The Things Young Children Say

Riley is growing up so fast. She is understanding more and more about being a military child and daddy being at work for long periods of time. She shares with everyone that her daddy is at work. When asked where she states on the "Big airplane. Way up high where I can't reach." Then its usually followed by a silly action of trying to reach way up high.


This morning when I was getting ready she was use the bathroom. I could hear Brenden crying because he was all by himself. I ask her if he was ok. "Yeah, he just laying on my bed and I can't make him sit-up." Ok I will finish up and go and get him. Riley then states, "You are my mommy!" "Yes, I am your mommy and Brenden's mommy too." "Ok, but that is my side and that is Brenden side." Pointing to my left and right hip/leg. Then she continues to say that (left side) is the girls side and that (right side) is the boys side. So I must hold my children on the same side when I have them in my arms together. I did not know that each child had their own side of their mommy but according to Riley they do.

Have a good weekend everyone.

BASEBALL!!!

This is Brenden's idea of learning to use a baseball bat. He is dressed and ready to play. But he would rather chew on the end of the bat then use it the correct way. But look at the consintration he has in his face. He is focused.

Success!! I did it mommy. I used the bat to swing and hit the ball.
Using the bat to work out his arms and get ready for a second chance at the plate. It wont be long and Brenden and Riley will be playing ball in the backyard. I know that both mommy and daddy will be playing with them. Can't wait to see them both on the move.

Happy 1st Easter, Brenden

Brenden and the Easter Bunny. Riley could not wait until we went to see the Easter Bunny but when it was our turn she said "NO, Brenden can go. I will wait right here!" She did not want to get too close to the Easter Bunny. She did not have a melt down like she did with Santa Claus so we are getting better. Maybe next year we will have a picture that includes both kidos.

HAPPY EASTER!

!!HAPPY EASTER - 2008!!

Happy Easter to everyone. We woke up this morning to find that the Easter Bunny left two little baskets full of goodies for two very special little children. The baskets were full of candies, eggs, and a special animal for both.

Brenden is a man of my heart he went start for the chocolate.

Riley is looking through her basket to see what new things she has received. She was excepted to see a new note pad and pen.

Sharing an Easter moment together.

After we found our Easter baskets we headed out the door. We headed to Bowling Green, KY to have breakfast with my brother Joe (Homey) and his family. When breakfast was finished we had some time to take a few photos. Yes they were in the back of our truck. Why? It was snowing out. Yes I said it snowing. When the kids and I left Clarksville it was beautiful so my children are in their spring clothes with sandles. We had some funny looks as we were walking out of Cracker Barrel.
Riley, Brock, Jackson, and Brenden being silly.
The kids all cheesing.


When we returned home from breakfast Riley and Brenden had their Easter Egg hunt. Riley was a BIG help to Brenden on this task. The Easter Bunny left sport shaped eggs for Brenden and Princess eggs for Riley. When we were hunting eggs and Riley found a sport egg she run to get Brenden so he could "find" the egg. It was fun to watch her be the BIG sister.
I found it mommy!!!
Brenden found a couple of eggs in his farm truck.
Brenden and his Grandpa George smile.

Riley on a mission to find more eggs.
Getting a little help from "Map" on where to go next.

HAPPY EASTER !!!

"Good" Friday?!?!?!?

Welcome to my "good" Friday. Today I woke up around 0530-0600 to get ready to take my girlfriend to the airport. This was great I was earlier then both my children so I had to time to eat breakfast in peace and watch a little of the news. Riley was woke up around 0630 so we could be out the door by 0715. She is a crab when she has to woke up. Well today was different she was ready so I got Brenden up and dressed and we were ready to walk out the door at 0710. We made it out the door. That when I realized that I did not have my truck keys or the key to the house. I had everything else. I had to call my girlfriend and have let us in the house so I could start all over again. While waiting for help to arrive Riley is trying with all her might to open the door or find my keys. I told her about 3 different times that I did not have my keys so she looked and looked for them. The whole time she was crying and yelling at me to help her with the door. "Come on Mommy help me push." I tried to get her to understand and she was not having it this morning. We finally made it to "school" at 0750 but Riley was already having a melt down because of being locked out of her house. I was not able to leave "school" until 0815 because Riley was having a hard time to the transition. I made it my girlfriend's house around 0825. Oh did I mention that her flight leaves at 1015 and its an hour drive to Nashville? When we make it just in time. I am helping her take her things in and as I am walking out I am being written a ticket for leaving my truck unattented. Nice. The sad thing is I was already get back into the truck when I receive the stupid things. Then I receive a phone from my girlfriend at the airport. I was worried what she was going to say after the morning I had already had but she tells me that she meet Kelly Pickler while filling out her name tags in the ticket line. Kelly Pickler was talking to her son and telling my friend how cute he was. She had a good morning to my crazy morning.

The afternoon was better since I did not leave the house. I was able to mow the lawn today and start our spring cleaning. I did not want to cook so we ordered pizza. Brenden the little boy with no teeth wanted what we were eating so I gave him some of the crust. He loved it. Here are a few pictures of him enjoying his version of pizza.

Yum! Yum! This is some good stuff!!!

SILLY TIME

This is Riley being silly. She bought a princess bucket and when she got home she decided that it made a wonderful helmet. It was NOT a hat but a helmet. She thought it fit perfectly. She did look pretty cute.

Brenden is learning to play the piano. He does a nice job. When Ben was home he showed him what he could do and you can see Ben's hands clapping along with the music.

Brenden is so sweet when he is sleeping. But look at those cheeks. He is starting to fill out like his sister did at this age. He is eating like a growing boy. I have been told by many that this is just the beginning and it gets better when they are teenagers.

Bath time is more fun when you have a sibling to show you how things work. Riley has an alligator that shoots out water. When she did this it had some soap in it that had turned black. So when she shot the water out at Brenden out came the uck. That is what she is freaking out about is the uck that is now in the bath tub.

They had a wonderful time laughing and playing.

TRAVELLING WITH KIDS

Traveling in a SUV with a three year old and a seven month old, by my self, is not the easiest job. But as a military wife and mother I have done this several times already. This was the first trip with Brenden in his BIG boy car seat. He graduated out of his carrier into a rear facing car seat. This is difficult when either Riley or I have to use the bath. I no longer have a place to put Brenden except for on my lap. This is a challenge in itself. Riley is not old enough to hold him or is she strong enough now. So when we drive to and from Michigan I try to stop only twice. Once to eat either lunch or dinner and then again for a bathroom break. This helps keep life in order and a little less crazy if there is such a thing.


On our return trip home at this past visit we made the best time ever. We made it home to Tennessee in about 10 hours. This is excellent. The few trips it took us 12 + hours to make it to Michigan and sometimes longer to get home to Tennessee. The kids were great. They were tired and slept most of the time. With sleeping babies in the truck I was able to drive straight through without stopping. I think the kids were telling that they can handle the travelling. Both kids have become wonderful car/truck riders. More advertures to come has we will be travelling to Michigan a few more times before Ben returns home.

Family Time

The kids and I made unplanned visit to Michigan after Ben left to go back to "work". Spending time with close family members made it a lot easier to handle the transition back to single parenthood. I was able to get some much needed rest while I was home visiting. I was also able to talk to other adults which is not always possible when you are a stay at home mom with two young children. Here are a few pictures from our trip home. Brenden was spoiled as Riley did not want to have her picture taken. The camera is not her friend at the age of three. I am hoping this will change soon. Enjoy.

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Papa and his boy.

The three amigos. Brenden can't wait to be able to keep up with these two.

August and Brenden

Father & Son

Here are a few priceless picytures of my boys.

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The boys with their thug hats.

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Look at those eyes.

PLAY DATE!!

Look at those faces. They were not too happy about getting their pricture taken. They did have a good time playing all morning long. Notice the small "Ben" in the background. That is one of the daddy dolls that the kids received from Ben before he headed back to "work".

Notice the smile on Brenden and Reese is busy tasting his new shirt.
Finding new toys to taste. Brenden loves his butterfly and Reese his calling his girlies on his phone. Look at that photo of his phone.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MOMMY!!!!!!!!!!

Well today is extra special for the Ringman family. Brenden is 7 months old today and Mommy is 28 years old. Brenden is growing and growing and growing. He is not slowing down for anything. He is on a mission to walk and get moving to keep up with his Big Sister. He is working on getting his first set of teeth so he can enjoy the same foods as everyone else at the dinner table. Brenden is talking more and more each day. His favorite word at this point is Mom-ma, and bye-bye. When he wants to go for a ride in the truck he tells me that he wants to go bye-bye. He enjoys playing and being with his family.

Thanks to Riley we have pictures of Mom. I am working on keeping the kids going without Ben home. I spent my birthday in Michigan with my family. With Ben leaving just a week ago I needed some family support on this special day.
Mom and Brenden on their Birthday!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Birthday Mommy and Brenden, Love Riley

Picture Time!!!!

Here are the Family photos we had taken at Sears. It took us only two attemps to accomplish this task. We went on Thursday and waited an hour and half past our appointment due to the fact that there was only one photographer. By the time it was our turn Riley had nothing to do with getting her picture taken. It was very upsetting to me since Ben was leaving in just a few days. The gentlemen rescheduled us for Friday at 10 am and Riley and I had a long talk about what we were going to do. She was ok with the fact after we talked about what I needed her to do. So here are a few of my favorites. Our pictures will be in around March 14 and then everyone will receive their copies in the mail. Hope you enjoy.

Family time is always fun.
Riley and Mommy
Daddy and kids.

Yes that is me in the background holding Riley. She did not want me to let her go. All she wanted was to "hold me". So that is me behind that brown cloth.
Priceless!