Mother's Day Program 2010

Today was a great day! Cooper was the cutest COW ever at the THA Mother's Day Program. He made the best gifts ever too - his handprint in clay, a picture of him in overalls, and a flower he made for me all by himself. I have the sweetest little boy. He makes me so happy.

Cooper is my special little man - my sweet, loveable, little snuggle bug. When I was pregnant and I found out I was having a boy - I was terrified....being a mommy to a little girl was a breeze, but what would I do with a boy? Man, after 4 1/2 years with Coop - I am beyond BLESSED to be his mommy. Thank God for giving me my little man - and thanks to THA for their Mom's Day program, it was a great treat!

Quirks

What's that old saying? Kids say the darnest things? Well, it's definitely true!

Me: What do you want to eat for supper Cooper?

Cooper: Hamburger!

Me: Ok, what do you want on that hamburger?

Cooper: Can I get cheese on it?

Me: Sure, that makes it a cheeseburger.

Cooper: Yay! I want a hamburger with cheese!

How funny is that? Cooper always makes me smile and laugh with all the silly things he can come up with. He has the sweetest little smile and those big blue eyes that just make you melt!

Bend it Like Who?

I'm not sure if my two are cut out for soccer.

1. Neither like playing the Back position.

2. Neither like playing when it's hot.

3. Both are more concerned about the snacks AFTER the game than the actual game.

Here's O getting into the game.....finally!

Cooper is super fast and can outrun most of the kids to the ball....his only problem? He's easily distracted....by birds, by the dirt on the field, by someone yelling "Go Cooper!", etc. :)

I do think the kids are enjoying soccer though! It is their first year so I'm not worried about them going pro just yet.

Hard Headed but not Hard Hearted

You would think that after seven years and two kids - I might have a CLUE as to how this "parenting" job works. But I don't. Just when I think I'm doing an absolutely FANTASTIC job, I go and blow it.

This morning was chaotic - we had soccer pictures for both kids and then games for each one. We were at the soccer field for FOUR hours folks. If that's not dedication, I don't know what is.....oh, and two of those hours were spent in the rain. Because in soccer, they keep playing in the rain. Who knew? Not me!

So, we survive the rainy, soccer morning. Head to lunch (which with both kids is major T-R-O-U-B-L-E) and actually have a nice time. As soon as we get home though - the whining starts, the begging to ride the golf cart, wanting to ride bikes, can my friend down the road come over, etc hit like a tornado. And that's when I blow it - blow my lid and blow it as a good parent. I yelled at the kids and told them if I heard another word about the golf cart they were going to get it. It made Cooper cry. In two seconds my mood went from annoyed to guilty. I broke his little heart. And that absolutely breaks mine. Olivia does a great job at ignoring me when I lose my patience - I think it's because she and I have similar personalities. Cooper, he's my love bug, my sensitive one and he can't shrug my fussing off like Sissy.

He forgave me - of course he would. Cooper loves me and thinks I'm the best ever. Even after I yell and make him cry. I don't deserve that kind of love, but I'm thankful he has it in his heart to give it to me. I still feel guilty - even after I apologized and told him Mommy shouldn't yell because she's annoyed and I understand he's just a little boy and he's excited to ride on the new golf cart. My heart still hurts for what I did to my boy - especially since I know Al and I are grooming these kids into the adults they will become. One day I'm going to get this MOMMY job right - it's a hard job that's for sure.

Dance, Dance, Dance

I know it's a fake smile folks, but is that not the cutest little dancer you've ever seen? :)

Upward Soccer

The kids are playing Upward Soccer and they are having a blast! Cooper is really enjoying it, but I think my boy is going to enjoy any and all sports. :) Olivia did a really good job in her game too, and I think she's coming around. Unfortunately for my girl, she wasn't aware of how much running was involved in soccer. Ha ha!

Cooper warming up for his game.

O playing Forward - she prefers to play Forward because there's more action!

Running out the tunnel.

Cooper aka Future David Beckman? :)

GA Aquarium Trip

While we were in GA, we headed out to the GA Aquarium. OMG, it was sssooo much fun! I took tons of pictures but here's a few of my favorites. The kids loved it, I loved it, and I think Al even enjoyed it.

Spring Break

Spring Break has been so much fun!!! We haven't had any set plans for anything.....on Monday we went and saw How to Train Your Dragon. Very cute. Tuesday we went to fly kites, had ice cream at the Peach Farm, and rode bicycles. Today we took a hike at Kamila Gardens and rode bikes again. O and C can now ride their bikes with no training wheels! How awesome is that!!!! We are heading to ATL tomorrow to visit Martin and Randy. The kids miss them so much and are really looking forward to the trip. We're only staying to Saturday so we don't really have time to do much while we're down but we are hitting the GA Aquarium while we're there. I can't wait. Look for pictures to come!

Seven Years

Has it seriously been seven years since Olivia entered our lives? Wow. I can't believe it - time really does fly. I remember when she first learned to crawl; she did the funniest "army" crawl that always had us cracking up. I remember getting her one year portrait made and I had to run her down the whole time. I remember being at Target with her at 2 1/2 and a teacher tell me how her verbal skills were at a 4 year old level. At 3, she was a big sister and loved helping me with her brother. Year 4 - she started school and I cried like a baby but had a teacher that ADORED her. By the age of 5, my girl could get me in MAJOR trouble because she could memorize anything after hearing it. Last year as a 6 year old - my girl started big school and I once again, cried like a baby. It makes me sad to think that the next seven years could fly by as fast as these first seven have. I want her to stay little forever and ever.

What can I say about my newly seven year old girl? She makes me happy in ways I never knew were possible. She's so smart - asks a MILLION questions - and wants what she wants. She'll never crack a smile but has the cutest giggle EVER if she gets tickled. Her imagination is WILD and she inherited my love of reading. She is so stubborn that sometimes I wonder why I didn't name her Alma because she's just like her Great Grandma.

Her birthday fell on Easter this year and she thought that was the coolest thing. I can't imagine my life without her. Her brother loves her so much that he has serious idol fever......if Sissy can do it, so can he. Her personality is so strong, so independent that she drives me bonkers, but my heart melts when I see her sleeping. She's not your typical girl - but she's my girl - she's got her Daddy wrapped - and I hope I get to celebrate 100 more birthdays with her.

Happy Birthday Olivia Grace Griggs. Daddy and I love you so much and can't thank God enough for giving us to you.

Six coming to an end....

Olivia's birthday party was today and even though we had a small crowd, we had a blast! Thanks to everyone who came out. It's hard to believe that today is Olivia's "last day as a six year old" - and those are her exact words! :) She opted for a party at the H-ville skating rink....and she's actually gotten pretty well at skating. I think we'll be spending some Sat mornings out there thanks to those new roller skates with the light up wheels! Ha!

Gifts, gifts, and more gifts!

O and NJ

O and Coop

Two very proud and tired parents.....who never thought they'd be the lucky ones to have such an amazing little girl.

He's so proud

Cooper has been working on his motor skills at school - he struggles with writing letters and coloring sometimes. His teacher, Mrs. Eddy, emailed me this picture of him today. She said he worked so hard on his drawing to color in the lines and that she was so proud of him that she took his picture. Can't you just see how proud of himself he is? I love this boy.

*shaking head*

I don't understand Al all the time. He's such a low-key, laid back, easy going guy. And then he'll do something absolutely crazy and it makes me think "WHO ARE YOU?" Are all men this way?

I came home from work on Friday and found Al and the kids riding bikes. But I noticed Al acted like his knee hurt. Here's how our conversation went down:

Me: What's wrong with your knee Al?

Al: *dodging eye contact* Oh, well, it hurts a little....I fell off my bike.

Me: You fell off your bike? Are you ok? How did you fall off your bike?

Al: Oh, I tried to show Cooper how to do a wheelie and I fell off.

Me: *holding back laughter* You SERIOUSLY fell off your bike?

Al: Yeah.

Me: *laughing* You are such a show off! Was there anyone around?

Al: *pouting* No.

This isn't the first time folks....my husband does stuff like this all the time. This is an awful lot like the story he tells me about wrecking his motorcycle....so I'm just saying. :) But I tell ya, the mental images of Al doing a wheelie and falling off his bicycle has made me giggle all weekend! :)

Niece #2

Congrats to Amy and Jay! Amy had our little niece, Josie Leigh Griggs yesterday around 4:21 pm! Al and I went by and saw her today and she is beautiful and perfect. Mother and baby are doing great.

Welcome to the family Josie!!! We love you so much already - and you have the best big brother EVER!

Never Liked a Bully

I hate bullies.

Growing up, I never really had a problem with a bully at school. Of course, I had a permanent one at home with my older brother. :) I would like to think I was just too, too cool for anyone NOT to like me but the truth is - growing up, I was protected. And her name was Tommi Lynn Lloyd. TL was tough (still is!) - we were BFFs and lived next door to each other - so, no one messed with ME....because they'd have to mess with HER.

So....I don't really know how to handle O's bully situation at school. She comes home almost daily telling me X has been mean to her, stomped on her feet, poked her with a pencil, told her she's fat (which I absolutely could SCREAM about), and told her she "hated" her. It seriously makes me want to cry. This child has made my perfect little Olivia so self conscious about herself that she ordered a SALAD for lunch today. SERIOUSLY???? Yesterday O wanted some V8 because "it's healthy and it'll help me become skinny." I saw RED....I was so close to calling X's mom and giving her an ear full about her kid. And that probably wouldn't have been a very grown up thing to do.

Instead - I told her to ignore X.....to not say a word to her, to turn away and walk in the other direction when she comes over. But it's hard for Olivia. X was her BFF last year - so this has been so hard on my girl. And O can not stand for someone NOT to like her. I can see how it bothers her - and that makes it bother me too. I know I'm her mom and all - but who couldn't love my kid? She's my best friend and she's only 6, almost 7.

Sometimes being a grown up sucks. I'd like to tell O to be mean to X back, but I know that's not the message I need to give my kids. Al and I make sure we tell her every day how perfect she is, how beautiful she is, and how we love her just the way she is. I just hope that's enough.

I hate bullies.....it's even harder from this point of view.......

Easter Pictures

I herded the kids to Prestwood today to take some pictures of them in their Easter attire. I found O's dress at Target and it so stinking cute! I love it - she loves it. Cooper wasn't happy about wearing a pink shirt but when I told him that Daddy had one too, he had no problem with it! :)

I'm not the best photographer in the world, but I think some of my pictures came out really well. The CD alters the quality of the pictures a little, the actual photos look amazing.

Daddy, Olivia and Cooper

Griggs kids 2010

My almost 7 year old Baby Girl



My sweet Little Man!


Olivia and Cooper - March 2010

First Day of Spring!!!

It's the first day of Spring! Yay!!!! The weather is supposed to be SUPER nice - high 70s. I am sssssooo excited! It was really nice out yesterday too, so when I got home from work - the kids and I rode our bikes and then rode the golf cart for awhile. It was so much fun. I love spring!

Nothing to do with Spring, but New Moon came out on DVD today. I'm going to force Al to watch this movie with me tonight. I read all the Twilight books and they were wonderful. Al would keep up with me because when I finished a book, I would tell him what happened in it. LOL He wouldn't go with me to the movies to see New Moon because of football, but he does secretly like this stuff. I came home from work one Friday and caught him watching Twilight.

Oh, and we will become an Aunt and Uncle again by Tuesday! My SIL Amy is going to have her little Josie Leigh in a few days. We are so excited about meeting her and love her so much already. So please keep Amy, Jay and little Louis in your thoughts and prayers.

Brusters

Saturday me, Al, Cooper, and Louis rode over to Florence while Olivia was at a friends house for a playdate. Cooper loves spending time with Louis, so even though we went to Target and then out to get ice cream - the boys had a blast and enjoyed each other's company. Louis is the best nephew EVER and we love him to pieces. And it's so fun for Cooper to have some "boy" time away from his bossy, older sister! :) Amy's about to pop with our baby niece any time now and I thought it would be nice break before she's officially a mommy of a toddler and newborn. :)~

I love this picture! The boys were totally cutting up while Al was trying to snap a picture of them smiling. It looks like Cooper is laughing hard at something really funny that Louis has said!

My sweet Little Man! And how cute is that sundae with the Dinosaur cookie in it? It was a hit with both boys!

More Proof

Cooper has learned to ride his bike - which is NOT this bike, by the way - so he wanted more challenge. He's a boy after all and Al encourages him to be as rough and tumble as possible. Al moved Sissy's seat all the way down on her bike so Cooper could try it out. And guess what? He could totally do it! So...now I know what Cooper might be getting for his birthday in August! A NEW, BIGGER bicycle!

And this is more proof that they are growing up too fast! Isn't he just the sweetest thing even a girl's bicycle? :)

Believe it

Olivia turns SEVEN in a few weeks. I just realized it while working on her birthday invitations.

SEVEN. Didn't I just have her a few years ago? Wasn't she just a toddler when her little brother joined our family? Wasn't she just in pre-school? Why is she so tall that I have to get her pants hemmed now?

Olivia is so opinionated - no birthday cake this year (which makes me sad because I enjoy making the kids cakes), she wants brownies. She's on a brownie kick right now. Al and I don't get the pleasure of picking out what WE want to get her anymore - she specifically shows us what we are to buy her now. Mommy and Daddy can't decide who comes to her party anymore - she gets to make out the guest list. Wow, she's grown at seven. LOL

SEVEN. Believe it folks......and her little brother is fast behind her too....

Edventure

We took the kids to Edventure today in Columbia - OMG, it is sssssooo much fun!!!! I highly recommend anyone with kids to check it out. I think we spent about 3 1/2 hours there and even then, we had to FORCE the kids to leave. Ha ha! So, I think we'll definitely be going back. And to make it even better - Olivia ran into her boyfriend Logan! How crazy - but man, it made her day! She was sssssoo happy to see him - and even told me later at dinner, that he said she was still his girlfriend. Those two crack me up!

The kids at Eddie's shoe - he's the tallest "10 year old" structure in the US - or something like that! :) He's very neat though because the kids can climb all up into him and check out his brain, his stomach, his spine, etc.

Playing the giant Operation game. Is it bad that they were able to do this with no problem but when I tried, the buzzer went off each time? I was never good at that game anyways!

There's a cool section at Edventure called "Snowville" - I don't think it's permanent but it was still up. The kids were able to play hockey, make snow bubbles, pretend they ran an Inn, see a Polar Bear, and build an igloo. I think it was O's favorite part.


O's smile is not fake at all....ha ha!


Eddie

Cooper now says he wants HIS birthday party there....which of course I told him probably wouldn't happen. But I know we'll be back, it was just too fun NOT too. I'm very glad Al and I decided to check it out. Next time, I'm not taking my camera so I can "play" too! :)

The next Michael Jordan

Cooper LOVES basketball! I am so glad we signed him up for it - he's had a blast. He's probably one of the smallest on the team, but man he's got heart! Every time he had to sit out for a period, he would frown. LOL It's so fun to watch him play sports at this age. I love it!

Going for a rebound!

Go Cooper Go!!!!

Running through the tunnel! I think this is awesome - the announcer calls out their names and the kids run by hitting everyone's hands. So fun!


The Little Eagles - Upward Basketball 2010.

Fancy Nancy Party at THA

Today Olivia and I went to THA's "Fancy Nancy" Tea Party. Olivia had the BEST time ever! She got to dress up all fancy and do all sort of "girlie" stuff - right up her alley! I let Olivia pick out her own outfit and she actually did pretty good! She wouldn't do anything with her hair (I guess she gets that from me), but she did get giddy when I told her I would do her make up. She was beyond thrilled to wear makeup. I think it made her life. :)

Oh yeah - you didn't know black boots go with fancy dresses? Where's your fashion sense?

It's not a party if there's no face painting. Not only did she get a princess, but she got a pink star on the other cheek.

O's outfit....and don't judge me for letting Cooper wear Christmas PJ's in Feb! LOL


She made this bow herself - how pretty is she?

This party was a great idea! All the girls had a blast - I hope it's something Mrs. Crouch continues each year. It was a wonderful opportunity for me and Olivia Grace to spend some much needed Mommy/Daughter time. Olivia thinks she's so grown - and I even forget sometimes (ok, I forget a lot) that she's only 6...almost 7 years old - my daughter is not like most kids her age - she's so stubborn, so independant, and so dang SMART, and has one of the strongest personalities I've ever seen. After doing her make up today, I told her that I wished I was as pretty as she was and she asked me if I wished I was her big sister. I told her "No, I'm glad I'm your mommy!" Oh yeah, she's the best.

I Heart Nicholas Sparks

I fell in love with Nicholas Sparks when I read his very first novel, "The Notebook." If you've never read it - you need too. It's an amazing story of how love triumphs all and soul mates. I guess I love this story because it reminds me so much of 3 couples in my life - my Papa and Granny Hill, my Grandma Alma and my Grandfather, and my parents.

My Papa and Granny Hill were married for over 60 years. SIXTY YEARS.....I can't even imagine. I remember watching them together, rolling my eyes when they called each other "Ma and Pa", but always knowing they *adored* each other. Sometimes when I like to tease Al, I'll call him "Pa" - he thinks I'm nuts, but it's almost a term of endearment for me now. There's a black and white photo of them together right after they married that I love and wish I had a copy of - Granny Hill is so young and beautiful and Papa Hill looks like he came straight from a GQ photo shoot. Every time I see that pic, my mind always goes back to "The Notebook." Even the picture oozes love.

My Grandma Alma lost her one and only true love when she was in her mid 30's. She never remarried and never considered dating another man. They grew up together and were childhood sweethearts. I asked her once why she never remarried and she told "I always knew I would marry Red (his nickname) and I've never wanted to be married to anyone else" - I thought it was crazy at the time, but now......now I totally get it. Her heart was completely devoted to him - even in death. I'm so happy that she's finally reunited with him.

My parents are so funny - they aren't overly affectionate but they absolutely adore each other. They met when they were in high school and married within months of meeting. How crazy is that? And still together after 38 years. They have set a wonderful example for me - marriage isn't always easy, but love always finds an answer. Thanks for being great....I think I probably have the best parents EVER. (Although I still can't believe they started this journey after a few months!)

So what exactly does all this have to do with Nicholas Sparks? Well, just read "The Notebook" and you'll completely understand. He's got tons of books out there - I just finished reading his latest, "The Last Song" (which was good) but his first novel is and always will be - his best work.

?????

Is it Spring yet????

Snow Feb 2010

We got SNOW - and for us, it was a ton! I think my area of town got about 4 to 5 inches.....which hasn't happened since I was in college 10 years ago! The kids LOVE it....me, well I'm fine without it. :) It started snowing around 4ish Friday afternoon and by evening, we had it all over the yard. Saturday morning we got up and went outside to play in it. Cooper tried to eat it the whole time. :)

Olivia went face first in the snow! She loved it!

Even Molly warmed up to the snow and was having a good ole time!

Front view of our house....and the darn snow knocked down one of my shutters!


Cooper - he looks like he should be freezing!

OGG swinging....she's such a snow bunny.



Cooper thought that since it snowed that Santa Claus was coming again. I think he was pretty disappointed when I told him that wasn't the case! :) In our part of SC, we don't get snow very often....and when we do, it's not usually a lot like this. Not sure what to think of the weather - guess Globing Warming may be more than a myth after all. Ha ha!

Valentine Dance

The kids had their annual Valentine's dance at school today. Olivia dressed up (of course!) but Cooper wouldn't wear anything fancier than a pair of jeans. He's pure boy right? Olivia said they had a great time - although since Logan isn't at THA anymore, she couldn't really find anyone to slow dance with her. I told her that was a good thing - she needed to remember that boys were icky - but she thinks differently. :) She did manage to let it slip out that Linkin danced with her a few minutes before he ran off saying "I just can't do it anymore!" How stinking funny is that?

I don't go all out for Valentine's day - never really have. Al and I get the kids a little something but not really anything for ourselves. Al does a wonderful job reminding me he loves me *daily* so I don't see a point in celebrating it on a certain date. Of course, the girl in me still gets giddy when I get flowers - I won't lie. :)

I hope you all have a wonderful Valentine's! We're supposed to get snow tomorrow night - a whopping 2 inches. I hope it doesn't close everything down but it probably will.

More Retro

I absolutely LOVE having a scanner now.....in case you couldn't tell. :)

Me and Martin back in the day......

So...yeah....O may have inherited her fake smile from me......

I love this photo....I miss my Grandma Alma so much. I would love for her and my Granny Hill and Papa Hill to have met my kids.

As my brother says "this is Martin and his back-up singers" - ha ha!

This is me...O's age....but WHO DOES THIS LOOK LIKE??

Yay Coop!

Cooper scored his first goal in a basketball game this morning!!!! He was so proud of himself. And so is Mommy and Daddy!!! Good job little man!

Good Tired

It's only the 5th of February and I'm BEAT. Work is hectic, but getting easier every day. And the kids are constantly into something - we have a basketball game at 8am!!!!! then another at 2pm, chores that just don't ever seem to get caught up, groceries that never stay stocked up for any length of time - so it seems like I'm always going, going, going.

But it's a good tired. I'm thankful for the job I have in times where jobs don't come easy. I'm thankful for two healthy kids to keep me busy when I have friends who can't have kids of their own. I'm thankful for that little house on Willis Drive when others don't have homes to do chores in. I'm thankful for all my blessings - and thankful they make me tired. :)

I got a call from my mom today that a friend from high school passed away last night. His death definitely hit close to home - not only was it someone I knew and had grown up with in school, someone my own age, but someone who had a family too. I can't imagine what his wife and daughter (who is Coop's age) must be going through. What a tragedy.

It's time to end this blog and go hug my kids and husband.

Taking over my phone

I came home from work Friday to find Olivia on the phone. YES...you read that right. My six, "almost seven as she would say" old daughter was on the phone. With who? One of her little friends from class!

Are you kidding me? She was on the phone with her friend for a good half hour. And that was from when *I* got home - I have no idea how long she was on before I got there. She ran around the house, describing everything in our house, what we were all doing, etc. It was actually quite amusing.

Amusing the first day. Every day - and I mean EVERY day since - that same little friend has called O to "talk". And what makes it even more "unamusing" (if that's even a word) is that when someone other than O answers the phone, her little friend will hang up and then call back IMMEDIATELY. Ok folks....if your kid can't work a phone, DON'T LET THEM MESS WITH IT!!! Argh!!!

Al and I are not prepared for this - I mean, I knew the "girl" stuff was coming when she would be interested in talking to her girlfriends, etc, but man - I did.not.realize.it.started.so.soon. Seriously!!!!