Mommy, how do you write...

As the summer heat wave continues to take its toll on us all my sweet Ethan continues to beg to play outside. This morning when he asked could we sit outside and watch the garbage truck go by I decided that at 8:00 in the morning it would be cool enough to do this. As we sat there waiting Ethan asked if he could draw with side walk chalk. Since it was still somewhat cool we got out the chalk and Ethan began to write and draw. First he started with his name. Then he said, "I am going to write Ella's name now." As I watched his chubby little hand make the giant letters Ella on the side walk I was so proud of him. After he wrote Ella's name he decided he wanted to write his last name. He said, "Mommy, you spell Tomko, T-o-m-k-o, but how do you write it?" So I walked him through the letters. Then he decided he wanted to write everyone's name he could think of. "Mommy, how do you write mommy, daddy, Noonie, Granny C, Grandpa, Frank, Micah, Tracie, and on and on and on he went down the sidewalk. Our sidewalk is the prettiest sidewalk I have ever seen. It is covered in the cutest and largest letters that only a three year old boy could create. It is colored in shades of blue, purple, and pink letters of the names of all the people Ethan loves. The teacher in me smiled and the mommy in me teared up a little as my sweet boy became a writer today.

Fast Friends

One of my favorite people in the whole world is my dear friend Shawnee. She and her husband Rich (Og) live in Pittsburgh with their two darling children Drew and Ryland. We rarely get to see one another, but when we call each other on the phone to chat we pick up right where we left off. So, I couldn't have been happier when she called to say they would be heading through Cornelius on their way home from Charleston. They stopped at our house to spend the day (and night) with us. What fun we had! Drew and Ethan immediately became fast friends. They played as if they have always known one another. To their delight they also got to have their first sleep over! We pulled out Ethan's trundle and Drew and Ethan both slept together in the same room. They both thought they were really big stuff and were so excited to have a sleep over. Ella thought it was fantastic to finally have a girl to play with! She followed Ryland around watching and copying her every move! We spent the day at the pool (not quite the same as when Shawnee and I would raft at the pool at the Oaks but close enough!) Our house felt empty when they left and a little piece of me went back to Pittsburgh with them. It was so wonderful to spend time with them and so sad to say goodbye. I often wish I had a pair of Dorothy's ruby red slippers so that Shawnee and I could always hang out because when we are together my heart always feels like it is home!

Beach Days

Memories of the week that went by too fast...

Laughing, smiling, sleepless nights, early rising, waves crashing, little feet in sinking sand.

Turtle eggs not quite ready to hatch, tide pools all warm and cozy just right for little hands.

Glistening water, family dinners, breath taking sunsets, bike rides on the island, holes we dug in the sand.

Warm sunshine, tan little bodies, putt putt for the fun of it!

Precious time spent with family, our 7th anniversary dinner, cake and ice cream for Uncle Noonie's 23rd, crab nuggets at Dockside.

Baths in the outside shower, dinner at Kiva Grill, playing cars and lots of Uno, our days at Figure 8 we will never forget!

Rain Dance

It's raining at the beach today. Usually I think there is nothing worse than a rainy day at the beach. However, not my little Ella. She thought the rain was absolutely fantastic! She begged to go outside and play in the rain. How can you argue with that? So we stripped her down and she spent all morning laughing, clapping, squealing and dancing in the rain. Ahhh to be such an innocent and free little spirit. Thank you Ella for reminding us all to stop and dance in the rain!

Putt Putt for the Fun of It!

When I was a little girl one of my favorite things to do when we went to the beach was play putt putt with my dad. I think we have played almost every Putt Putt golf course in Myrtle Beach! Some of my favorite memories are putting through the clown's mouth or trying to get the ball to go through the wind mill without it being knocked out of the way. I also remember playing with my brother when he was old enough at the beach. Today that tradition continued because my dad, brother and I took Ethan for his first beach putt putt adventure. He had the time of his life! It was so much fun watching him try to knock the ball in the hole. If he didn't get very close he would pick the ball up and put it at the edge of the hole and knock it in. We all of coursed cheered for him and he thought he was the best golfer in the world! When we got home Jared asked him who won, and he proudly said, "I did Dad!" I hope Ethan will always remember days like today with the same fondness that I do.

Daddy's Day

One of my favorite people in the whole world is my dad. He has always been one of my best buddies and supportive of me in all that I do. When my mom passed away my dad did an amazing job of stepping in and playing the role of both mom and dad. When Ethan and Ella came into my life I guess I thought they would always be mommy's boy and girl. Don't get me wrong, they love their mama, but daddy holds a very special place in their hearts! It has been fun for me to sit back and watch as Ethan begs for daddy to read one more story and I hear Jared say okay and he reads it to him in funny voices. I also love watching Ella squeal with delight when her daddy walks through the door at night. Dad's are very special people! I feel so very lucky to have a dad that I adore and a husband who is one of the most amazing dad's I have ever known. Happy Father's Day!

Simple Pleasures

Ethan, Ella and I spent the day in Pilot Mountain playing with our friends the Goins. It was hot for early June in Pilot Mountain and the pool wasn't open yet so we decided to bring out the slip-in-slide and sprinklers. Ethan, Colby and Addison had a grand time sliding down the hill and running wildly through the sprinklers. Miss Ella was a bit stand offish and decided a bucket might be more her speed. When Donna filled the bucket up for her instead of pouring and splashing the water she decided she wanted to get in the bucket. What a funny girl! Donna and I decided this must be a true Pilot Mountain swimming pool! Donna and her family live in her grandmother's old house. I spent many days of my childhood at this house playing and laughing with her. What fun it was to watch our own children play together in the yard we use to play kickball, hide and seek, and countless other games. I guarantee Granny Fulk is smiling down from heaven as she watches and listens to the giggles and squeals filling up her yard once again. Sometimes it is the simplest days in life that bring us the most pleasure. Here's to you Granny Fulk, your backyard is still the best! Thanks for the memories and ones yet to be made!

Last Day

It's the last day of school! Normally I would be shouting hooray from the roof tops, but today is a bit bitter sweet. The end of school means the end of Melissa (or Lissa as Ethan and Ella call her). She has kept Ethan and Ella for me since Ethan was two and Ella was six months old. She and Jack have come every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday to play, paint, draw, swing, and do just about anything a boy or girl could dream of doing. She and her children have become part of our family. I can't imagine going back to work and leaving my babies with any one else. She is an amazingly special person with a true heart of gold. Every morning Ethan sits at the breakfast table and says, "Is Lissa coming today?" If the answer is yes he yells, "YEAH!" If the answer is no he replies, "Why can't she come today?" Ella squeals with delight the second she walks in the door and cries when she leaves. If there ever was a Mary Poppins it is Melissa. I am so looking forward to spending some extra time with my babies this summer, but it is with a sad heart that I know we will never be able to replace our "Lissa."

Happy St. Patty's Day!

Ahhh...the luck of the Irish was with Ethan today. He awoke to a rainbow fruit salad and went on a treasure hunt for leprechaun gold! My how the fun of St. Patty's Day can be captured in the eyes of one sweet little boy, who to his parents is pure gold!

Happy Valentine's Day

I use to dread Valentine's Day. As a teenager and growing into adulthood it always meant, do you have someone special to celebrate with? In my twenties it was always a sad day because it was the day before my mom passed away. Now...I LOVE Valentine's Day! It is the day after my sweet Ella was born...HOORAY! What a true gift she and Ethan are! I love them both so much that I often feel like my heart could burst right out of my body! I never knew I could love somebody so much! It's also nice to have someone special to share the day and my two babies with...Jared! On a day that in the past has often felt quite lonely, I must say I couldn't feel more loved or love anyone more than my sweet family! Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy First Birthday Ella!

Tick tock...where does the time go? How is the sweet infant that I brought home in my arms twelve months ago already turning one? You are already walking and talking, such a big girl. You can say momma, daddy, EE (for Ethan), doggie, more, baby, balloon and ball. It is amazing to watch you soak up new information like a sponge! You change so much on a daily basis. You are such a little girly girl with a flare of tomboy. Your daddy and I say we can imagine you one day climbing trees in a dress with a dirty baby wrapped tight in your arms! You love baby dolls, balls and your brother more than anything in the world! It is so cute to watch you follow him around copying his every move! For your birthday this year we had an owl party at Brooklyn South. All your favorite people came...Grandpa, Granny C, Uncle Noonie, Boston, Kate and Landon, William and Benjamin, the Warner family to name a few. You loved playing with the pink and green balloons, but your favorite part was digging into some yummy cake! I really feel like today is my birthday, because you are one of the best gifts a mommy could ask for! I often look at you and think what a true miracle you are, and know that some very special people had a hand in your arrival! I love you sweet girl! Happy first birthday!

Happy Birthday Ethan!!

How did this happen? How are you 3? Where is my baby, where did he go? It seems like only yesterday that I was wishing for you with my whole heart, and now here you are larger than life making my life complete. This has been an amazing year for you! Many life changing events happened. We welcomed sweet Ella into our lives, you are potty trained (hooray), you talk and question things non-stop! I couldn't have asked for a more perfect little boy.
For your birthday this year we celebrated at Discovery Place Kids with your friends. This is one of your favorite places to visit, and why wouldn't it be??? It has a real firetruck, an airport, grocery store and restaurant! It's a three year old boys dream come true! You requested a green fire truck cake this year, because your favorite color is green of course!
Watching you blow out your candles each year brings tears to my eyes because I know that you are growing up. There are times that I wish I could stop time and keep you as my baby forever. However, I know that you have important things to do in this world and time must move forward. I hope you will always know that I couldn't be prouder of you, and it is a true honor to be your mom. I love you more than you will ever know!