This was Nolan's First Day of KDO last September

My how he's grown! See the post below - he's not a baby anymore!

Nolan's Last Day at KDO

Nolan was so sad on his last day of school at Kids' Day Out on Tuesday. He loves his teachers Ms Tammy and Ms Jonna! Thank you ladies for all you do for our children!

Scarborough Renaissance Fair

When I asked Nolan Saturday night at dinner if he liked the Fair with Daddy, he said, "Wal Mart". I asked him if it reminded him of Wal Mart and he said, "like a big, big Wal Mart" while nodding his head. We laughed and I told Mark that Wal Mart is a big part of Nolan's life and that's his reference point! Maybe Nolan's next special day can be an air conditioned wild time at Wal Mart.

My organization day

Today was my "organization day" where Mark takes Nolan to do something fun and I can tackle a project. Today's project was organizing Nolan's toys in the living room. I know what all of you who've been to our house is thinking - IT'S ABOUT TIME! OK so for Nolan's whole life I've thought, "I need to organize that better" and never took the time to do it while it mushroomed out of control. I should have taken a before picture. We would clean it up every day but seriously, it was a little much. I boxed up all of Nolan's baby toys then went to World Market and got some dark wicker things - a large lidded box with a linen cloth liner and a large handled basket of the same style. It looks so much better! Still a home that obviously a two year old lives in but hey, we're proud of that fact so it's ok with us!

Mark took Nolan to the Scarborough Renaissaince Fair. You may want to ask him how it went. (If he comes home with pics, I'll post some).................

Splash Day!

Today was Splash Day at Kids Day Out and Nolan LOVED it! He ate his first snowcone down to the last drop even though he was shivering (he stopped shivering when the towel wrapped around him warmed him up). They finished the splash party with a pizza party and Nolan loved it all!

Helping BeeBa

Nolan loves his friend Roomba, our vacuum cleaner robot he affectionately calls Beeba. He was helping him this day!

Sitting with My Friend

Nolan loves his friend Elmo!

Praise the Lawd!

This morning as with all Sunday mornings, Nolan and I listen to KLTY's Sunday Morning Praise as we eat breakfast and get ready for church (Mark's already there rehearsing). Nolan kept saying all morning Sunday Morning Praise and Praise the Lawd! (a little trouble with that "r" but so cute!!)

He's Famous!

Almost. Mark had a fun time yesterday evening being filmed with some other guys at a park playing basketball (well.... same shots over and over really!). This was for Roman's work where they've been filming for a supplement company's DVD. Mark thought it was fun and he felt really important (autograph anyone?). Nolan and I went to watch some of it and it was really interesting! There was a long stationary arm with a camera on it that they took several takes from and then a guy was running around with them with a hand held camera. They were not doing any audio and it was funny because it was the most silent basketball playing I've ever seen! No grunting or yelling just the ball bouncing. I meant to bring my camera but I forgot :( I know what you're thinking and yes, Mark Storms is his real name.

Daddy's Big Helper

I have no idea why these pictures are on twice! Weeeeeird. Nolan loves doing anything Daddy does!

p.s. the mechanic says there's nothing wrong with Larry; just an overly sensitive check engine light so we'll have to drive around with it on and if something really does become wrong we will know by it's lack of drivability or smoke or smell or something. I'm sure there's a veggie tale song in here somewhere!

It's All Good

This morning when I was changing Nolan's diaper, he was telling me something I don't even remember what but out of the blue he said "it's all good"! I had to laugh because I don't think I've said that recently at all so who knows where he picked it up but it was funny because it fit right into the conversation we had that this mommy fuzzy brain has already forgotten what it was........

Speaking of it's all good my doctor called and the ultrasound of my gallbladder was normal (that's such a weird word like flare-up and mixmaster)

What's wrong with Larry?

Larry, our cucumber on wheels (thanks Erin for the idea), will go back in the shop on Thursday. The check engine light came on today on my way to an ultrasound of my gallbladder. What a weird word - gallbladder. Anyway, my doctor wanted it checked out because I she said I had Murphy's sign when she pushed on my tummy. I was in for a rash on my back and now I have Murphy's sign?? OK, another thing to go do. So I was off to the ultrasound and the check engine light came on. We've only had it a couple of weeks - yikes! The check engine light was on last week and off to the mechanic I went after 1.5 hours at the DMV for our title & $500+ for taxes...... they hooked it up to the machine a ma bobber and said it was detecting some sort of air leak in the gas tank so they replaced the gas cap for $12 - yes. They said if the light came back on something else is wrong. Well, I called Danny and he said they can't look at it until Thursday so Larry will sit and wait. Maybe he'll sing silly songs to himself in the meantime. Oh, and I don't know if I have gallstones yet or not. I know nothing will be done for now if I do (at least that's what the doctor said). Whew!

Lovely Mothers Day

What a nice day we had! Church in the morning complete with baby dedications and baptisms as well as a very good sermon on parenting - good tips to keep in mind! We came home with my Mom and Dad and had a light lunch that Mark prepared. Mark did the dishes and did the diaper changes and put Nolan down for a nap. I took a really nice nap too and when we all woke up we went for an early supper at Saltgrass -yum, yum! Mark's doing the bath and I'm looking forward to sitting this evening with my honey on the sofa eating our cheesecake with delectable strawberry sauce and white chocolate sauce. Nolan made me 2 cards and I received some nice cards from Mark - so sweet! Thank you for my great Mothers Day!

Next it's College....

We put Nolan in his toddler bed (aka big boy bed, red) today! I talked about it all week with him and I made sure to take him out for errands while Mark took apart his crib (we learned a very important lesson when we took down the Christmas tree not to take apart and away things Nolan loves!). This morning when Nolan woke up for the last time in his crib, we played and played before getting him out and I videotaped him bouncing in it; it's so sad really. But, he really likes his new bed. He took about a one hour nap this afternoon in it until he woke up a little disoriented. This evening he went down well and did fall out once so far but barely cried and was not afraid to get back in! Apparently the siderail I purchased for it is made for normal size beds with enough matress and frame to hold it in place. Mark did not want to try it with a toddler bed because it said not to so now we'll hope for the best! I think he'll do well and the little bed is really close to the ground. Sigh.... next it's college

Mother's Day Weekend Has Begun

Last night was one of those evenings that I felt really, really tired. Maybe once or twice a month around 7:00 pm I'm done D-O-N-E for the day. Mark wanted to take Nolan out to get snacks for Sunday after church since we'll be going out for our yummy Mother's Day meal at an off time like 4:00. I was lying on the sofa trying to stay awake until they got back and when they arrived, I heard Nolan squealing as he ran in with a pot of tulips the size of he himself. It was the most precious sight! He was squealing and saying "Momma! Momma!" while Mark was running after him making sure he didn't dump the pot, dirt and all on the floor. Nolan got to me and said in his two year old voice something like "Happy Mother's Day!" and then "Flowers, pink flowers". and then he was ready for me to tickle him like crazy. My favorite sound is him laughing as I tickle him! Daddy knows my favorite flowers are tulips and they drove around until they found them; my sweet loves! That was one of those memories I have no pictures for because it is emblazoned in my memory and there was no time for a camera. You know what I mean, don't you?

He melts my heart

Sweet Nolan, how he loves to pray! When Daddy was home for lunch, Nolan and I were ready to pray before eating and Daddy was roaming around the kitchen telling us about his morning and not aware that we were all set to pray. Nolan kept saying "Daddy! Daddy!" while Mark kept talking; finally he stopped and Nolan said "Pray!" Later today I was praying with two friends holding hands in a circle and Nolan wanted to stand with us the whole time to pray while other children were playing elsewhere. He is my little worshiper! Oh, also it's so cute how when I ask him, "do you know that I love you like crazy?" he replies emphatically, "Oh, good!"

God's Blessings Go On and On

Here it is! Our Honda Odyssey #2 can you believe it! It's a 2000 and it's been so well cared for, it's almost as good as our gold 2004 version. God is so funny to give us two almost identicle vehicles. Sometimes it's a little confusing so I think we have to name them. Do any of you have any ideas for names so we don't get so mixed up? God is great! Thank you Lord.

Psalm 144:13 Our barns will be filled with every kind of provision. Our sheep will increase by thousands, by tens of thousands in our fields