished), but I despise a dirty house even more.  My friend Amy has this cleaning regimen that she does and I'm going to do it too.  She does something different everyday so that by the end of the week, everything is done and clean.  I tried something similar before (cleaning 1 room a day) and it didn't work at all, but I think this one will work for me.  Mondays I dust the whole house, Tuesdays I sweep & mop, Wednesdays I clean the kitchen, and Thursdays I clean the bathrooms. I think I can really do it, if I can just devote an hour a day to it.  I've gotten so neurotic as to put reminders in my phone...yep, you heard it here folks.  Lastly, I'll do laundry on the weekend but that's what I've always done because it makes me nuts to be doing laundry everyday and I stress less if I start the week off with all my clothes being clean.  Can you say "certifiable"?  That's me!  

#7 - Just be!  Other than #1 & #2, this might be the most important.  I just want to "be"...I want to be present, be in the moment, be there...just be.

The rest of my resolutions are of the financial nature or involve other matters...neither of which I think are appropriate to share publicly so I'll stop with these for now. 

Happy New Year!

Happy Retirement Papa

Zach's Dad is retiring after 30 years with the Lewisville Fire Department.  They had a reception today for him and another man that is retiring with him.  

 Both of them were presented with an American flag that flew over their station on their last shift.

 Zach & his Dad!

Happy Retirement Papa!  Now the fun really starts!

Landry Kate - 15 Months

Landry Kate you are 15 months old (on 12/25)! Where has the time gone??? I can't believe you are growing so fast...you seem more & more like a little girl, instead of a baby.

You are our small but mighty little girl! You are very petite (see stats below) even though you can put away some food.  Sometimes you eat more than your brother!  Even though you are a dainty little girl, you are starting to hold your own with Caden.  We try not to let y'all see us laugh, but we can't help but get tickled when you stand up for yourself. You really try to get him and I think it surprises him sometimes.

You really don't play with "baby" toys anymore.  Mostly you like to try to play with whatever Caden is playing with.  You love to get a purse and carry it around on your arm.  You also really like to sit in chairs and climb in & out of them (kid chairs of course).  You like to take things out of baskets, cabinets, buckets, etc and then put them back in...I remember that Caden liked to do that too.  

When we or Caden laugh, you laugh too just like you think whatever we're laughing at is so funny.  You and Caden will have "yelling" matches where you will take turns making loud noises.  Y'all are really starting interact alot more and it's so fun to watch. 

You still take two naps each day but you also do fine if you miss a nap.  You eat mostly whatever we eat, but you will not eat corn at all...we've tried plain corn, corn nuggets, and creamed corn.  You are definitely your Daddy's daughter because you will eat pecans and lemons...Caden & I do not eat such things.  You still wear size 6-12 months but you're moving into the 12-18 months even though the pants are a little too long and definitely too loose in the waist.  You wear a size 3 (or 6-9 month) in shoes.  I put bows in your hair, but not until we get where we're going because you pull them out in the car.

Here are your stats from your 15 month checkup today:

Weight: 20.2 lbs (14th percentile)

Height: 30 1/4 inches (44th percentile)

We love you sweet girl and we are so glad you are part of our family!  

Merry Christmas!!!

Happy Birthday Jesus!

 We made Santa's most favorite cookies...chocolate peanut butter oatmeal cookies!  Caden also left a note for Santa!

 When we woke up the next morning, we saw that Mickey Marshmallow had left a note for Caden & Landry!

 Caden was wide awake by 6:30 and I woke Landry up so that she could enjoy the excitement with us!

 The very 1st thing that Caden spotted was his 2 wheel scooter that makes sparks!  That scooter had been high on his list since before Thanksgiving, so I'm pretty sure he was looking for it as soon as he walked into the living room.

 Santa brought Landry her own chair!  Nani Lu had given Caden an "anywhere chair" from Pottery Barn Kids for his 2nd Christmas, and Landry has LOVED sitting in it.  She was happy to get her own chair and literally sat in it for pretty much the whole time we opened gifts.

 We went to my Mom & Dad's for lunch and then had Christmas with them after lunch!

After we left my parents' house, we stopped by Zach's grandparents to have Christmas with that side of the family.  Then we headed home so that the kids could enjoy their gifts for a few hours before it was bedtime.  

Day 24 - Go to the Christmas Eve Service and Bake Cookies for Santa

Mickey Marshmallow Report: Mickey was riding Daddy's model Harley Davidson!  We've had alot of fun with Mickey Marshmallow!  He'll leave tonight with Santa but we'll anxiously await his return next year!

 Today's surprise was to bake cookies for Santa and go to the Christmas Eve service at church!

 Santa loves no bake chocolate oatmeal cookies!

 We went to the Christmas Eve service this evening and as always it was a great service.  No matter how busy we get or how wrapped up in the hustle & bustle of Christmas, the Christmas Eve service always brings us back around to Jesus and His birth.

Earlier today we celebrated Christmas with Mimi & Papa!  I really wanted to get a picture of the kids in front of their tree but Landry wasn't having it...then Mimi had a really great idea and we put her in this rocking chair. She happily participated in the picture taking!

 I thought this was a sweet picture of the two of them!  I'm so glad they truly love each other!

 Landry was so funny!  She sat in this chair no matter where we moved it.  She just kept going back to it.  She thinks she's a big girl :) 

 After the Christmas Eve service we came home and we all put on our Christmas pjs!

Merry Christmas!!!