Children's Game and Ice Cream Night

On February 13, the Children's Committee at church held a game night and ice cream social for the children. Most of the kids were kindergarten thru 6th grade, but since I am on the committee, Emma and Mac went to. Randall brought Mac and let him play, then took him home around 8 for bed. Emma went with me at 5:00 to set up, and stayed until I finished cleaning up.

We started out by serving dinner to the kids. They got hot dogs, chips, and ice cream. The ice cream was served as a sundae bar. A variety of toppings was available to the children. After eating, the children paraded to the children's church area for a puppet show. We wanted God to be shared, and this was an easy way to do it for all the children. After the puppet show, the children pretty much chose their own course of action. In the gym, many children played basketball. The Hulk jump house was also up for the kids. We had the run of the youth area, so some students played video games and air hockey. Other children chose to play board games. We also had the television available, so Nickelodeon and Disney Channel were on. Chips and cookies were left out for the night so snacking was available. Of course, this was held the night after all the kiddos had Valentine's parties at school, so we sent them home on a sugar high. My kids had a great time. I am so thankful that we are party of a church that has activities for kids of all ages. I definitely felt like God moved through me that night. I felt like I was doing something for his glory. Many of my students from school saw me at church, and I think that helps them see me in a different light.

Cute Pics

Ok, so I just couldn't resist posting these two pictures of my sleeping cute pies!! Aren't they just adorable?

An Afternoon with Momma

A week ago, Emma had the pleasure of attending a birthday party for her friend Emma Morgan. With Sissy gone, Mac and I got to spend some one-on-one time together, which is hard to come by. We spent the two hours playing outside. Emma's Dora kitchen is in the garage, so Mac decided to be my "waiter." He wanted the table and chairs sat out, and he would bring me drinks. I thought it was adorable. Each time I would "drink" what he brought, he would take my cup to refill it. This went on for about 15 minutes. He laughed and had the best time!! It's hard to imagine that this time 2 years ago, I was driving to Little Rock daily to visit him in the Baptist NICU. Now he's with me everyday, and I am loving every precious moment!! I only wish I could keep him a baby forever!!

Trumpeter Swans

About a week ago, Grammy called on a Saturday morning and said that she and Gramps would like to take Emma and Mac to see the trumpeter swans at Magness Lake that afternoon. They told me that I could go, too, if I wanted. I had never seen them, and told her I would love to go. They had taken Emma 2 years ago while I was still in the hospital after delivering Mac. So after our naps that day, we all loaded up in the van (Daddy was working) and set off with a bag of food for the swans. When we arrived, both kiddos jumped out of the van and headed straight for the fence. They had the best time throwing the corn to the swans. I think that was Emma's favorite part, but I think Mac's favorite part was sitting on a rock carrying on a "conversation" with Gramps. Needless to say, that day will be a wonderful memory!! Thanks, Grammy and Gramps, for the invite to view the swans!! We love you!!

I love my Sissy!!

Mac absolutely loves his big sister!! One of the first things he says in the morning when I get him up is, "Sissy?" He wants to know where she is. Here he is trying to wake her up from a nap so she will play cars with him!!

Our typical morning

After I get ready and wake up Emma then Mac, both kids get their bowl of cereal (they are on that kick right now) and sit at the table to eat. They usually watch "Blue's Clues" while eating and getting dressed for their day. Our typical day starts out with me getting up around 6:00 and getting ready. I go wake Emma up around 6:10 and tell her she has 10 m0re minutes to sleep. If she doesn't get this 10 minute warning, our morning is HORRIBLE!! I finish getting ready then go get her up. She starts her breakfast while I go get Mac up. He gets up around 6:30. Mac joins his big sister at the table for breakfast. Around 6:45, I start getting them dressed and teeth brushed so we are out the door by 7:00. I drop Mac off at Mrs. Renee's, then Emma at Mrs. Curtis's Preschool and Kindergarten. Then my day starts as I try to get to SWMS by 7:15 or so to make sure I am ready for the day with my students. By this time, I feel like I've been up FOREVER!!

My sleeping angel

I usually try to get up in the mornings and make sure I am ready before Emma and Mac get up. On this particular morning, Mac's diaper had leaked and he woke up. I laid him on the couch and covered him up while I finished getting dressed and ready for work. I turned on "Blue's Clues" and when I came out of the bathroom, this is what I found. Isn't he absolutely adorable? (I am not partial or anything!!)

Flowers for Church

Last Sunday, we provided flowers for church by the piano in honor of Mac's 2nd birthday. I thought this arrangement turned out BEAUTIFUL!! All I told the florist was that I wanted mixed flowers in blues and yellows (something boyish). These look like they could've been an arrangement at my wedding!! I love the yellow lilies!! (and they didn't include spider mums even though I forgot to tell them I really don't like those!!)

More birthday party pics

Hayden Goff

Becca and Jeffrey

Jayden Knife

Amy, Camp, and Cash

Brittney

These are just a few random shots of those who attended Mac's 2nd birthday party last week. We hope they all had as much fun as we did!!

Mac's 2nd Birthday Party

Mac enjoyed his 2nd birthday party on Saturday, Jan. 31. He had a great time. The theme was "Cars: The Movie." He got TONS of cars to play with, but the hit of the party was his Handy Manny doll from Aunt Debbie and Uncle Ronnie. Manny even had to go to church with us on Sunday. As you can see, Manny is about the same size as Mac, so it's hilarious to see him carrying the doll around the house. We had a great time with all our friends, and appreciate them coming and spending the special day with us.

My baby is 2!!!

Ok, at 9:21 a.m. today, Mac Patton Martin officially turned 2. He was born on February 3, 2007, weighing 2 pounds, 8 ounces, and was 15 1/2 inches long. He was born 12 weeks premature due to problems that I was having. I don't remember anything of the day he was born after they wheeled me into the operating room, but thankfully, I have lots of pictures!! Today, Mac is a happy, heathy 2 year old who weighs 24 pounds. He is still small for his age, but he is catching up. Mommy, Daddy, and Emma Grace love you Mac!! Happy 2nd Birthday!!

Outside Fun

These are a few pics that I just thought were cute. I think this was the beginning of January when we had a warm day. The kids enjoyed being outside. Mac decided he was big enough to ride Emma's 4-wheeler, so she decided to push him around on it since the battery was dead!! I love the picture of her face when she is trying with all her might to push!!

Reindeer Food

This year at Mac's Christmas party at Miss Renee's, he got Reindeer Food to put out on Christmas Eve. The kids and I spent the afternoon playing outside (since it was so nice) and putting out the food. Unfortunately, Randall was working, so he missed this. They sprinkled the food out and we decorated the sidewalk with chalk so the reindeer would know where their treats were.

Great neighbors

Our neighbors, Mr. Gary and Mrs. Becky, are wonderful. They both love Emma and Mac, and the kids love them. Mr. Gary dropped presents off for Christmas and the kids opened them later. Mac got a basketball goal to hang on the door (if you know Mr. Gary, you know who picked that out!!) and Emma got a Barbie. They were both so thrilled with their presents. We are so lucky and blessed to have Mr. Gary and Mrs. Becky in our lives!!

Birthday Cake

Ok, so I've been really bad lately at blogging. You would think that since I was off for 2 weeks at Christmas, I would be better, but I kept Emma and Mac home those two weeks, so quiet time on the computer to blog was unheard of. So here goes with several entries.

One of our Christmas traditions is to make Jesus a birthday cake on Christmas Eve. On Christmas morning, we get up and sing Happy Birthday, then we eat the birthday cake. I let the kids make all the decisions on the cake, from what kind of cake we make to what the decorations look like. This year, Emma picked a chocolate cake with white icing. She wanted to write, "Happy Birthday, Jesus" in pink and put pastel star sprinkles on the cake.