Celebration Sunday

Sunday was a day of celebration... my birthday, grandparents day, and the first Dallas Cowboys game of the season! We started the day by sleeping in thanks to my mom. We spent the rest of the morning playing with the kids and laying around being lazy. What a perfect way to spend a Sunday morning!

Mom headed out to work at the school around noon and Linda and Michael came over about an hour later. I needed to run to Cheyenne's house and get my phone charger that we had left the night before. Dallas and I were down to one phone during the last week because he lost his and mine fell apart. We were left with him using his work phone as little as possible and me using an old phone of his we still had. I wondered why he had quit using it but I found out very quickly when it shut off in the middle of a phone call. It shuts off for no apparent reason whenever it feels the need and it is rather annoying to say the least!

I didn't want to miss Linda and Michael arriving because I had their Grandparents Day presents laid out on the kitchen counter and I wanted to see their reaction. Wendy my sister-in-law had a great idea to get all the twins together for a picture for Grandparents Day. About a month ago we met at Portrait Innovations in Plano for the photo shoot. We were of course late that morning and I even got a speeding ticket. Damn it! Even the cute kids in the backseat weren't enough to get me out of going 78 in a 60 on I-20. The cop even lowered the speed to 74 on the ticket so I wouldn't have to pay more so I guess the kids helped a little. It is absolutely ridiculous that a 6 lane interstate has a posted speed of 60 mph but that is another blog completely!

John Mark and Wendy had arrived ahead of time and by the time we arrived it was almost our turn which worked out well for us. Paige cried and ran the first few attempts at our group photo. I started to panic. What if we had drove all this way and we couldn't get one picture because Paige wasn't in the mood. Thankfully she got over it and we got some very cute pictures. Little Ethan was just an angel the entire time. He sat in his same spot smiling and making faces for the camera. Paige and Abby were everywhere and Jake was cute as he could be with his tongue stuck out. This was the first attempt at group pictures since the kids have all become so active and it was so worth it. Thanks for coordinating everything Aunt Wendy. You are awesome!
They were not sure at first...
Paige wanted to go swimming.

Notice closely the stuffed puppy flying through the air trying to keep Miss Abby from running out of the picture. Ha!
Notice in the next shot the puppy worked and Abby has stopped dead in her tracks to look at it. Now Ethan has turned around to see what just hit him in the butt.

Lets just say we took our puppy to the beach with us.

Look at my little man smile, Aw! Go Abby, Go! Isn't she cute!

We had a relaxing evening. Linda and Michael visited for a few hours and brought me a wonderful rolling collapsible cart for my birthday. You have no idea how much I will use that thing simply to get the kids stuff from one place to another. I plan on leaving it folded in the back of my car. Thank you so much! I also got a few gift card for dinner and shopping from other friends and family. Thank you so much everyone! I really appreciate everything!

FOUR OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL BABIES ALIVE!!!

PS*The Cowboys won their season opener!

Birthday Surprise!

So I am officially two years from 30! This past Sunday was my birthday and I have to say it was one of the best. Dallas did an amazing job being secretive and pulled off a surprise party for me. My mom came over to babysit the kids on Saturday evening and we headed out. He took me out for appetizers and drinks then we went shopping. I got a new outfit, perfume, ear rings, and a purse which I love! The bigger the better with my purse these days!

After shopping I had to run in CVS for a few essentials and Dallas made me change clothes at CVS. Do What? He said April, Cheyenne, and I were going somewhere and we were already late. He said I would not have time to change when we arrived at Cheyenne's house. He was supposedly helping Ryan babysit their kids and meeting up with us later. Okay whatever I just went with the flow.

When we pulled up at Cheyenne's the only cars out front were theirs so I thought nothing of it. We walked up to the door and a balloon popped inside and I hear Cheyenne and April laughing hysterically. This also didn't throw me off because I knew they were in there and I thought they had just bought me some balloons.

He is such a wonderful loving husband!

I have some wonderful girl friends!

I walked in and "Surprise" it was a party!!! I was shocked, excited, and thrilled! Dallas had ordered my favorite cake, strawberry cake with cream cheese icing from the best bakery in town. YUM! April had made queso, and appetizers were everywhere. They had decorated, all the kids were at babysitters for the night, and they had a margarita waiting for me. Wonderful! It wasn't a huge party but it was just the right size with most of my closest friends. I had a great night hanging out with everyone.

A drinking wheel that Mike kept insisting I spin!

The following morning Mom took care of the kids & I slept in until 10:00 am-
Happy Birthday To Me!

Time for a new desk

I think it is officially time for a new desk. We have been blocking the drawers of our desk for months with toys to keep the kids out of them. We need to buy a computer armoire but first we have to be able to afford a flat screen monitor. Each and every time the kids were quiet this weekend we knew they were in the desk. Sure enough they would come out with papers and high lighters in both hands. I don't think we can wait much longer for a computer unit that can be locked!

Hokey Pokey Pans

I just had to share how stinking cute my kiddos were being this weekend. I had ran to the store and when I walked in the kids were playing in the pots and pans. They love the kitchen cabinet that is theirs and I have noticed more and more of my cooking utensils ending up in their cabinet. On this particular day the kids were both dancing to the Leapfrog alphabet fridge toy with their right foot in a pan. Both stomped their foot and danced as the song played. Kids are just too cute!

First Day Away

On Monday morning we dropped the kids off for their first official day away from home besides the sitter's house. After they got up, ate breakfast, and changed clothes we were out the door. We drove over to Dallas' parents house to drop off the kids.

I was a little concerned about getting all the kid's accessories out of the car, into the elevator, and up to their 3rd floor apartment but it went well. Linda and Michael came down stairs with one of those big rolling carts that you would use at Canton's First Monday to hold all your 'treasures'. We had brought the side by side stroller for easy transport of the kids and to block off the kitchen area. I had prepacked everything into separate bags for easy carrying but it still felt like we were moving! A bag with swimming gear, a diaper bag with essentials, a bag with their food for the day, two pack n plays for naps, a travel high chair, and a small rolling suitcase full of books and the 'fav' toys of the week! Oh My Goodness!

We got the kids set up, gave them kisses, and we were out the door. Dallas and I stopped at IHOP for breakfast on our way home. While waiting for our table we were playing with a cute 11 month old little girl. It just amazes me how you can drop off your kids whom you see everyday and the minute you are away from them... bam, you miss them! We ate breakfast and headed home to rest before we started working on getting things in order for an upcoming garage sale.

Granddaddy and Nana wasted no time getting started with their day of fun. After morning snack they went for their first play date with the halls. If you recall from a previous blog the kids absolutely LOVE the halls at D's parents house. The halls are long, they echo, and the kids are free to run wild screaming without bothering anyone.

After fun time in the halls was over it was time for the ultimate test of grand parenting- taking the kids swimming!

Not only is it somewhat stressful to take the kids swimming but also the amount of time and effort it takes to get them ready is ridiculous. Undress, change to swim diaper, dress in swimsuit, sunscreen squirmy baby, release and start again. If the desire is there it can be done with a smile. If the desire is not there then more than likely no one will go swimming. Ha! The kids had a great time swimming as usual. Ethan was not as interested in the fountains this time but he really enjoyed playing in the middle of the big pool.

Paige was was simply thrilled regardless because she loves the water so much. We tried a life vest given to us by Christy, D's cousin and it worked great for Paige. She wants to be free to swim and the vest allows her more freedom. I thought she wouldn't want to wear it but it didn't seem to bother her one bit. Thanks Aunt Christy!

After swimming it was time for lunch and nap. I was the most worried about the kids napping while away from home but they had no problems. They were exhausted from swimming and that probably helped. Ethan slept for 1 1/2 hours which is good for him and Paige took her normal 2 1/2 hour nap. They played with toys, read books, and played in the halls again after nap.

Granddaddy surprised the kids with a crazy bouncy pig!

Seriously what goes through little kids heads... "Wow, I might fit there. Yep, I do!"

Ethan has always loved standing on things and has a serious obsession with rugs. I often get onto him for dragging my rugs all over the house to stand or sit on them. Well on this day he found himself in heaven, rug heaven! As they ran through the halls he sampled each rug taking his time to find his perfect perching rug. Linda said he definetly had a few favorites. The things kids do simply make you smile!

Run Babies Run!

The kids went on two walks around the property grounds which they loved. Monday was an amazing day outside and Linda and Michael's apartments in Las Colinas are beautiful. They are built on the canal downtown and the banks are lined with trees. The kids got to feed ducks for the first time and Nana is still kicking herself for forgetting her camera. The pigeons are very accustomed to people and fly very close to you. Paige was amazed by the pigeons. Safe to say my kids are animal lovers!

We arrived a little later than planned which is nothing new. They were hungry and we quickly fed them dinner. We packed up all the stuff and threw them in the bath. Paige was crying because she was so tired and it was definitely time to go. Ethan was asleep before we hit 183 but Paige was over tired. She didn't go to sleep until after we got home around 8:30 pm. I don't know who was more tired the kids or the grandparents but it is for certain they all had a wonderful day together!

It was the first of many days away with grandparents and Grammie you're next! :)

Good Friends and Burgers

We spent most of Sunday at home playing with the kids and generally lounging around the house. By Sunday evening the kids were starting to really get into things because they were bored. They aren't really used to staying at home all the time and if we are home we usually have people over. We had found two pounds of lean ground beef in the garage freezer earlier that day probably bought by my mother. Upon the discovery we decided we would grill burgers. We already had most of the sides and fixings for burgers so it wouldn't cost much to grill out.

Cheyenne and Ryan didn't have their older two boys this weekend just the baby so they came over. April, Mike, and Reese came over shortly after and it was a little Labor Day cookout! Don't really know how that always happens but it sure was fun. I have missed my best friend April so much and our God daughter, Reese. April has been working like a mad woman and when she is not working she is pregnant and sick in the bathroom. Everyone think boy!!! All of us hadn't hung out together since the river trip we took back in July.

The kids read books for a long time when Kingston first got there. Paige of course eventually had to excuse herself to the playroom so she could read in peace and quiet.

The kids had a wonderful time playing together. Ethan loves older kids that will chase him. He pretty much followed Reese around waiting for her to chase him over and over again. They played outside, swung in the swing set, and pretty much ran crazy for hours all over the house. Ah, summer days...

*Can you believe it, I didn't get one picture once Reese got there! I remember I tried a couple of times but they were just running crazy and I couldn't get them to stay long enough for a picture.

Long Weekend

It was a wonderful long weekend in the Mayfield household. Friday evening Cheyenne and Ryan came over with their youngest, Kingston. Ethan has always loved Kingston and makes a point to sit by or on him numerous times at each visit. Paige never really cared one way or the other but the last few times she has been very interested in him. She has been bringing him toys and "talking" to him. She must have realized that she was older and it was her responsibility to enlighten Kingston with all she has learned! The kids had a great evening playing together and they were all asleep before long. The parents were estactic to have a little free time to visit without anybody needing a sippy cup or a poopy change. The quiet moments are the ones you treasure!

Saturday was a simple family day. No one came over all day and we did not leave the house except to go to the park. Dallas had really wanted to take the kids to the park ever since I took them by myself. So after morning snack and before lunch we went to the park.

It was certainly less stressful with two adults to two children but it was nonetheless exhausting. Once we finally had gotten everyone out the door it was getting close to 10:30 am and in TX that means it is already hot. Their were a few more people this time but the kids enjoyed seeing all the other kids. Dallas swears that Ethan picked up a football stance from watching the little football kids practice. (I hope Ethan loves football as much as his daddy if not he may have to fake it. Ha Ha) We swung and played on the equipment some but at this age the kids true joy is running!

They love to just run free and they tolerate us following so very close behind them.

That is one of my favorite things about this particular park is that it is built in a corner lot with no way out the back. It has a small pond around the back and a few small practice fields along the sides but generally there is only one way in or out. We had a great time but after an hour running in the sun we were done. Paige and I were red faced and it was time to go home.

We tried to see the water but it was a little to dangerous for my taste.

We cooled the kids off in the car's ac vents before we decided to just pack it up and go home. (Don't worry we were hanging our entire upper bodies in the car windows. They weren't sitting in the running car alone but thanks for the bout of confidence!)

After lunch I nervously put Ethan down for nap hoping that I had wore him out enough to sleep. He went right to sleep and we made it past the 1 hour mark! I thought I had found the key to Ethan's nap issues but I was wrong. He was wide awake screaming within an hour and half. He seemed content with his nap and wasn't a problem the rest of the day.

Saturday night Dallas and I ordered a movie off of Pay per view and spent the evening together. It was very nice to have a family day and a quiet evening at home together!