A boy and his cars

Caden has an obsession with cars, race cars specifically, he loves playing for hours with his cars.  A few weeks ago when I came downstairs one morning I noticed that he had lined up his cars the night before when he was done playing.  I knew he did this quite often but I had never stopped to check out what formation they were in or notice if the formation changes each day.  So over the last couple of weeks I have snapped photos of his cars and how they are "put to bed" each night. 


March 30th

March 31st



April 3rd



April 13th  - the garage is now in play



April 18th - the CRASH!


I cannot tell you how much I love this kid and his passion for cars!  I LOVE that he can come up with a new formation everyday, I love that no two are ever alike, I love that he picks only certain cars to include in his play.  I just smile every morning and keep taking these photos!  He truly could sit and play with his cars for hours, he is very protective of them. Should he need to leave the room he will place his blanket or a pillow over the cars so that Cale cannot get to them.  No he does not share with his little brother too well with these, however, we have plenty other cars for Cale to use - and copy his big brother he does.  The boys may not look alike nor act a lot alike but they have similar personalities when it comes to cars and LOVE to line up their cars for the big race!

One day Cale was lucky enough to get to Caden's cars and here is what I found after he had walked away - just a little scary that a 22 month old would think like this too!


Cale's version! April 9th

Caden Joe - mommy loves you and your passion - don't ever lose it! 

I cannot wait to continue to watch it grow along with you! 

You continue to amaze me everyday with what you remember and what you know. 

I love you buddy!

She has renewed my faith

Saturday morning, Maggie and I were lucky enough to sit with Miss Natalie as she made her First Communion, and I could not be happier that we had that opportunity nor could I be more proud of that beautiful little girl.  She has reminded me of my faith, renewed that faith and the excitement that can come out of being close to God. 

I am a believer, yes I am a Catholic, I was born and raised a Catholic, I am privileged to say that I have two great aunts who served as nuns, my children are baptized, I love my church and the message we receive there but attending church and being close to my faith is not something that has been a priority for me.  We at times attend church with the fabulous McCool ladies, which I love but it really has not been a priority for me.  I pray a lot, I believe that Jesus died for us and cannot imagine what that feeling was like, I believe the Jesus loves his children unconditionally, I know that many times throughout my life my prayers have been answered, and I know that there is always a plan for me and what comes my way, whether I understand it at that moment or not.  I cannot say that it is always this way, there are times when I question things but don't we all?   I am excited that Maggie has begun to ask about her rosary and what church is and why we go.  I have at times lost the focus of my faith but right now after a moment of watching Natalie as she prepared for her First Communion, I am excited for what it is to come for not only myself but my children, my nieces and my nephews as they learn the love of Jesus.   

Here is the moment when it hit me and I got it, we are sitting in the pew, Natalie is next to her mom and she looks at her mom with a big smile on her face and says, "it is almost time," she was so excited at this point that I could feel what the day was all about for her and her classmates.  It was truly an amazing moment.

Thank you Miss Natalie, your sweet little face gave me the little reminder I needed about my faith and why I believe what I do.  Keep those reminders coming my little friend as we adults need kids to remind us what life is really about!

We love you, we are proud of you and could not be more excited for you!! 

P.S. Your perm looks great and you looked beautiful on Saturday, as you always do!



She is our pageant Princess!

Miss Maggie is headed to her very first (and quite possibly her last) pageant in June, she is very excited and really cannot wait.

She wants at least 8 dresses, I think we will find just 1!  She is practicing her pretty feet and soon we will begin to practice her introduction of her name, where she is from and her ambition in life, yes she has to give her ambition in life.  She is 4 but I know two things about Maggie, she cannot wait to be 5 - so she can ride the school bus and she wants to be a cowgirl.  A little practice, not a lot of pressure, and lots of fun.  That is what we are looking for during this adventure.  No I am not a pageant mom, she wants to do this, she thinks it is a show.  Maggie is not allowed to wear make up and there is no swimsuit competition.  This is about self confidence, learning to look people in the eye when speaking to them and did I mention fun!  She will be competing in the Princess division for 4-6 year olds and I have no doubt she will be the littlest, but she is mighty!

She is excited and so are we, we will support her through this adventure and see where it takes us.  I am working to explain that there is only one queen and that not everyone can win, we will see where that also take us. 

In the meantime, her are her photos from the shoot at pageant prep. 

Maggie Lynne, you are growing up way to fast and really just amaze your momma when you strike your pose!



Hooray, Hooray for a New Baby!

Now that I have your attention, NO I AM NOT PREGNANT AGAIN, but I do have the joy of gaining a new niece or nephew in less than 5 months! 

I am so excited for my sister, Erica; brother in law, John and nephew, Maddox that they will be adding to their family.  That means another little one for the kids to run around with, a new little one to snuggle, another one to spoil, more giggles, more Skype chats and just more of everything!

Caden thinks it will be a boy, Maggie believes it will be a girl - when they argue they say then have both!  Can you blame them as they are used to their momma having one of each?

We are all very excited, I have been holding onto my favorite clothes from Maggie and Mallory and secretly would love a girl to pass along these beautiful dresses I am holding plus we would be balanced in grand kids of 4 girls, 4 boys then but as long as the baby is healthy we will all be happy!

Hang on Memaw Donna and Papaw Chris - this is grand kid #8 and we still have Kelsey to marry off and start a family.  I LOVE the connection of cousins and having lots of little ones around.  They all love running around, playing and get along so I say the more the merrier.

To Ricki and John - welcome to the mini van club.  Although you picked Purdue colors for your new van you deserve the new ride and will enjoy having the room!

To my little buddy Maddox, I know you will be an awesome Big Brother, just watching you care for Mallory and Cale, the hugs, the concern, the love, the giggles, it will all be there - now sharing toys, that may take some time but I have no doubt you will.  You two will be making life fun for all of that I am sure!

Congrats to you all and I cannot wait to meet my new niece or nephew!

Daddy and Daughter Dance week!

This posting was to happen WAY back in February - this event took place around Valentine's day - if that doesn't tell you how busy life has been for us over the last two months then nothing well!

A few times throughout the dance year they have special classes, one of those classes is bring daddy to dance week.  It is exactly how it sounds, daddies come along with their daughter and dance with them. They stretch, learn some of the dance steps, participate in group dance and get a special performance.  It really is fun to watch and something that I am glad Matthew was able to participate in once again this year.

He may kill me for this post but here are a few photos from that day at dance class!



Maggie and Matthew are in the middle, here is her entire class!



Sometimes Mommies fill in and little sibling join as well but what I really love it that the parents get a feel for what the girls do each week during class.  Maggie is very excited when this week rolls around as she gets daddy for the evening as her date and it is usually followed by her favorite dinner, Skyline! 

Maggie is preparing for her recital which is coming in June and cannot wait to perform TWO numbers, one ballet and one tap.  She is a big girl this year and yes gets to perform twice.  I am sure this momma will cry.  Maggie leans toward enjoying ballet more than tap but she is doing well at both and is just super excited that their costumes have rainbows on them.  Who wouldn't be excited to have a rainbow costume when they are four and Love rainbows?

Another year of daddy and daughter dance week has passed, don't worry honey, my turn is coming next month as it is mommy and daughter dance week in May for Mother's Day!   A huge shout out to the staff of MJM Studios - you ladies do a GREAT job with all of the kids there!

Happy (VERY LATE) Daddy and Daughter Dance Week!