The Kids are Good!

Ok, so I'm doing a little better on keeping up with this thing, even though the past 10 days or so have been a whirlwind (but really, when is life not?).

 Kids are doing great. Amelia has entered into full blown toddlerhood. Sometimes that is good and sometimes it is bad. She going through an aggressive streak, so I have to try and sneak by the daycare counter each afternoon so they can't tell me how many kids she bit that day. It's a very tough spot to be in because there isn't much from a discipline perspective that I can do right now. I also know what it's like to have the kid who is being bit because Braden used to get bit all the time at school when he was her age. I just keep telling myself that this too shall pass.

Otherwise she's also learning a lot. Her newest (and most hilarious) fascination is with animals. Anytime a dog crosses the tv she stands in front of it and screams with delight. Every book we read is about animals and she's started learning the sounds, too. It is the most adorable thing! So far we've got Moo for cow , Woof for dog, and Roar for lions. Precious! She also loves animals in real life. Last week we were outside playing and our neighbor's dog was running around. She got so excited she threw herself to the ground and started giggling. Love it! I'm not sure where she gets it from because I'm certainly not a big animal person.

Braden is also doing well. He's getting geared up for Valentine's day at school. They are making their Valentine boxes and will have a party that day at school. Every morning when he gets up, he asks me if it is Valentine's day. Too cute! He's also going through a growth spurt. All of his pants are too short, but he is so skinny, I can't put him in the next size up yet. They'd just fall right off!

As many of you know, my birthday was last weekend. Mom and the kids really want out of their way to make it special! They woke me up on my birthday with birthday cake and presents! What better way to start the day? We followed that up with birthday cake for breakfast! Celebrated in style at my aunt's house with grilled steaks and more cake and ice cream. I would like to note that Amelia has my sweet tooth. She took her entire scoop of ice cream in one hand and ate it sans spoon! Oh to be a kid again!

Babies getting ready for mommy's birthday!

I know I look a little rough, but anytime I am woken up by fire it takes me a minute to get my bearings... And I promise that is a camera trick - there really weren't THAT many candles =)

Catching Up

Yet again I have failed miserably at writing this blog. And I know I always have excuses, so let me throw a few out there for this one. Between Christmas, the holiday season in general, mini vacations, and a second job, it's been a little busy around here…

So, I'll start at the beginning. Christmas was wonderful at our house! The only complaint I might have (ok two complaints) is that I didn't take very many pictures. I was too busy enjoying the moments that I didn't capture very many of them for posterity. That being said, there were a lot of moments. This is the first year that both kids could really do anything on Christmas morning. Now, Amelia still doesn't get the concept, but Braden does. To say that he was overwhelmed on Christmas morning might be an understatement. He walked right past the ride on tractor that Santa had left and went to his stocking =) Amelia slept in and quickly took possession of her new baby doll stroller and hasn't slowed down since. Mom and I both got a stomach virus on Christmas day, so we had to reschedule Christmas dinner with the rest of the family, but all in all it was a wonderful Christmas celebration!

Twas the Night before Christmas...

Ready for Christmas eve service

Seeing the lights at the courthouse

I'm gonna get every last piece!

The holiday season almost did me in though. I felt constantly tugged in different directions and everyone wanted some time or money that I didn't feel I had to give. And of course I wanted to squeeze in some traditions with the kids. Mom and I took them to the capital building here to see the tree and manger scene and ready the story of the Christmas donkey. That was a very special day for me because she used to do the same thing with Ross and I as kids. The kids and I both had Christmas parties galore, and Braden was in the church Christmas pageant. He was the cutest stinkin angel I've ever seen!

Braden and Santa at his school party

Braden and Mommy after his big performace!

Then it was off to our mini-vacation. Since my family is all here now, I don't have to travel over the holidays (amen!), but I did want to take a little get away. We decided on Branson, MO. The hotel was great and had an indoor water park, an arcade, and giant ball play area. As a matter of fact I broke the skee ball high point score one morning at the arcade. Go me! We took the kids to a show with live trained animals in it. Contrary to the picture, they both loved it! It was a quick two day vacation, but we had a blast and it was great to get away from the hustle and bustle of life and work.

With Mimi at the hotel

Amazing Pets show

We walked through the mini golf course and checked out all of the cool stuff!

Speaking of work, I have taken a second job of sorts. I am now the new Director of Operations for StarCatcher sports. I am working with a guy who February – October of every year is on the road with the Baltimore Orioles, but in the offseason does camps, clinics, and runs a college placement service for athletes. My role is sort of a jack of all trades. I do the set up and marketing for the clinics, ad and PR work for the company, and media relations. As a matter of fact, we're going to be in a magazine in February. What that means for me personally is that I work 7:30-5 at my 'real job', play mommy until 8, then do work for StarCatcher in the evenings. One would think that would make me exhausted, but I am having a blast because it combines two of my true loves – marketing and sports.

I also made a quick trip to the Cotton Bowl (sans kids) and had a blast! It has been more than a moment since I have had the opportunity to be away from the kiddos and have fun like a grown up. Fort Worth was a great place to go out, the game was a blast, and Texas Stadium is insane! GO HOGS!

I know this is supposed to be a blog about the kids, so just so you know they're both doing great. Braden will start t-ball next month and Amelia is in the 85% in all of the charts for her 15 month check up. I'll keep you all updated on their happenings as we move into spring!

Spidey-Amelia

Getting ready for spring!