School Daze

McKenna's Gumballs

Yay! CDs!

Bubby the Bus Driver

The First Day of Daycare/School

Ms. Brittney, McKenna, and her artwork

The last two weeks have been a total daze. I started school, McKenna started daycare/school, and Bubby started at Lisa's house.


Bubby is doing awesome at Lisa's. He lights up whenever he sees her. When I pick him upin the afternoon, she's always on the floor playing with him. She's sticking to his schedule and he's as happy as ever. McKenna's school can get him into the baby room at the end of September, but I think I might keep him at Lisa's. Two drop-offs suck in the morning, but who cares if he's happy.



He is such a wildman! He loves to destroy everything, especially my books and CDS. He said "Sissy" for the first time last weekend. We were at the Food Lion and McKenna was doing her normal song and dance. She runs up and down the aisles and thorws random things into the cart. Enemas, foot powder, Spam, they all go into the cart. Anyways, Bubby was watching her and he kept saying, "Teetee, Teetee." It finally dawned on me that he was saying, "Sissy!"



McKenna is doing great at her school! Two things have amazed me over the last week. The first thing is: McKenna is going on the potty at school. The second thing is: she'll wear her hair in a ponytail. McKenna absolutely loves her teacher, Ms. Brittney. She's young, cute, and sweet. She told me that she loves McKenna because she is so sweet and smart. Obviously, Little Hitler hasn't reared her head yet! I know McKenna is enjoying herself . Her teacher has to provide me with her weekly lesson plans and it's fun to see what they will be learning.

Phew, praise the Lord that my babies are adjusting!

The Michigan Beach Bums

Cousins 4-eva!

Pretty Ladies

It was so good to see my cousin Jamie and his family (Debbie and Alyssa) today. They were driving home to Michigan from Myrtle Beach. We met at Andy's in Hampstead for lunch. I wish we had more time with them.

Happy 3rd Birthday, McKenna RaeAnn!

Princess McKenna

Blowing Bubbles

Yes, Mommy can cook.

This is why I call her button.

Dreaming of Prince Eric

To my sweet baby girl,

I can't believe you are three today! It seems like you were just born yesterday. I remember holding you in my arms for the first time and being so grateful that you were healthy. I also remember feeling unbelievably terrified. I just wanted to be everything you needed as a mommy. You've made me want to be a better person.

You are my light in so many ways. I love your smile and your sense of humor. I love how you think that Bubby is the funniest thing ever. I love how you squeal in delight at cats, balloons, lizards, The Backyardigans, and your babies.



You amaze me with your energy. You can turn anything into a song. I love when we dance and you say to me, "That's it mommy, shake it, girl." I love how you get the zoomies and you just start running full speed around the house.



I am so proud of your caring side. I love when you comfort Bubby when he his crying. It makes me smile to hear you say, "Don't cry, sweetheart." It's sometimes embarrassing, but hilarious how you worry about me. Like when we were in the Food Lion, and you pulled my shorts down to my ankles You told me you did it because you thought I was uncomfortable .




Most importantly, I love how stubborn and strong you are. You've always been a fighter, even before you were born. You will go far in life baby girl, I know it!



I love you more than any words can say and I am so proud to be your Mommy. XOXO

Well, it ain't Sylvania.....

Aww Man, this isn't underwear!

Future Most Embarrassing Picture Ever!

School is going fine, it really is. The staff is amazing. Everyone is super nice and fun. But....... I was so spoiled in Sylvania. I went from the Hilton to the Budget Inn. I think the staff is going to make up for everything else, though.

Patrick's busy at work. He had to pull one of his boats out of the ocean today. I mean literally swim out to the boat and pull it in, camis and all. He was soaking wet when he came home. He has been a HUGE help to me since I went back to work.

McKenna is doing so much better! She starts Daycare/Preschool next week. We'll see how that goes. Little Hitler is in for quite an experience. She's been going to Brady's sitter this week. Of course, she got a cold; just in time for her birthday. We are quickly becoming Cape Fear Pediatrics customers of the month. I've become the kind of mother that I used to complain about. I send my kids to the sitter sick. Oh well, that's what you do when Nammy Jan and the Rosebrocks are 700 miles away (they used to watch the kids when they were sick.) McKenna is constantly amazing me with how smart she is. She knows how to count from 1-12, say her ABC's, recognize the letters A, O, M, and B, and make the short A and B sound. She also knows a square, circle, triangle, star and crescent (I'm trying to teach her to say parallelogram, but she looks at me like I'm nuts, which I am.) The craziest thing is she can say how things are alike and different and she can complete patterns! She's either going to be a doctor or Rainman. I found out that she knew her shapes because I overheard her scolding her babies for saying the wrong names for her shape puzzles. She was like, "No Sweetheart, that is a square, not a circle." Too funny.

Bubby is hilarious! He is a total Daddy's boy, now. He says mama, dada, hi, bye, baba. He always gets my day going with his amazing smile. McKenna is like me and wakes up furious at the world. Not Bubby. He wakes up talking, smiling and saying mama, dada, mama, dada. He is crawling like a maniac and 100% boy. His newest stunt is trying to crawl into the dryer. No kidding. Every time I open the dryer door, he crawls over and tries to get in! So, I pull him out and sometimes he has a pair of my underwear on his head. He's so much like his dad.

Go, Bubby, Go!

You Have Got To Be Kidding Me!

Bubby and his stuck-up bottle

Well folks, it's official, the government has determined that the chemical BPA is safe for humans. You may wonder why I care. BPA is a chemical found in many clear plastics and has been linked to several health issues over the last two years. Most importantly, it is found in clear bottles. When Brady was born, I scurried around to find a bottle that was BPA-free and had an anti-colic system for his acid reflux. I had thrown out all of McKenna's Avent bottles (which I loved) because of the BPA scare. I finally found a BPA-free and anti-colic bottle that worked for Brady, The Born Free Bottle. Let me tell you, this is the snobbiest, snootiest, bottle on the planet. It's a favorite of celebrities and costs 10 dollars a bottle! Outrageous! So, I found this bottle, and Brady loved it, so I bought eight. Now, I 've learned, I could have used the Avent bottles. Go figure.

Water Babies

The little Knappers love water! These pics are from the bathtub, but they love the pool, too. We are lucky enough to have a pool in our development and our friend, Lou Ann, has a great pool that the kids like to swim in. I'll try to get some pool pics, but I always forget to bring my camera.

They have the most fun in their bathtub. McKenna sings, dances and pretends she's a mermaid. She tells me daily that when she grows up she's going to be a mermaid and marry Prince Eric. Today she told me that she'll buy me some flippers so I can visit her, Prince Eric, and her merbabies. I can hardly wait. Knowing McKenna, she'll probably make it happen!

Bubby is an absolute wildman in the tub! He rolls over, splashes and puts his face in the water. Talk about giving a Mommy a heart attack. That's where gray hair comes from. He always cries when he has to get out. I guess it's good we live by the water!

Move Over, Bubba Gump!

The Marine Corps Color Guard, The Devil Dog, and the Devil Pup

You have not lived until you have experienced the Sneads Ferry Shrimp Festival. Really. The whole town is a buzz for the weeks prior to the festival. Truthfully, the festival is the size of a school carnival, but with a beer garden and twice the carnies. We had a lot of fun, though.

The festival started with a parade that started right in front of Escoba Bay (our development.) McKenna got tons of candy and Brady loved the Marine Corps band that marched (this does not mean he is going to be a Marine or gay.)

After the parade, we went to the festival. McKenna ate a hot dog, played one game, and rode the Ripcord. That was pretty much the entire festival. Strangely, we didn't see any shrimp.

I don't know what was more surprising, the fact that McKenna rode an adult ride or the fact that she was willing to wear shorts that day. Oh well, the festival was definitely memorable. Check out the flick below.

Vivian Rae

Look out, McKenna has some competition for the world's prettiest princess. Vivian is such a doll baby! We enjoyed spending time with her and her mommy and daddy last weekend. If you just met Vivian last weekend and want more adorableness, visit the Team Chack link on this page. Sharlene is one lucky Namma!

Country Living with the First Time Blogger

Sissy and Bubby

Captain Feathersword and Daddy

McKenna posing at her new digs.

Playing dress up with new friends

Having breakfast on the way home from Ohio

Yes, I am actually blogging. Mandy suggested doing this so everyone could keep up to date with all things Knapp. What a great idea! But, as everyone knows, I procrastinate on everything, so expect updates quarterly. Just kidding, I think.

We are settling in to life in the South. What a change. The heat is insane and the wildlife is even more insane. We have a snake that lives under our porch and several lizards that just hang out in the garage. The bugs are enormous! I swear that some of them look at me before I squash them. Oh well, it's cheaper than going to the zoo.

My babies are doing well. We love to hang out at the pool and go to the beach. Sneads Ferrians are in love with McKenna. There's a man who works at the Food Lion who asks her to marry him at least once a week. She always responds, "No, I'm marring my Daddy." Brady (aka Bubby) is hilarious! He's a typical boy. He farts, burps, grabs himself, and tries to get into everything harmful or poisonous. He's recently discovered how to to throw his poop around. How darling.

My kids continue to be the light of my life and I am enjoying being married to my husband. I can't believe we are finally together.

Much Love,

Kim