April - Our FAVORITE Month is HERE!!

Our favorite month is here!!!!! Bass babies' birthdays are just a few weeks away. Seven and four years ago, but I remember these moments when I laid eyes on each of my babies for the first time like it was yesterday! I love our happily ever after and the miracles that turned us into a family. ‪#‎TeamBass‬It's gonna be a great month!




Whitney beat her 5k time and ran a 36:02 PR at her school's 5k in the rain (and on grass and sand instead of her usual concrete!). She never gave up and was proud of herself 😃 
Followed that up with some "Star Wars: The Force Be-Wakens" at the $1 theater where we ate popcorn and sour patch kids for lunch! 



Some afternoon chores, Kylo Ren eating half a cantaloupe in our kitchen, a sweet "performance" by GBass thanks to his awesome preschool, a little Bow Peep babying, some light saber duels, a little dinner and "hangman" competition at Duffy's, and rounded out with a bestie sleepover complete with giggles and belly laughs. The rain kept us away from Disney and what would've been a great play date with a Clemson bestie, but we made the best of a rainy day. 

April 3rd

These girls are floating around the pool and one just said to the other, "I have an idea! Let's pretend there's a huge snow storm coming!!"

Oh, Florida baby imaginations! ⛄️❄️

💨

 Float on, Sister.

How did we get here so fast?!? Seven????

April 4th

A GORGEOUS night for a family walk around the 'hood! My first walk around the block since the Great Kickball Injury of 2016! Hoping I don't pay for it later, but it felt great being outside and watching these two besties in action!

April 5th

The whole park to themselves before tennis lessons on another gorgeous day! ☀️🎾

Bonus: I saw the entire Orlando City Soccer team when I came to sign Whitney up for lessons this morning

Today was like a dream come true. Took two happy, healthy kids to school. Grady called, "Have a good day, Whitney!" as his big sister got out of the car. Whitney opened the door again and said, "you, too, Grady! I love you!"

Took G to school and watched as he proudly sang and danced and prayed at chapel, listening closely to the story and following directions and answering questions.

Got to exercise, tackled laundry, walked the dog, signed the kids up for tennis for the next few months.

Picked up two happy kids from school and got to watch them play and laugh together at the park. Truly best friends. Then I got to catch up with an "old" friend while we watched our kids enjoy tennis lessons on a beautiful day. Enjoyed grown up mommy talk on the sidelines at the tennis courts while Grady happily played with a friend from school and made new friends with the sweet "big girls" who were friendly to him, earning him lots of compliments and "he's so cute!s"

Got home. Watched as two excited kids loved on their favorite pup before they each unpacked their backpacks and told me about their day. As I cooked dinner, whitney tackled a shower and jammies and more puppy entertainment, as I was reminded how grown up she is now. I quickly tubbed Grady and we sat down to eat right as Eric got home, when both kids squealed, "Daddy's home!!!!"

Polished off the night with ice cream at Jeremiah's and a drive through the neighborhood after Whitney requested, "can we just keep driving around together?"

Happy kids headed to bed without any drama or arguments, which isn't unusual for our two, but something worth noting since I'm always grateful for anything that feels "easy" or "drama free" with kids involved.

We didn't win the lotto today. We didn't go on a fancy vacation today. We didn't do anything amazing or extraordinary today. It was a pretty typical and mundane day in the grand scheme of life. But these are the kinds of days I dreamt about as a little girl. I just wanted to be a mommy. I wanted my husband to be my best friend and my kids to be happy and healthy. I looked forward to shuttling the kids to activities and catching up with mommy friends as we watched lessons/practices/rehearsals. I loved the idea of watching my kids play at the park, and it's an added bonus that our kids are truly best friends.

Today wasn't special, but today was my dream come true.

April 7th

Let her stay up to watch a little of the American Idol finale. My little rock star is fading fast

April 8th

Thanks for reminding me you're still just a little guy, Dude. He wanted to spend today with mommy instead of going to school. Love that we have time before "real school" starts next August

Not a cloud in sight. Slight breeze. 70-degree temp. Lunch outside with this handsome Dude. My favorite part: He's said, "fank you, Mommy" and "I love you, Mommy" about a gajillion times. 

I wore this Dude out! Fun Mommy/Son day

The kids "caught us" hugging in the kitchen earlier. They decided it was time for a team hug.

April 9th

A quick zoo trip before some errands and friend fun tonight!

Car wash excitement! 🚘🚙🚿🌋 These kids make the most mundane tasks so much more fun 

Bestie poolside lunch date. Life is good!

Love great friends, great food, great weather. Great friends! Love these people to pieces.

Love these people and this gorgeous day!! So much happy!

We tackled our annual Birthday Party Park picture!
2010

 2011

 2012

 2013

 2014

 2015

 2016 :)

After pics, we ate a picnic lunch and played at the park for a while before heading out for some errands.

Practicing what he's learned at Soccer Shots this year!

Her favorite pastime :) 

And then the day got even better! Went to Academy Sports for a gift card. Walked out with a gift card.....and three new bikes! Happy Birthday, Kids! It was the perfect day for a family bike ride around the 'hood!

Eric ran into Walmart for one birthday card. Found a purple and orange bike for me! Taking the mint green bike back since this one is obviously meant for me 

April 11th

We didn't get any homework done today. We had more important work to do, like learning how to do figure-eights on a new big-kid bike and practicing using the brakes instead of ruining new shoes. 😫 Loving our new bikes! Grady asked to stop "for juss-a-sekinn so I could pick a flower for you and a flower for Whitney, please?" Homework can wait. 👍🏻

Some Jeremiah's with these crazy kids. Now bath, books, & bed. For everyone.

April 12th

Just when I feel like my girl is sooooo grown up and big kid, she asks for pigtails.

....and then this happy dude asks to be carried into school and gives the biggest hug ever, reminding me he's still a baby sometimes, too. 

just found this in my phone from Friday night. Loooooove these girls!! So fun catching up!

April 14th

I literally had to pull the car over and immediately take a video because I couldn't believe he used the word "metamorphosis" appropriately. 🐛 
And bonus points for his assessment of McDonald's. 

April 15th

So they aren't perfect but I know a certain Star Wars loving almost-four-year-old who will be happy

We are ready for birthday party weekend to begin!!!! 
THANK YOU for another year of PERFECT shirts for the Bass Kids, Mandy!! We LOVE them!!!

  

April 16th

Weekdays: had to wake sleepy children to get ready for school by 8am, house is calm and quiet as they slowly wake from sweet slumber

Saturday: both children enter our bedroom Kramer-style before the sun is up, talking non-staaaaaahhhhp, bouncing. Literally. Bouncing. And asking when they can get dressed for their party.

Had to drag the kids outside to snap one last pic of my two babies in their baby stroller before it leaves our garage sale 😢😩

Eric wanted to ditch the rocking chair in Gradys room but I couldn't do it. Not yet. Maybe at the Fall garage sale. Maybe. 

More Annual birthday pics :) 

THANK YOU to everyone who came out to celebrate Whitney's 7th and Grady's 4th today!! They had the best time and were so grateful for great friends and family.....and amazing My Gym-ers,

April 18th

Going to bed a three year old! 3️⃣Waking up a four year old! 

The Dude's last day as a three year old was a good one! Birthday gift card from Grandma Debbie and Papa Butch! After school play date with Mac and Gramps! Then a last minute dinner with Papa Gary Bass and Ms. MarffaMartha Bass! All the grandparents in one day 😃 
His future's so bright, he had to wear his new shades from awesome friends. And ending the day with sister giggles and belly laughs before bed. 
Balloons are blown up and waiting to be dumped in his room. His "4" shirt and "Birthday Boy" pin are waiting. This kid thinks his birthday is an entire week long. But tomorrow is the day!! 
This miracle baby is almost four.

April 19th

Ready for the ZOO!!

April 20th

Sadly, I barely remember the hours after Grady's birth since I was knocked out within minutes of meeting him. But I remember the moment Whitney carefully snuggled up to me on that bed and quietly gasped and reached out for her new baby brother. "Oh, Mommy! He's SOooo cute!!!" 
And theyve been best friends ever since. She's his biggest supporter and he's her biggest fan. Love these sweet Bass Babies.

April 21st

With her school bestie who could be her twin 👭 
Love this sweet seven year old and that she still wants to wear the birthday "crown" at school 👑 
Cupcakes for her class and then I'm busting her outta here to start the birthday weekend fun! 

He's here!! He's here!! Uncle Jay is here!

(....and already diving into Star Wars!)

Selfies with Uncle Jay and Kylo Ren Grady. Thanks for the awesome costume Aunt Dal and Uncle David Ragan!

She got the Rey costume she wanted!!! Thanks, Mac & Gramps! She's ready for Jedi training this weekend!

April 22nd

All checked-in and happy to start the birthday staycation with some pool time and lazy river before hitting up Magic Kingdom for some late night Thunder Mountain, Peter Pan, Mine Train, and fireworks!

Thanks for the AWESOME Star Wars bathing suit, Aunt Julie and Uncle Gonah Jonah!!

Our happy place 😃 Grateful for gorgeous weather and just the four of us!!

So. Much. Happy.

Faces painted. Baths and dinner done. Rain and lightning rolling out. Ready for late night at Magic Kingdom!!

This guy is the best. Ever. 

Also. There's no line at the Dole Whip stand. And we walked right on Thunder Mountain.

We are the happiest people you know. For lots of reasons!

April 23rd

That time our kids stayed up super late at Magic Kingdom, and then woke up super early to make sure they get a spot in Hollywood Studios' Jedi training.....and there are zero cars in the parking lot.

Our kids are rock stars!
‪#‎MommyAndDaddyNeedANap‬

These children have a serious light saber addiction. Thank you for the Disney gift cards, Grandma Debbie and Papa Butch and Erin Giacovelli Van Pelt!!

On the four minute drive from our hotel to Hollywood Studios. This Jedi needs some Zzzz's before his big showtime! 

Magic. Every. Time.

The happiest kids on the planet. 
The force is with us.

Uncle Jay was bummed to learn the Jedi training program has a "12 and under" policy. Then he got a beer in a Boba Fett mug and remembered the perks of being "not 12 and under".

He got to live vicariously through his Jedi niece and nephew who defeated The Inquisitor and Darth Vader, and used the force on Kylo Ren.

Mission accomplished!

I love this whole day. Perfect weather. Happy kids. Great FastPasses. Breakfast with great friends. Pool time with Mac and Gramps and Uncle Jay. And our kids' most recent dream come true as they tackled Jedi training.

Everyone wants to hold Uncle Jay's hand on the Toy Story ride! 
And nothing beats Star Wars characters with fam! 
‪#‎HeresOur2016ChristmasCard‬

We ❤️ Disney Photopass!

April 24th

Seven years ago. I wanted Eric Bass to drive faster as we made our way to the hospital with an empty car seat in our backseat. I couldn't wait to get my hands on this sweet babe and bring her home forever. It was all like a dream. Today is the anniversary of the day I officially became a mommy. One of the best days ever. So grateful 

Everyone slept in. Had some light saber duels. And ready for Epcot fun!

This girl is so beautiful inside and out! She still has that amazing belly laugh that makes everyone smile

Perfect Disney weather!! Sunny. Little breeze. Flowers. Playground. The Mouse. Happy kids.

Having a mommy moment. The kids have been coloring and loving the Duffy bears at the KidCot stations throughout the countries in Epcot. We've reached ages and have the manners that allow us to sit back a bit more. We can proudly watch from a safe distance as our kids share markers and ask new friends where they're from and if they're having fun. They look out for each other and encourage each other. They genuinely enjoy each other. They are typically rule followers but also get a good laugh out of a little innocent rebellion. I'm loving seven and four. And I'm so proud to be their mommy.

2015 and 2016

Life is good!!!

Finished up a great afternoon around the world at EPCOT and snagged some happy, cute pics of my two favorite kiddos.

I might frame them all. Happy Gotcha Day, Whitterbug!!!

Such a great year!!

April 25th
Some Everest. Some wet Kali River Rapids. Lots of Wilderness Explorers adventures and really cool lessons! Now the African Safari and then headed home to our own wild animal, Bow Peep! Love this whole fun birthday extravaganza with my favorite people 😃 Life is good!

April 26th
Tradition

April 28th
The girl wanted a side pony tail this morning. And the boy rode his bike into school for "Bike & Water Day". Seven & Four are awesome 

After surprising Grady at soccer practice, Mac surprised Whitney at her school's book fair!! Two happy kids, and one mommy who got suckered into checking the girl child out early. Now pool time with the Bass fishies 🐟🐠(and a very excited GBass who can touch the bottom in the shallow end!

Whitney: I just saw Kylo Ren coming towards our house and he has First Order troops with him. 

😳

 (whispering) So we need to be REEEAAALLLY quiet. 

Grady: (shouts) YEAH!!!!

Whitney: SHHHHHH!!! You're doing it wrong! Try whispering like this!

Grady: (whispering) Oh. Wight. Like diss. Vewwy quiet. Shhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

Best. Idea. Ever.

April 29th

When you have a nasty cough, you get to stay home so we don't share with friends. And you get to line up ALLL your Star Wars "guys" and talk about each one, which movie they're in, are they a good guy or a bad guy, what planet are they from, etc etc etc with Mommy.

April 30th

Picked up our three newest family members at the Winter Park Farmers Market! Meet Whitney's Milly and Star Fire, and Grady's Mickey Mouse (which is CRAZY because he named it that totally on his own and that's what Whitney named her first caterpillar when she was four years old

Spending their birthday gift cards from Aunt Jedi! Whitney HAD to have the two-pack of Journey Girls who look like her and her bestie, Faith! 
And Grady Vader got the water blaster like Chewie's in "The Force Be-wakens"! 
Two super happy kids! Thanks, Aunt Gerry!!!!!

Wrapping up a pool afternoon and Grady was singing an "I'm cleaning my hands!" song as he swished his hands in the pool. I said, "You're growing up, Dude! You used to say 'plean' instead of 'clean'. Now you're so big kid!" He looks at me and says, "I AM a big kid now. But I'm still your baby? Right, Mommy?"

Always, Dude. Always.

As my four year old rocks an "18-24 month" sized bathing suit he's worn for three years LOL

These crazies are my favorite crazies.

And, yes, I was scrubbing the porch, too. Eric doesn't do ALL the work around here. Teamwork makes the dream work!

My favorite part is Grady dancing and watching his own reflection in the window.

It's gonna be a fun Summer!!

Great night with some of our favorites! Framilyrocks! 
Thanks for loving our kids and bringing out the best belly laughs!