Turning 3!

I am not sure how this has happened but the little lady of the house is now 3 years old. I really do remember this little baby girl coming into the world and changing our lives forever like it was yesterday. It's hard to believe that three years have flown by. I just know that she will be going off to college before I can blink my eyes. The mentor at our bible study said something today that will stick with me for a while. She said "y'all are in the rooting years right now and before you know it you will be giving them wings to fly." That's so true, we are helping her develop and grow her roots in these tiresome but beautiful years getting her pruned and prepared to fly one day. The days are long but the years are so very short. 

Happy Birthday, our sweet Olivia!!!

You are loved more than you will ever know!

Olivia started her day off in mommy and daddy's bed complete with a chocolate do-nut, a candle and the birthday song and of course, presents. 

She was then sent off to school for a short while where Ford and I met her and her classmates at snack time.  Blue and pink donuts were delivered and enjoyed by each friend in honor of Olivia's big day. The birthday girl begged (she didn't have to do much) to go home with me and Ford instead of staying the rest of the morning at school so that's exactly what she did. We picked up Chick-fil-a for lunch and went home to play and eat. She got the Little People seven dwarfs to go with Snow White and the castle and had the best time playing with them. Then we took naps, went to dance and ended the day at Chuckie Cheese (which was not a good idea seeing that Olivia was too scared to play any of the games, go figure). It was a perfect day spent  celebrating a precious little girl.

Facts about Olivia: 

-her favorite color is blue

-her favorite people are Nano, Wil and of course, daddy

-her favorite thing to do is go to the park to swing, swing and do more swinging

-her favorite princess is Snow White

-she goes to bed and plays in her room by herself for at least an hour before  falling asleep

-she loves Ford and is so tender and caring towards him

-she will NOT poop in the potty

-she has been going #1 in the potty for over 6 months now

-she loves the story "Frosty"

-she loves to read, paint, color, do puzzles and play kitchen

-she just learned how to open doors around the house :)

-after going to "bed", playing by herself for an hour or so, she calls for mommy to come rock her

-she loves her 3 lovies, the giraffe the most

-she doesn't love to play dress up

-her best friend at school is "Park Park"

-she just started going down the slide at the park

-she LOVES to sing ALL the time and at the top of her lungs

-she loves bath time and will stay in there for an hour

-she loves to color Ford's head while in the bath tub

-her favorite foods are yogurt, cheese, Lucky Charms and any kind of fruit

-she HATES milk

-her little brother almost weighs as much as she does

-her favorite piece of clothing is her over sized Yogi Bear t-shirt

-she enjoys dance class

-when she wants to be held she says "I want to hold you"

-her favorite music is the sound track from The Lion King 

-she loves to snuggle

-she always has to brush her own teeth

-she is tender hearted, loveable, smiley, lively, loud, bossy, demanding, high maintenance, precious piece of work from God and I wouldn't change a thing about her.

Turning Three with Snow White

We celebrated Olivia's 3rd birthday on Saturday with friends and family and the help of Snow White and her little dwarfs. It was a perfect day in the eyes of a new three year old. She had all her favorite people around, Snow White (her favorite princess at the moment) and a big bouncy house. The girl could have celebrated for a week solid. 

Snow White and her seven dwarfs.

Seven dwarfs ring toss game was a big hit.

Caramel apples for everyone to take home.

The birthday girl doing what she does best.

Apple door decorations.

Even Sleepy made an appearance at the party. He was enjoying some time with his buddies.:)

A fun time was had by all. 

11 Months

I cannot believe it but the youngest of the household is now 11 months old and a mere one month away from being a whole year. Oh.My.Goodness. Where has time gone??? 

I think it is safe to say that he's a growing boy seeing that he weighs almost 24 pounds and is about to outweigh his sissy. His new nickname should be Junk Food Junkie seeing that his favorite past time these days is to see how much of it he can eat. He is going through a phase where he is refusing any kind of fruit or vegetable. Today at lunch he made a weird, grunting, high pitched whine until I gave him a piece of my pizza, that he ate all of! He also loves gold fish, cheese balls, Oreo's, chicken nuggets, mum mums and thankfully, yogurt (a little nutritional value). I feel like such a terrible mom when I realize what his meals consist of. He drinks 3 eight ounce bottles a day and you can NOT let him see it before you are ready to give it to him unless you want him to lose his grip on life.

He is a pretty good sleeper these days though, knock on some wood for me, would ya? He is usually begging to go to sleep around 6:30 and wakes up with loud chirping ready for a new day sounds around 6:30 in the morning. He takes two naps a day usually one hour in the morning and 2 hours in the afternoon.

He is STILL not moving, poor thing. He can now turn himself in all directions while sitting on the floor but remaining in the exact same spot. I'm hoping this laid back personality continues through out the rest of his childhood years to somewhat off set his big sister.:) 

He loves his ninny at bed time along with all 3 lovies, to be rocked before bedtime, Lilly and her tail, long long baths that include lots of splashing, his sissy and all her toys, to watch the Polar Express, riding in the car and looking out the window, Baby Signs video and to sit in the little red car and hold on to the stirring wheel like he's driving. He hates his exersaucer, to take medicine and to have his diaper changed without a toy in hand to occupy his time. He is our ticklish, squishy, growing, smiling, loud talking/jabbering, blue eyed baby boy.....that won't be our baby much longer.

A Whole Lot a Nothin'...But a Little of Somethin'

That's what we have been up to lately...a whole lot a nothin' but of course, a little of somethin'. And let me tell you, it has been soo nice. We have slowed down a bit since the holidays, we have been enjoying some cold mornings playing hooky and not rushing anywhere or to do anything. 

Ford is in the only one that really enjoys the new car we got for Christmas. Olivia won't have anything to do with it so it is stationary and Ford has fun pretending to drive while Olivia gets in and out of it a thousand times pretending to go to the grocery and such.

This is what this little guy likes to do while consuming his meals...don't worry he doesn't miss a bite!:)

Where is Fooorrrdddd???

On cold, rainy mornings we play hooky instead of going to bible study like we are supposed to be doing. Instead we play grocery store in Christmas jammies/naked in Ford's crib...why not???

We have also been trying new foods....like Oreo's. When you are the second child you get fed whenever, whatever and however. He liked them to say the least...

Yes, he is almost 11 months old and still not moving!!! Our backs are going to give in before he does I just know it. Look at him...he wants to so bad he just cannot figure it out. Poor guy (and poor mommy and daddy, too).

We will be celebrating a certain little girl this weekend and of course, her love for Snow White (and her seven little men). Can't wait!

Ford has been dealing with an awful viral rash...I mean awful. 

"Sissy, whatcha doin' over there and how are you gettin' those 2 things attached to you to move like that????"

After it snows one week in Mississippi the next week it is for sure warm enough to hang out at the park. That's just how Mississippi weather works so we took advantage and visited our favorite spot!

That's all that we've been up to....a whole lot a nothin' but always a little of somethin'........

It's Frosty!!!

It snowed!!!

When they were talking about us likely getting some snow last week I never mentioned it to Olivia because I just wasn't sure if it was going to actually happen. Of course, it ended up snowing around 3 inches on the day Olivia actually slept in 8 am (that NEVER happens). We didn't bother to wake her and it was a good thing because she had no interest in playing in it.

It was Hays' morning to get up with the earliest chirping birdie (Ford) and he was chomping at the bit to come wake me and Olivia up to play. After FINALLY waking and eating breakfast we got her all geared up to go outside and she would NOT budge. Hays went out and built a snowman by himself while the three of us watched from the warm and cozy window. We had to beg her to go out and take one picture. It was very surprising to me that she would not be interested especially in Frosty because she LOVES that story. She likes it so much that the book stays down year round and we will continue to read it way after the holiday season.

Silly girl. You can see her checking out Frosty out of the corner of her eyes. She just wasn't too sure about the whole situation.

It was beautiful! Isn't God good??!!

Ford didn't seem to mind the cold, snow or Frosty, really...

She did help dress him though. She was so excited to dig through the pantry looking for his eyes, nose and mouth. We had to be creative...hence the chocolate cheerio eyes, carrot nose, cheese puff mouth and Hershey kiss buttons.

The sun came out and Frosty didn't last long.

It was a sad day when Frosty disappeared.

Maybe next time it snows Olivia will be a little more sure about it and Ford will be mobile and able to play in it. Let's hope it's not forever before it happens again...

The Big 31

Yesterday was my birthday and it was a fabulous one at that. I hear that the 30's are the new 20's and I'm going to choose to believe that. Thirty sounds so old but I just don't feel that way. 

My day really started the night before with the hubby allowing me a much needed night out with some besties. We shared a bottle of wine and a great dinner at Bonefish. I really do come home feeling recharged after a few hours away with my girls.

Then I got to sleep in until 8 (which is so late seeing that our first little birdie starting chirping about 6:15) and enjoyed a yummy breakfast in bed with my girl.

I spent most of the morning with this little fella playing and running a few errands before picking up lunch at Micky D's (I know....but I don't get to go often with Hays despising it and working with Wendy's so I indulged myself) then got the sister at school.

The kids went to Gigi's (thanks Gigi and Papa) and we went to see a movie and to dinner. It is a luxury these days to eat supper in peace and not having to pause every other bite to feed a little person. It was such a perfect day.

 Cheers to making my 30's the best yet. I'm embracing this decade and I am going to live it to the fullest. Bring it on!!

The Best Medicine

I just can't get enough of this belly laugh.

In the Life of a Little Person....

...there is a LOT of playing to be done.

 And playing is what we have been doing.

Christmas

We had a fabulous Christmas this year. It was crazy busy but crazy fun and I wouldn't change a thing about it. We spiced (or changed):) things up a bit this year and decided to celebrate with my family in Memphis the weekend before Christmas. It was nice being able to spend more time with them and also nice spending Christmas morning in our own home and playing with new toys on Christmas Day instead of traveling. We are obviously terrible at taking pictures and documenting our adventures with my family because we have not one picture to prove it. Too much fun was being had by all.

We came home the day before Christmas Eve and had supper with Hays' family and his Gran to open gifts and have a birthday party for Jesus. It was nice to celebrate with just us and continue with the tradition of a birthday party as well. We want the kids to know the true meaning of Christmas. 

Christmas Eve we went to an amazing service at church and then went to Hays' parents house for a celebration with the whole Collins clan.

(3 out of 4 looking at the camera and smiling is like winning the lottery these days)

The Collins Family

Can you tell it was creeping up on Ford's bedtime?

We tried to get a good picture in our jammies before bed...

and we tried some more....

                                      

FINALLY got one! Then tucked these two little monkeys in their bed.

And Santa came! He even drank all of his milk and ate all of his cookies. Surprise, surprise he was quite hungry after all the work he had to do.

Santa may have gone a tad over board. Olivia and Ford were very good this year.

(Santa was up until 1:30 putting this train table together and still couldn't get it to connect....oh goodness).

Someone was beside herself excited about a train table. Hopefully, she won't remember that she saw that in the back of mommy's car and then under mommy and daddy's bed. Santa better do better next year....

Someone else was pretty happy too.

He wasn't too impressed with presents this year though. He would rather play with a plastic bottle.

And the princesses.

She ALWAYS has to put on mommy's robe after bath time. Thankfully, Santa brought her her own. I think she likes it.

                                     

 That just about wraps up our Christmas. We had the best time and hated to see the holidays pass by. Until next year......