Peachtree City Classic 15K

Peyt ran again this weekend. The twins and I went down to see him at the finish line early on Saturday morning. He was surprised and happy to see us there. We are so proud of him. I don't know how he does it. No training....and he runs a 15k....(that's almost 9.5 miles).

Potty Power

Sabrina has been in panties all day today. She hasn't had any accidents. In fact, she quit playing downstairs and came all the way upstairs to go to the potty. She is doing really well with training. We've barely worked with her at all. Samantha is so cute. She will sit on the potty and play with the potty, but she won't actually use it. She has once or twice, but when you take her diaper off to change her, she will insist that she needs to go to the potty....AFTER she has already gone. She really isn't interested. In fact, this morning, when I was praising Sabrina for going to the potty, Sammi gave her a high five and said "good job, Sissy." Then she was off to play again. She gets excited for Sabrina, but doesn't care to do it yet herself.

I was really surprised when Sabrina got out of the tub to go to the potty. She actually went and then got right back in the tub. Sammi came along because she likes to get in and out of the tub.

Peyton's Birthday

Peyton's Birthday isn't really until Thursday, October 18th, but we celebrated a few days early. The girls are so excited about birthday's right now that I couldn't resist doing an entire day for Daddy. Sabrina only ate dinner because I promised birthday cake afterwards. She hasn't been feeling very well the past few days....they both have little colds. When it was time to light the candles, she climbed right up to the cake. She wanted to blow out the candles. She kept insisting that it was her birthday and Daddy's.

Durkee/Tingle Reunion

Until I saw the kids climb out of the car, I didn't realize how long it had been since we had visited with Scott and Kati. Will is three years old now and Lulu will be three in January. It's been almost two years. Lulu's hair is soooo long and pretty. It makes me miss Destiny's long hair. Sabrina, my quiet-shy child, went running after Will when they got here and basically shadowed him the whole day. She has her first "crush." Meanwhile, Will was tight as theives with Destiny. Samantha loved Lulu. At one point she didn't see Lulu in the living room. She was going from room to room saying, "Mommy, where's Lulu...where's Lulu." We will have to make it a point of visiting more often. I think our kids will look forward to it as much as we do.

Cubs Win

Winning last week's game helped the cubs to make the playoffs. Eveyone showed up for this game. Grandmother Tingle, Granddaddy Tingle, Mema Lorelei, Aunt Kim, Jordan, Jace, Peyton, Destiny, Samantha, Sabrina, Ms Blankenship, Justin, and me. 13 people there to see Michael play. It was his best game to date. If they win this week, they're in for the championship game. Peyton painted all of the kids faces with "cub paw prints" and "Go Cubs."

Doctor's Visit

Sabrina Aisling Tingle
Age: 26 months
Weight: 27 lbs 4 oz
Height: 35 1/4 in

Samantha Ireland Tingle
Age: 26 months
Weight: 27lbs 2 oz
Height: 35 in

The doctor said both of the girls were tall and slim. They are very healthy. Their iron was a little low, so we are going to start Flinstone vitamins. I bought them months ago, but always forget to give them out. Everyone always says that Samantha looks bigger, but Sabrina is always a couple of ounces more and about a 1/4 to a 1/2 inch taller than Sammi. I think Samantha's chuby cheeks make her look bigger.

Fayette Middle Cubs

The cubs won their first game on Tuesday. They were playing at Bennett's Mill Middle. All three of the girls loved the mascot and the cheerleaders. We sat down right in front of them. Grandmother and Granddaddy Tingle also came to the game.

Playdough

I know lots of parents who will not allow playdough in their homes. It's just too messy. We currently have as much playdough on our rugs as we do crayon on our walls.

Samantha created this playdough/Cheerio's masterpiece. Sabrina had a better idea. She decided, right in front of her Daddy, to cram a piece of playdough up her nose. It was large, but not large enough to not be sucked way up into her nose when she began to cry. I could not get a hold of it, I tried to push on the top of her nose to keep her from sucking it in any further while she was crying. Figuring that once she calmed down, I could get it out. She refussed to try and blow her nose. She was frantic.

Suddenly, she sneezed REALLY hard. Playdough went flying out of her nose.

The Funny Things They Say

Samantha and her Daddy. She really looks like him to me.

These are the days that I wish I had time to keep a journal of everything my kids do and say. Beanie and Sammi are getting so big now. They try to speak in complete sentences. They usually communicate very clearly and I can understand most of what they say. Today at lunch Sammi had a breakdown. She just pushed her plate away, refused to eat and kept asking me for something. I couldn't make out what she was asking for because she was so upset she wasn't speaking clearly. I had all but given up when I started cleaning off the chop block and realized her favorite food was right there. A big bag of half frozen "corn on the cob." We quit giving her corn a while ago because her tummy really couldn't take it. I pulled one out and popped it in the microwave...anything to cook it quickly. She started to laugh as soon as she realized that I finally understood her.
This weeks Funny TINGLE TALK:
1. We have just started introducing the girls to their potties. They have actually gone a few times and right now are running around the house in panties. They look so grown up. Sabrina will sit on the potty, strain to go and then say, "I can't do it." Last night, Samantha did the same, only after really straining to try to go, she looked up at Peyton and said, "Daddy, I'm broke." It was quite possibly the funniest thing she has ever said.
2. Peyton and the girls all have little colds right now. The girls went for their two year old checkups on Friday. Last night, Peyton started coughing. Sabrina went over and patted his hand and said, "Daddy, you need to go to the doctor."
3. After you change their diapers, both of my precious little girls, will say..."thank you."
4. Not really funny, but very sweet when they bring you a book, crawl into your lap and say, "Will you read to me?" Both girls will also ask if they can read to you.
5. The way Samantha says, "Oink, Oink." Peyton asks her a dozen times a day, "What does a pig say?"...just to hear her say it.
6. I tried to get on to Sabrina this morning. She knew she was doing somthing wrong, so when I got over to her, she looked up and said, "Mommy, I love you." She NEVER says this.

# 67 Michael Tingle

Tingle Two's

Talk about close in age. These Tingle girls were all born within six weeks of each other.

Kenna Turns 1

Happy Birthday Kenna. We are so glad that were in town for your first birthday. It was a lot of fun playing with you.

Fayette Middle Cubs

The Fayette Middle Cubs lost their first game 38 to 6. Although the score was disappointing, it was a lot of fun. It was my first game as a parent. Peyton, Destiny, and I stood in the rain for two hours watching the boys play. Michael got plenty of play time. We are excited to be "CUBS" fans. Michael's the one that looks like a real football player. Number 67. We have some footage from the game, but not many of the pictures turned out....between the rain and the action my skills were severly tested.

Quiet Weekend

Daddy took the kids out for a walk to the gas station on the corner. I'm sure they had plenty of candy before they came home.

It's been a while since I've been able to say that I've finished a book. In the past c0uple of weeks, I've finshed reading TWO. The girls are beginning to play a little better together...they don't need constant attention. Okay...that might be a bit of an overstatement, but we are getting there.

I took their bed out of our room today. They have a bed in their room, but we also had a bed on our floor for them: their old crib mattresses. Samantha has been beside herself all afternoon. She keeps bringing pillows from different beds in the house and putting them on the floor beside my bed. It's so sad. She knows Mommy is making an effort to kick her out. It's been over two years. I want my bed back. Sabrina nearly brought me to tears tonight. We are getting ready for bed and work tomorrow. I was putting my clothes out. "Wha you doin Momma?" "Getting my clothes ready for work tomorrow." Then she nailed me. "Please, I go to work too. Please Momma?" I'm going to think about her all day tomorrow. Michael has had his braces for a couple of weeks now. He is getting used to them. He's got his first football game on Tuesday, Sept 11th. He's really excited about it.

Destiny has made tremendous strides this year. Last year, she managed to get 1 90 on a spelling test and ALL other grades were below a 50...most of them were 20's. We knew she was in the wrong grade level. We made the decision to repeat the first grade. She's had three spelling tests so far. The first she made an 80. The second, she made a 90...and this week....she got ALL TEN WORDS AND THE BONUS WORD....105. We are so excited. She doesn't HATE school this year. She is actually enjoying it. We are so pleased. She's had some behavior issues, but I think even those might be close to behind us. Guess I'll find out at our parents meeting on Thursday night.

I took the kids to see Aunt Betty this weekend. They warmed up after a little while. They played with Roy's dog "Noodles" and seemed to like Betty's boyfriend David. Poor David was having to get up and turn the light back on every five seconds...Sabrina kept turning it off. They had a great time playing with the baby turtle. Samantha is wearing the red shirt. Sabrina is in the peach.

The Dog

Peyton and I went to see the DOG yesterday. And not just any dog, but Duane DOG Chapman. He was signing books at Stonecrest Mall in Lithonia. I have NEVER seen so many people there. Not even the week before Christmas. The line was at least SIX hours long for signatures....and the signing didn't start until 6pm. I took one look at the line, one look at my husband and said...."let's go find a place to have a drink." We walked up to the front. Saw his introduction, which the poor people in line missed and took some pictures. I love Beth Chapman even more now than I did before. I saw a very REAL moment with her and a young lady that she was signing an autograph for. I wish I had been focused enough to capture a picture. She had just taken a drink of her water and then shook the girl's hand, realizing that her hand was wet from the water bottle, she wiped off her hand and almost without thinking, just like any mother really....she reached out for the woman's hand and wiped it off as she apologized. She really is as caring as she appears to be....and probably just as tough.

We went back to eat dinner at the Whistle Post Tavern on Railroad Street in Conyers. Leave it up to Peyton to ALWAYS find the coolest tavern in town. It was perfect. Two guys playing accoustic guitar and signing all of our favorite songs. Best dinner we've had in forever. The next time we go, we'll be prepared to stay in Conyers for the night. Give the grandparent's plenty of time to spend with their grandkids.

Tingle Twins Turn TWO

Happy Birthday Sabrina and Samantha !!!!

The girls are two years old. Can't believe they are already toddlers. They are using a lot of complete sentences or at least complete ideas these days. As you can tell, Sabrina was crying at first and very fussy. Finally, she calmed down and blew out her candles. Samantha, who was happy at first, proceded to fall apart when she couldn't blow out her candles. Bottom line....lesson learned....no more birthday parties at nap time. We only invited the grandparents over for this one. Couldn't see having a big party two years in a row. Great Grandmother Tingle could not make it, but she sent the most beautiful hand made bags for each of the girls....including Destiny. They were full of coloring books and have pockets for the crayons. No one is ever more thoughtful when putting together gifts than Grandmother. Mema and Papa Duren got them Princess Keyboards and clothes. Mema Shirley bought them the Princess table and chair set for their bedroom. Grandmother and Granddaddy Tingle bought beautiful clothes (orange outfits in picture below) and money to shop for toys. My children are so blessed. They have two great grandmothers, a great grandfather, two grandmothers, and two grandfathers to love them.

This is always a busy week for us. Peyton and I celebrate our anniversary on July 21st. This was our FIFTH. The 22nd is my Daddy's birthday, and the 23rd is the twins birthday. We usually take this week off of work. This year, a last minute job came up for Peyt and we both ended up very sick with a virus. We stayed in bed every chance we got for the entire vacation. Our poor kids were really bored. No Six Flags, no White Water....it was sad.

Michael went for his consult today for braces. He has his first appointment next week. After looking at the estimate, Peyton told him to forget us buying his first car.

The whole family helped Daddy clean the boat. I took the girls to get their pictures taken in one of their new birthday outfits. It's become a bit of a tradition. We took pictures in the outfits that Joel and Lisa got them for their first birthday and this time, Grandmother and Granddaddy Tingle outfits were worn. They are really cute. A couple of days later, they had their first BIG haircuts. Little bobs.

Tim and Nicki came to town to celebrate Tim's birthday. We haven't seen them in five years. They haven't changed a bit. It was like the old days for one night. Peyton, Josh, Tim, Nicki and Bobbie at the pub. I found it harder than ever not to miss Eric, Lance and Owen.

Destiny and Michael go back to school next Monday, August 13th. They don't seem overly excited about it. Destiny's new teacher called me today. She seems very nice. I have two open houses tomorrow. We've already been school clothes shopping, but will need to finish off the supplies this weekend.

We celebrated Mema Shirley's 71st birthday with a cake and a picture of Ma that Peyton re imaged. He did a great job of taking all of the cracks out of the old picture.

Samantha wandered off into her room, grabbed a blanket and put herself to bed on the floor. This was just at dinnertime. She missed her afternoon nap. Sabrina, was already asleep on her little bed.

Visit to the Zoo

The girls are just the right age for viewing the animals. Everytime we would leave one cage, Sabrina would say, "see more animals." So Cute....

Destiny didn't make it on this trip, she was with Mema Lorelei and Papa Jerry at the lake. I couldn't help but remember our first day with her. This is the first place we ever visited together.

The twins have been making roaring noises all night. We've been to the zoo today. We saw lots of animals, but the girls really liked the panda's and the elephants the best. They also got to pet the goats and lambs. We rode the train, which they didn't like. We rode the carusel and both girls cried most of the way thru. Right at the end, Sabrina actually started to have fun. She even held on by herself.

Looking at the monkeys in trees.

Fourth of July

Happy Fourth of July !!!!!!
Peyton celebrated the fourth of July by running the Peachtree Road race. It's the largest 10k in the world. Over 50,000 people ran. Peyton finished in just over an hour. We were very proud of him. He left the house at 4:15am. In the afternoon we went to Mary and Rabun's for a cookout. It was very nice. Amber stopped by with Riley and Kenna. Riley warmed up to me a little this time. She even sat in my lap so I could read to her. I was surprised. Almost all of the kids were there. Molly, Micheal, Destiny, Mitchell, Anna, Riley, Sabrina, Samantha, Katelyn, Tyrus, and Kenna. We were missing Maddie and Dylan, they were home in Ohio and Taylor, who is no longer a kid. He has begun to bail at these little get togethers.

The kids played in the pool and with the puppy dogs all afternoon. The fourth of July is always a little bitter sweet for me. I am very patriotic so I love to celebrate, but it is also the anniversary of my dad's death. This year was the 32nd anniversary. I'm working on a short story about his life right now...or his death. It's the first time I've written in a long time.

Jace's Fourth Birthday

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JACE!!!!

We had quite the adventure at Jace's fourth Birthday party. We had to call 911 because we thought Mema Shirley had a heat stroke. It turns out she was passing out from the severe pain in her ankle. She turned it over getting out of the car and likely broke it.

The girls had lots of fun swimming and playing on the swing set. Thought for sure it would exaughst them, but it's 2200 hours (10pm) and they are still going strong.

I think Jace had a lot of fun. Michael, Destiny, Sabrina, Samantha, Jordan, Skylar, Blake, Garrett, Zach, Dylan, Kora, Chase, and Chandler were all there. It was a "Pirates of the Caribbean" party. Everyone was really hot until we made it into the water. Next time we'll picnic after the swimming and not before.

Look how red Sabrina and Sami are. This is just moments before we rushed Mema by ambulance to the hospital. She passed out again on the way to Southern Regional. She's alright tonight, but she is down for the count, so it leaves us without a nanny for the kids for a while. Mema Lorelei really wanted to have the girls for a few days, so it looks like she might get her wish a little more often than she thought. With the kids being out of school, she can help out for a while.