Bikes

 When Skylar turned 3 we got her a big girl bike. We decided to get Jimmy his very own bike for his third birthday as well. With the weather being so beautiful this past weekend, we decided to go ahead and get it a little early. While at Academy, Jimmy found the bike helmets, put one on and then refused to take it off. He even rode home in the car with it on. Love that kid. Anyway, Jim put the bike together early Saturday morning and pretty much spent the entire day teaching Jimmy how to ride his bike. To make it a little less dangerous, Jim took the kids up to the high school and taught them how to ride there... a big open space with no traffic! By the time they came home for lunch, my little boy could ride a bike! Getting him inside to eat lunch and take a nap was no small feat. He is just a little bit stubborn (wink, wink) and he realllllllly, wanted to keep riding. Luckily, they have an awesome daddy who took them out for adventures after nap and then again all day Sunday.                                                    

Skylar had been riding her 12 inch bike since she was 3 and it was WAY to small for her. On Sunday, Jim told me he felt badly for her because she looked so uncomfortable on her bike. So what's a mom to do? We headed back to academy and got her a beautiful new 18 inch bike...... an early 5th birthday present!

Our new routine includes jumping out of the car after school and straight onto their bikes! I am so happy they would rather be outside riding their bikes than inside watching TV. I hope that continues....

Sun's Open

Gogo came to visit us this week and our guest bed has been moved into Jimmy's room and is now, his bed. So, Jimmy slept in bed with us this week. It really wasn't a big deal, he is actually a calm sleeper unlike his sister! Anyway, every morning I was woken up with 5 little words coming from an excited sweet little voice. Those words? "Sun's open mommy, get up!" Oh, the joy of being woken up with a couple pats on the face from a tiny hand and a joyful voice... love that boy!

5:47

This is the time Jimmy keeps waking up! Uggghhhh, doesn't he know that is too early?? On Saturday, I woke up to giggling. You know when you first wake up and you are not sure if you are dreaming or awake? Well, I was there and it took me a minute to realize that I was awake and those were my kids talking and giggling at 5:47. Jimmy had climbed into Skylar's bed and they were just having so much fun.... 'til momma bear went and laid the smack down and sent everyone back to bed! I have to remind myself, this too shall pass (I hope)

My Big Boy!

About a month ago Jimmy started climbing out of his crib. With dread we took down the crib and converted it into a toddler bed. We braced ourselves all day for what the night would hold. We discussed who was going to stand guard at his door, we imagined sleepless nights forcing Jimmy to stay in his own room, we imagined a nightmare. So, the moment of truth went like this. "Jimmy, you are such a big boy. You get your own big boy bed. You need to stay in it all night! Give mommy and daddy a kiss. See you in the morning" (little chuckle to ourselves as we "knew" it would be a matter of seconds before we saw him again) And then...... nothing. No getting out of bed, no yelling for us, no crying. Nada. He just fell asleep and we woke him up in the morning. OMG who would have thought?? Certainly, not us. It has pretty much been like that every night since. He has been amazing. Every now and then, he will call for us to come back and give another "snuggle" but I can handle that. Love this boy!


Big Boy Part Two:
Jimmy is officially wearing big boy underwear! His teachers at school said he was really showing an interest and asked us to send him in a pull-up. After 2 days of staying dry all day, they suggested sending him in undies.. I was sure it would be a disaster! Turns out, he has only had one accident at school.. they said he is doing an awesome job of just deciding when to use the potty and going all on his own! Who knew, a boy potty training at 2 1/2 years? He is not being as successful at home but I believe that is all about trying his mommy and not his inability to use the potty. With this new skill came several other new skills. He now can pull his pants up and down on his own and he can sort of get his socks and shoes on by himself! I want time to slllloooowwwwww down please. I don't have any babies left.  


The moral: Despite being a very, VERY stubborn  strong willed child, he can be an easy child too and he continues to surprise and amaze me everyday!

Daddy jump me too high!

This is what Jimmy tells me every time he comes inside from jumping on the trampoline with Jim. He and Skylar BEG Jim to go outside and jump with them. Then they BEG Jim to jump as high as he can while they sit down and get bounced all around. So why then does he tell me daddy jumped (bounced) them too high? Well let's just put it this way. One time I was coming home from shopping and Jim waved to me while I was driving down the street because he was jumping higher than the top of the fence. Oh My.

They do have an awfully good daddy. He will go out there and jump with them for an hour!!! I know he really doesn't like to do it, it is just because the kids love it SO much. LOL.

Everyone is learning more skills too. A favorite is for them to count and then fall on their bottom and pop back to a standing position. I imagine one day I'll be watching them doing flips. Though I sure hope it is not for quite some time because I really, really don't want them to get hurt or worse. For now, everyone is happy to bounce, bounce, bounce!

Christmas in Whoa hi whoa (Ohio)

We were blessed enough to spend another Christmas/holiday season in Ohio with our family. It is always a little crazy because we only get 5 days with Jim's basketball schedule. In those 5 days we try to see all our friends and family, eat as much FABULOUS home-cooking as we can and we even try to relax some since it is our break from school.  This year the break was a little wierd with nost of our days in Ohio coming before Christmas. This meant, we had to hurry up and eat ALL the food we love in the 2 days after Christmas before we had come back to Texas! I was so full but oh so sad to leave all the food behind. For those of you who think I sound obsessed with food, next year, I will have to take some pictures of the food table... it is ridiculous!!  Anyway, onto less fattening,  healthier topics! Below is a picture of the kids on Christmas morning. We are always so blessed with how much Santa brings for us. Some of the favorites this year include sparkly "S" earring from Mrs. Claus, an Innotab for both kids, and of course the trampoline Santa left for us in Texas!

 Of course Ohio Christmases wouldn't be the same without all our loved ones. We so love spending those few crazy days with all these special people! We especially love getting to spend time with Nana and Grandpa. Isn't Nana amazing??

 Jim's dad and Holly came down too! This year Jessica and Grandma Kearns couldn't make it, and we were totally bummed. However, Skylar played with Grandpa Jim for hours. I am sure his arms were quite tired from all the flips he helped Skylar do over his arms. He was also quite good at playing Barbies. Hmmmm

Of course my parents were there too! I love that Gogo is so awesome. She shares these holidays with everyone so we can all be together at this special time of year. I don't think you'd find too many people willing to have their in-laws come for Christmas Eve dinner and stay for Christmas morning. She also opens her home to her ex-husband just so we won't have to do any additional traveling in our short visit. She and Grandpa Carl are special like that!
 I had to share this picture too! On Christmas Eve Gogo and the kids spread reindeer food on the lawn. It has beautiful sparkles in it to help Rudolph see where to land! It must have worked too, because we woke up to quite a pile of presents!

Where Grandpa Carl go?

This is the question Jimmy asked EVERY time Grandpa Carl was out of his sight! Ha. Luckily for us Grandpa Carl is a pretty awesome guy. Jimmy loves all the silly jokes Grandpa plays and he really, really likes that Grandpa Carl is almost always up to taking a walk outside which just so happens to be Jimmy's favorite thing to do.  I highly suggest everyone get their very own Grandpa Carl, he rocks!