School is starting!

So, it's probably just me, but I just downloaded the new version of Blogger. What took me so long? It's fabulous! Thank you, Blogger, for making things easier! And now, onto the subject at hand...SCHOOL! Lainey and Walker started Mother's Day Out today - or "school" as we call it - and it was such a happy day for both kids AND their mom. I can certainly accomplish a whole lot in three hours without my two friends in tow. Wow. Anyway, here are a few pictures from our morning...

My two little friends. I've had a great summer with these two!

And here's little Walker, with his 70s hairdo. Let me tell you, he was super thrilled to be taking pictures. I decided this morning - during this photo session - that Walker needs a haircut. It's getting a little shaggy!

Lainey was SO excited to go to school and see her new teachers, Mrs. Webb and Mrs. West. 

She's holding her "preschool license." So official.

No morning is complete without a little sass. :)

The Pringles can is what Lainey's teachers use to transport artwork, notes, information, etc.  Each child had to bring one to school today.

 cutie pie

And, since I was no longer making him sit down and pose for pictures, the little man was happy to give me his "cheese" smile for the camera. It's so funny - I love that arched eyebrow. Unless I catch him in a candid shot in which he's laughing or smiling, then this is the smile I get when I start snapping pictures. :) 

Hehe. :) The puzzle piece that he's holding in his right hand made it all the way into his classroom. I found it in his bag after school. I'm quite impressed that it actually made it back home! Walker did well today with Ms. Susan and Ms. Teresa. He didn't cry when I dropped him off, but he was definitely fried by pick-up time. Both kids took good naps at home (they only go half-days this first week) and we'll get ready to do it all again on Thursday! Next week, Walker will nap on a nap mat at school (one of those things that I'll believe when I see it because he's quite particular) but Lainey will not nap in her classroom. Sigh...and yikes. Lainey has never really skipped a nap. We'll see how this goes. It may be that she has to have a little rest time when she gets home from school! All in all, I'm very excited about the school year and I'm so pleased with their teachers. They are going to have a great experience!

Beloved Horshies

These three horses were mine as a child. And I LOVED my "horshies." As you can see, they are still getting the royal treatment in 2011. They are lucky horses to be given milk, orange juice, and the occasional snack (notice the little magnetic dress-up shoes and bows on top of the cups and the napkin off to the side). I'm just happy that these horses are still loved. :)

Lately, when I've been telling Lainey about things that I liked when I was a little girl or things I did when I was her age, she responds with, "Mommy, when I was your age I liked that, too." Sometimes she'll get all mixed up and say, "Mommy, when I was your age and when you were my age I did that, too." She loves to refer to the time when I was a "tiny baby" or when she was a "tiny baby." Many of the things she tells me about are "just stories" (as in, completely, 100% fiction) so I'm working with her on distinguishing between what really happened vs. a pretend story. :)

18 Months Old

Walker is officially 18 months old. And sporting this sweet smile whenever I ask him to say "cheese" for the camera.

Height: 33 inches (@50th percentile)

Weight: 23.8 pounds (@10th percentile)

Watching Dora, refusing to look at me, but happily showing off his flexibility. Those splayed toes are a trademark move of his. He does that a lot, especially when you're trying to put shoes on him.

smacking his lips and looking for his drink

hands covering his mouth, communicating some kind of frustration or excitement

throwing balls with Bud

Likely to:

• get diaper rash
• be ticklish
• eat white bread, not wheat bread
• get cold easily and then, turn blue :(
• cry when his sister takes things from him
• cry when tired/hungry
• not "go with the flow"
• run away mid-diaper change (This is always fun. It has become a game of chase for him.)
• cry during swim lessons (Although, I'm SO happy to say that he can save himself by floating...he turns over and floats in the water in order to breathe! It is not pretty. But he gets the job done.)
• zoom his cars along any available surface...the refrigerator, the drawers, the cabinets...and if he can open any drawer or cabinet just a little, then the car will go in there, too.
• fall/bump into things (His spatial awareness and gross motor skills need some work.)
• grunt and point and open and close his hands (as if reaching for the object) when he wants something
• fall asleep in the car for FIVE SECONDS and then refuse to nap for the rest of the day

Loves:

• swimming and going under and playing in the water and blowing bubbles
• pointing out things in books...he loves to point out any kind of ball and any picture of the moon
• eating with a fork
• dice
• unplugging things from the wall
• giving hugs
• cars
• balls
• crawling into my lap - he may not stay there for long, but he sure loves sitting there when the mood suits him
• the game "Elefun" (especially the nets used to catch the butterflies)
• clicking his tongue/smacking his lips
• putting binkies in and out of babies’ mouths (as opposed to Lainey who would actually put a baby doll’s binky in her mouth to satisfy her need)
• saying "night-night" (by waving, not speaking) to everything in his room (And I mean everything...his cd player, his baby book, each picture, his clock...you name it. He and Ben have a routine.)
• retrieving his shoes from the laundry room and bringing them to me so I can put them on his feet
• bringing me my bag/purse, especially if he's ready to leave
• the dollhouse and the little baby that goes night-night in the dollhouse crib (He especially likes pushing the button on the crib to play the music to the lullaby "Go to Sleep."
• the little dollhouse for the little woodland animals (Calico Critters)

Word count: 2 (officially, consistently, in the correct context, etc.)

• says “hah” for “hi” but only into a pretend phone
• "uh-oh"

We love you to pieces, Buddies. You keep us on our toes with your curiosity, cuteness, and clumsiness. :) You are a lovable, sweet boy and we are still surprised at how blonde your hair is. Thank you for bringing such joy into our lives!

Lainey's Favorite Things About Soccer

So...Lainey's soccer season is over. I don't think that the team won a single game but a) I don't think that the kids realized that and b) they had fun anyway and c) they loved the experience and their coach, Ms. Aimee. (And yes, that is Lainey being held by Ms. Aimee in the picture.)

Lainey's Favorite Things About Soccer:

- trapping the ball by stepping on it with her foot and then kicking it (She never just kicked it.)

- scoring "six goals" (I think she meant that she kicked the ball into the net during warm-up...more like one time, not six!)

- the phrase "Pass me the ball! Pass it to me!" (said while jumping up and down and waving her arms back and forth)

- her pink shin guards

- her white shirt that matched Sara's white shirt (They stopped to discuss this at one point during the game.)

- the little soccer cones/discs used to mark the playing field (Did you know that they make great hats?)

- Taylor and Sara

- hopping on and off the "field" when it was her turn to play

- looking at us and saying "I did great!" throughout the game whenever she did something worth recognizing

- her trophy

- jumping jacks (It is hilarious to watch 3- and 4-year-olds try to do jumping jacks. It's basically just a lot of jumping and overhead clapping and counting. Absolutely nothing is in sync. But it is all sorts of adorable.)

- her coach, Ms. Aimee :)

Paper Mache

Introducing "Ainsley," Lainey's paper mache balloon head!

I am glad that I was able to somehow restrain her from painting and painting and painting...color upon color upon color...creating a beautiful grayish-blackish color.

The back of Ainsley's head...so pretty! These desperate times (a.k.a. the hot weather) call for desperate measures (a.k.a. paper mache with a 3-year-old).

Camp Bud and Yiyia

Last week, Lainey and Ella spent two days at "Camp Bud and Yiyia." They had so much fun with their grandparents and they each got a cute little picture album detailing their experiences. This is one picture, however, that didn't make it into the album because Yiyia had taken it with her phone. I think I should hire Ella for this daily chore because Lainey certainly doesn't cooperate like this for me! :)

August

I remember the month of August last summer. It was hot, and we were potty training, and we had to play inside. This summer is no different except we are not potty training. Thank goodness. It's pretty hot outside, and while Lainey doesn't seem to mind it, Walker does. Anyway, so inside it is. I'm getting brave and trying new crafts (like paper mache...totally and way out of my comfort zone) and trying to think of ways to entertain the kids until after dinner when it's finally okay to play outside.

We blew up balloons and the kids played with them for a good twenty minutes while I got the paper mache supplies gathered. What fun they had with just four balloons. They bounced them and chased them all over the kitchen and living room. I sometimes forget how simply kids can be entertained!

Walker's current "cheese" smile :)

Lainey Lou and her purple balloons

The kids got ahold of the shampoo bottle when I wasn't looking and suddenly, we had a tub FULL of bubbles. They did have a lot of fun, though, and while bath time lasted forever because I kept taking pictures, I think I got a few cute ones.

Lainey told Walker that he had a "Christmas beard."

Somehow, tonight at dinner, we got on the subject of skunks. Lainey mentioned that skunks were stinky. I explained to her that when they get scared, they spray, and that is what is so stinky. She said that the spray "smells yucky, like broccoli." Well, that's a nice way of describing it. :)

"Ho, ho, ho."

Someone has figured out how to turn the knobs on the faucet.

Lainey "painted" Walker's toenails. He wasn't so excited about this. He kept moving away from her but she was persistent with that paintbrush. :)

Drama Queen

Lainey has really developed a good "fake" cry. And she can turn it on when she feels like it. She puts her face in her hands, shrugs her shoulders (as if sobbing), and wails. If Lainey cries, Walker inevitably cries. He is a sensitive one. But anyway, one evening I was completely ignoring her cries and going about my business helping her get ready for bed and she suddenly lifted her face from her hands and asked, "Mommy? Why aren't you asking me why I'm crying?" Ha!

And, for the record:

1. When you break an arm or leg, you wear a "cask" (not a cast).

2. Unicorns have "corns" (not horns).

3. If one were to sing "Jingle Bells," particularly in the month of August when it's hotter than blazes outside, he or she should at least pronounce the song title correctly - it's "Jinger Bells" (see video below).

Sweet Grandfather

William T. Hagan

December 19, 1918 - August 5, 2011

My grandfather passed away this morning. It was not a surprise, and I think we'd all been preparing ourselves for his passing for quite some time. Still, though, it hurts. I am teary while writing this. While searching for this picture of Lainey and her great-grandfather, many emotions surfaced and of course, it's hard to begin to put those into words. But, I will try. :)

First and foremost, W.T. (a.k.a. Tom) was a father to four wonderful children, a husband to my dear, beloved grandmother (who is currently in the hospital recovering from emergency surgery), a grandfather to seven grandchildren, and a great-grandfather to five (and a half) great-grandchildren. He's had more than ten books and numerous essays published in his lifetime, all pertaining to Native American History. He fought in WWII. He was a college professor until he the age of 75, enjoyed riding his bike, eating sweets, playing racquetball, hiking, being in the mountains, researching and writing, and traveling to historic places. He adored cats and had a weakness for strays. I will always remember a particular cat named Gato, a big gray cat that my grandparents had while living in Fredonia, New York. Gato was a very wise cat with many strong opinions; one was often told that he or she could gain insight and advice from Gato. And sometimes, that insight and advice came unsolicited. :) What we will all remember, however, is how he so loved my grandmother, whom he nicknamed "April" many, many years ago (her real name is Charlotte). She was the love of his life, the holder of his hand, the recipient of his thoughtful gifts, his constant companion. Their love was obvious to all who knew them.

Grandfather was a strong-willed man who wasn't afraid to put you in your place - and you respected him for it. For years, we vacationed with my grandparents (and parents and aunts and uncles and cousins) in the mountains of New Mexico and Colorado. These are undoubtedly treasured memories for me as well as the rest of our family. One summer, I think I must have been 13 or 14 years old...all-knowing and wise beyond my years. (Duh.) I remember walking down the stairs one morning, in my pajamas, to greet the family members who had gathered at our cabin to go on a hike. Well, Grandfather asked me if I was going on the hike and I retorted, "Do I look like I'm going on a hike?" (Shame on me. How awful to have said that!) Well, he retorted right back, "Honey, nobody likes a smartass." And oh, how that phrase has stuck with me for the past twenty years. It's so, so true.

I am going to miss you, Grandfather. I will treasure the hundreds of memories that I have of you. Thank you for being loyal, faithful, admirable, and honest. Thank you for being strong, courageous, and loving. Thank you for loving me. Thank you for loving my children. Thank you for playing with Lainey and eating pretend meals with her. Thank you for letting Walker wrap his little hand around your finger. Thank you for the countless stories you shared with us while we sat around your kitchen table. Thank you for all you have done for me, my family, my cousins and their families, and your own children and their spouses. Thank you for moving to Texas last September so that we could spend more time with you. I love you, and I'm going to miss you. Thank you for being part of my life.

Thank you, Kate... :)

Nora's sweet Mom, Kate, took these pictures of the girls at their final dance class. Lainey took this summer class with her friends Nora, Ainsley, and Kaylee. The girls had their final class today and we, as parents, loved it because we were invited inside to watch the last 15 minutes! Anyway, thanks to Kate we have some pictures from that final class.

the group

(Lainey, far left with her cute belly sticking out; Nora, on the right, next to the little girl in purple; Ainsley, in brown, next to Nora; Kaylee in the way back with her hands on her tummy)

It's pretty cute to watch Lainey try to stand in first position. She bends over and manually sets her feet to the "v" shape and then stands back up again, and sometimes loses her balance in the process. So funny.

At one point, after watching the girls all take turns dancing across the studio, Walker wanted a turn. He walked over to Bud (who was on the other side of the studio) and kicked his legs out, one at a time, just like the big girls. Hilarious. He even repeated it for me at home. I should get that one on video.

Lainey and Nora :)

Bringing Back the Dog Collar

Much like his sister, Walker loves to get into my jewelry. I'm actually surprised that any of my pieces are still intact. Anyway, I had to snap a few pictures because, well, that's what I do. Ha! He's gonna love me someday for these...

Grabbing a handful... He gets so frustrated if the clasps aren't done, not allowing for proper over-the-shoulder-necklace-slinging. :)

managing to "wear" a few

examining his loot

"Hmm. I could wear these on my legs."

And...he's an 80s rock star with his studded dog collar (my bracelet). I certainly don't wear my bracelet around my neck, but it does kinda look like a collar, and hey, now I know how add some flair to my style in case I get bored! :)

Girls' Weekend

This past weekend, I traveled to Austin for our annual girls' weekend. I am so grateful for these friends. All of us graduated from Austin College the same year and have been fortunate enough to share many experiences together during the past fifteen years. I feel so blessed to know each of these ladies and to have them in my life!

Our group, enjoying the sunset, after dinner at the Oasis on Lake Travis in Austin.

As much as we'd love to see all the girls (a total of 19) at our weekend retreat, we know that's not possible in this day and age given everyone's outside commitments and responsibilities. This year, we only had nine girls attend, but it was no less fun. We all had a great time catching up.

(Top row: Amy, me, Anne, Ann, Nicole, Melissa; Bottom row: Lindsay, Kate, and Caroline)

me skiing

Amy skiing (she's good)

A very barren cove... Austin (and most of Texas) needs rain!

the view from our rental house

another view (gorgeous property!)

Bobblehead

Both of our kids have larger-than-average heads. They always have. Walker's looks especially large because he's so skinny everywhere else (except his tummy, that is). Ben claims that it's a "Hagan head" but I'm not totally sure that I agree with that statement. I think we are a family of nice, well-shaped, average-sized heads. I don't think Ben would disagree with me, but he'd still say that Walker has a "Hagan head." Anyway, tonight, at dinnertime, we were getting Walker to shake his head back and forth "no" and we couldn't help but laugh. It's like his little head gets going and then has trouble stopping. :) You'll also see me try to get Walker to drum his fingers on the table. Earlier, Ben had been drumming his fingers on the table and Walker tried to imitate him by repeatedly punching the tabletop with his little finger. It was so cute. Sadly, I was not able to get him to recreate that cuteness on video. He does a little "talking" in the video, but nothing that anyone would understand - including us. :) You will see what I mean. He is very adamant about the things that he says...if only we could understand him! :) Anyway, enjoy - if you have the patience to watch this video, that is!

Typical Walker

If it were up to Walker, this is how he would spend much of his time.

Hanging with a binky, both blankies, and a book.

checking out what's new with the Backyardigans in the jungle

He is pretty adept at walking around with a binky in his mouth, an arm (or leg) through each armhole of his sleep sack (turned blankie), in search of his mama or a book. We should have named him Linus. :)