Seaside School Half Marathon and 5K

OK..let's go ahead and get it out there that we ran the 5K. Not the half. But let's also get it out there they we are super proud of ourselves for doing this, and of our times. And let me also get it out there that the numbers 13.1 keep repeating themselves to me in my mind. Next year I hope to post on all 5 of us doing the half. That's my new goal. Working up to a 10K is our next step- FYI Parhams. Like I mentioned earlier we made ourselves at home for the weekend in Allen's mom's beautiful condo in Carillon Beach. Absolute heaven. Did I mention no kids? Yes, thanks to the bravery of Mrs. Lil and Dr. Donny, this was an adults-only trip. Relaxing even though we had this insanely early run? Yes it was. And let me also add in there that this was Sissy's first time away from Mae Mae who is 2. So she was ready for a little R & R as well.

When we arrived Saturday morning, Dru was on a mission for fresh oysters. Sissy and Emilie were on board. Allen and I aren't big fans, but oysters it was. Proof?

Sorry sweetie, had to post that picture. You are enjoying those nasty creatures too much in that pic not to post it.

After a leisurely dinner at the delicious Old Florida Fish House, we decided we needed to call it a night since we had a 4:15 AM alarm set. We headed out by 5. Dru made an insane rap playlist while we waited as long as we could before braving the cold temps and getting out of the car {insane b/c some of the songs? Wow is all I can say.} It was a good way to laugh away that early hour. We made our way to the starting point. Exciting to see this and to look forward to the band after the race.

Before we knew it the gun had gone off and therefore so did we. It really was a peaceful run. The scenery and excitement of everyone running plus the volunteers on the sides of the road helped too. I stopped running at one point to grab water but my legs truly felt like mush and quickly decided I may just fall down if I quit running so I gave up on my water and threw it down and started back running. Dru finished about a minute ahead of me. He'd already grabbed his Vera Bradley bag and lo and behold we had gotten the same pattern. True love ;)..

Me, Sissy and Emilie..

I will admit when we signed up for this run back in August and they mentioned free BBQ and beer after the race, I was thinking there is no way we'd be wanting that at 8:00 in the morning. Oh how wrong I was. Here is proof of Sissy at oh, about 8:30..

We all cleaned our plates and emptied our cups. Who can turn up free food and drink?

We enjoyed the band and of course the shops then headed back to the condo for a while, then to Grayton for lunch, I mean more oysters, then back to the condo again. We were able to enjoy the beach some before a sand storm attacked us, then we headed back to Seaside for dinner. Then home Monday morning.

We had such a fun time. Lots and lots of out of control laughing. I couldn't imagine a more fun group to do this with!

Catching Up!

Well, when your only working camera is your cell phone camera, and your cell phone breaks, blog posts just don't happen! Luckily today my phone came back to me good as new, so I hope to catch up the blog! One post at a time though, because I have to get pics off of the temporary phone I was using. So let's start with open house weekend at Goodwin Animal Hospital and Pet Resort. We all headed to Montgomery for this and that meant all of the cousins were together for the first time since Christmas! Cope hadn't been at the house in Montgomery since about this time last year, so I was wondering how he would "behave" but all in all it was a great weekend!

Papa ran out for doughnuts Sunday morning. Fresh and hot and delicious!

All of the cousins had matching doggie outfits. Precious and perfect for the occasion. Here they are minus Emiline..

Here is a picture of the family, minus Grover..

We are so proud of Dr. Donny and his new practice! Coming up..a post on completing the Seaside School Half Marathon & 5K this past weekend with Dru, Sissy and our friends Emilie and Allen Parham. We all did the 5K and I am super proud of all of us. We had a blast at their family's place in Carillon Beach {thank you Mrs. Jaynie} and we are already gearing up for next year.

Pearly Whites

Simms and I had our 6 month cleanings today. Happy to get a NO CAVITIES report for both of us. My pretty girl was so big while I had my teeth cleaned. I couldn't believe she sat there so quietly. I think it was a combination of anticipating her turn in the chair, trying to be good so she could get Zaxbys afterwards and being shy in public anyway. Our hygienist asked her if she was always that quite. Ummm, that would be a NO!

What a smile!

Very unsure at first.

Stubborn girl didn't want sunglasses

Cleaning away..

Happy to be done, to get a great report and loving her hot pink glittered dentist kit filled with fun stuff!

Happy Valentine's Day!

We woke up to lots of Valentine love..and BALLOONS! I love balloons at Valentines..obviously..

I really think they were overwhelmed by the size of the balloons. Perhaps even scared..oops

Bubby got two new trains, or choo choos as he calls them..

He quickly put them on the counter to play with instead of his train table..

My sweet girl all ready for her Valentine celebration at school, complete with wrist bands that came with her fairy that she insisted on wearing..

With all of her treats for her class..

And back home again with all of her Valentines..

And this made someone very happy..he loves candy..I have already had to hide it. I don't have this problem with Simms, because she hates candy. Not Cope. Here he is enjoying a sucker, still in his jammies..

And NO..you aren't seeing things..Daddy Scissorhands got ahold of Cope's hair again. I'll say what you are thinking, "Leave the curls alone Dru!" There. Now maybe that will help me next time. I doubt it. And here is Simms' masterpiece that she has been working on for Daddy all week. She adds a few things each day. Cope contributed too..

Happy Heart Day!

Mae Mae's Birthday Brunch

We helped Mae Mae celebrate turning 2 at a delicious brunch Saturday morning. I didn't get nearly enough pictures of the birthday girl {try 2} as I was chasing my own two around, but we all had a wonderful time at this sweet girl's party!

The Beautiful Birthday Girl!

And some of those celebrating with her..

The birthday girl became a little bashful when we sang to her..

The cake was delicious and enjoyed by lots of little mouths..

One certain fella enjoyed it more than the others I think..

It was a special morning for a special girl! After the party ended, we hung around so that Simms could do what she's been asking to do since Christmas..drive Bennett's 4-wheeler. Now I wasn't quite ready for this, but Dru was more than willing to ride with her and teach her how to do it..

Cope assumed as long as he found himself a helmet, he'd get a turn too..

Bennett was more than willing to take Cope for a ride. I had to put my foot down though and say no. Poor Cope..

We had a great time with you Mary Margaret! Happy 2nd Birthday!

Happy 2nd Birthday, Mary Margaret!

Oh sweet Mae Mae turns 2 today! We met her in the preschool parking lot this morning with a big ole' Mickey & Minnie balloon, a card, and a chocolate sprinkled doughnut. After a quick party in the parking lot, Simms and Bennett headed in to preschool and Cope and Mae Mae played for a little while before she had to head to the doctor. Yep..she wasn't feeling good on her birthday, poor thing! I know she'll be feeling great for her party Saturday morning though! Happy Birthday sweet little one.

February 2, 2012~2 years old!

Some things about Mae Mae: She is rarely ever called Mary Margaret, she is very dainty and prissy, she loves the outside too, she is a little mommy...

February 2, 2011~1 year old!

She is a sensitive one, she is kind of fearful of Cope, she loves Simms SO much..

February 2, 2010~The day you were born!

She is super smart with an incredible vocabulary, she LOVES her mommy, her daddy and her brother, and they love her! She is an answered prayer! We love you Mae Mae and hope you have the best birthday ever!

Here is my favorite picture from her party last year:

Oh..and I think this child looks more like me than my own daughter! Anyone agree?

Cope's Two Year Checkup

Cope had his two year checkup this morning. Thankful to report that he is healthy! And growing..proof?

Weight: 32 lbs, which is in the 86th percentile

Height: 35 in, which is in the 60th percentile

For comparison's sake, this little girl

is only 2 lbs bigger than Cope. She weighed 34 lbs in December. And she was 26 lbs 12 oz at her two year checkup. Yep, he is a big boy.

The next best thing to hearing that he was perfectly healthy, was hearing our pediatrician say that she doesn't think he needs speech! I was blown away by this. I trust her completely on this matter, so I was so thrilled. She definitely thinks Cope has made progress, and is continuing to make progress. She also thinks his mama does a little comparing of him to his older sister, which she said is like comparing apples to oranges. We will do another assessment in 3 months, but for now, we are so happy and plan to do all we can to help him keep making progress!

She gave me some great advice and a great book to read to help us help Cope deal with his frustration that he sometimes experiences due to not being able to communicate as effectively as he'd like. After I read it and implement what it says to do, I may do a post on it. I just know from reading the reviews of the book and the fact that our ped has used this book too and is proof that it works, makes me really excited!

His picky eating habits didn't concern her too much. He does take a vitamin and drinks a carnation instant breakfast each morning with his breakfast. I mean he obviously isn't falling off the growth charts by any means :). In big eating news, he did start eating yogurt last week. Here is proof:

He still sleeps well, although get ready for this, he has GIVEN UP HIS NAP! That was my break! My alone time with Simms. No more. He is done with it. Dru and I just decided to not push it anymore. Simms gave hers up around this age too, so now we are a happy party of 3 all afternoon. I've had to completely "schedule" our afternoons until Dru gets home. We usually pick Simms up and are home by 12, so we do lunch and just piddle around, then weather permitting {always praying it is} we head outside from 1:30/1:45ish until 3. Then we come in for a snack and some quite time while I do "chores" and yes, our quite time involves TV. I'm OK with that. I do read and play with them then too, it isn't all TV till Dru gets home {most days at least :)} This schedule has really added structure to our afternoons which I'd come to realize, since Cope gave up his nap, was a necessity!

He did nap on the drive home from the doctor, cradling his new train that I got him for being such a big boy. I LOVE this boy. I truly can't explain it. It is such a sweet, special bond that we have. He has my heart.

He came home and enjoyed being the little boy that he's turned into SO quickly!