12-17-08 Christmas Time

Ayden, Last night you went with Bert, Carley and Chi to sing Christmas Carols with their church, Trinity Presbyterian. You guys went to individual houses and sang and then went for a visit at the nursing home. Daddy, Ally Brynn and I received a call from Chi and Bert when you left the nursing home. They told me how much the residents of the nursing home LOVED you. Chi said that you would go and hold the residents hand and tell them "Merry Christmas." You sang them songs and brought tears to their eyes. There were even women requesting for you to come over and see them. It fills my heart with pride and love to hear the sweet things that you do. Bert caught a great picture of you and Carley visiting and I am so happy to have that picture. I plan to take you back before Christmas to witness the happiness that you can share with these residents. I love you so much! I also wanted to share the story of your Christmas shopping for Mommy and Daddy at school today. The school requested we send a little money for you to go shopping in the Secret Santa shop for gifts for us. When I got to daycare to pick you up, Mrs. Vanessa had a hand full of beautiful red and green beads in her hands. She asked me "How much did you love this bracelet?" I told her that it wasn't mine because I had never seen those beads before. You immediately started crying and said "I bought you that from school for your Christmas present, and SHE popped it." You shoved a little girl forward and told her she needed to apologize. Your little heart was broken. After calming you down, we went inside to get your things and I saw that you had a white bag and tissue paper strewn all over the place. You showed me a beautiful silver snowflake pin that you also bought me. I asked what you got daddy and you showed me a Tootsie Roll cardboard canister piggy bank filled with tootsie roll wrappers. I asked where the tootsie rolls were and you said you ate them :-) You left daddy 2 tootsie rolls! Then you pulled out a plastic candy can half filled with m & m's. You said that was for daddy too. I couldn't help but laugh because you love sweets just as much as I do. Daddy really gave you a hard time this morning about his gifts. He couldn't believe you ate his gift. Ha Ha. I told daddy that you get it honest! I told him the story of when I was a little girl, and we had to sell the World's Finest Chocolate for school. I can remember that my parents had a bowl full of silver dollars in their drawer and I spent almost all; Ok maybe ALL of those silver dollars on those candy bars. I probably ate a whole box! Yes, mom and dad, that is what happened to those silver dollars :-) Ha Ha Anyway...these are the times that I love and the stories we will tell your children one day! Merry Christmas! Mommy

Airport Santa and Ayden's first Flight

It is Sunday December 14th. Today Nana came over to try and take a few pictures for mommy to use on her Christmas cards. I know it is last minute but with work, birthday party and illnesses, the days have really been flying by. Speaking of flying, we went to the airport today because we heard that Santa may be stopping by for a visit. There were lots of children there hopping to see Santa and tell him what they want for Christmas. Everyone was so excited when he came flying into the airport in a lear jet. Leading the way was a small red plane doing tricks in the air. He was called "Rudolph." Santa did not arrive alone at the airport. Some helpers unloaded bags of gifts for all of the girls and boys that were at the airport. Ayden, you were so excited and waited paitiently for Santa to call your name. When he did, you gave him a big hug and told him thank you. Ally Brynn wasn't quite as excited about Santa. She would only get as close as the suckers that were beside Santa. She has been sick with a virus all weekend and only wanted to be held all day. She was so tired. After visiting Santa, Mommy, Daddy, Ayden, Ally Brynn, Nana, Papa, Richie and Sunny all went to see Papa's plane. We took a few pics and decided today would be the perfect day to take Ayden for his first airplane ride. He was so excited and looked so big sitting with his Daddy and Papa in the cockpit. Once they returned, he explained all the houses he saw and said that "it dropped my heart a little bit." Little did he know that I was feeling the same way. They had a wonderful time and by the grins on all three's face, I don't know which had the most fun! Here are the pics...

Ayden

Ayden...on our way home from school yesterday we discussed your day as usual. I love hearing about the fun things you do at school and mostly the bible stories that you tell me. Well yesterday, you once again amazed me with your strong perception and witt. You started telling me about something that happened during bible time. So I stated "You really enjoy bible time at school don't you?" You replied..."Not really." This was not what I was expecting to hear since we are always talking about a lesson from that day or week so out of curiosity I asked "why." You replied "Because it is so sad." "why is it sad," I asked. You said "because Jesus was put on that cross and beaten." I knew this was coming from the Live nativity sceen we had visited the weekend before when you comforted Ally Brynn and told her not to be scared during the crucifiction sceen. I told you that what you had seen the weekend before was not real but that they were showing us what really happened along time ago. I also explained that becuase Jesus died on that cross, we would be able to one day go to heaven and live with Jesus and his daddy God. Ayden, you quickly responded with "God is not Jesus' father. I was really surprised with this response because we have talked about Jesus and his father God sooo many times so I said "yes, God is Jesus' daddy." You said "NO, Joseph is Jesus' daddy." I was speechless! This was one of those moments where I really had to back up and think of how to explain this simply to a 5 year old. While I was thinking you said "Did Joseph turn into God when he got older?" I said no that Joseph AND God were Jesus' fathers. You were fine with this answer. Sweeeew! I think that trying to explain heavenly father versus earthly father would be a little out of his realm right now. Ha Ha. I wanted to remember this conversation and how amazing my little man is. Bring on the rest of the questions....

It's beginning to look alot like Christmas

This weekend went by soo fast. Saturday Mommy and Daddy gave Ally Brynn her birthday present a little early. We spent the day playing outside on it and she and Ayden had sooo much fun. It is a miniture version of Ayden's swing set. We figured that since she is only two, she won't mind an early gift. Saturday night, we picked up Papa and went to see the Christmas lights in the gardens, the New Hope live manger sceen, and the lights around Orangeburg. Ayden has been to the Live nativity sceen every year for the past 3 years and LOVES it. Last year he told Jesus "I love you Jesus. We just went to see Santa." This year he watched intently and when we got to the crucifiction sceen, he told Ally Brynn "Its OK baby, you don't have to look if you don't won't." He is very protective of her and she of him. It is so sweet. We had a great time and really enjoyed spending it with Papa. We just missed Santa in the gardens but plan to see him very soon. Here are some of the weekend pics.

The Fanning's Christmas Portraits

On Sunday Rachel, Shane and baby Shelby Fanning came by to let me take their Christmas portraits. We had so much fun and baby Shelby was so good. I am so eager to expand my knowledge of photography and having such wonderful subjects to practice on is so helpful. Here are a few of the pics.

15 Days Until.....

Ally Brynn turns 2! I am in party mode...searching for ideas, themes and cake ideas. I can't believe you are almost 2. You are such an independent little girl (I can't possibly imagine where you get THAT from). You have started biting just like your brother used to do. I am so worried. You do have all four molars coming in so I am hoping the biting will ease off as your teeth move in. You love your Elle (the pink elephant that the Walling's gave you when you were born) and your pacifier. You chewed up the good pacy and we are down to our last one. Daddy and I keep saying that once this pacy is gone, that is it. We aren't buying anymore. I hope that is true. You are much more attached than Ayden was to his pacy. You love being held and at you last trip to the doctor a few weeks back, you weighed 29.8lbs. We go to the doctor for your 2 year old shots on the 22nd and I will post all of your measurements and weight. It is so hard holding you now but you don't take no for an answer. You love your Bubba and are very protective over him. Anytime we are playing on the floor, you push us away from Ayden. You think we are trying to hurt him. It is so sweet. Well, I need to get back to party planning...I am so excited about your birthday! I hope you love it. I love you. Mommy

Carolina/Clemson 2008

What a sad day for Gamecock fans! We really had a good feeling this season that we would beat those tigers. Oh Well...maybe next year, right? Ayden, you are so confused about which team you want to pull for. Uncle Greg loves Clemson and so you hear him talking about the Gamecocks but Mommy, Daddy, Aunt Camie, Uncle Ken and Pa all pull for Gamecocks. The morning of the game I told you that you would have to pick one team to pull for all day since they were playing each other. You decided to go with the Gamecocks (I think the fact that I had tattoos for our faces played a HUGE part in this decision). You put your long sleeve white t-shirt on and your gamecock jersey. We put a cocky tattoo on your cheek and got ready for the early game. Halfway thru the game when we were getting beat really bad, Ayden you took your jersey off and revealed that you had a Clemson shirt on underneath the Gamecock jersey. You were prepared. You are so entertaining, I swear. Despite the cold, rainy weather, we had so much fun with all our friends and you had a blast with Laken, Clay and Tori. Ally Brynn you were passed around all day and one person even asked if you could walk. You love all of the attention and spent the day being spoiled rotten. Nana came and picked you guys and Laken and Clay up and ya'll spent the night with her and Pa. Even thought the gamecocks lost the game 14-31, we sure enjoyed the day with all our good friends and good food. Here are a few of the pics....