"You My CuTiE Pie"

It makes you feel so good to have the kids smile at you when they wake up. Many times, they ask me, "Who's gonna' be here when I wake up?" THAT makes me sad, but at least I know that if I can't be here, we have a sitter that loves them like a mother. :) ANYWAY, what I wanted to jot down, is that Cameron snuggled with me lots this morning. I love snuggle time, because my kids are not big snugglers. They are WAY to busy to have time for that. However, Cam was in a snuggle mood and I said, "I love seeing you in the mornings. We can snuggle." He said (and this melts my heart), "I know. You my cutie pie." Needless to say, he got some MAJOR cuddles after that comment.


I also wanted to post that we went to see Frozen on MLK day. I LOVED, LOVED it. I think that it may be one of my favorite Disney movies....and it takes A LOT to replace Tangledl for me. The kids loved it just as much, and we made it through the entire thing. I had Ziploc bags on hand with candy and to fill with popcorn. It was so nice, although I got countless stares from people....never ceases to amaze me how many stares I get....and I'm like, "Yeah. Don't ask. They are ALL mine....and aren't you jealous?!" LOL.


Since seeing Frozen, the kids like to pretend that they ARE the characters OR that they know them. They also beg me to sing the songs from the movie...but I prefer to watch them on YouTube...you have not heard me sing.  The other night, Cam announced, "I have a gulfriend." I was a little surprised so I asked who it was. He matter-of-factly said, "Ana." That's one of the characters. So funny.


This week is expected to be another cold one...with possible snow (so I hear). I really don't want to make up anymore days at school, but I would love for these kiddos to see some snow. THEN, we can really make a snowman...not just sing about it. ;)

It's Their Birfday!

I can't believe my babies are FOUR!!! As slow as some days have been (particularly the days that were spent pacing the floor and bouncing), the years have seemed to fly by. WOW. My babies are not babies anymore.

On to the big day...

I decided to take Faith and Cam's birthday off from work. Last year, I didn't, and I REALLY hated myself for it. So, I got to take them to school, bring cupcakes, AND meet Cody for lunch at the all favorite Chick-fil-a. Faith and Cameron were SO excited and happy. Poor Mallory. She didn't quite understand why Faith and Cameron both had birthdays when she didn't.  So, she had to get a small gift, too. Bless her heart. The day ended with spaghetti for dinner.  IF they HAD to choose, spaghetti would probably be their most favorite dinner...but none of them are big eaters....unless you are offering cake and cookies.

Faith and Cameron tearing into gifts before school. Cam got a Ninja Turtles game, REAL pressure washer (haha), and a watch. Faith received Rapunzel dolls, My Little Ponies, and a watch.

Mallory with her watch. :)

 



Thinking back four years ago, I can recall sitting in the hospital with a big smile thinking, "Who wants one baby when you can have TWO?!" Although there have been trying times (times when I didn't know what TO DO with TWO), we've never lost that perspective. How blessed we have been and how full our hearts have become!!!  Although I am saddened that I can now only see glimpses of the babies that they once were, I am overjoyed to foresee the beautiful individuals that I am sure that they will become.

Faith and Cameron, I have always thought of you as my miracle babies...simply amazing...and amaze us you continue to do. You two are full of life, full of joy, and glorious surprises.  Mommy and Daddy love you to the moon and back.

***We followed the kiddos birthday with a family bday party the following weekend! Faith and Cam chose separate cakes this year: Rapunzel and Ninja Turtles, so we really didn't have a theme.  It was like Christmas all over again, and I can not imagine any other toy that they could possibly need or get! We are all truly blessed!***

That Charles

Just a few things that I don't want to forget....ever. ;)




I do believe everyone now knows Charles...aka...Cam's best friend...aka....Cam's imaginary best friend. Charles has proven to be a bad influence as Cameron tends to blame any inappropriate behaviors on his bff.  Charles tends to teach Cameron bad language and mischievous acts (hahaha). However, I must give Charles credit when credit is due. He might not be such a bad guy/boy (Charles also has the power to be young one day and a "gwown up" the next) after all.  The kids have taken an interest in growing up and getting married. Faith and Cameron often say that they will grow up and marry each other.  However, one night at dinner, Cameron comes out with, "I'm gonna' marry Charles girlfriend." Hmmm. I go on to tell Cameron that it really doesn't work that way. We don't marry other people's girlfriends. Charles would be mad, of course! Cameron just looked at me, shrugged his shoulders, cocked his head to the side, and said, "Charles will share." That was that.  Now, Charles is a good friend, don't you think?! ;)




Mallory has taken to potty training!!! In all honesty, I was not planning on doing that until summer. SHE initiated the training, however, and I am game! Parents, this is the way to go! Why push your kids to potty train when they are not ready?! Mallory is doing great (for the most part), and I am not begging and pleading. WOOHOO. Go Mallory Jo! I am so proud of her....I will try to forget that moment when she told a teacher friend of mine that she (and I quote), "Did a bolda (boulder) in the potty...two of dem." Thanks, Cody for that terminology.


Faith and Cam's bday is today. I can't believe that they are FOUR!!! I will be posting about that soon!

"Happy Howidays is Oba"

"Happy Howidays is oba." Poor Malllory sounded so disappointed when she told me that the other night. We certainly DID have a great Christmas filled with lots of family and gathering after gathering. We began out Christmas on the 23rd and continued right through Christmas night! We were absolutely exhausted when it's all over and done, but I really wouldn't have it any other way.

So, here are some pictures of our "Happy Howiday":

 

 

 

The kids had their very first program!!! I took that day off because I certainly did not want to miss it!!! I had so much fun taking them to school...so precious. Anyway, Faith, Cam, and Mallory were not the most vocal in the program,  but they went up there, at least moved their mouths, and even did some motions! I was very proud. My mom was able to come, as well, and we celebrated with lunch at Chick-fil-a.

 

 

We did have an Elf on the Shelf. His name was Sam. I am not a fan of making your elf get into mischief. The whole purpose of an Elf on the Shelf is to keep YOUR children out of mischief, so WHY let your elf to all of these CRAZY things?! So normally, Sam just moved each night. Cody made it a little fun, though. He thought it would be super funny to find Sam a girlfriend. So, many mornings, we would find Sam with one of Faith and Mallory's barbies (see above). Leave it to Cody. :)

 

 

We did get a chance to make Christmas cookies! MeMe, Poppy, and Autumn joined us....thank goodness! We made quite the mess.

 

Here's Cam on Christmas morning! He loved his toy guns that Santa brought him. He got hunting stuff, trucks and trailers, and Ninja turtles, of course!

There's Mallory! She liked these little princesses that are in front of her. She also got a puppet theatre (she LOVES puppets), Sophia toys, and loads of Disney princess stuff.

 

Faith is checking out the bike! All of the kids got bikes, as well. Faith also received her Rapunzel dress and wig, Disney princess toys, and art supplies. Actually, the girls got very similar things, and Santa placed their stuff together so that they could just pick and choose which was theirs. :) It worked out nicely.

 



So, we were beyond blessed at Christmas...and we are each day. 

Charles Strikes Again

How do you forbid a child from playing with his friend???....ESPECIALLY if the friend is IMAGINARY???!!!

Okay, so it's not THAT serious, but this Charles character is a bad influence on my Cameron. I do believe that I have mentioned Charles before. Any time that Cameron says or does something inappropriate, he often blames it on Charles. This is how a conversation went yesterday in the car:

Cameron: Dad, stop being a lunatic!
Me: Did he just say LUNATIC?! Cody: Yep.
Me: What do you know about the word lunatic?!
Cameron: Charles say it. I went to his house one day, and he called his mom a lunatic.

Yep. Interesting, huh? I thought it was a bit funny, too.

Faith, is quite a character herself...always has been...that's nothing new. This morning, I threatened to eat all of the Krispy Kreme donuts and not give her any. She looked at me like I was crazy, and said, "Well, you'd get a belly ache."

Mallory, is simply growing up. She is outgrowing some of her belly issues, and she is much more content. She is talking non-stop, but what I love the most is her constant telling us, "I lub you."

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas!!!

We are counting down the days until Christmas break in the Patrick house....well....maybe it is just me, but we had a great time during Thanksgiving and it has only left me longing for MORE!

Christmas decorating came a little early this year...even earlier than the last. We bought a new tree for the living room and placed our old one in the playroom for the kids. Faith, Cameron, and Mallory loved helping with the first one, but they were WAY over it on the second go 'round! I love Christmas decorations. If I had plenty of time and/or money, I would likely go a little CRAZY. :)

Thanksgiving break was nice and needed. We slept in, hung out in pajamas, and stayed in bed and watched the morning cartoons...my favorite was Princess Sophia. We also made a trip to Chuck E Cheese! The kids were troopers on our LONG Thanksgiving day and they had a special treat with an entire day with daddy while I shopped like mad on Friday....and by the way, I am almost COMPLETELY finished with my Christmas shopping.

So, Christmas is coming, and those Christmas cards need to be sent out. I contemplated not sending any...but I know how much I enjoy receiving...so I quickly pushed that thought out of my mind. I love my children and their funny personalities, but, when it comes to getting all three of them in a decent picture, I would rather take a spanking...or better yet give them one. Here we go....I took at least one hundred. Picture taking with these three really brings out the Grinch in me..........

Starting off sitting....Faith was the only one that consistently took this adventure seriously.

 



Mallory became the leader...she thought it to be really cute to stand if I said sit....Cam's loving it, can't you tell?

 

Decent...

Moving to the porch....and silly again.

 

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Stay tuned for your card in the mail....I finally got a good one. :)



Imaginary BFFs

I must do a little bragging on my children. We decided not to go to the truck pull over the weekend. It was cold and the kids had coughs and runny noses. So, it was just us for most of the weekend. They were wonderful. Little angels. We stayed overnight with my mom and dad on Friday. They thought that was a treat! Saturday, we (just me and the kids) headed to WalMart to fill their shoe boxes that they are doing for school (you know the boxes that are sent to underprivileged children for Christmas).  I thought that it would be a good idea to let them help with it, but I was also hesitant and fearful that they would pitch a tantrum when they realized that they wouldn't be getting ANYTHING! I had no reason to worry, however...these kids were awesome. They walked the entire time and were great at picking things out. They never once asked to keep the stuff that we purchased. SO. VERY. SWEET.

Now, on to the funny story...

I do believe that I have mentioned my children's imaginary friends before. I think that it is so cute...and interesting. Having constant playmates with each other, I really wouldn't have dreamed that they would need imaginary ones. Nonetheless, they do....and their names are HILARIOUS. I was reminded to write about this because they were talking about their little friends tonight. Cody asked Cameron if he had spoken to Charles today. Just a week or so ago, Cameron had revealed that Charles had quite the potty mouth. Since then, if he says something that he should not, Cam continues to blame it on Charles. "Well, Charles say it." It is too funny. Since Charles seems to be a bad influence, I was relieved to hear that Cameron had not spoken to 'ole Charles today. Mallory, on the other hand, shouts, "I talk to Puddintain Daddy!" Yes...Puddintain.  She goes on to say,"Puddintain say bad word at school, Daddy." The kids didn't even go to school today. She was very convincing, though. Mallory kept saying it over and over.  Faith later said that her friend, AK, was badly hurt in an accident and she was teaching her how to write again. I think that this comes from our nightly prayers for Tripp Halstead, the little boy who suffered brain injuries from a falling tree.

My children....love, love, love!