Bella's Birmingham

We took a trip to Birmingham (or Bella's Birmingham as Maison refers to it) over the weekend to see the daughter of Maison's godparents get married. It was Maison's first wedding and she loved it. Mommy loved it once the ceremony was over. About 36 seconds after the usher seated us, Maison declared she had to go potty. It did not matter that we made a special trip to the restroom immediately prior to being seated. Once we returned, it was time for the ceremony to begin. She had to stand up in my lap to see what was going on when G-Daddy Dave walked his mom down the aisle. She kind of whispered his name like she was unsure if she was supposed to be the center of his attention at that moment... because normally when he is in the same room as she is, the center of his attention is exactly where she would be. I think it confused her a bit that his attention was focused elsewhere. Then came time for the mother of the bride to make her entrance. As soon as she saw G-Daddy Dave with a stunning Aunt Passy on his arm she raised her voice a little and said "Passy!" and waved wildly in an attempt to get her attention. Passy did not hear her, but the few rows in front of and behind us got a good chuckle out of it. As the bride walked the aisle, Maison looked at me and said "Her Cinnerella, Mommy!" And I do have to say, that wedding dress was fit for a princess.

Then, it happened... Just before the bride was given away Maison declared, " Mommy! I have to go pot-" My hand went over her mouth before she got the last syllable out. To me, it sounded like she was shouting at the top of her lungs. Our friends seated in the row behind us assured me they did not hear anything. I'm just hoping the videographer's microphone did not pick it up! Montie, if it did, I AM SO SORRY!

We made it through the rest of the ceremony without incident... thanks to Mr. Maurice and the tee tiny little flashlight he pulled out of his pocket and gave to MAE. She forgot about the potty and Mommy got to enjoy the rest of the wedding.

Note to self: Future children should not be taken to weddings during the most intense phase of potty training unless Mommy wants to spend more time in the restroom than at the reception.

Happy Birthday, Maw Maw!

The family went to lunch on Sunday to celebrate Maw Maw's birthday, however, she and Maison still had their own little party after school today. By the time I got to Maw Maw's to pick her up, she had downed 3 donuts. But that is what grandmothers are supposed to do... feed them lots of sugar and then send them home to Mommy & Daddy, right?

Happy Birthday, Maw Maw! We sure hope this year is as good as those donuts...

Pedicure Party

Last night after our return from "Dolphin Island" we had a pedicure party for the girls.

It was Maison's first time to polish her toes and fingernails. She loved it. Thank goodness for "dry in 60 seconds" nail polish!

Today at the family lunch outing to celebrate Maw Maw's upcoming birthday, she proudly showed of her "so pretty" fingers and toes.

Life's a Beach!

Took a trip to Dauphin Island today. It was the first time at the beach for Charley and the first time this year for Maison. We looked like the Clampett's because we were packed into the Expedition like sardines. Three car seats, an almost teenager, 4 adults, 4 beach chairs, countless towels, two coolers, plastic shovels, buckets, sand castle molds and dry clothes for all 8 of us. With gas being so outrageous these days, we decided we would just cram everything in and prop our feet up on the assorted junk instead of spending the extra cash to take two vehicles!

Lucy was so ready to get to "Dolphin Island"... I think she had visions of some magical place where dolphins jumped from the water and ate cheese puffs out of your hand. As you can see from the pictures below, Maison was more interested in the popsicles we had stashed in the cooler. I lost count after she ate the fifth one. And before anyone jumps my case about feeding her 47 popsicles, please note that they were sugar free!

Happy Summer!

Two Mommy's with a Bloody Mary

This morning, I snuck into the guest room while everyone was asleep and told Kari to get up and get dressed. She looked at me with a puzzled look, but did as I said. We left her kids watching cartoons or sleeping and dropped MAE off at school... which was not easy! She did not want to go to school because she knew Charley, Lucy and Molly were still at our house. With Kari still unaware of what we were doing, I drove us to the Hard Rock in Biloxi. As we pulled in to the valet area, Kari looked at me and said, "I know we aren't going gambling!" I laughed and said, "Not at 8:30 in the morning!" After we got inside I told her we were going to the spa for massages. Kari is more than a friend to me, she is a sister and we NEVER get to spend time together that does not also involve wiping noses, changing diapers or filling sippy cups. Since her birthday is coming up in July, I thought this would be a great chance to treat her (and me!) to some much needed, very deserved pampering.

After massages, we headed over to a little restaurant where we sat outside on the deck and enjoyed the sunshine, each other's company, great food and a few Bloody Mary's. Before we knew it, we realized we had been there for over 2 hours and that it was past the time we told the youngun's we'd be back to take them swimming.

We got home and took the rug rats to the pool for a while. Then just hung out at home that night. We've got a big day at the beach planned tomorrow! Look out Dauphin Island, here we come!!!!!

P.S. Kari... this day was my favorite day of your visit. I loved everything we did the entire weekend, but I will cherish the few hours we got to get away from all the chaos! I love you.

Soakin' Fun at Gulf Islands Waterpark!!!!

Our BFF's from the Ham, Chuck and Kari and their 3 girls, checked into the Evans Inn last night. Molly is 12 and Trey almost fainted when she got out of the car. He has not seen her in 2 years and was shocked at how she has grown! Miss Lucy is 5 and getting ready to start kindergarten in the Fall. Mom Kari is so not ready for that. And Sweet Little Charley just turned 2 last month. I took today and tomorrow off to spend some quality time with some of my most favorite peeps...

Our first adventure of the weekend was to head over to the Gulf Islands Waterpark. A HUGE thank you to Uncle Scott for hooking us up with the VIP treatment for the day. We stayed 6 hours... yes, you read that right... 6 hours with two toddlers! They were in heaven. By the end of the day MAE was walking up the steps to the water slide in slow motion, but don't think she didn't fight me kicking and screaming when we decided it was time to head home!

Needless to say, the only one's still awake when we pulled out of the parking lot were Chuck, Kari, Molly and me!

Some Potty Training Humor

WARNING: This post discusses poop. If you can't handle it, quit reading now... Joey...

Potty Training took a turn for the better about two weeks ago. I have hesitated to write about it for fear that I will jinx it! Tee tee accidents are few and far between, but we are still working on mastering #2... Last night, I thought she had to go and took her to the bathroom. I encouraged her to poo poo in the potty because we did not want to make a mess in her pretty Cinderella panties. She looked in the toilet I guess to see if she had accomplished the task. Nothing. She said, "I not see the poo poo, Mommy." I replied, "Where is it?" Very matter-of-factly she explained, "It hidin', Mommy." All I could do was laugh. I mean, what do you say to that?

A special shout out to Miss Paula and the daycare for bringing us this far... I owe you guys one!

Happy Birthday, Aunt Patsy!

We love you so much and are thankful for the special lady that you are. Maison is truly blessed to have such a wonderful godmother and Trey and I are so thankful for the love you have for her.

Ever since she talked to you on the phone when you guys were at the beach, she walks around the house with her little toy cell phone babbling all kinds of things about her day to you. When I ask her who she is talking to, the answer is "I talka Passy!"... and she give me this look like "Duh, Mommy! Who else would it be?" Then she goes back to babbling to you about baby dolls or swinging or whatever is occupying her little mind at the moment.

So, always know that even though quite a few miles separate you and Miss Priss, you are never far from her thoughts!

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there!

Poppa J - Thanks for being THE ABSOLUTE BEST grandfather in the entire world. Maison loves you so much and Trey and I are so thankful for all that you do for the three of us.

Grandpa - We are so glad you were able to spend the weekend with us. You have always taught us so much and we look up to you more than you will ever know.

G-Daddy Dave - Trey and I could not have chosen a better godfather for our daughter. Thanks for loving her (and us) like you do.

Paw Paw - We miss you every day, but we know that you are looking down smiling every time Maison points out a bulldozer or goes for a ride in Daddy's truck to check on your cows.

Chad, Scott and Joe - Maison has some rockin' uncles and adores all 3 of you. Hurry up and make her some cousins!!!!

And last, but most certainly not least... Trey - You amaze me when I watch you with our daughter. The loving bond the two of you share is so awesome. Her little face lights up when you take her for truck rides in the pasture or come to tuck her in at night. Maison and I love you forever.

Fun Weekend

We have a fun weekend planned. Bella, Aunt Wiz, Nana and Paw Paw drove down from Birmingham last night. Maison is beside herself with all of the attention she is getting. I still can't decide if Nana and Grandpa were the most excited or Maison. All three were just giddy to see each other. Nana brought Maison a Cinderella ball gown and I have a feeling I will be thinking of creative ways to convince her not to wear it 24/7!

Daddy left Thursday morning to go to Destin for a Bachelor Party weekend. Maison and I are missing him lots already. Good thing we have company to occupy our time!

5th Annual Beach-Pa-Looza

I left town Thursday to go on the 5th Annual Beach-Pa-Looza trip with my girls. I was worried about the trip this year because I felt like Maison was really going to grasp the fact that I was gone. I dropped her off at school that morning and headed east to the gorgeous white beaches of Orange Beach, Alabama (white beaches in "Orange" Beach... that is kind of funny!). That evening, Trey asked if I wanted to talk to her on the phone. After I said, "Hey, punkin'!" She shouted, "Mommy come home!" and started crying. Ugh. That tore at my heartstrings big time and I thought "This may be my last beach trip because if she acts like this for 3 more days, Daddy won't make it!" Thankfully, though, that was her only crying spell. The next afternoon, I talked to her and she was having an ice cream party at Maw Maw's and the day after that, Daddy took her to work with him. She was so excited about the dirt pit, track hoes and bulldozers that she did not have time to realize I was even on the planet!

The beach trip was awesome. Good times with great friends. Relaxing on the beach... I even read an entire book (Marley & Me... fabulous read for a dog lover!). I can't remember the last time I read an entire book in two days. I ate dinner in a restaurant without a little spider monkey clinging to my neck. I slept at night without having to get up to adjust blankets or fetch more cold water. I slept one morning until 9:30! I took a shower without having a rubber duck shoved in unmentionable places. I actually sat on the beach and did not spend my time chasing, watching, wiping or cleaning anyone or anything. And you know what? I missed all those things so much! I missed the butterfly kisses and nightly prayers. The chocolate pudding face and even the trips to the potty. I guess the whole trip was bittersweet for me. There was nothing like the smile that spread across her face when I walked in the door.

Thanks to my girls... Christie, Kelli, Clara, Jen L, Sissy, Mary, Kelly and even Ash was there in spirit... for an awesome weekend. I'm already counting down the days to the 6th annual trip! Thanks to BeBe, Maw Maw and Miss Paula for helping entertain her while I was gone. And a very special thanks to Daddy for being so great that she did not even miss me!

Crayola Crisis Update

I was telling my friend Tommie (she's an artist, you can check her out here) about the white crayon and how it did not work. Tommie came to work yesterday with a gift for Miss Maison... her very own pad of colored construction paper. When I got home, I gave it to her and she was amazed at how well the white crayon worked on her new pad. I explained to her that the pad was a gift from Miss Tommie. She replied, "I wike Miss Tommie. Her nice." Miss Tommie has a new friend for life!

Text from the Teacher

"Mae jus went to the bathroom came back and said i didnt pee on myself... But i fell in the toilet and she repeats this 4 0r 5 times then says did u hear me i fell in the toilet amber....It was so funny bec the entire class was quiet and she was standin at the door announcin she fell in lol."

Side note: Amber is a friend in her class.

Thanks to Miss Paula for keeping mommy in the loop about MAE's daily antics. Makes me feel like I am not missing out on her day! I don't know what I am going to do when Paula graduates and goes to the real world!

Crayola Crisis

Tonight, I was in the kitchen cooking dinner and Maison was quietly coloring in the living room. She ran into the kitchen with a troubled look on her face. In her little hand, she had a white crayon. She held it up and matter-of-factly said, "Mommy this one not work. It broke!"