Skip Spring... hello Summer!

With the completion of Nana's new inground pool - I know Thomas is so excited about being able to splash and swim all around the pool this summer. His face was precious when he layed eyes on the blue oasis this past weekend when we visited. We talked about the water feeling as cold as ice, but it took Thomas some testing to realize how cold it really was (55 degrees)... ohhh, chilly. Funny story though is my brother-in-law, Ashley, jumped into the pool the day before because he is INSANE and I'm sure wanted to get a good reaction from my mom. If I only had a picture as proof!

Auntie Jen & Abby

Wishing for summer to get here soon. I just know he is going to have so much fun when it is finally warm enough. If you haven't been a follower of this blog during the summer months then I need to tell you now that Thomas must be part fish. Seriously. He LOVES to play and swim around. This summer though I'm going to have to insist he wear some "water wings" or some kind of extra floatation device... at least for my sanity. I'm afraid that before I blink, he is going to be doing the Freestyle and also snorkling and I won't know what happened with the doggy paddle.

He is serious if the shoes and socks are off...

The girls getting some sun. Abby will be hilarious too in the pool... she loves the splashing and water. And of course, stay tuned for some cutie-patootie bathing suits. I guess it is a good thing that both Nana as well as Grannie & Grandpop have pools...

Already wanting to catch fish and other things from the pool. Auntie Jen pointed out that he could potentially be a lifeguard just like his Mommy was during high school and college summer breaks. He has good genes... I'm sure he would be a natural.

Snack time... tough work sitting by the pool eating yummy snacks.

Auntie Jen and Abby having some good girl conversation

Such a busy day... both of my love bugs crashed hard in the car as we travelled an hour both ways to Nana's house.

White Nubs

This is actually old news (by about 2.5 weeks), but this is my first chance to include a picture so I figured this was a good time to announce that Abby is ready for her first steak dinner. Yeap... she has two white little nubs (they are sharp little suckers) that have finally emerged. Although a goofy picture, you can see one of them here as she is laughing and smiling. Maybe a Filet Mignon is a little premature, but it won't be long until Abby will be ready for table food. Oh No!

On Saturday, me and Abby had an "All-Girls" day while Thomas spent some quality time with Grannie and Grandpop. He enjoyed a homemade breakfast of mini-pancakes, a trip to the Flea Market with his wagon to buy fresh fruit and look at all the good "junk" and then play with all his favorite toys over at their house. He was gone from 7:30AM to 3:30pm... all day in my eyes. Meanwhile, it was just the girls hanging out together, doing some grocery shopping and getting some exercise in with the running stroller and Zig. It really is hard to remember how easy things are with one child... how did I ever complain about things when it was only Thomas? Although the day seemed to be a breeze, I wouldn't trade my two for a million dollars. BUT... I sure did enjoy a different kind of day. Here we are playing outside and getting some fresh air.

On Sunday, Thomas and I got our own 1-on-1 time while Abby took an extra long nap... we had a lunch date outside because the weather was beautiful and warm! One thing led to another and Thomas and I were racing all around the back yard and seeing who was the fastest... he won (everytime) and it was so fun.

My superman got pretty brave also and started jumping from the top of his slide. He thought it was hilarious... so be sure to check out the video clip at the end.

Once Abby woke, she got to enjoy her lunch outside too... I think she may have even got alittle sun on her white tootsies. As with almost all things, Thomas got busy with his choo-choo trains while Abby finished up lunch. Notice the BIG MESS of dead grass that he wanted to add to his train tracks. Aauuughhh!

Video Clip - My brave Superman jumping from enormous heights and loving every minute. Brian and I have been talking about buying a playground (swings, slide, climbing tower, etc) for Thomas' birthday because he needs as much as possible to burn off his energy that he has... he is nonstop. We are also kicking around the idea of soccer this fall with the YMCA. Ha-ha! 3 year old soccer at its best is so fun. Back in my soccer days, coaching summer camps with the famous Jim Kane included little kids as young as Thomas... hilarious!

reading then falling

Video Clip - Thomas is "reading" to Abby about Daddy Kisses. Notice at the end Abby's fall and how much Thomas loves to kiss and love her. My two are definately comical!

Splish, Splash, Splush!

The bathroom definately got wet tonight with my two wet kiddos in the tubby at the same time. With every possible toy in the water tonight, there was enough splish'in & splash'in to soak the entire Sahara Desert. The squeels of delight from Abby and the constant energy of Thomas was enough to make even this Type "A", anal-retentive, neat freak of a mommy sit back and just soak up the (water) pure enjoyment of my munchkins.

Abby found the "C" in the water and chomped down on it. As she did,

Thomas reminded her that "C" was for cookies!!!

Chomp'in & Splash'in
All clean and cozy in the 'jammies

Getting ready to read a book together and get cozy for the night...

Video Clip - Just a few short weeks ago, Abby was not a happy camper being in the big-girl-sit-up-tubby-chair while she got a bath. Tonight was a different story; she laughed and kicked and giggled the entire time all while she was enjoyed the splashing that Thomas entertained her with. I guess our little girl is growing up. I don't know if I'm ready to say goodbye to the infant tubby yet though.

My Ghetto Clothesline

Ever since I had a clothesline in the Azores, I have wanted one here. It's not like I would use it everyday (only for big bulky items like blankets and bed covers) or even that I want the old school kind that your grandmother had that looks like an oversized version of the bunny ears that were used ontop of TVs. I just want a retractable line that I can pull out on days like this where the sun is shining and I need to dry heavy stuff. Instead, I'm stuck pulling out patio furniture and using the "drape" method. This is so ghetto. Do you think that there is a chance that Brian will say "yes" now that I've posted it for all eyes to see? I have no idea why he is so anti-clothesline? I think it has something to do with permanently afixing it to the outside of the house. Please!!!!!!!!! Brian... when you come home... CAN I HAVE A REAL CLOTHESLINE??

Miss CHS 2010

Check! Done! Success! Thank goodness that it is over. Wow... I never want to be a party or event planner in my LIFE. It's a lot of work, especially the fine details. I have to say though, having my all-girl Class of 2010 Officers (isn't that awesome... girl power) and my co-sponsor, Jeannie by myside is what made it enjoyable. I don't mean that all the planning was enjoyable - quite the opposite; instead, I mean Talent and Pageant Nights as well as the Tea on Friday morning. Knowing that you had an awesome team put it all together is enjoyable.

Girl Power - (L to R): Elise, Delcie, Marlow, Lauren, Mary, Emily, me, Jeannie, Becca, Laura, Allie, Ansley and Linsey (not pictured, Taylor).

We try to have a good time whatever we are doing. See... if there were guys, they would cramp our style.
Jeannie, our class president Emily, me

Good friends Beth and Jordan are the sponsors of the Student Activities Office (along with teaching full time... they are crazier than me and Jeannie for doing that). Anyways, both Senior Class and Student Activities works hand-in-hand to put on the annual Miss CHS. That means all four of us were up to our ears in Pageant stuff for the last month. On Friday morning, we hosted the Tea for all 35 contestants where they are interviewed individually with each of the 5 judges. It comes complete with food, of course tea and dessert and lasts all morning long but it is actually a really nice event for all the girls invovled.

For a more complete pictoral look at Miss CHS 2010, check out Drew Buchanan's website. Not only is he Choctaw Alumni, but an incredible photographer. He took Thomas' pictures at Christmas 2008 (click here and here) and we loved them.

Video Clip - It's not all fancy tea hats and white gloves (non of which were there) - we tried to have fun while the last of the contestants waited patiently (but were very nervous). It was complete with magic tricks from the extremely talented Laura J. whose disappearing act left us speakless :) My class officers are a hoot and such fun to be around.

Video Clip - I'm not sure there are words to explain this clip. Again, just trying to keep things light and fun at the end of the Tea while the final group is waiting. I have to give serious props to Jordan and Beth who wanted (yes, wanted) to learn how to do some of the dance moves that many of the contestants who danced for their talents knew how to do. Ansley is the "instructor" you see here. She is a very talented dancer who opted not to be a contestant this year but instead help her fellow officers host it. I'm not sure she has ever had "students" like Jordan and Beth before... you know the kind... young 30s who wished they had persued dance in their younger teenage years but have since had kids and their bodies just don't let them do what they might have been able to do decades (yes, at least one decade) earlier. :) Ha-Ha!!!!!!

Party kids!

Saturday involved a lot of "vegging" with my two munchkins. After being gone so much these last two weeks, all I wanted to do was hang out with Thomas & Abby. Both Saturday and Sunday involved staying in 'jammies until lunch time... it was so nice to just play and relax with them. The only thing "scheduled" all weekend was our monthly get together with Kim, Marsha and the kids - here is a glimpse at my party kids!

I have no idea how she is still this happy 1.5 hours after her normal bedtime... she has mad energy and of course a smile that will melt you in a second. She is getting her PJs on and dancing to the music... party girl for sure!

See... the smiles don't stop. BTW - yes, she does cry but it is usally when she has a boogie and Mommy is trying to clean her nose OR she wants to sit up/stand up and someone has laid her down. That is about it. Oh I wish I could have her attitude on many days!

Done and still alive

Done and still alive. I survived the insanity of February thanks to awesome class officers and my side-kick, Jeannie. I will post more about Miss CHS at Choctaw later. Now, onto what most of you want to see... the two youngest Hecks.

Abby enjoying her play time. She is so funny because she has figured out how even more of this toy works. Do you see where the little yellow figurine is sitting? That is a blue lid that goes up and there is a little storage bin that holds more of those smilely-faced guys. She just figured out that it is loaded with them and all she has to do is lift it up and she has a jackpot of them to put in her mouth. Too funny!

Wagon Time. She thought she was queen of the hill sitting in the wagon yesterday (I put two seats down because she is not ready for that yet). Unfortunately, I'm afraid she will easily spill out over the sides if I turned my back on her. So... I compromised and just gave her a ride around the garage and driveway S-L-O-W-L-Y.
We are finally spending more and more time outside again because temps have started reaching mid-60s most days. Still a bit breezy but we have to put winter behind us and start enjoying the fresh air and Florida sunshine now before it gets so hot this summer. Abby figured out that she now likes the grass (although doesn't want to sit on it) because she can pull it out and then put it in her mouth. Great. Just great. Thomas enjoying the warm rays of the sun on his white feet and toes. He was so funny when he turned to me and said, "Mommy, sun feels good. Makes me cozy." I love it.

Little girl is finally growing... I had to move up her exersaucer to the next knotch so she could continue to bounce and jump while she played.

My two silly gooses (not geese... gooses)

Video Clip - Our little lady waking up and enjoying the morning. Don't we all wish we looked like this first thing in the morning? Or rather, maybe I should say don't we all wish our attitude was this sweet first thing in the AM?

Video Clip - Fish Wrestling... it's a new sport in the Heck household!

Insane ride

I read a funny quote the other day when I was looking through the 823 RHS monthly newsletter that is sent out by Brian's squadron... "There are 24 hours in a day - take them if you need them" (Maj Sanchez) which was referring to people who complain about how much work they have. I happen to be one of THOSE people last week and this week. Not because I don't use my time wisely or because I'm lazy or even because I'm a complainer... because my plate (and cup) are run-ith over. Now that I'm looking at my situation, I'm asking myself what was I drinking when I decided that getting through the month of February was going to be do-able????? I will definately be needing most of those 24 hours each day. Seriously Michelle. Besides the normal amount of work (school work at home, kids, house, MEd classes), I've now juggling putting on a talent and beauty pageant at school. Yes... you read that right. The Miss CHS 2010 Talent and Pageant is this week (Tues & Fri) and yours truely is the class sponsor of the Seniors and it is our job to host this event.

Let me let you in on a small detail. Host = do everything. What I mean by that is the Senior Class officers & sponsors plan everything. We are responsible making the event happen. This includes finding judges, providing dinner for the judges, making sure the judges have all necessary contestant info; creating a theme, decorating, buying EVERYTHING, tickets, brochures, hosting a tea for the 35 contestants where each of them will be interviewed by the 5 judges; ordering flowers, thank you gifts for judges and volunteers. OMG... I think the list goes on even the further.

The bottom line is - this is more work than I think I did for my own wedding. Well, at least it feels this way because it is all squeezed into just a few short weeks. On top of that, this is time away from Thomas and Abby. I already feel like I have such little time in the middle of the week - now, I will barely see them this week except for the morning and there is a slight chance I will see Thomas 2-3 times this week for a few moments before bedtime. I guess though it will be over soon and the month of March will be upon us. The forcast this week doesn't look good though... I mean... late nights, little sleep, wont' eat well, in all truth probably wont' do much teaching because many things have to be done during the school day. Its fair to say that next Sunday (when it is all over) - I may just stay in my 'jammies all day and do nothing with the kids. Can't wait.

Until then... my hair is on fire, my "seatbelt" is on and I'm ready for this insane ride this week. If you don't hear from me... I'll try to resurface next weekend... and give you a recap. Have a great week!

She's on the move...

Video Clip - Here she is on the move with her brother... notice how he almost leaves her curb side as if she was the trash getting picked up. She loved it, especially when we all raced from the bottom of the driveway to the top (I pushed Abby & Thomas raced his cart next to us).

Video Clip - She is even working on moving solo... sometimes its forward, sometimes its backwards. Finally Abby has put a few inches on that she can finally touch the ground in her walker. She is still a "short stuff" though. Enjoy! BTW... sorry about the annoying mommy voice.

His son

"If I have a monument in this world, it is my son..." - Maya Angelou

There is no denying Brian & Thomas are from the same cookie cutter. Is this not crazy? I've come to grips that my son hardly looks like me, but he is such a Daddy's boy... literally. Between the similar haircut, the stripped jackets, the shape of their hands and of course their big brown eyes and their lips - they are so much the same. No wonder when I look at Thomas, I see his Daddy.

"A boy... the only thing God can use to make a man."