Another School Year Begins

I can't believe that another summer has passed and the kids began another first day of school. Of course, they were up bright and early and ready to go. Rylee kept trying to drag me out of bed to get product for her hair. She wanted to braid it last night so she would have wavy hair for two high ponytails (which she switched this morning to low ponytails). Reeva wanted her hair down with wavy curls like Aunt Becca's. We couldn't find the big curling iron so it took a little while to try to get it curled with the tiny curling iron I had. But, she's not picky and was happy to go eat breakfast. :) Reece, on the other hand, could have cared less if we combed his hair at all but he did let me help him fix it. (though I had to drag him away from his legos to do it;)


We finally got outside to snap a few pictures.

There they go - off to another first day of school. Two fourth graders and a first grader. I know it is very cliche' but, seriously, where does the time go? It seems like just yesterday Rylee and Reeva were heading down for their first day of kindergarten. I'm not sure that this was their first day, but I think it was one of their first days. How sweet it is to look back and think of this incredible journey that has got them from that day to this one.

Ok, time to get my day started. Lots to do - it's the beginning of my final year at home with Reegan - not to mention...a house that needs some major attention. :( And Rylee reminded me last night that I need to bake some cookies because I always have cold milk and cookies fresh from the oven when they get off the bus from the first day of school ("well, except for last year" she said, "because Reece was sick and came home and so we had Oreos."). Sounds like I'd better get busy.

Rock Stars

Randy and the kids thought this video was the greatest...they just crack up every time they watch it. This is definitely their dad coming out in them. Reegan cracks me up laying on the floor jamming with her raquet guitar. You have to pause my blog music and turn the volume all the way up on the computer to hear the music they are rockin' to...even then it is a little fuzzy...although it's not too bad for a cell phone, I guess!

Sink or Swim?!

Or, in Reegan's case, maybe neither. :) I couldn't resist grabbing my cell phone today and taking this picture so I can remember this summer and how our swimming escapades went. Reegan always wants to go swimming but does not care for the water - especially in her face. She never has liked getting her hair washed - water in her eyes or ears - bathtime is no fun with her! The pool we usually goes to has steps that she usually parks herself on and spends her time in shallow water with no fear of getting her face wet. The other day was the first time she let me take her hands and pull her around the pool - with floaties, of course - and she held her nose and put her face in the water!! She was so proud. :)

Today, Nikki asked if we wanted to go with her to Kirk's parents house and swim. The kids thought it sounded fun - only one problem - it's an above ground pool which means there is only one depth and no steps to sit on. So, I made sure we had plenty of floatation devices and, as you can see, I think Reegan used every single one! But she was in - even though it took a little while to get her to this point she had a lot of fun. We're thinking we may have to go back a time or two before school starts next week.

Kids Day 2009

Today we celebrated our second annual Kid's Day. "Kid's Day," you ask? For our house it started last year when the kids approached me and asked, "Mom, why is it that there is a Mother's Day and a Father's Day, but no Kid's Day?" Hmmm, good question...which led me back to when I was a kid and it seems that me and my siblings had thoughts along the same lines and approached my mom and dad...to which they invented a Kid's Day for us...my, didn't we think that was a wonderful thing!! :) A whole day just for us...breakfast in bed, no chores, fun activities and maybe a little gift. So, why not Kid's Day? Of course, I like to think I celebrate my kids every day - after all they are special to me every day...yes, even on the days that they are "this close" to causing me to lose what sanity I have left! ;) But, why not have a day to let them know? So, what do we need...a date, right? Thinking back, I remembered Kid's Day being in July and that seemed to be a pretty good month for us...Randy's farming has settled down and it's not yet time for school. I'm not sure the exact date we chose last year and for this year I just chose a day that looked like it would work...I have to say I did plan a little better last year but, no matter, the kids loved it just the same.

Randy got up and started making "Dad's Special Chocolate Chip Pancakes" and I quickly started hanging streamers and drew up a sign that read, "Happy Kid's Day!" Autumn came upstairs and I put her to work helping me. I heard Reeva get up and rushed to the stairs and told her that she could read a little if she wanted...that I was making up the chore list for the day. I had told them yesterday that we had lots of work to do today. I knew telling them I was making "my list" would keep them up there a while. :) Once we got the decorations up, Autumn went upstairs to check on the kids. They were pretty bummed about all the chores they were going to have to do...Rylee and Reeva tried to talk Aunt Audie into taking them to work with her...she said she would ask but my list looked pretty big. While Autumn was talking to them she said Rylee walked over to her dresser, opened a drawer, and pulled out a card. She looked at the card and then said, "Oh man, we missed Kid's Day." I think she looked at the date from last year...not sure why she pulled the card out and thought about it then...but, anyway, about that time Randy called for them to come to breakfast.

And so our day started. Everyone ate pancakes (and didn't have to clean up their dishes afterward!) and then got dressed for the day. We decided to make it a back-to-school Kid's Day so we headed to Eville for everyone to get a few new clothes for school and to pick out school supplies. We also took them to see G Force in 3D at the IMAX Theater. They had a blast. I snapped this photo as we sat outside eating ice cream at GD Ritzies. Yummy!

It was then time to head for home so they popped in a movie that their dad bought them while we were picking out school supplies and settled in for the ride. It was a long, but happy day.

Happy Kid's Day, kiddos...thanks for being such awesome kids! We love you...xoxo ~Mom&Dad

How Mom Used To Do Dishes...

As I was cleaning up the kitchen after supper this evening I was in the process of leaving some of the dishes and one large pan in the sink since the dishwasher was already full and running - I figured I'd just put them in the dishwasher in the morning with the breakfast dishes. Anyway, I got to thinking about all the dishes I used to wash growing up in a family of 9 and how I didn't have a dishwasher after I got married either. The dishwasher I have now is actually the first one I've had - we got it when we built and moved into this house - and, boy, do I appreciate it! It made me think how my kids have never really known life without a dishwasher so I decided it would be a good idea for Rylee and Reeva to help me wash the dishes...so I filled up one sink with suds for washing and the other with water for rinsing and told the girls they could help me do the dishes and explained the whole "walked five miles to school..." bit to them (you know how us mothers do ;) I told them that they never knew - they may go to college one day and not have a dishwasher so it would be a good idea to know how to get their dishes clean - "Good point." was Reeva's thoughtful comment to this scenerio. :) So, they took turns washing and rinsing while I dried. I almost laughed when Reece had come into the kitchen and the girls hollered over to him, "Hey look Reece, this is how mom used to do dishes!" And when I had him come over to help put the dishes away he looked at it like, "Is it clean?" - like the only way dishes get clean are in a dishwasher. Oh my...

They actually had a lot of fun and thought it wouldn't be so bad to wash dishes like this more often....wonder how long that would last?! :)

Of course, I couldn't resist snapping a few photos to share....

Well, I promised the kids we would go for a walk this evening so I'd better get going. I really need to get back soon. Last week was Rylee and Reeva's first year to be in 4-H at the fair so I've got lots to share about it. ;)

Double Digits

It's hard to believe that Rylee and Reeva turned 10 years old today. As I look at this photo of them, I am truly at a loss for words. It seems like just yesterday that I was struggling with two of everything and wondering how in the world I could ever do it all. The truth is that they were amazing babies and we fell into a routine quite well. Even at ten years old they rarely give me a bit of trouble...I tell people that I could probably count on one hand the number of times I've seen them argue and I'm telling the truth. They say that they have their moments but I have not seen many of them. Their dad and I have always told them what a special thing it is to be a twin - it doesn't mean that they are the same person because they most definitely are not! - but what a neat thing to have another person that you came into this world with. They still like to dress alike some of the time but in the past year they have began to each find a little of their own personal style and are dressing alike less and less.

On this day, they wanted to eat at Chuck E Cheese with their brother and sister so dad took the day off and, after their traditional pancake birthday breakfast and opening of gifts, we all loaded up for a trip to Eville...by the time we got there it was time for lunch so first stop was Chuck E Cheese for pizza and games. Next stop was the mall where Rylee and Reeva got their ears pierced for their 10th Bday. :) Reeva went first and then it was Rylee's turn. Good thing there were two girls at the store and they did both ears at the same time - otherwise, I think Rylee would have come home with only one ear pierced! The whole way into the mall she kept saying to herself, "I hope I don't chicken out..." But it wasn't long before they were ready to pose in their new sunglasses to show off their new bling. :) We finished off the day with Shyler's and a trip to Barnes and Noble where we spent at least two hours and then still had trouble getting the kids to leave!

This past year for...

Rylee...has included

• An amazing year in third grade - especially her reading - almost 400 AR points!
• New glasses
• Lost her last baby tooth
• A Spring Break trip to Disney World!
• Made sugar cookies by herself along with other baking adventures - loves helping me in the kitchen - has even made a few dinners for everyone :)
• Basketball - played AAU, can dribble two balls at one time (she's awesome at this!), working on her jump shot, has great shooting form
• Softball - got her first hit (and loved it!) - after that she was never afraid to swing and has a good eye for the pitches coming in, switched to third base toward end of season - played an awesome trny game at third base - starting to figure out third base rules, caught a pop fly during last game! woo, hoo!!

Reeva...has included...

• Braces for a year - got them off in February...but will most likely have to have them again when she gets a little older
• Got glasses
• 300+ AR points in school!
• A Spring Break trip to Disney World!
• Basketball - played AAU, scored her first basket in one game and then scored six points in the game after that!
• Softball - Played first base this year (did an awesome job!), made quite a few plays at first, caught several pop flies!

Ten years ago today the life Randy and I had known as a married couple was dramatically altered when our sweet girls entered this world and made us a family. Weighing in at 4 lbs 10 oz and 4 lbs 8 oz, Rylee Carlin and Reeva Mae changed our lives in more ways than I could have ever imagined. When I was a little girl I always wished I had a twin and am so thankful that God chose to bless me with these two amazing girls. I look at them and am so very proud of the beautiful young ladies they are becoming. Happy Birthday, my sweet girls....xoxo ~ mom

Summer Time