Happy Birthday Everyone!

Last Saturday was a birthday celebration at the Fleming house! We had such a wonderful time celebrating Mom, Melissa, Neil, and Davis. Well...there was a lot of Davis celebrating, actually. You'll see the evidence in the pictures. So, it's official - my child is rotten.

Davis had a blast in his new kiddie pool and he loved playing in the sand and water table with Hayden, Carleigh ("Yah-yee", in Davis-speak), Sadie, and Drew. Kevin grilled some awesome hamburgers and hot dogs, and I just had so much fun hanging out with everyone!

Davis' favorite part of the party was (no surprise here) the presents! I knew ahead of time what Melissa had gotten him and I was so excited! Melissa's favorite toy as a little girl was her "Cozy Coupe". She loved that thing! Some of my most vivid memories of Melissa when she was little involves that Cozy Coupe! So, it was perfect that she got Davis his very own car - actually, his is a little fancier than Melissa's model. Davis has a Cozy Coupe firetruck! He has been having so much fun with all of his new presents this week!

Here are some party highlights...

Our Birthday Boy!

Cousins in the Kiddie Pool

A boy and his firetruck.


Happy Birthday Everyone!
(Although Davis chose the cake - told you he was spoiled!)

Blowing out candles for everyone!

Nemo cake is delicious!

A boy and his scooter.
(Not as cool as a firetruck, apparently.)

So funny. He really loved "reading" his cards!

Hooray for Birthdays!

The firetruck was so popular that the kids got really resourceful and sneaky to get a turn! I actually got pictures of one attempt! We laughed so hard about how smart 2 year olds can be when they really want something!

"Hi! So...I've got this really cool tractor if you want to trade!"

"You're getting out?! You must want to trade! You are so generous!"

"I'll just put my arm right here to help you get out. Really. I'm just helping."

"Thanks so much for sharing!"

Tooth Fairy Time!

Drew FINALLY lost both of his front teeth! He lost one of his front teeth a couple of weeks ago, but I just couldn't bring myself to post any pictures because the other one was loose too and it was just hanging there! It really was pitiful looking - for 2 weeks!

Finally, I ordered Kevin to "Get that tooth out!" last night. He was successful and now Drew keeps saying that they feel SO WEIRD! He is adorable without those teeth, but it won't last long because I can already see the grown up teeth peeking through.

The tooth fairy did visit last night and we put both of the front teeth under Drew's pillow. He decided that she could take them both at the same time, although I don't think he would have waited if he had known he would have to wait two weeks!

I too, Davis!

We were sitting at dinner tonight and my little boy put his arms around my neck and said, "I too, Mommy!" Then, he said it again and again. It took me a few minutes, but I realized he was telling me that he loved me. Then, I started to cry. I know you moms and dads know exactly what moved me so. I know he loves me - I can see it in so many ways - but, today he told me that he loves me (unprompted, by the way). Davis also "toos" Daddy and his Drewy. He has told us all many times tonight. We feel loved.

We're Home!

We just got moved in this weekend! I love our new home - and so do the boys! Anytime Drew is asked how he likes his new house, his response is, "IT'S GREAT!" in his most enthusiastic voice! Davis wasn't sure at first, but yesterday when we went by the apartment to pick up a few things, he started crying and crying for his "how", which is Davis-speak for "house". He did NOT want to be there! I know how he feels.

We are still waiting on a few things - a dishwasher that needs fixing and Direct TV that needs to be installed. We also do not have enough furniture to fill up our rooms, so it looks a little empty now. But, I have to say, I feel very patient right now, which is very unusual for me. I guess I'm just glad to be home.

P.S. We have a guest room now! When can we expect you?!

Drew the Camper

Drew just got home from camp last night and he hasn't stopped talking about it. Putting it simply, Drew loves camp. More specifically, he loves going to Camp Buckhorn with all of his friends (and mine) from Pelham Road Baptist Church.

He actually got to go to camp for the first time last summer. He was really too young to spend the night, but I've got a few connections and they let him go. :) I think he did just fine, but he didn't take a shower all week long! Really, really gross! I even have proof...


Ewwwwwww!

So, this year we had a plan. We told him that Miss Brooke would be at camp all week and she would let us know if he didn't take a shower this year. Kevin even threatened to come and get Drew early if he didn't bathe! So, on the second day of camp, Brooke found Drew and asked him the million dollar question - "Have you had a shower, Drew?" This was Drew's face (captured by Brooke's phone)...




How priceless is that picture?! Also, it shows how well Brooke knows my kid. She had her phone ready because she knew the reaction would be great. Drama, anyone?

Drew finally took a shower on the last day of camp (he claims he took 2 - I'm a little skeptical). But, most importantly, he made a fishing pole from a stick, yarn, and a borrowed fishing lure. He swam in the lake. He slept in a cabin full of stinky boys. He heard some really great Bible lessons this week. And he didn't miss his Mom even once. God Bless Camp Buckhorn and God Bless Pelham Road Baptist Church!

Disney 2008

We're back from our vacation! We have been planning this trip for so long and it certainly was worth the wait. We spent 9 days at Disney riding monorails and roller coasters (way to go, Drew!), meeting all of our favorite characters (no princesses, though, apparently they are "for girls"), swimming, and just having a wonderful time being together. I think I took about a thousand pictures this past week at Disney World. Really. I think I was obsessed with catching every moment.

I can't even begin to describe how special our family vacation was, so I'll just post as many pictures as Blogger will let me upload...or is it download?...I can't ever remember! Enjoy!

My sweet little family

Not the best picture, but proof that Nana and Papa are their first choice... always!

A sand person (I think - I always get Star Wars characters wrong) and Drew.

Meeting the Mouse.

Minnie and my boys.

It's really hilarious if you try and steal your Dad's hat - especially if you do it over and over!

Our friends, Pooh and Eeyore.

Riding in the front of the monorail!

This ride looks tame, but it spins you around and around and around...

Me and my boys.

Riding "It's a Small World" with my Drew.

Walt, Melissa, and Hayden posing in the lobby of our hotel.

Loving the goggles. And the effect they have on the ears!

Kevin's awesome safari shot.

Drew and Rafiki.

Lovin' on Timon.

Never both looking at the camera!

Aren't they cute?

And they are, too!

Nana and Davis snuggling.

Walking on the beach.

Daddy is so silly!

But I don't want to wear a lei!

Drew's best pirate face.

Making sure the little ones can see the fish (which were all "Nemo", by the way)!

Sort of both looking at the camera.

Trying out Dad's milkshake.

Hmmm...Coke sounds good, too.

One last pose before the flight home.

Happy Father's Day!

I am one lucky girl. I am Tony's daughter.

My Daddy (yes "Daddy", not "Dad") is truly my hero. I can think of a thousand words that I could use to describe why my Daddy is so special to me - he's funny, loyal, giving, thoughtful, unselfish - the list could go on and on. But, I think the most special thing about my Daddy is how he loves. He loves me unconditionally and he makes sure I know how much I am loved - and he always has. I hope today, on Father's Day, that he knows how much he is loved and cherished. Also, my Daddy made sure that I knew that he liked me, too. He told me what a great kid I was and that he enjoyed being around me.

So, Daddy, I think you are great, too, and I love spending time with you! I think you're even more fun now that I'm grown!

Papa Tony and his biggest fans.




My children are lucky, too. They are Kevin's sons.



Drew and Davis have a dad who jumped into parenthood head first. He changed the first diaper (when he had never changed one before) and then, he was there for every first that followed (and he'll be there for all the firsts to come). He is patient and understanding with his boys. They adore him. He talks with them like they are little people, not children. They love his sense of humor and how silly he can be with them. He tells Drew and Davis how much they are loved everyday. Kevin shows his boys, through his example, how hard work and persistence and faith pay off.

Kevin, you are a wonderful father! Thank you for being my "partner in parenting"!

We're Off To See The Mouse!

We're leaving! Today! To go to Disney World! Can you tell I'm excited? We haven't had a family vacation in so long! Just look at how little Drew is in these pictures (and Davis wasn't even an idea yet)! I thought that as we headed out, I would post a few pictures of our last trip to Disney - Drew was almost 5.

How Do You Say Thank You Enough?

When we moved to Asheville last year, my biggest concern was how Drew would adjust to a new school and new friends. I was so worried about how the move would effect him - academically and emotionally. As it turns out, that should have been the least of my worries. Drew has LOVED going to Hominy Valley Elementary this year and I wanted to introduce you to the two biggest reasons for that.

I believe that God puts people in your life for a reason. And He gave Mrs. Teague and Mrs. Bratsch to Drew (and to us) this year. They welcomed Drew (and us) with open arms into their classroom this year - and we needed that, because we were new to the area and nervous about every new experience. They are funny and relaxed (two things that I never was as a teacher!) and professional and kind. They have watched out for Drew this year when I worried. They are moms and they understand. They do a really great job teasing Kevin when I send him in with boxes of stuff to deliver in the mornings. They have challenged Drew to do better and be a better kid. What more can you ask for in a teacher? Also, they make really great oobleck!

So, we hope they have a relaxing summer with their own children (because that's one of the reasons to become a teacher, right?!) and we can't wait to see them in the fall. Well, we hope we see them before then, but I've already promised them that we wouldn't be stalkers! If we see them before then, it would be a total coincidence!

Thank you, Mrs. Teague!

Thank you, Mrs. Bratsch!