Who knew?

So, who knew laundry baskets could be so much fun??? Sorry for shooting this video sideways again... oops!!!

Valentines Extravaganza!

Payton once again was "feeling the love" from his grandparents this holiday. He was showered in all sorts of fun gifts. Thank you to everyone for the sweet gifts and cards - he loves them all!!!

Happy Valentine's Day!

We hope everyone has a special Valentine's Day and enjoys some yummy treats!

Birthday Photos

My baby is now officially 4 years old! The whole week was filled with parties and celebrations, but his birthday party was really the highlight for him. I can only imagine the joy he was feeling to have

so many of his friends in one place at the same time. He didn't stand still for one minute... well, except to stare at his cake. He was in "hog heaven" to say the least!

We were really blessed to have lots of friends show up for his party at the park by our house. And to have both sets of grandparents there as well. It is a rare and wonderful thing to have so many family members who live near by and can attend special occasions such as birthdays.

We feel so blessed to have so many wonderful friends and family who helped our precious angel celebrate his 4th birthday. Thank you everyone!!!

Whoopie Cushions and other things...

Here is a quick video of Payton's reaction to seeing his "birthday table" first thing yesterday morning...

And here is a video of Payton's favorite birthday gift so far... a whoopie cushion...

Today is the day!

From the moment he woke up to the moment he went to bed, today was a special birthday for Payton. He awoke this morning to the kitchen table decorated with Thomas balloons, a birthday cake and a few little gifts. Of course we had to continue the Clements tradition of eating birthday cake and toast for breakfast on his birthday (boy, does he like this tradition!). After school and a good nap, he got to open a few more little gifts (see picture of the whoopie cushion) and choose where we went for dinner. Of course he chose the fine dining establishment called "Chuck E. Cheese." (Sidenote: why do kids love this place so much?!? It's dirty, loud, and the pizza is terrible... but I digress...)

After we got home from Chuck E. Cheese he got to have more cake - this time with candles in it and a rousing rendition of "Happy Birthday" sung in two very different keys by his loving parents.

Now it's time for my big 4-year-old to head off to bed. I cannot believe it's been 4 years since I was in the hospital and got to see his precious face for the first time. As my Aunt Cheryl recently said, "Don't blink, it will all go by so fast"... boy is she right. Happy Birthday my precious angel.

Happy Birthday Week Payton!

Birthdays are a BIG deal in our house. Brian doesn't really understand this. Fortunately, he's learned to accept my crazy ways and is now willing to participate in the "Hoopla" that surrounds birthdays in our house.

It all began when I was a little girl and my mom always made a big deal out of my birthday. I think she was afraid that since my birthday is only 4 days after Christmas, it would be forgotten and lost in all of the holiday madness. So every year, she made sure all my birthday gifts were wrapped in birthday wrapping paper - even though the Christmas wrap was much more easily accesible at that point. She always made me a cake, and always, ALWAYS had a party for me.
So, since I have such fond memories of these special birthday experiences, I want to provide the same for my family.

Today, Payton got to stand up in front of his preschool during chapel and have everyone sing "Happy Birthday" to him and all the other students who are celebrating a birthday this week. He was so proud!

Tomorrow we will bake cookies for him to bring to school on Wednesday and I'll also make his birthday cake for Wednesday (his actual birthday). Stay tuned for more birthday celebration photos...

The Beach in Winter

Even though it's snowy and cold in many parts of the country, it's still possible for us Floridians to hit the beach this time of year. So, this weekend we put on our jeans and sweatshirts and headed out to the beach for a sunset picnic in the back of our SUV. It was a little chilly, but still just as beautiful. Payton didn't seem to mind the cooler weather as he just kept asking if he could go swimming.

So just remind me of these Florida weather "perks" in September when it's still 100 degrees out.