Birthdays!!

Wow, we've had three birthdays in the last two days! The 28th was Al's big day - he turned 35. He had a great birthday....the kids spent the afternoon with my parents so he and I went out to eat. It was very low key - just like Alton! :) Today is my mom's and Cooper's birthday! I'm not sure how old Nana is (she wouldn't want me to say on here anyways) but Cooper turned FOUR. I can't believe it! We had his party at Chuck E Cheese and I made his cake and he had a blast!! I was worried that since it was on a Sunday, he wouldn't have a good turn out, but he did. Thanks to everyone who came out!

Mommy, Olivia (and Ariel), and Cooper

Prince Cooper

Coop's Lightning McQueen cake I made him. Not my best work but I think it turned out ok.

So, I can't believe my little man is already four! It honestly feels like I just had him a year ago or something. He never stops amazing me at what he does and what he learns every day. I am so happy, blessed, honored, you name it, that he's mine. All mine! Cooper is so different from his sister - he loves to cuddle, gives kisses, and is very reserved. Of course, he's perfect. :) We had a very rough start back in 2005, so to have such a happy, healthy little boy is the best gift ever. I can't wait to celebrate 100 more birthdays with you Cooper! Mommy, Daddy and Olivia love you very, very much!

Having a Great Monday

I have to blog about this because it NEVER, EVER, EVER happens - but I'm having a great Monday! No wait - even better than great....I'm having a FANTASTIC Monday. I think it started off because the kids and I had a good morning together. I woke them up a few minutes earlier than normal and sat them down at the table for breakfast. Cooper ate a whole bowl of cereal! I couldn't believe it. Olivia nibbled on some dry cereal (she still dislikes milk of any kind) and we sat there and talked and ate. It was really nice. I got them dressed, lunches packed, snacks made and was ready to go BEFORE my usual time to leave. Wow!!! Seriously, I was waiting for birds to fly in the windows and start chirping me a song. It's just been that perfect of a day. :) There's been no fighting, no fussing, and limited (cause there's always going to be *some*) whining from the Griggs kiddos.

Anyways, I hope I don't jinx myself by blogging about my wonderful day - that would be my luck! I'm taking Earl's (you know from the TV show) and doing the good karma thing. We'll see how it plays out.

Cooper's birthday is FAST approaching and I can't believe it. It's my last week of being a mommy to a 4 year old. I just don't know where the time goes. Seems like yesterday he was just a little baby boy. I think he's going to have a great time at his party - I honestly can't wait. I've even let some friends talk me into baking his cake this year. So, wish me luck on that.

Hope all my loyal blogger readers have a great day!!!! :)

First Week of School

The kids are doing GREAT at school! Olivia thinks she is such a big girl now because she's in the "big kid" building. She does, however, have LOTS of homework (too much IMO, but hey, I'm not a teacher) that we have to do every night. She does pretty well with it too without me having to help her too, too much. She's so grown. :) She's still not happy that Raeva is not in her class, but she's slowing getting over that. I'm still getting over the fact that my firstborn is already in the 1st grade! Yikes!!!! Oh, she made the cutest little hand puppet at school the other day that had stuff like "I have brown eyes, " "I have 1 brother, no sisters" type things on it, but under "my favorite subject in school is ART" - I was surprised! I guess I shouldn't be since Olivia is so creative, but for some reason I thought something else would have been her favorite. I haven't told her yet - but art was my favorite subject in elementary school too! :)

Cooper is doing FABULOUS too! He's really connecting with his teacher this year - although she does call him COOP all the time and that really annoys me because we don't call him that - and seems to be behaving himself. I'm nervous, anxious, and excited all at the same time for Cooper - I know school is going to be a little more of a struggle for him and this year we'll really get a feel for what he's capable of. I really hope Mrs. K is a good fit for him - the class is *much* smaller than his class last year so I think he'll have plenty of one-on-one time with her. Wish him luck!!!

FYI - my little man turns FOUR in 11 days! Can you believe that? Four years already flown by....man!

The Puppy and his Boss!

Cooper loves to play Puppy. Actually, he's so trusting and loves his Sissy so much that he will let her DO.ANYTHING. to him. That even means putting him in the dog's crate at times. Silly, silly kids. Olivia fails to realize at times (well, almost ALL the time) that she's only 6 years old. They were playing "puppy" yesterday and this is what I found

She's so proud of herself for putting her little brother in the dog crate!

He's so funny - he actually enjoyed this and was mad when I told him that he had to get out!

First day of School

The kids started school today. Olivia is an official elementary schooler!!!!! Our big, big 1st grader. I really can't believe how fast she's growing up. Cooper is in 4K and I think he's going to do really, really well.

I'm not sure if you can see this in the photo, but they were NOT happy to be standing next to each other. I am *not* enjoying the sibling rivalry.

Some Cute Pictures

The kids are HOME!!!!!

I don't have any beach pictures YET but here are a few that I think are super cute.

Molly LOVES Cooper - he was fast asleep when I snapped this picture!

Olivia told me she looked "hot" in this picture. She's growing up too, too fast folks!

"Monmy, this is how POPULAR girls dress!" Those were her exact words to me!

I don't like the quiet anymore

The kids have been at the beach ALL WEEK with my parents. At first, this sounded like a dream.....a wonderful, wonderful dream. But by Tuesday, I was ready for my kids to come HOME. It's Friday and I am so excited that they will be home tomorrow afternoon. Olivia and Cooper have "called" us each night and told us how much fun they are having, etc. It amazes me how grown up they sound when I am home with them, yet on the phone they sound so small. Does that make sense? :) I miss them terribly. Al and I have enjoyed having some time to ourselves, but we're not used to this much quiet. The kids very rarely stay away from us unless it's for an overnight trip to Grandma's house. So, this has been tough. I have wanted to call in sick to work and rush down to the beach ALL WEEK LONG. Of course, I haven't.

They have been swimming all week long - at the beach and at the pool. They LOVE water. Olivia called last night and said they had gone out to eat shrimp (her fav) and saw a real life mermaid! Her name was Melody (Ariel's daughter for all you non-Disney peeps!). They are really enjoying themselves and that makes me happy. And sad - because I missed it. :( I am honestly beside myself I am so happy and can't wait to see them. I feel like I haven't seen them in YEARS. They have probably grown 10 feet. :)

I really hope Nana and Poppy took lots of cute pictures so I can put them on here!

Dentist Pics

Cooper getting his fluoride treatment.

He did so well!

Olivia the Pro - she actually enjoys going to the dentist....crazy girl!

Olivia getting her treatment too. I am so proud and thankful they did so well!

Dentist Office

Poor Al (but better him than me) is at the dentist office right now as we speak with BOTH of the wild Griggs children. Olivia is a pro at the dentist now, so she's not the one I'm really worried about. Give her a free toothbrush and tooth paste and she's good to go (another trait she inherited from Mommy...I LOVE free stuff...I could care less what it is, as long as it's free!). Cooper, on the other hand, is going to the dentist for the very first time EVER. He's acted and talked like he wasn't scared but between the two, he's the one that is more sensitive and shy and nervous about things. So please pray that they *both* do well and have no cavities! Al is supposed to take pictures so I will try to post those as soon as I can. :)

When you thought I wasn't looking....

I like to post these little poems and stuff I get over my email from time to time - thought I would share this one......

WHEN YOU THOUGHT I WASN'T LOOKING

A message every adult should read because children are watching you and doing as you do, not as you say.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you hang my first painting on the refrigerator, and I immediately wanted to paint another one.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you feed a stray cat, and I learned that it was good to be kind to animals.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you make my favorite cake for me, and I learned that the little things can be the special things in life.

When you thought I wasn't looking I heard you say a prayer, and I knew that there is a God I could always talk to, and I learned to trust in Him.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you make a meal and take it to a friend who was sick, and I learned that we all have to help take care of each other.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you take care of our house and everyone in it, and I learned we have to take care of what we are given.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw how you handled your responsibilities, even when you didn't feel good, and I learned that I would have to be responsible when I grow up.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw tears come from your eyes, and I learned that sometimes things hurt, but it's all right to cry.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw that you cared, and I wanted to be everything that I could be.

When you thought I wasn't looking I learned most of life's lessons that I need to know to be a good and productive person when I grow up.

When you thought I wasn't looking I looked at you and wanted to say,'Thanks for all the things I saw when you thought I wasn't looking.'

Are you sure it's Cooper?

The kids are going to VBS this week - and they love it! But, if you're a loyal reader of my blog (and I know most of you are) then you know that Cooper didn't do too hot in 3K last year. For the most part it was a quiet year, but he had his moments where he got in trouble. Needless to say, I was a little worried about how VBS was going to go. It's strictly for kids so I can drop them off and come back and get them when it's over. (I LOVE THIS PART!!! - ha ha) Anyways, when Al came home with them last night he told me that Judy said that Cooper did wonderful. SO WONDERFUL that HE made the OTHER kids BEHAVE in class. *Shocked Mommy says What?* WHAT??? I even asked Al if he was sure she meant Cooper and not cousin Louis! He said no, that he asked her *twice* if she meant Cooper. Don't get me wrong, I am proud of my little guy - I guess since he's getting older, he's calming down some. Or maybe he just knows he's supposed to behave in church! Either way, he's a totally different Cooper at VBS. :)

Turn my head....

I turn my head for one minute and it's already the 8th of July! Geez! Life has been busy in our little world.....of what I'm not sure! We haven't really been doing a lot - which is part of the reason I have been lacking in posting a lot lately. The other part is because I have found Facebook and now go to FB meetings to help with my addiction! Kidding....although they probably would be helpful. :)

The kids are enjoying summer - they have about 5 1/2 weeks of summer left before school starts back. I think Olivia is looking forward to seeing all her buddies - Cooper could really care less. He has a girlfriend (he DENIES it - just like a man) named Hailey at daycare and I think doesn't want to leave her. Too sweet right? Our 4th of July was relatively low key. We didn't shoot fireworks or anything....very lazy of us I know. We just weren't in the mood this year and the kids didn't even ask about them. As long as you have a water hose or a pool, my two are good to go. So, we spent the entire weekend in a pool somewhere. You should see Olivia and Cooper's tans - I am jealous! :)

Al and I are going to the gym 4 nights a week. Today is day 3 for me and I can already feel it in my legs. Al has lost 11 pounds - Yay Al! I can really tell it too. Hopefully with both of us going, we can keep each other motivated. I really need to get serious about my weight loss. I do well for awhile and always fall off the wagon. I am still trying to build up to a nice jog. It's been so hot here lately though that it's almost been impossible. Anyways, that's my quick update for now - hopefully I will something exciting to post about later! :)

Yell Free (One Day!)

I've been reading a mom's blog on BabyCenter.com (great site by the way) for awhile now and she has a no-yelling-for-3-months goal. Of course, if you read it today you'll find that she didn't make it. :) BUT....it got me thinking. My kids are whiners, moaners, screetchers (sp?)...you name it. And usually I'm the only one with them every morning during the work week. So, it's easy to say that yes, I yell. (Please, get that shocked look OFF your face!) Most of the time I have no choice but to yell to get Olivia out of bed or get Cooper moving to the bathroom. I don't want to yell though - I feel like it starts their mornings off so negatively and then I feel guilty for the rest of the day. I've decided that I'm going to try this goal....kind of like those monthly resolutions I lost track of months ago....remember those? It should be easy....all I have to do is keep my cool during our morning routine of getting two wet octopuses into clothes, fangs brushed, hair patted down, and out the door.....after that I'm at work and I've made it! So, starting tomorrow I am going to try for ONE whole day of no-yelling-at-my-kids. If I can make it one day, then I can shoot for two. One day at a time you know?

And of course by yelling I don't mean I'm standing there screaming at my kids at the top of my lungs - but if you have kids and you're reading this - you understand what I mean! Wish me luck! :)

Likes and Dislikes

Olivia Likes at AGE 6

1. Pink - anything pink....even pink if it's edible!

2. Taylor Swift and Beyonce....yes, I know it's a weird mix but it's her style.

3. Doing "girly" things with Mommy (etc. painting toe nails, finger nails)

4. WATER - she's a fish and would swim all day!

5. The Beach.....she's already got her vacation planned out. :)

6. iCarly - even though I think she's too young to watch it, she loves it...which just goes to show that she's growing up faster than I want her too.

7. Her little bother Cooper - she's VERY protective of him.

8. Her Nana and Grandma - they let her get away with murder

9. Reading

10. Logan

Olivia dislikes at AGE 6

1. Getting up early

2. Pizza from Subway

3. Brushing her hair

4. Manwich

5. Tap and Ballet

6. Her little bother Cooper :)

Cooper Likes at AGE 3

1. Molly

2. Mommy and Daddy

3. Playing outside

4. His Jeep

5. His Play cellphone

6. Boy music (which is anything a male is singing)

7. His BFF Hayley

8. Playing with cousin Louis

9. Sissy Grace

Cooper Dislikes at AGE 3

1. Getting up early

2. Brushing his teeth

3. Molly jumping on him

4. Watching Sissy's TV shows

5. Going to bed

Splash Pad

Today we went to the Splash Pad in Lynches River Park. We had a blast! It was a long ride over there with a car full of adults and 3 kids but it was definitely worth it. I really do plan on taking the kids back. If you're local to my area and you have kids, you really do need to check it out. Worth it - trust me!

Olivia and Cooper laying in the water.....

The Splash Pad basically is an in ground pool that was filled in and replaced with all sort of sprinkler type things for the kids to run in and run through. There's no pool or anything there anymore. Still a ton of fun!

Sweet Louis!

Cooper was LOVING it! He's not a big pool person so he really enjoyed himself.

Olivia, 6, Cooper,3 1/2 and Louis, 2

My new hair do

Ok, I admit, it's not the BEST picture in the world but it does show my new hair pretty well! I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it! It's such a big change from my dark, dark hair. It took me a day to really get used to it but now I think it's the best. I have to give a HUGE shout out to my friend Becky Hogge for doing my hair. She even talked me into getting some long layers cut in it and I had SWORE that I would never do layers again. Thanks Beck! Anyways - this is proof that I'm living on the edge these days. :)

Are you 23?

Olivia is too funny. This morning on the way to daycare (which is she still feels she is too old for) she asked me if I was 23. Here's the conversation:

O: Mommy, are you 23 years old?

Me: Nope, I wish though. I'm older than that.

O: Are you 24?

Me: Nope, older.

O: 25?

Me: *sigh* I wish I were 25 again. No Boo Boo, I am 31 years old.

O: *BIG FROWN* Great, I have to go to daycare today and tell Skylar you aren't 23 years old. Why do you have to go and be 31?

LOL!!! Like I should apologize for being 31.....that girl is a riot!

Molly...

Right after vacation, Al and I surprised the kids with a new puppy - they were both heart broken after losing our boxer, Layla so we gave in. I had told Al that I wouldn't have another dog for awhile but after seeing Molly, I just knew we had to have her. She's been with us now since mid April and she's getting so big! She's a great dog - very loving to the kids, and really is a "family dog"....we are still struggling with getting her fully house trained, but we're making progress.

Olivia named her Molly Diamond SeaWorld Adventure....but we just call her Molly. :)

She may fly with those ears one day. :)

Cooper singing

Here is a video of Cooper being silly.....

Tummy Time

A friend asked me how my stomach issues have been going and I'm happy to report that things are MUCH better than they were a few months ago. That's not saying that I don't have *any* problems with my stomach, but I'm definitely not having all the problems I was before. Yesterday was torture though, my stomach hurt the entire day no matter what I put on it. I have days like that though and there's not much I can do about it. The medication and Metamucil cocktail I drink at night (ha ha) can only do so much. But I feel 100% better! I still have to watch what I eat and be picky about some things - I have given up caffeine, I limit my dairy and fried foods, and steer clear of anything acidic or leafy. I miss salads though - but I can't digest lettuce at all. It sucks. So, most of my lunches include grilled chicken or something of that nature. I guess that's not so bad - but I do miss Mexican and Chinese. I can eat it, but I will pay dearly if I do! So, there's my update on my tummy. Things are definitely improving so I'll continue doing what I am. It won't ever be perfect, but I'll settle for close! :)

And can someone tell me how June snuck up on me? Geez!