Worst Mother of the Year Award

I definitely win the worst mother of the year award today. We went to the grocery store this morning. When we got home I browned some ground beef to add to some chili I was making in the crockpot. After I finished cooking the meat, I turned off the stove and went on to other things. About 10-15 minutes later I decided to start making lunches because the girls and I were planning on having a picnic at the park. So I started getting everything out and Averi came in and asked me if she could sit up on the stove/counter while I made lunches. This is something she often does when I'm making breakfast in the morning (as long as I'm standing right there and not cooking anything on the stove). So anyways, STUPID ME reaches down and helps her climb up on the stove...TOTALLY FORGETTING to check and see if it might still be hot. I just didn't even think about it! She immediately started screaming and I freaked out picked her up to take off her diaper. At first I just thought maybe it felt warm through her diaper. Then I looked down and her leg was burned pretty bad. I ran to the bathroom and held her under cold water.

Poor Mia was crying and freaking out. I asked her to run get me the phone so I could call Jon. She was running around crying and saying "I can't find it!". Bless her heart...she was so upset. Then I called Jon and said "call the doctor, we're on our way there". On the way to the bank Mia, Averi & I were all crying. Hilarious now that I think about it but at the time it was pretty upsetting. So Jon talked to the nurse and she said Dr. A recommended that we not come in because there wasn't much more they could do in the office than what we could do at home. And there is so much sickness going around so we may not want to expose her to all the germs, So she called in some burn cream and was able to talk me through how to dress it.

It was so funny because when I went to get the burn cream and some other supplies to dress it, Jon kept her at the bank. He & his coworkers had wrapped her in a towel and jacket and set her in a chair in their breakroom to watch cartoons and eat a snack. She sat there for over an hour straight! We were laughing so hard because she has NEVER EVER done that in her life. She would have normally climbed up and down in the chair at least 20 times been running all over the branch. She will never sit still and watch cartoons so we knew she was feeling pretty bad.

She actually has been doing pretty well this afternoon and tonight. I thought she may be fussy but she really hasn't been at all. Mia has been asking her all day "Averi are you okay now"? and she gets all flustered and says "No Mia I not okay...I have a boo boo on my leg". Mia is so concerned about her. The burn does look a tad better tonight but the nurse said it will be pretty yucky and sore for about a week or so. And yes I feel HORRIBLE! I still can't believe it happened and will definitely not ever be letting her sit on the counter or stove anymore...Please tell me I'm not the only one who's kids have had accidents like this.



She wanted a Barbie band-aid which of course was way too small to cover the burn so I put it on top of the bandage and she was much more happy:)

Gymnastics Pictures

I got to snap a few pictures before a 14 year old gymnast scolded/informed me that I was messing her up...oops:)

Here they are watching the other gymnasts while we waited for Mia's class to start...

When they called her name she had to stand up and do this stance:)

Stretching...


Waiting her turn...


Obstacle Course...



Averi watching in amazement...

Mia is the little one on the far left...you can barely see her over all the tall girls around her:)

Trying to get a picture of her in her suit. Averi was right there with her:)

"Wordless" Wednesday

I love this picture. She looks so sweet and peaceful. But this is quite the opposite of how she was when I picked her up from school yesterday.

When I asked her how school went her reply was "let's not talk about it right now; it's a really hard day". She really is 4 going on 14. And what does that mean?! Her juice box spilled, she broke a pencil, she wasn't happy with her snack choice?! Four year olds crack me up:)

Day at Oak Mountain

Yesterday was an absolutely gorgeous day. Only about 79 degrees with a light breeze. So we decided to head up to Oak Mountain after the girls naps. We first hiked (for the first time with the girls) to Peavine Falls. I was so proud of both of them. Mia walked the whole time (there and back). Averi walked most of the time but we carried her up a couple hills on the way back up. But they did much better than I expected. I thought Jon & I would both be carrying one each. The only sad part is that we got there and there was like no waterfall...only a tiny trickle:( The girls were a little disappointed since we were promising them whole way down that we were gonna see a waterfall.





So since Peavine Falls was a big fat FAIL, we took them down to the beach area with the lake and they waded around in there instead...






Then we went over to the fountains which they enjoyed watching too...

Averi...

I know I have had a lot of posts about Mia lately just because she is at the age where she is starting so many new things. Averi will get there soon enough:) So I thought I would give you a quick update about what's new with her. We are so excited because we just found out that our church is doing a 2 yr. old Awana class called "Puggles" that starts next week. Mia started Cubbies last year, so Averi will think she's SO big getting to go to Puggles now too.

She has adjusted really well to our new schedule. I take her & drop her off at "Juju's" before Mia and I head up to SMIC. She gets to pack a special snack and drink and put it in her pink bag every morning (just like Mia does for school) to take to Juju's so she doesn't feel left out. And I really think she is enjoying the one on one attention. They have a little daily routine. She gets to watch Dora when she first gets there. Then they go outside and play in the gazebo or garden, color, make necklaces or other crafts, play with babies/toys and have a snack. There are a couple of older ladies that live in Judy's complex that have gotten to know the girls really well so Judy takes Averi over to visit them each day too which she says they really enjoy. So here's a few pics of Averi just because...

She is my little cuddler. As active as she is, she still loves to climb up in my lap and give me hugs and kisses and sit with me for awhile. I LOVE it!

So cute!

When Mia was trying on her new gymnastics leotard, Averi wanted to wear one too. So we found this one in their dress up stuff which she is modeling here...


We went to Pump it Up yesterday and she had a blast...

Tired on the way home from Pump it Up:)

Just What I Needed to Hear

I have had this crazy underlying fear since Mia started school that she would suddenly turn in to a terror child. I know it seems completely silly, but it was a real concern for me. I mean you work so hard training them at home and just pray that when they are away from you they will obey their authority and behave in a way that honors Christ.

So I ran into Mia's teacher yesterday afternoon at the church and she stopped me and said exactly what I needed to hear to put me at ease. Mrs. Moore said to me:

"Mia has been SO sweet and she just goes with the flow and does whatever is asked of her. As a matter of fact we have a little Japanese girl in our class who barely speaks any English and Mia has been so nice to her and the other little girl has just attached herself to Mia and follows her around everywhere she goes. I said to Mia to let me know if she gets too overbearing and I'll ask her to back off. But Mia just continues to be sweet and let her tag along with her."

Boy was I relieved to hear that! I love that she's the one that was reaching out to another child who needed a friend. And that she is going along and doing whatever is asked of her!

Gymnastics

Mia started Gymnastics Tuesday night. I cannot believe I forgot my camera. I came straight from work and didn't have time to run home and get it. But anyways, I will take it next week to get some good pictures.

She looked so cute. She is a head shorter than everyone else (just like ballet and school). Another mom tapped me on the shoulder and said "is that little tiny girl in the blue your daughter?" And I said "yes". And she goes "and how old is she? 4?!" I just laughed and nodded.

She absolutely loved it. She walked right up to her teacher when her name was called and didn't even look back. I was a little worried that she might be overwhelmed because there were tons of people there and other classes going on at the same time. But she wasn't at all. I think us pushing her through some of these things has helped her overcome some of her fears.

I love the way they have it set up with bleachers so Averi and I can watch. Averi was mesmerized watching all the action. When I asked Mia after it was over if she liked it better than ballet her response was "oh yes...I actually don't like ballet anymore" :)

Mia Starts Preschool

Mia had her first day of school at Shades Mountain Christian School today. Jon went to school there for K-12, so it's kind of neat that she is getting to go there too. She did so well and did not cry or get scared at all. She turned around, gave Averi and I a hug and a kiss and walked right in. When I asked her how she liked it she said "I already love it!" I knew she would but I was so glad to hear her say it...

She is so organized too and all the way to school was asking me "Did you remember my folder?" "What about my binder?" "Did you get my pencil box?" It was cute. Then she kept telling me to please hurry so we wouldn't be late. When I picked her up from school, she was sure to tell me that the teacher had put some papers in her folder so I needed to be sure to check in there and see what they were. She is so 4 going on 20:)

Orientation/Meet the teacher day...

Heading to school....Averi wanted something to carry too since Mia had a backpack, so I put a little snack and juice box in this bag for her to carry and she was so happy:)

Outside the school...She was SO excited!

Averi had to have every picture that Mia had taken:)

Holding hands...Notice Mia's backpack is almost as big as she is. It comes down past her knees:)

Averi was cracking me up...you would have thought she was going too

The 3 of us before she headed in to class...


That is Mrs. Moore (her teacher) leaning down talking to her. She seems great and has been teaching K4 at the school for 10 years.

Work & School

I started my new job yesterday and am absolutely loving it. It's so great because I already know most of the people who work at the church, and a lot of the work is very similar to what I did at Lakeside. Averi was all over me when I got home lastnight. She was extra cuddly and wanted a kiss like every 2 minutes which was fine with me:)

I just so happened to stop by the school office yesterday and ask if there was any chance that they would have an opening in the K4 for Mia and they had just one spot open! So it looks like she will get to go to school there which will work out perfectly. I am setting it up so that she is in school the 3 mornings that I am working, and then Judy will pick her up and take them home for their naps. Her orientation is tomorrow so she will get to meet her teacher and see her classroom. She is thrilled and we are heading to pick out a backpack and some supplies this afternoon.

Not sure if Averi is going to be too happy about getting left behind while Mommy & Mia go to work and school, but I think it will end up being a lot easier for Judy. Averi is so easy on her own when she doesn't have her sister to boss her around or fight over toys with:) So everything is falling into place and God has worked it all out. He always does...

Moving On

I am the type of person that has to keep moving! It kills me to lay around and have other people wait on me (right mom & Jon?). I think God allows these things to happen to me sometimes so that I have to rely on other people and slow down a little. Anyways, I am excited about all our upcoming activities and looking forward to a busy schedule (another thing I thrive on):

I start my new job at our church tomorrow (will be working mainly on Tues. & Thurs as the youth administrative asst.)

We registered Mia for gymnastics and she starts next week. I think she will really enjoy it. I gave her a choice between ballet & gymnastics and that's what she chose, so I hope she likes it.

Mia starts preschool in a few weeks at First Baptist Pelham 3 mornings a week. She is SO excited!

We have our first soccer tournament this weekend! I can't wait!

I have to sort all these things out because it helps me to move on and not be so sad. Laying around and crying is too depressing for me (and I have done plenty of that these last few days)! Back to life, back to reality...

Sharing the Love

Jeanna watched the girls for a few hours yesterday for us. Here's some sweet pictures of Averi & Parker. She is seriously obsessed with him and he loves her just as much. It's so cute...


And here's the sweet sign our soccer team made and sent over for me along with some balloons...It definitely cheered me up!