"Not me!" Monday

Its that time again...time to confess the things I absolutely did not do this week.

• I did not decide to join the "Not Me" Monday blogging, even though I already have a hard time of keeping my blog updated for everyone to see...adding more to my already over-abundance of "hats" to wear...I'm not calling this my weekly "therapy". not me.
  
  
• I certainly do not have anything to write about on here because I never fail to get everything done on my schedule!
  
  
• I did not take advantage of every second Mark was off work on Monday and Tuesday by letting the kids, especially Katie, cling to him all day long. hehe...I would not do that...NOT ME!
  
  
• I did not find Katie sitting (stuck, might I add) in Austin's exersaucer because she wanted to be a "baby".
  
  
• I did not make a new "bathroom" rule...that the new special Dora book can ONLY be read while trying to potty. And this new rule did not give Katie the push she needed to try to be a big girl! She is definitely not wearing big girl panties all the time now! My little girl is growing up... (picture below...Katie wearing her big girl panties!)

• I did not try to be a "good" mommy and remove Austin's bumper pads now that he's rolling all over the bed, only to put them back on a day later because he kept getting his arms and legs stuck between the railings.
  
  
• My little boy is definitely notalready 6 months old now! Can you believe it??
  

My Newest Painting!

While I was in North AL, I was able to paint another picture! This is a design that I saw and loved, so I gave it a try. I think it turned out pretty good, considering I am no painter!! :) I really enjoyed getting to go to art class with Megan to paint this! Now...where do I hang it??

Evening Grins & Giggles

We snapped a few quick pictures Saturday evening, since I've been bad at getting new pictures lately. Hope you enjoy seeing them! Aren't they growing up so quickly???

Veggie Tales!

The local Lifeway Christian Store here had a special day with Veggie Tales' "Bob & Larry" this past weekend. Katie was so excited about seeing them! The first thing out of her mouth was "WOW, they are TALL!!" It was so cute. She really enjoyed spending time with Bob & Larry, as well as making a craft, getting some "goodies", and a snack with her Veggie Tale friends. Austin was there, too...in the Ergo carrier...but he loved looking around at everything, too :) Katie was the only kid who wanted to get close to, and even HUG, Bob & Larry! She couldn't understand why the others stayed so far away, but she enjoyed her one-on-one attention!

Katie is STILL talking about seeing Bob, Larry, and Hermie (an earlier trip). She loves these "big" friends. Hopefully it will stay that way...it's much easier when she isn't scared of characters! :D

New Pictures of Sydney

Here are a few pictures of Sydney! She's so sweet...but soooo tiny! Katie has really enjoyed being around her :) And I love being an aunt...the FAVORITE aunt, might I add (unless you ask Aunt Megan). :D Enjoy these pictures...

I had to put this one on here...puts her size into perspective.

That is Katie's little hand on Sydney. How tiny!!!

Katie holding Sydney


Me, Katie, & Sydney

Sweet Sydney...

I'm going to miss this little girl when I am back in Mobile...I think Katie will, too! :)

Katie Goes Roller-Skating!

We've had a lot of fun in North Alabama the past few days. We haven't had a lot of time to do much, but we've enjoyed every second of it! Friday afternoon, the homeschool group that Mom and Megan are in rented out the skating rink, and we took Katie and Austin. She had such a great time! The first thing she told me was that she wanted to "do that like the big kids". She didn't skate long, but she tried and enjoyed it. The rest of the time, she spent in the fun climbing area just for kids :) Austin loved it, too...his favorite was looking at the lights. He would throw himself backwards when you were holding him, so he could see the lights on the ceiling. It was funny...as long as you were ready to catch him! Even Mark and I got to make a few rounds together. We haven't done that in YEARS, but it was a lot of fun :D

Austin riding on the truck...he loved it!

Mimi & Austin

Katie in the balls

Katie skating with Mimi's help :)

Be sure to check back...we have more pictures of our fun from this past weekend to post. I just can't get it all done in one sitting! I will be posting more soon...including new pictures of my beautiful niece!!! :D

Ramblings...

It's never too late to start a New Year's Resolution...riiiight??? Mark and I joined gyms this past week. We've even made "schedules" to help us both get the time we need/want at the gym. So far, I've gone several times...I walk 1 mile, run 1 mile, and then do all of the "toning" machines (legs, arms, abs, etc). I'm working to push my running even more. I actually like running on the treadmill more than I like the eliptical machines, etc. Surprising, I know! But, I will be honest...I am EXHAUSTED! I keep waiting for the tired days to go away and all of that extra energy (you know...the energy that's supposed to come when you're exercising and eating good) to appear. I do enjoy going, though. Hopefully this will be a new habit that will stick! I've made it through the first week or so...that's a good start, right?? ;)

We're going to North Alabama to see my family (including my newest...and only...niece, whom I can't WAIT to hold!) today. We're very excited about seeing everyone! I am hoping to get some pictures of the kiddos while I'm there...I have had good intentions lately, but it just hasn't happened. I will post when I get back home next week! They are growing so much...and keeping me busy busy BUSY! I thought I was busy when Austin was a newborn...but I was WRONG. Now that he's rolling and scooting all over the place, I have my hands MUCH more full. But, it's still fun...I love being home with my children...I love teaching them (and knowing exactly what they are being taught)...I love being "needed" by one of them pretty much 24/7, though a break is always nice. ;)

Anyway...enough of my rambling! I'll get back to posting what you really want (pictures) next week. Until then...