Father's Day Weekend

When I booked my trip out to OK, I didn't even notice what weekend it was for. Turns out, Graham ended up spending Father's Day weekend with his girls all on his own. Just to be helpful, I scheduled up some social activities for them to do while I was gone -- they made it through the 5day/4night "weekend" with flying colors. They only forgot to take photos :).

I'll let Graham write down his own memories of his Father's Day, but I will say what an amazing father he is to our girls! Nourishing meals, bathtime, bedtime, reading stories with multiple characther voices, playtime, pretending to be a lion, singing about what he and E are doing - you name it, he can do it. The girls are definitely blessed!

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I don't remember anything ... just kidding (though there is truth in every joke.)

On Thursday we dropped Ashley off at the airport and after 20 minutes of sobbing (Lydia joined in for the last 10 minutes, too), we came home for a nap and to cook dinner.

On Friday, we were out of the house by 8:15 (which sounds great but that means we were up before 6, ugh) and headed to the YMCA (free childcare and a good hour-long release makes the 5 days go by much smoother). I took Eden to a friend's house at 10:00 and then Lydia was down for a nap while I graded papers. Lydia cooperated and woke up 20 minutes before we had to pick up Eden. Then we all went to the library for Charlie the Voice Guy. He is what his name implies - he makes funny noises with his mouth, from helicopters to ambulances and jet planes to death rays.

On Saturday, we had breakfast then went to the BREC Splash pad - a park with a large concrete area full of water spouts, buckets that drop water on your head, and even a human wash (like a car wash but for humans). Lydia stood at the human wash and laughed like crazy as it sprayed her in the face for 20 minutes. Crazy. The rest of the day was a blur - at one point I remember Eden saying "Daddy" and me waking up from a nap on the floor. She laughed and asked "Where you asleep on the floor?"

On Sunday, we woke up and Eden wished me "Happy Father's Day" then screamed with joy as I walked to open my present.  Lydia really enjoyed playing with the tissue paper. After breakfast, we did in fact make it to church, on time! They were both dressed (thanks to Ashley leaving the requisite clothes out) and Eden's hair was even brushed. I think I fed them ... After church and a good, long nap for Lydia, we went to the planatarium for the newest film - I describe it as a short and not-all-that-good Finding Nemo, but Eden loved it. Lydia stared at the screen for about 2 minutes and then wanted to get down and explore.

Monday was another YMCA morning followed by lunch out and everyone getting excited for Ashley's return. Of course, that return was delayed for a few hours as her itenerary was canceled unexpectedly, and she was rerouted about 183 times. The return was much needed - the girls were great, yes, and I am, in fact, capable of handling them on my own, but it sure is nice to have a partner in this journey. Not sure what I would do without her!

Lydia's new trick

Tonight in the bathtub, Lydia showed me her belly, tongue, ears, nose, toes, and eyes. With only a slight bit of prompting she also tugged on her hair and licked profusely when I asked her to "Show me Lydia's teeth." Crazy!

- Graham

punishment

This morning, while I was in the kitchen and L was in her room napping, E told me from the den ...

E: Momma I got water on my panties.

I walked in. She was on the couch, no water glasses around, while watching tv.

Me: What kind of water?
E: Regular
Me: Where did it come from? your body?
E: No ... {looking around for something plausible} ...  it was from earlier this morning

Me: But you just said something right now. Here is what happened ...

It was like I was explaining a crime scene and laying out the evidence. I have heard of mythical children who always tell the truth, regardless of consequences, as if they don't even realize there is an option. I have never had a child like that.

Me: Go to the bathroom and see if any more pee pee needs to come out.
E: Are you going to have to punish me?
Me: Yes. It would have been ok to say, "Momma, I got a little pee pee in my panties. I made a mistake. I'm sorry" and have gone to the bathroom. But you did not tell the truth so I have to discipline you since you did not tell the truth.
E: What is discipline?

Then, I defined discipline the best I could.

E: Don't talk to me while i'm thinking; that is very bad.
Me: What are you thinking?
E: I'm thinking ... {starts singing} veggie tales, veggie tales ... I want to watch that. I haven't watched that in a long time.

So, there I was in the bathroom realizing that my daughter is singing the Veggie Tales theme song in her head while I'm trying to explain discipline and what she did wrong. Oh my word.

Me: The TV is in time-out for 10 minutes.
screaming, wailing ... a minute later
E: So, I'm not in a time-out, just the TV right?
Me: You are in a time-out from TV.

Oh, this child.

After 20 minutes of a TV time-out and helping in the kitchen, E could watch TV again and on our way in to the den said she wanted to watch a Veggie Tales. "Aha!" I thought - I'll make you watch the one where Larry Boy tells a fib. As I was thinking about my brilliant parenting and pulling it up on netflix, E says from the couch ...

I think I want to watch the one where the little boy doesn't tell the truth. I think everyday I will watch a video about my punishment and what I am thinking and what I am feeling.

Seriously? It is going to be very hard to stay ahead of this child. I'm not sure that thirty years of living is going to be enough.

She didn't crawl today.

Seriously. I watched her all day because I couldn't remember seeing Lydia crawl yesterday, and sure enough I watched her stand up and walk every time she wanted something or went somewhere today. So, this is it ... 13 1/2 months ... and she just doesn't crawl anymore.

around the house

Here are some photos from our everyday taken last week ...

so-o-o long hair

she so wanted to play with the big girls

then figured out how to get in

playing with her birthday gift from CoCo & Britton

LadyBug Girl joined us for a trip to the store

our new bedroom

new artwork for the master bedroom by EB Bodie

pretending to be a fair maiden

who spoke with a British accent

I can climb.

She did it.

And then read herself multiple books in comfort ...

{Maura, I thought of you when she did this. I can no longer turn my back on her in this room!}

POP phone

When I was in the Houston airport on my way to see Winters {and Whitney and Boston} this past weekend, I saw this at one of the shops ...

I've seen this on a blog before and knew when I saw it that E would love it -- plus, she's never used a "real" phone so it seemed like she just had to have one. Thankfully, I had a few minutes to grab one on my way back, and I gave it to her {and Lydia} as her present from my trip.

She has taken to it like a fish to water ...

Oh my word, I just think it's so cute ... she asks to call people multiple times a day. The other bonus is that the phone "eliminates over 99% of absorbed phone radiation" - {a major plus since some recent studies have linked increased cell phone use and cancer}.

Anyhow, she is loving making calls, especially to her Granddaddy since she gets to dial the numbers {it's the only number old enough to mean that I actually had to memorize it at some point}.

Here's the face that may be calling you soon ...

today

Their first argument.

Today, Eden and Lydia had their first, real disagreement.

I had them sitting on the bench at the indoor playground and was trying to get their shoes and socks back on. Lydia was extremely fidgety/fussy, and she kept making "I'm annoyed and I want it" sounds while looking at the stuffed dog, Butter, that E had. Whenever she managed to grab it, she calmed down. But, of course, E would move it back. When I asked E to share, she put maybe an inch or two of the dog in Lydia's lap but kept her hold on the main part of the stuffie.

Lydia just looked at me and then kept whining and pulling and looking at her sister like, "Let me see it!" I fully realize this is just the teeniest tip of the iceberg. So strange to see them contained, mainly calm, but completely disagreeing and not giving in.

- Their Momma

little Winters Little

Well, a month ago, I got to meet my little nephew in person when he was only three days old ...

I was so incredibly thankful to be able to be there so soon after his arrival [thank you amazing husband for making that possible] and to help in all the new things that happened that weekend. I was waiting for Whitney to post pictures before I posted these, and, well, she's had just a few other things to do ... so it has taken a little while to get these photos posted.

Just wanted to record these pics before I make my next trip out to OK on Thursday. I know Winters is going to be a little chunky monkey by the time I get there, and I can't wait for some cuddle time and evening walks with the fam.

Here are some cute, cute pics of Winters's first weekend at home back at the beginning of May ...

If I could pack Eden in my suitcase for this upcoming trip, I would do it in a heartbeat. She is going to be even more in love with this little guy when she finally gets to meet him in person instead of just on video chat. It can't happen soon enough!

So thankful for my nephew and his momma and daddy, and I can't wait to see you all this weekend!

sleep

Let me just sit in your lap.

For the past few days, Lydia has really started to deliberately climb into my lap when I'm sitting on the floor and plant herself down for a comfortable sit or to read a book. She'll bring a book over with her, climb in, read a bit, then get up and repeat. She has even been known to climb over her sister and smoosh in to claim her spot.

I know it's not the most important thing ... but it's new, and it's cute.

- ashley

finally back to Oxford

After a year break, we finally made it back to Oxford for our summer visit to Uncle Britton and Aunt CoCo's. Last time we were there, this was our family photo ...

And, the last time we were there, it was a construction zone - literally ... plans included putting up a kitchen ceiling and a beam to replace a load-bearing wall. This time, it was more about singing and dancing on the wonderfully laid floors and in the finished bedrooms, kitchen, and front of the house ...

... including the new nursery for BJ (Baby Jones).

The light over BJ's crib that Uncle Britton really loves (a.k.a. is getting used to since Aunt CoCo loves it) ...

Last time, this room sported a table saw and 14 lbs of sawdust to boot,

this was only a vision of a kitchen before, and

this bathroom was also unfinished during our last visit.

From Friday to Sunday we ... spent time inside, rolling balls, running after Lydia who HAD to find out where Angie (the dog) was at all times, doing art projects, and eating great home-cooked meals.

We also went to AJ's so Lydia could do her best lemon face since this is where we took Eden's lemon face photo 3 years ago.

On Saturday, Granddaddy and CC came up for Courtney's shower (post to come) - and Granddaddy was quite impressed with Lydia's mad ball skills.

Lydia was also a big help, testing all the new baby equipment for her cousin!

Britton enjoyed his Bjorn so much, he walked around with Lydia for 10 minutes or so - and Lydia was a good sport, cooperating the whole time.

On Saturday after the shower, Eden went with Ashley and Courtney antiquing. This is the outside bed swing that we saw and took Eden's picture on 2 years ago, in Taylor, MS.

We also celebrated Lydia's birthday (for the third time) so the Jones family could participate ... cupcakes from a local bakery.

mmmmm - she got a shower right after, with chocolate in her hair, eyebrows, and fingernails ...

We closed all the doors down the hall, and Lydia had fun showing everyone how good she has gotten at walking, or running depending on what was at the end of the hall (and figuring out how to open the vent cover).

And Eden enjoyed the freedom of going outside to play with Angie in the backyard whenever she wanted.

We're glad to have been able to get back to Oxford, having missed last year for an understandable reason. We look forward to louder and more hectic years to come ... and to adding more people to the family pic!