Claire"s Preschool Graduation

Claire Graduated from Preschool yesterday. The school had a little ceremony that was so adorable. They sang songs and read a story and each kid answered a "question" when they received their certificate. Claire's question was "What do you want to be when you grow up?" And she said "A Cowgirl". How cute is that? My little girl is growing up so fast. I can't believe she'll be startind kindergarten in August. How time flies! Love you all, E.

Easter

Hey all! Here are some pics of the kids from easter. I just uploaded the pictures on my camera and realized I still had easter on there. Love you! E

Claire turns 5!

Hey everyone I know we started this blog for Todd, but since we share everything in the family and since we are teaching Todd to share...well he can have a good learning experience by sharing his blog with Claire! hahaha...like he knows.
We took Claire to Chuck E Cheese's for her birthday. She got to bring her friend Olivia. Both girls were tickled to death to go and celebrate. As soon as we got there the girls were off playing and I didn't really see them until it was time to eat and open presents. Chuck E scared Claire when he came out to wish her a happy birthday...not like Im surprised though. I was scared of those guys too...actually they still creep me out a little. I guess it's inherited. She got some cute things for her birthday including a fancy nancy board game, some books and a special fancy nancy crown. She got a play kitchen from mom and dad and we used her birthday money from nita and uncle chuck to buy this mermaid playset for barbie that she can use in the bathtub. How fun! We are so glad to have such a sweet young lady who is now 5 and has grown up so much in the last year I can hardly call her a little girl anymore! She is just as sweet and polite as she could be! Love to you all, Erika.

Todd Turns 2!

Hey folks. Our little man has turned two...we never thought the day would come when our baby boy would cease to be a baby and move with wild enthusiasm into...dah dah dah...the TWO'S. He started hi "terrible two's" about 2 months ago. Does that mean he'll end early? Although I have to be honest he's still an angel most of the time. If being two means he talks more, laughs, more and is happy more then that would be Todd. We had a few friends over for his birthday - nothing fancy. Todd is getting a wagon from my parents and he got a bubble mower from aunt anita and uncle chuck. He actually ate his cake this year with a fork and hardly got any on his hands and face - maturity and cleanliness all at the age of two! Love to you all, Erika

Hey folks! We've had a pretty busy season this year, but I managed to get some pictures ready for you! The kids went to the Fall Festival in Franklin with Nana and PopPop last weekend and had a blast. Todd and Claire are growing up so fast...I can't believe that fall is here already. Todd is saying many words now - his favorites are apple, banana, and no...note that two of those words are food related. Claire is learning a lot in preschool - including courtesy and manners. Apparently Zach and I weren't getting through to her...but she is becoming more independant and that makes it a lot easier on me. Zach and I have been getting more involved in our church - which makes life a lot busier, but also more meaningful. I hope you enjoy these photos. Love to you all, E.

First day of school

the definition of happy

Here is Wikipedia's definition for happy: "Happiness is emotion in which one experiences feelings ranging from contentment and satisfaction to bliss and intense joy. This definition is, however, a synonymous one." If that does not describe Todd then I don't know what does. Todd woke us up at 6:48 this morning happy as a clam that he had changed the buttons on our alarm clock and made Zach late for work. He could not have been more excited to see both of us running around trying to get Zach ready in 25 minutes - Zach taking a shower and me making his lunch. He decided he'd "help" by spilling Claire's milk from last night all over the floor right in front of the fridge where I needed to be. So a sticky mess still awaits me...
But other than our daily hilarious episodes, Todd stands to be the happiest child I have ever met. Nothing gets him down for very long. He helps me to remember that as an adult I should be taking advice from my child who is trying to teach me to enjoy the happy moments and to make those mediocre moments even happier.
Another great story proves that we're already in trouble. Todd got us into Cheekwood Botanical gardens for free just because he was hamming it up with the guard at the gate. He was giving the guard the hammy face and his hair was spiked up so high that the guard couldn't stop laughing. So he didn't charge us the $20 we should have paid because Todd "Made his day" as he said. So we're already in trouble if Todd can do that at age 15 months - I'm afraid of what is going to happen when he's 17 - he'll probably never have to buy his dinner again! Love to you all, Erika