Overheard . . .

The bigs were playing out back today and Jeff called them in for naptime.
(Sidenote: They don't usually nap, but Jeff & I are going to a movie tonight and they want to stay up until we get home, so they had to take a nap)
Well, coming in from playing was NOT what Molly had in mind. Here's how the conversation went.
Jeff: Come on in you guys! It's time to lay down.
Molly: No, i don't want to!!!!!!!
Jeff: You can nap now or when Mommy gets home! (sidenote: i was getting my hair cut and colored)
Molly: RAAAAARAAAAAAARAAAAAA I HATE YOU I HATE YOU YOU ARE A MEAN DADDY I HATE YOU!!!
Jeff: Let's go Molly . . . upstairs. (Molly stomped all the way up)
(She climbed up in her bed and looked over at jeff).
Molly: HEY! Get over here daddy! I need some hugs and kisses for naptime!
Jeff: I thought you hated me?
Molly: I do, but i STILL need hugs and kisses so i can go to sleep!

Report Cards!!!

I can't believe i forgot to write about this . . . . SO PROUD!!!

On the last day of school, Griffin and Molly brought home two BEAUTIFUL report cards! Griffin earned ALL A's!! Molly earned all E's and S's!! And, now, if you've stayed in my home for any period of time, you'll be a pleased as pudding too - - - - they BOTH received E's in conduct ALL YEAR!! Yes, ALL YEAR!

Honestly, i am a firm believer in good grades and doing whatever it takes to make those good grades. Thankfully, thus far, grades have come easy to my kids. I know it will get harder. BUT, more importantly than grades, is my expectation for my kids to BEHAVE! LONG AGO, when i was pregnant with Griffin, i made the mistake during prayer one day to say, "Lord, i don't care what he's like at home, please just make him behave and be polite in public!" Well, it is a mistake in a lot of ways, as i protected everyone else but myself from harm haha! But, it has paid off. My kids aren't the MOST polite, but they are polite and they most often behave. Not sure if they are fearful of the principal's office (because every so often i mention how horrible coming home would be if they ever went there for behavior) or if they just are GOOD!! Regardless, i'm grateful to have 2 well behaved kids. Time will tell if Camden is even able to make S's in conduct. . . he's quite the ham already!

But for summer kick-off, we were PLEASED AS PIE to see all those A's and E's on our report cards this 9 weeks! Way to go Griffin and Molly! You make being a mom so easy!

My Baby's Missing a Tooth!

Molly has had four front teeth loose for a really long time - - going on 5 months. The last time we were at the dentist, the hygenist told us the roots were completely dissolved already. While the Hinderakers were here, Alex lost a tooth, and that made Molly even MORE eager to be like the big girls. So she started wiggling and wiggling and wiggling. Yesterday i took this picture just before she started asking for us to try to pull it - My last picture of my baby girl with a full mouth of baby teeth. . .

It started aching last night from all the tugging, so Molly decided to give it up for the night. But tonight . . . she decided to be very brave and try again. So tonight - May 25, 2009 - Molly let Jeff pull her first wiggly-front baby tooth. She'll never have that baby face again. That is one thing this mommy always sheds tears over. They never look quite the same - innocent, sweet, babyface - as they do before those baby teeth start falling out. Here are the post-loss pictures. Molly was VERY brave, and eager to match what Alex had done last night!

She thought it was really funny that her tongue could kind of poke through the gap where the tooth was supposed to be!

Congratulations, Molly! We hope the tooth fairy is very good to you!

Our New Backyard!

Jeff and I decided that it was time to spend some time and money on our backyard so that we can enjoy it. We have three kids that LOVE spending time outside, and we invested in the new swingset. Jeff also hung a "jungle swing" that is always a favorite among the kids - big and small.

This weekend, while our Florida friends were here, there was nothing different. The "jungle swing" was a huge hit. Notice the LINE for swinging! There were also times that we truly had to draw straws so it would be fair who was going to be the first to get to swing.

Note to you - it was double the fun when Kendall was a trooper and pushed them as high as humanly possible! Kendall is a TON of fun!! Our kids have always said he's their favorite! He's a big kid at heart and always makes outside time much more fun!

Guitar Hero Competition!!

Last night proved to be lots of fun. . . we are all guitar HEROS!!! Tons of laughter, a few bad words. . . who was the best??? You can ask everyone . . . i won't gloat!

Here are a few pictures of the fun . . . Kendall and Jeff were hilarious. Jeff JUMPED up onto the footstool prior to this shot (and multiple times throughout the night). . . and he wasn't quite sure why his legs were hurting this morning!

Kendall looks like he was trying to play with the drink in his hand, but i think this was in between "sets!"