:: Unchartered Territory (for our house) ::

So this week Grace had her very first sleepover. Her very best friend, Faith, came over and the two of them enjoyed every moment. I was amazed at how well behaved they were. We always joke about how they're more like sisters than friends. They ran around acting like each other and playing until late in then night. Events of the night included lots of playing, pizza, a short trip to the new Wal-Mart, Movie (Enchanted - which they only watched part of), four rounds of Hungry Hungry Hippo, 1/4 a puzzle (the other 3/4 I had to finish) and then the almighty pillow attack shown below. In Joey's defense it was a blind-sided attack! I think he had as much fun as they did though. Sorry the picture isn't any brighter, this actually occurred in the middle of our movie so the overhead lights were dimmed.



Side Note: Tonight at dinner we ordered Chinese food. Joey handed out fortune cookies, we all took turns reading our fortune...all made sense until we read Joeys. He didn't read it out loud - just looked up and said, "Ah man, I got Graces!" (see below) I think the video proves that he got the right fortune!

:: Mother's Day ::

Well this weekend I had the privilege of celebrating Mother's Day two days in a row. Joey gave me a great gift on Saturday, Date night! We had a chance to dine out and have a real conversation without a three year old interruption every two seconds. On Sunday we went to church & lunch with my parents then over to Joey's parents for an afternoon bar-b-que. While we were there the kiddos had a great time playing in the yard. Pawpaw bought some popsicles for Ethan - it was his first ever! He was a little taken back by what was going on - amazingly he didn't yak from all the sugar since he did not have any medicine that day (for those who don't know he has a terrible case of reflux).

I always love Mother's Day - not that I need a reminder to acknowledge my own mother and the relationship we have, but I love that God gives me a reminder every May of the wonderful gift he's blessed me with, my two children. I found a quote today that reminded me so much of my kids...I just had to share it with you, "Are we not like two volumes of one book?" (Marceline Desbordes-Valmore) Grace is my daring little entertainer who is willing to try just about anything to make you laugh and Ethan is my cuddle bug who loves nothing more than a few moments on my lap with my undivided attention. It's nice to see the two of them share these qualities with each other - Ethan does bring out the soft and gentle side in Grace while Grace keeps Ethan going all the time! What I love most is seeing pieces of Joey and I in each of them.

My Favorite Part of the Weekend:
On Saturday, Joey came home and decided to show Grace what "she" got me for Mother's Day. Afterward they hid the gift while I was getting dressed. Grace knew not to tell me what the gift was so she came in and said, "Mama we have a surprise. It's a secret and I can't tell so don't you look in the closet!" (it was priceless)

:: Games Children Play ::

Grace and Ethan have this little game of 'chase' they play. Each crawls back and forth across the floor in opposite directions. It cracks me up that they can entertain themselves for so long with this little game. Needless to say, since neither one looks where they're going it's bound to end the way it does ;)

:: An Alarm Clock Like None Other ::

Today was Ethan's 10 month well baby appointment, it is hard to believe he's already verging on one year old. I know all parents say the same thing but it is an astonishing to experience to share your life with two children who are so incredibly different.

Ethan got a good report from the Dr. We were a little worried because Ethan (while he has little chunky monkey legs) is so small for his age. Our doctor was somewhat amazed to hear how much he eats and see how small he is. She was not alarmed and said that his measurements fell in the "normal" range.

Weight: 19 lbs and 2 oz (15th percentile)
Height: 28 inches (25th percentile)
FOC: 46.2 centimeters (60th percentile) - go figure!

The picture above was my morning surprise. As we rushed around the house getting ready for the day ahead, Grace insisted on waking up Ethan. When she finally had permission to enter his room she ran and climbed into his bed. About a minute later I went in to get Ethan out of bed, I found the two of them like this! They both loved every moment.

:: Kick it off with a BANG ::

Rather than upload pictures and send stories out via e-mail I thought we'd try to share life stories the blog method. Forgive me (in advance) if I don't post all that frequently - I'll do my best!

I thought we would kick things off with a new bo-bo story staring Grace! Yesterday Grace, Ethan and I were playing around the house. Trying to keep Ethan in a safe zone, I picked him up and set him on the floor in the living room. Trying to get around him, I picked up my leg to step over him at the same time that Grace came CHARGING in between us. Needless to say, we collided and it left a mark! Bless her heart, she was such a sport - she says her eye doesn't hurt (although it looks sore to me). She is quick to tell anyone and everyone, "Look! Mama did it!"