my loves

I spent my birthday with my favorite people.

We had Qdoba take out for dinner and sat by the fire. First time this winter, if you can call it that in Florida.

We sat around in our pajamas and didn't do much of anything.

I wouldn't have it any other way.

swinging

Here is Morgan's first time swinging. I sound so country, but I'm really not. Ok. A little.

three and a half

Today is my birthday. I am not three and a half, but Morgan is. I am 3 + 5 and that's a little hard for me to stomach. Much harder than 30.

I love this sweet little girl so much. I sit back and look at her and she's grown so much. Her voice is still soft and low like it was when she first starting talking, but her mannerisms and personality are totally that of a little girl. Not a baby. Not a toddler. That's hit me recently and it makes me both happy and sad.

Last month we went in the backyard so she could show me how she swings. We had been working on it, but she still couldn't do it by herself. I walked out there with her fully prepared to push her and watch her go through the motions. She ran ahead, sister gave her a push, and before I could even get over there she was doing it all by herself. Pumping her legs and going higher and higher. I was so proud of her. The hard work paid off and I could tell she was so happy.

She's a lover of sweets. She doesn't get them often, but when she does she always chooses wisely. After church one day I stopped to get gas and picked up a donut for the girls. I giggled when I looked over and saw that only the sprinkles and top half of the donut were gone. The two bite marks are from me. Then, she did it again with a cupcake. I always know to lightly ice her treats because it's really the only thing she eats.

She has a love of books. And not just her books. She likes our grown up books as well. She'll sit and read for an hour. I find her sitting by herself in her room surrounded by 30 different books that she just read. Or she takes them to the playroom and reads to her students. I was worried that we didn't spend enough time reading to her as a baby as we did Addison. I feared she wouldn't like reading, but boy was I wrong. She gets so into making up a story that I sit back and watch without her knowing. I took this one night when she begged me to read just one more book. How can I say no to that face.

I love that she's a snuggler and even when it's not my night to put her to bed, she still needs to me to sit with her for just a minute. I sing Sunshine to her and tell her I love her as big as the sky and as big as the ocean. She always responds with "I love you as big as the clouds and as big as the sun". And sometimes as big as the mulch.

For no particular reason she'll come up and kiss me on the arm. Out of the blue. But she won't let me kiss her lips when she has chapstick or lip gloss on. She's afraid it will come off. 

She has the sweetest soul. The sweetest smile. And the sassiest personality. I love you Morgan!

auntie...again

My sister had a baby girl about a month ago. I got to hold her the night she was born and I smiled from ear to ear for an hour. She came to the house recently so the girls could meet their new cousin and I snapped a couple of pictures.

Addison was a little sick so I quarantined her for most of the visit. When she wasn't looking I let Morgan love on the baby. Morgan checked her over, touching her hands, her toes and rubbing her head. She acted like I wasn't even there. My heart melted to see this side of her. So sweet and tender.

Welcome to the world baby A. We all love you so much.

the girls

Going through some pics and wanted to post some recent ones of the girls together. They're all random, but all just as cute.

This was the last game of the soccer season. Morgan can not wait to play like her big sister.

Playing in the backyard. They would pretend like they were going down together and then Addison would push Morgan down first. I thought Morgan would be mad, but she laughed every time.

Angies is a sub shop down here at the beach. It's a very unique dining experience. I'm pretty sure the tables and chairs all came from garage sales or thrift shops. There's a sock hanging on the wall with a sign asking who it belongs to. But the subs are great and they have fabulous sweet tea. We took the girls there for the first time a few weekends ago.

I recently reunited with my good friend Charlie. It's probably been 4 years since I've seen him. I love good friends though. All that time passed and we still picked up right where we left off. He had a little football party at his house recently and we brought the girls with us. They played in their first kickball game and everyone was so sweet to them. It was funny how the ball they kicked never got caught and they somehow ran all the bases. They had a great time and even entertained themselves a bit.

Once it got dark we had s'mores.

Then I took this picture with my girls by the fire. I love it!

Addison's school had a carnival the week before Halloween. I worked the class booth for a bit and then we all hung out and played a couple of games. The girls got loaded up with candy and glow sticks. I was not about to waste the last two tickets we had so I grabbed a hot dog to go.

Michael took the girls for ice cream on Saturday while I was in Gainesville for the day. Addison is now too tall for the free baby cone. Morgan is not far behind.

These girls bicker from time to time, but they really are best friends.

trick-or-treat

Halloween may be my favorite holiday. I was so excited to take the girls trick-or treating. Morgan was equally excited. She was in love with her costume and couldn't wait for candy.

First stop was the neighbors house. April is so good to my girls. She got them toys, necklace kits and candy. We asked Mark to take a family picture. Addison was not in a good mood so she kept her wig on for this picture and then I wore it most of the night.

That sneaky look on her face. She knew she was about to get good stuff.

We took the wagon along, but only let them ride for the longer stretches between houses.

Let's talk about this sweater. I made a special trip to Target that day to get both the girls long sleeve white shirts for under their costumes. Addison insisted it would look silly and that she wouldn't be cold. Five seconds after we walked out the door she looked at me and told me she was cold. 

Addison would ring the doorbell and then look through the window to see if anyone was coming. I told her over and over again not to do that. It didn't matter. I admit. It was a little cute.

Last house of the night. The girls loaded up for the trek home. They couldn't wait to check out their goods.

Checking out their loot. I haven't gone through it all, but I guarantee most of it will end up at work.

These girls. They're as sweet as candy.

Another one in the record books. Other than Addison being completely exhausted and a little cranky, we had a really fun night. Now I'm ready for Christmas decorations. Michael says I have to wait.

happy halloween

From our little tiger, which she insists is a kitty cat.

Trust me. There will be a lot of pictures tomorrow. Have fun and be safe tonight!

pumpkin carving

Addison had a fever all weekend. When the meds kicked in she was her normal self, but as soon as the fever came back she laid around on the couch and didn't do much of anything. I was able to get her up Sunday afternoon to carve pumpkins. At first, neither one of them wanted to get their hands messy.

But then Morgan dove right in. She wasn't afraid of a little pumpkin guts.

Addison was hesitant throughout the whole process. I told her not to worry about the mess. A shower was next on the agenda. But remember. She is my child.

See. This stuff is gross.

Daddy was good at cleaning out the pumpkins.

The finished products. Addison wanted to keep it simple with heart eyes and a basic smiley face. I asked her if she wanted some teeth and she said no. I think she was still a little out of it. We had five stencils that came with our carving kit and Morgan picked the level 4 bat. I was a little nervous, but I think it turned out pretty good.

Pumpkin tip from our neighbor, who knows just about everything. Spray the inside of your pumpkin with hairspray to keep the bugs out. Rub the outside with WD40 to keep it from rotting. So far, our pumpkins look fantastic and are bug free.