So sweet

We went for a family walk in the neighborhood today.  When we got home this was how we found Cassidy.  Such a sweet baby.  Fresh air put her to sleep

Exersaucer

My good friend, Heather, gave us some baby hand me downs when she found out I was pregnant.  One of the hand me downs was an exersaucer.  We decided it was time to get it down from the attic.  So, I got it all set up while Cassidy was napping.  When she woke up and I put her in it she was so excited and happy.

Big Surprise for the Big Kids

We have taken the kids to a Hockey game the past 2 years.  With the shortened hockey season and with Matt in graduate school, we didn't think we were going to be able to make it to a game this year.  Everytime we would watch them on Tv the kids would ask about going to a game.  Matt and I would reply not this year but maybe next year.  Well, Matt surprised me by getting tickets for the last home game and a babysitter for Cassidy.  

He wanted to keep the tickets a secret as a surprise for the big kids.  So, we told them that we were going to go out to dinner.  We stopped by our friends (and Cassidy's Godparents) Mike and Katie's house to drop of Cassidy.  We got back in the car and the kids didn't even notice she didn't get back in too ( they were entranced by the dvd playing).  When we got downtown, both kids but especially Carter freaked out when they thought we had left Cassidy.  We simply explained to them that it was a big kids night and Cassidy was going to have to go to bed soon so she stayed at Mr. Mike's house.  Appeased they got out of the car.  Still clueless about the game and wondering where we were going to eat.  As we walked down the side walk, Ella Catherine was pointing out all the people wearing their predators gear.  When we got up to the stadium and gave the man our tickets, Matt asked the kids if they knew where we were.  With BIG smiles on their faces they both said "at the hockey game".  We grabbed some dinner and took our seats.  Carter still wasn't crazy about the noise, but loved watching the game.  

Ella Catherine really wanted to get on the big screen.  So, she would wave any chance she got.  Well, it worked!  The cameraman noticed and she and I ended up on the big screen during a commercial break.  It made her night.  Then while she and I were in the bathroom, Matt took Carter down by the ice to watch the Zamboni machine and one of the workers cleaning the ice gave him a real Predators hockey puck.  He was ecstatic!  He didn't let that puck leave his sights all night and even slept with it that night.

It was a great surprise and a fantastic night!

Hot dog in hand ready for the game to start

Predators gear, check
Excited little girl, check
All the ingredients for a great big kids family night, check

Carter showing off his puck

One happy daddy with two happy kiddos

It is time for food

Cassidy started some cereal and as you can see she LOVES it!  She is getting so big.

Best Friends

Ella Catherine's best friend, Taylor, had her birthday party today.  She and Taylor went to preschool together and are at different schools now.  So, they are SUPER excited any time they can get together and it brings a smile to my face to see my girl so happy.  

Just playing

Cassidy is rolling over and holding herself up so well.  She is such a good baby.  Had to snap this picture as she was playing so well by herself while I folded clothes.

Cassidy's first trip to Georgia

We took a trip to Georgia this past weekend so Cassidy could meet Becky, her great grandmother.  It was also the first time she met her cousin Cori and her aunt Kelly.  The big kids got to go out to Pop's farm and ride the tractor and the golf cart.  I think they even wet a hook while they were out there.  Mean while Cassidy and I stayed at the house and visited with my grandmother, Becky and my niece, Cori.  Cassidy decided that she would show off a little and she rolled over from her back to her front for the first time.  Becky was the only one in the room to witness the event.  Mom and I had gone into the kitchen to start on dinner and we heard a little fussing, which isn't like Cassidy.  When we went in to see what was going on, she was lying on her belly and had her arm stuck underneath her.  Well, it didn't take long for her to figure out how to move that arm out of the way and by the end of the weekend she was rolling back and forth without any problems.  We had a great trip.  Always too short.

Cassidy with Cousin Cori and Pop

Cassidy and her great Grandmother, Becky

Family photo (missing a few): from left to right, Matt, Cori, Nana, Kelly, Pop, me, Carter
Ella Catherine, Becky and Cassidy

Cousin Love

Mom and Dad with Cassidy

Aunt Kelly and Cassidy (she was getting tired)

Me with my godparents (Sandy and Pete)

Cousins

Cousins

Me and my niece (how is it possible that she is almost as tall as me?)

The girls (not pictured, Cassidy)

Talking with Pop

Sitting with Nana and getting sleepy

Meeting Becky for the first time

Becky feeding Cassidy

The kids LOVE books and always enjoy when Becky reads to them.  I think they pick the longest books on purpose. :)

Treats

We ended out Nana's trip and Ella Catherine's Spring break week with treats from Sweet CeCe's

Carter's first trip to the Dentist

Carter had his first visit to the dentist this morning.  Ella Catherine told him all about it in the weeks and days leading up to his visit and again on the ride to the dentist this morning.  What did she tell him about?  Well it is simple, the TV in the ceiling of course!  Not about how they brush your teeth or that it doesn't hurt they just brush and look at your teeth.  Nope it was all about the TV and the fun sunglasses you get to wear.  Needless to say after you see the pictures below, it is all he remembers about the visit too!   I'm sure when the time comes he will prep Cassidy as he was prepped.

Wow, she wasn't kidding there is a TV in the ceiling

I can see it even better if I lean back

Ah that is it!  much better.
Totally relaxed for the hygienist

Bring out the sunglasses and you can do whatever you want just don't block SuperWhy

Say Ah?  Sure as long as I don't miss anything

Thank goodness they have these ride on toys in the lobby.  These plus the prize from the treasure chest are what finally broke him from the TV trance.

But in all seriousness, Carter had a great first trip to the Dentist.  His teeth all look good.  According to the dentist he is going to be a big guy because he has large teeth for his age.  Hmmm didn't know they could tell that from teeth.

Soccer camp

Ella Catherine's Spring Break was this week and Nana came up to stay with her.  We signed her up for the YMCA spring break soccer camp.  She went from 9-11 everyday.  It took a lot of encouraging for her to agree to go and try it out. (I think she gets that from me. Trying new things is not my strong suit).  We are so very proud of her.  She did great.  She says she had a good time; however, does not want to play soccer.  Check soccer off as a potential sport.  No worries many more sports to try. :)

First day learning to dribble the ball

Still taking it slow

Getting the hang of it

Dribbling

She shoots

She Scores! GOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!!

Running and dribbling

Dribbling races/relays

On Friday Nana kept Carter out of school and he got to see Ella Catherine in action. Nana brought a ball and they practiced kicking the ball back in forth.

Maybe he will be a soccer player?

Listening to the Coaches

A little hot, thirsty and tired

Receiving her participation certificate