He's Five!

He's five now, and we have the pictures to prove it!

He loves classic cars and hot rods, so he had a car themed birthday party. We sent cookies and little cakes to school, and he had more of the cookies and a bigger car cake for his birthday party. He was surrounded by family and dear friends.  I can't think of a better way to celebrate! 

Happy Birthday, big boy!  I have a hard time believing that you are already 5 years old, yet the life I lived before you were born seems like an eternity ago. . . and, if you happen to be reading this years from now . . . well, I couldn't have asked for a cooler or more loving boy to have made me a Mom! Thank you!

Mississippi

It's where I'm from . . .

A place I love with people I adore . . .

It's home.  That just doesn't do it justice . . . it's HOME and I think of it often.

No matter how far away I live or how long I've been away, there's just no better feeling than returning home, and now that I have children, it's important to me that they experience this wonderful place too.

This is my Papaw. He's 93 years wise. There's nothing he can't do.  He lost his beautiful bride 2 years ago - they were married 65 years. I miss her. He's worn these green work clothes for as long as I've known him - to see him in anything other than a suit on Sunday or pajamas at night would be awkward and unnatural.

This is my Noona - my Papaw's baby sister. Born Mayme, but christened Noona by my Papaw when she was born - he looked in her crib and said "Oh, Look! It's a little Noona."  Guess that stuck.  Noona is the craziest, happiest person I know. She's completely full of life and fun.  She taught me to water ski and drive a car. She was never one for formality - she insisted we call her Noona. Coming from a culture where everyone is "Ma'm" and "Sir" and "Aunt", etc... she cringed if we called her Aunt Noona - She's Noona - plain and simple (although there's nothing simple about her).

My Papaw has an old dairy farm in Mississippi. The cows are long gone, but it's fun to walk around the old farm and see what treasures we can uncover.  We found lots of fossils of snails and clam shells. I found many old amber bottles and a few china dishes. My favorite score was an old iron bed - headboard, footboard, & one bed rail (although my cousin called and thinks she found the other one!). Can't wait to get that back and cleaned up with a mattress on it.

This is my Grandaddy. He lost his beautiful bride about 8 years ago. I miss her too. She made the best cornbread you've ever eaten, and try as I might, I just can't ever make it like I remember her making it.  Grandaddy is headstrong and set in his ways, and I love that about him. I wish I lived closer.

My Aunt Sissie & Uncle Allen.. . .I feel so fortunate to have them in my life - they love my kiddos to no end and would do anything for us (even giving up their room when we come to visit).  They are my home away from home and such generous people. . . Again, I wish I lived closer. 

The Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge is pretty much in our backyard in Mississippi. We spent a short visit at the Goose Overlook and Nature walk before heading to my Papaw's farm one morning.

And here's my Dad & his little lady Roxy. Much to my dismay (and my children's enjoyment), he insited that the kiddos help him shoot this rifle on New Year's Day. My boy's year just got made - all on the first day.

So glad they got to experience this place and it warms my heart to hear them talk about the fun they had.

Goodbye, Mississippi - until next time. I'll think of you often. :)

Birthday's Eve

Just a little fun before bedtime.  It seems that 5 is so much bigger than 4. There's lots of fun stuff planned for him this year, and he's so excited about everything!

Happy birthday to the one that made me a Mom.  What a wonderful gift to be reminded of on his birthday each year! 

These Children Must Have Been Very Good

We were certainly excited in the days leading up to Christmas.

We hosted a Christmas Eve dinner at our home with Dirck's parents and his sister. The kids opened presents after dinner. My boy got a much coveted Nerf gun. He has asked for this gun for about a year now, and his Dad and I kept telling him he had to wait until he was older.  Well, Grandma and Grandpa came through for him, and he's now the proud owner of his very own Nerf gun. I think he slept with it that first night.

Christmas morning came, and Santa was very, very good to these children.

Before the kids woke:

After the kids woke:

My little lady told Santa she wanted a princess house. He brought her a doll/princess house, and she has played with her house and little family every day. 

My boy asked Santa for a Batman house and some Legos. Santa came through for him, and he was pleased as punch on Christmas morning. 

Dirck and I got the kids some bikes. We only had one tricycle, and our boy has pretty much outgrown it, and the little lady isn't far behind. We figured it was time.  My boy hopped on and took off. Little lady here was a little apprehensive about her bike, but was happy and loving it once she got the hang of it.

And another big hit around the house is a microphone that was given to her by her cousin. We've listened to her version of "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer" many, many times as well as a few original compositions. She loves to sing, and it's been fun to see her get into the showmanship of it all.

The day after Christmas, the kids and I left for Mississippi to spend some time with my family. I'll have to post some of those pictures later. 

All-in-all, a wonderful holiday. Yes, these children are far too spoiled, but it's fun to be able to spoil them. I loved watching their reactions on Christmas day. Their presents were as much fun for me (and Dirck too) as it was for them.