Pre-K update

Rachel is still really enjoying her preschool. She loves her teachers and her friends. She really looks forward to school days and is learning so much! Here are a few funny things she's picked up from her friends:

"you're not my best friend anymore" - This is a huge deal with her friends when they say it to each other. Rachel has tried it on Bradley, but he doesn't seem to care one way or the other.

"grow up!" - Rachel has been yelling this at Bradley for several days when she doesn't like something he does, but again, he doesn't seem to care.

According to Rachel, the boys like to tell jokes during table time, and it's not that the jokes are a big deal, the noise level apparently gets too loud and the teachers get on to the boys. So, she told me that Miss. Jan was "frusarated" when the boys were telling jokes the other day.

The other night, after bath, Nick was getting Rachel dressed and she kept hitting herself on the stomach as hard as she could. Nick asked her what she was doing and told her to stop. Rachel explained that some of the boys in her class like to hit themselves as hard as they can because they're so strong. Nick explained that this was not something we wanted her to do and that boys do very silly things sometimes. But, I thought it was funny to see the difference between what girls think is cool and boys think is cool...why is hitting yourself so fascinating?? Maybe I'll understand when Bradley's 4!

Anyway, there's lots more and I'll do another update soon. Preschool is definitely quite fun and the stories are great!!

8 Years!

Yesterday, November 18th, was our 8th anniversary! It's hard to believe that we've already been married for 8 years! I know I'm very blessed that Nick chose me to be his wife so many years ago. He has been such a wonderful, caring, sweet, loving, husband to me and father to our children. We didn't do anything to celebrate yet...but are planning on a special dinner Friday night and a night alone...the kids will be at Gege and Papa's house. We're very excited about sleeping in like we did in the old days...before we had kids!

A new Start...again!

It seems like we do this every year at this time, but hopefully this is the last time. We went to church on Sunday. I know, shock, shock! We went to Rachel's school/church and had a great morning. Last week, Nick and I attended a christian school open house to see what it was about. And, while we were touring and meeting all these nice people and then listening to the presentation, I was so convicted that we are raising our children without church! So, we made the decision, went and had smooth sailing. Two of Rachel's friends were in her class, so she wasn't alone. Bradley walked in and waved and started playing, so after instructing the two older women about the importance of Bay, I left. They have the nursery system where they give you a number and then flash it on a small screen at the front of the sanctuary if your child needs you. I looked at the screen the entire morning, but thankfully, didn't see either number during the sermon. When I went to get Bradley after church, he was so glad to see me and came running toward me and kept looking back at the teachers with a sad look, like they had kept him there against his will. So, it was a successful beginning that I pray lasts!

Visiting Gramma

Bradley loved looking at the "pish" in the pond

Rachel loves climbing around the pond

Gram is working hard

Rachel loves Sarafina

Last Thursday, we surprised Gramma with a visit. It had been awhile since we'd seen her, so we made the trip to Snellville. She was surprised but glad to see us. Since it was nearing the lunch hour, she was already downstairs watching Divorce Court with another friend. We went out into the courtyard to see the fish in the small pond, which the kids LOVE doing. Rachel and Bradley loved getting as close to the edge as possible and standing on the little rocks that surround the water. This made Gramma very nervous, though, and she kept saying, "get down off that" or "you're gonna fall in..." After a small walk around the path, Bradley put her to work and had her pushing him on her walker. Gramma insisted that she didn't mind, but I'm betting that 30 extra pounds on her light little walker was quite strenuous. We went back inside when Gramma was concerned that it might be time for lunch and also, I think the kids were making her nervous, being so near the little pond. So, we hung out in the tv room with Gram and her friend for a few more minutes. Then, we headed to nana and pop's for lunch and play time. The kids were so excited to be there and play with all their special toys. Neither one wanted to eat lunch because they were so excited. We played on the playground and then took a walk all the way around the back of the property. It was a beautiful, warm day and lots of fun!

Lovely girls

A few weeks ago, we were visiting nana and pop and of course, spending time on the playground. I thought this was such a cute picture of nana, Sarafina and Rachel. They all look like they're having a great time and all 3 have such pretty faces!

Honk, Honk!

That is something that Bradley likes to say while he very gently squeezes my nose. It's really cute and he does it when we're playing or he's climbing all over me, he'll just reach up, barely touch my nose and say, "honk, honk". It always makes me laugh.

So....

The other night, me, Bradley and Rachel were playing with the fridge magnets. We were all sitting on the floor and having a good ole time. Rachel started spelling words with the letter magnets and perhaps I wasn't paying as much attention to Bradley as I had been. He was standing behind me and I think he wanted me to acknowledge that he was back there, but I wasn't thinking, and I didn't. All of a sudden I felt some very cold fluid on my back. Bradley had decided to spit his apple juice on my back. It was cold and gross. I grabbed Bradley and popped his butt and said, "NO! we don't spit! YUCK!" I was giving him one of my meanest mommy looks and he had an almost sad look on his face like his lips could turn down at any moment and he could start crying, but then he reached up, gently squeezed my nose and said, "honk, honk!"
Rachel immediately started laughing and I'm sorry to say I couldn't contain my chuckles either. Bradley obviously was trying to take a little "heat" off him and it worked. Silly little boy!

I love Kroger!

I don't know if it's the area where we live or what, but I have very pleasant shopping experiences at both Kroger and Publix. The people are so friendly and accommodating. Today, when Bradley and I ran in Kroger to get some groceries, we accidentally picked the loudest, squeakiest, messed-up-wheel car buggy. Once we were in the produce section, I was too lazy to go back and get another buggy. But, as we continued to the deli, I realized the cart was so obnoxious that we wouldn't be able to use it. So, I was about to walk/screech us back to the door, and a nice Kroger employee saw/heard me and volunteered to go get another buggy for us. I told her she didn't have to, but she insisted, so we sat still and waited. It took her a little while, but that was because she was kind enough to get paper towels and wipe off all the dew that was on the new buggy. I was so appreciative of all this. So, I transferred my groceries over to the new, identical buggy and then moved Bradley over. He absolutely lost it! He is the kind of kid who really does not like change once he's settled somewhere. So, the crying and angry tears began. I knew it was annoying for all the other shoppers, but I was just going to ignore him. He usually gets over things after a few minutes if he can just work it out on his own and in his own loud way. But, the kind Kroger employees really wanted to help. The deli lady wanted to know if he could have a piece of cheese, which I told her she could offer if she wanted. (But, I knew that he would probably not accept or want it.) Bradley didn't want the cheese, so she offered him a sucker that she had in a basket from Halloween. He didn't want this either. Then, the previous employee who was kind enough to get us a new, identical buggy, shows up with a Kroger balloon. Bradley didn't want that either. I tried to thank them over all the screams and tears and said that I was sure he would get over it after a little while. So, we strolled away and the tears finally stopped after he got distracted when I ran into my friend's mom. I just thought, how nice that these people wanted to help make Bradley happy, even if it was a futile effort! I just love Kroger!!