Words for Wednesday...Christmas in July Edition.

These two have declared today Christmas in July...earlier they watched Charlie Brown Christmas and now they've moved on to The Grinch. :) It's funny to look at this picture and see how much they've changed since last December. Anyone else longing for the holidays or are my kids the only ones?!?

Words for Wednesday...Die hard fan at 4 edition...

AG's reaction to the Braves come from behind win in the 9th on Saturday. If this doesn't epitomize die hard fan status I don't know what does. In reality I should have videotaped it because his reaction was priceless. Either way a picture is worth a 1,000 words and this is definitely one of those photos.

Words for Wednesday...Avi-Kate is 2!

Happy, happy birthday to our sweet, spunky, fiercely independent, determined, fearless, and adventuresome second born. Life with you is certainly a joy and each day brings something new. We are so grateful that you are part of our family. We love you and your beautiful ginger curls more than you know! Happy 2nd birthday, Avi-Kate! We can't believe how quickly you are growing up.

Practicing her cupcake eating a few weeks ago in preparation for her upcoming festivities.

A few candid shots of our spunky girl at AG's last soccer game a few weeks ago...

More about her birthday this next week...we are off to the farm tomorrow for the weekend to celebrate. Looking forward to swimming and celebrating a very special two year old on Saturday.

Words for Wednesday...Like Father Like Son...

Growing up Andy's dad was his soccer coach till he was in middle school and now the tradition continues. AG and Andy just completed their first season together this past Friday. Makes my heart happy. 

Words for Wednesday...6 under the age of 4...

One of my good friends in college was Evan. She was a year ahead of me and we were both Early Childhood majors. Since college we have kept up with each other via fb, our blogs, texts/calls, and when we can get our crazy schedules to overlap the occasional day together. Evan and I also share a love for Disney and it just so happens that they were there the week leading in to our trip. Well, the day before we left I received a text asking me how long our trip was because she was considering extending their trip by a few days. We both got really excited about the possibility and our husbands just smiled/laughed at the two of us so excited to be at Disney together with all of our kids. So, their last full day in the parks was our first full day and we got to spend the whole day together. We had a great day at Animal Kingdom, shopping the outlets, and closing down the Magic Kingdom. The kids had a blast riding rides, playing, and eating together. And the adults enjoyed plenty of sweet moments with our kids and great conversation. I hope at some point in our future we can plan a full trip with the Hopkins crew to Disney because this one day, while perfect, just wasn't enough for me. :)

Plus, it was fun to tote around 6 kids under the age of four...which is quite fitting...Evan and Stephen get countless questions about their triplets the way we get countless questions about our kids red hair.

TONS of Disney pictures and posts coming up next...

Words for Wednesday...One month from today...

...we'll be back at Disney for a nice long weekend. Perfect. Looking forward to spending the day at the Magic Kingdom and going wherever the kids want to go. No plans, low key. Currently AG's plans include: the cars (aka Tomorrowland Speedway with Andy), the new Dumbo, the Tea Cups, it's a small world, and Peter Pan. He said Avi-Kate's list just includes Winnie-the-Pooh. Ha. Now if the next few weeks will fly by. And speaking of flying...I found both kids Halloween costumes yesterday online. Tinkerbell and Peter Pan should be arriving shortly. I managed to find both with shipping for $37. I was pretty pleased with that price. Everything is set I need to tweak a few things but otherwise we are ready to go and all that stands in our way is the next few weeks, Mtn. Day festivities, and packing. Here's some past pictures...

 AG having a good cry with Donald.

 Andy and I on the new and improved Dumbo.

 Hallelujah! The wildest ride in the west is done being refurbished and I'm not pregnant! Looking forward to riding it for the first time since 2003. 

 AG may or may not be experiencing Splash for the first time. :)

 Yo Ho! Yo Ho! A Pirates life for me!

 Wishes and Hallowishes will be enjoyed.

 Dumbo is even better at night.

 Animal Kingdom fun.

Words for Wednesday...Sweet Friends in the Making Edition.

Just call them BFFs. 

 Enjoying animal crackers together.

 Samson trying to figure out the snack cup. 

Words for Wednesday...Professional Dog Walker Edition.

AG likes to 'walk' Samson around the house and Samson will happily trot around with him. He's a great dog and we are fortunate he has adapted so well to our growing family. :) Enjoy these quick pics I snapped the other day. 

Words for Wednesday...Pigeon Edition.

Being an education major in college I have a strong love for children's books. One of my favorite authors post college is Mo Willems. He has an amazing blog that you can follow here. Some of my favorite entries are ones that showcase fan mail, his dining room chalkboard walls and brown paper tables, and when he shares snippets from his speaking engagements. I love, love, love his work. It is just as fun for adults as it is for the kids. And his style, while simple, is very relatable.

Well, AG has taken to loving all things Mo and his favorite Aunt in Texas (and fellow teacher) also loves Mo! Just recently she sent the kids the latest Pigeon book and a box of Pigeon Match-ominoes. AG enjoyed telling Avi-Cakes, "no, no Baby! When you get bigger." in reference to not being able to play with the Match-ominoes. :) And he thinks the lastest Pigeon adventure is hysterical...even telling us, "that's so funny." while he slaps his knee! Ha. Thanks Aunt Joy for the new goodies! AG looks forward to a game or two of Match-ominoes this summer and some quality reading time when you visit. We can't wait to see you soon!

Words for Wednesday...Kindred Spirit Edition...

 Ginny and I in the fall of our senior year at Berry.

Ginn--Thanks for being my kindred spirit. My person. I'm blessed beyond measure because of your friendship. Excited to see what is in store as you, Josh, and the girls move in to this new chapter of your lives. Love you! --Kate

Words for Wednesday...Growing Up Edition...

For the last three years we've gone and cut down our Christmas tree with AG's best friend Emma...look how much they've changed:

2009--Emma 17 months and AG almost a year. 

2010--Walking everywhere and picking out their own Charlie Brown tree.

2011--What a mess these two are together. :) Talking, running, laughing together. Sweet friends.

Words for Wednesday...Theme Song Edition...

"Avi-Cakes, Avi-Cakes!

Does whatever an Avi-Cakes does.

Avi-Cake, Avi-Cakes!

Does whatever an Avi-Cakes does.

Look out!

Here comes Avi-Cakes."

Sing that little tune and I can almost guarantee you'll get a smile like this every single time:

Even better? Get AG to sing it and see the smile she gives you. It's priceless.

Words for Wednesday...

It's that time of year...it's hotter than hades, back to school supplies are everywhere, every afternoon holds the promise of thunderstorms, and I'm counting down the days till our college family returns to Rome. This summer is no exception. I'm eagerly looking forward to the fall and all that lays ahead. (A post on that coming soon...)

This sweet photo is a reminder to me of how much I love spending Thursday nights with our college girls. (These are some of our girls at Caroline's wedding this spring.) It's a joy and an honor to be able to spend time with them each week. I love them dearly and can't wait for them to return home to Rome. I'm in need of quality dinner conversation over Moe's, Pizookie with a side of McDreamy, and constant laughing over the events we call life. Hurry home girls...I can't wait to see you...

Words for Wednesday...Just Like Daddy Edition.

Andy is a drummer and before we had kids he hoped that one of our children would be musically inclined. AG is his father's son. (In more ways than one.) He's been drumming on things since before his first birthday and in this last year he's really gotten in to it. Sunday night Disney did a concert special of the Imagination Movers, one of AG's favorite programs, and the next morning we had to re-watch the concert. I walked in from cleaning up the breakfast dishes in the kitchen and this is what I saw:

He had created his own set-up...complete with Andy's Guitar Hero drums, one of my plant stands with a holiday tin on it, and he grabbed his stool out of 'his kitchen' to use as his seat.

Oh, and let's not forget the pedals...one for each foot. He sat there completely content and drummed along to the concert. He even 'sang' back up on some of the songs at the top of his lungs. Does it make mommy smile? Yes. Does it make daddy happy? Yes. Just like daddy? You bet. 

And that's not a bad thing...