Self-portraits

While Abbie & Susan were being crafty Will and I decided to take our picture. And while we goofed off, Ben & Grandma snuggled!

Art time with Susan

We made another visit to Grandma Betsy's to see Susan. Abbie and Susan played puzzles and drew pictures. They drew pictures of Monkey, Will's friend. Will was pretty impressed with Susan's drawings and had her draw more.
He asked for 3, but I'm pretty sure she ended up drawing a lot more than that!

More Swim Fun.

While the rest of us cooled off, Memaw & Ben hung out in the shade.
Ben got to put his feet in the water.

Swimming!

Thursday night when Papaw & Memaw got home, we all ventured out to the pool.
It felt like bath water, and the kids loved it.
Abbie treaded water with the help of her water wings, and Will had a great time riding in his raft and splashing all of us.

Great-Grandparent Fun

Andy was in Chicago last night for a fundraiser.
I stayed home with the kids and we made a trip to the GC.
We made stops at Grandma Betsy's and Meme's. Will was not into participating for group pictures. I really love the picture of Grandma Betsy laughing, Ben crying, and Abbie distracted. Chaos surrounds us and I love it....well, sometimes! Ben seemed to really like being held by both great grandma's!
We also visited with The Kershaw's.
Ben was a bit too crabby to play with Alex.
My camera decided not to work for those pictures.
We dressed Ben & Alex in their matching Born in 2009 onesies. Hopefully Molly shares her pics.

Oh no!

Andy just told me the following story about Abbie:
Abbie: Daddy, do you put those things in your mouth that you do this with? (She pretends to hold her hands up to her mouth as if she is smoking)
Andy: No
Abbie: I want to when I get bigger.
Andy: They are gross and they can hurt you.
Abbie: Oh. I saw Grant's mommy put one in her mouth when Dorsie (Doris) watched us.
Abbie then asks me if I put those things in my mouth.
Me: No, do you want to do that when you get bigger?
Abbie: No.
Oh goodness....let the fun begin! And for the record, Doris watched them last summer. How does she remember this stuff?

Lately, she has been full of reminiscing....
Mommy remember when we had a party here and everyone was here, Nona & Nono, Katy, and Nick & Jacqueline? I ate those green chips and daddy told me if I kept eating them I would turn into the wicked witch (from Wizard of Oz).

Remember when we went to the carnival with Nikki and Jalen, and Will and Jalen wouldn't ride the train? I did, and when the man started it up, he said "have fun young lady."

Remember when Mimi had to take me to school because you and daddy were at the hospital with Ben. Nono had to show Mimi where my school was. Mimi got out and Kyle (her friend) said "Hi Trista" to Mimi. And then Mimi said, "I'm not Trista." That was funny.

Driving to dance yesterday she says, Mommy remember when you missed your turn here before when we were going to dance?

Did you know that Daddy has lots of friends at his work? His friend John has been on top of the Capitol! And he got his picture taken!

I mean seriously, I don't remember half of this stuff until she brings it back up. And why these random things? Ah, to have a young mind again!

Father's Day Gifts and Need Help...

For Father's Day, Abbie & Will made him stepping stones. The first picture is Abbie's creation. She loved it! The second is Will's. He REFUSED to place his hand in the cement. In fact, he didn't even place his stones. He pointed to where he wanted them and I did the dirty work. As for my gift to him, I had planned on getting him a gift certificate to our local nursery. He had been wanting to replace a red bud tree that was destroyed in a storm. Well he must have read my mind. On Saturday he went and bought the magnolia tree you see in picture 3. Shopping done for me. And finally we have Andy & Abbie's latest creation.
They built 2 pillars and put a small gate in between.
I must admit it looks good. Not a very good pic though. You may have to click to enlarge it.

Now here is where I need suggestions:
So, we need to fence in the yard. I can't decide between white vinyl fencing or the black iron look as seen with the above gate. Thoughts?
Also, do we go ahead and put an inground pool in this year before we fence? Or do we wait a few years for the kids to get older. We would put an additional safety fence around the pool.
The reason I hesitate to put the pool in is because we are thinking of adding on. I know, I know....we just built this house 2 years ago, but I think I could use another bedroom upstairs. It's going to be awhile before someone ventures to the basement bedroom. We would add an extra bedroom and a bathroom/mudroom that would be accessible to the outdoors, so that once we do put the pool in, we won't have wet feet and dripping kids all over our house. Or we can stick with the plan now which is to have the 2 boys share a room with bunk beds once Ben is older. Right now Abbie & Will are sharing.
Obviously we can't do all of the above at one time. What to do?????
Please suggestions....I know my family won't hesitate to offer their opinion!
And mom, don't forget to click "older posts" when you get to the bottom so that you can get caught up.

On top of the World

I'm pretty sure Abbie would have stayed up there forever. She loved looking out. Will enjoyed looking out and seeing the "chocolate" river water. Even Ben made the trip up the arch!

The Arch

Here we are going up, up, and up! Abbie has been begging us to go the Arch for almost a year, so after the Magic House we made a dash to the Arch for a last minute visit. We got there right before close, and hopped on the next tram ride up the Arch. Keep in mind I was a bit nervous...not a fan of being closed in a tight space while traveling way too far off the ground, but I made it for the kiddos. Actually it wasn't too bad, and a lot less rickety of a ride than I remember from childhood.

The end of Magic House Fun

What I remember about the Magic House 20 years ago.
Neither Abbie or Will wanted to try it.
Leave it up to me to have a little fun. Even Ben's little hairs were sticking up!

Oh, yes, the magic ball. This is what I remember about the Magic House 20 years ago. Neither Abbie or Will would give it a try. Not even after seeing me and Ben do it. Ben's tiny little hairs were sticking up! And I leave you with this nugget of Magic House knowledge as seen in the last picture. I'm pretty sure our 4 year old is above average with her question asking!

Still More

I think Andy and the kids spent a good hour sliding.
Ben ate & hung out with me.

And more Magic House

Andy's favorite room was the Oval Office, and I must admit that this room was pretty fun. There were fun little Presidential facts, a TV screen as seen above where you could calculate the year you could be elected President (and Abbie was not having it, so I'm guessing no Manar for President in 2040), a podium where you could address the nation and watch yourself on TV, and of course the replica of the presidential office. I tried to get Andy to pose for some Presidential pictures, but he was non-participating. BOO!

More Magic House

So let's see...we enjoyed eating at the Beauty and the Beast table. Will liked anything that included using balls to make music. He could have stood there all day. Abbie liked looking under all the letters to see what was hidden.
She liked the M for Manar, and because it had a motorcycle in it for Papaw.
She also liked the S for snake and U for umbrella.

Impromptu Trip--Part 2

So as I mentioned before, as part of our impromptu overnight trip to St. Louis, we headed to the Magic House. It sure has changed since I was there last....about oh, 20 years ago! Yikes!! Here Abbie & Will slid down a Jack & The Beanstalk slide and "rode" in Cinderella's carriage.
There was so much to do. We all had a blast, really. Look forward to going back!

Happy Father's Day

From top to bottom, Andy & Abbie 2005, Andy & Will 2007, Andy & Will Rock City 2008, Andy & Abbie July 2008.

Happy Father's Day Andy!
Wow, in 5 short years we sure have accomplished a lot. Had someone asked me several years ago if I thought I would meet and marry an incredibly nice, decent, ambitious, handsome, intelligent, loving, nurturing man.....I would have laughed in their face.
Who knew...you really existed!
I owe so much to you. The trust you have taught me, the love you have shown me, the life we share, you truly are wonderful!
I am honored to be married to you and to share with you the joy of raising the 3 beautiful children we created.
They don't know yet just how lucky they are to have you as a dad. I know they are crazy about you and they love spending time with you. What they don't realize yet is how fortunate they are to have an active father....one who helps with baths, reads them books, takes them on walks and bike rides, flies kites, plants flowers, and is always sharing some bit of knowledge. They have a father who works extremely hard to provide each of them a privileged future, who works hard so their mom can stay home with them, and who always works hard to help others. I hope all of our children have inherited at least just a bit of your selflessness, ambition, and love.
Thank you Andy, for the husband and father you are!! I love you!

**And I have no pictures of you and Ben! I resolve to get some taken soon!