Family, Docs, and Skype.

Wow, Wow, Wow - what a couple of days the kiddos and I have had!!!

Yesterday was the Raborn-Jones family reunion.  We all got up early to get dressed in our reunion best for a day of fun and eating with our extended family. 

Even though my BFF had lost all interest in wearing bows, I was determined that she was going to wear a big one to the reunion.  I had to think fast.  I knew one thing Ella loved was water - and she absolutely loves washing her hands and feet and brushing her teeth.  So how could I use this to my advantage?  I had it!  I sat her on the bathroom cabinet - feet in the sink - water running - and toothbrush in hand.  While she brushed her teeth and played in the water with her feet, I was free to do whatever I wanted with her hair!  After I finished getting her hair just right, I added a big purple bow!  Perfect!  Now the question was... "Will she keep it in as soon as I remove her from the sink?!?"  Success!  She actually smiled when she saw herself in the mirror with the big purple bow and except for a few times when she would grab the bow and grin at me (Luke said - NaNa, she is just messing with you) - she allowed it to remain in her hair all day long! I had officially won the bow war - for now at least!!! 

On the way to the reunion, Luke decided he would provide us with some much needed entertainment.  As we were driving, Luke began singing as loud as he could (but he was serious, not just being silly!)  Quincy and I almost died laughing when we heard him singing, blah blah blah blah TONIGHT, blah blah blah blah blah TONIGHT.  I guess the word "Tonight" was the only word he actually knew from the song.  He is definitely his daddy's son!  That is so something Scott would do!  I wish I would have gotten a video of it - it was too funny.  Hopefully I can catch him at it again soon.  

Once we arrived at the reunion - Ella and Luke got lots of lovin from lots of family members.  Luke immediately warmed up to everyone.  He loves all the attention.  He spent most of the day playing with all the boys.  His cousin Anthony even let him play his Nintendo DS!  I think he has a new addiction. 

Ella, on the other hand, was a little shyer and decided to make herself a permanent fixture on my hip.  She was running a small temp so we gave her Tylenol to keep it down.  She would occasionally get down and play with the other kids, but most of the day she wanted to be right with me. In fact, the only other person she would let hold her all day was her cousin, Dakota.  She did get down and play with her cousins Jayme and Caitlyn a little.  (She bullied a little, but not too bad.  haha) 

She and Caitlyn had a good time playing on the floor.  Too Cute.

She did have a fun time visiting with the big girls, too. (Look, the bow is still in!)   

Later Luke and Ella posed for pic with all the kiddos that came to play and visit.

Before it was time to go, Ella wanted to give her youngest cousin Melanie Renee from Shreveport lots of hugs and kisses.  Melanie Renee didn't know what to think about that!  :)

Finally, Ella and Jayme sat down together to plan for the future (or babble, one of the two!)  I did have to remind Ms. Jayme, however, that Ella already has a BFF!  haha 

After the reunion, Luke and Ella came home with Quincy and I.  We were all super tired and Grandma and Grandpa had some errands to run.  Once we got home, Ella's fever seemed to not go down.  We gave her another dose of Tylenol, but once we realized it was not going to go away, we called Grandma and Ella, Grandma, and I headed to the ER.  We figured it was better to be safe than sorry.  Ella was a big girl at the ER and we had a really nice doctor.  (Sorry for the late call Ellen, but you were a super big help!  Thanks again!)  Three hours later, we found out Ella had a viral infection (stomatitis) that is common for small children.  We were told to give her Tylenol and Motrin and sent home with a RX for an oral medication.  Today she is doing great and has no fever! 

Today was one of the best days so far.  Luke and Ella got to Skype with their Mommy!!!  It was so great to see them talking to their Mom.  It was much needed for all and the kids had a blast. 

Luke and Ella both wanted to talk to Momma at the same time! 

Luke, of course, got to talk to Momma first!  He had so much he needed to tell her.  He told her all about his day yesterday and about the Nintendo DS.  Momma said that if he was good that maybe Santa would bring him one for Christmas.  He sure did like hearing that. 

Momma enjoyed talking to Luke, too.  Luke wanted to know where she slept and what her room looked like, so Momma showed him everything.  He wanted to make sure that she wasn't alone so we explained to him that Daddy was there, too.  Angie looked really good and it was nice to see her face again.

After Luke was done updating Momma on everything, Ella got her chance.  She kept saying, "Momma, Momma" and then giggling.  A couple of times she would dip below the table and pop back up and say, "Momma!"  I think she was playing peek a boo or hide and seek with her Momma.  She gave her Momma lots of kisses and mommy did the same. 

What a great day for both Mommy and the kiddos!  Thank God for technology.  It really does make this whole "work vacation" as Luke told everybody that Mommy and Daddy were on yesterday a lot easier.  I can't wait until we can Skype again!

Until next time - sending love and hugs from little arms and tiny fingers!!

And we love her.

Not much to post about today. I was away from the house most of the day and didn't get to spend alot of the day with the kiddos. But there is one super sweet story I want to share.

After dinner, we were all hanging out in the family room playing. Luke's mommy/daddy doll was laying on the couch next to me. I placed it Mommy side up and laid down beside it and told the kids I was snuggling with mommy. Luke walked over and said, "let me see if that is mine or Ella's". He sees it says "mommy loves Luke" and proclaims, "it's mine! You are snuggling with mine and Ella's mommy - and we love her!". Of course I told him back, "and she loves you both, too!". What a sweetie he is!

Tomorrow is the Raborn-Jones family reunion so I'm sure I'll have lots to post about soon!

Until then - sending love and hugs from little arms and tiny fingers. :)

And The Adventure Resumes.....

Today was the day the adventures in aunt hood officially began again.  Mom and Dad went to Columbia to meet with Ellen and Coach to get the kids.  They had a good trip and got to do a little shopping as well.  Of course, Luke came back with a new gun and Ella got more rubberbands for her hair.  :)

I had a trial scheduled today (that unfortunately was continued) so I was unable to make the trip to pick up the kids, but I couldn't wait to get home to see my Luke and BFF Ella.  When they got here, Luke ran up to the door - he just had to show me his new gun - and then needed to know where his "Uncle PePe" was.  While he visited with Dixie (his dog), I went outside to find my BFF.  As I went out the front door I saw her coming up the ramp.  At first I thought she was gonna be shy and I figured that would be ok, I'd give her time to warm back up.  It has been almost three weeks since I saw her last.  But oh no, I was definately wrong!  As soon as she saw me she came running, arms wide open - I got big tight hugs and lots of kisses!  She obviously missed me, too!  :)

After we came inside, we visited for a few minutes and then I decided to show Luke the new booksack his mom had sent for school.  He absolutely loved it.  I thought it was spider man colors - but he corrected me quick - it was a Luke Skywalker booksack!  He posed for a few pics to show his mom and dad how much he loved it! 

 
 Then he wanted to send them a pic of his smile, too!  Tooo freakin' cute!

Ella was hooked to my hip for the first little while she was home.  Of course, she needed a pic taken, too!  You should have heard her giggle when she saw herself in the reverse camera on the iphone.  It was toooooo funny! 

I tried to get a video of her giggles - but she was much too busy hitting the end button.  :)

After getting settled back in - Luke decided that he and I were going to go "hunting" in the living room.  Ok, he was hunting and I was enjoying whatever random animal he shot for dinner.  He comes up to me and says, "Here Aunt NaNa - a Duck."  I, playing along of course, pretended to eat the pretend duck he had just handed me.  He busts out laughing and says, "You just ate Duck butt!"  I replied, "Yum Yum, I love Duck butt."  He smiled and began to hunt again.  He comes back and hands me a deer to eat.  I again pretend to enjoy this meal.  He busts out laughing again and says, "That was deer poop."  I of course reply, "Yum Yum, I love deer poop."  Bewildered, he looks at me and asks what I don't like.  I reply, "Uncle Quincy."  He then states, "But I can't hunt Uncle Pe Pe because he is my BFF.  You know, Ella is your BFF and I am Uncle Pe Pe's BFF.  So what part of the animal don't you like to eat."  At this point, the only thing I can think of is "their hair!"  He brings me back another deer and as I eat it, he giggles again and says, "You just ate deer hair!"  "Gross!" I say.  "You shouldn't feed me hair!"  He then "hands" me a bowl of beans.  I say, "Yum Yum, I love love beans" and begin to pretend to eat them up.  He, outsmarting me once again, says "Those beans are made out of hair!!!"  What a little trickster!!! 

After our butt, poop, and hair meal (ok, we really had corndogs and mac-n-cheese), it was bath time.  They sure did have fun lining the animals up and counting them. 

 
A few cartoons and books later, it was time for bed.  Luke, who says the dark scares him alot, luckily had a "Luke" flashlight to keep all the "darkness away."  (Look by the rail and you can see the little red and blue flashlight.)

Ella took a little longer (as usual).  Actually, she fell asleep in my arms as I was typing the first part of this blog.  My little sidekick sure does love to help me with everything - including typing a blog for her mommy and daddy.

I sure was glad to get to spend the afternoon and evening with the kiddos.  As much as I know they are safe, loved, and well cared for when they are with their dad's family - it is so nice to have them to hug and kiss again! 

Until next time - sending love and hugs from little arms and tiny fingers! 

Ella's Adventures

Sorry it has taken me so long to get updates about my BFF on here - she has been super busy and having a great time with Scott's mom Ellen and her Aunt Paula.  Here is a little update she sent me about my girl and her times....

"Ella and I have been having fun in Daphne, Al. We attended the opening of Winnie the Poo, the movie. Ella loved it, and sat through the entire movie. Ella also has enjoyed playing at the water area at the mall, and we both love going to Barnes and Noble. I get my morning shot of caffeine, and Ella picks out her favorite book of the day. Currently Ella is with her great aunt, Paula, and her great grandmother who we call Budgie. Ed and I are spending the night with his daughter, Amy, and her family. I will pick up Ella from Hattiesburg, and we will return to Daphne until Thursday. Then off to Grandma and Grandpa's in Louisiana."

 

While Ella was with her Great Great Aunt Paula she attended a family party - I heard she partied her little bootie off - apparently she was the life of the party - but had trouble waking up the next day.  (I think she probably gets that from her daddy!)  I did hear though that she was able to finally make her get up and go to church. 

 

I'm glad my BFF is having such a blast! 

 

Sending out love and hugs from little arms and tiny fingers!  :)

Luke has been one busy little man!!

A note from Liz about the fun Luke has been having:

"Terry and I picked the kids up at your house on July 11th. We met Ellen and she took Ella to her house in Alabama and we kept Luke with us. We stayed at my brother and sister-in-law's house at Jourdan River for the week. Luke and his Papa fished and Luke went swimming there on the sandbar just about everyday when it wasn't raining. One day we took him to a new waterpark in Waveland and spent the day there and he had so much fun. Came home on Thursday. Went to GattiTown in Hattiesburg for pizza and he played in the game room for about two hours on everything I think at least three times. He has been swimming everyday at his Aunt Terrisa's house and today she invited him to come to her kindergarten for a day of fun with water slides, etc. We are taking him back to GattiTown this weekend and to the movie."

Looks like "Cowboy Luke" (which is his new nickname he gave himself since he lives in Texas now) is having a blast!  What a lucky little fella!  Thanks for the update Liz!  :)

Love and Hugs from Little Arms and Tiny Fingers.  :)

The Adventure Has Begun... Well, Kinda

As most of you know, my sister and her husband recently deployed to Afghanistan for a year leaving their two children in the care of family back home.  Of course, that includes me! 


My sister, Angie, recently started a blog about her times across the globe to keep us all updated.  I thought, "Hey, the kids need a blog, too!"  Now of course since they are only 4 and 1, they are a little too young to blog themselves... unless we got them one of the puppy twitter collars... but that may cause more problems than it helps.  Can you imagine their parents' faces when they see stuff like "Ella just wagged her tail" or "Luke just scratched his back" or "Ella is barking non-stop"... Actually, now that I think about it - that may actually work!  ;) 


Ok - back to the task at hand.  Starting a blog about the kids.  Now, I'm calling this blog Adventures In Aunt Hood because that is really what it is likely going to be.  Ella and Luke will likely try to teach me the ropes - and I will likely be hanging on for dear life.  So let the adventures begin... sorta.


So, the kids aren't officially with us right now - actually they are visiting with Scott's family in Mississippi and Alabama.  It's nice that they will get to spend time with so many people while their parents are gone.  Since they will be spending time with other family members - you will probably see posts from their fun times over there.  (Paula, Ellen, Laura, and Liz - that means I'm gonna need some input from y'all!) 


The kids will be back the end of next week for the Raborn/Jones family reunion.  I can't wait to see their little faces and get hugs from little arms and tiny fingers!  :)