18 Month Old Twins Cute Conversation

Colton thinks this clip is so funny. He laughs when the babies are talking to one another. In fact, he's mad at me right now because he sees it on Blogger, but I'm not playing it. LOL! This clip is pretty popular around here right now and apparently was on Good Morning America this morning. I think they are so sweet.

Enjoy!

Katie's School Good Citizen Award

Click here to view these pictures larger

Katie is doing so well in school. She just absolutely loves school and all of her classmates. Today, she received a Good Citizen award. She's probably not the only student that received this award today, but we are still proud of her. She tries very hard and the practice is paying off. The other pictures are of Katie's dictation aka spelling test. She's doing so much better with her handwriting and spacing between words. I hope you can see the writing.

Doctor Visit

Colton Update
Colton had his 2 year old check up and everything is good. He is growing like a weed. He weighs 27 pounds and is 35 inches tall. He is in the 70th percentile in his growth.

I love the age he is in right now. There are so many things that he does that reminds me of Katie at this age. He is constantly busy and talks all the time. Of course, he tries to push my buttons like any other 2 year old. He loves hats, balls, cars, playing outside, Mickey Mouse, trains, and the show "The Suite Life On Deck".

Katie Update
Katie was sick all last week with a mysterious virus. The school nurse called me last Tuesday, saying Katie had a fever of 102 temperature and complains of a headache. The next day, I began freaking out because her temperature rose to 103.7 degrees. The only symptoms were a very bad headache and tummy ache. She never did anything else. We were able to get in and see Dr. Lunsford that afternoon to get checked out. He checked her over and he ran tests for the flu, but they all came back negative. She just had another virus. My gosh, we've been bombarded with virus' this past year. He told me to keep doing what I was doing, alternate Advil and Tylenol until the fever and symptoms were gone. Needless to say, she was out of school the rest of the week. In fact, she still didn't feel all that great during the weekend. I really didn't know if we should have Colton's birthday party because of her not feeling good. After much research, prayer and lots of discussing the situation with Doug, we went ahead and had the party. I kept medicine down her all weekend. As long as she had medicine in her the fever and headaches were gone. By Sunday night, I was mapping out a plan as to who would be watching Colton, while I took Katie back to the doctor. After much needed prayer later that night, her fever stayed gone. YAY! Doug and I kept checking in on her through out the night, but she was fine. By Monday morning, she was ready to go to school. I've never been so happy to see her go to school. She's still doing good, but she is really tired after I pick her up from school.

My Doctor Visit
Thank you for all the prayers, I absolutely felt them because I stayed calm and at peace.

I met with a Neurosurgeon, Dr. Clark, yesterday. It just so happens Dr. Clark is my mother's doctor as well. After viewing the MRI of the tumor and checking my Prolactin level, he feels that we can treat it with a low dose medication. Normally your Prolactin level is 20 whereas mine is 30, which isn't as high as Dr. Clark thought it would be after seeing the size of my tumor. I'm to take this medication for 6 months in hopes to either sustain the size of the tumor or shrink it. When my 6 months are over, I'm to have a second MRI done. He assured me this is a slow growing tumor and it's not cancerous. We will keep our eye on it for some time.

Prayer Request
I've been asking prayer for my aunt Mary and mother.  I would like to ask you to please continue the prayers.  One of my cousin's, Karen, wrote me about aunt Mary.  She's still in the nursing home because she is too weak to go home.  Apparently her children have decided to make the nursing home her permanent residence.  I absolutely hate it.  She is such a sweet soul and the thoughts of her being kept in a nursing home, kills me.  I just hope my relatives that live in Ohion will visit her often.  Aunt Mary will celebrate her 101st birthday soon. 

My mother underwent a Myelogram yesterday morning and will meet with Dr. Clark about the results today.  He seems to think she might have another pinched nerve some where. 

A friend of mine is going through a very hard time right now and needs our prayers.  Her husband could either be transferred to another state or lose his job.  They've got their house up on the market.  Please lift her and her family up in your prayers.  Thank you!   

Train Themed Birthday Party

Whell, I posted about the big birthday party yesterday, but noticed that the pictures were not showing. Apparently Blogger had some trouble, so we shall try this again. I just won't repost all the details.

A full view of the party decorations

I made a template as to how big I wanted the banner out of regular printer paper and began cutting scrapbook paper, using the template.  I glued two triangle shaped scrapbook paper together.  Designed circles with Colton's letters and printed them.  I cut them out and glued them onto the triangles.  Lastly, punch holes to fish the ribbon through the holes. 

Using the 2" scalloped punch.  On the computer, I created several different labels (2, Choo-Choo, picture of a train, Colton's 2, etc.).  Print the labels, cut and glued them onto the scalloped circles.  I took 2 circles and glued them together with a toothpick in between. 

Train Instructions - CLICK HERE

A better view of the dot garland.  I used a 2" scallop and 1" circle punches that I purchased from Hobby Lobby for less than $10 each.  I glued two scalloped dots between a 8 lb fishing line.  Spacing the dots about 2" between each other, I alternated between the 1" circle and 2" scalloped, as shown.  You can make you garland as long as you want. 

A picture of momma and her baby boy.

Colton did not want to have his picture taken, instead he wanted to PLAY!

I love Katie's expression in this picture. 

My parents gave him the Lightning McQueen cap and he loves his new "Meme" movie aka "Mickey Mouse" that my niece Whitney and her husband gave him. 

. . . and the finale.  His very own John Deere tractor.  It comes with a trailer, but he has to learn to drive the tractor before riding around with the trailer. 

He seems to like his tractor, but . . .

he gets more tickled while watching his sissy drive his tractor around the yard.  All of us, began giggling at Colton laughing at Katie.  Too cute.

Birthday wishes were granted.  I think Colton had a very good birthday party.  :)

Happy Birthday Colton!

Two years from today a happy spirited little boy came into our life. He has made our life and family complete. It was around 6AM this morning that God blessed us with our 8lb. 15 oz. baby Colton.

We all came together in celebration of this great event yesterday. I've been busy at work on my spare time, making most all the birthday decorations. I even tried by hand at making a 3D Choo-Choo Train. LOL! I've seen these 3D creations made from rice crispy candy on the show "Challenge" from the Food Network, but never thought I would be making one myself. It's been lots of fun creating all of these paper decorations and confections for my sweet baby.

I think Colton had a very nice birthday and received lots of nice presents. Everyone's gift was a hit with him or this momma :). Here are a few pictures from the event. Enjoy!

A full view of the party decorations

Colton's 3D Choo-Choo Train

You can see the dot garland real well at this angle 

Momma and her big boy

Colton did not like the fact of taking pictures.  All he wanted to do was PLAY!

I love Katie's express in this picture - Colton was eating a donut

My parents gave him the Lightening McQueen cap and the "Meme" movie came from my niece Whitney and her husband.  He loves "Meme" aka "Mickey Mouse".

Here's the BIG gift of the day.  He seems to really like his John Deere tractor.  It comes with a trailer that hooks in the back, but he needs to learn to drive the tractor first.  LOL!  Katie loved the fact that she could drive it as well.  I think Colton got a bigger kick watching Katie drive the tractor.

Colton laughing at Katie driving his tractor.  Our guests were laughing at Colton getting so tickled at Katie. You had to be here to enjoy the humor. 

Colton did not want to blow out the candles - AT ALL!

Rice Crispy Treats Recipe

3 T Butter
1 package (10 oz., about 40) regular marshmallows or 4 cups miniature marshmallows
6 C Kellogg's Rice Krispies cereal

Melt butter in large saucepan over low heat. Add marshmallows and stir until completely melted. Remove from heat.

Mix in Kellogg's Rice Krispies cereal. Stir until well coated.

Spread the mixure using a buttered spatula or waxed paper evenly into a 13x9x2" pan coated with cooking spray. Cut into 2" squares when cool. Best if served the same day.

Tip on how to work with Rice Crispy Treats
* I find it best to keep your hands/fingers moist, while handling the candy. I keep a small bowl of water on my work center.
* The recipe suggest you put butter on your spatula, but I found that a little spread of Pam butter flavor cooking spray works just as well and not as messy.

Rice Crispy 3D Train
I made 2 batches of candy in order to make the train. Not having a template or instructions to go by, I did the following:

• Measure diameter of the cake stand or desired flat surface, the train will be displayed on.  I used a round cake board to transfer our train from table to table.  It was 9" in diameter.    
• You need to cut out a template from wax paper.  The body of the train will need to be the biggest piece.  Secondly, the engine piece (long part of the train).  Thirdly, the smoke stack. My train's body measured 5x5".  The engine piece measured 3x4" and smoke stack measured 1x2", making the total length of the train 9". 
• Place the templates on top of the candy and begin cutting the shapes.  Again, rice crispy candy can be rather messy, so I had a glass of water handy.  Cut 2 body (5x5") shapes, dipping the knife as you go along.  Cut 2 engine pieces (3x4") and 1 smoke stack (1x2"). 
• With icing I sandwiched the 2 body pieces together and the 2 engine pieces.  
• Stand the body up on it side onto the cake board. Note: make sure the edge of the body is right on the edge of the board or the train won't fit.  
• Meet the engine piece (up on it's side) with the body. 
• Place the smoke stack up on top of the engine. 
• It's time to for icing.  Normal Martha Stewart want-to-be's make their buttercream from scratch, but not this busy momma.  Betty Crocker helped me out in this area.  I was able to use just one container of buttercream flavor icing, with blue food coloring.  
• Now, it's time to decorate.  I used gum drops for the windows; M&Ms for the lights; wafers for the roof; graham cracker bunnies; coconut grass and candy sprinkles for flowers. 
• I created a puff of smoke with the word "Choo-Choo" on it; printed; cut and glued to a toothpick.  I thought it really added to the train. 

Happy Spring!

I'm sorry, I've been MIA.  A lot has been going on.  We have enjoyed the Spring like weather with 80 degree temps and beautiful sunshine.  Aah!  I've been taking advantage of the weather, cleaning out flowerbeds and filling full of mulch.  I absolutely love this time of year.  I love going outside and taking pictures of the flowers and trees.  Our Yoshino Cherry, Forsythia and Bradford Pear trees are in full bloom.  The azaleas are beginning to bloom. 

One day last week, I thought it would be a great idea to take the kids to the park.  So I packed some fresh strawberries, a few Hawaiian Punch drinks in a cooler and after picking Katie up from school, we headed to the park.  I think everyone else had the same idea, because the park we went to was pretty crowded.  I brought my book, thinking I might get a couple of pages read.  HA!  The only thing I did was run after Colton because he would either try something dangerous, like jump off of a platform or run straight to the street.  Ugh!  He'll learn what's allowed and what's not.  It's just all the teaching that is exhausting.  Of course, Katie made some new friends and was gone playing.  Of course, the children didn't want to leave because they were having such a good time.  Before leaving, we visited the ducks and geese.  I tried my best to get Katie involved in watching the different types of geese/ducks.  What are their habits and why they do them?  I try to teach my kids, keep them thinking.  Katie hates it, she just wants to PLAY.  She'll appreciate it one day.

Saturday, we took the kids to Jonathan's baseball game.  Unfortunately, I wasn't able to actually watch the game for constantly making sure the kids were behaving and staying somewhat clean.  Ugh!  Katie was bored half the time and Colton, all he wanted to do was climb bleachers, throw balls and dig in the dirt.  We took the children because Susan asked to see them.  Guess what?  They won't be going back to a baseball game until Colton is 5 or 6 years old.  Jon's team was playing a double header against Doug's alma mater.  I know Jon's team won the first game, but we had to leave during the second game.

Big Jon up to bat

Colton made friends with Susan's great nephew T

T and Colton are 6 months difference in age.

Katie sporting around in my visor

We visited with Peggy and Millard after the game for a little bit.  We stayed outside as much as possible, it was so beautiful.  Katie wanted to help her Grandma Peggy decorating for Easter.  Peggy needed some help hanging up Easter eggs from their cherry tree.  We made it a family affair.  Doug and Millard drug up chairs and helped thread the fishing line and Peggy and Doug hung them on the tree.  It's fun to do things together as a family, making memories.  The tree turned out to be lovely.

Kids watching daddy play the piano

Katie driving Paw-Paw's mower

Colton driving

Saturday night, the moon was supposed to be the closest to Earth in 18 years.  When I first saw it, it was the color blood red.  Eerie!  Slowly, it turned a deep orange.

We turned off STARZ and subscribed to NetFix.  I just wished we had turned it on last November.  I never realized how many children's shows they have available.  Of course, Katie loves it.  Friday night, we all watched "Dr. Doolittle 2" for our family movie night.  Yesterday, she watched Scooby Doo cartoons. 

Please keep me, my mom and Aunt Mary on your prayer list.  Aunt Mary is back in the nursing home recovering from a UTI and is very weak.  She will be celebrating her 101st birthday soon.  My mom's not doing good according to her last night.  She's back in a wheel chair.  Her left leg is still hurting.  She's to have a miligram done soon to see if there is another nerve pinched.  She's in quite a bit of pain.  I received my results back on the MRI, I had done awhile back.  It appears that I have a very small cyst located on the right side of my pituitary gland.  The cyst is less than a centimeter, so should be treated with medication.  I'm scheduled to meet with a neurosurgeon next week.  My doctor's nurse assured me that just because I'm meeting with a surgeon, doesn't mean that I have to have surgery.  They just want to put me in the proper hands, specialists.  Thank you!

Colton's 2 Year Old Photos

Customize a photo album

We had Colton's picture taken today. At first, I didn't think it was going to happen. I mean, I scheduled the appointment early enough that wouldn't cross with Colton's nap time. I was so hoping he would be good for us because it has been a while since we've had his picture taken professionally or what was supposed to be professional. That's another story in itself.

As we were waiting patiently for our turn to have our picture taken, Colton was in such a good mood. He found the footballs in one of the studios at Portrait Innovations. He made somewhat of a connection with one of the photographers. Unfortunately, the guy wasn't our photographer. (bummer) Our photographer was late and she had about as much life in her as a dead fish. I'm hoping she was new because she had absolutely NO CLUE. It's bad when the customer tells you what you need to do and how to put your set together. My word, Doug even had to tell her when a picture wasn't centered. Ugh! During our photo session, the girl wouldn't interact with Colton (a 2 year old, mind you). About as interactive as she would get was "okay, let's sit down or can you stand up". Ugh! I tried to help her out, Doug and I tried to act silly to get Colton to laugh. Honestly, I think he sensed how unfriendly she was and was not going to give her anything. FINALLY, another photographer came over and helped out by talking and acting silly to Colton. The girl was so determined to get a shot of Colton standing up in the white background. Ugh! I told her that we had enough shots and I didn't want to ruin his mood. I flat out told her that when working in this field, you have to work with what the children want to do, not what she wants to do. From my own experience, IT. DOESN'T. WORK.  

When Katie and Alise were 2 years old, Laura and I had the girls dress alike in our favorite color, Crimson and White.  Roll Tide!  The pictures turned out to be adorable.  I'm so glad that we decided to do the Bama theme.  Colton just loved the fact that he got to hold and throw a football.  LOL!