GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!

Our little Zizou is FOUR years old!!!! He had a World Cup Soccer party this year which was loads of fun! We celebrated with pizza, a soccer cake, and even a soccer match! Zion and Ceilidh were both team captains that got to choose their teammates. Team England (Zion's team) and Team Dook (we have NO IDEA why Ceilidh chose this name) squared off on the Southern Pines baseball field! ha The kids had so much fun, and I think the rest of us would have to say it was pretty entertaining as well! After a quick trip to the park on the walk back to the house, the party was complete with some yummy cake. Zion is quite the soccer player. I can't wait to see some of his "games" this coming season! Happy Birthday, Zion! We love you.


An awesome S.A. hat they made for last year's World Cup.


Happy Jack!


ZZ and "Pheeny" taking a break at half-time.

Susanna and Zion taking a photo Op!

Ceilidh was showing off her catching skills to Uncle Paul!

Paul, the player/ref!

Ceilidh was getting tired and sulking a bit in true three year old fashion, so Graeme decided to go sit down next to her at the fence. Such a sweet little brother!

The Collins

Zion had just scored so he was putting his shirt over his head! ha

Pops and ZZ playing in the backfield

The game in action! ha

Randy and Jack were on Team Dook as well

Team England

Team Dook (again... I think she was trying to be funny, but we need to have some serious conversations about the name of this team! wink)

Caitlin being an all-star aunt and actually wearing his cleats and shin guards to the party!

Graeme trying to be a "big" kid

Graeme and Pops

Andrew and ZZ (I think this picture shows how much they favor)

Paul lacing up Zion's cleats for the game

Sweet Jack

Cutie Phoenix

Lauren and Jack

Caitlin in full garb!

Phoenix and "drool boy!"

Are you ready for some World Cup????!!!

Camera purging

These are just random photos taken over the last couple of weeks.

Hilarious! Ceilidh is ALL into "dress up" right now, and NO one is safe from having to participate! ha

Poor little Graeme! ha

A fun visit from little Dakota! They were all on the move that whole afternoon!

Poor little Ceilidh wasn't feeling well that day, but the popsicle was helping. wink Graeme was just reaping the benefits of a sick sister! ha

My Terpsichore ladies and Garrett (missing Carmen and Cinnamon). We miss you already Jeanne!

Happy 4th Birthday sweet Zi i!!!

Zion,

From the moment we knew of your existence to this very day, we have loved you SOOOOO much. You are one of the best big cousins (and sweet nephew) we could ask for! We are so proud of the little boy you have become and can't wait to see you tackle this world as you continue to develop into a man! Most importantly, never forget how much Jesus loves you; but I hope you will always know how much this Clendenin crew loves you too!

I found just a few old videos of Ceilidh and Zion, and a short one of his first birthday party. When I have more time, I will post more of videos. There are some pretty hilarious ones of the two of them!

An oldie, but a goodie

Looking through my videos for Zion's bday post, I found this one! What sweet memories from Ceilidh's first year of life!

On the road...

Today started "the training!" We got our awesome new stroller yesterday, and while Ceilidh was at preschool; Graeme and I ran with my friend, Wesley this morning! I can't believe I can still move tonight. I actually don't feel terribly sore. Now tomorrow morning will be a totally different story I'm sure! ha I'm hoping to run three/four times a week with this new training plan Wes has been doing. It is much more doable than the previous plan I was looking at. I know for a fact that I would not have completed the distance without you there, so THANK YOU Wesley for running with me! I have to say though, I love our conversation way more than our running! wink



This is a totally random note to add to this post, but Andrew and I have recently become obsessed with the artist, Jonathan Helser. We actually knew about him through his father's ministry, A Place for the Heart, located in Sophia, NC. His wife, Melissa is also a photographer who photographed both Lydia and Lauren's weddings. She does amazing work. Some of Paul and Lydia's photos are on her site... see if you can find them!!! Anywho.... I write all this to say you should check him out too. They only record a song once, even if the spirit has taken over during the recording and it ends up being 9 minutes long! ha But the rawness of the lyrics and emotion are pretty awesome! My three favorites as of today are; "God of the Angel Armies," "I've Seen I Am," and "Amy's Song." His website is jonathanhelser.com. More to come about each of these songs later. God is doing big stuff in our lives during this last week, and I am so glad "He is fighting for me!" (Exodus 14:14, "God of the Angel Armies") Check him out!

Pre-teen preview

Last night during our bedtime routine, Ceilidh handed Andrew the telephone from her play kitchen because he had a "phone call." After Andrew's conversation was over, mommy and Graeme also had "phone calls." The phone "rang" again, and this time it was for Ceilidh (big surprise, huh? wink). She grabs the phone from Graeme with a HUGE grin on her face and runs out of their room. We can hear her right outside of the door saying, "Oh, Hi Amelia! Yea, my brother did *(she got muffled here)*." The rest of the conversation sounded a lot like this, "Oh yea, Uh-huh, Ok, yah, Ok, Bye-Bye." And then she came running back in with the same HUGE grin and carried on with life like the conversation had never happened.

Is this my future?!

Confession

Even as I write this, I am wanting to backspace-backspace-backspace. As soon as I admit it on the blog, I know I will feel even more compelled to literally "complete the distance." But, I guess that is the whole reason I am typing this. Andrew and I are going to run a half marathon this year. There, I said it.

Before I continue, please note that Andrew and I both believe this has become a huge fad recently (insert 13.1 car sticker here) and we are NOT into fads and trends... in the least! Also, I think I have mentioned once or twice how much I LOATHE running. That being said, Andrew has wanted to run while for a while. When he started seriously talking about it, I thought hey, " I kind of want to run one just to say I have!" ha I really just want to see if I can do it.... I have my doubts, but I am a pretty determined person as well. Just ask my husband. wink

I actually have quite a few running friends; even one that has run 100 straight miles! No lie- he has a buckle to prove it! I have no grand ideas of winning or even have any type of time frame in mind. I simply want to finish. Next big step in this goal of mine, is to pick a race. We are waiting for our double jogger to start training. If I keep posting about this, hopefully it will keep me motivated! Bring on the 13. 1 sticker! wink

Baby Boom 2011

I knew a million and a half women having babies last year, and this year is already picking up steam to beat out last year's record! And I LOVE IT! I have four good friends who are expecting between May and September this year. And since they went "public" on FB last night, I can shout with joy on my blog that Summer and Derek Stipe are going to be parents in August!! Summer and I lived together for two of our last years in college, and she was my maid of honor in our wedding. We are thrilled for you two, and can not wait to meet Baby Stipe!! Welcome to the wonderful (and tiring! ha) world of parenthood. We love you guys!

I am also sending a shout-out to Tenn. and western NC (you know who you are, wink)! I love you two mommies and babies as well!

These are a few of my favorite things

So within the last couple of weeks; my calm, laid back, quieter child has become just as much of a spit-fire as his sister! ha All of a sudden he is talking up a storm, and is funnier than ever! His newest word is "buttball," aka: football! Sometimes I ask him to say it even when there isn't one around just so I can hear him. Next time you see him, you should ask too! He also loves to head butt. He thinks it is hilarious, and the harder you do it, the harder he laughs. I love it the most when he starts doing it at nap time so I will start laughing and delay the nap process. They both keep us laughing, but I caught a few of Graeme's favorite (and funnier) things on camera.

He is OBSESSED with all things dogs and especially this book about dogs. He carries it around and pushes it at you until you finally stop what you are doing and read it. This is his favorite page because the dog is actually peeing. Yes, somehow my baby boy already knows this is funny! He and Ceilidh laugh until they fall over when they read this together.

He has recently morphed into Ceilidh as he LOVES books now. He has always liked them, but he really loves his "buks" now.

Meet Petey. Ceilidh nor Graeme (up until this point), have had lovies. Well, I think he does now. He calls all dogs Petey, thanks to Suzanne and Randy's dog. Graeme carries him EVERYWHERE, kisses and hugs him, and walks around lovingly smiling at ole' Petey!

Love this picture!

Daddy! Graeme will push anything or anybody out of his way to get to DADDY! Andrew is definitely his favorite person!

Kissing Petey

This picture is hilarious and combines two of Graeme's favorite. Since Christmas, he has worn this santa hat around the house saying, "Ho Ho Ho!" He has also found a new love; the potty. I day, he pushed open the bathroom door, sat down on the potty and said, "pee pee!" Anytime anyone is in the bathroom, he feels he needs to go potty. Maybe one day he will surprise us, and actually go!

Sweet Ceilidh

Earlier I wrote about how funny Graeme is, but I also need to post about how sweet (and funny) Ceilidh can be! Though I fail miserably a lot of the time, Andrew and I try to parent out of grace instead of fear. We really try to encourage her obedience to come from her love and honor of us rather than fear of punishment. Anyhow... I say that to preface this conversation the other day.

Me: Ceilidh, please put your shoes in your closet.

Ceilidh: I already did.

Me: You did?! Thank you!

Ceilidh: I put them away so you know how much I love you.

TEAR!

The following are random pictures of the last couple of weeks. We have loved having Daddy home all day, and are sad those days are coming to an end.

This is just to show you how ridiculous my computer situation has become. Now it only works if it is sitting up on its side. I don't think I need to explain why this makes things difficult! ha

Ceilidh hugging our Christmas tree goodbye. She started kissing it while we were taking down ornaments and followed Andrew into the hallway with it. I miss Christmas too, Ceilidh!

I couldn't resist this picture. Ceilidh got a princess tent and tunnel from Grappy and Granddaddy for Christmas. She had convinced Andrew to get inside with her in the above picture! She calls the tent a castle, and she named it, "Castle View."

Peekaboo!

Have I ever told you how much I LOVE Christmas cards!!??

Graeme has become obsessed with books as much as Ceilidh. I have two pretty adorable bookworms!

Thanks Aunt Susanna for the ADORABLE shirts!

I promise he was having a good time!

Trying out their new bikes. They love riding around together!

She can actually fly on that thing! ha

I know I am biased, but this should be an advertisement for Schwinn! wink