Fun Soap and popcorn!

For those of you who know us, Popcorn is a huge staple at our house...we have some most every night for a snack. Our microwave died about 2 months ago and we just haven't had a chance to go look for a new one...(not sure what color I want) Havent really missed it much except for popcorn...Anyway, Chloe has been very lost without her favorite snack so I got some to pop on the stove....you would have thought we had gone back to little house on the prairie..."you can pop popcorn on the stove????????" Of course it was a huge hit! Takes a little more time and effort but much more fun!

The fun soap pics speak for themselves :)

Surprise!

At the last minute this week, we decided to get away for a night. I surprised Craig and the kids with a night at the Gaylord Texan. Everyone was packed and ready to go Friday night and we headed off to a great adventure! As we drove into the resort Chloe immediately screamed, "It's a castle!". All were excited, Hayden more for the many airplanes we saw landing at DFW. The excitement continued as we entered and Chloe asked "How in the world did God make this place?". It is really beautiful. We saw the "plant lady", trains, jugglers, balloon artists, the river walk and trains again! We found our room, grabbed a quick bite to eat and headed to the pool for an hour or so for a late night swim before the indoor fireworks. More amazement. We got back to our room, ordered a movie and room service...that in itself got the most votes from all 4! Having a pajama party in a hotel room is the best! The kids started out sleeping together but that was more excitement than we needed at 11:00 so we played man-to-man and the girls grabbed a bed and the boys grabbed a bed...

Everyone slept great until 8:45. We headed to the Riverwalk for breakfast...Chloe was in heaven...chocolate milk and Fruity Pebbles (not a staple at our house :) Hayden had gravy, so he was content (dipped the pancakes, the sausage...anything you will give him!) Then we headed for the pool again. After checkout we went to Bass Pro for Daddy(and the kids), from which they both now sport a new cap! and then over to the RainForest Cafe for a late lunch. Hayden hadn't had a nap and was pretty tired, but there was way too much going on for him to remember that!!! Then Home sweet home! What a great trip. Chloe hugged me as we were getting out of the car and said "thanks mom for taking me cool places!". I had debated on whether or not to take the kids...that made it worth it!

Important Milestone

Because I started my blog kind of late in the summer, I missed one very important milestone in Chloe's life...the beginning of her singing career. She had a small solo in her preschool program and we came across it again today and I just had to add it. I am not sure if she should quit her day job just yet!

Craft time at the Nations' House

Chloe's idea of crafting...

Hayden's idea of crafting...

These Boots are Made for Walkin'

Last night Chloe suggested that we take a walk in the rain and splash in the puddles. It was a soft rain, so we did. I didn't realize she put on her bathing suit until we were outside. It just struck me so funny and all I could do was sing that song!

Now Big Boy Stuff...

"I Hay-hen"

I figured as long as we were talking growing and changing I had to share Hayden's new tricks! (mostly recording this in case I don't get to the baby book this month :)

He is such a delight with the best personality, just easy-going most of the time.

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Favorites

He loves Superheroes and Buzz Light year!

He likes Spaghetti and pizza but really eats anything on his plate...or Chloes!

He loves to "Tolor" with Chloe and does pretty good now. (only colored on the wall once:)

Favorite movies are "Toy Story" and "Monsters Inc"

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New Phrases

My fav - "I Hay-hen"

"Pay tittle" (play tickle), same for popsicle!

" I ready go night night" (always a delight to hear :)

"top it Wo-ee!"

"I gonna brush teeth"

"I play outside"

"I fimmin"

He sings his name song "H-A-Y-D-E-N, Hayden Nations is my friend"

He is very eager to keep up with Chloe! (talking or otherwise) He gets his feelings hurt really easily when disciplined and he covers his face. He always says "sorry". He is good about saying "please" and "thank you", "excuse me" and "sorry". He loves to read books, play games, chase Chloe or anyone else who will run. He loves to swim and unfortunately has no fear! The only thing that really scares him is thunder and he will shiver and say "I scared!" He enjoys talking on the phone, mostly to Bopaw. He's the "Bestest Boy" as he says and if I could have a hundred more just like him, I'd keep going!

Big Girl Stuff...

When your baby is born you await each change and each new trick eagerly, but at some point (for me age 4 1/2) you want those changes to slow down just a bit. Craig and I tell her all the time to slow down and stop growing so fast. As I desperately hold on to Chloe's last year at home before kindergarten, I watch her change with lightning speed!!!

Spiritual
Chloe has been asking lots of questions. She is learning so many things from Grandma and Ms. Susan (her Sunday School teachers) and even though she doesn't understand everything yet, she accepts it all with such Childlike faith I wish I had more of sometimes! Yesterday in the car she asked me about the Holy Spirit. I explained to her that that is the way God speaks to us. I asked her about the times when she does something wrong if she knew it was wrong and felt bad even before she got in trouble or if I didn't even see her...she said yes. I told her that was the holy spirit telling her right from wrong. She said..."well, the next time Hayden wants to take a toy away from me, I hope the Holy Spirit will talk to him!"

Chores
We have started putting more emphasis on chores and her responsibilities around the house. This includes making her bed, putting away her toys, putting clothes and shoes up and taking dishes to the sink...all basic stuff. We started an allowance jar and I told her we would add 2 quarters every day that she completed her chores without complaining...she is so excited to have her own money. She doesn't always beg for things when we go to the store but we have had the occasional meltdown at the checkout line. I told her we would make a trip once a week and let her spend her money or she could save it and let it add up to buy something bigger or maybe she could buy something for someone else. We will also give part of it in the offering on Sunday...Hoping this will be a good lesson in earning, spending and giving and not always taking :)

Big Girl Stuff
The most welcomed change is the sudden slowdown of whining. Anyone with a 3 yr old, just know change is a comin'! 4 has been my favorite age so far and I just love the way we can have "big girl talks", shopping trips, manis and pedis, baking, crafting...all the fun stuff. Even though I'd like to freeze her right here, right now I know that it's only going to get more fun! (and scary, I am sure the worrying part only gets bigger) I just pray we will always be close.

Grandparent Camp

Well, I mentioned in my last entry that Chloe has been at my parents house this week with her cousin Hanna. They have had a wonderful time. They went to the beach (at the lake) they went swimming and of course to the park. They even went fishing and spent the night in the camper at Lake Fork. Hanna of course had to get all the worms...Chloe is like her mommy :) And... just when I thought she was coming home, they headed off to a Rangers Game...They dropped by on the way to the game and I told her I didn't want her to go, I was needing her at home with me...she put her hand on my chin and said "Don't worry mommy, I know you will miss me, but Daddy will be your friend and I'll be back in just a little while". She is worn out but doesn't want Mimi and Bopaw camp to end!

Hayden has been at Craig's parents and did great. I was a little worried about him not having Chloe there (to fuss with :). Nawna said he asked about her a lot but when she'd tell him he would see her in a few days, he'd say "Otay". He was ready to come home today and when I opened the door he was jumping around and screaming. He was a tired little camper too from all the swimming and playing with Caleb but had a great time at Nawna and Papa camp! And the best thing is we didn't have to buy camp clothes or pay tuition!!!

Gettin' Lonely!

My kiddos have been with grandparents since Monday evening and while it sounds like a great idea to most of you, I am really missing them, more than usual :) The house is eerily quiet and there aren't toys all over the floor! I have managed to get lots of laundry done and housekeeping but I miss the noise!!! We will be getting them back tomorrow. Chloe and her cousin Hanna have been with Mimi and Bopaw (my parents) having a girls week and Hayden has been with Nawna and Papa (craig's parents) with Caleb having a boys week. I am sure we'll have many stories and pics from their Grandparent Camps!

One thing I have been able to focus on more is my quiet time every day. I have been neglecting that and sadly have just gotten out of the habit. There are so many excuses I can't list them all, but the fact of the matter is just like going to the gym and exercising my physical body my spiritual life needs some strength training too! I have started a Bible study with friends on our street on the book of Daniel by Beth Moore and I am really enjoying diggin in. We are learning what integrity really means and how important it is for us to Resolve to be Christ-like as well as instill the desire in our children. One thing she said that really stuck with me is that Satan isn't going to attack us where we have our body armor on, he waits and preys on our weaknesses. We have become immune to so many things of this world and He has really convicted me this week about some things that we have allowed to creep in through the TV, radio etc that have no place in our house. They are so greatly disguised by humor or "the beat" that we forget they are so so wrong. Let's just say that like my blog, I too am a work in progress :)

Splash Kingdom!

We headed out to Canton to go to Splash Kingdom waterpark much later than we had planned. We went right at Hayden's naptime and on the ride over thought we had made a huge mistake!! Boy were we wrong...they had the best time. Hayden kept saying "I fimmin'". Hayden loved riding the waves in the wavepool, Chloe loved the big red slide and Craig and I could have stayed in the lazy river all day! We all enjoyed the day and we stayed til close...right thru naptime! Hayden didn't even make it 1/2 way thru his cheetos and was asleep before we got out of the parking lot!