Hazel's first sleepover

Friday night Hazel had her cousin, Amber, spend the night at our house. Hazel wanted Amber to come play with all of her new toys. She has asked many times before to have someone spend the night, but I told her to wait until she was 4. Well, now that she is 4, I had to keep my promise. We had a great time. Steve, Hazel, Amber and I went ice skating (Eliza just watched). After skating, we were hungry so we went to Cici's pizza to get dinner. After pizza, brownies and lots of Coke, the girls were ready to go home and play.

They played and played and played some more until about 11:30 that night (this is when I made them get into their pj's and go to sleep) Well, about 3:30am, both girls end up in mine and Steve's bed and we let them stay if this was the only way to get some sleep. So, the next day they took a bath and watched movies, because they were too tired to play. Not so bad for our first sleepover, but the next time, we will not have Coke to drink before bedtime.

Mommy got a diamond ring!

A couple of weeks ago, Hazel told me that Daddy (Steve) bought me a diamond ring for Christmas. I told her that I already have one from when Daddy asked me to marry him. "Well, he bought a new one." At this point, I was getting curious and a little excited. "Were you with Daddy when he bought the ring, Hazel?" "No Mommy, but I saw it. It has lots of diamonds."

Earlier this year I had told Steve that I would like another wedding band or an anniversary ring, so I thought that this was what he got. "Hazel, do you know where he got the ring from?" "Yes Mommy, he got it at the grocery store." Now I was a little upset. I just knew that Steve had gotten a ring out of the $.25 machine at the Food Lion.

On Christmas morning, I saw a small box under the tree and I was a little nervous about opening it, but he came through, it was an anniversary ring that was absolutely beautiful! Thank you Steve for the not buying me the ring out of machine out at Food Lion. I love the ring and I love you!

What did Santa bring?

Hazel trying out her guitar in her
rockstar costume. Janet Jackson style!


Hazel shows Eliza how to play with her new doggie toy


Eliza's toys and bumbo seat (she is a little unsure about all of this)




I hope everyone had a great Christmas, we sure did! Hazel was so excited that Santa brought everything she wanted especially the pink guitar and the rockstar costume (that was a little too big.) These two things along with a pair of skates is what she really wanted. Eliza got lots of stuff too. Big Sister had to help Eliza open her gifts and show her how to play with them. I think Eliza got a little overstimulated. She barely slept the whole day. But we had such a great time. Thanks to Nana, Papa, Pa Rogers, Uncle Jimmy & Aunt Lindsay and Joey, Cheryl and Lucy for coming over for lunch. I hope you guys enjoyed it as much as I loved preparing it. I only get to use my china once a year and I always love getting it out. Thanks for the gifts and thanks for celebrating Jesus' birthday with us!

Birthday Cake for Jesus

Tonight Hazel (with very minimal help from me) made a birthday cake for Jesus. She cracked the eggs, poured in the water and oil and mixed it up very well. I poured the mix in a heart shaped pan for her and we waited patiently for the cake to bake. Hazel asked me if Jesus liked chocolate and I said "absolutely." After the cake cooled, I let Hazel decorate the cake however she wanted. She put chocolate and green icing on the cake as well as a few (the whole bottle) of sprinkles. I told her that we would eat the cake tomorrow after lunch. "Will Jesus come and eat with us?" "He will be here, but he will be invisible" I told her. "Maybe Santa Claus can take it to heaven tonight and give it to Jesus and they can eat it there." I quickly replied, "that is a great idea."

Happy Birthday Jesus!!!!!!!!!!

The Spirit of Christmas

This year our family adopted a needy family in our area and today we took our gifts to their home. Our family was a single dad with 3 girls ages 7,4 and 14 months. Their mother left them about 10 months ago and have not heard from her since. The dad works, but as you can imagine, times are difficult for then this time of year emotionally and financially. We arrived at their single wide mobile home that was not in the best shape. They had space heaters keeping the house warmed. The oldest daughter is mentally retarded and has the mental capacity of about a 1 year old. The other two girls are fine physically, but I could tell that the 4 year old definitely has some emotional issues.

Hazel gave each of the girls their toys and insisted that they open them right then. The oldest was not able to really play with anything, except some of the "noisemaker" toys that we gave the 14 month old. Hazel being 4 herself, really got into giving the 4 year old her toys. We gave her a pink guitar, which is one of the things Hazel wants from Santa, 2 Barbie dolls, a cabbage patch doll, some clothes, a dry erase and chalkboard, some puzzles and books. Hazel picked all of these things out at the store. I was so proud of her. The 14 month old got some books, and other toddler toys like a rocking horse, play cell phone, etc. The look on their faces was absolutely priceless. I wish I would have had my camera. We gave the dad a grocery store gift card and some clothes for him and the girls.

It was the most rewarding thing I have ever done. Hazel was so great with the girls and most of all, she learned that we are very fortunate and she loved giving toys to those girls who practically had nothing for Christmas. The dad was so appreciative all he could do was cry. That's pretty much all I could do. I can't wait to do it again next year.

Guys, this is what Christmas is all about. I encourage each and every one of you, to help someone less fortunate next Christmas. You will not regret it!
Merry Christmas!

Checkups

Today Hazel and Eliza had to go see Dr. Bardi for their 4 year old checkup and 2 month checkup. Both are growing great and are in great health. Hazel is 35 lbs and 43 inches tall and Eliza weighs 13 lbs and is 24 inches long. I can't believe how fast they're growing! They also had to get shots. NOT FUN, but they both did great considering they each got 4 shots. I had to go afterwards to Dotz on the Square and get Hazel a special prize for being good at the doctor. I died laughing when the doc asked me if Eliza was eating ok and Hazel replied "She always eats Mommy's boobies!" Dr. Bardi turned red and assumed that everything with nursing was going fine.

Ice Skating

Last night Hazel and I went ice skating with our church. It was only my second time and the first for Hazel. Yes, it was a sight to see. I pretty much dragged her around the rink the first time (which took about 30 min)
The second time around she skated a little on her own and by the third time she wanted to do it by herself. Hazel fell about 50 times, but she loved learning how to ice skate. I am proud to say that I did not fall at all (thanks to the wall around the rink.)

I can't wait for us to go again!

Roll & Tumble

Hazel is currently in her 2nd year of gymnastics. She loves it almost as much as dance. I love it because it is great for gross motor skills and corrdination, and of course, exercise. Here are some pictures of her on the bar and the balance beam.

Festival of Trees

Last month Hazel, Eliza and I went to McLeod Hospital for a children's christmas event. There was breakfast with Santa, Christmas crafts, storytime with Mrs. Claus and performances from different dance schools in our area and of course Santa was there. We had a wonderful time. Hazel told Santa that she wanted a pink guitar, a pair of skates and a rockstar costume. We'll have to wait to see if Santa brings it!

Upward Soccer

This fall our church started a new ministry called Upward Soccer. It is about the same as recreational soccer, but biblical basis and no competitiveness. Well, we were all excited and Hazel really wanted to play (even though she was to young) but we got her on a team and not just any team-Steve's team. Yes, Daddy was her coach. Well, we don't think that was such a good idea. Hazel was excited the first game, but just wanted to be the "cheerleader" after that. Steve had to practically pull her out on the field to play. Needless to say, Steve was disappointed because he has played soccer his whole life, but I think dancing is more her thing!



First game, Hazel is very excited!

Second game, Hazel is crying because she has to play.

Savannah tries to comfort her.

Yeah!!!! Last game, she (and Steve) are so very glad

Our little ballerina

Yesterday Hazel had "parent watch day" at her dance school. She LOVES dance and gymnastics and anything to do with dressing up, princesses and being a girl. I hope she continues to dance, because I gave it up long ago and I wish I would have stuck with it. Now isn't that funny, can't you just see me as a dancer? LOL

McQueen Family Bed

Help!!!Now, both of our girls have taken over mine and Steve's bed.

Steve sometimes has to sleep in Hazel's "big girl bed" just to get some good sleep. Well, I guess they won't be in our bed forever. I remember sleeping with my parents until I was about 12 years old. Dad, how in the world did you and Mom ever get any sleep? I think I will definately have to put a stop to it before that. Also, did you notice that Hazel has no shirt on? She likes to sleep like Daddy "in just my panties like Daddy" I bet you guys didn't know Steve's secret- he wears just "panties" to bed. LOL

and baby makes four!!!!

For those of you who don't know, on October 4th we had a new addition to our family. Eliza Gail joined us and she has been such a joy. Big Sister Hazel is absolutely wonderful with her and helps me in every way she can. God had truly blessed us with two beautiful girls. I can't deny that having two children has been a lot of work, but it has been worth every second. Eliza looks exactly like Hazel did when she was born. I can't say enough how much I enjoy being a mother to two girls.

New to blogging

Well, after seeing some blogs of family of friends, I decided this would be a great way to keep our family and friends posted on the everyday events in our life. With having a new baby and during Christmas time, I feel the urge to "reconnect" with friends that we have neglected-sorry ya'll! I will try to do a better job of keeping in touch.