Memphis Botanic Gardens. . .and 90- 4 yr olds!!!

Today was Drew's very 1st school field trip! Since the kids are only 4 yrs old . . . and have to ride in some form of safety apparatus (parent's choice). . . they request that as many parents go as possible. I worked it out for a great friend (Amanda- you rock) to keep Kendall and Jack for the morning so I could take Drew and a few of his classmates to the Botanic Gardens. Anay and Gracie . . two of Drew's classmates and fellow soccer team members . . . rode with us there! We had a great time. In the car we watched Dora the Explorer . . . . it definitely was a change from 3 kids- 4 and under to today having 3kids- all of them 4! I guess this is what it would have felt like to have triplets! The kids were great and we had a great day!

We started off the moning with a trip to the "Jungle"! It was a green house full of plants that grow in the jungle! Some pretty cool plants grow there, so the kids were pretty excited! We saw a banana tree, a rubber tree plant, a chocolate tree, a coconut tree, and ginger plants! After our trip through the jungle, we went to a taste center. This is where the kids got to taste some of the things that are made from the "plants of the jungle"! The kids are learning about the 5 senses . . . so this was a great learning experience for them. I think the tasting was the favorite of the 5 senses used . . . they tried coconut, ate ginger snaps, had dried banana chips, and inhaled the chocolate m&m's!!! For a buch of 4 yr olds. . .they were pretty interested! Next we went to a planting center . . . and each kid got to plant their very own spider plant! Each child decorated their own pot, put the plant inside, filled it with dirt, and wrapped it in a bag and bow! Our last stop was a place where the kids made a craft! They each made a different mask of an animal that lived in the jungle! Drew and Gracie were tree frogs, and Anay was a lion! So far so good for the trip to the Botanic Gardens . . . last we took a small tour of some of the grounds . . . we went to see the Japanese Coi Fish. . .they were absolutely huge!! We walked right up beside the water to look at them . . . I am amazed we were not fishing 4 yr olds out of the water. . . but the kids did very well.

The trip was a success! I think everyone had a blast. It was short and sweet and perfect for 90- 4 year old little kids! I had a great time too! Thanks again Amanda for making it possible for me to enjoy a day with Drew!!!

Drew, Anay, and Gracie!

Anay, Drew, Maci, Ella and Ella's dad!

Drew was brave and tried the coconut! It was not a favorite!

This was Drew's face after the coconut . . . he did actually

swallow . . . unlike a few who got up and spit it out!

Happy Birthday Papaw!

Today is my dad's birthday . . . so we wanted to let him know that we were thinking of him today and that we wished we were ALL there to help you celebrate!!! We all love you very much:) See you in a few weeks!
The kids wanted to sing Happy Birthday to you:
Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday to Papaw
Happy Birthday to you . . . . and many more!
Check a little later for a video of them singing:)
Hugs and Kisses from Mississippi!!!!!
Love, Brent, Rachel, Drew, Kendall, and Jack!

Nelson's Favorite Spot!

For those of you who do not know, we have two weenie dogs . . . Nelson and Sophie! We have had both of them since before the kids arrived. They are used to royal treatment . . . especially when it comes to where they sleep. They both used to sleep in the bed with us, and would have it no other way . . . but now they prefer somewhere else nice and cozy. They both love anything soft . . . and usually love to be covered up . . . especially Sophie. The latest favorite of theirs has been a kid chair that belongs to Drew. The kids had moved it into the kitchen one day playing with it, and now it is the FAVORITE seat in the house!!! (for the dogs anyway) I love to watch the dogs when they are fighting over who gets to sit in it . . . if one gets up for any reason . . . the other one darts to it and steals their place . . . this goes on ALL day! Too funny!!! I have to say . . . as you can tell from the pictures . . . Nelson usually wins!!! I think he really loves the chair a little more than Sophie, but he is also less likely to get up any reason!!! I guess that is why he slightly resembles a tootsie roll! Here are some pics of Nelson enjoying his chair:

I think he thought I was gonna make him get up:(

What a sweet dog!

Too funny . . . I think we may have to get the kids a new chair!

Sophie snuggled up in a warm, cozy blanket!

Drew's First Soccer Game

Today was Drew's very first soccer game. He plays for his school . . . SBEC . . . but they also allow members of Broadway Baptist (the church that the school is attached to) to play as well:) Drew has 6 other kids on his team . . . for a toal of 7 - all of them 4 years old! There are 3 little girls (Gracie, Shayla, and Rachel) and there are 4 boys (Drew, Troy, Brandon, and Anay.) Mr. Scott (Troy's dad) is the assistant coach and Laurie (Gracie's mom) is the coach!!!
He was sooo excited when he woke up this morning. . . he was ready to play in his soccer game! His game was at 11:00 . . . it was my turn to bring snacks and drinks today so we had to get alot of stuff together before heading out to the school. The game was so much fun to watch and the kids had alot of fun! You can only imagine what a 4 year old soccer game looks like, but we are not all that bad. We did end up scoring 5 or so goals (we don't keep score), but we all know that the other team only scored 1 goal . . . so I guess that means Drew's team won their 1st soccer game. WOOHOO!!!! Way to go Tigers!!!

Drew before the big game!

Drew's team . . . minus Anay . . he was out of town!

I don't know what Drew is doing here . . . but it

looks serious. He is ready to kick that ball!

What an action shot . . . GO Drew GO!

No hands Drew. . .I think he forgot that rule!

Drew coming off the field for a quick break! Good job buddy!

Resting up before going back into the game!

Drew's biggest fans!

Kendall was in deep concentration watching the game . . .

and enjoying her "gatowade" a little early!

Drew getting a five from Coach Scott!

Time to Play!!

Although school has started, we are still squeezing in some fun playdates! Amanda works Monday- Tuesday- Wednesday . . . and is off on Thursday and Friday:) On Thursday, she is kepping another little girl . . .Mari-Morgan. Her mommy Paige and Amanda are good friends and work together . . . so they swap a day od childcare each week:) Thursday is a great day for a playdate because Kendall loves to play with Karis and Mari-Morgan, too! Today we dropped Drew off at school, miss you buddy, then headed out to Amanda's house. We got there about 9:45 and stayed til 4:00! It was a fun day and the kids had a blast! There was lots of dressing up, princess movie watching, and girly makebelieve. The girls have all been so tired lately, that we made after lunch rest time . . . they were still and watched a movie for a while . . . then just played quietly for a little while, too. Amanda made an awesome soup for us at lunch time . . . I will share her recipe later . . . YUM . . . and the kids ate their favorite . . . maccaroni! She also made us an Ooey- Gooey- Butter cake . . . which was divine!!! Thanks Amanda for the fun day . . .we look foward to next Thursday!!!

The 3 little princesses: Mari- Morgan, Karis, and Kendall!

Karis and Mari- Morgan putting on their make-up!

Jack was content to play with a spoon!

Amanda and Brayden. . . too sweet!

(and my sweet little Jack in the back)

Tooth #1

It is official . . . Jack now has his 1st tooth!!! It is the botton left tooth in the front:) We have not been shocked that he has not cut any teeth until now . . . mainly because his big brother did not get his first tooth til he was 10 months old. We knew that they would come when the time was right! He has been feeling and rubbing this new tooth with his tongue . . . it is too cute, because he has this look on his face like he is trying to figure out what it is:) He has been a little crabby, but not too bad. I know it has to hurt:( The bad thing about getting new teeth . . . other than it hurts . . . is that they usually are not alone. He has waited all this time for a tooth, and now he is not only getting a tooth . . . but teeth . . . 4 of them!!! I can see the the bottom right tooth and the top 2 front teeth peeking through his gums! He has been a real trooper . . . all he has needed is a little extra love and an occasional dose of Tylenol and he is is usual happy self! I guess he will be eating lots of new things soon . . . just something else fun to look foward to. It is very hard to take a picture of a tooth . . . if you can only imagine . . . so here is just a cute picture of Jack!!!

Poison Control!!!

Today started out like any ordinary day! After we dropped Drew off at school, Kendall, Jack and I went to Target:) Jack was sitting in the front on the shopping cart and I had convinced Kendall to sit in the big part of the cart, too. She was helping me "organize" some of the things we had picked up . . . it worked to keep her in the buggy:) I was looking at something and heard her coughing and gagging. I leaned over to check on her . . . she had her fingers in her mouth, still coughing . . . she gagged and then threw up. It did not take me but a secong to realize she was holding a travel size bottle of Germ-X (orange scented)! I am not one to over react, but I got a little freaked out. I am sure, in a somewhat loud voice, started asking her if she had put it in her mouth. She kept telling me "no", but I knew that she had. I kept on asking her . . . trying to make sure that was what really happened and she finally said "she had licked it off her hand." I was a little relieved that she had not turned up the little bottle and took a swig, but I was still scared. I called Brent. . . no answer, so I called my mom . . . I knew she would know what to do. Since I was standing in the middle of Target containing 2 kids, she called Poison Control for me. They basically said, since it was a small amount and she threw it up immediately that it should be fine. I was to wait about 15-20 minutes to let het drink anything and that was that . . .Crisis averted!!! I will have to say that I do not think Kendall will ever lick Germ-X off of her hand again . . .at least I hope she does not. We had a long talk later on today about things we put in our mouths and things we should NOT put in there . . . hopefully she was listening . . . she is just 2 1/2! Heed my WARNING . . .Germ-X does not taste good and quickly induces vomiting if ingested (at least in our case!)

Tonight at Dinner!

Tonight I was inside all by myself feeding Jack dinner . . . Drew and Kendall were helping Brent in the yard! Jack was eating (carrots and applesauce) and being sooooo cute. He has learned to do many new things in the last week or two . . . so he was showing out for me tonight. Over the course of his dinner . . . he clapped his hands, shook his head "no no", blew some sweet kisses, drank out of a sippy cup, and waved bye- bye! My little man is so smart! I was so proud of him . . . and everytime I would praise him he would start to clap. I actually took some pretty cute pictures, and in some of them you can tell what he is doing:)

Here he is clapping! Yeah Jack!

Blowing some sweet kisses!

Some more clapping!

He was cracking himself up!

He was talking to me in this picture. . .

wish I knew what he was saying!

Jack . . .you can't hide behind that cup!

OK . . . so I guess he showed me!

Kendall and Drew helping Brent pick weeds in the yard!

They love to help . . . they are actually

getting to the age where they are a little help!

The Germantown Festival!

Today we went to the Germantown Festival. This is the first time we have been in a few years, but I must say this year was the best one we have attended:) There was so much fun stuff for the kids to enjoy, lots of terrific food, and lots of great vendors! Haylie and Nick went with us and we had a blast. It was pretty hot when you were not in the shade, but overall it was tolerable. We spent approximately 4-5 hours at the festival . . . and with 3 kids that was enough. The pony rides were a favorite with the kids . . .specifically Kendall. She loved the ponies so much that she ended up riding once in the morning and again later in the afternoon:) It was a fun day!

This was one of the biggest bounce

slides I have ever seen . . . and he did it!

He was so proud that he did it . . . and was ready to do it again!

Kendall braved a smaller bounce slide . . . but still big for her!

There she goes! Yeah Kendall!

This is Kendall's 1st pony ride!

You can't tell, but she was singing a little song that she

made up while she was riding! Too cute!

Jack was just hangin' out while we

waited our turn for the pony rides!

Drew and Kendall waiting patiently for their turn with a pony!

Kendall and Brent . . . she decided she did not want anyone to hold

onto her . . . but her daddy stayed close by!

She absolutely loved the pony rides! When we

were done, she looked at all the ponies and

said "Bye ponies . . . see you next time!"

Drew liked the pony rides,too!

Jack's New Toy!

Tonight Jack was introduced to a new toy . . . It was a toy that Santa brought him, but he is just now big enough to play with it! It only took Brent a few minutes to put it together and it was entertainment for all 3 kids!! Jack crawled right over to it . . . watched Drew and Kendall play with it for a minute . . . and he was all about it! He loved it! He is getting so big, and doing new tricks everyday. Today while playing with his new toy, he just let go and stood there without even holding on to anything:) This was a first for him . . . and I know at this age it won't be the last! He is such a big boy! I am so proud of his accomplishments, but a little part of me gets sad to see my little baby growing up and out of the infant stage:( For now I will hold onto the little things and enjoy every minute . . . I am just glad that the toy was a hit!! Here are some pictures of Jack and his new toy:

Going over to check it out!

Hey. . . what goes in here?

He loved touching all the colors and lights!

He liked the balls . . . Drew was teaching him where to put them!

Jack was sharing a ball with Drew!

Brent tried to give Jack the ball back . . .

all he would do is lean over and lick it!

Jack loved his new toy! So much fun!

He wants someone to wake up his daddy . . . OK!

After we played . . . it was time to eat!

I guess Jack likes see- food :)

We will work on that one later!