We've Got Personality!

My little ones are so very unique. Nolan is what I would call very affectionate and caring and also very intelligent as well (not that my other one's aren't smart too!). This little guy has me give him a back massage, back scratch, belly rub, and eyebrow rub each night before bedtime. He loves the touch sensation, and is always eager to give lots of hugs and kisses. Maybe he is this way because I always wanted to hold him nonstop as a baby, since I was still freshly mourning the loss of my mother....this little guy helped me through the worst pain in my life...he's my little angel, and doesn't even know it!

There's no need to mention, at this point, that the kid is obsessed with laundry. Our new neighbor borrowed Matt last night to help hook up her washer and dryer. An excited Nolan got to accompany his daddy for this event. To my surprise, though, he ended up telling me more about playing Wii with our neighbor than the details of her washer and dryer!

Then, there's my precious little girl. Natalie isn't exactly what I would consider a typical girl....which may sprout from being surrounded by boys! She's as rough as they come, and tough as a pine knot! She's the most independent, strong-willed, and determined little girl I have ever been around. She has recently started playing some Dora games on the computer, and within a few days, she no longer needs any assistance....in fact, she becomes agitated if I do try to help her. She still has quite a temper, but is much better controlled than before. She loves to give love as well, but only on her terms! She's become a Mommy's girl here of late, and nothing could make me happier....

Natalie's food allergies are gone....enough so that the doctor felt there was no reason to test her for food allergies at this time, since she has no adverse affects from any type of food now. However, I did tell the doctor about her sneezing fits and that I suspected seasonal allergies....so she was tested for that, and of course she's got them! Some trees, grasses, cats and dogs.....her worst time of year will be the spring, so if the medicine the doctor prescribed doesn't do the trick, we'll have to try some nasal sprays or possibly some shots down the line.

Finally, my little man Nathan....who is as "boy" as they come. He loves trucks and balls and is as awnry as they get! I can't seem to get upset at the little guy no matter what he does because he is SO sweet. He holds his little lips pursed together and grins, walks with his hands behind his back, and is always looking to find something to get into. He is also my little charmer with the females. Anytime we're out (especially restaurants) he's looking for a lady to woo. Last week when we ate out, we were seated beside a table of two young women who were noticeably on a date with each other. Nathan tried his best to win them over, but was unable to do so! Luckily, a little later, a mother and her two girls came to another table close by, and he was able to ham it up with them really well.

One final note on Nathan....which he will love when he's older (yea right).....he normally has a dirty diaper after he wakes from his morning nap. Yesterday was no different. As soon as I walked in the room, I knew he had pooped. When I got a little closer to him, I noticed something on his face.....it was poop! He had taken off his diaper and pooped in the bed. He apparently played in the stuff because he was covered from his head to his toes...and of course it was all over his hands, and he was still sucking his thumb....GROSS! I got him all cleaned up and have decided to never put him to bed again with no pants over his diaper!

Midday Matinee

Matt played 36 holes of golf yesterday, so it was up to me to entertain the kids all day! We decided to have a movie day. We watched "Cars" and I fixed the kids some popcorn, set up their "special seating", and had them pretend to pay me for various things. My name was "Moviena" and I was the movie attendant. Nolan really loved it, and called me Moviena for the rest of the day. Even when the kids had dirty diapers, Nolan asked me how much money it cost to have a diaper changed....and he paid me to change Nathan's diaper, cause he didn't want to sit with him with dirty pants. Nolan even pretended he was at the movies, cause he asked me if we had a bathroom, and I had to show him where it was! It was really cute....I love playing pretend more than anything, because it stretches their imaginations so far.

Ready for the show to start.

Just a cute pic of Nathan that Nolan took. Check out his new big boy haircut :)

Nathan eating a S'more a couple weeks ago! What a mess...and a cute little boy who was proud of it!

VBS and Birthday Party!

A few weeks ago, we sent Nolan to Vacation Bible School at one of our neighbor's churches. He went last year as well, but this time he had a friend with him....or should I say he had his "girlfriend" with him. He had a great time. The kids got "money" for attending each night, bringing a bible, reciting their verses, and answering questions. At the end of the week, the kids got to spend their money on various toys. Nolan had racked up by the end of the week, and had lots of goodies to show for it. I was even shocked on Friday when the shopping was over, and he was showing me all of his stuff. He got a yo-yo, frisbee, baton, etch-a-sketch, slinky, football, and he even knocked me off my feet when he revealed that he had purchased a mirror and some stickers for Natalie!!! I asked my neighbor, who was in charge of the gift table, if she had coaxed him into getting something for Natalie, but she didn't....he did this on his own free will!!! Nothing makes this momma happier than when my kids are super sweet to each other!

This 4th of July weekend, we were pretty busy as well. The 4th was pretty much a wash with all the rain we had, but luckily in the evening it had cleared up enough for Matt and our neighbor Matt to pull out their fireworks. Matt had taken Nolan to see Kung Fu Panda earlier in the evening, so I think all in all, Nolan had a good day....seeing his first movie at the theater and then getting to watch some fireworks in the street. I decided that night to take Nolan downtown to see the actual fireworks show, but it began to rain and Nolan wasn't too interested in these fireworks since we were so far away....so we only lasted about 5 minutes before we headed back home.

Saturday was Morghan's birthday at the neighborhood park. We had a cookout and cake, and the kids got to play on the playground so it was a great day for them as well. The weather was cooperative that day, and thank goodness, cause Nolan had been looking forward to her party for about 2 weeks!

On Sunday, we had been invited to 2 different outdoor events....one being a family reunion on my dad's mother's side, and the other being a cookout at one of Matt's good friends' house. Since my sister was in town, I couldn't miss the opportunity to see her....so Matt and I split up for the day. I took Nolan and Natalie to Spencer for the reunion, and Matt took Nathan to the cookout. I think it was good for Matt and Nathan to have some one-on-one time since it is very rare to have that opportunity. He said Nathan was great as usual, but had a little issue with a little 2 year old girl who only found pleasure in shoving him to the ground. But all things said, they still had fun. As for me and the other two, we had a blast. The reunion was held a park across the street from my dad's house. Nolan and Natalie had so much fun playing at the playground and totally wore themselves out. Back at Dad and Shirley's house the kids got to play with 3 little kittens that Shirley had just acquired from a stray momma cat. They each had to hold all 3 kittens, and Natalie actually picked out one that she called her own....poor little kitten got dropped twice cause Natalie didn't fully understand "placing" the cat down on the ground. We headed for home at around 7 o'clock and got home a little after 9pm. The kids, of course, slept for the entire ride home, and were deliriously tired when I pulled in the garage and told them it was time to go in the house. They both began crying from exhaustion and wanting nothing more than to climb into bed and finish their sleeping.

I'll be getting a little break mid-week, as Matt has to go to Charleston again for a meeting, and he'll be taking Nolan and Natalie to spend the night with Mom-o and Pops. So I'm kind of letting the house go for a few more days until I have a good opportunity for some heavy duty cleaning with less interruption! I'm even considering taking Nathan to the pool as long as we can get a day without rain...which has been nearly impossible so far this summer!

P.S. - Sorry for the lack of pictures....I can't stress how horrible I am at thinking to take lots of pictures!!! I'll try to do better next time. :)