Yogurt

Madeline wanted to feed herself this morning. I gave in. She thoroughly enjoyed it! She has also learned that whenever a camera is pulled out, she should say "cheese!" Very cute!

Funny Jack and New baby

Jack keeps us on our toes and makes us laughs with some of the things he says. Here are some recents.

We are trying to teach Jack that when we have communion/sacrament at church that is when we remember Jesus. The other day at church during communion he says to me:
Jack- Mom, where is Jesus?
Me- Oh Jack, Jesus is in heaven. This is when we remember him.
Jack (very serious)- Hmm, i don't think so Mom. I think Jesus is at home watching a movie.
Clearly, Jack wished he was at home watching a movie!

We are having baby #3 in November. We decided we wouldn't tell Jack for a while b/c November is so far away. Last week in the kitchen he looked up and put his hand on my stomach (which is getting larger) and said
Jack- Mom, what is that in your belly?
Me- What do you think is in my belly?
Jack- A baby? It's a baby? It's a baby!! What kind of baby?
Me- I don't know. What kind of baby do you think it is?
Jack- A boy baby!
Me- Do you want to have another baby? (He still calls Madeline a baby)
Jack- Two babies? Yes! Yes! I am so excited! I am so excited!! Can we open it now?

He continued to jump around the kitchen so excited about the baby. It was adorable and now every morning he asks me if the baby is getting bigger and can we open it yet? On Wednesday we took him to our 16 week appt and the doctor said Jack, do you hear the baby's heartbeat? And he said "I hear it! I hear it growing!" So sweet. We are so lucky to have such a sweet boy to be the big brother to our little ones.

Hickory

On Sunday we drove to Hickory, NC to meet my parents for the night. The Rangers Single A team is in Hickory and my dad was there to watch some pitchers so Mom came over so we could all visit. Jack and Madeline loved seeing Mimi and Goose!

Madeline warmed up to Mimi very quickly and they had a great time playing.
Trying on Mimi's glasses

Jack enjoying an Italian Ice at the baseball game

Madeline liked hers too!

Party time

On Saturday we went to our neighbor Cooper's 1st bday party. The kids had a great time with all the pools, slides and water fun and of course, enjoyed the food.

Sunday was the baptism of my goddaughter, Sarah Nolen Edgar! I was so honored to be asked to be such a special part of her life. The Episcopals baptize at the end of the service so we were all a little worried how Sarah would do but she was perfect! Cary and Will hosted a lovely lunch afterwards where the highlight for Jack was all the Sprite he could drink!

Memorial Day Water Fun

We went to the Nietschmann's for Memorial Day. They had the huge blow-up water slide for the kids- young and old. Jack and Clay gave it a few tries!

Clay picked up some plastic on the way and the dads tried to create a long slip and slide.

Feeling like they needed some more speed, Jason got out his go-cart, attached a rope and tried pulling people down the slide. Then the moms came out and nixed that idea!!

Meanwhile, Madeline amused herself.

We knew the dads would come up with a better plan than the go-cart and they did! The kids loved going in groups, holding onto the rope being pulled by the dads.

I love Jack's face in this. He is ready to go again!

After five hours of water fun, everyone slept very well that night!!

Memorial Day weekend

We have had a great weekend so far! We went to Marbles - Jack's favorite place and Madeline is learning to love it too!

My little surfer dude

Playing in the store
Madeline has been busy reading

I love how she is using her little foot to hold the book

Don't confuse her as all study and no play- this girl knows how to have a good time too!

We had an awesome block party last night. We live on a great street with tons of young families and couples. We try to do a few block parties a year and last night we had a great turnout b/c our street is finally finished! All the houses are built so we had lots of new neighbors come and more food than we could ever eat!

Rain, Rain, Rain

It rained for four days straight. The kids were going stir crazy b/c they love to be outside. By dinner time on Monday, Clay decided to take them out and let them play. And play they did!

Jack loved playing in the running water
Madeline was so excited to splash in the puddles and did not care one bit about being wet!

Heading down the street

The sun has finally come out and we are excited to head to the pool for some more water fun!

Last Day of School

My sweet boy on his first day of school in September...

grew into a big boy who had his last day of school today!

Jack loved every minute of school this year and is going to miss it so much! He made some good friends and learned alot! Now we are looking forward to camp!

Team Umi Zoomi, we need your help

Today we took Madeline to her 15 month appt and Jack has a diaper rash that will not go away so I told him the dr was going to look at it. As we drove to the dr's office, Jack picked up a pretend phone and made a call. If your kids don't watch Team Umi Zoomi this won't be that funny but if they do...

Jack: Team Umi Zoomi, I need your help. I have an itchy bottom. I am on the way to the doctor's office. Can you meet me there? Thanks Team Umi Zoomi. I knew I could count on you!

Me (Laughing hysterically): Jack is Team Umi Zoomi coming to help?

Jack: Yes, Mom! I called them and they are on their way!!

15 months

My little baker had her 15 month appt today. She weighed 21lbs (25%) and was 31" (80%) with a head circumference that was off the chart! She grew alot in the last 3 months and gained a pound! She can also now wear a size 3 shoe and some of her 18m clothes! She says new words all the time but the cutest recently is "thank you" which she says whenever you give her anything! She is also a dancer and can find the music on our IPhones to dance to. Today she somehow got to Pandora and got Flo Rida's Get Low and was dancing around the playroom. Priceless!

Mother's Day

Check out the poster that Clay and the kids made for me. It reads: We love you in so many ways. You make us "Laffy Taffy" like crazy, feel "Good and Plenty" and give us lots of good "Kisses." We love being your "Sugar Babies" and always have a "Whoppers" of time with you. Daddy calls you a "Hot Tamales" and even though we all have "Lemonheads" you look like "100 Grand." Thanks for lovng us so much!

I loved it! These posters were big back in my Chi Omega days and I thought it was so creative for Clay to do this with the kids. My favorite part was the Lemonheads b/c they all have such big heads! I am so grateful to be a mom to Jack and Madeline and love parenting them with Clay!

It's Strawberry Time!

Remember last year? http://thecouncills.blogspot.com/2009/05/jammin.html

Well the strawberries are back and so were we! This time Madeline got in on the action and learned very quickly. She is the perfect height for picking (and eating!)

The whole gang

Off on her own
Heading in from the fields

We only picked enough to eat so we will be going back to get lots more for jam making! Love that this farm is right down the road!

Party for Ryan and Julia

We went home to Knoxville last weekend for a party for my brother Ryan and his fiance, Julia. It was hosted by friends of my parents and was a great time!

The happy couple

The Connors

Siblings

There were beautiful sunflowers everywhere!

The party was catered by the chef from La Paz, one of my favorite Mexican restaurants! I am still dreaming about this spinach queso!

I love this pic! We are so excited for Ryan and Julia and can't wait for July!

Knoxville

Two of my mom's sisters flew in from NY for the weekend. We loved seeing Aunt Maureen and Aunt Eileen! They spoiled Maeve and Jack by taking them to the Dollar Store and letting them get every thing in sight! That is how to win over 3 yr olds!

Having a picnic in Mimi's backyard

Madeline loves the big swing now!

Clay helped Maeve and Jack climb the tree in Shannon's backyard. They thought they were so cool!