I made spaghetti last night for dinner and Caiden LOVED it! He was trying so hard to pick up the noodles with his little fingers and even though the majority of it ended up in his lap and hair, some did manage to get into his mouth! it was so fun watching him eat; all three of us would clap and cheer when the food made it into his mouth... so funny..
Yummy noodles!
Gimmie that camera mommmy!
Tyler is starting kindergarten this fall and he is REALLY excited!! I took him last week to a kindergarten information session to see the school, meet the kindergarten team and talk about the upcoming school year. While I was listening to the different speakers, Tyler got to go with the other kids to meet the teachers and do fun activities with them! We were only there for a shore time and Tyler didn't want to leave when it was time to go. He found the playground and wanted to run out and play with the other kids! Eric took him back on Saturday so he can play. Tyler is not only excited to start at his new school, he also wants to ride the bus! Oh my baby is growing up!
is for GRADUATION! This time last year I was walking across stage with a huge grin on my face having my friends and family cheer for me as my name was called to get my diploma. This year it's my big little sister Kate! I know, I know, you're probably saying wow, I thought she had a few more years after you?...no, no, it just took me about 6 years to get my undergrad (but I did it!) and she's right on time! I just had to make sure I finished 
before her for my ego... hehehe
n Communications. She's planning to move to Alabama with her boyfriend Dustin to continue school at Auburn because she wants to be a Veterinarian. Katelen I am so proud of you. You are an amazing women, sister, and friend and I see nothing but success and happiness in yours and Dustin's future (yes, I am psychic ). I'm just so happy you're going to be 6 hours away instead of 11! Whoo-hooo!! I love you Kate!
is for FLORIDA! When people ask me where I'm from I basically say Florida because that's where I spent most of time growing up. My dad was in the military (and no, I wasn't a "military brat".. I don't know why people really say that...) so we moved about every 4 years. When I was in 4th grade a wrote a paper called 4 Corners because we lived in the 4 corners of the US (roughly). I was born in Hawaii, I went to Kindergarten in Seatle,Washington, 1st-3rd grade in NYC, 4-5th in Charleston, SC, and Florida 6th-12th and my parents still live in the same house (since '93). So eventhough I lived in many different states, we lived in Florida the longest. I loved living in Florida, especially because of the warm weather and being so close to the beach. My friends and I would go about every weekend to play sand volleyball. I had one partner that we'd call ourselves "The Bandits" because we played with red bandanas with braided pic-tails. Oh those were the days..... I moved away from Florida to Charlotte in 2002 to start a new life with my husband and our now 2 boys! We try and get down there at LEAST once a year to visit (which is definatley not a lot) but so far in the past 5 months we've already been there 3 times! (not necesarrly on good terms, but it's always wonderful to see family weather it's for tears or laughter). After this last trip Eric and I decided that we MUST make ourselves leave REALLY early in the morning while the kids are asleep or else a 9 hour drive will take you 13.5 hours if driven in the middle of the day! Yes, that's how long it took us last weekend! Our next trip to Florida will be at the end of June to spend a week in Disney with Eric's Dad, Dave, Rachel and her family, Tish, Chris, Isabella, and my family is going to join us too! I'm SO glad that not only does MY family live in Florida, but Dave and Rachel do too. They just live on the West Coast near Fort Lauderdale! 
T-Y-L-E-R, Hit it, Hit it, Really FAR!
Over the past 3 games the kids get a chance to hit the ball from the coach's pitch and if they can't hit it after 3 tries, then they can use the T. Tyler has done really well and LOVES it when it's his turn to bat. Eric told him to "hit it to the fence," so each time Tyler comes up to bat he has this serious look on his face... I think it's adorable.
is for Eric, my wonderful, loving husband. He means the world to me and I love him with all my heart. I couldn't ask for a better husband, friend, and father to our boys. I love you baby! Thank you for all you do...
is for Dog. We've had our dog Buck for almost 6 months now (gosh has it only been that long?) and couldn't image our life without him. He is the perfect dog for us (even though we built a fence in the back yard he can jump over!). Tyler is SO great with him too! He feeds him everyday and as soon as we get home in the afternoon he takes Buck outside to play until the sun goes down. Buck really loves going to the park to play fetch with the Frisbee and run around in the creek. We usually take him to the park on the weekends when it's nice outside. He's also getting better about running next to me on the leash. About 2 weekends ago we dog-sat the Syke's dog Cooper and Buck LOVED that. He's very playful and it's always nice to see him and Cooper together. His other friend Taz is an older so doesn't like to play too too much, but they still enjoy each other too! We love you Buck
Here comes the wall... AFTER
is for BIKE! Not to long ago I was talking on the phone to my dad and he was asking about the boys and how Eric and I were, and so on, just like a wonderful daddy does (I love you). Well, I had briefly mentioned, in a laughing kind of way, how Buck LOVES to chew things... well, he decided Tyler's seat to his bike tasted good.. well when I told my dad that he said he couldn't have his Big T riding a bike with a chewed up seat so he told Tyler to go pick out a new bike! Tyler is really into learning how to spell and write so he sent Papa (my dad) and e-mail and this is what it said:
From Tyler:
papa, i found a cool bike. i love mimi. i miss you. you are a cool dude.
love,
tyler james mick
This is what Mimi and Papa said back (Tyler had us read it over and OVER again he was so excited):
Big T.....mimi and papa loved that transformer bike so much that we decided that since you've been such a great helper to your mom and dad and a really cool big brother that wanted to get it for you. It will be there soon. Your mom and dad said they'd pick it up as soon as it's ready. They have to build it first, so it will be there in About 10 days!!! Take a picture when you get it and call me before you ride it. We love you the mostest!!!!!! Mimi and Papa
Caiden is a growing machine! He turned 8 months on the 19th and weighs almost 19 pounds! He just got over a little sinus infection and is feeling like his normal, happy self again. It's amazing how much babies change in their first year of life. Just over the past month in a half he's gotten his 2 bottom teeth, says Mama and Dada (and other sounds too), waves his hands in the air like he's riding a motorcycle(varoom varoom), and CLAPS!! It's such the cutest thing! He's trying to get on his knees to crawl which I'm sure will happen soon! Right now he's about to cut his top tooth on the right side.... you wouldn't even know he's cutting teeth he does so well! We're also transitioning him to table food since he gets SO excited (does his motorcycle movement) when he sees us eat. So far he loves sweet potatoes, bananas, cheerios, bread and green beans! Tonight I'm going to cook some fresh squash. What a big boy you are Caiden!
Can you see those 2 little teeth?!
I feel like getting into the blogging groove and what better way to start then the good'ol ABC's about me and my family! A friend of mine did this last year and I always thought it was such a great idea (thanks Jen, so the next 26 posts will be about a topic that starts with the given letter give or take some extras...so wish me luck!
Well I decided to start the year of racing off with a big one! The Cooper River Bridge Run/Walk is one of the most popular races in the southeast with well over 35,000 people participating. I was SO excited to run it. We got to Charleston Friday morning and stayed with our dear friends of the family, The Wieblers. My Mom, Kate, and Jay came up from Florida too for the weekend so that just added on to the excitement! Friday we went downtown to pick up our packets, t-shirts, etc. to get ready for Saturday. I was a gorgeous day and Tyler had fun hanging out with his Uncle Jay! We went to bed early Friday night so we would be well rested for Saturday's race since we had to get up about 4:45 AM to catch the shuttle to get to the starting line before the race at 8 AM. Here's a couple pictures..... (results at bottom of post!)
Opening ceremonies for baseball were on Saturday and it definitely was an all day event! We had to be at the fields by 8:15 AM to get the team ready. After listening to the long speeches in the freezing cold we wandered over to the carnival. Jenn and I got our "Baseball Mom" t-shirts and the kids got wrist bands for all the rides. Our game wasn't until 12:30 so we went back to the house to warm up in the heat until game time! (the kids didn't mind the cold, they stayed outside and jumped on the Musso's trampoline!)
