Happy Father's Day

Walk With Me Daddy
Author Unknown

Walk alongside me, daddy
And hold my little hand.
I have so many things to learn
That I don't yet understand.

Teach me things to keep me safe
From dangers every day.
Show me how to do my best
At home, at school, at play.

Every child needs a gentle hand
To guide them as they grow.
So walk alongside me, daddy -
We have a long way to go.

Surf's Up Dude!

I took the kids to see this today. It's super cute. As we're leaving Regan says, "Mom, I'm gonna marry that Cody!" When Dad told her she's not marrying anyone until she's at least 25, she responded that she doesn't want to live here anymore. Think we have our hands full with that one??

Horsin' Around...

Here are some pictures of the cake I made for Regan today, and of her lickin' the beaters. I think it turned out cute, it actually looks like a horse!

So we asked Regan how it feels to be 5, she sticks her foot out and says, matter-of-factly, "Does this look like a 5 year old foot to you? It's not ANY bigger, it's still a 4 year old foot!" She never fails to crack us up.

On this day...

...a mere 5 years ago, I remember waking up super early to go to the hospital to be induced. Regan was due on June 18th, but my doctor was going out of town and I was considered "high risk" so she didn't want me to go into labor while she was out of town, so she scheduled me for induction. Looking back, I would have waited, but at the time, I was so dreadfully uncomfortable and having contractions and just plain miserable, that I figured, what's one or two less days in the grand scheme of things?

We dropped Riley off at his grandma and grandpa's the night before so that Friday morning we could just head straight to the hospital. I got all checked in and hooked up to all the monitors by 9am. I remember they had to break my water to get it going, and that wasn't so bad. Then after an hour or so, they decided to hook up some pitocin to get things moving faster. I could only take 30 minutes of that since I was on no pain medication. So after they stopped the pitocin, the contractions were going hard and fast at that point. I know I asked for an epidural then thinking that there was no way I could make it much longer, but before they could get an epidural in the room, it was time to push.

Of course my doctor was at lunch, thinking I had plenty of time, so even after scheduling to be induced, I didn't end up with my own doctor. Since this was about 9 months after 9/11, the maternity ward was full, we got the last delivery room available, and they were turning women away! So, needless to say, the doctors were worn a little thin that day. I remember the nurses telling me to stop pushing after only a couple of pushes, in order to wait for the doctor to come in to "catch" the baby. I distinctly remember arguing with them that anyone could catch the baby, but somebody better be ready cause I was not just gonna sit there any longer!! Finally the doctor came in, just in time, did his job, and had to rush right out to catch another one! Crazy day!! So, my little Nadia Regan was born, 7 lbs. 5 oz. at 12:59 pm, less than 4 hours after it all started.

We decided on Nadia because it means "Hope" and Regan which means "Royalty", so she will always be our little Princess.

And now, 5 years later, Regan is most definitely our little Princess. At 5, I can't believe how much personality and attitude she already has. Full of spunk, with a great sense of humor, she is always making us laugh and can brighten your worst day with a smile and a dance, and sometimes a silly face. She is so loving and caring, and loves to take care of her family, and her animals. She was an easy baby from day one, and has always been an easy going child, full of life and wonder. I just can't believe she's about to start kindergarten and won't be my little helper all day anymore.

I know she would be making her Nana proud, especially with how much she LOVES to talk!!

Pony Party and Petting Zoo

Whew, what a day! Traveling Zoo came out and brought a pony named Cloud, and some baby goats, one was an Angora goat, so soft! A baby lamb, a duck, some tiny chicks, and a baby bunny rabbit. The kids had a great time riding the pony around the yard and petting and playing with all the animals. There were even some neighbors we had never met before that sent their kids over to get in on the animal action. There are some great pictures of the kids, they just love animals, any kind!! Riley loved that he could hold the baby chicks and they would fall asleep in his warm hand. Regan loved the pony, and the Angora goat the most.

After the animals, we had a pretty laid back day, the mom's sat around and talked, the kids played upstairs, for probably two hours. We had cake, did presents, and just let them enjoy hanging out. Then Tammy and her kids and Uncle Pete stayed for dinner, we grilled hot dogs wrapped in bacon and covered with cheese, Cajun Pork Burgers (a Rachael Ray meal) and veggies on the grill, yum. Then we all hit the trampoline and watched Uncle Pete try to give the kids rides on his back. Angie is spending the night with Regan and they are exhausted, having too much fun.

Fake Mustaches are FUN!

This is totally cheesy, and maybe cause it's super late and I should be fast asleep by now, but these made me laugh (thanks Tam)...
Riley
Regan
Kenzie
Click on the names and have a laugh. Or not. Maybe I'll wake up tomorrow and be like "what the...?"

Party Eve

Amy's Playground

So tonight we took the kids to this awesome place to eat. In my mind, a place is awesome if the food is good and the kids have fun. This place fits the bill! Phil's Ice House, which is owned and next door to an Amy's Ice Cream. They have a huge playground out front with the famous cows, a shuffleboard, and lots of outside dining. David and I both had a burger with a jalepeno cheese bun, topped with avocados, Monterrey Jack cheese, grilled onions and chipotle mayo, and the fries were a mix of regular and sweet potato. We ate, then had some ice cream (coffee for the boys, chocolate for the girls, although Regan always has to have gummy bears on top!) and the kids got to play on the playground. Riley made an instant friend when he saw another boy about his age with an earring.

They just finished off their week at Camp Double Creek, and they are tan and exhausted! They had so much fun. They rode horses everyday, had swimming lessons, archery, tennis, gun safety, kick ball, arts and crafts, baby animals, miniature golf, and many other things. This is definitely a camp we will go back to every year.

Wordless Wednesday

One week down...six to go!

I can't believe a whole week of summer is gone already. It's odd, for the last 3 months of school we count down the day until summer, then with one day of having half the neighborhood in the house, juice spills, running out of chicken nuggets, trying to feed the neighborhood, the cat escaping while the door is open (and shut, and open, and shut) the kids fighting, hide and seek in the house, cartoons blaring, my computer being taken over by Webkinz, and then to cap it all off, the ever dreaded phrase..."MOM!! I'M BORED!!" it's amazing how fast I hope summer will go.

We spent several days at the pool last week, with some friends from school. The kids tans have already started, their hair is getting lighter, they look so cute and sun-kissed. Today the kids started summer camp at Camp Double Creek. Regan is the most excited about getting to ride horses. Riley is bummed that he's too young for the paint ball and rock wall, but I think he'll find plenty of other things to hold his interests. I'm hoping to be able to get some pictures of them at camp this week to post.

Sweet Baby Regan

I just had to share this. When I went to wake Regan up this morning (in MY bed as usual) she rolled over and said, "No mom, I'm having a dream and you'll break it!"

I hated to break her dream, but school is ALMOST out and she can dream till her hearts content all summer long!

Splash Day

Today was Splash Day for Riley's school. It's always so much fun, we meet at the church by his school and lay out huge sheets of plastic and put sprinklers along it, and they slide down this huge hill. Regan gets to go have fun with the big kids since I (according to David) have to be involved in everything! So here are a couple of pics of the kids sliding down and having a great time.

Regan Graduates!!

Graduation

Today Regan graduated from Pre-K! It was a great ceremony, the kids looked so cute with their little caps on. They walked down the aisle to Pomp and Circumstance, recited the Poem, All Things Great and Small, where they each had their own lines to say, and sang several songs, one about a mom who cries hysterically when they go to kindergarten. Then they had a slide show that played several songs, one of which was Butterfly Kisses. Then they called their names and one by one each kid got to go up on stage and get their "diploma". Regan has been telling me for weeks that I was gonna cry and silly me, I didn't believe her, but guess what? I did. I wasn't alone, Pam sat next to me and we cried together. It just seems like yesterday when we were headed off to the hospital to have her.

After the ceremony, the kids had a piece of cake with Regan's face on it, and we headed to Taco Cabana for Regan's favorite, a bean and cheese.

Happy Mother's Day

Mother's Day 07

Leo and Linda came in for the weekend, Aunt Tiffany had to have surgery again, so Linda spent most of the time at the hospital with her, and Leo spent most of his time in the kitchen! He brought a 40# bag of crawfish and a cooler full of crabs, so on Friday we let the kids play around with them some, and surprisingly, Riley was eating them up. Regan must take after her mom cause she wasn't having any of it. Riley had a friend over, Michael, who ate some too, and really enjoyed it, and we were told later his grandma was SO jealous!!

Last night we went to Pam and Dave's and the guys grilled steak, pork tenderloin, squash, zucchini, eggplant, asparagus, and we had mashed potatoes and salad, and the world's best chocolate cake from Whole Foods, yum. It was a pleasant evening with family, to celebrate Mother's Day since Leo and Linda had to head back to LA today and David has to go in to work this afternoon.

Job Update

Well, as most of you know, David's job contract is almost up (early) and he's been interviewing with other companies, and/or trying to find another position with the same company. So far he's interviewed with a position in Melbourne, Australia, so that would be fun, but I can't even handle thinking of all the daunting details of putting the house up for rent, packing all of our stuff (again) to put in storage, for the 1-3 year contract down under. It would be an adventure, and one I'm sure the kids would enjoy, so we would go if nothing else comes up.

He had another job interview today, with Seton, sounds promising, and another position was offered to him from Cisco, but it's from noon to midnight Fri-Sun, and every other Monday, talk about crappy hours! But he would love to work there, so it might be worth it to get in somewhere there. If not, it may be off to the land down under for us!!

Pixie Girl

Well, Regan wanted her hair cut, SHORT, so I took her in to Cool Cuts and got it cut, but after, it looked like a bowl!! So I had to go back the next day and have them fix it up some. Regan wanted it shorter, but I think it's cute the way it is. Now if she will keep her cute little hair clips in, she won't look like a boy. She wants to get more Dolphin earrings too, so maybe she will keep them in this time. First picture is the bowl, the last one is the new and improved version.