Tornado Watch Tonight

It looks like the tornado already hit but don't worry this is just Tyler, Lauren, Tera and Big Tyler playing. I'm not sure what they are playing and I'm not sure who won. All I know is no one cried and that makes me a happy Mama. The Tornado Watch for Atlanta is already in effect but the bad weather shouldn't hit us until around 1 o'clock in the morning. I'm a little bummed about this weather system coming through since I just planted my garden YERSTERDAY! So while the children played on the swings...

Matt built a shelter for my little garden.

(ain't he awesome?!)

No, it's not for the children...but for my little plants and seeds.

(For the shelter he used a rug from the 2009 Final Four basketball tournament. I'm guessing he got this rug from our friend who works for Coke...ya think?)

He staked it in to hold up against the potentially strong winds.

I opened my water container to hopefully capture some free rain water. As the sun set and the high winds set in the girls played in the sandbox...

and the boys played with the iPad.

I think the storm is supposed to fly by just North of us but I'm sure we'll 'enjoy' some thunder and lightening tonight.

Going Granola: the Square Foot Garden Edition

It is the 1st week of April and the Dogwoods are blooming. Down here in Georgia, that means it is time to plant the garden. Before I get to my first EVER garden I have a couple of updates for you.

Update #1: Troy's Mom (the 33-year-old who suffered a stroke) is going to survive. She is able to answer questions by blinking her eyes (once for yes and twice for no.) She will go through a tremendous amount of therapy but is expected to have a significant recovery. She suffered her stroke immediately after a neck adjustment at the chiropractor's office. Although this is very rare (and I have nothing against chiropractors) please don't let them touch your neck.

Update #2: Tyler hit a coach-pitch ball during his T-ball game on Saturday! We were so proud. He is loving his T-Ball! The Square Foot Garden (based on this book)

Lauren and her gardening hat were a big help (whenever she wasn't fighting with her brother.) First we mixed 1/3 part Compost (from 3 different types of compost,) 1/3 part Vermiculite and 1/3 part Peat Moss. This made our Garden soil. We (mostly Matt) put it in our Square Foot Garden container. Matt then screwed on the grid. While Matt built the deer fence around the garden I planted the seeds. Since Anne C. asked...here is what I planted:

(l-r, back row to the front)

Tomatoes, Peas, Cucumbers, Beans

Cilantro, Jalapenos, Peppers, Basil

Spinach, Onions, Strawberries, Lettuce

Snapdragons (flowers,) Swiss Chard, Pansies, Daisies

(gotta love the Ikea kid chair supporting my be-hiney) I used popcycle craft sticks to mark my plants.

The orange pot will hold carrots and potatos. It looks a little small from the back deck.

getting bigger

Matt finished up the deer fence and added a trellis to support my vine plants.

(tomatoes, peas, cucumbers and beans)

I filled the grey bucket (on the left) with water so I can easily add it by the cupful to the plants.

Doesn't it look cute?

I really hope something will grow.

Prayers Please

Lauren and Tyler's friend Troy, need your prayers right now. (Troy is in the front row with the red shirt and blue shorts.)

His (33 year old) mom suffered a stroke yesterday and is in the ICU. She is breathing on her own but she is unresponsive.

I've been trying to process this all day but I can't. How can something like this happen to someone so young? I've only met Troy's mom two times (his parents are divorced) but both times I could tell that she and Troy's Dad always had the best intentions for their son.

It's amazing/heart-breaking how fragile life is and how fast things can change.

Please pray for Troy's family.

Go Diamondbacks!

Here's my boy all ready for his T-Ball Picture Day.

(He's ready...minus the belt, socks, shoes and SMILE) (please don't notice the mess o' house behind him)

Here's my boy warming up for the first T-Ball Game. "Coach, I'm ready."

the wind-up and "step when you throw" just like the Coach taught him

I didn't clock the throw but I'm thinking it just may be a 5-year-old T-Ball record!

Here's my boy acting like an experienced baseball player. (see un-gloved hand) I'm sure his baseball playing Uncles are proud. (especially Uncle Brian)

Here's my boy playing his first game. He played 3rd base, 2nd base and, in the outfield. (in this pic he's in the outfield next to his coach)

T-Ball today is a little bit different than when I played. These days (or at least in "these parts") the (batter's) coach pitches the first three pitches from the pitchers mound. If the batter misses, a tee is brought out and then the player has 2 more chances to hit off the tee. The inning ends after 3 outs or after 9 batters have hit.

Tyler had so much fun. He was smiling, jumping around and enjoying himself the whole time. He had his fun but when it was time to get "Baseball Ready" my boy spread his legs and put his glove to the ground ready to field the ball. Just like the coaches told him.

His Daddy and I were so proud of him.

Go Diamondbacks.

(next game is on Saturday if you want to come)

PS. I have to mention my Dad in this post (who suddenly passed away in 2007.) He loved sports, especially baseball. He coached all of our teams (my brother's and I) and I'm pretty sure he expected to coach or at least attend all of his grandchildren's sporting events.

I thought of him often during Tyler's T-ball game.

Jump Up and Party Down

Today was Tyler's birthday party at Jump 2 It.

Jump 2 It donated a free party as a raffle prize for our Mom's Club Spring Luncheon last year and I was the lucky winner!

(seriously, I never win anything)

Tyler's 5th Birthday gave me the perfect excuse to use it!

All day Tyler could not wait to go to the "jumpy place." He asked no less than 50 times, "when is it time to go?"

Two hours before the party he crashed out on Lauren's chair.

Too much anticipation I guess.

The impromptu nap definitely worked out in his favor because his party was full of non-stop action. I was exhausted just watching them play.

(our party coordinator took over 85 photos, and even though I'd be more than happy to post them all, I restrained myself.)

Here are some highlights:

Group Shot

(minus one friend who showed up late)

Silly Group Shot

the cake

blowing out his candles

being a boy......(see hand)

Lauren invited some partners in crime to keep her company.

Tera, Lauren and Emma

The Birthday Boy on his throne.

While sitting on the throne he opened his presents. He received some learning games and notebooks, two sets of Bakugan brawlers, and a SpongeBob DS game. He loves this game because I don't love SpongeBob and that makes him happy. =)

Everyone had a good time at the party. After over an hour of jumping there were only tears 2 times. (head vs. foot and head vs. head)

I think the great time had by all was pretty much due to our party coordinator, Daniela.

(Jump 2 It did not pay me to say this but...)

I have to mention how impressed I was with our party coordinator. Daniela was Awesome! She was energetic, lots of fun and she played right along with the kiddos. (If I could only bottle up her energy.) Any locals looking to book a Jump 2 It party should definitely request her. But hurry because she's a senior in HS and most likely won't be around much longer.

And with that I am through with my March Birthdays! Yay!

C'mon May! (Matt and I both have birthdays in May)

Happy 5th Birthday, Tyler!

My sweet "little" baby boy turned 5 years old today!

When I say "little" I don't really mean "little." The boy weighed 9lbs. and 12.6oz! at birth.

(Tyler 10 mos., Lauren 2 yrs and 10 mos.)
First picture as a five-year-old.I made confetti cake cupcakes with chocolate icing to share with his Pre-K class.

They were a hit!

After school L and T played with Jake and Dylan across the street. I told them when Daddy got home from work he would come get them and then (and only then) we would open the presents.

Tyler was a BIT excited to come home!

(don't worry he looked both ways before crossing the street)

He ran in and gave me an unsolicited hug.

(this doesn't happen very often anymore)

(I LOVED IT)

And now for the presents!

He made quite a haul!

(He'd like you to notice the $100 bill from Great Grandpa Bob!)

Dinner was completely up to Tyler.

When asked what he wanted for his special birthday dinner he said,

"a Pine-Apple and Macaroni and Cheese."

Dinner did not disappoint.

(Annie's Mac-n-cheese is only 8 WW+ points per 1 cup serving.)After dinner we played with the new toys...

Lauren built the Lego set she chose for Tyler all by herself!

...and then we had Cupcakes!

Tilt your head and say, "Happy Birthday, Tyler!"

We Love You!!

It Had to Happen

Yesterday, Lauren got in trouble at school. (a.k.a. had to pull a stick) After getting home she 'fessed up right away. Right off the bus she said, "You need to look in my Agenda!" (Her Agenda is the notebook her teacher and I use to keep in touch daily.) I looked in her Agenda and found this note from her teacher.

("Hey, Lauren had to pull a stick today because she was telling a student to take another student's supplies. She became quite upset with me and raised her voice. I talked to her about making good choices - she did settle down but I wanted you to know this happened.")

I asked Lauren about it and she insisted she did not tell anyone to take somone else's supplies. She said one of her classmates told her teacher she did even thought she didn't. I wasn't too concerned about this part of the note. I might actually believe her. However, I am concerned about the Raising Her Voice part to her teacher (and "being ugly and throwing a fit" --her own words.) We talked about being RESPECTFUL to our teachers and then I took away all Screen Time for the evening. This was DeVaStAtInG! It was so devastating that after a couple rounds on the naughty chair she fell into an exhausted late afternoon nap.

5 o'clock

and 6 o'clock

My poor girl had an exhausting day. She misbehaved, she was punished and now we are back to normal and moving on.

Today though... Today is Tyler's last day as a FOUR YEAR OLD! I can't believe it.

We celebrated by taking his blanket into Walmart after school. (When he is FIVE he must leave his blanket in the car (and eventually at home.))

He's pretty excited for this picture.

(FIVE minutes later he was ASLEEP.)

Here he is again reading books with Daddy.

Happy Day Before Your Birthday, Tyler!

I'll close with the last couple of meals we LOVED.

Mini Farfalle with Roasted Peppers, Onions, Feta, and Mint

and tonight's,

Paella with Soy Chorizo and Edamame

Yummers.

Five Years Ago, this very evening, I was preparing for my early morning, scheduled C-Section in downtown Atlanta. My precious son, Tyler was waiting to make his earthly entrance. I love you, Tyler!