Category Archives: My Coastie Brats

{ Pretty fingers }

73/365

“Momma, I painted my pretty fingernails!” It’s only marker (thank goodness!), but she was extremely proud of herself. Now they match her pretty toenails that MiMi painted sparkly red a couple of weeks ago . I am pretty convinced she selected the red marker on purpose. :D

Today’s Smiles From the Heart:

Springing forward… well initially I thought it was for the birds, but I might actually get a good nights rest tonight.

Garrett’s ability to still play even though he is sick with the stomach bug. There is NO WAY I could pull that off. He is amazing, bless his little heart.

Getting a great deal on a pair of shoes.

Fresh Scones for breakfast.

My little shopping buddy, Avery. She did well today.

As I type this I am smiling through clenched teeth. Really praying that the feeling in the pit of my stomach is not what I fear… I don’t have time to be sick.

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{ Workin’ at the carwash }

66/365 & 67/365

The weather has been insanely gorgeous the last two days. I decided to celebrate by spending the afternoon outside washing my car. I drive a Chevy Tahoe and let’s just say my goals were pretty lofty. I got the basic dirt off, but it definitely would not pass my hubby’s test. (He’s usually the one who does the car washing. I know, I am spoiled!) The kidlets on the other hand got their means of transportation sparkling clean. They had a blast. Garrett only sprayed me and Avery a few times with the hose. I really should ban him from hanging out with his daddy. He picks up far too many of his jokester ways. As much as we enjoyed the sunshine and warmth on our skin, tomorrow we will have to embrace the rain.

Smiles From the Heart:

Special messages from my hubby. ;)

Watching Garrett and Avery hard at work detailing their bicycles.

Digging in the dirt with my babies!

The sun, the warmth on my skin, and the fresh air flowing through the open windows of our house!

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{ The girl who slept past noon }

65/365 (only 300 more to go!)

She’s a bit under the weather, poor baby. It all stems from a new cold, and the side affects of the antibiotics she completed three weeks ago. Today I think it all caught up to her, so she slept in… until almost 1 pm. As soon as she awoke she said “I’m Hungwee!” and lunch was served. Then we headed out on a special shopping mission, and home to enjoy the rest of the gorgeous sunshiny day by washing the car. I have two of the best little car washing helpers, even if the boy likes to spray us with the hose. (I really should ban him from hanging out with his daddy. He picks up wayyy too many of his prankster ways. ;) ) I caught this shot just as Avery was walking back down our driveway toward me to let me know that she was “Fweezing cold” The sun was setting, so we headed inside. Then our baby girl did what I felt quite certain she wouldn’t do today. She napped! I believe Claritin is getting the best of her!

A fun little comparison of my Avery girl and me when I was around her age. She comes by her cheeks honestly. :D

Today’s Smiles From the Heart:

Garrett and his happy- go- lucky ways.

My kidlets laughing hysterically at the mice running on the wheels at Petsmart. Free entertainment!

Our special shopping mission. Mission complete. The kids did a good job making their own selections. Now for the fun part!

Avery: “Awwwwww! Buoy! You so cuuuuuuute! Buoy’s smiling at me!” (English bulldogs can smile??)

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{ Our Scholar }

62/365 & 63/365

His love of learning is something I admire. Something I cultivate to the best of my ability, knowing his teacher is doing an incredible job of as well. It’s as if the world is at his fingertips and he is scratching the surface and digging in to absorb all that he can. It is such a blessing to witness Garrett learning, studying, and shining. At just five years old, he is a scholar. His enthusiasm is contagious, and I find myself wanting to know more. I am no longer content with general answers. I, just like my son, want to know both the why’s, and the how’s. Something that brings me back to my purest state…childhood. According to my dad, as a I child I wanted to know about everyone. “Who they were and what they were all about.” and I wasn’t afraid to find out. I think as we grow we end up going through the daily motions and taking things mostly at face value, and tend to accept broad answers to our questions not really scratching the surface and digging in.

Today’s Smiles From the Heart:

Garrett excitedly teaching me about Robin’s and how they are a sign of spring.

His freckles. Oh goodness those freckles. As a child I hated having them, and never wished them on anyone. But on him they are the most precious things ever. They started emerging a year ago on his nose.

Sweet words from my Coastie. That man… he’s got my heart. <3

Avery being a total snuggle bug today, and her goofy antics with my sunglasses.

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{ The preschooler! }

55/365

As much as I was not quite ready, she was. She has been for months, so yesterday she did. Yesterday she became a PRESCHOOLER!! She is the newest student at First Steps Christian Preschool! Our baby Avery is growing up so so quickly. I had a very hard time with the idea and was very emotional over it, but all of this was overshadowed by her joy and excitement! (We made the decision to enroll her while Grammie was here visiting! Four hours twice a week!) Yesterday as we began our day I woke Avery up “Are you ready to go to your new school today and meet all of your new friends?” “Yeah!! We need to go get Grammie!!” (awwwwww) We got ready and I convinced her to let me take a few pictures of her with her “Pack Pack” on. It’s bigger than she is and the sight of her wearing it was too adorable to let pass by. We then headed to school. As we entered the classroom she immediately became clingy. This lasted for a whopping five minutes before she was busy coloring a map of the United States. It took me a whopping 30 mins to leave her class. What can I say? Momma had separation issues! (She’s my baby, leave me alone! ;) ) Our neighbor is a teacher at the preschool and she was able to check in on Avery a couple of times through the morning and sent pictures of her to my phone! I cherished them! However, pick up time could not come quick enough! I hurried back to her school and she instantly began telling me things she did! As she held my hand and lead me to the circle time rug, she squatted down and pointing to it said ” I sang songs!” Her teachers said that she did not say a single word until snack time but that once she did she became a chatterbox. They also told me that she kept saying “This is my school!”, and that she had a great day! She spent the day learning about the United States and even got to eat a chocolate chip cookie! All American food! The rest of the afternoon was filled with her telling me bits and pieces of her day at school in the most happy little voice! Yesterday I fell more in love with my baby girl! It’s true what they say! Just when you think there is no possible way you could love your child any more than you already do, you find out you can! <3

I will leave you with a few of her quotes from the afternoon:

“I ate my peanut butter and jeywie all up!”

“I played with my new boy!” (We are in trouble for sure!)

“I went to my new pweeschool with my teachers, bubba!”

Oh that dimple:

“I’m ready to go to my school!”:

Smiles From the Heart:

My baby girl, in all her joy!

The stories she told.

Garrett asking her all about her day when he got home! He was just as excited for her as she was!

Garrett, our Super Citizen… again. I have lost count at how many times he has been awarded this in class.

Skype-ing with a friend for two and a half hours. It was so nice, and so fun! I felt like we were really hanging out! Love ya girly! Thanks for that! I needed it!

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