The future is bright ...

Do you ever have one of those moments with your children where you look at them and can see their future as clear as day? 

You know what I mean. Little Johnny is putting the finishing touches on the most epic Lego skyscraper that has ever been and in that moment, you see it. You see Big Johnny, 25 years down the road, sitting at a drafting table and finalizing the blueprints that will become the most popular building on the planet. Ever. It will be award-worthy and he will be wildly successful.

Have you had these moments? 

I had one this afternoon: 

"woo woo!"

Sitting in the back of a KPD squad car. They were just a little too happy to be there.

"I'm gonna color on your head..."

Lucy: "You don't speak like that and say shut up!" 

Hayden: "If I had a million dollars you could still not say shut up!

Lucy: "I can't pick it up - YOU pick it up."

Hayden: "I'm going to pick up ALL these markers because you are being a ding dong"

Lucy: "I'm. Done. I'm going to color on you"

Hayden: "No NOooooooo!! MOOOOOO-OOOOM! Lucy colored on my foot." 

Lucy: "I'm gonna color on your head."

Thank you for being washable.

I am really not completely sure what that was all about because I was checking Facebook doing housework. I am often amused by the conversations that they have with each other. I am also often horrified at how perfectly they mimic my husband and I when we are scolding them or impatient. Arms on hips, head cocked to the side and the tone, omg the tone of her voice. Do I really sound like that? Shit. 

"You like that?"

Once again, Hayden was in the bathroom and hollered for me to come see her. "Momma! Come here!" 

I'm not sure her obsession with carrying on a conversation while pooping, but she thinks it's great.

I went into the bathroom and sat on the floor so she could tell me whatever she needed to get off her chest. As she chatted, her hind end was acting like a little machine gun. 

Rat-a-tat-tat-tat. Rat-a-tat-tat-tat

I couldn't do anything but laugh. When she realized I was laughing at her tooting, she looked at me with her chin jutting out a bit and said:

"You like that? You want some more?"

wtf

If that weren't enough, when she was done with here rapid fire, she ran out into the living room to inform her daddy that she is "Tootie McFartPants". 

Class-y.

CHEESE

No, really. It's string cheese.

cheeeeeeeeese

Wellness checkups

Dr. D: "Hayden, what is your favorite green food to eat?" 

Hayden: "Kale chips." 

Dr. D: *long silent pause with raised eyebrow at me* "I've never had a 4 year old, or any kid for that matter, say 'kale chips'" 

Nut luvs her some kale chips.

Parmesan Kale Chips (nom nom nom)

38.8 lbs

40 ¼" tall

Perfectly healthy child with great vitals, perfect hearing and so far, perfect sight. ♥

Dr. D did suggest that we meet with the fine folks at Glacier Neuro to be evaluated since Hayden's tonsils are ridiculously humongous! We have had a few issues with her sleep and snoring so it's a precaution to get her checked out. Depending on the outcome, she may have a sleep study done and then we'll go from there. I'm not worried ~ she's a little trooper.

WOO WOO!

Hayden had dance class on Monday afternoon but since Lucy is still too young for dance, she is forced to sit idly by while Little Miss Thing shakes what her Momma gave her. Unfortunately, "sitting idly by" is most definitely not in Lucy's vocabulary.

So, Grandpa was nice enough to take her for a little side trip from APA to the Evergreen Fire Department. The nice firefighter's let her check out a firetruck which was probably the most. exciting. thing. ever. You see, lately Lucy has been completely obsessed with all things firetruck. If she hears one, she announces "IT'S A FIRETRUCK, MOMMA! DEY SAY 'WOO WOOooooo'". 

Leaving work one afternoon there was a horrible accident. Four ambulances and three firetrucks were on scene for it. I picked the girls from daycare and had to drive by the scene multiple times because Lucy was sooooo happy to see the truck. Gory, right? 

Anyhoo...she was treated to her own private tour of the firetruck and she was very, very pleased about this.

"Dey gave me a hat and say 'WOOO WOOOO'"

It even made her forget that she wasn't allowed in the dance class. When Hayden saw her shiny new red Fire Chief hat and waterbottle, she instantly wanted it. Nope. It was all about Lucy this time.

The next day, Lucy busted out the hat and her "WOO WOO" for daycare. Her Uncle Ryan (a firefighter) would be very proud.

Firefighter Lucy, reporting for duty.

Happy Birthday, Nut ♥

Today is Hayden's 4th Birthday.

Wasn't she just this tiny little thing that I brought home from the hospital and stared at, not being able to believe that she was mine? I certainly had no idea what was in store for me over the next four years. 

Little toes ♥

One of my all time favorites ♥

I remember those days like they were yesterday but they suddenly and sadly seem so far away. I miss that tiny little precious baby. I miss sitting quietly while she lay on my chest and softly slept. I miss caressing the top of her little head with my lips, thinking there couldn't possibly be anything softer. It's amazing she had any hair at all up there. So many kisses. 

She grew so fast and turned into a little spit fire with a flair for fashion. 

Always in a tutu. Always.

Before too long, she also became the greatest big sister on the planet when we welcome Lucy into our lives in January of 2010. It was instant love, an unwritten bond, a promise to always side with each other against the evil forces known as Momma and Daddy. 

The Holloway Girls

They started their adventures with each other right away and grew into a quite a pair of rascals. There is no shortage of tutu's, pink, sparkly things or laughter in our house. Ever. My little Peanut was growing fast and turning into a sweet little girl right before my eyes. 

All piggies, all the time.

My baby girl.

I haven't spent much  any time around children in my life. I was an only child and even though I had cousins, there were no little kids. I think one of my biggest surprises of motherhood was the fact that children will entertain you 100% of the time. They are amazingly sweet, incredibly innocent and completely hysterical. 

There have been some bumps and bruises along the way. And one Blue One. 

Love♥

Princess Chef Hayden...taking a call.

Hayden's heart is filled with love, joy and adventure. For that and for all that she is and all that she will become, I am so proud of her.

Bushwhacking. In a skirt. MY kid.

The Official "I'm a Hiker" pose.

My beautiful little girl.

So grown up.

Happy Birthday, Hayden. You are my best heart ever ♥

4.