Indian Princess Camping Trip

Tony and Regan spent the weekend in Arapohoe, NC at an Indian Princess camping trip. All the tribes from Raleigh/Durham NC attended. They had a BLAST. Regan did not want to come home. When they did arrive home Regan was instructed to say, "Daddy is the Man and he took good care of me!" :) But, being her shy self she just giggled and told Daddy to tell me. It was pretty funny hearing Tony tell me, "He was the man!" Although I do agree!!!! He is a good man taking his little girl on a weekend long camping trip. What a neat experience!!! I remember my Indian Princess days with my daddy and they were so special and now it is neat to see Regan having those same neat experiences. By the way Dad, I found my Indian Princess nametag the other day in a closet and my Indian name was "Walking Turtle." Tony and Regan got a big kick out of that and Tony said, "how appropriate for a cross-country runner to have the name Walking Turtle." :) What were we thinking Dad?? :)

They had a very busy weekend. They arrived Friday night and had an ice cream social. They did not get to bed Friday night until 11:30 pm. Saturday, they went canoeing, BB gun shooting, went on a ferry boat ride, digging for shark teeth (I think their total count was 69), swimming in the lake and playing on a waterslide, big bonfire followed by fireworks, and finally in bed around 10:00 pm. Whew....it was a busy day. Then, Sunday they had a devotion after breakfast and then went canoeing and BB gun shooting again and left around 11:30 to come home.

It was such a neat experience for both of them. They are already talking about their camping trip for next year. I asked Regan what her favorite part of the weekend was and she said, "EVERYTHING!" That pretty much sums it up. Tony was able to take some photos but not a lot because he was too busy having fun! He said a lot of dads were taking pictures so we hope to obtain some from them and then we can post some of Tony and Regan.

The cabin where they slept. Their whole tribe (8 dads and 8 daughters) was in this cabin.

This is a view from the outside of the cabin. The windows were screened so Tony said it got a little chilly and you could hear all the outdoor sounds. They loved this aspect feeling like they were outdoors but having a nice bed instead of a cold, hard ground. This is the view from their cabinThis is the big field outside their cabin where they could play ball or other games. They did play a little soccer, jump roping and some basketball.Regan sporting her "Daddy's Little Princess" shirt.Regan on the ferry boat rideDaddy and Regan canoeing.

Reece's 3 yr. old well check...

Reece had her 3 yr. old well check this past week. She has grown and is now in the 50% for weight and height. She used to be in the 20% for these categories. So, many of you have been saying she looks older and bigger and she is indeed!

Reece was an absolute hoot at the appointment - imagine that!!?? ;) They TRIED to do the eye chart with her but that was hilarious. The nurse and I had a hard time keeping a straight face. The nurse told Reece to cover her eye with the eye cover and that was funny. She kept peeking out and using both eyes. I finally had to stand there and help her hold it so she did not cheat. Then, she was playing with us. The nurse would ask her to read the top line of shapes and she went right across and said them all. So, we knew she knew her shapes. Then, the next line she could not get them without a lot of prompting. So, we were wondering if she could see them. But, then the next smaller line she would get them all again. She was being so sporadic and we think she was just playing. When she would not answer she would just stand there smiling at the nurse. So, the nurse finally just gave up and said "I think her eyes are fine but we will just try again next year." When the doctor reviewed the chart and saw the eye test results she said out loud, "vision normal, question mark, Miss Reece TRIED." So, that is what they had to put on Reece's preschool health form. :) Anyway, the rest of the appointment went fine. Reece was very good at answering questions and cooperating for the doctor. She was very happy to find out she did not need any shots because she was up-to-date on all of them. The doctor did detect some wheezing upon blowing out air so we are still suspecting she has mild asthma like Regan. :( She will be going back to the ENT for a follow up in June and we will see if they think she needs her adenoids out. Reece's pediatrician is still thinking that would be a good thing to have done.

When we got home I told Tony about the eye test. So, he tried to test her eyes himself. He stood far away and held up objects and asked her what they were. She got them all right. Then, he held up some fingers and did it. Then, I tried from even further away. I started with two fingers and she got that right and then I held up 5 fingers and I said, "Reece how many am I holding up now?" She responded by saying, "A LOT!!!" We just fell out laughing. Such a comedian. So, here is hoping she has her daddy's eyes and not mine!!!!

Funny comment by Riley...

Yesterday, we took the girls to Barnes and Noble because Coach K was there doing a book signing of his new book. We were hoping to get Riley's cast signed but the rules said, "only books" so we did not want to teach the kids to bend the rules. ;) We had a great time and Coach K was super nice. He shook all our hands and asked our names. He told us he has 3 girls too and we got to meet his youngest b/c she was also there signing the book b/c she co-authored it with him. Anyway, on the way home we were talking about how cool it was to meet the Duke B-ball coach and coach of the Olympic Basketball team. Then, I said, "Riley you have met a lot of "big name" people and started listing them...Coach K, Truett Cathy, Durham Bulls Pitching Coach..." and then Riley said, "yea, and the Dentist that came to my preschool!" I got a good chuckle out of that one. I said, "yea, I suppose he could be famous. " ;) Kid's say the funniest things!

A Very Special Day for Riley...

Riley is on Spring Break this week and her Daddy wanted to do something special with her. So, he took her to a minor league baseball game this afternoon at the Durham Bull's Ballpark. They happened to be playing our hometown city's ball team today, the Gwinnett Braves. And the Bull's Won!!!!! Sorry Papa Doug. :) It was an exciting game and went into 4 extra innings. I asked Riley what she liked best about the game and she said the activities they do between innings. ;) She liked watching Wool E. Bull (the mascot) ride around the field in a gocart. Daddy and Riley had great seats (front row right behind the Bull's bullpen). Riley even got her cast signed by the Durham Bulls pitching coach. She was going to get Wool E. Bull to sign her cast but got scared and decided not to. They had a great time but unfortunately did not get any pictures other than a photo of a monster truck that was on display at the ballpark - that Riley thought was REALLY COOL! :)

The special day did not end there....Riley and I had a deep conversation tonight about being saved. She has been asking a ton of questions for quite a while (since Feb.) and she said tonight that she was ready to ask Jesus to be her Savior. So, we prayed together tonight and she accepted Christ as her Savior! We are very excited about how God is working in her life and we look forward to watching her grow in her relationship with Christ.

A Must Know For All Parents...

My friend brought to my attention a wonderful website to create online chore charts for kids. It is FREE and incredibly EASY. My girls sat with me and we customized a chart for each of them. They get to pick out their own chart theme, stickers for the chart, rewards, point system, etc. and then they can go and update their stickers as they perform chores. My kids are addicted after one day and so am I. Yesterday, they spent all afternoon cleaning, helping me, being on their best behavior and looking around for ways to earn more stickers. My house was peaceful, clean, and happy yesterday. I am just praying this momentum continues. I love that the chart not only has chores but behaviors (such as listening, sharing, no tantrums, respecting, good manners, no whining, etc.)

I recommend this site to all parents. It only takes a few minutes to set up and then it is easy for the kids to learn how to get on the site and add their stickers. My kids are already pros at it after one day. I LOVE IT!!!! Thanks Heather for sharing this site with me.

www.goalforit.com

Can't use figurative language with Reece...

Reece is our literal child. If we ever call her a nickname like "cutie, pumpkin, Reece's cup, etc." she responds with "I am not a pumpkin, I AM REECE!" It really gets her frustrated.

I learned my lesson again last night when I tried to talk figuratively to her. We were leaving Regan's swim lessons and it was cold outside. I told Reece "you need to put your coat on or you will freeze your tail off." She replied, "but Mommy I don't have a tail!" :) I had to chuckle at that one. So, needless to say, she did not put her coat on.

Easter Sunday...

We hope everyone is having a joyous Easter celebrating the Risen Christ! We have had a wonderful weekend.

The other night Tony was talking to the girls about Easter and especially to Riley since she has had a lot of questions lately. Regan kept answering the questions before Riley had a chance. Tony told Regan to give Riley a chance to answer first and then Tony asked Riley, "What do we celebrate at Easter?" And before Riley could open her mouth Reece blurted out "Resurrection!" Tony was amazed she knew a word that is almost as big as her. We can thank Miss Pattycake for Reece understanding the word Resurrection! :) For those of you who do not know who Miss Pattycake is, she has an Easter DVD that goes along with the FamilyLife Resurrection Eggs and they are great tools in teaching your little lambs about Christ.

Happy Easter to everyone!!! Christ is Risen, Alleluia!

Regan loved the fact that her new Easter Dress came with a matching doll dress. Riley is posing with her beloved dog, Rosebud, that she got from Drew after hurting her arm.Riley and her friend, Drew, in Sunday School today making their Easter Frame.

Dyeing Easter Eggs...

The girls enjoyed dyeing Easter Eggs yesterday. They turned out very pretty and yummy!
The finished product!

Riley goes HOT PINK!!!

Riley got her permanent cast today. She chose HOT PINK! They took more x-rays today and the doctor is thinking Riley will only need to wear the cast for 4 weeks. We will go back May 5th and the cast will be removed and they will do more x-rays. Sounds like it should heal quickly and hopefully she won't need the cast back on after May 5th. The doctor said she may have to go into a brace for a few more weeks but sounds like it would be something removeable. YAY

Skating and Slumbering...

Yipee, Regan is eight

Isn't that great?

So, let's celebrate

and go Ice Skate

and stay up late!

Regan had a wonderful time celebrating her 8th birthday with her two best friends, Hannah Doucet and Hannah Stepp. Both of them have been dear friends all her life and it was neat for her to celebrate with them. They were all so cute together. We ordered pizza, ate cake, decorated pillow cases, went ice skating and then they had a slumber party with the whole package - popcorn, movie, sleeping bags, giggling, staying up late, and pancake breakfast in the morning. This was Regan's 1st "official" slumber party and she was SO excited! The ice skating was a great hit. Neither Hannah D. nor Hannah S. had been ice skating before and Regan had only been once before. They all did really well and had lots of fun. Tony and I had a blast too. Happy 8th Birthday, Regan!!!

Decorating Pillow Cases
Full of giggles at dinnertime.
Regan thanking Hannah S. for her books
Hannah D. gave Regan this photo board. It had a bunch of pictures with them growing up. It was neat because one of the photos had Regan, Hannah D. and Hannah S. in it when they were 4 years old. It was actually taken at Regan's 4 yr. old birthday party.

Poor Riley...

Riley did not have a good ending to the day yesterday. Riley and one of her friends were spinning around in our office chair yesterday and Riley fell out and hurt her arm. I saw the fall but it happened so quickly I could not remember if she hit her arm on the desk as she fell or how exactly she landed on it. Anyway, it did not look like that bad of a fall so we put ice on it and off we went out to dinner and ice cream to celebrate Regan's birthday. Riley was nursing her arm all through dinner but we just kept telling her she was going to be Ok. We did not believe that it was really that hurt. But, after ice cream - seeing that even dessert did not perk her up - we figured Tony better take her to Triangle Orthopedic's Urgent Care. Sure enough she fractured her right arm. :( Boy, did I feel like a horrible mom telling her it was Ok and she needed to perk up for her sister's b-day. Riley has a temporary cast on right now b/c of the swelling and we will go back Tuesday for the permanent cast. She will have to wear it for 6-8 weeks. So, she can't do gymnastics or swim lessons for that long. :( She is really bummed that she will miss her gymnastics recital that they have been practicing for all winter long. So, we all learned a lesson yesterday. My heart goes out to her!

Happy 8th Birthday Regan!!!

Today we celebrated Regan's 8th Birthday. Regan, we are so proud of you and are blessed to have you as our daughter. We love your sweet spirit, your beautiful smile, your kindness toward others, your passion to learn, your faith in Christ and your desire to know Christ better. We pray that you will always have your strong faith in God and will continue to grow in your relationship with him. We look back over the last 8 years and smile. You bring us great joy and make us so proud. It seems like just yesterday we were holding you as a baby in the hospital. Time sure goes quickly!

We had an eventful day. Since Regan had school today we spread out the celebrating. This morning we had cake and cereal for breakfast and Regan opened her presents. Then, at school we sent cupcakes and Regan had more cake at lunch. Then, tonight we went to Panera Bread for Dinner (one of Regan's favorites) and then to Cold Stone Creamery for dessert. Aunt Abby, Uncle Joe and cousin Lizzie joined us for dinner. And unfortunately we ended the night with Daddy and Riley going to the Orthopedic Urgent Care because Riley fractured her right arm. (we will save that for another post). We came home and Regan opened a few more presents that came in the mail today. Regan is really looking forward to her party on Friday. She has invited her two best friends (Hannah D. and Hannah S.) over for a sleepover and we are taking them ice skating.

Regan was excited about receiving a book light so she can read in bed.
Books - imagine that!!! Regan got a perfect shirt from her Aunt Kim, Uncle Jeff, and cousins - it says, "I love to read."Regan's sisters got her a pet shop birthday toy. They all love to play pet shop together.Tackle hug from RileyDinner at Panera BreadPoor Riley she was being a trooper at dinner - her arm really hurt.Regan eating her Cold Stone Creamery Creation - Chocolate Icecream with gummy bears!

Regan enjoyed having Uncle Joe, Aunt Abby and Cousin Lizzie with us for dinner.

There Was A Little Girl Who Swallowed A Tooth...

Riley is keeping the Toothfairy very busy this week. On Monday night, mommy pulled Riley's upper, front tooth b/c it was extremely loose. Then, last night at dinnertime Riley lost another tooth (literally). I was at work and I got a phone call from Tony asking, "Is Riley supposed to have all her teeth on the bottom?" I replied, "Yes, but one is very loose, why??" Tony's answer was, "Well, it is not there anymore and we can't find it. We are pretty sure she swallowed it."

The Toothfairy forgot to come last night (probably b/c there was no tooth in the box). So, Riley wrote the Toothfairy a note this morning saying, "I swallowed my tooth last night but will you please still come?" :)

She has another tooth that is pretty lose and will probably come out soon!