Elmo Live! and Deer Camp

Getting ready to head to camp!



Ann Phelps with her prize from Elmo Live!

Ben's Elmo hat

The very expensive twirly light (but his happiness,

priceless!)

This weekend Rhyne took Will to the deer camp for the first time. Will was so excited! He "packed" everything he needed: his jackhammer, his tool box (with tools), his toothbrush, and boots! To Will the deer camp is a magical place where only daddies get to go - so he was thrilled to be included!! Friday night I took Ben and AP to see Elmo Live at the Coliseum. Ben was so excited. Will never cared too much for Sesame Street, but Ben really likes it. I got to the coliseum early since I was by myself with two and needed a lot of time to maneuver around - this didn't help with Ben's patience. About 10 minutes before the show, Big Bird's voice came on telling everyone the show was about to start and that was it, Ben sat right up in his chair and began looking for the characters (I need to get some pointers from Big Bird about getting Ben to listen!!)! There is nothing like seeing your child watch something with such amazement!! What a blessing!! I did manage to get a few pictures (not very good pics since AP was strapped to my body!)

Ben's first day of "school"

Ben with his "pack-pack"

In order to help Ben with his attachment issues, we signed him up for a Mom's Morning Out program here in Brandon. He goes on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. Today was his first day and much to our surprise HE DID NOT CRY when Rhyne dropped him off!!!!! I have been praying for this diligently. God has definitely answered my prayers!!

Celebrity Stylists

Ok, so Mar-Moo (my sister) is not a celebrity, but the boys gave her the star treatment! She stayed with us last night and let the boys "style" her hair! Rhyne just shook his head - he has determined he needs to start taking the boys on "man" outings to get all of this out of their system :)!! It is amazing to me how they knew exactly how to use the "tools" just because they have watched me. Very convicting!!

Little Feet

I have found that buying for little girls is too much fun!! (Rhyne agrees, but not in a good way!) I thought I would share this picture of Ann Phelps' sweet little shoes.

First Day of School '09

Will started school this week. He is going to Covenant Preschool at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Jackson. He is repeating K3. His teacher is so nice and the best part is she has a tool box in her classroom (that is what Will tells me)!! I have to admit I cried a little when I dropped him off - I guess it never gets easier seeing your children walk away on a new adventure! I took the other two to Barnes and Noble to play with Thomas the Train (AP just watched Ben play)! Ben thought it was wonderful not having Will around to tell him "no" and boss him around!! Funny thing about the picture: I wanted to take his picture outside because the light was better. While I was taking the picture there were some "cool kids" (a.k.a- middle school kids) waiting on the bus to pick them up. I know they were looking at me like I was the biggest dork!! I know it won't be long and Will will think that too!!

Sweet Ben

Ben's second birthday is approaching and he is becoming such a little person. He is more vocal now and more opinionated! Instead of just saying "no" when asked something, he says every time, "no way". Example: "Ben, do you want more juice?" his answer, "No way!" One not-so-great thing about Ben is he is very attached to me. We usually get paged every Sunday to come get him from nursery because he is still crying from when we dropped him off. It has gotten better because we got creative: Rhyne goes to Sunday school with Will and I come later to church with the other two. Ben seems to like this much better. I have signed him up for a Mom's Morning Out program for this school year - I still have my fingers crossed that he goes and stays!! One of Ben's traits that I love is he is so loving towards me. He will hug on me and cuddle with me. I know it won't last for long, it will be un-cool one day, but I am loving it now!! As you can see by the picture, Ben is attached to a blanket and pacifier. Not really one blanket, it just has to have the silky material on it. Sweet Ben!

6 Months

Ann Phelps turned 6months yesterday, but we went for her check-up today. She weighs 18lbs. and is 27inches long. The doctor said she is healthy! It is so weird to me how differently I feel about her than the boys. My family loves to remind me of the time in my life when I wanted nothing but 4 boys! Not that I have anything against girls, I just didn't think I could be a good "girl-mom". Maybe it has something to do with being pregnant with 3 boys and coming to terms with the fact that I was only going to have boys. BUT- I am so thankful God is totally in control!!!! I could not imagine life without AP!! My feelings of love for her are so different. I feel like I need to protect her more (it could be because she lives with two rowdy brothers). I am not as willing to leave her - I would rather have her with me always! It is just weird. Don't get me wrong, I love my boys to death, it is just different!! God knew (knows) exactly what I needed!!! I am so blessed!

Little Angels

Because I am turning my blog into a scrapbook one day, I have been trying to include more meaningful blog posts. I have been wanting to take a picture of Matthew and Harris' grave marker for a while, but never had my camera when I would visit. I was in the Delta Saturday and finally had my camera handy. I really don't have any words for this post - just wanted to include this in our scrapbook.