What is up with my kids & toe nails?

Okay, this is gross, but I found it quite hilarious! What is up with my kids & toe nails? I know my mother said I used to bite my toe nails as a child, even biting through my footed pajamas, but geezzz, I have never taught them! Is is a genetic thing? Take a look! Oh, & the last picture, an explanation follows.

Zane biting his toe nails!

Berkley enjoying her toes!
And, Zane enjoying Berkley's toes!?

Yes, I caught Zane biting Berkley's toe nails yesterday! I have no clue why. I about died from laughing when I loudly said, "What are you doing?" His reply was, "Oh mom, I really sorry bout that!" Yes, he was biting her freaking toe nails & she didn't seem to mind!

I know, GROSS! But I had to share. (And I know Tonya is rolling!)
~Patsi~

Favorite Foto Friday #13

To the Pumpkin Patch again!

Berkley & I headed to the Pumpkin Patch in Flower Mound yesterday with Zane's Wee Kare class. It was a beautiful day once again, so lots of bright faces & squinting eyes.

Zane, Mommy, & Berkley

Zane & Berkley

Berkley MarieBerkley smiling :) Zane's Wee Kare Class (Zane all the way on the right) Zane & his best friend, Ty.
(They are the WWF champs of the class!)Zane, Mommy & Berkley on the hayride. Zane riding the pony.
When I told Zane he had to wait until after class pictures to ride th pony, he replied, "But, me not wait mommy, me a COWBOY!" ~Patsi~

Do they look alike?

I have thought from day one that Zane looked exactly like Patrick. Now days I am hearing more & more people say that he looks like me. I really do not see it, but I do see a lot of myself & Starla in Berkley. At times lately Berkley looks just like Zane! Weird! Their blue eyes are undeniable! When posting the picture of Berkley in her pajamas on the couch the other night, I was reminded of the picture below of Zane. They surely favor! What do you think?

Zane at approximately 15 months old.

Berkley at 6 months old

Geez! I just love these little guys!
~Patsi~

Blessed .....

It is days like today, weekends as just past, that enlighten me (really enlighten me) as to how very blessed I am. I have a great husband who works extremely hard while being a terrific father. I have two beautiful, healthy little ones that melt my heart. I get to spend my day with them, not rushing off to work, stressing about how to get it all done at work & home. I am here, with them. I have an amazing family! My mother is wonderful, just battled cancer as if it were a piece of cake (she's very strong), and is currently in remission. I have the best siblings anyone could ask for! My sister's are my best friends. I have the cutest, most amazing & talented nieces & nephews, each one special in their own way. My dad is extremely caring & loving. I have very loving in-laws and great friends!

But most imporantly, I get to serve an Amazing & Awesome God. A God that has blessed me beyond measure. A God that I am reminded of each time my little ones smile at me or give me a cute little giggle, each time I hear an "I love you" or "Mommy, your my friend", each time my children interact with one another or light up when their daddy gets home from work, each time I get to change a diaper or turn over an unhappy 6 month old that is rolling around the living room, each time my husband calls to tell me he loves us & suggest something for dinner, each load of laundry I get to do, etc. A God that listens! A God that has blessed me & my family.

It is all too often that I take things for granted. I think it is somewhat human nature. It is weekends, as just past, when others (distant family in this case) are grieving & struggling that I am reminded of how much I have & how much I need to show appreciation toward God's many blessing. I get stuck in "life's fast lane" and need to slow down, way down. I am reminded that my world could turn upside down in a matter of moments. I know that everything happens for a reason, & I am very sure of that. It is just little reminders that God is in control & He has a plan for each & everyone of us!

I will leave the kids with a sitter tomorrow evening to attend the visitaiton services for my cousin's husband. I must say we have an awesome sitter. We love Carrie Beth! She is seriously the most responsible 17 year old I have ever encountered. She is awesome with kids! I haven't left Berkley in a long time. I have an activity together for Zane to do for the short time she will be here, but I am hoping Berkley doesn't cry the entire time. She has been doing that lately, but I know Carrie Beth is great! We'll see how the Princess reacts.

I have a little more information on Patrick's cousin's 21 month old little boy, Michael Summerville. Patrick talked to someone directly this evening. They are considering his case a dry drowning. (I really do not know what that means but maybe you do.) He was in the water anywhere from 5 to 8 minutes, is their assumption. They are giving them hope that little Michael will pull through this. (But, I assure you, as I know his parents would, he still needs prayers, many, many prayers!) According to the uncle Patrick spoke with a little while ago, they will wait 5-10 days before running an MRI to see the extent of damage. The accident happened on Wednesday so tomorrow will be day 6. Storm heaven with prayers for this little man & his family. If you have time, leave his family an encouraging word.
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/lovemichael

Going to check on my sleeping babies before heading to bed early tonight.
God Bless ~ Patsi

My little Pumpkins!

Pumpkin Express 2008

Today we took the kids to the Pumpkin Patch. What fun we had! Berkley seems to be struggling with allergies, so not much smiling on her part today. The sun was bright so the pictures aren't great. And I tell you, Berkley refused to look at the camera! Check out my little pumpkins below.

Princess Berkley before leaving for the Pumpkin Patch.

Zane & Berkley - Pumpkin Express 2008
Daddy & Zane on the train.
Mommy & Berkley ready to ride the train.
Zane - Pumpkin Express 2008
The newest pumpkin to the Cassidy Patch!
The Cassidy Pumpkins
New Zane Phrase: "It's NOT fair!" (notice arms crossed)
In the log

" I want this pumpkin daddy."
Loading it up.
Got it!
Princess Berkley taking it all in.
A bad dream, she's chewing on her bows!

Time to carve the pumpkin.
He is one cute kid!
Helping daddy, but refusing to touch the YUCKY stuff!
Finished product ... daddy, Zane & Berkley

~Patsi~

Princess Berkley is 6 months old!

PRINCESS BERKLEY IS

6 MONTHS OLD!

I truly cannot believe it was 6 months ago today that my baby girl came into the world, healthy & beautiful! Berkley Marie is such a blessing to our family! She is always happy & fills our lives with so much joy! Words cannot express how my heart melts every time I see her giggle at her big brother! It is truly inspiring!

Zane & Berkley

Here are her stats from her 6 month appointment this morning:
Weight: 15 pounds 6 ounces (40%)
Height: 26 3/4 (75%)

We still have a long baby girl. She was okay on all her levels of development. And we have decided to try barley rather than rice. If her tummy can take that then we will do that for a while, if not our pedi will have us begin meats a little early to get her needed protein.

I have said it a dozen times, but I never imagined being a mommy to a baby girl. I have always been into sports, & never into the "froo-froo, girly" stuff. But, I tell you I LOVE this girly stuff! During my pregnancy, I really did not care the sex of the baby, I just wanted a healthy one & an easier labor aftermath. (The aftermath of Zane's delivery was a disaster to put it nicely.) Berkley is so much fun & I cannot even imagine our lives without her. I was told by a friend that having a little girl is God's way of allowing you to raise a best friend. Mommy's & little girls are always best friends, so it is God's way of allowing you to shape & mold a best friend. Zane will always hold a very special place in my heart, being my first born & a mama's boy, but his daddy is his "best buddy". I see a similar connection with Berkley & Patrick already. She smiles from ear to ear when she sees her daddy come into the room! (This too, melts my heart!)

Sitting up

Ready for bedKisses from daddyFlying highLooking sweetly at daddy

We are having family pictures taken by Kids at Home Studios on Sunday at a park in the Denton area. I am so excited, as these are our first family pictures since adding Berkley to our family! And be sure to check for Pumpkin Patch pictures coming soon. We are hoping to venture to the Pumpkin Express on Saturday. Check back to see pictures of my adorable pumpkins!

~Patsi~

Cookies & Sweet Tea

Saturday night Zane helped me make cookies. He had a great time & yes, there was cookie dough all over the counter from him using the blender. He was a big help & had a wonderful time which is all that matters! Funny thing about cookie dough ... my mom would always get so mad at us kids for eating the dough. She would barely have any dough left to make cookies with after we all got our grummy fingers out of it! And mom, I still LOVE to eat the dough!

Zane using the blender. Yummy, cookie dough! Now, that's good stuff!
Patrick was all paranoid about him eating the dough.
Eating a finished product ... YUMMY, CHOCOLATE!

Now the following are where daddy got an ear full from mommy. We are very much "rule followers" when it comes to the kids, especially when they are younger. We follow almost exactly what our pediatrician tells us, no if's an's or butt's about it. And our pedi is AWESOME! Anyway, Patrick was holding a fussy Berkley during dinner the other night. She was eyeing his sweet tea glass. Those of you who know me & my little crew, we are addicted to SWEET (and I mean SWEET) tea! Well, Princess Berkley is one of us! Check her out!

Eyeing daddy's tea glass.Leaning in.

I'll have some of that!Better than formula (especially Elecare)!
That's some good stuff! These 2 together are TROUBLE I tell you.

Did you see that smile on her face?! Princess Berkley has her daddy wrapped around that finger. What she wants is what she gets! And, check her out, cause she has it figured out early!

Speaking of Berkley & food, I began giving her organic cereal again on October 2nd. Sunday she had another bad diaper. I have no clue what we are going to do, we only made it 10 days. On Friday we see Dr. Goff for her 6 month visit. I will discuss things with him then. I can't wait to see her stats. She's a chunky monkey! And so sweet & precious! Oh, did I mention she's a genius too???? I'll keep you posted.

EXERCISE ... I started the Eliptical machine tonight. We walked with our neighbors last night so I didn't begin until today. It is better now that I moved it downstairs. I will see how it goes. I didn't exactly enjoy it, but hey, it wasn't TOO bad. I have to get some of this weight off & I must get some energy!

Gotta run. Barnes & Noble delivered my next book ...
New Moon by Stephanie Meyers.

~Patsi~

Favorite Foto Friday #12

The theme is: FALL FAVORITES
All the pictures are of Zane because this is the first Fall for Princess Berkley. I LOVE FALL! I love all the holidays involved & the wonderful weather! Enjoy my wild below!

Zane chasing butterflies in our yard. - Fall 2007

My favorite Fall photo EVER! Zane is concentrating on cleaning out this pumpkin last year. LOVE IT!

Daddy & Zane after carving their pumpkin last year. Patrick had never carved a pumpkin either. My men & their pumpkin!

We are so looking forward to Pumpkin Patch pictures this year. I am ready for Halloween with the kids. We have costumes & can't wait (because that is all my little man needs is a sugar high)! And I love Thanksgiving & Christmas even more!

~Patsi~