Happy Birthday Eli!

My little boy turned three! I cannot believe we have had 3 wonderful years with this little boy. He is such a joy to be around. He is the most expressive kid and can melt anyone from 10 paces away with his eyes. He is so bright and I know my life would not be the same without him, so I wish him all the best in life and want him to know Mommy and Daddy are always here for him with love.

To celebrate Eli's birthday we had a party at our house with just a few friends and family. Eli once again wanted COOKIES for his party and not cake. We loved having everyone there to celebrate his birth.

Eli learning the importance of reading cards... who am I kidding, he just loved the pictures, but he did at least take the time to look at it before diving into the gift.

Eli!

Lydia with her great friend Kaitlin (not sure of spelling)

It seems our blog is always missing us... so here we are! ;)

Lydia's first day of School (Preschool)

We are so excited about the preschool that Lydia is going to, but I think she is even more excited! Today we ALL took Lydia to school, and the only person that cried was Eli. He wanted so bad to stay with Lydia and play with her. Of course this has Michael talking about sending him too, but he would be in a different room... and then it wouldn't be any fun for him ;)

Here are some pictures from her first day!

The Party

Not the best picture, but man it was bright!
Lydia holding Uncle Mark down and making him read books to her.
Eli and Uncle Stevie enjoying a movie and some down time.
The egg hunt!




Lydia chasing bubbles
Eli and Jacob after bubbles.
Grammy getting a thank you kiss.

Easter Morning!

Eli only cared about the candy.
Lydia tearing into her basket.
Eli enjoying his bunny from his Great Granny (My grandmother)
Lydia's expressions crack me up!
Trying to contain themselves until Grammy is front and center (Eli didn't make it)
Such a sweet little girl!

Lydia getting her first look at her basket.

Eli's first look at his basket!
Such a sweet boy!
Eli's marshmellow bunny.

Easter- Part 1

For Easter this year we went to Knoxville to celebrate. Michael had to work, and Grammy (Michael's mom) was having an Easter celebration, so on Saturday the kids and I headed up to Knoxville. First on the agenda was coloring eggs!
Lydia getting her technique down

Eli didn't worry so much about technique, but trying to shove as many eggs as possible into the cups.

As you can tell by the eggs, Eli's patients to let the eggs sit for a more vibrant color was non-existent!

Look at that concentration! Lydia took her egg coloring very seriously and wasn't going to carelessly toss eggs into cups to color them.

Lydia getting some help from Aunt Christy!

Come to our playground!

Lydia got a wonderful present this year from Papaw (Michael Matlock, Michael's ex-step father). I almost feel like it was a present to me ;) He got her (and Eli) a swing-set! After 2 full days of manual labor on everyone's part, here are the fruits of our labor.

Papaw pushing Lydia and Eli on their new swing set!

Tadah! (spelling?) Here it is!
Trying out the glider thingy
Lydia modeling her swing set.

Lydia's Princess Party!

Lydia, like most little girls wanted a princess party this year. Here she is in her crown.
This is exactly what it looks like... Eli is testing out his moves on an older woman (Emma). I am proud to say he was successful in getting a hug.
Emma was a popular girl are Lydia's party. Here Lydia and Emma are enjoying one of MANY hugs that were accompanied with manic laughter. I have never seen two kids get along so well, they were like long lost sisters, minus the fighting, hair-pulling, and pushing down the stairs (Your welcome Courtney).
Michael and his Little Mamaw (Debbie's mother)
Lydia is obsessed with Little mamaw's shoes that she wears just like this, and this year Little Mamaw bought her a pair and she LOVED it!

Lydia, Grammy, and Aunt Christy enjoying some cake.
Lydia blowing out her candles, this may be been the second take, we didn't get through the first line of the Birthday Song, when she blew them out the first time.
My pretty Princess that turned 4! She is such a beautiful girl inside and out, and so smart!
Lydia and Eli.. Eli looks like he might be up to something!

Lydia trying to check out her hat, but Eli thinks he is more important... I can see them sharing a bathroom in 7 years.