Ray turns 3

Life has been crazy.

A little too crazy to blog.

But I refuse to forget a birthday.

Ray had his 3rd birthday this past weekend at the Plainfield Aquatic Center.

Ray+Swimming= Winning!

 Ray is a lefty and has been golfing with Joey's right handed clubs for too long now. Aunt Donna and Grandpa got him a new set of lefties!

 Ray has never met a piece of cake that he didn't like. All over the place!!

Ray has turned a corner. He has been unmanagable at times this last year, but with his communication getting better he has stolen my heart! He is my  peacemaker most of the time, but knows how to really tick off Joey if he has to. He knows his letters better than Joey, and he'd rather eat sugar and watch DVDs over anything else in the world. He is surviving off of yogurt, peanut butter and crackers. He gives the best hugs and kisses and sings very loud all day long. He loves going to Waffle House, church, the swimming place, Bounce House and all family places. He likes wearing one green shoe and one red show, and has potty trained himself without me bringing it up. He prefers to be in his crib in a sleep sak with 5 blankets, but he has only woken up less than 20 times through the night probably in his whole life.  He is sweet, a really sweet boy. But he's a climber, a dare devil, and a jumper. But THANK THE GOOD LORD FOR RAY RAY! He is the best thing that has happened to Joey, to Louisa and he has opened my eyes to an entire other side of life. I love you Ray Ray Pig.

December, the whole month

The day after we got back from Florida, Joey had his Christmas program at school. Uncle Liam babysat by himself for the first time so Joey and I could enjoy the pageant. Melted my heart.

 There wasn't much we didn't do during December. From the Children's Museum, live Nativity scenes, Christmas lights, Eitlejorg, mailing letters to Santa, visiting 5 Santas 15 times and taking 7 pics, watching Santa come in off a helicopter, Breakfast with Santa at the old LS Ayers Tea Room, pretending to be Santa, crawling through the neighborhood snow tunnels, train rides, exchanging gifts,working the Salvation Army kettle, baking, wrapping and Christmas parties galore. The month was amazing, but the actual day of Christmas is just too overwhelming for me. We were so sad to put our Christmas decorations today.

 My carb man at his school Christmas party. After prayer, the teacher said they could go grab a plate and Ray darted toward the plate of crackers and took them all. Ray is now loving school, and he gets to start carpool in January which will take a huge weight off my shoulders.

 Our favorite gift was the Easy Bake oven, and the weekend after he received it they came out with the unisex Easy Bake oven. Of course.

 This week Joey asked if he could marry Sloane. He absolutely adores his cousin, and she just can't do wrong in his eyes. I was able to explain to him how you can marry relatives, so now he's after a girl from school named Maria.

 Polar Express Train Ride with Leo. This is definitely one of their favorite activities.

 We hosted an Ugly Christmas Sweater party with some fam this year on the big 22, which is the Matis family number.

Cousin Willie clownin' with Ray Ray.

 We gave Ray an overgrown mohawk over break. I think he sported it well.

Christmas morning couldn't have been any sweeter.

Love the little family. So tired, but sad it's over. The last part of day consisted of asking when the Easter Bunny will get to the mall about 50 times. Here we go.

Florida in December

Obviously, we had a blast. Traveling with 3 kids is tough, but I'd do it every month to see the beach.

Love the straight through flight though.

 

Counting my blessings.

 

As I watch Dateline tonight, I pulled open my computer and just stared at the pics of my kiddos. They are my world, and i can't imagine what the parents of the little students killed are going through. 20 children. 6 adults. It's terrible.

 

Today I hugged tighter. Thank you God for this day.