Construction

Yesterday we got to watch a backhoe be unloaded off a truck and trailer. The kids loved seeing it! I was dreading have construction across the street from us, but it might provide lots of entertainment for Evie and Andrew.

Memorial Day Weekend

Our upstairs air conditioner quit working Friday night. Of course this happens on a holiday weekend! We packed up and stayed with the in-laws on Saturday night, but came back home Monday morning so we could be there if a repairman came. He didn't, but we enjoyed the day playing outside (in the morning and after supper when it wasn't so hot). Since when did it get into the 90's in May anyway?! If this weather continues I am afraid of what August is going to be like. Hopefully someone comes today. Luckily we just sleep upstairs, but 84 degrees isn't really a comfortable temperature when you are trying to get some rest.

Playing in the backyard

We made icees after we came inside. Evie loved it!

Success!

We have been talking about going potty for the past year, and after a couple of failed attempts last summer and last fall I gave up until Evie was older. I set Memorial day weekend as Potty Training Bootcamp in our house and have been dreading it for the past couple of weeks. Much to my surprise it was incredibly easy this time around. Last Sunday after church Evie asked to wear big girl panties...I wasn't going to turn down that request. She had two accidents, but it was a pretty good start. On Monday she got a jelly bean every half hour if she had dry panties and got to put a sticker on a chart every time she went potty. She was doing really well, but then got sick with pneumonia Monday night. I thought all this success was going to go down the drain since she couldn't even get off the couch. Amazingly after three days in diapers she picked up right where she left off on Friday morning. She earned her Emily engine by filling her chart with stickers on Saturday morning and we felt confident enough to take her out to eat on Saturday night in her big girl panties. I'm sure if we hadn't struggled with it for the past year it wouldn't have been so easy, but we are so happy to have a big girl now!

Evie with her new Emily engine

Her potty chart full of stickers

Wait a minute Mom, I have to tell Daddy I went potty

Rose

Since I was a little girl I have loved this one rosebush at my grandparents' house. A couple of months ago they gave me a piece of it. 'Fascination' roses are no longer available, so this was the only way I was going to get my own. Phil planted the stubby looking roots in the ground, watered, and fertilized it. Despite the late freeze and now the the drought conditions it bloomed today. Amazing!

Evie Update

Evie is doing much better today. The Rocephin shot worked so she was able to go on an oral antibiotic. Yesterday she literally did not get off the couch for 8 hours, and she is up moving around today acting much more like herself. She is getting an inhaler for her breathing medicines tomorrow. That will make life much easier since she hates the nebulizer. She is on two liquid breathing meds, a nasal spray, and an allergy pill for the next month...plus her antibiotic for the next 10 days. That seems like a lot for such a little girl. Nana and Papa came over to help out this evening and brought pitiful presents. We have a new book and a couple of new movies to watch tomorrow while we rest. Thanks for all the prayers!

The dreaded nebulizer

A purple fairy dress that was one of her pitiful presents from Nana

Pneumonia

After being up sick all night Evie was diagnosed with pneumonia this morning. She had chest x-rays, blood work, and a shot at the doctor's office. When we got home she was so tired she fell asleep sitting up on the couch. Poor thing...she knew she was missing her last day of preschool, but she just feels too bad to care. Needless to say potty training is on hold for the next few days. She did really well in her big girl panties yesterday. She stayed dry from 11:30 in the morning until bedtime, so we will try again after she feels better. We have to get more x-rays and bloodwork in the morning, so say a little prayer that this first shot of antibiotics is working.

Big girl panties

Evie started wearing big girl panties today after church. She only had two accidents, so hopefully this week won't be as bad as I had dreaded it would be. My sister sent me the following little note as an encouragement. I thought it was cute and very appropriate!

Amanda's Baby Shower

Evie and I drove up to Johnson City today for a baby shower. Yes this is a new post...same story, different weekend! My best friend Amanda lives in California and I was so excited to see her. We went to lunch at Cheddar's and then to her baby shower. She got lots of cute things for her baby boy, Jackson, who is due in August. Evie stayed with Mamaw and Papaw in the morning and went with Auntie Laura and Mimi to Warriors Park after lunch. She got to play on the brand new playground and go on a paddleboat ride. We had dinner with Mamaw and Papaw, then Aunt Betty cut her hair before we came back home. Andrew got to stay home and go to a birthday party. He was too afraid to get in the inflatable bouncer without his badge of courage, Evie.

Me and Amanda

Amanda opening her gift

Me, Jess, Jennifer, and Amanda

Aunt Betty cutting Evie's hair

Happy Anniversary

We celebrated our 5th wedding anniversary today. We were going to go on a dinner cruise down the Tennessee River, but it was cancelled. Instead we had a nice, quiet dinner at PF Chang's, went to West Hills park, and stopped by Bruster's for ice cream cones. It's hard to believe we have already been married for 5 years.

Phil and Janet~May 18,2002

My anniversary gift from Phil- a new heart shaped slide for my bracelet

Playgroup at the Groovy Pad

Their favorite thing was this little water fountain with rubber ducks

Spinning in her princess dress

Andrew trying to catch bubbles (notice his soaking wet clothes!)

Evie chasing bubbles with her wand

Andrew sitting by the campfire

Playdate at the Park

After we dropped Evie off at preschool Andrew and I met our friends Lydia and William at the park. The boys played so well together and it was nice to have some adult conversation. We had a picnic lunch (Andrew ate as much of William's food as he did his own!) and played for over three hours. What a fun day!

Andrew and William on the slide

Riding the bulldozer together

Happy Mother's Day

Mimi/Evie Day

I sent Mimi and Evie to the Mother's Day event at the Groovy Pad this afternoon as part of my gift to my mom. They had a wonderful time making a book about Mimi and Evie and playing in the Princess room.

This looks like such a fun girly place!

Princess Evie

Evie in her dress up clothes...of course they are purple!

Playtime

We decided to try some alone playtime today. Evie and Andrew each went into their own rooms and could play with anything in their toyboxes. It worked out well. Mommy got some cleaning done while the kids were playing quietly. I think we are going to have to start doing this more often!

Andrew built a tower in his room

Evie got to wear the bracelet Mommy made for her 2 years ago. She was so excited it had her name on it!

Rebecca's baby shower

Evie and I drove up to Fall Branch today so that I could go to my friend Rebecca's baby shower. Evie stayed with Auntie Laura at Mamaw's house and went shopping at the dollar store while I was gone. Phil and Andrew had a good time in Knoxville while we were away. They went to the Bass Pro Shop and had dinner at Wasabi. Other than the rain, it was a wonderful day!

Rebecca with her cute little belly

Me and the mommy-to-be

Rebecca opening the diaper cake I made for her

MOPS

We had our last meeting of MOPS for the year yesterday. I have truly enjoyed being a part of this group! One of the fun things we did was have secret sisters. We revealed ourselves yesterday, and my sis, Amy, got me this gorgeous hibiscus. Her son picked out the color and my husband was thrilled because it looks like UT orange from a distance. I have appreciated all of her wonderful gifts of chocolates, books, tea, and much more throughout the year, but I am most grateful for all the prayers she said for me and my family. Thank you Amy and thank you MOPS ladies for a wonderful year!