A Pirate's 3rd Birthday {in pictures}

We helped sweet Bennett celebrate his 3rd birthday yesterday with a Pirate Party! It was so much fun! Everything you needed for a perfect birthday: sun, water slide, cake, ice cream, watermelon and precious children!

Carnival Day at School

Simms' last few days of school are this week! She is actually going all 4 days since it is the last week. They have been doing fun activities each day, and today was CARNIVAL DAY! She was so excited before bed last night. All she could talk about was getting snow cones and popcorn today! Now don't let these pictures fool you. Our daughter is by no means a morning person!
I did my best trying to get some pictures anyway.
This picture cracks me up. Apparently Cope didn't appreciate Simms shoving that bottle into his mouth. Check out that face!

And the little stinker-when I was looking back through my camera before I dropped her off this morning, I noticed she had snatched my bracelet off of our bathroom counter and was wearing it! So glad I saw it before I left her at school!
At school each child has a symbol. Simms' is a balloon. It helps them to learn to recognize their name and letters of their name. Simms was telling me, "Get on your symbol Mommy." Bossy, bossy!

This pre-school has been so wonderful for Simms. She has really come out of her shell so to speak. At their end of the year program the other night (camera died before it started. So sad.) she was just loving performing her songs in front of the entire church.

Ready to go!

It has been such a blessing to take her to our church these few mornings each week. Her teachers are wonderful, and they came into the picture at just the right time for us! She has learned a lot academically and socially!

Finally!


Cope was happy to sit back in his pink seat and let Simms be in the spotlight!

I don't think I need to remind you all what we were going through with Simms when Cope was first born! Knowing they love her like they do has helped me so much! We can't wait for the fall!

Simms can't wait to give her teachers their gifts!

She had so much fun today and she is STILL napping!
And a funny story. When Dru found out that they were having snow cones, he told me to send her in something that I didn't mind getting stained. I said to him that Simms wasn't going to eat a snow cone anyway, because she is such a picky child. Dru said, no she is my child. I love ice and snow cones. She will get one. Well, her teachers said when they asked her what color she wanted, she said no color! She got just plain ice in hers! So, Dru and I were both right!

Already???

Cope had his 4 month appointment yesterday (actually 4.5 months though). He received a clean bill of health, and was meeting all of his milestones! I will admit I was a little scared about what our doctor would say about his, um, how should we say it? Huskiness? But according to her, his height and weight percentiles correspond lovely with each other, and he is perfect! Now, let's get down to the numbers!

Height: 25 1/2 inches (61%) Let me please point out he went from the 10th percentile at 2 months, to the 61st percentile!!!

Weight: 17 lbs. 4 oz. (81%)

Now..for the reason this post is titled Already???

We were told that we can start rice cereal now! Really? It seems like we were just here:

2 weeks old

AND..I'm so excited Cope's baby book came! I've had so much fun working on it. If you like vintage type things like me you'll love it as much as I do. Here are some pictures of some of the fun pages in it! Beautiful illustrations!!

Mother's Day at the Lake

First of all, let me start off by saying how blessed I am to be the mama of these precious children. I thank the Lord for them each day, and they are my heart. I am so thankful that my "job" is to be home with them each day. I don't feel like I always do the best job, but those hugs, kisses, smiles, yes ma'ms and no ma'ms, please and thank yous, wet kisses, belly laughs, coos and even all of those diapers make it all worth it! My house may not be spotless, and you are certain to find toys and books everywhere, but at least it is because it's well lived in. By them. One day I know I'll long for that beautiful mess that they can so quickly make!

We spent Mother's Day weekend at the lake with Dru's family. We had such a good time! I am so glad it's lake season again! This was Cope's first time at the lake, and on the boat too, of course. He did great! Traveled well and slept and napped well! Oh I love this easy baby! Simms was so excited because Lilla was there, and we all had fun spending Saturday out on the water! We ate amazing food, and it was a GREAT weekend! Can't wait to go back!


Cope experienced the bouncey for the first time! He LOVED it!



Getting ready for a boat ride! And of course Simms had to drive!






All 3 cousins~Cope, Simms and Lilla~they have so much fun together!


Cope and Lilla enjoyed lounging in their strollers after a walk!



And Simms ended the weekend with her first pedicure! Thanks Aunt Becca!




And just a couple more of those sweet babies!