18 months

I can't believe my baby boy is already 18 months old! He is growing up way too fast! He brings so much joy to our household! He is already quite the jokester. He loves for you to hide and scare him. He enjoys acting like he is handing you something only to jerk it back as you reach for it. His laugh is contagious!

His favorite things are:

* Lovie

* Climbing on the bar stools

* sippies which he calls "pissies" (we are working on this one)

* the vitamin bottle

* using a screw driver to "fix" things

* broccoli- He stands at the fridge crying for "boccoli"

* cookies which he calls coo-coo

* puppies

* the moon

* reading books. He constantly asking for "another book"

* baths

* being outside

* shoes

* keys

* feeding himself He will go to the silverware drawer, reach over his head and choose a spoon to eat his yogurt with each day.

* balls of any size He loves to toss the little bouncy ones in the house and chase them.

* his sisters- Kinley calls him bubby, which he now refers to himself as. This mortifies Madison because she knows he will not like this nickname in high school.

He is so smart! He knows all about what we are doing. I can give him three step directions and he can follow them closely. He already recognizes several colors and tells you what they are without being coached. What can I say, he is perfect! Just like my other two! And I am not biased! haha

For his "half birthday" we made a cake. Everyone got involved in the process. He loved it! We did not have the ingredients for icing the first night so we ate half the cake plain. Then the next night we ate the other half with icing and sang "Happy Birthday". I think that is the only proper way to celebrate a half birthday, don't you?

As you can see, he knew this was"his cake" and he enjoyed every minute of the process!

This is the good stuff!

Brewing up trouble

Madison and Kinley are both into science experiments right now. They are constantly wanting to hold an "experiment". We've been having fun with science in the kitchen!

Here were two of their favorites this month using vinegar:

Our first experiment was putting an egg in a cup of vinegar and watching the shell dissolve over time. It was really cool to watch.

Our second little investigation involved a little baking soda and vinegar along with a little pink food coloring and glitter for added effect!

They keep begging for a repeat performance on this one. Gotta keep those little curious minds working!

Princess Party

Before the girls went back to school, we invited 10 of their classmates over for a princess party. We each bought a princess kit of Princess Things to Make and Do. We made princess crafts, ate lots of goodies, and had a little devotional about being God's princess. I think the kids favorite part was just playing on our playscape reuniting with their buddies. I am so glad they have been blessed with so many friends.

Here they are working on their craft:

Here are the girls modeling their lovely princess hats.

What sweet little princesses!

Kinley's prayer

Kinley is a child that has a lot of fears. We had to move her out of her crib at 22 months because she was afraid the cookie monster was going to get her. What child do you know is afraid of the Cookie Monster?

One of her greatest fears is fireworks. Since she was a baby, she has hated loud noises. Fireworks terrify the poor child. This New Year's Eve, she sat curled in a ball on Cece and Richie's floor with her ears covered while all the other children screamed for more fireworks.

This morning I was up early having my quiet time in the living room. Kinley asked if she could pray with me. During her sweet prayer, she said" Thank you God for fireworks because I know Maddie really loves them." My heart swelled up with pride at the thoughtfulness of my sweet Kinley. Her love for her sister helped her see past her own fears and be thankful for someone else's joy. I learn so much by just being her mom.

Happy New Year!

This year we had the privilege of spending New Years with some of our best friends in the world! We drove to The Woodlands to hang out with The Ray Family. We just love spending time with them and their girls. A lot has changed since we lived down the road from them three years ago. They have moved twice. We moved to Austin. We have another child. Richie sold the pharmacy. But no matter the time since our last visit, the changes we've made, or the distance between our houses, once we pull in their driveway, we feel right at home. It has if no time has passed. I love friendships like that. They are rare.

We drove in on Tuesday night at got to go on "date night" with Richie and Cece. We went to Kirby's steakhouse. I have been eating too much chic-fil-a and for got how tasty a nice pepper steak taste!! It was fun to catch up with them. Cece and I have so much in common. It is great to be around someone who thinks so much like I do. I know it is scary!

After dinner, we went shopping for fireworks. In true Richie fashion, he just about bought out the firework stand! I know he made that lady's night! Then Cece and I went grocery shopping. It brought back memories of our late night trips to Wal-mart in Montgomery.

Then we stayed up talking and watching "Little House on the Prairie" reruns. See I told you we are alike! The funny part is Rob stayed up too!

The girls were thrilled to take turns sleeping with Rylie, Reagan, and Reese! For New Year's Eve, Rob grilled burgers.The Honeycutts and The Limes came over to play Texas Hold'em and watch fireworks. It was great to see them and catch up with all that is new in their lives.

The firework show was better than most of the ones I have seen whole towns put on! The kids loved it! All except Kinley! She stayed inside through the show. After the fireworks, the kids watched a movie in the theater room. Their theater room has a movie screen bigger than the one in the Crockett movie theater! Honest! The kids thought this was extra cool!

The next day, we all went swimming in the heated pool. So much fun!

Here are the boys playing with the kiddos in the pool.

Sweet Little Rylie and Kinley

Our little Dynamic Duo- Reagan and Kinley

Maddie and Resse taking it easy.

Later on that day, the kids roasted marshmallows in the fire pit in their backyard.

My kids LOVE campfires!

Cade enjoyed helping daddy get the fire ready.

It was a great visit, a wonderful way to bring in the New Year. Who knows what 2009 may bring. It is always exciting to start a new venture. But whatever changes it may bring, it is so encouraging to know that some things never change.

Having good friends like the Rays is a good reminder of that for me.