How to Really Love a Child:

Be there. Say Yes as Often as you can.
If their crabby, put them in water.
Read books out loud with joy.
Go find elephants and kiss them. Encourage Silly.
Giggle a lot. Paint their tennis shoes
Imagine you are magic. Remember how really small they are.
Search out the positive. Let them bang on pots and pans
Keep the gleam in your eye. Teach feelings.
Realize how much it means to be a child.
Plan to build a rocket ship.
Stop Yelling. Surprise them often
Express your love a lot…children are miraculous!

I am totally and absolutely in love with this poem....I saw it on a photographers website, painted on a canvas in bright colors...and I am going to do the same thing. I think this little poem should be practiced each and everyday, so once I paint it, I am going to hang it in our bedroom, above the door, to remind just how precious our littles really are!!!

I had a fabulous time with the boys while Daddy was in Orlando!!

Pop's drove over Wednesday night to spend time with the boys before they left on Thursday morning. He arrived to an impromptu cook out with the Hipsh's and I think he was slap worn out after the whole ordeal! Having tons of kiddos running around and major chaos has become second nature to us...

I braved the Bowlegs hut on Thursday night, with the monkeys, by myself...and ended up having a good time...they were great! I brought their push cars and the big kids took turns pushing them around and playing bumper cars!

They have grown up so much since last year at this time...

Friday night, we headed over to Nana and Gator's to eat dinner and play in the baby pool!
My little hoarder...

And the next morning found us at Wal-Mart at 7am!!! We were all up and raring to go, so off we went! We ended up back at Nana's house for breakfast and some treadmill climbing...
Nothing like pretzels and a Dorito to go with your scrambled eggs! Don't ask...just don't.

I wish, more than anything, that the treadmill brought me this much happiness. They played on the darn thing for at least 30 minutes!

Pop's and Daddy were on their way back home after Orlando on Saturday, when Pop's got the idea to take the boys back to PCB with him for the night...by himself...with no Grammie or anybody to help!! I was a little hesitant at first, not because he cannot handle them, but because they are nuts and I was worried that they would wear him out quickly. He reminded me that he has raised 2 boys and that he could do it just fine!! So, I packed up their little bags and off they went!! Todd and I had no idea what to do with ourselves. The options were endless...romantic date night; dinner and movie; meet friends for happy hour and then play put-put...and you know what we ended up doing?? Changing into our jammies, eating a crock pot dinner in the living room, cuddling up and watching a movie and falling asleep without the monitor on. First time that monitor hasn't been on in months! We had the opportunity to sleep in, but we were both up and ready to go at 8am!! What the heck?? While we were enjoying Mommy and Daddy time, Pop's was busy taking the boys to Publix, then out to eat(...remind you, all by himself...I am so proud!!)and then finally back to the house, where they made a fort on the living room floor and slept soundly!! Pop's ended up sleeping in the recliner and woke up to 2 little munchkins saying "Pop's! Pop's!" and poking at his C-Pap. I would have just died...can you imagine? He survived and had a wonderful time doing it. What great memories they are making together....Thank you so much Pop's, for our evening alone and we think you are totally cool for building a fort and having a slumber party in the family room!!!

Todd and I stopped in Seaside on the way over to pick up the boys and really enjoyed our view, while eating a fresh lettuce wedge salad, with bright red tomatoes and blue cheese and a pressed cuban...You really forget what is right in our backyard in the day to day happenings...

We arrived right about nap time. While B-man crashed out...

Wade wanted nothing to do with a nap...so down to the dock we went...



Thank you again Pop's!!! :)
So, as the week comes to an end, we are reminded that it is officially summer...Towels and wet bathing suits, hanging out to dry...the smell of suncreen and bug spray that fills their little bodies before we plop them in the bath at night...Constant popsicle stained lips:

We are truly celebrating this week, as Todd is 3 years cancer free baby!!! Nothing is better than that, huh? Hope everybody is enjoying life to the fullest and relishing in sun kissed faces...

Finding Comfort

We have been busy. Crazy busy. Not really doing anything out of the ordinary...life is just full of craziness right now!!

A couple of highlights/news/events from our last week or so....

•We have learned that Brody will be moving up to the 2 year old room at school next Monday!!! Wade will be trailing right behind him, moving up on June 14th. They have a spot open now in the 2 yeard old room and it is a general consensus, between Teacher's, Director's and Parent's, that a 3 week split will be beneficial for the boys. Todd and I are totally open to the separation, as the 2 year old's and the 1 year old's do a lot of activities together. There are only 6 children in each class at their school, which in my opinion, makes transitions easier on the babes and teachers! Our hope is that they will learn to become more independent of each other and find comfort in any situation...brother or no brother!! I am just still in shock that they are getting ready to move up to the 2 year old room! They are really almost 2? Seriously? It was literally like, BAM, they are no longer babies, but toddlers!! They have class pictures today...cannot wait to see how they turn out!

•Aunt Lowie, Uncle Tom and cousin Jon sent the boys 2 new Power Wheels!!!! Thank you, Thank you, THANK YOU!!! After a little practice, they got the hang of not using their feet for power, but rather pushing a button! We have had them less than a week, and I can say that they have provided hours of enjoyment!



•Friday night, we met up with the Sellars' family from Tallahassee, along with the Hipsh's and Brian, down at the Harbor and enjoyed the sunset,good food and drinks, and most of all, watching the children take it all in!
Cutie pie Tyler Jack...

The crazy Hipsh Family...

The Sellars Family...


And of course, our little munchkins...





•We started swim lessons last Saturday at the YMCA, but have since cancelled. The classes were not what we were expecting. The teacher, bless her heart, was an older women, who had us basically bounce around in a circle, splashing and occasionally blowing bubbles. A jump or two off of the edge, and more singing songs and bouncing around. Not to mention, the teacher completely lost control of the class, at least 4times, and we realized that the class was over when we looked up and saw her sitting on the bleachers... Having twins, you obviously need 2 adults, so Nana came along to help, as Todd said, "you guys go ahead and go...I'm gonna stay home and get some yard work done". I personally think he wanted to relish in the complete silence, but I do know this decision made for a very happy Nana! Unfortunately, she threw her back out and has been laying flat ever since :(

Of course, their partner in crime attended the class with us(and cancelled just as quickly):


After swim lessons, we headed to Nana and Gator's house for snacks and playing in the hose:


Daddy is headed to Orlando this morning with Pop's for the NPDA meeting, so it will be just Mama and her boys through Saturday. We are going to fill our time by fingerpainting, making rice krispie treats, being pirates at the Bowlegs hut, swimming in the backyard and we might even get a little crazy and go buy some fish!! They are obsessed with fish...they make Todd take the metal fish, hanging above one of the windows in their bedroom, off of the wall each night so they can give them kisses and tell them goodnight.
Very sweet, but kind of strange in my book. Hey, whatever makes them happy. They prefer to kiss a metal fish instead of snuggle up with a lovey. These little guys are ALL BOY and I am enjoying and eating up every second of it.

There are days where I am still amazed that I am a mother.
(Now, the thought just crosses my mind, as I always have 2 pairs of feet charging me, to throw me back into reality and out of my calm daydreams.) I cannot believe that God designed these perfect children for us. They are spectacular...so amazing in my eyes....they complete my soul and make my heart feel in ways I could have never imagined. How incredible it is to be a Mommy!



They surprised me with their homemade card...



And a balloon that quickly became "MINE MOMMY"...Once you become a Mother, you realize that everything is now their's too. For instance, my coveted slurpee. This is something that I never share with anyone, anytime, anywhere. Period. But one dreaded day, they asked for a sip, and now I gladly(begrudgingly) hand them my slurpee. And I whole heartedly do not expect it back.



And who would have ever thought that getting up in the wee hours of the morning could be so much fun? I say that with TONS of sarcasim...but really, how could you not love waking up to this face? Even if it is always before 6am.



Todd and the boys cooked me breakfast and sent me back in the bedroom to relax. This might have seemed like a good idea, but I could hear everything. The giggling and the playing...I didn't want to miss out, so back out into the family room I went and we began our fun filled Mother's Day. One of the highlights was swimming in the baby pool in the backyard, while Mommy and Daddy basked in the warm sun and enjoyed a couple cold brewski's and grilled turkey burgers with fresh, juicy tomatoes and perfectly dill pickles. Music playing in the background, 2 fearless babes and a pool filled with toys and buckets (and pee)guaranteed a good time!! Check out one of the cutest hiney's in the universe.......







As the night came to an end and the monkeys were sound asleep, I found myself thinking about how lucky I am to have such an amazing Mom. She has taught me to be kind, trusting, loyal, spontaneous, strong, emotional, practical, confident, fearless (although she does understand and support my fear of frogs...) and most of all how to love and nuture. Without her, I would not be anywhere close to where I am today. Thank you so much Momma!!! I love you to Pieces Mieces!! I hope that I am as good of a Mom to my boys as you are to me and Dave!


This morning, the boys school had a Mother's Day muffin breakfast! Miss Sara went all out, again, and I know that I will forever cherish the gifts that she and the boys made for me. They made little butterflies with their hands, all encased in a wooden frame with a little poem. They made me an award that says I am the worlds best Mother, with kisses and handprints...I am going to bring these back out when they are 15 and see if they still agree...Miss Sara made all of the Mommies a dirt cake, covered in M&M's, with lollipops and pictures of the kids!!





I know this is a little late, but I am wishing Debbie, G'ma, Mimi, Grandmother, Lowie, Gail, Marilyn, Allie and Melissa a VERY happy Mother's Day!! I hope that all of you felt the joy of being a Mother and were spoiled to no end!

We headed over to Tallahassee last Saturday morning to celebrate cousin Caden's 2nd birthday party, visit with family and friends and head home late Sunday night. Our plan was simple...leave right when the boys woke up on Saturday morning...head to the Garber's and meet the other Garber family at the park. Head back to the house, lunch, nap and then pool party with TONS of kiddos and adults........Wake up on Sunday, head to the park with TJ, Cole, Cody, Sydney, Ramsey and Ryan... maybe go to Gordo's, meet Conor and Colleen, take a nap, head to Caden's party and head out of town.

Well, it didn't go as planned. Does it ever?? We arrived a little later than planned...too late to go to the park...ate lunch, took a nap, and then the pool party began!! That is when Wade spiked a fever and would not let me put him down. Wade took turns, going back and forth between Mommy and Grammie and Brody played outside until he couldn't keep his eyes open any longer. Needless to say, Wade was not feeling well, which meant NO SLEEP for Mommy and Daddy. He slept on Todd's chest for hours and his fever kept climbing. Poor Monkey. We reluctently decided to forgo all planned activities and Caden's party(sniff sniff) and headed home. Before we left, we were able to swing by Scott and Allie's, play a little bit with Caden and visit with Mimi, who was in town for the party!! Wade ended up feeling better on Monday morning and has been fine ever since...no idea where that fever came from but are so happy it is gone...

Thank you Garber's for another outrageous party, with amazing company, the perfect backyard, beautiful kid's and yummy food, oh, and those adult beverages...and thank you for putting up with a family of 4 that came and went so quickly!!

I did manage to capture a few pictures...











And Eliza had fun taking pictures too! I think between the two of us, we managed to get almost all of the kids...we are missing the Milgrom trio, Ryan, Jake and a few others...




We were so happy to be able to visit with Allie, Scott, Caden, Mimi and Grammie before heading out of town with Mr. Sicko...we missed you Pop's! Mimi, our visit was too short and we need to do it again very soon! We love you so much!

The BIRTHDAY BOY, 2 year old, Mr. Caden Michael!!



Well, at least the adults look good!!

You know, entertaining toddler's can be easy at times. (Rolling and bouncing the ball back & forth, is a favorite game that we play everynight in the boys playroom before bed...)

Caden and Wade, eagerly anticipating the roll of the ball.......!!

This week has been non-stop. Lot's of bike rides, sidewalk chalk, crayons, giggles, tantrums, No's, Yes's, Stop's, Come Here's, Sorry's, Nice touches, bump's(none to Wade's head!!), bruise's, bug bite's, dirty shoe's, laundry, laundry and more laundry. Just to add to the craziness, we drove over to surprise Grammie for her birthday on Tuesday! Pop's knew our plan the whole time and we walked into the Italian restaurant where they were eating and shocked her!! We found out that Wade still LOVES meatballs and that B-man has an expensive pallet...he LOVED Grammie's veal! Between running and squirming toddlers, I was not able to take pics...

Wednesday night, we headed over to the Hipsh's to celebrate Cinco de Mayo!! I was so busy following my little men around, again, that I did not manage to take one picture! (Seriously, when did they become this quick and smart??) We were once again surrounded by kids, friends and new baby Cailey!! I have been waiting patiently for Whitney to first send out announcements of the birth of their new baby girl, until I posted a picture of Cailey Lynn Hipsh, who came into the world on April 21st!! Here she is! Isn't she just incredibly beautiful? Nothing more precious than a newborn baby...


A side note to my fellow bloggers:I have just realized that if I upload my pictures from Shutterfly into Photobucket, to obtain the HTML code, they are smaller than when I upload them directly from my hard drive into Photobucket, hence Elizabeth's pics and the photo of Cailey. And I am too darn tired to fix the mistake. So there...hehe>

I am sooo looking forward to spending this weekend at home with our little family and celebrating Mother's Day! I must have wished upon the two brighest stars in all the land, because God graced us with Brody and Wade, and I get to be their Mommy. Just me. How lucky am I?