Zoo with Cousins

While my cousin and her two little ones were still in town for Christmas, we took the opportunity to see them one more time and headed to the Zoo!  It happen to be really cold that day, rare for around here right now, so we bundled the kiddos up and headed out for some zoo fun.

William and Callie didn’t stop running then entire time we were there, which equaled to great naps that afternoon!

She sat for a quick second, but was back at it in no time!

Our favorite spot was of course the giraffes, we LOVE feeding them!

This one particular giraffe was being very friendly so we took the opportunity to get our picture with it.  I love the progression on the photos, so fun!

We weren’t quite ready to leave so climbing on the lions at the exit extended our visit/play time!

When we get the chance to play like this with them it makes me sad that we don’t live in the same city.  Were hoping they’ll move here soon, but until then it gives me a great excuse to head to Clemson!

Making our Christmas Ornaments

One of my favorite things to do with the girls during Christmas time is making our ornaments at the Mad Platter.  These are special treats for our house and the grandparents, and any excuse to paint something Callie loves. 

We let them pick out two colors (versions of red and green) to paint, however, Callie stuck with the red and made sure all her pieces were covered

I’m loving that our tree is filling up with all their sweet creations from each year!

Their first savings account

Right before Christmas I took the girls down to the bank to set up their very own savings account, with their very own money.  Callie was very excited about this, and I guess Chloe was too- just excited to be going somewhere!

Our banker, Mikey, got us all set up

Callie brought her piggy bank so she could count her change in the coin machine.  One rule in our house is that you save 10% (savings account), give 10% (church), then you are allowed to spend the rest on what you’d like.  In this case, Callie wanted to buy daddy’s Christmas present, a pair of brown shoes and a watch.  Its amazing what $20 bucks can get you when you own a clothing store ;)

I was glad  both girls enjoyed the experience of putting money in the bank and saving, just hope this will continue for a long time to come!

For Stevie

Sunday night we lit a candle in memory of Stevie. My cousin Andrea emailed all of us (The Rowlands) earlier in the week and shared with us a group called The Compasionate Friends. It's a national self-help support organization for families grieving the death of a child. In response to the need for grieving families to have one special day during the difficult holidays to remember, honor and reflect on the lives of children who have passed away at any age from any cause, 15 years ago they created the Worldwide Candle Lighting. It is usually held the second Sunday of each December, but since we just learned of this after the fact, she chose the third Sunday. At 7pm we all lit a candle to honor Stevie. We all still think of him daily, still ake for his parents, still know that he's better where he is now even though it's hard. So, for Stevie we remember and well never forget.

Our Tree

I love that our tree is filling up with all the girls' handmade decorations!

Santa

Last Friday we headed out to the Lights At the Zoo. I love going with the girls, seeing their faces with all the decorations is priceless. While we were there we came across Santa! I didn't know he would be there and since we didn't get to see him at PJ's this was perfect. Callie was so excited to finally get a meeting with St. Nick. We discussed what she would say- "Two Teddy bears, one for me and one for my sister." This is what she has wanted now for a while from him and I really have no idea why. So, it was our turn to see him, Chloe starts screaming (which I knew she would) and Callie walks up, gets in his lap, and puts her hands up to her face because she is so shy! I could see where they talked for a bit but no idea what was actually said. After her time was up she ran to us all excited and said she did tell Santa about the Teddy bears. Santa has it easy this year with our crowd, not sure about in the future, but I think he'll take it for now. :)

PJ’s with Santa

One of our favorite things to kick of the Holiday season is to go to PJ’s with Santa.  We went again this year with high expectations, however, left not knowing if we’ll go back next year.  I’m not a big crowd person, especially with the girls, and this place was crowded.  Also, having little curious hands with expensive merchandise in arms length stresses me out!  I digress…  We walked in and immediately hit up the little gym booth.  The girls loved it!

It took some coaxing to get them out the Little Gym area, so balloons were just that thing!

Love this silly girl!

We walked in to see Santa, however, the line was an 1 1/2hrs LONG! Yikes…. So we settled on Cocky instead, which as you can tell Callie didn’t mind one bit!

We did some arts and crafts

and cookies with a book. 

Then headed home.  Might just take Callie next year, might be a little more manageable… might.

Happy Birthday Jesus

The last day of school before Christmas break, Callie’s class through Jesus a birthday party!  Everyone was in the birthday spirit and happily wore their hats (even Callie!). 

We then sang Happy Birthday to Jesus…

and dug right into cake and goldfish! 

The sugar rush didn’t take long to hit everyone and before you know it giggles and icing were on everyone's faces!

I love being able to come in and see their faces everyday and especially during these fun times!  Can’t wait until our next party

Happy 3rd Birthday Callie!

(Yes, this is two months behind, but I couldn’t not post this!)

We officially have a three year old in the house, our Big Sister turned three!  If she could, Mac would like to really be 4, that’s all she talks about “When I turn four I get gum!”  So turning three for Callie just meant that she was that much closer to four and gum.  For me, sentimental mom, it meant one year older, one year further from the day she was born. 

First Day

Callie is very into reading, singing, dancing, and playing puzzles.  She would also probably watch TV all day every day if I let her, I’m assuming this is a normal three year old thing though- right?!

  One

Callie LOVES her sister, and for that I am so thankful for.  Now that Chloe is starting to walk, she and Callie play very well together.  I don’t think they are far away from sharing a room, Mac is constantly asking for “Kowey” to sleep in her room or vice versa.  She does, however, love the moments when it’s just all about her.  I love it too.  Whenever I can have a moment with just one of my girls, to give her that one on one attention, it’s awesome.  Two

She is really loving school.  When I drop her off in the morning she gets really embarrassed if I stay longer than just dropping her book bag off.  She has only sat in time out once, for taking a toy, but usually comes home with a happy face on her daily report card.  

Mac also really loves dance class and all her little friends in it.  It’s also great when I have a friend in the lobby to converse with while we wait on our little ballerinas!

She’s a daddy’s girl through and through.  He has hung the moon in her eyes, and I never want that to go away.  She’s his little helper, making sure his belts on correctly before he leaves for work, a sous chef when he’s grilling, and makes sure he eats a good dinner at night.  Callie also listens to her daddy better than anyone else.  She knows he means business, I wish it worked that well with me!

Callie loves “mommy’s and daddy’s” schools, not knowing that most of the world must like one or the other.  We’ve worked hard for that, hoping that you’ll grow up to appreciate that USC and Clemson are two great schools- not bitter terrible rivals.

We’re working on her sense of style, we’ll maybe I should say letting her express herself every once in a while with her clothing.  She’d love to wear every color at once, and not exactly in a good way if you know what I mean.  This momma has a hard time some days doing this.  She’s also over wearing bows most days, which breaks my heart because I think they are so cute on her.  Callie does love headbands which is an okay compromise, just trying to keep those curls out of the face!

Unlike Chloe, Callie is not stingy with the hugs and kisses with us.  She is very shy though with strangers and new situations.  We’ve learned to talk about what we are about to do and see way in advance with her and then she does great.

When I think back to all that' we’ve done over the last three years, I feel so blessed at how wonderful it’s been to have this sweet amazing girl on this journey with us.  I can only imagine what the next three years are going to look like and I cannot wait to see this little girl turn into a real big girl! 

Happy Birthday Callie Mac- We Love You!  

Three!

Chloe

Our sweet little ball of fire! She's keeping us busy from sun-up to sun-down

Haircut

It was way past time to get Macs hair cut. However, after the WWE smackdown episode that was her last hair cut, I wasn't looking forward to it. This time I thought we would go with someone that had been a couple times (James) and to Hair Doodles- a kid friendly haircutter. We also decided to get fro-yo before hand to put everyone in a happy mood! All that said it was a success and Mac got a cute cut with no tears!! She's already asking when we can go back, thank goodness. Thanks for the recommendation Helfers! :)