A Very Brief Christmas Recap....More to Come Later

Wow! It's been quite a while since I visited the good ol' blog. I'm going to have to start doing better about updating it now that my dad has a computer at home now. He used to check in on us when he was at work, but now that he's retired, he will now have an excuse to check in at home, too!

We had a wonderful Christmas holiday; it just all seemed to go by in a flash! Isn't it funny how we spend months thinking about and preparing and gearing up for Christmas and then it all goes by so quickly. I wish there was a way to slow down time a bit. I am grateful to the trusty camera for helping me capture these memories for my girls.

My sister is in town for a bit, and she brought her girls by our house last night so they could open their presents from us and their Uncle Rich and Aunt Ang. Brandi (my sis) and I started talking about a lot of our past Christmases when we were growing up. Sadly, we have lost a lot of the holiday pictures, as well as school pictures, that were taken during those times together as family. We got a little sad talking about those wonderful Christmases we spent with our mom & dad and grandmom and gran. It's always been fun to back through and laugh at ourselves--how young we were, how SKINNY we used to be, just how little we were at one time. I am grateful for technology that my girls will have access to these photos for as long as and whenever they want! Thanks, Al Gore for inventing the internet for us so that we can share these with far away relatives, too! (ha!)

So, with the whole memory capturing theme in mind, I'll share a few of our photos. If you are a friend on Facebook, you'll definitely find more!

All the loot from BopBop & DamDam. They came to see us the Wednesday before Christmas. This was Christmas #1 for the girls! It looks like the tree exploded gifts, doesn't it? :)

Reese helped me bake cookies for Santa. She wore her new gingerbread man apron and chefs hat that she got from BopBop & DamDam. Isn't she the cutest little baker you've ever seen? I certainly think so!

Santa certainly came and brought the girls a lot of nice things--bikes for the twins, a new camera for Reese plus a bike helmet and knee/elbow pads, shopping carts full of gum and candy for the twins....they definitely did good!

Santa always takes a few pictures for me before going back out to the sleigh to head to other houses....thanks Santa! :)

We had to give the new bikes and the new helmet a test run on Christmas Day!! It was C-O-L-D!!! We didn't stay out too long. Look out world, here come the Manning girls.

I hope that all of you had a very blessed Christmas with your loved ones. We are looking forward to a great 2010!! Bring it on!!!

A Quick Post

Well, if any of you are still out there checking in on us, you've obviously noticed that the ol' blog has been quite neglected over the last several months. I have so much to get caught up on, but there just doesn't seem to be enough time in the day for me to even get finished with all the things I'm supposed to--you know, the boring things like work stuff, cleaning house, oh yeah, and taking care of my children! :)

Anyway, I just wanted to say that we're still here and doing well. Maybe I can get some updating done during my week long Thanksgiving break next week. Friday CANNOT come soon enough.

Gotta get ready for work, but I leave you with a picture. (story to come later)

HAPPY WEDNESDAY!!!!

Back from the Beach

We were at the beach last week with Warren's parents, his sister's family and his younger brother, and we are already to go back. One week is never long enough. It was a great vacation filled with firsts for my sweet big girl. She tried fried shrimp for the first time, drove a small go kart by herself, and rode the waves on a boogie board for the first time. The go kart and boogie board were more successful than the shrimp, but hey, she tried them and didn't pitch a king sized fit. I've got LOTS of pictures to share, but until I have more time, these will have to do:

the girls' first chance to get their toes in the water

(Reese, Anna, Maggie)

boogie boarding for the first time; can you see her face? she was so excited!!

Anna and Maggie enjoying playing the playground the Crab Trap restaurant

three of the four GREATEST blessings in my life

(Maggie, Reese, Anna)

looking good after ten years if I do say so myself!

Too Cute (and a great deal, too)

Ok, I'm going to be a bit geeky and post about one of my recent purchases!

I have been wanting a pair of YellowBox flip flops for the longest time, and while I know that $22 isn't a whole lot to spend, let's face it, that's money I can use for things that we actually need.  

We had to run into town Saturday, and I told Warren that I wanted to go to Belk and price tennis shoes for Reese for school.  While we were there, I also wanted to run into Mongrams Plus to look at prices of their nap mats and cheerleader uniforms for the girls.  I was excited to see a display of flip flops that had a huge SALE sign on them.  One of the workers told us that displays that had that sign were 90% off!!!!!  HUGE!!!!!  I immediately went back over to the flip flop rack and Warren helped me look! (He's been living with girls WAAAAAAAAAAAAY too long!) =)  He picked out this pair for me:

These shoes had a price tag of $34.95 on them!  With the 90% off plus tax, my grand total came to be $3.75!!!!!  I was too pumped; I love a great deal and a cute shoe!!! Shoes are my weakness.  These are super comfortable; I'm loving them!!!  I kinda want to go back and get another pair, but I know Warren would think that's ridiculous having so many pair of flip flops. But hey, we're heading to the beach and how can a girl have too many shoes?!

Recipe SOS

Hi All!

I wanted to send out this SOS because I need some help.  We are leaving for a week long stay in Orange Beach in about two weeks, give or take.  I love vacation time, but I hate the amount of money we always seem to go through on eating out.  Therefore, I have decided to try to cook some things at home and take some stuff from our pantry to the condo with us.  I know that sounds crazy because it's additional things to pack, but we always go to the beach with not a lot of money.  And the girls fell in love with go kart riding, so I know we'll have to do that plus goofy golf and souvenir shopping.  I just don't want to 'waste' a great deal of money on eating out.  We have to go to the grocery for home before we leave anyway, and I was just going to add some things to my list to take and try to make before leaving.  Do any of you have any great make ahead and freeze recipes that you could recommend?  I live with a good  many picky eaters so the more basic ingredients the better!  Thanks so very much!!!

More PIctures from the Twins BIRTHday!

are they not absolutely adorable?  these are the outfits they got from BopBop & DamDam.  they looked so grown up to me--made me proud and sad all at the same time!  and they were absolutely crazy about the bows that came with their outfits--HAD to wear them to church!

Anna posing in her new shades from the grands

at this particular moment, we couldn't find Maggie's new shades, so she opted for a pair of mine

Anna opening presents from Mimi and Pop

my mom and stepdad came by Sunday--they treated us all to lunch and brought presents for the girls--LOTS of new clothes that will be perfect beach wear in a few weeks.

not sure what this face means--she's either excited or scared about what she's opening!

The Cookie Mama Giveaway

My friend Shannon, the Cookie Mama herself, is having another cookie giveaway.  And since I'm letting all my blog buddies know about it, this is a way for me to enter my name into the drawing.  Be sure you go and leave her a comment on her blog to get your name in the hat!  Shannon's cookies are DELICIOUS!!!!  My whole family loves them.  She can design just about anything--cars, trucks, beach balls, trains, flowers, and the colors she chooses--very eye catching.  You won't be disappointed!  Shannon is the best!

Twas the Day & Night Before.....

DamDam came over the Saturday before the girls' birthday, bearing gifts as she came.  Grandparents never seem to visit the grands empty handed, do they?  And that's why God made 'em, right? =)  They got the most absolutely adorable outfits (which they wore to Sunday school the next day and naturally I took a picture and will post that one, but for now, it's on the sidebar!).  

And, since these little ones are really beginning to express some different interests, they got some different gifts of their own.  Anna, being the more girlie girl of the two got a 3-D kite (which we plan on flying at the beach in a few weeks--yay!) and some pink princess sunglasses.  

Maggie, who does exhibit girlie tendencies on occasion but seems to have less interest got a pair of Spider-Man sunglasses and a Spider-Man Mr. Potato Head!  Yes, my four year old daughter LOVES Spidey!  Don't ask me why; I have no answer for that one!

We decided to the birthday cake thing that night.  And let me tell you, having girls with different likes made for one interesting cake picking out experience.  Since we weren't doing a big, blow out party, I had decided on getting one 1/4 size cake; that would be plenty!  On the way to WalMart to pick it out, I asked the girls what they wanted.  Anna said she wanted a princess cake, and Maggie, yep, you guessed it, asked for Spider-Man.  How was I gonna solve this one to make them both happy and on a budget?  The answer came to me when I saw that they did small, more individual sized cakes--one a Barbie princess and one a Spider-Man.  This seemed perfect, and they were only $5 each to boot!  I could do those and get one of the already made ones and just have them write Happy Birthday Anna and Maggie on it.  Great!

Not so fast Mama!  Maggie just would not be talked in to getting a small cake.  Anna was much more agreeable on the small one, but Maggie wouldn't budge.  Then I made the executive mom decision and got the small Barbie for Anna (who said she would eat the whole thing by herself) and do a Spider-Man 1/4 sheet.  That way they'd both be happy!  The whole way home I kept thinking to myself,  "I can't believe I just ordered a Spider-Man cake for my four year old DAUGHTER!"  Too funny!

Anna's very own Barbie cake

the Spidey cake!  (it turned out great!)

Anna making her wish

Mags making her wish

KOBE!!

listening to the birthday song

making their wishes

On Friday, we took the girls to Tuscaloosa to KOBE to celebrate the twins upcoming fourth birthday (their actual birthday wasn't until Sunday).  KOBE is one of those Japanese restaurants where they cook your food at your table.  We had eaten at KOBE once before, and Reese loved it.  Maggie was okay with it, but Anna wasn't too sure about the fire!  And again, we had the same reactions--Anna ever cautious, Maggie kinda interested and Reese along for the ride!

When we told our waiter that it was the twins' birthday, he said that they had a little 'show' for customers birthdays.  Once we finished with our meal, most of the wait staff came out and sang "Happy Birthday" to the girls.  They even had a "cake" for them--it was about a quarter of a pineapple that served as the cake base and on top of that was a hollowed out orange.  The 'inside' of the orange was sliced and the slices were stacked on each other--it was like a tiered cake!  There were even two candles in the orange for the girls to make their birthday wishes with.  It was very special for me to watch them be so excited about something different being done just for them.  They were even given small boxes that contained their very own pair of chopsticks!!!!  That was an extra special surprise!

I've got more pictures and stories from that birthday weekend, but I'm so behind.  I began this post two weeks ago--and I'm just now finishing it!  I guess I'll get to it all now that my online classes are OVER!  Hallelujah!  

Stay tuned......

Catching Up

I have a lot to catch up on with this here blog.  Am going to try to get some of it done today.  We celebrated the twins fourth birthday all weekend long, and I've got pictures and posts to make so stay tuned......

Say Y-E-S to VBS!

We finished up VBS week last night at church with Family Night.  I'm a little behind with all of my postings.  I'm taking FOUR online classes for my license renewal, so I've been a bit busy!  Will post family night stuff later.  Anyway....

I helped out in the older four year old room this year, and it was such a blessing seeing how excited those boys and girls were about Bible school and Jesus!  It did a world of good for me to help.  

The theme for the week was Boomerang Express, and the boys and girls learned all about Australia.  The boomerang was chosen as the "symbol" and our saying was "it all comes back to Jesus."  'Cause you know a boomerang's supposed to come back to you when you throw it!  

My girls sang every song every morning in worship rally, and we had to sing them on the way home, too.  This was Reese's second year and the twins first, and they all had a blast.  Reese was sad that we weren't going this morning; she didn't want VBS to be over.  I have so many crafts and colorings that I need to organize, but it was a true blessing for all the girls to be a part of.  

The seeds have continued to be planted in sweet Reesie's heart.  She asks me if I have Jesus in my heart, and I know she's beginning to understand.  I just don't want to force her into any kind of decision.  I want her to totally understand what it means to have Jesus in your heart.  I think that the next time she says something about it that I'll get our children's minister to sit down and talk with her.  I just want her to understand what it's all about.

Since we were in Australia on the Boomerang Express, I had to get the girls' picture besides these kangaroos.  The halls in our children's building have these awesome murals on the walls....the outback with kangaroos, under the sea with dolphins, moose grazing, polar bears in the Arctic and my favorite one is an entire wall of Noah's Ark with the animals boarding two by two!  On my to do list for the future is to get the girls picture with all the murals.  

Reese had a few tears in her eyes because Anna would not let Reese be in a picture by herself.  This was taken just moments after a youth worker got Anna occupied with something else so Reese could be with the kangaroos all by herself!

Maggie and Anna with the 'roos.  (I have got to take them for a haircut PDQ!)

Dandy Doodlez

Last Tuesday, I took the girls over to Starkville to Dandy Doodlez. For those of you who don't know, Dandy Doodlez is a paint your own pottery studio. The girls have been wanting to go there for a long while, and I decided to brave it alone last week as a reward for finishing a great school year!  I couldn't have asked for a better time....the girls were so well behaved.  I don't think they've ever acted much better than they did last week.  

all my happy girls!!!

Reese decided on painting a small birthday cake and a dolphin.  I'm not sure what drew her to those, but she was very proud of what she did (and so was I).  Anna picked out a puppy, and bless that puppy's heart, he had more paint on him than the law should allow.  Anna just couldn't get it how she wanted it, and she kept adding color upon color upon color!!!  (and to my amazement, her puppy turned out really well!!!)  Maggie decided on a spider....have I mentioned that Maggie really likes Spider-Man?And her spider also got his fair share of paint layers!

sweet Mags hard at work on her spider!

The girls had a little trouble understanding that we couldn't take our painted pieces home the day we actually painted them.  I had to tell them that the pieces would have to go in a big oven to get all shiny and pretty for them.  I got a call earlier this week saying that our work was ready to come and be picked up.  The girls were so excited about seeing what they painted.  

crazy Anna--she really had a ball!

One of Maggie's spider's legs broke off in the oven though.  That was the only casualty we had.  Maggie didn't seem too upset about it, and I think the people at Dandy Doodlez felt kinda bad, too.  They gave us a store credit so that Maggie can come back sometime and paint something else!  That was news to my ears!!!

my big girl!!! (posing as always)

Befores and Afters.....

Reese's birthday cake and dolphin before....

and Reese's after

Anna's puppy dog before.....

Anna's puppy dog after...

Maggie's spider before....

Maggie's spider after (more on his missing leg later)

It's a GREAT day!!!!

Well, at first, I didn't think this day was going to be so great when I first woke up this morning.....at 6:15. I don't think the girls have gotten the memo that it's summer yet! I knew that I would have to drive to Macon to pick up my paycheck for the month. I haven't had to make that drive in the last week, and I was not looking forward to doing it again today.

When I got to the school, our paychecks weren't ready, and while that irritated me a bit, my irritation quickly went away when our computer teacher, Mr. Humphries, told me that my laptop was ready. I haven't been able to use my laptop in WELL over a year due to the fact that the girls would plug and unplug the ac adapter from the back of the thing so many times that it would no longer charge the battery or work while plugged into the wall. I had called a couple of computer places asking if they could fix it for me, but they all said I'd be better off buying a new one. Were they kidding? Where would I come up with the extra funds for an extravagant purchase such as that.

So.....I told Mr. Humphries about my problem, and he said he could fix it. And fix it he did!!!! And, he didn't charge me as much as we had both originally thought. It doesn't get much better than that. Just wanted to share my joy!!!! It really is the little things in life that make ya happy, isn't it?

Reese's KIndergarten Graduation

Last night was Central Academy's K-5 graduation.  I can't believe that Reese will be a first grader when school starts next year!  My how my baby has grown.  She looked so big in her cap and gown last night!  She had NO trouble whatsoever being in front of all the people that were there.  She wasn't a bit shy!  She definitely does not get that from me!  She had two Bible verses to say with a small group of students, and she and two boys (a set of twins) led their class in the last song of the night!  Precious!  That was my favorite part of the program.

Here are some pictures....

the graduate with her sash and everything 

so darling

I had to get a picture of the graduate and her sisters

checking out her diploma; she was so proud

the class of 2009 (really 2021)

Reese with her teachers Ms. Karen and Ms. Angie

My Sweet Sweet Girl

A lot has happened in our house over the last 24 hours.  We have endured our first huge accident of the girls' little lives.  Maggie has a broken arm.  It happened last night around 7pm.  

Warren went for a quick jog, and the girls and I had started watching The Biggest Loser finale.  During a commercial, I decided to go ahead and get in my pjs and get my teeth brushed, etc.  While I was in the back of the house, it seems as if Anna and Maggie decided to sit on the back of our futon (it's not up against a wall so there is nothing to stop a fall, if one is to occur.  As soon as I got finished with my nightly routine, I begin to make my way back to the living room and that's when I heard the crying.  I ran into the room and saw sweet Mags on the floor, and she was doing some major crying.  At first I thought she might have been acting  a bit, but she said her arm hurt, and she was favoring it.  I scooped her up in my arms and walked outside, hoping that Warren, RN, was almost finished with his run.  Luckily for this panicky mama, he was.  He took her and gave her a quick once over, and I filled him in on what happened.  

He immediately decided to take  her to the hospital.  Maggie was still crying and saying the didn't want to go.  I kept telling her to be brave, and it'd all be okay.  She wanted me to go, but I felt TONS better with Warren going; he understands all that medical stuff lots better than I do.   Xrays were taken of her right arm (yeah, it couldn't have been the arm that she DOESN'T write with), and the doctor determined that she had a very small fracture at her elbow.  Basically her elbow is broken, or at least that's what I understand.  

They did not get home until twenty minutes until ELEVEN.  Quite an eventful evening for my baby.  It didn't take her ten minutes to fall asleep though.  Warren said she did so good in the ER--not much crying or misbehaving.  But, the minute she walked in the house and saw me, that's when the whining began!  We dosed her up with some tylenol and out she went.  

She is scheduled to see the orthopedist at 9am on Friday.  She is currently wearing a heavy ace wrap and a sling, and I'm guessing the orthopedist will either put her in a cast or something a little stronger.  

I had to include a couple of pictures of my sweet one armed bandit!  (that's what I've been calling her to make her smile)

even though she's hurt, she still smiles for the camera.  aren't those dinosaurs on that sling something else? When she complains about having to wear it, I remind her that I have never gotten to wear a sling.  She beams when she remembers that!  I think she likes that she has one on me! 

 

having a broken arm takes a lot out of a girl....

Big {Sigh}

It's been a little while since I've looked in on the old blog.  These last few weeks have been crazier than usual and crazier than I could have thought possible.  I have been reminded that the last few weeks of the school year are absolutely wild!  The kids have basically shut down (and I have a bit myself) now that there is a light at the end of this year long tunnel.  Plus some things have been going on within the school itself that has kinda taken the wind out of my sails a bit.  Not to mention that I have to take four online classes this summer.  

When I signed up for the online thing, I thought "Hey this is great.  I can do it at my own speed on my own time."  What was I possibly thinking--with THREE incredibly wild girls running around.  My classes started today, and I told the girls on the way home from school that Mommy had some homework to do on the computer when we got home.  I get home and get online and try to navigate through some of the class sites--let's just say I have a lot to learn.  The girls told me they'd cooperate and act nicely.  We hit the door at home and wildness ensues.  The flowers that are still in the vase that Warren sent me for our anniversary (another post) ended up on the floor.  The vase didn't break, hallelujah.  That would have just been MORE for me to clean, right?  They are in the pantry getting out more snacks than any one, make that three, child can eat at one time.  Not to mention the NOISE!!!!!  Why am I so gullible?  Why do I believe them when they say they'll be good?  I am either incredibly STUPID or just desperate for it to come true.  I hope it's desperation and not stupidity---course, I'm so tired I don't think I'd know and I'm living this crazy life.  

I know I am going to miss these times, these when they are still small, still needy, still wanting to be close to us, but there are times when  I wonder what it will indeed be like when they all can do more for themselves.  

Anyway, I just needed to rant a little and even help me keep up with what's been going on....

TWELVE MORE DAYS!!!!!!

She's Officially a BIG Girl Now

Friday night, Reese was invited to a camp out

 spend the night birthday party for a friend that she met at pre-school last year.  We went to WalMart a couple of days before and got her her very first sleeping bag--a Princess one of course!  She loves it!!! She had to carry it through the store to the check out line.  She was mighty proud of it. 

 

dancing around in the kitchen before leaving for the camp out!

had to get a picture of me and the big girl before she left 

(please excuse the mess in the background!)

When I told her about the party, she was VERY excited, but I made sure to explain exactly what the whole camp out would be like.  Until Friday, she had NEVER spent the night away from us.  I made sure I told told the mom in charge that because I just really had no idea how Reese would react when it would be time for everyone to go to sleep.  I had a list of our phone numbers ready because I just knew that we'd be getting a call in the middle of the night.  (My mom always had to come get me early from spend the night parties).  Anyway......we weren't called at all!!!  She made it through her very first sleep over.  I told Warren that part of me was really glad that she made it through and did so well, but that another part was kinda hoping to be called.  Now that she made it, it just showed me how she truly is growing up on us.  

Daddy and the big girl!

Maggie and Anna were feeling a bit left out so we had to get a picture with them, too

notice the sleeping bag and flashlight?--she was ALL ready to go!!!

Mother Goose Parade

The kindergarten classes at Central have a Mother Goose parade every year. And this year, it was Reese's turn to be 'Jill' from "Jack and Jill." DamDam found her a sweet little dress, and we got her a galvanized pail for her to fetch her water in. She was also responsible for reciting the rhyme! She knew it so well!!!

The classes paraded all through the school. I think some of the little ones got a little nervous when they walked into the rooms where the big kids were. Most of the nursery rhymes were represented: Queen of Hearts, Peter Peter Pumpkin Eater and his wife, Rub a Dub Dub Three Men in a Tub, Three Little Kittens--you name it!!! After parading through the school, twenty five and six year olds walked through the streets of Macon visiting various businesses and city hall so all the hard working folks in Macon could see the nursery rhyme parade! Reese was one tired little girl after all that walking, but I think she had a ball. They even went to the nursing home to visit the residents, and Reese said that she and Bryce (aka Jack) said their nursery rhyme first! I wish I could have been there, but a couple of the moms that 'chaperoned' told me that they got some pictures for me; that helps make me feel like I was there.

Enjoy....

posing at home before heading out to school--she looks so big....

parading through my first period 10th grade English class

Jack and Jill

me and my big girl!