Pictures of the Kids

I took the children a couple of weeks ago to have some "professional" pictures taken ... ha!  If you call Portrait Innovations and getting out of there for $150, professional, then it definitely was.  I never know how they are going to do so I just hold my breath.  However, I must say that the past 2 times they have been terrific!  Here are a "few" snapshots from the visit :-)

These two love each other so much ... they are so cute and have such genuine personalities.  Ian wants to make everyone laugh and Bonner just wants to laugh :-)

Happy 4th of July

Hey everyone,
I type this update from about 35,000 feet above our great nation!! Me, oh my! I wish you could share in the beauty God has created today as I travel above the clouds on this bright, sunshiny day!!

I wanted to take this time and wish each of you a fantastic 4th of July!! Although I wish I could pull off a British accent, I am certainly glad that our great nation's forefathers sacrificed so tremendously to ensure our freedoms over 2000 years later! Of course, God has played a huge part in our independence, our successes, and, yes, even our tragedies! But on this day we should celebrate the sacrifices and the tremendous freedoms! I tell my children quite frequently that they are so blessed much more than other children because 1) they are told "I love you" at least 10 times a day, and 2) God has given them the chance to grow up in the absolute greatest nation in this world!!

You might be asking - "Why is she typing this from high above our great vast nation?" Well, Ian & Bonner left this morning to go to Wild Dunes with Stewart and I got on a plane this afternoon heading for San Francisco for a much deserved vacation!!! I am probably as super-excited as Ben Franklin was when he signed our Declaration of Independence - and I am not exaggerating one bit :-) I cannot wait to explore the home of Rice-a-Roni :-)

With no pictures of the children for you to enjoy, I will just leave you with the following most recent sayings from Ian & Bonner!
Ian-isms:
- "Mommy, that man has a baby in his tummy!"
- "Mommy, your computer is so wonderful!"

Bonner-lingo:
- Bonner to Ian "Prince Charming, are you my daddy?" To which Ian replied, "No, I am a troll!"
- we went to Georgia aquarium last week, I asked Bonner what she might want for a snack andshe immediately replied "Goldfish!" The irony was not lost on me!
- "Mommy, you can't bite people, but you can bite waffles!"
- "Ian is my soldier, mommy, and we are getting married!"
- "When Ian flushes my tee-tee, mommy, it makes my heart feel good!"
- This week, the children were at "camp" at school and it was all about celebrating America, learning about soldiers (see the above comment she made), and starting to learn patriotic sayings and songs! Bonner had an idea but confused the Pledge of Allegiance with her favorite grocery store... "... and to the RePUBLIX for which it stands..."

I must brag on my children for 1 minute - to prove to everyone reading - that even 3 year olds get it! I have tried to pray for people in ambulances every time we pass one with it's sirens on. Well, yesterday, we passed one and it slipped my mind to pray but just as it passed, Bonner said, "Let's pray for the ambulance, mommy!" I know I am not the World's Best Mom, but at times like those, I also realize everything I try to impart to them about others being important (I.e. Despite popular belief, the world does not resolve around you!) actually sinks in!!

I'll update this week from the sunny hills of CA! Happy 4th!

Mini Vacation South

The children and I piled into the Tahoe last week and "set sail" to head south on I-85.  We stopped in Atlanta, enjoyed a night in a nice hotel, visited the Georgia Aquarium, and then headed west to see our "other Nanny" in Alabama!  As you can see from these pictures, we had a great trip.  The crazy thing was that we went to the museum in April 2010 and when I asked the children where they might like to go one day, they both said to the aquarium ... super strange, but at least they are consistent :-)

The easiest way to get from Point A to Point B with alot of luggage and 2 almost-3-year-olds is clearly by riding on the luggage cart ... "Hold on, mommy doesn't have a license to drive this thing!"

As we walked through the aquarium, I tried to impart upon the children the fact that God made every type of animal that we could see there.  It was so neat to hear them talk about that throughout the aquarium; I tried to snap some pictures of God's abilities so that we can continue our discussion at home until our next visit!

 One of my personal favorites :-) I wish it weren't so blue, but are these 2 ginormous fish not so ugly they are cute?

 The Georgia Aquarium prides itself on their "collection" of Beluga whales - it's hard to tell from this picture, but these are pure white whales that are just beautiful.  Ian and Bonner, of course, after our visit when playing with their princesses and Toy Story friends were "running from the Beluga whale!" 

Bonner: "Help, Ian, save me from the Beluga Whale!"

Ian: "I will, Cinderella!  The Beluga Whale will not get you!"

I think I might actually blow this picture up and get it framed ... is that not beautiful!

Funny anecdote from Bonner during our visit at the aquarium.  We had been there a little while and I figured it was time for them to enjoy a snack so I asked Bonner, "What kind of snack would you like?"  Without even thinking (and standing among the 8 million gallon tank of unbelievable fish), she said, "Goldfish!"  I couldn't stop laughing and she had no idea why ... Ha!

 Bonner posing on a "beautiful princess mermaid!"

Ian on a seahorse :-)

We headed west after our visit to the aquarium to see Steve's part of the family.  It was a very relaxed trip and we thoroughly enjoyed swimming, hanging out with wonderful family, and just taking it easy!  Here's a picture of Steve's mom, or as the children call her "Other Nanny", with her great-grandchildren!  So special for me!

And, lastly, we came home Saturday night and got settled back into the home life.  Bonner found this princess hat and insisted on wearing it to lunch on Sunday!  Our neighbors brought it back to her from their trip to Disney back in January - when I see her excitement about it again and again, I am reminded how tremendously blessed my children are to be growing up around so many friends that love them so dearly.

Well, it's birthday countdown around here ... I doubt we will do a big party around here this year with so much going on, but I am sure we will come up with something very exciting as it gets closer.  The children will be back at Wild Dunes next week and I am going to enjoy some downtime in San Francisco!  I am super excited about the trip; I need the break so that I can be refreshed for taking on all the will-power of both Ian and Bonner as they turn the big # 3.

Lastly, since I have yet to do a baby book for either child, I am venturing to say that putting together a scrapbook of our adventures is probably not going to happen any time soon :-)  With that being said, I turned the entries from this blog in 2010 into a hard-cover book so that I can capture our adventures on paper for years to come.  I want to thank each of you for walking along side of us in 2010.  Looking back on all that we did and the memories we made was truly exciting for me and I am thrilled that so many of you were a part of them!

Lazy Days of Summer

I hate that it's been so long since I last blogged ... I think that I am actually going to start a new blog called something like "Random Thoughts by Jennifer" so that I can blog everyday :-)  It seems that these posts about the children can be quite time consuming and I know what you all really care about is what I am doing, thinking, planning, etc.  Ha!  Yeh, right!  But I do actually feel led to blog so stay tuned!

Anyway, enough about me (we'll save that for later) and onto the exciting things we have been doing as "about to be 3 year-olds".  Week before last, we went to the local water park with our good friend, Mary Elizabeth (daughter) and her mommy, Mary Hunter ... it was packed with people but really alot of fun!  The place was crazy, but all 3 children had a blast!

 While Mary Hunter took off down the water slide, the kids and I watched for her ... several people asked me, "Are they triplets?"  So funny!  But they don't all look cute in their Puddle Jumper floaties?  They are the best floaties in the world!

 Ian enjoyed just laying in the water ...

 And this was pretty much how it was all day - two children passing each other in a fleeting moment as they both headed in 2 different directions!

 This is a huge deal for Bonner as she has never been a fan of the fountains ... I'm so proud of her; each day, she is coming a tiny bit out of her shell!  She went down the kiddie water slide at the water park and loved it!

And this was the aftermath - about 5 minutes after we were in the car!  Sorry for the blurriness and bright sunshine, but I thought it only fitting to show you that they thoroughly enjoyed themselves :-)

Since we have been out of school and spending so much time around the house, I have been so proud of how well Ian and Bonner are playing together for such long stints at a time.  The other day, Bonner was on the couch watching some very educational program on TV (yeh, right) and Ian was running around as usual.  She politely asked him, "Do you want to sit on the couch with me, Ian?"  He said, "Sure" and jumped up there ... I glanced over and noticed that she had covered him up with her "soft blanky" which is another huge deal because she doesn't let that blanket out of her sight these days, much less to let it be touched by another individual!  Such a sweet picture, though; they truly love each other so much!

Stewart has taken the children to Perry this weekend for Father's Day!  He sent me this video today of Ian jumping off the diving board.  He's been asking to do it at our neighborhood pool but has lost his desire when he starts walking towards it - not a big deal for me because I certainly can't tread water long enough to "catch him" in the deep end.  I guess those days are over, though :-)

And, of course, to get your weekend started (or your week started if you aren't reading this until Monday), here are some comments from the children!

Ian-isms

- "Bonner, I really like you.  You are kind."

- Ian insisted on getting a cup from the cabinet to drink out "like a big boy".  Well, I picked a cup we brought home from the Masters and he said, "I need that cup, mommy, because I love to play golf."

Bonner-lingo

- When we were driving over the Isle of Palms bridge on our recent trip to Wild Dunes, Bonner said, "Ian, that's the marsh and that's where the marshmallows live."  (She remembered that from our last trip in December!)

- "Mommy, I need to tell you a question!  You are a great mommy!"

- With my measuring tape in her hand, she went to next Ian and started to pull the tape out as she asked him, "Ian, are you long enough?"  She finishes "measuring" him and says, "Yeah, you are long enough!"

- When getting a cookie treat the other day at Publix, Bonner said, "I want a cookie with sprinklers on it!"

- As the children were playing one night, she looked over at me and said, "Bye, mommy, Ian is at the Costco and I am going to the Target-Costco!" (Now, that's an idea for a great store!!!)

Fun Times & Lots of Pictures

We are having a blast ... even though the thermometer is hitting record digits, we are enjoying ourselves thoroughly!  School is out and we are learning to live without a schedule - big deal for those of us who have been on a strict schedule for the better part of the last 3 years!  It's bliss and I love it!  I knew this time would come when the children were big enough to tell me what they wanted to eat, to drink, what hurt, what they wanted to watch on TV, etc.  I always knew that it would come and I would welcome it - not that I wish them to grow up any faster, but it just makes it so much easier on me to stop trying to guess what will make them happy ... or better yet, what will make them content!

Prepare yourself for lots of pictures; but, first, I have to tell you a funny story about tonight's fun!  We went to dinner with dear friends and then stopped for some yogurt on the way home.  They were wired when we got home - both laughing and telling incredible stories.  I told them it was time to put their pajamas on and Bonner said, "No, mommy, we are at the beach!"  I figured she was pretending so Ian and I played along and talked about building sand-castles, looking for pretty shells, and jumping the waves!  In the meantime, Bonner took her dress off and said, "Now, it's a beach party!"  To which Ian replied by taking his clothes off ... I thought we were good - hanging out in our diapers and "swimming" in the air.  Well, clearly, that wasn't enough because the next thing I know, the diapers are off and both children are running around naked saying, "This is the best beach party ever!"  Needless to say, no schedule, no rules :-)  Bonner even asked me, "Mommy, do you want to take your clothes off and come to our beach party?"  "Uh, not right now, Bonner!"  They had a blast ... until "high tide" approached and both kiddos tee-teed on the hardwoods.  As usual, all good things do come to an end!  Ha!


First and foremost, I trust that each of you enjoyed your long weekend and the celebration of our great men and women who serve in our Armed Forces.  They do an incredible job and make things as me typing about my naked children without fear of retribution possible ... and, for that, I am super thankful!  We enjoyed our weekend with some pool time at the neighborhood pool and sprinkler/baby pool time in our front yard!

Step 1 (after putting on your floatie because there have been lots of sprinkler drownings lately):

Pick up the ball

 Step 2: Place it in the middle of the "fountain"

 Step 3: Hurry and look up to see the ball "floating" in the air (you can barely see that blue dot at the top of the picture, but she did it and was very proud of herself)!

Ian's Turn

And after much fun in the sprinkler, you really should rest in the cool water!  Notice who is afraid to "swim" without HIS floatie now!

Monday night was very entertaining as Ian decided to dress up for us at dinner-time.  Not sure what spurred it - other than he spends the better part of his day trying to put a smile on your face!  Well, now that I say it, I do remember what spurred it - Bonner was, of course, wearing a tutu and the air conditioner was running a hundred miles an hour.  Our vents are on the floor and Ian liked watching Bonner's tutu "fly" so he needed to try it, too ... however, why he needed the Snow White shirt and the princess hat, I'm really not sure - other than maybe it just completed the ensemble!

 Below, both "princesses" are doing Ring Around the Rosey - the smiles on all of our faces were abundant :-)

And here are some more random pictures of the children!  They are hysterical to me ...

I have been working like a dog around here to get things straightened up, cleaned out, and rearranged - especially since the kids can go downstairs by themselves!  I had this storage bin sitting in the den so Ian thought it would be a great place to eat his breakfast.  And, it was super convenient because it even had a "table-top!"  He kept referring to it as his "nest"!  "Breakfast in your nest" - hey, maybe we are onto something :-)

Mom babysat for me recently and Ian insisted on wearing his shoes to bed for his nap.  Well, when I went in there to get him up from nap, this is what I found - our headless Woody in one shoe, Buzz Lightyear in the other shoe, Patch from 101 Dalmatians standing guard, and Baby Jesus resting peacefully in his manger.  The funny thing is when I asked Ian about it, he told me that they were all "night-night" on their blanket, the Alien Al book :-)

We have a couple of tents/tunnels that have been put up for quite awhile because they just take up so much space.  But now that the basement is liveable again, Ian enjoyed being a "worm".  The next day, they children connected the 2 tunnels and told me "This is our neighborhood, mommy!"

This beautiful antique desk - I mean, hiding place - has literally been hidden with chairs in front of it - well, needless to say, "use them or move them" so I moved them!  Ian and Bonner love "hiding" under here - or pretty much anywhere!

 These next 2 pictures are of Ian "doing his hair".  He has the play princess flat iron from Bonner's salon set ... very intense!  Fortunately, for him, it doesn't take too long to get his hair straight!

 I just love the shadows in this picture of Ian dressed up like Batman.  Our sweet neighbors gave him this cape for Easter - one side is Batman and the other, Spiderman.  When he puts on the Spiderman side, he only wants to sing "Itsy Bitsy Spider" ... when he puts on the Batman side, he just wants to run, run, run!

This past Tuesday marked the end of our semester at Little Gym.  I must say that all the children in their class have come a long way since January!  The kids usually enjoy it alot, but on the last day, it's big fanfare with a gold medal presentation and a "show off" of the skills they have learned.  Well, it pretty much seems that all the children talk somehow before we arrive and simply clam up from the moment they walk through the door ... however, both Ian and Bonner overcame their fears and showed off a little bit!  Maybe they will hone their skills and debut for the world in the Summer Olympics of 2024!

Not sure who gets a better workout - the moms or the children!

 Bonner doing the crab walk!

 Step 1: Hold hands with teacher when walking on the big beam!

 Step 2: Stop mid-stream because the teacher asks you to - hold your breath - and tuck your head!

 Step 3: Roll over - get your bearings - be thankful you are still alive with your feet on that little ledge!

 We are much braver on the little beam!  "Look, mom, I can do it all by myself!"

Body Surfing - Bonner can almost do this without help which is pretty impressive for such a little girl!

 They roll the round mat forward and then do a flip when their hands/head the floor mat!

 Ian can do it - with alot of help ... but, hey, he's got alot more girth than his sissy!

 Bonner "walking" up the wall...

 Ian tackling Bonner down from the wall!

 At Awards time, Bonner got up her nerve at one point but it wasn't her turn so when the teacher told her to wait her turn, she melted down.  Ian tried to coax her up there with him, but she was over it!  The drama never ends with her... but I am beginning to appreciate it more and more because that's totally who she is!

 "ta-da!"

 Not sure who is more tired at the end of the 45 minutes - the moms or the children!

And, what are pictures, without words ... I leave you with the latest sayings from 2 of the funniest people I know :-)

Ian-isms
- Me: "Ian, you really need to go to sleep!" Ian replied, "I need to go to sleep; Mickey needs to go to sleep; Minnie needs to go to sleep; and Professor Von Drake needs to go to sleep!"  ... oh, yes, that pesky Professor Von Drake :-) I really would have thought he would have picked Donald or Daisy before mentioning the Professor but it was funny!
- Ian: "Mommy, you have pretty eyes!"  Me: "Oh, Ian, thank you!  You are just precious!"  To which Ian replied, "I am!"
- Ian: "Mommy, we should teach Baxter to tee-tee on the potty." Me: "Do you think he can do it?"  Ian: "No, he might fall in.  We could take him to the pet store and teach him some doggie tricks instead!"


Bonner-Lingo
- I just have to brag on Bonner and her almost 3-year-old logic (which isn't very old if you ask me).  One day we were riding past a little patch of land where we sometimes see a horse hanging out.  As we passed, I noticed that the horse was standing underneath a big oak tree so I told the children, "Look, the horse is under the tree."  Bonner immediately replied, "He is under the tree, mommy, so that he is in the shade and out of the sun!"  Pretty quick reasoning for a 3-year-old who probably never even saw the horse that day because her mommy was speeding by :-)
- Bonner (to Ian): "Prince Charming, will you dance with me?  I want to get married!"
- A friend from the office is letting us borrow a baby doll that tee-tees so I can show the children as the doll drinks water, she has to tee-tee... (you know, anything at this point to jump-start the potty training.)  Well, the other night (after a couple of weeks using the doll), Ian asked me where I got the doll from.  I told him that Miss Mary at mommy's office was sharing her doll with us.  Bonner replied, "She is shining her light for Jesus, mommy, by sharing with us!"  (That's when it hits you that Christian school, even for 2-year-olds, is so wonderful!
- Bonner: "Mommy, you make my love so happy!  And you make my hurts feel better!"  (Sometimes she can just melt my heart!)

I am off to Football 101 in Athens this weekend - hope everyone finds ways to beat the heat ... we will be sweltering in the middle of Sanford Stadium Saturday afternoon - and at this point in my life, I wouldn't trade it for anything!  Go Dawgs!!