Amen. Forever and Honest.

This little guy has stolen my heart...


So, Walker had his first homework assignment from kindergarten to do over the weekend. This afternoon I told him as soon as Hadlee goes down for her nap, we'll do his homework. He got the biggest grin on his face. I immediately thought to myself it won't always be like that. I got busy doing stuff & Hadlee went to sleep. When Walker realized Haddie was asleep, he came running into my room and said "can we do my homework now?!?" WOW...if only it would always be like this!!!

He had to fill a paper sack with items that represent him. He chose a blue snake, a Lightnin' McQueen car, a picture of him with his train collection and a little soccer ball. He also had to complete this "I Am Special" page. He was so into it! I loved it! (And don't even go there about the black lab puppy...SOMEDAY, okay?!?).


As for the title of my post...about a week ago as we were saying our bedtime prayers, I said "Amen." As usual, Walker repeated with his "Amen" and then he added "Forever and Honest." I had never heard him say this and it just cracked me up and melted my heart all at the same time. Now he says it everytime and I hope (and pray!) that it sinks in really well!!!

I love you Walker.
Forever & Honest.

Down to the Last Second of Summer

I forgot about these pictures that I took the weekend before school started (and they're a perfect continuation from yesterday's summer post!). The Reeds had come down for an impromptu play date...Haddie Girl was so excited!!!

Cute Couple of the Year Award goes to...

Of course the kids found an animal friend ~ this time, not a frog, but a beautiful caterpillar. Walker named it Chrysalis (he told me I should totally know why he named it that ~ I think I better review his insect books!).

It is the thrill of a lifetime for Walker to have all three Reeds down at the same time!!!

While up on Fort Walker but who should they see?!? Why Jillian, up on her fort next door. Come on over for cookies, Jilly Bean!!!

Cookies, Caterpillars, & Cool-Aids...CAN'T Beat It!!!

What I Miss About Summer...

...first of all, lying in my bed listening to Hadlee on the monitor while she is waking up. She wakes up bright eyed and starts talking. I usually leave her favorite babies or Doras in her bed because it's so cute to hear her talk to them (and truth be known gives mommy a little more time in bed!). Hadlee will stay in her bed for a good amount of time just content as can be. And then the "MOMMY" "MOMMY" "MOMMY" starts...and gets louder & louder the longer I wait. It's quite funny!

As I go to get Hadlee, I pass by Walker's room, and this is usually what I see! This boy plays hard and sleeps hard. Still melts my heart to see him sleeping just like it did when he was a baby...

And then when I turn that corner and see my Prissy Pie waiting ever so anxiously for me, it is like no other feeling!!! She is so excited to see me and gives the BIGGEST, BEST hug EVER! And then of course she usually says, "Mommy Pway?" followed by, "Where Bubba?" And then as we pass by Walker's room she says, "shhhhhhh" and puts her fingers over her mouth.

Shortly after, Walker comes running out (and usually tries to startle me ~ SO much like his daddy!) and gives me more of the BEST lovin' in the whole wide world!!! And during that lovin', he usually asks me to make his oatmeal & pancakes! Gladly.

Most of all, I'll miss basically spending every waking, breathing moment with these two kiddos. That's just how we roll in the summer & I love LOVE love it. We usually don't have a care in the world!


...we had music playing outside and Walker told me that he could "eat to the beat"...

I have a feeling come November or so (hey, it's Texas)...I'll reeeeally be missing this white little bootylicious booty...

They are sweet...

They are silly...

They are super fun!

Walker & Haddie ~ Loved every single second of Summer 'o8 with you!!!

Missing Daddy

Daddy...we have missed you while you've been in California!!!

Thanks for helping me with my very first model airplane the day before you left. That was really cool!

We had 'orange day' at school. You'd be so proud...of course I wouldn't wear UT orange!!! I did wear my orange soccer wrist band though. That's it I promise! (Also look very closely and you'll see I lost my 9th tooth...it's on the right on top).

You should have seen me on the soccer field at practice! I scored a goal while we scrimmaged. I sure did miss my favorite coach though. Oh and check out my new cleats...my foot grew while you were gone to a size 4 1/2!!!

Oh Haddie...I was trying to teach her some things I've learned in kindergarten. I sharpened an orange map pencil on both ends. She couldn't get over that...

Here I was trying to show Hadlee the correct way to make a 'K' (according to elementary teachers!). I think I have finally mastered it...even though it looks like an 'R'.

We don't mean to hurt your feelings, but the only good thing about you being gone is that mommy lets us sleep with her. We all snuggle like this...

But don't worry I only spoon with you!!!
WE LOVE YOU, DADDY and we can't wait for you to be home TODAY!!! Oh yeah, and mommy missed you, too. A LOT (and not just in the mornings when she had to take me to school!)!

London 2012?!?

Hadlee had her first gymnastics lesson last night. Here she is on her way into the gym...

She couldn't wait to get in there...

...her shoes are glittery pink!!! I don't know if I liked the gymnastics or the little outfits better! (Don't tell Troy because he thinks that's the only reason why I signed Haddie up!).

Walker was SO excited for his baby sister!!!

He wanted to come in the gym area with us SO BAD! I told him they only let parents in and he said that he should be able to since he's the man of the house right now (Daddy is on a business trip)!!!

I should have known by the looks of this picture that I was going to have a MISS SPUNKY on my hands...

It was finally Haddie's turn to take to the mat (I'm trying out some gymnastics lingo?!?)...

The uneven bars were definitely her 'thing'...

Miss Spunky Pie called her OWN shots on the balance beam!!!

It was so fun to watch & participate in this. It was actually hilarious!!! I'll just say this...Hadlee arrived at gymnastics with her OWN agenda! She kept the teacher and myself on our toes! Does this count as a workout for me, too?!?

Hadlee was the 'new girl' in the class so she was not the best by any means (which is FINE BY ME if it's always like that!!!). But like any good mother, I just kept thinking to myself..."she may not be the best, but she sure is the cutest!!!" And would you believe somebody else there told me that VERY same thing about Hadlee?!? (her Grandmother!!!)

As we were leaving the gym, Walker asked if Hadlee had won a trophy?!?
At least Hadlee already has one fan for the London Olympics in 2012!!!

Haddie at Heather's

The Good Lord has TRULY, TRULY blessed me with AMAZING women to take care of my children while I have worked in the mornings. TRULY. I admit, I am one of those freeeeeaky moms...I like total control over my kids & I don't like to leave them AT ALL...and rarely do... almost to the point that it's a bad thing!!!

Hadlee's beautiful, wonderful, amazing teacher is NO exception...Heather is just PERFECT in every way for Hadlee and our family. I actually went to high school with Heather...in fact we were in French III together our senior year. She is the same as she was back then ~ a genuinely kind person times one million. She has a smile that can brighten the world and the sweetest, dearest heart. She is a teacher and decided to stay home with her little girls and also keep a couple of extras. Heather goes ABOVE and BEYOND...I'm sure you'll see posts in the near future and know just what I mean!

Hadlee LOVES "Heh her" (Heather)!!!!!!!! She has asked for her and her little girls all summer. What a glorious feeling it was on the first day back to ask Hadlee 'where do you want to go this morning?"........................ "To Heh hers"!!!

It was raining outside so Hadlee was thrilled to wear her raincoat. Check out her adorable lunch box with her name (AND zebra striped handles!) from sweet, beautiful Miss Megan (Na Na Extraordinaire!)...

Such a big girl with her "ba pack"!!!

Sweet Heather...you are the BEST!

Kindergarten Krazy

Look who survived his first week of Kindergarten with FLYING COLORS.......

.........but not without incidence(s)!!!

Walker had a fantastic first week of kindergarten. It was tough at times, but overall so great and I am very thankful for that!

Here are some things I won't ever, ever want to forget:
*I already posted about his first day comment ("I had a good time...even though I didn't think I would) AND his view on his coloring skills ("I get to skip a grade!).
*"Mom, I have a new friend at school. His name is CJ and I can already spell his name. C.....J"!
*Okay, so I don't really want to remember this one because it made mommy cry (this is the tough part of the week I was talking about), but Walker got confused on the second day of school and got lost on the way to his classroom! Not sure exactly what or how it happened...but that incident didn't make for perfect 'drop offs' in the morning. No tears, but you could see the anxiety!
*CLIMBING THE WALL in the gym that he was petrified of last year in pre-k! The first day he climbed it with the help of the teacher and the second day ALL BY HIMSELF!!! Walker doesn't wear Under Armour for nothin'!!!
*"Guess what Mom? The teacher had gingerbread cookies for snack and I ate them and I liked them!" This kid tries NOTHING new...including sweets!
*On Friday, he pulls out a little Twinkle Twinkle Little Star project they made with paper and a straw. I was telling him how much I liked it and told me that he knew I would so he had saved me the instructions. Low and behold later on that day, I found the instructions that he had stuck in the front of his backpack for me (all crumpled up!)!!!
***And how was he by Friday afternoon at 4:00 when we went to get his haircut?!? ASLEEP...

Yes, sound asleep while getting his hair cut!!!

Thankful for a great first week and thankful it's over! When Walker was going to bed after his first day of kindergarten, he asked me if the next day was a school day?!? I told him yes and in my head I thought...and only twelve more years of school after that (at the very, very least!)!!!