And then there were two...

Juliette was able to pick out Dukey this past weekend. Dukey is now a third generation name for a parakeet. My Dad had a bird named Dukey, my bird as a child was Dukey and now Juliette was so excited to keep the name going!

Dukey is a little bit older than Candy the PetSmart employee told them. Juliette loved his beautiful blue tail and he had some blue right above his beak.

Candy was so happy to meet her new friend. 

Tripp was sure to tell me, "Mommy dey are married..."

Within an hour on the back porch they were flying all over together. They love the flower basket holders up at the top of the porch and fly back and forth. They like to fly in their cage every now and then but love their freedom to fly. It is amazing too that they also really love to chirp at the birds outside. There are lots of bird feeders so birds are always around.

It is funny how much I am enjoying them too. I have great memories with my bird and enjoy watching the kids get so excited over the two birds and the beloved Buckwheat.

It's no wonder Tessa and Doh's house is the most fun place to be!

Welcome home Dukey and Candy! I assure you, your life will never be boring!

First day of swim practice

Juliette had her first official swim practice. I was so excited for her because I remember like yesterday all the fun that was associated with the team. I grew up an Ashborough Alligator and may always feel like one. We are now part of the Daniel Island Flying Fish. 

Juliette was a bit apprehensive and as I requested a picture, she assured me that pictures were not allowed - the coach said. She can really make up some stories that is for sure!

Now Tripp was thrilled for her and even more thrilled that he would be able to do his own "schwimming"

His "schwimming" was running through the sprinkling pool and playing with a truck and his birdie squirt gun.

He was just thrilled with himself.

Juliette was so proud of herself. She swam three laps of the pool and was sure that this was going to be an exciting new adventure!

We are looking forward to lots of fun!

Looks like a great day for a lemonade stand

Juliette and her little friend Kate decided that it would be exciting to have their very first lemonade stand. They set up on a corner by the golf course. They hand squeezed the lemons and even baked cookies for the event.

The girls sold $27 worth of lemonade and cookies. They claimed they only sold one cookie which means that they ate a lot of them by themselves. The one cookie sold was bought by a golfer who gave them $10 because the cookie was so delicious! What a sweet guy!

When Juliette got home and I asked her to help me in the kitchen, "Mommy I am SO tired! Having a lemonade stand is such hard work!"

Even a helper at the Vet...

This guy is so funny! He was so excited to "help Mommy" at the vet. We had to take Gracie in to have a growth checked. Tripp will tell you all about it.

Good news for Gracie! 

I just love both those L'il nuggets - the old one and the youngen!

Mama and her 4 chicks all headed to the Farmer's Market

I decided the day was too gorgeous to not get out and enjoy it to the fullest! The Farmer's Market opened on the island yesterday so the children were too excited when we decided to go and celebrate it.

We had a great time and of course Juliette wanted to get her face painted immediately. She got a "parakeena" on her face just like her new bird "Candy." The lady did a great job. 

Tripp opted for a ring pop over a face painting.

The babies were amazing and loved the warm breeze and live music playing. They slept almost the whole time. This was the first ride in their new "big baby" seats as Tripp calls them.

And all were happy after some amazing pizza, gelato, fresh salsa and visits with friends!

The night could not be finished without a visit to see Buckwheat and Candy! Candy needed to see her friend on someone's cheek!

A new member of the extended family

We have a new member of the extended family and the kids could not be more thrilled! Mommy is thrilled too as the family member lives at Tessa and Doh's house. Tripp and Juliette got to pick out a "parakeena"

There was excitement over the preparations of getting the new birdie. Tripp and Juliette are each going to get one. Tripp has determined his bird's name is going to be "Candy" and Juliette is going to name her bird "Dukey" (The name Dukey has a lot of history in our family. My Dad had a bird named Dukey, I had a bird named Dukey and now Juliette wants to name her bird Dukey)

Juliette is still working on perfecting her listening skills so Tripp got to get the first bird. Juliette loved the bird that Tripp picked out so everyone was thrilled.

My sweet Mom was responsible for the pictures and on this cute one took a video instead. I still turned it into a picture since it was so precious. As you can see Buckwheat even went to Petsmart to help pick out the bird. Tripp is holding his new bird in the box "quite carefully" as he stated proudly! Petsmart is Juliette's favorite place to go with Doh as she brings the rabbit and his leash to the store.

We know that he will be so happy at his new home. 

Welcome Candy!

"Mommy is my heart still beating?"

Juliette heard the other day that a child had died. She asked a lot of questions on how and why. I began to notice her concern and realized that now she is continually checking to make sure her heart is beating. She gets a very serious look until she feels like she can feel the beat.

Yesterday at lunch I noticed her and was able to snap a shot of it. Honey, there is no heart beat on that side. That may be why you are concerned. 

While I was reading to her  later that evening I notice once again she is looking for her heartbeat.

Got twins?

Tripp vs. Dinner

Last night we had the first real test of dinner. Tripp and Juliette have both become more particular about food and Juliette is rubbing off on Tripp. He will now repeat after her, "dats distgusting..." Um yes, his favorite food tacos and he will say that just to be like her. 

Well last night he was going to eat his dinner. He refused so I pulled out the Tripp Trapp which is for the twins and propped him right into it. 

We all ate around 5:30.

Tripp sat there. 

Juliette cleared the table outside. 

Tripp just sat there.

Juliette enjoyed some dessert.

Tripp just sat there.

The sun began to go down.

Tripp just sat there.

We shut the doors to the inside of the house.

Tripp just sat there.

Tripp goes to hushaby at the table around 7:30.

Who won?

Tripp and Hushaby

Better luck next time on the battle of the wills.

Mother's day 2015

I had such a beautiful Mother's day weekend. 

Don and I celebrated the weekend before in Kiawah just the two of us. We had the most wonderful relaxing weekend with absolutely perfect weather!

Juliette, Mom and I celebrated a most special day at High Cotton over the weekend. We celebrated how much we appreciate Tessa!

The Mommys received an exclusive invitation to tea with the first graders. They had the halls all decorated and were ready for the festive celebration. Juliette made me a poem and a very special card. Each of the children drew his/her Mommy and we had to decide which was us. I was thrilled to find myself and could not believe my strong resemblance to Pinkalicious. 

At the end of the celebration we watched as the children in the class crowned Mary. They sang the beautiful song, "Hail Holy Queen" as a class and then laid the flowers on and around her. 

The children were excited to dress in purple for the day to celebrate our friend and classmate Alayna as she battles leukemia. We are so happy to report that she is fighting hard and should be returning to school at the beginning of this upcoming year.

A very happy Mother's day to all Mother's as we honor you on this special day. Most of all thank you to my most special Mom, Juliette, Tripp, Thomas and Tyler for making me who I am today. My heart is full and grateful.

My oh my how could I lie...

I wish I were lying when I tell you the twins are 5 months old today! They are rocking and rollin!  They started to eat food about a month ago and they absolutely love it. Of course they cannot get enough of the fruit but we do manage to get them to enjoy peas and sweet potatoes as well. 

They are now enjoying a few minutes at a time in the bumbo and they like to pose with each other!

Last night was AMAZING! I put both babies to sleep at 9:45 and they both slept until 5:40. That was the FIRST time they slept through the night and now I am full of hope! I woke up shocked when my actual alarm woke me up….

Thomas and Tyler are smiling now and almost laughing. 

It is so cute to watch them! They love to watch their brother and sister play and I am sure wonder how they ever became part of this circus!

Happy 5 months old sweet baby boys!

Today is the last day of 2K

As hard as that is to believe it is true! Tripp finished his last day of school today with an outside bug hunt. When Juliette went on the bug hunt she claimed she say 17 bugs. Well Tripp when I asked him today… "I no see any bugs today…"

We had one super happy little boy after we resolved the clothes crisis and Mommy assured him that he was not going to school with "Halloween jammie pants and his Christmas doggie shirt" 

He was more content about  his picnic shirt as we call it after his Daddy assured him he looked just like a cowboy!

Mommy was sad to see 2K come and go but we are looking forward to a super fun summer with no real schedules!

Summer feels SO SO close...

We had our first impromptu trip to the beach! Tripp and I picked Juliette up from school and I surprised them by heading toward the ocean. We were all so excited!

It was beautiful are in high 70's but a bit windy. Here is the difference in the children. Juliette, she could not get in the water fast enough (mind you the water is still VERY cold). Tripp on the other hand was cold and wanted to cozy up with Mommy in her chair...

Juliette with her bathing suit in and out of the water...

Tripp not even near the water and he is cold and needs his Sissy's polka dotted pants to stay warm…

Juliette says to Tripp, "Tripp stopping being a winy f-weaky boy…"

Tripp: "I am not winy f-weaky boy, I am superman!"

Juliette: "Tripp, Superman loves to swim and he is never cold. You are not Superman right now."

Tripp: "Yes I MAM him"