Happy 2nd Birthday Jack

I know, what a sorry looking cake, but you should of seen
it before this "fix"



this is the tee to Jack's new tee ball set. He almost broke the
glass on the fireplace with a very hard swing, but Madison's face saved the glass.
Luckily she had no bruise the next day.


Jack got lots of gifts and his sister helped him open them all.

Hard to believe it has already been two years, but Jack had his birthday yesterday. Our family came down and we had a great lunch (Jack slept thru that part), but wote just in time for cake, ice cream and presents. He got lots of presents and lots of attention.

Weekend with Nana and Granddad

This past weekend we headed up to the mountains to visit my parents and drop Madison off to spend a couple of nights by herself with Nana and Granddad. She had so much fun and is still talking about her weekend. It had snowed during the week before we got there but there was still lots of snow around for Madison to play in. She has been wanting to see snow for several months now, so she finally got her chance.

The Big Show at The Little Gym

This week was Madison's last class at the Little Gym for this semester. The had their big show and each girl in the class got to invite family and friends come watch them do a tumble routine, uneven bar routine and balance beam routine ( I use the word routine lightly as these are 4 yr old girls). The all did great and were very entertaining. I took a few pictures but mostly used the video recorder for this event. She also got a medal at the end of the show.

Christmas Portraits

Christmas Pictures

Madison loves her new Kitchen




Jack loves the new hiding place the kitchen provides. Also, notice all the plastic food on top of the kitchen. Jack loves to stand at the top of the stairs and throw each piece down into the foyer.








We had a great Christmas. Everyone came to my house and we had a great time together. Madison and Jack had so much fun with all the attention. Jack found his stocking first thing and there was a small box of gold fish so once he got them opened and had a snack he was able to sit back and watch his presents being opened. After all the excitement was over he went around to check out all he got.





I took lots of pictures, but I don't know if it is me or my new camera that is making the pictures look so fuzzy (probably me).

My Heavenly Cherub

Madison and the rest of the 4 yr olds at her school had their Christmas program last night. They all did a great job and looked so cute. She was a cherub in the Heavenly Choir. Be warned, I was by myself with Jack, who had not had a nap, so I was only able to tape the song with my little digital camera from the balcony.

Before you watch, please note, I have had a talk with Madison about how to scoot back into a chair when you have a skirt on.

Well I thought I had finished my Christmas Shopping

then I had to take Madison and Jack to see Santa. Madison asked for things that I had not heard of before so now I feel like I have to at least buy one thing that she asked Santa for. So looks like she will be getting some kind of Dora Mermaid doll after all.

As for Jack, he was to scared to get on Santa's lap and just cried when I tried to get him near Santa ( that's why only Madison is in the pic w/ Santa). At least he is the age where I can still take him with me to get his Christmas presents. I let him play with the toys in the buggy and if he likes it I buy it then wrap it up for Christmas.

Great alternative to Pumpkin Pie

I had this Pumpkin Crunch cake at a party I went to when I first moved to Texas. A local restaurant was serving it and a friend got it straight from the chef. It is so good. Even those that don't like pumpkin pie (like me) will be asking for the recipe.

Pumpkin Crunch Cake

1 can (15 oz) pumpkin

1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk

4 eggs

2 cups of sugar

1 tsp of salt

1 tsp pumpkin pie seasoning

1 yellow cake mix

1 cup of pecan pieces

1 1/2 sticks butter

Combine first 6 ingredients. Pour into 9 x 13 greased baking dish. Sprinkle with dry yellow cake mix. Top with pecans. Drop pats of butter over top of nuts. Bake at 350 for 45 minutes. Center should still jiggle when removed from oven. Top with whipped topping and can sprinkle with a little cinnamon if you like.

Back at the Gym

Madison on the mat with Ms Katherine getting ready to do a back flip.


Madison has been back in Gymnastics for a few weeks now and could not be happier. She loves her teacher, Ms Katherine and has a great time with all the other girls.

My little messer upper...

a.k.a. Jack. Today he was able to completely empty out the bottom shelf while I was unloading the groceries. When I came in from the garage I just saw two little feet hanging out of the doors. All this with an ear infection and 101 temp. But there was a camera around so a smile was on his face.

Artist at Work

Madison got this easle for her 4th birthday this past April and I don't think a day as gone by that she has not used it. She loves to paint and draw. Today was such a beautiful day that we took the easle outside so she could paint and get a little inspiration from nature.

4 yr old preschool picture

After 2 and 1/2 soccer games.......

Madison is out. She decided she does not like to play and stopped playing. I mean she literally stopped. Right in the middle of the field during a game. She stopped running and just stood there. Her coach asked her what was wrong and she said she did not want to play. They moved her to goalie and she just stood there and let the other team score two goals. So they let her take a rest and she decided it would be a permanent rest. I have to say I did not see this coming. I knew she was a little apprehensive at the games because most of the other kids were bigger than her, but I thought she was having fun. She just looked so sad and like she was going to cry if she even had to stay and cheer on her team. So we left at half time. She told me when we got home that "I wanted her to try it, she did, and she did not like it". So she starts back in gymnastics this week and could not be happier.

First Soccer Game

During dribble practice, Madison stops to fix her hair


Coach Kristen giving the team a pre-game pep talk




Madison is showing her friend, Sanili, her baby Jack on the sideline.




Jack sitting on the sideline.

Madison had her first soccer game this past Saturday morning. It was so much fun for her and for us. Watching a bunch of 4 yr olds running around and only about 1 or 2 of the kids actually knew how to play. Madison's team is the Bears and we lost to the Owls (3-2) and one of our goals was scored by the other team. Although in this age group the score is not officially kept, you know all parents were keeping track. But we all know the most important thing is having fun, learning new skills and how to be good sports.

Madison's First Field Trip

Madison's class went to the local fire department today. She had so much fun and was just as excited about riding the church bus with her two new best friends, Sarah and Clair. She also thought it was great that they were all dressed alike (They had to wear their school shirts). The 4 yr olds have been studying community workers like firefighters and policemen and the work they do. They took a big box of goodies to the firefighters to say thank you. Now that she has learned about the police, she cannot wait to grow up and be one, because she will get to blow a whistle in the street and tell cars which way she wants them to go!

Soccer Time

Madison had her first soccer practice last night and had a great time. She got her uniform and is very excited to wear it to her first game in a couple of weeks, although it is a little big on her.

First Day of School

Both Madison and Jack are going to a preschool. Jack had his first day last Thursday and had a great time, according to his teacher. Madison is an old pro now and is enjoying going to school 4 days a week. I kinda of miss having her home more, but she is the type of child that needs to be going to school and learning and playing with other kids. She loves it and would go everyday if she could. I must say that although I am very pleased with Jack's class, I am a little disappointed that it is truly a Mother's day out program . It is all play and storytime. I am a little spoiled, because at out church in Texas, 1 yr olds had a curriculum and Madison learned alot that year. Guess it will be up to me to teach my own child.

A week at the Beach

That's Madisons head sticking out of the water beside her granddad.
Jack is with Bruce


Ok, so I got one picture of Jack running to me.


Madison getting ready for a bike ride with Uncle Terry


Madison with her granddad and Uncle Terry. She loves all the attention she gets from them.


I had to brib Madison to stand still long enough to get this photo.

My parents rented a house and my family spent a week at the beach together. We went to Holden Beach NC and had a great time. The last time we went to the beach, Madison would not even let her toe touch the ocean water. This year she went in the ocean up to her head.
She is such a big girl and growing up so fast. Jack had a great time also. Most of the pictures we have of him are from behind. Every time we put him down at the beach he took off. He ran after the birds, to the water and anywhere else he could. He did not stop running unless someone was holding him (which made for great naps in the afternoon). We all had a great time and can not wait to go back next year.

Our First Circus

Sunday afternoon we drove down to USC Aiken and went to the circus. It was the very first circus for all of us. At least the first one I can remember. We had a good time. It was a smaller circus and we were a little disappointed the only animals they had were the horses and dogs. They brought their elephant but she was 11 ft tall and the door to get in was only 10 ft. This is the first time Aiken has ever had the Ringling Bros. circus there so I will cut them a little slack this time. We were able to go to the preshow and Madison loved seeing all the performers up close and got to go in the ring and dance with the other kids. Jack was facinated with the whole thing and was so good. He ate popcorn and just watched the performers for the whole show. Since everything went well, we may try the big 3 ring circus this winter that is coming to Columbia. Madison loved the tight rope walkers and the first thing she said after seeing the girl walk across was "hey mom, I can do that". I did not tell her that there is a big difference between the rope and the balance beam she goes across in her gymnastics class.

Music to My Ears

Jack finally said Mama today!!! I was beginning to think he was not going to say it. He has been saying Dada and sister (yes sister) for a while but no mama. But today was the day. I think he probably just got sick of hearing me saying it to him slowly all the time everyday and just did it to shut me up. But whatever, he said it. It's music to a mother's ear to hear it for the first time. So now he can say...dada, sister, night night, hey and mama. I took him to the doctor the other day and he is perfectly healthy. He was in the 90th percentile of weight, height and head circumference when he was born and now he is in the 50th for height and 25 th for weight and head circumference. The doctor says she likes for children to be able to say 10 words by 18 mos and 50 by the time they turn 2. So Jack has just 2 short months to learn 5 more words.