A Fun Friday!

The boys were so excited to have Drew come over to play this afternoon after school. They had a great time playing together!

Where has the time gone???

Over the past week, both of the boys' kindergarten teachers have asked for a baby picture. In my search for the best ones, I have enjoyed spending some time looking through old photo albums. Coupled with this project, several friends have recently asked me if the boys looked more alike when they were born. I thought this was the perfect time for a post like this!

Above is a picture of Lance (left) and Cooper (right) when they were 5 months old.

This is a picture of Lance (left) and Cooper (right) today.

I cannot believe my twins are in kindergarten. They are having the time of their lives and have enjoyed making new friends while, at the same time, developing more independence. I am so very thankful for both of them! I love you boys!!!

An Afternoon Visit with Grammy & Grampy

After school today, the boys and I went to visit with Grammy and Grampy before picking Brooke up. We had an awesome visit! Lance and Cooper enjoyed a yummy marshmallow treat and then picked tomatoes. It is always good to visit with family! What a perfect afternoon!

Max & Margaret's Birthday Party

Colin's Birthday Party

The boys had a great time at Colin's birthday party on Sunday.

"Happy Birthday Colin ... thanks for inviting us!"

Soccer Saturday for the Warriors

Soccer Saturday for the Lady Ducks

Brooke was (initially) very excited about her soccer game this past Saturday. She was anxious to run out of the tunnel with her team!

As the saying goes, "All good things must come to an end."

Shockingly, her excitement and enthusiasm for Saturday's game ended in tears on the field. Maybe next week?!?

Invitation Only?!?

When Papaw started building Brooke's new playhouse, the kids quickly talked about who would be "allowed" to come into the house. I never dreamed they would actually start such a list ... until today!

While the kids were playing outside this afternoon, Lance found a piece of wood and immediately asked me to go inside & bring him a marker. I asked him what he needed it for; he informed me that they were starting the list of names for those people who would be invited to go into Brooke's playhouse. Sure enough, only minutes later and the board contained that names of those 5 children playing in our backyard. Lance has decided to keep this "list" safely in the playhouse alongside the green marker.

Friday Fun

Upcoming Tennesse Vol Cheerleaders ~ Brooke and Margaret ...

The girls had a fun time playing together today!

Lance, Cooper, and Ryan were excited to play together after kindergarden today!

Go Vols!

"Ready ... OK ..."

Brooke was so excited to wear her cheerleading outfit today to preschool! She looked so cute this morning that I decided we had better have a little photo shoot before we headed out the door! These are my two favorite pictures.

Craft Day

As soon as the kids got home from school today, they immediately talked about doing some crafts. Needless to say, I was thrilled with that decision! The kids all got in the craft & art closet downstairs and chose their afternoon project. They had a fun time; and I enjoyed about 45 minutes of quiet activity!

Upward Soccer

All 3 kids are playing Upward Soccer this fall. They all love it and have amazed me out on the soccer field. Saturday mornings are becoming my favorite ones because of this time!

"It's A Girl Day!"

Brooke loves the time at home by herself once the boys go off to school. Within minutes of their kindergarden departure, she says, "It's a girl day!!!" This particular morning, we went on a walk to the nearby pond to see if the ducks were out. We had a fun time talking and laughing!

A Little About Brooke

One of Brooke's first preschool projects was to do a poster of herself telling her class about her. She helped me pick out the pictures. This was the finished project!

A Fun Trip to Charleston

We recently went to Charleston, SC with some friends for a long weekend to play tennis and celebrate Sharon's birthday! We had a great time ... and thanks to Mimi and Papaw for keeping the kids!

A Fun Day at the Park

A few weeks ago, the kids and I went to the park and packed a picnic dinner. We had such a fun time together ~ and need to do it more often!

Brooke Begins her Soccer Career

Brooke is so excited that it is finally her turn to play soccer. Her team is the "Lady Ducks" and is coached by me & my friend (Margaret's mom) Lindsey. We are in for a treat with these 8 players! Brooke has had the opportunity to watch the boys play for a couple of years now; we will see just how closely she has paid attention!

Brooke Dreams of Going to Kindergarten!

Brooke (only 19 months younger than her twin brothers) wants to do most everything the boys do; and going to kindergarten is no exception! This picture was taken outside the boys' school after we took them the other morning; she immediately talked about "When I go to kindergarten ..."! She is anxiously awaiting her turn to start "big school"; however, in the meantime, she enjoys the special attention she gets from her big brothers. Lance & Cooper think the world of Brooke; both would do absolutely anything for her. Oh yes ... she's got them right where she wants them to be!!!

A Little About Cooper

Cooper is a very well-rounded kid. He loves playing sports and enjoys learning new, interesting facts on the computer. Throw him a couple of math problems, and you will soon begin to see how his analytical mind works. Cooper is a "thinker". You can't throw a fact out there without him throwing out some questions for you in return.

By nature, Cooper is extremely competitive; he expects that he should win everything he does. As you can imagine, this does create some problems. However, we continue to remind him that all God expects of him is that he does his best; and that winning simply does not matter.

On the inside, Cooper is very loving. He is proud to be a big brother to Brooke. He is extremely protective of her and is quick to stand by her side when someone he doesn't know approaches her. Cooper is sensitive & wants others to be proud of him ... and guess what Coop?!? Mommy and Daddy are so proud of you!!!

A Little About Lance

Lance is a very active boy. He loves playing sports and loves to climb trees. We have found him to be "in his element" anytime he is near the water or in the woods. Recently, we went to Louisville to visit my brother and his family; Chad and I quickly realized that he could easily spend most of his days out on the lake or playing in the woods just like his big cousin Quinten.

On the inside, Lance is warm-hearted, kind, and a giver. By nature, he is a people-pleaser. We have found that Lance will often "let down" playing a game in order for someone else to win ~ especially if that opponent is his twin brother, Cooper.

Lance also loves to play with his younger sister. Whatever it is that Brooke wants to do, Lance will do it with her. The two of them have a very unique relationship, and it is so fun to watch! They watch after and respect one another a lot.

A Great Playdate

All my kids love to play with Blakely and Skylar! Needless to say, they were thrilled to have the girls over for the day last week. We all had a fun day!

Brooke's New Preschool

With the twins starting kindergarten this year, we felt that it was in our best interest to move Brooke closer to home for preschool. She started this past week and will go Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. She has transitioned very well to her new school. I am extremely pleased with her new teachers; and Brooke is LOVING it!!!

Fun with Cousins

7 of the eight cousins ~ Reese, Ryan Margaret, Lance, Cooper, Brooke, Emerson, and Clark

Brooke with her cousin Reese ... They are so excited to be in the same preschool class this year!

Emerson and Lance