6AM Wake Up Call!

I heard my sliding glass door open at 6AM this morning. When I went out, I learned that it was chalk time on the patio! Glad they know how to keep each other company!

Soccer Week 2

This week, Cameron improved in the area of confidence! Which in turn allowed him to improve in the area of skill! My boy did GREAT! Maybe it was the new haircut! He was determined not to get upset if he did something wrong this time. He actually told me during a water break that "this is the best day of my whole life!" Although he says that about something almost everyday, I was still really happy he was having a great time!



He learned how to kick the ball with the inside of his foot at this second practice. He also learned to use that technique in a passing drill.



I'm realizing that I'm in probably what will be one of my "favorite stages" of my sons lives! We're having so much fun just watching them become who they're going to grow up to be!! One thing being so far away from home does is allow me to not take for granted any moment with my boys. I hold captive each word, each kiss, each hug, and milestone they accomplish. They are so precious to me! I'm a proud west coast mommy, raising southern boys! How cool is that?!!

Riley's 2nd Birthday Party!

Today we had a great time with new friends, celebrating Riley's second birthday! We were so busy, that I was able to forget about being sad about not sharing this special day with my extended family. I miss them so much. Here are a few highlights!

Thanks to EVERYONE who came!

Riley was all poses on his special day! "CHEESE!"



Mommy and her boys!


The guys grilled, while the girls chilled



A party aint a party without my GIRLS!!!



Riley made sure EVERYONE had enough food!



A little competition for the boys!


And Riley opened lots of fun presents!






They got tired of me taking pictures of them!




After dinner, we went back to the house for cake and ice cream!!


Jammed a little...



...and played A LOT!


mmmm....CAKE!


Riley had so much fun today! It was sooo cool to see Riley warm up to people he'd never met before!

Happy birthday, my boy! Mommy loves you!!

Happy Birthday Riley James!

Cameron's Songs July 2008 from Lauren Faiai on Vimeo.

Cameron...being Cameron!

One day I'll get equipment to make these videos better quality. For now...
Cameron would like to read you his favorite story! (He still has a little cold!)


Cameron July 22, 2008 from Lauren Faiai on Vimeo.

Tune in tomorrow for Cameron's song for his brother!

The Fro Must Go!

Loved the fro, but in the dead heat of summer (103 degrees today), we decided it was time.

There's a kids haircut place called Snippits across the street from our house. Cameron was able to watch a movie while he got his haircut!



I think he's carrying 10 less pounds around today!



I told him that since he looks more grown up now, he has to ACT like a grown up. I figured that wasn't too much to ask.




Soon we'll figure out what to do with brother's hair!!

iPod Juice

One thing my iPod touch doesn't do well is...stay on my arm when I'm running on the treadmill. It's just lame. So my sweet loverman went out and got me a new iPod shuffle. I think he really only bought it for me so that I wouldn't use the largeness of my iTouch as an excuse not to work out...oh well...it worked! I love my shuffle! I love that I can just clip it on my shirt, turn it up LOUD and tune out the kids while I clean my house! Sometimes I even forget my kids are home! Yes, THAT wonderful...until...I find permanent Sharpie marker all over my closet doors. (BTW, does anyone know how to fix that w/o removing paint? And NO, the magic eraser doesn't work.)

Anyway... onto my top five favorite jams, for now:

1. All I Want to Do - Sugarland
(Loved their performance on CMA's)

2. With You - Jessica Simpson
(I forgot about this song until a week ago. Love it!)

3. Jesus Messiah - Chris Tomlin
(We've been rockin' this one on Sunday's. Nice.)

4. I'm Yours - Jason Mraz
(My Aunt Nita has an awesome story about this song - HERE)

5. You'll Come - Hillsong United
(Pretty powerful new one from Brooke.)

Listen to them, buy them, get an iPod shuffle, and ROCK OUT!