He hasn't been getting his fair share of blog attention

So we buy him things to make sure he feels loved.

I wish I had had his reaction on camera. Overjoyed would be one way to describe it. While I was assembling his new bike, Noble kept stroking my hair, hugging me and saying, "Maaaamaaa."

I see more gifts in his future.

I think he's feelin' the love.


And he's always wearing a helmet when he rides, except for when I'm snapping pics to share with the world.

This is how the Lord humbles me.

What would make the girls in this family this insanely happy?

Being surprised with tickets to this:

He's a keeper.

First Day

Then:

Now:

And we're still sportin' the apple backpack.

Some things never change, and some things do.

And back to today. Today is London's last first day of preschool. I apologize for the extreme sentimentality. I can't help it.

I think she's going to be just fine.

Gearin' Up

London's first day of preschool is today (although I use the word first loosely, this will be her third year of preschool, one of the perks of having a September birthday). And I have never been happier about the whole 'school' thing. First of all she's back at Central Christian, and I have grown quite attached to the wonderful people there. It has been an amazing experience, and I am overjoyed that we were able to send London for another year. And there's also relief. Relief that she's not yet 'in school'. James and I considered sending her off to kindergarten (London is what you would call 'school ready') :) a year early since she misses the cutoff by twelve days. But we didn't. And I couldn't be happier. And I know there is not a big difference (three mornings versus five), but it feels different. I have one more year until the 'we are officially starting school for the next 13 years' begins. I'm preparing myself now.

So in the meantime, I'm just holding my baby close, thankful that we have one more year 'at home' and vowing to myself to cherish every moment (even the afternoons) I have with her.

Summer wrap-up

Even though we weren't able to go on a family vacation this summer, we had ourselves plenty of fun (and by we, I mean me and the kids-and yes I realize that there was probably nothing grammatically correct about that sentence). The kids and I made a couple of trips to Edmond where they got lots of spoiling from my side of the family.

My mom and I made a trip down to the Jasmine Moran children's museum in Seminole, and I have three words for it.

Early. Childhood. Heaven.

It was amazing. There was one room with all these different sections that were like dramatic play areas on steroids. One area was a garage with cars that had foam tires that could be removed with power tools. I'll let you guess where all the boys were. SO COOL.

Noble was in awe.

There were a lot of other fun things to check out, like an archaeological dig site,

Giant hula-hoop bubble makers,

Waterways,

Airplane cockpits,

Puppet theatres,

And SO much more. We will definitely make a trek out there again.

And then there was the swimming. LOTS of swimming. I think London and Noble would live in the pool if they could.

My fearless one (even without the floaties)!

And we can't forget the zoo. I love the Oklahoma City Zoo. It's amazing. My babies thought so too.

We were able to see this little girl. PRECIOUS. If you don't think an animal can be precious than you have never seen a new baby elephant. Or maybe you have and I'm just transferring my maternal instincts in some weird way since my babies are no longer babies. Sigh....

And probably the biggest hit at the zoo was this:

It will be a sad day when London outgrows the joy of the kiddie rides. It's the little things.

And then more swimming. One of the perks of having a pool at Nana and Grandpa's house are night swims. Life is good.

Summer is wonderful, late nights, slushy stands, hot pavement, sweaty kids, drippy swimsuits, air conditioning, movie filled afternoons and way, way too short! Until next year..........

It was all fun and games.....

Until she heard thunder.

The Poet

This morning London and I decided to let out our inner poet and write us up some poetry.

Needless to say, that's what we did again this afternoon. And most likely what we'll be doing tomorrow.

The girl's hooked.
For your reading pleasure, my oldests first attempt at free verse:

Crayons are to draw with.

I like artistic.

This is the best poem ever,

I wrote with a crayon.

Me and my mommy are very artistic.

Come see my mommy draw amazing pictures

around the world, and me!

Unicorn

I love unicorns,

They're so sweet,

And ponies too.

I most love ponies

And unicorns,

I love you all so much!

Laughing

Ornery

Nice to my brother

Dancer

Outrageous

Necklace

The Baird Family

I love my mommy so much,

Yes I do.

Mommy, mommy

Then I love my mommy,

Oh yes I do.

And I love my daddy too!

Hiccups

I had some hiccups,

I went to the store

And someone got the hiccups.

Then I was coming

Back from the store,

And they were gone.

A little getaway

James surprised me with a belated anniversary weekend in Kansas City. To say that I was excited would be a gross understatement. I was so worried that I was going to become sick before we left that I think I took the maximum dosage of Airborne for five straight days (has anyone else had any experience with that particular drug? I swear I felt so energized and good after a couple of days of taking it-and did I mention I had no coke? That's right. None. Zero. Nada. Zipola. And I felt great.) I was completely packed 24 hrs before we left, and let me tell ya', that speaks volumes. (There just might be a picture of me in the dictionary next to the word procrastinate, just maybe). We relaxed and ate lots of yummy food and just enjoyed being together. Our lives seem so busy with small children, to do lists, and (most recently) James job, that it really was a tremendous blessing just to be. And I am so very grateful to him, and my family for making it all happen!

Our documented attempt at trying to take a picture of ourselves in our room (I'm not very good at asking people to take pictures, I don't know why).

A little cut off.....

Oh, wow, that's a lot of flash.....

I'll just close that for you....

And finally success (well success measured by trying to take 'together shots' in the hotel's bathroom mirror. :)