Too Sweet For Words!

This entry today will be a short one but I had to share because it was just too sweet. I am hoping that tonight if she does it again like she said she was going to Matt can hide outside the room with a video camera (I don't want to disrupt it) because it really was just too sweet.

Last night as Max was saying his good nights to everyone Calyn quickly jumped up and said "wait I want to come with you. I want to sing Max a very special song while he is falling asleep." I told her that sounded like a wonderful idea and I bet Max would love that. I continued to lay Max down and covered him up. Calyn sat on the little ottoman and in her most sincere singing voice she sang to him.... "Twinkle twinkle little star..." she sang the entire song just sitting on the ottoman as sweet as can be. As we were leaving his room, Max was still laying down, she turned and said "night night Max I love you"
To a mother it was a very heart warming gesture from a big sister to her baby brother.
When we left his room she said I am going to do that every night. I told her I hope she does because it was very sweet and I think Max really liked it.

Poor Matt

When my alarm went off at 4:45 this morning Matt was awake and told me his throat was killing him. My response to him was that sucks mine was like that last week but by 9 or 10 a.m. it was better. Hopefully yours will be too. Before I even left the house he had asked me if I would call Merrick and my mom and see if mom could watch the kids over at Merrick's today (they were supposed to be at our house)
Matt dropped the kids off at Merrick's and left immediately and went home to bed.
Around 12:30 this afternoon I got a call from Matt saying that something wasn't right and he needed to go to the Dr. He was able to get into the Dr. this afternoon. His appointment was at 3:50.
Matt explained to the Dr. his symptoms sore throat this morning (but not now) nausea (but no puking) fever, chills, a little chest pressure and the worst headache of his life. The Dr. checked him out and said Matt had classic flu symptoms because this is not flu season he needed Matt to go to urgent care to get tests. They could have done them at his office but it would take 3 days to get results at urgent care they could get it in the hour. Another thing that really worried the Dr. was "the worst headache of my life" statement.
When we got to urgent care as soon as we got there they hooked Matt up to and IV with fluids and meds and they did flu tests (all kinds even H1N1), white blood count, strep test and chest x-ray. His blood count came back high (16,000 and it should be 11,000) but everything else was negative. The Dr. there was leaning toward ViralMeningitis or he said, it could just be a virus. Because the IV and meds helped his headache the Dr. was OK with letting him go but told us if his headache returns and is really bad again within 12-24 hours to bring him back for the spinal tap to test for the Meningitis.
Finally at 7:30 this evening we returned home from urgent care. Mom and Dad were kind enough to watch the kids for us (Thanks guys!) After picking up Matt's Rx I went and picked up the kids. By the time I got home with them Matt was already back in bed
So, as it stands right now Matt has a nasty virus that has left him feeling miserable. I just hope that we can all escape his illness. We have been exposed to it so all we can do is hope!
It's been a long afternoon / evening and I am ready for bed!! Good night everyone!

Four Different Ways to Say CHEESE!!!!

I took one picture of each child tonight individually. Before I snapped their picture I said "say cheese!"
I got four very different pictures. Two of the children seem to understand when you say "say cheese" they are supposed to smile. Max is omitted from having to understand this because he is still pretty little. There is one child who should know its meaning is but I have a feeling that this child will be the one most likely to get a note sent home from school with them that says "this child takes over my class" like their father did. I won't tell you who it is, I already gave you a hint that it's not Max so you guess by the pictures. Is it Corry, Calyn or Drew that has a great potential of being the class clown?

Remember before each of these pictures I said "Say CHEESE!!!!"

Corry's Cheese

Max's Cheese

Drew's Cheese

Calyn's Cheese

If you guessed Calyn of course you are correct. She is such a ham!! She definately gets her personality from her father. She is hilarious! If you don't know Matt very well he is always cracking jokes and full of one liners. Calyn does the same and she is only 3! The world will be a funnier place because of Calyn. I know she always makes me smile! (Okay except when she floods the bathroom and the hall)

A Busy Saturday

I was awakened by a pair of eyes staring me at 7 a.m. this morning and that started our very busy Saturday.
After a breakfast of Pancakes and Sausage Matt and I got the kids ready and headed up to The Little Gym for Calyn's gymnastics. While Calyn was in class Matt took Max and ran to the store.
When we got back to the house after her class I started lunch and Matt decided to take Calyn swimming. I hung back with Max and finished lunch and we played for a bit before he took his nap.
Calyn and Matt returned and she finally ate some lunch (around 1:00) then Calyn took her nap. She must have been exhausted because I never heard a peep out of her until 4:30.
Shortly after waking up Uncle Olech and Papa Bob showed up to watch Max and Matt, Calyn, Corry, Drew, Lois and Charlie all went to the Ice Age movie. The kids really enjoyed the movie and were very well behaved.
The girls decided that it would be a great idea to have a sleep over so we dropped off Drew and Corry Calyn Matt and I headed back to our house.
The girls have been playing since we returned home. There was one casualty (I have yet to be told about it.) Matt and I were in the kitchen and the girls were in the living room playing with my breakable angels. I heard a crack then Corry say "oh no. We'll put her in here." and put her back in the tub that holds them all. I then heard Calyn say "oh no!!!" No biggie.
I am exhausted from all the running today and am ready to hit the hay. Most likely I won't be doing much sleeping sandwiched between to little girls who like to lay every wich a way throughout the night. :)
I did take some pictures of the girls playing with the angels.
Here they are.

Anyone Need Their Carpet Cabinets and Tile Cleaned?

If so I can loan you a three year old that has come up with her own special way of getting the job done.
Here's what happened...while I was cooking dinner with Grandma Chebs, daddy was at the gym, and Max and Papa Bob are playing in the living room. Calyn went into the other room and got real quiet. (I just figured she was in the play room playing) When I called her for dinner she didn't come. I called her again and she came running around the corner about the time I was getting ready to round the corner to go down the hall toward the bathroom.
"You scared me!" she exclaims I said what were you doing in there? She said "I was getting a warm drink of water" I said ok its time to eat dinner now. So Mom, Dad, Calyn Max and I sit down and eat a nice dinner. We talk for a little bit and one of the natives (Max) got restless so Mom and I began to clean the kitchen while Papa Bob sat and played with the kids in the living room.
When mom and I got done I decided it was time for baths so I swooped up Max and yelled for Calyn. Just as I rounded the corner for the bathroom I heard this noise. It took me a minute but I finally realized what it was.... running water.... and I began to realize why my feet were all wet while still standing in the hall. She had plugged up the drain in the sink and left the water running. The cabinets and drawers were full of water. The bathroom floor had about an inch of standing water and it had gone past my first hall closet and almost made it to my second and had also gotten a little section of Max's bedroom carpet wet.
It took dad and I a good 30 to 45 minutes to get MOST of the water out. Luckily I had borrowed Merrick and Jimmy's shampooer a while back and I had a little green machine to help get up the water. Now we have a box fan blowing the rest dry.
So like I say, if any of you need a little 3 year old to come over and "help" you clean tile, cabinets or carpet I know one that does a bang up job!!! :)

Andrew to the Rescue!!!

On Thursday we were all over at Merrick and Jimmy's house hanging out because Auntie M and Uncle Gary had arrived in town from Oklahoma. The girls and Drew had gone outside to play in the play house. They weren't out there but a few seconds when they all came running in exclaiming that there was a wasp in the play house.
Andrew went outside to assess the situation. On there way back in Calyn came running in ahead of Andrew and exclaimed "we need guns!!!!" Auntie M said guns? and Calyn said " yes BIG ONES!!!"
Since we did not have any ammo for our guns Andrew settled for the wasp killer. Those of us adults that were watching Andrew from inside the house fully expected to see him running across the yard screaming like a little girl with the play house stuck to his back. Although it was a funny thing to picture he was successful in his battle against the wasps and even emptied out the can of wasp spray on another unsuspecting visitor... a black widow spider.
This made us fully aware that anytime the kids go out to the play house to play we should probably inspect its contents first for any unwelcome visitors.

The play house is now clean. Thanks cousin Andrew!

Leave a little boy alone for 5 seconds.....

.......and this is what you get

The funny thing is we looked all over for that paci before we put him down for bed. When we were looking for it Matt said "I just washed it and gave it to him" He seriously had about 30 seconds to do this.....I imagine this is only a sign of things to come.

Pictures as promised

Here are some pictures of the kiddos from this evening as promised. Hope you enjoy!

This one is a little blurry but I just love that little look on his face

Ms. Calyn giving me her best CHEESE!

Calyn's serious/pouting side shining through

Mr. Max and his cute little reflection

Liar Liar Pants on Fire

That is the best way to describe me right now. Obviously I did not get any pictures uploaded last night.
Right before Matt went in to read to Calyn he said lets do each other's feet. This man is brilliant! (but don't tell him I said so LOL)
I have to have Drew's slide show done by this weekend so I can get it ordered so while Matt was reading to Calyn, I worked on it. When he was done reading, I quickly shut down the computer and went in and read to Calyn (4 small books). After reading I sat in the chair and enjoyed the foot spa, scrub and lotion. By the time we got done with the mini pedicures it was time for me to go to bed.
I apologize if you came out to my blog all excited to see pictures and all you got was a story about Matt and I rubbing each others feet.
Maybe tonight I will get a chance to upload some pictures. Not pictures of our feet but ones of the kids. :)
Talk to you soon

Pull-up Progress and New Words

First off I would like to start by congratulating Calyn. She has now made it six consecutive days going to bed without a pull-up and NO ACCIDENTS!!! Her only accident since her no pull-up at night time venture started 8 days ago was on day two (last Monday night) I think it is safe to say that we will not be buying Princess pull-ups ever again (sorry Huggies company!) We are so proud of her.
Our next goal for Calyn is keeping her in bed after her books have been read. Last night I read to her then Matt read to her and we said our good nights. She came out 5 more time for various reasons before finally settling down. We started the bed process at 9 and she finally settled in at about 10! She is a night owl like her daddy for sure!

Max has expanded his vocabulary in the last week. Before today if you will recall from a previous post, the extent of his vocabulary was eh? And UH-OH (which he says all the time) Last week I was putting dishes away and I had a bottle in my hand and Max kept repeating mi mi mi mi I said do you want some milk and he nodded his little head yes. I know what you are thinking mi isn’t a word. Your right but it is a start for the little man that has no vocabulary. A few days later he was pointing at something and saying eh? So I asked if he wanted it and he nodded his head yes. When I handed it to him he said thank you. Now I admit it is not the clearest thank you but it is clear enough that you can tell what he is saying.
I fully expect that he will be speaking full sentences by the end of the month…. OK maybe not.

Sorry I have not posted any pictures lately. I usually do my picture uploading in the evenings but I have been working on Drew’s 3rd year slide show and haven’t had much time. I will try and post some this evening.
Have a great day!

Calyn and Max News

Calyn loves to go to the pool, take baths and be around water. However, Calyn HATES water in her face. Every time her teachers at swim lessons would have the kids go under Calyn would start crying and say she didn't want to do it. Her teachers never pushed her to do it which in some ways I think is good but how is she ever going to get over this fear if she is never made to face it? So last Wednesday after swim lessons I got in the pool with Calyn and we discussed her fear. I explained that nothing was going to happen and she would be fine. She wasn't budging. So I broke out the bribe. I told Calyn that if she did exactly what her teachers told her to do for the remainder of swim lessons I would take her to the store and she could pick out a very special toy (She has her sights on a doll house just like her friend Madeline’s) That day we practiced going under by doing it together. I can’t say that she is going under all the time and swimming like a fish yet but she has shown GREAT progress! Yesterday as they (her swim class) were all playing ring around the rosy and it came time for the big we all fall down part Calyn “fell down” to about her nose. She looked to see if I was watching and of course I was so she quickly dunked herself under water. Yea Calyn!! They did ring around the rosy again and this time when the big we all fall down part came she went under. She is very proud of her accomplishment. Every time she gets her face in the water she seeks me out and says “Mommy I went under” Of course I am so proud of her!

Max is a little man of very few words. He doesn’t talk much but he can point like a pro! He is constantly pointing out objects and going eh? So I will tell him what the object is and explain its purpose. After my response he will immediately point at something else and say eh? I think I have fully explained what every object is in my house. He has mastered one phrase. That phrase is uh-oh and says it all the time! Usually he says it before he throws something, or hits something, or is even contemplating doing something or is just sitting on the ground playing. So in other words, he says it all the time.
We are pretty sure he understands questions and how to answer. When you ask him a question, if his answer is yes he will nod his head yes if it’s no he just kind of looks at you like your nuts.
I am pretty sure he is absorbing it all and will one day just start talking in full sentences.

Little Personalities

It is amazing how these little minds can one minute be perfectly happy and then next they are screaming little twerps with veins popping from their heads and necks. I have two great examples of this from yesterday.

We went to swim lessons last night at the Alden Bridge Pool. Max is a HUGE fan of their baby pool. It goes from 5" to 1' 5" so he can touch all over. He just walks around with his little floaties on and splashes around and has a blast! The pool also has a padded butterfly slide for kids to slide down into the pool. I made the mistake the other day of putting him half way up the slide and holding onto him as he slid down. This was fine when the pool is empty like the other day and there are no other kids waiting in line. Yesterday, luckily, Aunt Meme wore her suit too and offered to catch Mr. Max after I put him at the top of the slide. Down he went! He loved it. He loved it so much that as soon as he realized it was over he screamed and screamed and screamed. Did I mention that he screamed? So I picked him up and as soon as I got in line to have him go again the screaming stopped. We waited our turn and when time came he slid down again . Just like the last time, as soon as the ride was over the screaming started. This continued on about 50 times until the adults got tired. We then moved to the big pool where it was out of site out of mind and he was a happy little camper again.

Calyn did a little bit of the same. I ran to Wal-Mart last night around 8:30. When I got back Matt was sitting on our big chair in the living room folding clothes (good boy) and Calyn was in her room screaming. I asked him what was going on and he said she was throwing a fit because she wanted her purple toothbrush and not her kitty tooth brush. (The purple toothbrush was old so it was thrown away) For Calyn this was unacceptable. She wanted the purple toothbrush and she wanted it now!!! Being a neutral party I was finally able to get her calmed down and brushed her little teeth with the kitty toothbrush. After she brushes her teeth and goes potty she usually listens to music with daddy and then reads a book with mommy. Last night I picked a book that has two sides to it the front side is Beauty and the Beast and the back side is Cinderella. (two books in one!) I asked her which one she wanted to read first and she said "I want to read Belle because she is your favorite, mommy." I thought that was so sweet of her. A small selfless act.

On a side note, day two of the night potty training did not go so well. I was awoken by a little three year old saying mommy I'm all wet at 2:30 a.m. Changing sheets and cleaning a 3 year old is NOT really what I want to be doing at 2:30 a.m. I got her cleaned up and the bed cleaned up and got her back into bed. She made it the rest of the time (until 8 a.m. or so) dry. I am thinking that we were successful last night too. I haven't talked to Matt yet but when I left the house this morning at 5:10 she was still fast asleep and dry! I am hoping this means another night of success. I think maybe night #2 she had too much liquid before bed. Last night she only had a few sips of water between dinner and bed time where the night before she had a cup of milk and a little water between dinner and bed. I am keeping my fingers crossed for a dry little lady!

A Visit With the Tiarks Family and Some BIG News!

No I am not pregnant. I am happy to announce that Calyn went all night last night without a pull-up and stayed DRY!!!! Woooo Hooo! Friday night she woke us up at 3 a.m. to tell us that Matt forgot to put a pull up on her. We figured that meant she had to go to the bathroom and the urge woke her up. The next morning I asked her if she wanted to try to sleep that night with out one. She said she wanted to try. We were going to try it that night. (the 4th) but she was so wiped out that I was afraid that she wouldn't wake up if she needed to go. Last night when I was getting her ready for bed I asked if she was ready to sleep without one and again she said yes. It was a SUCCESS!!!! I am fully aware that there will probably be an accident here and there but still I am very proud of my little girl! Mom, Calyn wants to call you after nap to tell you so if you happen to read this before we get a hold of you, please act surprised.
Yesterday Leslie, Brian, Madeline and Lauren came to The Woodlands for a visit. Leslie and I grew up together in Ponca City, were in the same Sorority at OSU and now both live in the Houston area. We try and get together every once in a while for a visit. She and her husband Brian have two girls. Madeline, who was born almost two months before Calyn and Lauren that was born a month and a half after Max.
This time it was the Tiarks turn to make the trek our way. They stayed for a few hours. We had a nice visit and the kids played great!! After eating some Bueno and a little more visiting and playing they had to head home :(
As always it was GREAT to see them!
Leslie and I tried to get them to take a picture together but they weren't willing participants so all the pictures I have are individual shots. Oh well maybe next time.

Here are some pictures of the kids that I took.
Enjoy!

Ms. Lauren

Madeline playing some tunes on the harmonica

Calyn doing some stretchingMax playing on the toys
Lauren showing off her beautiful smile
A sweet smile from Madeline CHEESE!!!!!!!

The mister showing off his cute little smile

Just precious!
Happy Calyn

Our 4th of July

Hi everyone I hope you had a great 4th of July! I know we did! Ours was a busy one for sure.

Calyn and I got up around 8 a.m. yesterday and began getting ready for The Woodlands Parade (Matt stayed home with Max) We rode with Merrick and Jimmy and walked from the mall to market street to watch the fire trucks, marching bands, floats etc... It was a nice parade but VERY HOT!!!!!! After walking back a mile to the car carrying a 3 year old (at least I got my workout for the day) we made our way to the fireworks stand to purchase sparklers, pops and smoke bombs.

We went back to Merrick and Jimmy's where Jimmy cooked Guacamole Bacon Burgers with sauteed jalapenos and onions. YUM! After lunch the kids played with their fireworks then headed off to bed.

When they woke up we all got ready and went over to Uncle Olech and Aunt Lindsay's house for hot dogs and some more heat. They had a very nice block party with hot dogs, hamburgers, steaks, chips, guac, pico, spinach dip, brownies, beer, pop juice etc. It was a very nice get together.

Around 7ish we went back to Merrick and Jimmy's to get our ice chest and lawn chairs to go watch the fireworks display.

This year we went to the top of the Anadarko Tower parking garage to watch. Can I just say WOW!!!!! There was no better seat in the house for the show. The parking garage is 10 stories and the fireworks were shot off a block away. It was like they were right over our heads. It was AMAZING! I did not get any pictures of the display with my Camera. Max was not to sure about the loud noises at first and began to cry but once he got used to them he was just kicking back and enjoying the show. I was holding him though so there weren't any extra hands for a camera. Corry Calyn and Drew loved it! Corry even said she wanted to go back again to day and watch them again. :)

We got back to Merrick and Jimmy's and let the kids to sparklers. I can't say that I am convinced that they all enjoyed them. Maybe next year.

It was a very good day but kids were exhausted, adults were exhausted and it was time for bed!!

Drew Corry and Calyn ready to watch the parade

Calyn watching the parade

Ms. Corry and Jimmy
Another good one of Corry that I had to include
Drew getting ready to jump to his MerrickCorry enjoying a massage in the chair

mmmm twizlers!

Calyn making Max have "chubby cheeks"

A little dark but here are the fireworks set up

A nice one of Merrick Deachi andn Andrew getting ready for the fireworks.

My 4 favorite little people

Hi everyone I won't keep you long. I am REALLY tired today. I have been getting up at 6:00 a.m. the past couple of days even though it is my day off to work out. Then after chasing after a 4, 3, 2, and 1 year old, fixing dinner, swim lessons, bathing kids, playing and bed time I am one worn out woman!!!

I have to say though that I have had a great time with these little people the last couple of days. They have had their fights and arguments but for the most part have been great.

This morning after Corry and Drew arrived the kids picked out a flavored candy cane (yes we still have candy canes in our house) and they all piled into the wagon. We walked to the park. We played for about 30 minutes and it was getting really hot and Drew was starting to melt down (Merrick said he woke up at 5:45 this am) so we came home . When we got home all the kids got in the bath to wash the candy cane stickies off. All were then in a much better mood.

They played nicely while I prepared their lunch. Today's menu was mini corn dogs, green beans and watermelon. YUMMMY! They all ate great and the three big kids even asked for seconds.

Before naps the kids got to have a slush (it was a bribe, see below)

The kids laid down at 1ish although I am pretty sure Calyn didn't fall asleep until about 1:45 and Corry it was 2:00 (she was in the living room with me) Max was the first up at 2:45, then Calyn at 3:00, then Drew at 4:00 and Corry at 4:40!!! I really don't think Corry would have even woken up until Jimmy had gotten there but the Payne children still have not grasped the concept of whispering.

Swim lessons went well. Calyn is still really nervous about putting her face in the water. Hopefully this will get better.

Here are just a few pictures from the day.

Max was not pleased when Cozmo tried to take his powdered sugar donut
The bribe :) I asked the kids to all look at me and smile and I would make them a slush. IT WORKED!
Drew watching some Dora after his bath

I had to include this. Max dumped out all of these band aids and would pick them up and put them back in the box. Once they were all back in there he would repeat the process. It kept him quite entertained.

My Day With the Kids and More Swim Pictures

Today was a good day with the kids. They played with toys, played with play doh, the girls danced while the boys and I played in the viewing room, we came home took LONG naps (all of us :) Then Jimmy came and picked up Corry and Drew. After dinner we all went to Swim Lessons minus Max he stayed home with Papa Charlie.

Max is now sound asleep and Calyn is brushing her teeth and getting ready to go to bed.

I don't want to fool you it wasn't all wine and roses today but there was only one incident today where tears were shed. That was when Calyn and Corry wanted to sit in the same car seat on the way home from the gym. They got over it pretty fast though and the rest of the day was a great one!

A sweet little boy

Corry and Calyn playing at the kitchen table
Fun with Play Doh

Calyn putting her face in the water
Calyn's reaction to putting her face in the water (no tears just a funny look)

Corry floating on her back

Drew learning to kick his feet when he swims

Calyn kicking her feet at the side of the pool. Is it me or does it look like her foot is right by her head?

Calyn jumping into the pool

Drew jumping in the pool