Myres MIA...

So I've been MIA!

I have been scolded and feel awful about not blogging lately! Sorry and I will get better! Here are some funny and memorable moments from our last months:

Early August-
Raygan-elise to random boy at reese football game-
R-E “Here, sit.”
Handed him book. R-E- “read”
Boy- “Who me “
R-E “Yes!”

Raygan elise popped in Potty this morning for first real time!

Reese - Apparently I offended her. (Her being Raygan-Elise.)

Raygan-elise not wanting to soap up in the tub so she put out her hand and said “stop! Stop it momma.” Then took soap and put it on other side of tub away from me.

Past Saturday-- Reese scored his first touchdown in a scrimmage game!

Reese- I never took into account where I was gonna put my toast.

August 5- Reese woke up excited about school! First thing he said- "mom, did you go to that open house thing? Oh good, so what's my activity class today?" : )

August 15-- Reese kissing Ray and then says “I'm practicing to be president bc when you're president you have to know how to kiss babies.” Me- how do you know that? Reese- They say it on tv.

Today- Ray kept diaper dry all day (except for poop)

Reese thought school gave him lunch money bc the office worker brought it down to his room after I took it to office. He was so excited the school gave him $.

Aug. 9- Great 1st day with my prekinders, bakery treats afterschool, major meltdown/fit from Raygan-elise but followed 1 hour later by her coming to me with a big hug & her telling me "i wuv ew" for the first time ever! And I actually loved helping Reese complete his homework- interviewing me about his name, why/when we choose it, etc. Great day!!

August 10- After Seeing Duggards TV show- Reese- “I wouldn't want that many kids unless I was married like 5 times so I would have 5 moms to help me!”

Aug. 10- Yea the toddler screaming at walmart was R-E. She was doing this bc I said NO it is inappropriate to throw your icee at your mom and took away her silly bandz. Reese then said mom she didnt actually throw it at you; only the straw hit you! Hmmmm...what I'm I doing wrong?! : )

Aug. 16- Reese is excited when riding solo & cooler than me are on xm but bret michaels comes on...and he sings "i don't like this" over and over. Whos kid is this?
And now he's asking to change aerosmith and trying yo annoy me by going lalalalalala. Seriously? I think Brian needs to have a talk with him! : )

Aug. 22- Thinks I may need to read some new parenting books after Raygan-elise's church behavior, which included her yelling hush and stop it momma, kicking toys in the quiet room, and trying to hit me when I told her to stop...or maybe I need to take a class! But first- its nap time!!

Sept 11- Can't believe Raygan-elise is so big...today was her first dance class! Some tears walking away but Mrs Jill cheered them up!

Sept. 12- Both of my kids are still up and now dancing to a vma performance...hmmm...

Sept. 25- Raygan-elise danced this morning at ballet, reese's team won their football game, and now I'm getting ready to take r-e to Disney on ice! What a fun day!

Oct. 1- "YES-2 desserts, fries, and a chicken sandwich...all a man can want!"- Reese on why he wants a lunch tray today!
Oct. 4- Raygan-elise is counting the fingers on her hand- "eighteen, eighteen, eighteen, eleven, twelve-teen, eighteen, eighteen, three”

Oct. 5- Is thinking Raygan-elise ate rocks at daycare today...why would I think. That? Her very random words- "I eat rocks" what? Who ate rocks? "me" (as she proudly raises her hand) at school? "Yes!"

Oct. 10- Cried this morning while watching reese and his Sunday school class take their First Eucharist...such a proud mommy!

October 23- Zoo BOO take 2! (and we have printed the tickets this time!)

October 30- Reese, Raygan-Elise and I went to March for Babies at the Olive Branch Park!

Nov 17----"Usher sang in the 90's? Hmmm...he sounded different back then."
--Reese (when an usher song came on 90's on 9)

Nov 18----Just watched Raygan-elise on stage for the first time at rehearsal for Ballet Desoto Nutcracker! She will be (hopefully dancing) flower on Sunday! So cute!

Nov. 21----Just watched the cutest sitting flower in her first Nutcracker performance!

Nov. 22----My house is all turned around...reese been sick since Friday and I've checked his temp so much that batteries are dead, and r-e upset that reese is taking "her medicines" and "her mameter" (thermometer)

Nov. 27----Awesome! -- R-E new word (too cute...guess she learned that from big brother) ~~Learned later that this was learned from Mrs. Holly, one of Raygan-Elise’s teachers, and she sounds exactly like Mrs. Holly!
Nov. 30 ---Out of nowhere, Raygan-Elise seriously just said- "mommys cazy" (crazy) hmmmm...not sure if I should take that as a compliment or not...
Dec 1---2nd day in a row- " oh, mommy cazy" (in carseat both times...wondering if its my driving)

Dec. 2----Is questioning her mornings...reese just said, "we are more happy this morning than we usually are."

Dec 4---Stars in Motion Parade float...too much fun and Raygan-Elise sat! Yay! Now nap for her! (She sat on float until last turn when she decided to stand and fuss. During parade, she kept poking her head through ribbon décor and saying, “I ee ew!” (I see you!)

July is gone!

Our summer is gone! But we had a busy but fun one! Both of our babies are growing up...Here are some updates-

Reese is now a great bike rider! He even rode his bike to the store with his Poppa; although he did have one bad wreck on the way which they didn't tell me about for a few days. But since then, he has been around the neighborhood with Poppa and Brian and is doing great! He says this is the best summer ever because we went to Alabama Soccer tournament, go to the pool almost everyday, and went to the beach! I think Hammie and Poppa living here has been a plus for him too! He surprises me each day at the pool because he isn't shy. If he doesn't know anyone, he will just walk up and find a new friend to play with him! He really got into baseball and enjoyed several Redbirds game this summer (we all went for Father's Day)!! He still loves using his big words, especially the word apparently! He enjoys talking on the phone (with Caleb L.) and still loves computer games. He is clueless when it comes to looking for anything. It tends to be frustrating to us because he will walk right by what he is looking for and miss it! He lost another tooth on the way to our beach vaca when biting into a Baconator sandwich from Wendy's. He was surprised and excited bc he had wanted one of these sandwiches for a while...then he called me (he was with Hammie and Poppa) and said he took a few bites and it came out. I didn't even know one was loose! He enjoys watching Cake Boss on TV which is funny (a reality show about a cake store. And he has become SO nosy. Anytime he overhears us he walks in asking- what? What did you say? Who did that? Etc. He starts 3rd grade in 2 days, and I still am in shock! He will have Kim Bridges as his teacher, and we are so excited!!



REESE WITH ORANGE CRUSH TEAM AT ALABAMA 3-V-3 TOURNAMENT! CHAMPIONS!!!

Raygan-Elise had her 2nd surgery at the beginning of July. They replaced her tubes due to too many infections and took out her adenoids. It was outpatient at Lebonheur East. The day of the surgery she mostly slept once we got home. She was up about 3 hours and ate some mash potatoes. Friday she was doing quite well but Saturday she began running almost 103. So, we called the doc who felt it was unrelated and if she was still running fever Sunday to take her to the doctor. Well, she was so we did...to a minor med and they sent us to the ER bc she had a elevated white count. We didn't get the friendliest ER doc...in fact she complained about parents and was rude and at one point talked about how we should take away R-E paci (AKA her soothie). It was the oddest thing! They tested her for strep (although minor med had already said that would be negative bc she was on amoxicilian) and it was neg and dip-sticked her urine. After her fever came down from tylenol, they discharged her. Then, she threw up all throughout night! Monday and Tuesday were not so fun days and finally Wed was better! But boy, they aren't lying...breathe is awful and finally just stopped smelling about a week and half ago! Her ENT says he is unsure how she was actually breathing bc her adenoids were huge huge and growing into her nasal passages...so we are hoping next year we won't be sick all the time!

She also got her 1st haircut this month to try to even out the longer baby hair with the shorter newer hair. I was so nervous but it went fine. And it does look much better! She still potties off and on in the potty but also in her diaper. She goes to sleep with me and then I move her to her bed where typically she will stay all night. She is talking talking! Saying everything and learning so much! She understands and responds to everything we say...I am just loving this stage. She cracks us up all the time with her new fav sayings- go time out, I scares (I'm scared) and everything is "mines"! Still Loves Mickey Mouse and Minnie and Baby dolls and of course still loves bracelets! And yes she still takes her Soothie! She is still very emotional and diva-like. She can throw a major major fit, gets in horrible diva moods, is very bossy, loves to tell you to do something and says "now!", loves to throw things and hit when she is mad, and say NO! But is just too cute for words! She will be promoted on Monday to a new classroom also! So sad!

Adventures in Bike riding!

Events happened on July 3rd, 2010-- Reese has never really wanted to learn how to ride a bike...well, actually he wants to...falls a few times and quits! This has been our pattern every year. Things always come so easy to him on the first try and since this is a little harder he gives up and thinks he can't. We always practice for a month or so and then we both get frustrated and give up. Last year after I read and read on the internet for tips we almost had it but he was a tad bit too big for his old bike so it never quite clicked. About 2 months ago, Brian was riding his bike as a neighbor put out a very nice boy bike with a sign free to a good home. So Brian asked him and it became Reese's new bike. Today, we decided it was time for him to try again. We started on the new big bike. Several falls and tears later he was so nervous. He kept saying "I just can't! I can't ride a bike." We took a break and went to the old small bike to work on balance and stopping. I told him he could do this- he was smart, a great athlete, and God gave him 2 legs and he could ride a bike! He asked "so why isn't God helping?" I said he is but you have to do you part too!! First we worked on balancing on the hill with the small bike and he did it and did it again about 10 times!! He could balance but not peddle as the bike too small, but he had confidence back! So we went back to the big bike on a straight piece of land! Brian and Hammie came outside to watch and offer their praise. (Later, Poppa and R-E came out too!) Next, we practiced balancing with me pushing and then onto peddling and he has it!!! He made several excuses along the way- the grass it too bumpy, my fingers won't reach the brake, you're pushing me toward the hill! Just going straight now...no turning yet. We really have to go somewhere where he can peddle farther before having to stop. But I'm so proud of him for finally giving it a better try!!! After I asked him if riding a bike was hard, I learned that he's still not into it too much yet. He said he kind of likes riding his bike and that his fav part was going down the hill (on his old bike). He wants to learn how to turn. He says if he can stand in the deep pool at the ymca then he can ride his bike (his new bigger bike) down the hill & touch the ground. But he says he needs to grow 5-6 more inches for that to happen. Now, Noah and Reese are riding R-E pink toddler car (the kind with no peddles that you just sit in) down our big backyard hill!!!
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June is gone...

TIRED kids after a long day of errand (in our rental car while my car was being fixed from a friend backing into it)


Wow! Summer passes so quick! We have had a fun-filled month finishing up baseball early in June and then most days at the pool! Reese and Raygan-Elise are both looking very tan!

They both had their well visits this month. Reese weighed 64 lbs(75th percentile)and was inches 51 in tall (51st percentile). He also had a sinus infection, which is what was causing his cough so he got some meds. Raygan-Elise weight 25 lbs ( which is somewhere around the 25th percentile) and was inches tall (43rd percentile). She also went to an allergist this past week, and the results showed she is allergic to 2 families of mold, milk, cats, and rabbits. She has already been dairy-free since March (with a couple of cheating days, but has had no straight milk). We are removing all potted plants and we had to give away our 4 yr old bunny - Shadow. Reese was very sad and cried! At first, he thought it would be better to just never let Ray go upstairs, but we told him that really wasn't realistic! That was 3 days ago and this morning he came up to me and said- "so now that Shadow is gone, can we get another pet?" I said that I didn't think so and he said, "what? Why? it's not like I'm gonna say another bunny."

Reese loves sports! He says, "I like football first, baseball is second and soccer is third and that's all the sports I like because I don't want one to be a loser." (Bc they'd be in 4th place) He also loves using the word apparently! He uses it all the time! He isn't shy at the pool and will walk up to any of the kids and ask them to play! He likes getting kids together to play pickle- which is a game that involves a water ball and spots of the pool as bases. He has started having grumpy times, but we are working on that! He's also started to do a little stomping of feet, rolling of eyes, and ugh sounds when he doesn't want to do something but he is immediately getting in trouble and I'm hoping that being consistent will stop this stage soon!Mom says he's growing up bc he was talking to a friend on the phone and the friend said, "who answered the phone?" and Reese replied, "my grandmother." We've never heard him call her anything other than Hammie! But he's still a kid too!! We went to rent movies for the first time in months and he picked out Blank Check (older disney movie), The Suite life (disney TV show) and Scooby Doo!!! Football is coming soon! He is so excited!! He will be on the Cowboys 7 and 8 yr olds and Brian is going to help coach. This will be Brian's coaching debut!! :)


Reese using my phone to take a picture of himself! (I can tell her took it bc he didn't push his hair over to side; I always say push your hair over bf I take any pics!)


Raygan-Elise is very independent and moody!! She has grown up a lot and started to develop her own personality the past month. She still loves to eat everything!

On June 14th- R-E started sleeping on pallet by self.

On June 16th- I took Ray to the potty as soon as she woke up and R-E tt'd. Then she poo poo'd twice at the Y and tt'd a total of 6 times here. For a grand total of 8 potties today! Yay! First day ever and what a great day. She did wet pants all day too and had one poop in pants! But still good day. For months we've been sitting on potty ect.

June 17th- Fav sayings this week-- I comin, elpin=helping, oh e=hold me,

June 19th- R-E just asked to go potty for the first time- she said potty! And I took her and she went.

Now, she goes to potty on the potty and in her pull-ups. We've even tried panties a few times, which she's kept dry some and wet some. She is talking about everything! She says up- when she wants me to get up! She is very demanding. She even tried to boss a little boy (who we didn't know) at the pool. And he listened! She said, um (come), jup (jump), now, um (and added sounds like when you call a dog), now. The little boy walked over, climbed up and jumped!

She is starting to sing a lot of songs- she tries and knows some words to-- 5 little monkeys (swinging from a tree and jumping on the bed), The Alphabet song (loves P, and says z, x, g), You are my Sunshine and of course, itsy Bitsy Spider!

Mom bought her a toddler bed and bedding this month and daddy put it together. She loves it! She sits in it and watches TV! She will also sleep in it through the night after she falls asleep with me in my bed first and then we move her to her bed!


1st Night in her bed (without her bedding bc we didn't like any that day, but she has some now)

Late in June, she likes to say sop= stop,alk= walk, and sing her songs!


Raygan-Elise eating her pink cereal! While at the grocery store last night, Raygan-Elise walked and picked out her own cereal! She picked out a pink box with girls all over it, so of course I bought it! When unloading food, we realized she also added hot dogs (I had put in 2 packages so now we have 3), double stuffed oreos, a bag of chips, and a few more things!

PS- These are pics from cell phone bc our computer is still not letting us load new pictures! Also, forgive me for any typos! I type these quickly and Brian always finds some errors!

Reese Soccer!!

Reese was asked a while back to join a 3 versus 3 soccer team which would travel out of town for tournaments 7 out of the 9 weeks of summer. We decided it wasn't the right time. But the team was going to have a player miss a tournament so they asked Reese to sub and we jumped at the chance to have a fun family weekend in Birmingham with the other Orange Crush team members and their families, as well as other friends on the other Olive Branch 3v3 teams. Brian and I were both nervous about the tournament. The other boys live soccer-all year long!! Reese only plays spring soccer and hadn't played since March and only had 1.5 practices with the team before the tournament. The night before we left I dreamed that Reese sat down on the middle of the field in the middle of the game and said "Coach Shea, I quit." I also dreamed that after half-time Reese came out in high heels and all the boys were yelling at him that he was supposed to wear cleats!

Friday, 6/25/2010- Reese road to Birmingham with a friend, Aaron Cook, and his parents so they could go swimming at the hotel. Brian, R-E and I left about an hour and half later.

Sat- Up bright and early and off to a 9 am game! Reese started off great and we were so proud. He scored 2 goals and played hard and strong. Orange Crush won!! Next game was at 12. All boys didn't play their best. Their game was very off, and we lost pretty bad! Next game started around 1:30 and they were back. He tried hard and was very aggressive. Reese scored another goal and blocked a few. We celebrated with sno-cones!! Raygan-Elise did surprisingly well all day! No nap! But she enjoyed all the attention from everyone around and enjoyed the snack bag! Next game was at 2:40 and again a great game. Reese scored another goal as well as scoring one that didn't count bc he wasn't across the line yet. Brian, Camden, and their son Gareth (friends of mine from high school) came to watch and Brian and I were so proud! Again-sno cones to celebrate. The team made it into the championship game and after a rough start a teammate, Riley, got them going. We won in overtime!! Orange Crush won the 3v3 Live Birmingham Tournament U8!!!! Reese was so excited and loved getting his championship medal.
Later in the evening, Brian and Reese went swimming in the hotel pool while R-E and I rested!!

Sunday- Alabama Adventure water park- Reese was read to go ride the big rides! He's finally tall enough to ride some larger slides, and he loved them all! Lines weren't long early in day so Brian and Reese road several over and over!! R-E loved the slides and water! She wore a life jacket for the first time and even went down the "large" slides at the "big kid" area. She even threw a fit to go by herself so after asking the life guard off she went and I followed behind her. She also loved the toddler area and toddler slides. She just smiled all day! Camden, Brian, and Gareth joined us again. Brian and Reese rode some roller coaster in the other area, and I took Reese over later while R-E took a nap and Brian rested too. We ended the day with an icee that Reese had been asking for all day long!!

Monday- McWayne Science Museum- Reese's fav part was petting the sharks and sting-rays (he went to that area twice). R-E loved seeing Nemo in the fish tank. I must admit I loved the jelly fish tank, and Brian liked the bed of nails! Reese was timid about the bed of nails but ended up doing it. R-E and Reese got in the hurricane tube. They both loved the balls that you could make float using air tubes and the water area that made the balls fly around! Reese was great at being a weather man on the green screen then we all got to watch him on the tv!! There were too many neat experiments!!! A very neat museum!
After a stop at the gift shop, we headed home!

Pics coming soon hopefully! Our computer is saying the hard drive if full and I haven't been able to load any pictures to our computer; therefore, I can't post or print any of them or any of the others that I've taken this summer!
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Reese's Birthday Slideshow!

Here is the slideshow of Reese's Birthday Game!

Wonderful Party!

Free slideshow customized with Smilebox

Raygan-Elise's 2nd Bday Slideshow

A free digital slideshow by Smilebox

ENJOY! We had a great time, but I can't believe she is 2!!! I will work on Reese's tomorrow night. Also, please forgive me for errors in their bday post! I worked on it late at night. OOPS!!!

My FB Status Awards

Here are some recent FB status Honorable mentions by Me:

April Myres
--seriously almost just had a vulture hit her car while driving to school. Makes one worry how this day will unfold! (may 13th)

--and Raygan-Elise just left a routine 2 month follow-up ENT appt with more medicine bc her ear was infected. Then, R-E threw fit bc she wanted her "meshin" right then! Crazy Girl! (may 10th)

-- is so proud of her children! Glad for Reese's smile & sweet personality & that he always lets me help him & guide him and I am enjoying & beginning to laugh over Raygan-Elise's independant spirit & sassy personality. She brightens our day! Also so proud of Rod & his classmates tonight! Vespers was wonderful! Tears! (may 9th)

-- "Perhaps she had some cheese!" quoted from Reese Myres (may 4th)

--headed home from Reese's 2nd grade program & eating at IHop with two kids wired on syrup! (april 27)

-- Made it to the March for Babies!! I'd guess less than 20 people there (unlike the HUGE crowd last year). Walked to lake to show R-E the ducks! She loved that! THANKS to all donors! I met my goal & our team raised a little over $1200 for maternal & newborn research!!! (april 24th)

-- is laughing! Why? R-E is crying for paci & I say Reese find it. Reese responds- she already has 2 in her mouth but she's R-E & apparently that's not enough for her! (April 20th)

--watched Reese (from a distance) have his First Confession at Church this morning. Such a big boy!! (April 17th)

--thinks she may have had a calmer day at work with 16 three & four yr olds and my 9 High School students than I'm having here with her own 23 month old!!! hmmmm..... (april 16th)

-- is home with Raygan-Elise watching Nick and listening to Dora the Explorer tell us how important it is to mail in your Census!(april 9th)


But the winner for April and May's best April Myres status comment is

--School Assignment- Letter to Principal about something school needs- Dear Mrs. Baker, I think the school shoud have football pads & a football so we can play football. We also need cheerleaders. Think this over. Sincerely, Reese (april 21)

and runner up --Problem: Raygan Elise throwing fit to stay outside. The Plan: Go inside without her & pretend like I'm leaving her outside. The outcome: she happily walk to her slide & played as I spied through the window. Lesson learned: I must come up with better plan! (april 26th)

Some other quotes from Reese recently (and they are all about Raygan-Elise):
To the doc today-- Raygan-Elise also doesn't listen or behave. Can you fix that?
She hit mom at the end of the game for no apparent reason.
She likes the part where nemo disobeys and touches the boat. Maybe that's why she disregards us! (and she really does...when it gets to that part of movie where nemo doesn't listen to his dad she starts to grin and when nemo touches the boat she cracks up laughing!!!!)

Birthday Parties complete!

Both Birthday Parties are complete!!!!

Raygan-Elise had her's first. She had a small party at our house! It was a "Favorite Things" themed party! Here is the poem for her invites:
Hair bows & Bracelets & Wearing my Shoes
I’m so excited that I’m turning TWO!
Running & Jumping & Playing on Swings,
These are a Few of my Favorite Things!

Minnie Mouse & Daisy & Watching Their Club.
Taking a Shower and Playing in the Tub!
Crayons & Markers and my Wall Drawings.
These are a Few of my Favorite Things!

My Reesey & Duckies & Playing with my Dolls.
Bouncing & Throwing Bright Colored Balls!
Silly Bands & Soothies & Most of all…Eating!!
These are a Few of my Favorite Things.

When I’m told No…
When I can’t Go…
When I’m feeling Mad…
I simply remember my favorite things
And then I don’t feel so bad!

Come join me, Raygan-Elise, for my 2nd Birthday Party
Honoring my favorite thing- ME!

Where: My House- My Favorite Place

Date: May- My Favorite Month
(Sunday, May 23rd)

Time: After Nap- My Favorite Time
(3:00 pm)

She had a blast! We had a bucket of balls, a basket of dress up items and another with baby dolls, our small bounce house and a water table (which were her favs that day). She wore her tutu and bracelets and necklaces the whole entire time. When getting in highchair to eat her birthday cake, her foot got stuck in her highchair as I was putting her in and she said I stuck I stuck. I said oh no your not. Bethany was at a diff angle and said she is really! She loved her bday cake! She loved the food and would walk to table to swipe a piece a food walk back outside and play and repeat!! She was so cute opening presents and would get excited and breathe deep and make excited noises with each new present. She recognized many and said their names! Valerie was playing with baby stella so when R-E opened her Baby stella pacifier I told her to take it to Valerie. Then, R-E started talking every present to Valerie after she opened it. After everyone left, I got in the bounce house with her and just played! It was such a fun day and it is so hard to believe that she has gone from a 4 lb even little thing to today at the doctor (ears again) she weighed 24 lbs! She's repeating everything we say (just cut back her special instructor to 2 times a month), love Minnie Mouse and about 2 weeks ago love NEMO!, still loves to eat, still dairy free, loves the water (jumps off the side of pool and goes completely under), has just started to like walking around without shoes, and is becoming a little, shall I say, more sassy!










Reese's party was this past Sunday at a Redbirds Game! He got treated with first class! We were escorted into game to a picnic table and ate hot dogs, cupcakes, dipping dots, and chips! We watched a little bit of the game, then went to play the games and play on the playground. Reese brought 4 boys from school- Aaron, Bryant, Jonathan, and Gavin, and Anna and John Aedon, and the Glorioso's! We went back to watch some more of the baseball game and Reese and Brian got to go down to the field! Rocky sang him Happy Birthday and his name appeared on the big screen (several times throughout the game!) While they were gone, I had all the kids and adults sign a ball to give to Reese! Then Brian took the kids back to the playground for a bit. Brian said while there Reese really wanted to watch the game instead of the playground! At the end of the game their were fireworks, which were beautiful except a wind or something brought some of the debree on us! Reese got some in his eyes and had to go wash them out. Reese loves baseball and wants to go back to a game real soon so he can actually watch the game. Reese said it was the best party!

Mother's Day

Mother's Day, 2010

We had a relaxing morning at home this morning! Enjoyed opening my presents and reading the paper Reese made for me at school! He knows me very well! His answers- moms fav food- shrimp casidia, my mom likes to- shop for lots of stuff, my mother likes it when- I help her, and my mother is good at- cooking. (This last answer is debatable I think!)

We headed to Clarksdale this afternoon to attend Lee Academy's Vespers with Rod and his class. It was at St. Elizabeths Church this year which made it extra special for us! Brian and I just kept thinking that only 10 yrs ago a smiling little boy was in our wedding and giggling and turning red when asked to kiss me on my cheek! It cliche- but time sure flies! We are so proud of Rod but it was a sweet yet sad moment to see him in his cap and gown as I watched my children sit in the church pews! It wasn't that long ago that Rod was toddling around! Now, I'm tearing up again!!!!

Updates--
Reese- He is ready for summer! He has been enjoying baseball and has been playing good. He had a 2nd grade program last week and sang great! Of course, he choose IHop to eat after the program. He is such a sweet big brother and is finally learning he has to watch his actions bc Raygan-Elise copies everything he does! But he's learning to use it also! Like yesterday I wanted her to put on her tutu to see if it on her and she wouldn't. So Reese tried it on without me asking bc he said she'd want to do it then! He has started to order off the adult menus when we go out to eat! He thinks he's a little more grown than he really is. He still is obsessed with his DS and this months fav game is Mario Cart! Tonight he asked if he could sleep in bed with me. I said yes! I'm going to miss the days when he thinks he's too big to do that! Funny story- for some odd reason, he weighed himself today and weighed 62 lbs. Then, he kept running up & down stairs and re-weighing. We finally asked him what he was doing. He said trying to loose these 2 lbs but nothings happening! If only weight could be lost that quick!! He still makes me laugh daily with the phrases he uses! A few days ago he said- Perhaps someone gave her some cheese! His phrasing is just too cute!

Raygan-Elise--
She is started to say more and more each day! She sounds kind of muffled when she speaks but we can understand so much now! Her newest phrase- Dad-des om which means is daddy home? 4/27- I eat it- i e I (long i. Long e short i) . bracelet-sounds like a bad word (sh*t) . Here- ear, mess-mesh, hat, By 4/11- basket- sounds like another bad word (bu sh*t), uish- juice, ea-eat, Words by 3/24/10- eeth-teeth, seo-cereal, uh uh, ah huh, daw-dog, bis-fish. She is our dare devil and independent child. Last week she moved pillows beside the couch and then would jump off the couch onto her bottom on the pillows and just laugh and laugh. Then she'd do it all over! She loves to copy Reese, and she mimics almost anything we say now! If she wants something off a counter, she will go get a stool and take it where she needs it to reach things! Today at Vespers she started melting down bc she didn't want me to hold her hand as she walked down the stairs! So independent! Funny story- about half way through Vespers I started feeding her marshmallow. When anna asked, "what are you gonna do when you run out?"- I decided I should half them, but R-E didn't think that was a great idea. She refused to take any of the "half" ones. I kept trying to slip them to her but she shook her head no and pushed them away. It was too funny! And the sweetest story- each night (since she was born and in the nicu) I sing her you are my sunshine bf we go to bed! Last week, as I was singing it she joined me!! She sang- shine, gray, and shine! So so sweet and made me cry! Since that first time she has also started singing happy- or the "py" part of the word! And while I was getting school songs together she recognized 5 little monkeys swinging from the tree and mumbled/sung some of the words and did the motions! I didn't even know she knew this song! So, I asked Mrs Mary and Mrs Tina, and they sing it at school! We love her new school- Maples! Such a sweet, calm environment! She is learning so much! They love fixing her hair into pony tails and pig-tails and she loves to jump now! One teacher calls it her happy feet bc she gets on a roll and just starts tapping/hopping around! Oh and she loves loves bracelets! It makes her teachers laugh! She wears one each day to school. One day she wore one of mine that was way too big but they said she walked around all day with her arm up so it wouldn't fall off!

Brian and I are preparing ourselves for May Bday month! 2 bdays in 6 days!!! Raygan-Elise is going to have her party at our house, and Reese decided to have his party later in May so that he can have it at a Memphis Redbirds baseball game! Pictures to come soon!
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EASTER DAY

After Reese woke up bright and early, he came downstairs and told me he'd give me 5 more minutes!! So, I got the video camera (intending to just get Reese and let Raygan-Elise sleep) until I heard Reese waking her up saying, "see Raygan-Elise the Easter bunny has come. Wanna go see your basket? Wanna go see your basket and let momma record us?" As usual, Reese was calm and quiet and taking it all in while picking up each item and showing it to the video camera. Raygan-Elise wanted in Reese's basket and at first wasn't concerned with hers. Her main concern was the chocolate Reese's eggs. She has learned quickly how to tear the aluminum off of those! Mass was great and we only had to walk Raygan-Elise out once. But there were so many children that this week she just blended in with all the other sounds, and Reese read some of his picture Bible that the Easter Bunny brought! Then, we had a great lunch and well deserved nap! Then, came annual outside pictures, egg dying (Reese choose the camo dying kit this year) and building of the Easter House (which Anna bought to do with him but couldn't because she couldn't find a mixer). I hope you all had a Happy Easter! Wished we all lived much closer to each other!

Snowden Egg Hunt..

REESE SHOOTING SOME HOOPS BEFORE THE HUNT




They always say "Rain or Shine" but this year (after the storms last night) it was a day full of shine & MUD! Each year we enjoy going to the Snowden Egg Hunt. They put out over 50000 eggs! With all the mud this year, we didn't get to do the activities but the egg hunt was still a hit! This is a huge crowded place! After letting Reese shoot a few basketballs, Brian and Reese headed to the ages 5-8 field and Raygan-Elise and I headed to the 0-4 field. Since this was Raygan-Elise's first big egg hunt, I took the camera! She also had a very small one at her Daycare, and Reese went to the OBHS egg hunt on Friday!


WAITING FOR THE COUNTDOWN

The countdown begins.5, 4, 3, 2, 1..and off we go! Raygan-Elise walked right out to the field and stopped! She stared at 4 eggs! and stared and stared...luckily the parents around were very nice and guided their children away from these 4 eggs b/c in a matter of minutes the 10's of thousands of eggs are gone! I encouraged her to pick them up but she just stared!!



Finally, she inched forward and picked up the eggs! Then we walked across the field where she found one more that the large crowd walked passed! Grand total= 5 eggs!! Her instructor that comes each Monday has been working with her to say eat (instead of throwing a fit on ground when hungry!) One activity was shaking the eggs and then seeing inside and saying eat to get the candy prize! So, of course, Ray-Elise was ready to shake and open each egg and eat the prize!!














Brian found Reese a good spot to start the hunt and took his Easter Grass out of his basket so he'd have more room! Brian says as they were waiting for the hunt to start that Reese found a friend, Drew from his football team. They talked and pretended the flags that blocked off the fields were pizza- yellow flag = cheese pizza, green flag = molded pizza! When we met up with them, Reese said he found the most eggs out of everyone! Then said well other than the boy who had the garbage bag for a basket!!! His Grand Total= 68 Eggs!!

















After the hunt, we took some pictures (of course!- Notice Raygan-Elise really wants in Reese's basket! He was a great big brother and shared!) and then went to eat Mexican (imagine that!- but still no cheese dip! Brian says we are a team and we stick together! If Raygan-Elise can't have cheese, neither can we! Reese and I are thinking we are going to have to come up with a better plan! Reese says, "Chips aren't chips without cheese dip!").