My Three blessings

I found some old baby pictures of Zack and megan and wanted to compare them to Ben...everyone tells me that they all look nothing alike but I see the similiarites when they were babies. Megan and Ben are clones as babies. I like how they are all different in looks and personality. (Zack-black and white, Megan with the blanket and Ben on tummy)

5 kids is not for ME!!!

So on Saturday the 26th I had a very interesting experience. I called the Wedigs to see if they wanted me to babysit their kids so they could get some unpacking done. I drove up to Cary, about a 35 min drive and took their two daughters. I was going to take Rock, but he was sick. So I packed up Gracie and Alice in the car with my three. I took them to chickfila figuring they would want to play in the AC in the kids play area. Gracie and Alice were a little nervous as there were older, loud kids in there. So after 5 mins there they wanted to go. So we ate lunch there. Their kids were angels...and they always get along well with my kids. So despite all the stares I received and dirty looks and shaking of heads of having 5 kids with me all by myself..we had fun.

Then my next adventure was to the park. Man it was hard trying to swing 5 kids or keep track. I was definitely counting heads. After being there about an hour the kids were thirsty. So we drove to target. I stuck Mary-Anne's girls in the cart. They were perfect angels until they were stuck in the cart together. You do not see how siblings can be around each other till they are forced to sit next to each other. My kids would do the same in the cart. They still were as sweet as can be. I was just having trouble breaking their fighting up, keeping Megan and Zack from running around the store, and trying to take care of Ben who was also screaming in the cart. Needless to say I got dirty looks there to with 3 in the cart crying, and 2running around the store. After 3 hours I finally decided I was done having 5 kids. I am so happy, we arent having anymore. I hear all the time "you have your hands full," Now I know its not really true, because it could be worse with 5. :-) Its funny though because I hate babysitting but it was a great experience for me because after spending that time with their kids I felt like they were my own. They are awesome little girls. Here is a picture of their family that I stole off your blog Mary-Anne..its too cute.

New Friends

Cliff and I have made several new friends since we have been here in North carolina. We met the Collins when we first moved here back in March but didnt really get to know them well because Cliff has left a few times since we have been here for training trips. Cliff started hanging out with Brent for lunch on Mondays. Suddenly all I was hearing was Brent this, Brent that. I was thinking man I better get to know Sarah better since Cliff and Brent have male bonded. Brent used to be military but now works as a civilian firefighter on base. We went on a double date to see the new Batman movie and went to dinner. We all had a really good time. Our kids all get along so awesome to. We are really glad to be have them as friends now. Its not often that cliff likes the husband and I get along with the wife. It usually where the wife and I clash or the husband and Cliff clash. hehe. We are definitely happy to have gotten to know them better and know they will be good friends forever.

A Surprise Visit

I received a phone call during lunch time a couple Tuesday's ago. It was one of my best friend from High School...Lauren. She was in Durham for a conference for the night. So we gave Erik a call- my other best friend from high school that lives about 2 hours south of me at the beach here in NC. Erik drove up with his wife Becky and baby girl Kayleigh. I got to see their baby for the first time. I picked up Lauren in Durham (spent about 4 hours total that day picking her up and then taking her home and getting home at midnight). It was well worth it though to have a high school reunion at my house. Cliff read everyone a bed time story and Zack read one to. Ben loved Lauren and even sat on her lap. Something he normally doesn't do. It was a great night. Erik and I plan to get together more now that we live close again. They just recently moved here from New York. He is a meteorologist with the national weather center. He isn't on TV anymore but it was a great job promotion..Good job Erik!!

Ben's 1st birthday- July 12

Wow, I cant believe my little man is 1. He is 31 inches and 25 lbs. He is such a great boy. He has his moments. He is definitely my screamer. He is way more tempermental at this age than the other kids were. But he is also a fun kid. He is into everything now that he is 1- my cabinets, closing doors, locking himself in the bathroom. If you find trouble, you'll find Ben. He is such a good kid though. He goes to bed without a struggle every night and sleeps in for me. He eats his food usually all gone. He tries to clean up his toys already. He's just such a joy. I love you Benihana.

We also made some really good new friends here that we hope to see a lot more. They are the Wedig Family: Ryan, Mary-Anne, Alice, Grace and Rockwell. They were house sitting for their cousin and we got to meet them for the short time they were here. But then we were happy to know they were moving 40 mins north of us. The good thing about that is that we usually are in that city on the weekends for shopping. Sometimes I even go up there during the week to go to target (yes that is the nearest target and chickfila!!). So we should hopefully be seeing them way more now. They are such a sweet family and have the cutest kids. We really enjoy their company. IT is always so hard to make such good friends and they are just a blessing to know.

Wilimington Beach

My sister Eileen and her boyfriend Paul came out to visit us 4th of July weekend. We were so busy driving places in the car that I never really got time to take pictures of them here. Next month I am planning a trip home to MD so hopefully we'll get pictures with them then. We went to the beach in Wilmgington (Ft. Fisher beach to be exact). It was a lot of fun. Next time I need to remember to bring our bathing suits. Duh, mommy. My sister and I wanted to just walk around the boardwalk and shop. But apparently, there is no boardwalk, shops or rides. BORING. Cliff's Aunt Linda and Uncle Kerry met us down at the beach to. They were in Fayetteville visiting their friends.

Swimming Lessons

Megan and Zack had swimming lessons this summer. The first day neither one of them really wanted to go in the water. Zack kept asking where are the toys? Megan finally went in the water after 30 mins or so. Each lesson I was trying not to watch because I knew they were scared and didnt want to do half the things they were asked. By the last week came around they both wanted to go under the water, jump in, etc. I was amazed on their last day, they even jumped off the diving board into 12 feet of water. They were wearing life jackets and they were caught by their teacher in the water, but still. I dont even think I would jump off the diving board. I hate water. The class was awesome. Since then Zack loves the pool and has been trying to really swim. We went to a friends pool party and he went off the slide there a few times by himself into 4 feet of water and didnt cry he went under. Megan enjoys water to as long as the pool is clean- free of bugs and dirt. Yup my little princess. It has been raining a lot here so we havent really gone as much as we like but we plan to go more this summer.