Hen Party...

I am no longer a hen party virgin! I went to my first hen party last night straight from work and had a great time. The girls shared appetizers, gabbed, laughed, drank wine and just had a grand time. The table was festive and it was one of the hens' birthdays so we celebrated that too. Everyone was very nice and I didn't realize how nice it can be to have a few hours of "hen time". Thanks Jennifer for inviting me! Note to self: Remember to do SOMETHING for yourself every once in a while!

Playtime!

This is how much fun we had today!

The days are gone when...

when I could just wash a handful of fruit and put it on my kids' plates! This morning they counted their blueberries only to discover that Mandy had 16 and Kyler only had 14....holy smokes whatever will they do? I know, so how did it get resolved when I told them to eat what they had and I would give them more??? Mandy shared with Kyler, ate what she had left and asked for more! Smarty pants!!!

Ice Day 09

Today I am thankful for school closings! Since the weather has the roads so nasty, our schools are closed and I get a day at home with my babies. YEA! I really enjoyed our morning loving snuggles on the couch! The kids got a kick out of playing on the icy driveway while Daddy's truck defrosted for him to head off (a little late) to work. They really enjoyed throwing the pieces of ice that Daddy gave him off his truck onto the ground ans watching them shatter. They are too funny...I wish I had the desire to enjoy the cold, I guess I am getting too old...I jsut want to curl up inside and stay warm!

The warmth of a fire...

is NOT worth it if it is 28 degrees outside and hubby decides to make a "big" fire and set off all the smoke alarms in the house so you have to open doors and windows!!! He is claiming it was an ODD shaped log that caused the trouble....hmmm...

Slumber Party

Check out how the girls' slumber party at Gran and Papa's went...http://duaineslife.blogspot.com/

Playing at Gran and Papa's

Even when it is freezing we can't keep these boys inside! The girls had a great time with Papa and I know he thinks he is better with the boys but LOOK at those smiles!!!

Waiting on Daddy...

Yesterday while we were waiting on Daddy to get ready to go I was talking to my Aunt Lynn on the phone when Mandy comes out of her room...SOOOO proud of herself! She said "Look at my pretty make up mommy!" I hope I didn't hurt her feelings when I replied "OH MANDY!" and let the laugh out. As she got close I realized she had done her eye shadow, lipstick, glitter and powder. Strangely she got them all in the right place but DEFINITELY not in the right order or amount. I just couldn't contain it...

Missing Post

Okay this is from earlier in the week and I hate to not post it. Mandy said, "take my picture mommy!" And this is what I got...

Ice Cream Dream

Not long after the boys got back from the ball park Papa talked the kids into wanting ice cream! Look...you can see the quiet enjoyment on each and every face! These are stolen from Aunt Kelly's camera so...there will be new pictures of our day at Gran and Papa's tomorrow...when I get my camera and daughter back :)

2009 Texas Rangers Fan Fest

Today Daddy and Uncle Shawn took the boys to run the bases and play at the Texas Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. Oh what fun they had, although a little disappointed that all the freebies were gone when they got there so they left with no souvenirs but definitely good memories. Gran saved the day by pulling out some Rangers things they had around and making sure each boy left with something. How blessed they are to have such a thoughtful Grandma! Aunt Kelly, Alex, Mandy and I hung out with Gran and Papa in the nice warm house while the boys braved the cold in the name of FUN. We had a wonderful visit. So much so that the girls are having a girls night with Megan at Gran and Papa's house tonight! Yep, we came home 2 short. Strange with only the 3 boys here tonight! (We are sitting so Shawn and Kelly can have a grown up dinner with her mom....and we are ENJOYING it.)

Ok Ok so I have been tagged...

10 Honest things about me...hmmm...

1. I promise myself one hour a week of guaranteed time on the couch for Grey's Anatomy. I know...
2. I am extremely freaky about chaos, when one part of my life is in chaos I must reorganize a part of my life I do have control over (usually my house).
3. I am extremely insecure about my weight (even though it is better than it has been) and complexion.
4. I hate conflict in fact if it gets crazy enough I will get sick to my stomach until it is over!
5. I love watching Mandy dance so I can't wait for her to be in the big girl class so I won't have to be on stage with her anymore.
6. I get a huge spike of pride when Kyler WANTS to show me his school work, latest athletic endeavor or skill learned.
7. When my children whine I can feel my skin crawling.. no really it physically happens!
8. I love teaching in the classroom with my kids. Science IS fun...
9. Like Erica, I too hate lies...for any reason...seriously, just be straight with people it is easier that way!
10. And lastly I love to read books that have no bearing in reality at all! Something I can totally dissolve my brain into the world of the story! Nothing better!...Well almost nothing :)

So, that wasn't as painful as I thought...

Ok, I tag Kelly, Melissa, Jenny, Ashley, and any other enthusiastic bloggers! Open up and share!

Hmmm...

Okay so I think I am starting to go crazy! I have come to the realization that what they say is true. You have to learn to take care of yourself too! What? Not just your family and your work but yourself? I am at that reality check point in life. Whooo...okay. So, now what do I do? I am a 32 year old wife/mama with nothing I do for myself. How do women find time to do all these things? I mean really! I (thank God) have a hubby who cooks so that I don't commute straight into the kitchen but geez! He has hobbies that keep him satisfied with plenty of "guy time". How do mom's do it without all the guilt? I feel terrible if I choose to do anything other than my family after work becaue I don't have that much time with them (or so it FEELS). And our weekends are booked atleast a month ahead so little down time there, and we love every bit of it! Well, I am going out on a very shaky limb...I have been invited to a hen party! Yep, all women of different interests and ages, a very eclectic group from my understanding, all making a couple of hours for "hen time" and they really only gather 3-4 times a year but have found this a good way to make a point of not being a wife, mama, housekeeper, teacher (or whatever job they hold), or any other hat "hens" wear from day to day without judgement. So, I am going for it...I am braving the grown up world and I am going to TRY to make a point of doing things for ME once in a while. I am sure my routine will still be chaotic and stressful but maybe by finding little things to do for myself I will be a more sane person...MAYBE :)

He's back!

Yes, my sweet little boy is back. With a great note from his teacher my sweet "perfect" little boy is back. He was so proud of himself with no color changes again and showing me how well he is writing and coloring at school yesterday. When he talked to me about his color change Tuesday, I found my mind thinking "this kid must have provoked him because this is not something MY kid would do!" Making very sure he didn't hear those thoughts since I wanted him to know it was wrong and that he should listen to Mrs. Robin (whom he LOVES). I put perfect in "" because to a Mama their children are perfect with all their flaws. I try very hard to remember that when dealing with parents at school sometime...these are THEIR "perfect" babies! Most are aware of who their babies are and in a Mama's eyes they are their baby. Kyler wanted to snuggle with me because he was having a hard time sleeping and last night I just lifted the covers and said "Come on...just be still". It was so wonderful to have him snuggle up against me playing with my fingers and hair! The power of motherhood will never cease to amaze me.

Kyler's first color change...

Yep, you read it right. My sweet little boy got his first color change at school yesterday. He brought me his folder and showed me everything he learned at school but the smile on his face faded when I read the note from his teacher! I am assured by him it will not be happening again. I won't go into details but if you ask he will tell you. He told Gran and Aunt Cathy all about it when they stopped in for a brief hello on their way home from Cleburne yesterday.

Fossils from Gran

Gran sent some fossils to us for me to take and show my students. Kyler and Mandy were fascinated and loved feeling, holding and asking lots of questions. Graddy, you would have been proud!

Mandy's Beauty Shop

After lunch with Grammy when she brought my babies home, Mandy had to show off her stylin' skills. Comb...dryer...curlers...enough said! I know this was a fun and busy weekend but I am glad we are all home together, I missed my kiddos!

Sleepover at Grammy's

These are some pictures Grammy sent of their fun together...I love it! Poppy said he was a natural with the golf club he made him. And they both behaved perfectly! Mandy actually came home herself after a rough couple of weeks, THANKS MOM! They have told us all about all the fun they had and how they got to help cook and do dishes too. And ofcourse the first thing Kyler wanted to do when he got there and first thing when he woke up was to FISH!

Happy Birthday Jason...

Then we took the kiddos to Grammy and Poppy's for a sleepover and a grown up night out to celebrate our friend Jason's birthday. We had a fabulous dinner at Pappasito's and then headed off to Cowboys. We knew after about the first 30 minutes we were officially getting old...we would have rather been hanging out with our friends in a place where we could HEAR each other...HA! Logically we know it couldn't have been any louder than when we used to love to go there so, we must be old!

Hannah's Party

Then we were off, straight from Megan's party to Kyler's friend Hannah at preschool's party. This was a bouncing party and he really enjoyed himself. He got to bounce, sing give her a present and eat more cake! He even got to sit next to the birthday girl. I can't believe he is big enough for school parties! Kyle and I enjoyed meeting her parents and some others from his school. They were very nice people.

Weekend of Birthdays!

Saturday was the start of birthday season around here. We will have a birthday every month in the year once Connor arrives in February! Unbelievable I know but we have a LARGE (and wonderful) family. Saturday we started off at Megan's birthday party, for her 3rd birthday she had a tumble party. The kids had a lot of fun trying out all the tumbling equipment...and there were ALOT of kids there to celebrate with her. What better way to celebrate your birthday than with all your friends and family with you!

Congratulations Paw Paw

Paw Paw is No. 1! Yep, all the things we have always known have been confirmed on the business side of Paw Paw's world...He was the top sale person in his company with a record breaking year!!! Go Paw Paw. He got back in from his conference last night and tonight we met him and Grandma Sarah for dinner. I didn't take many shots but these were hard not too...Paw Paw and Mandy popping up from behind the patio wall at us...HA!

Artsy Animals...

Today Mandy and I went to join Mrs. Jennifer, Olivia and Maren at the Artsy Animals (Target Family Fun Day) activity at the Amon Carter Museum. It was a really good time. It has been a whole new adventure for me to reach outside my little safe comfort zone and embrace this whole experience but I am thoroughly rewarded for doing so. I really am enjoying getting to know Jennifer and it is TOO much fun to watch Olivia and Mandy when they are together. The girls got to make several crafts, look for animals in the art in the galleries (the girls thought the benches looked suspiciously like beds and pretended to snore) and we took time to let them "run it out" in the grass out front before loading up. This is our second play date and on the way home Mandy asked (repeatedly) "Can Olivia spend the night at my house?" I got tickled by the fact that as we left the museum Olivia wanted to get in my car and come with us! I would have happily complied if we didn't have dinner plans too! We are excited for the next time we get together to play...outside of dance class.

Saturday

Yesterday Kyle took the kids up to enjoy some Gran and Papa time. They also went to enjoy the new blue ray dvd and surround system Papa got this week. Oh what fun! Until Kyler got sick! Yep, sick...o well. Thank goodness it only seems to have been a 24 hour thing because by lunch today he seemed a lot better. I didn't get to join in on the fun since I went back to work to chaos this week I needed to take care of all the CHORES around here...YUCK! I would much rather have joined in up there for sure. The kids seemed to have had a blast and from Aunt Erica's blog it looks like Papa did too.

Friday Night

Friday night Kyle and I had the girls over for a slumber party. Mandy, Brianna and Alex had a great time with dress up, beauty shop, baby dolls, and all the girly games you can imagine. They cracked me up with their problem solving abilities...at one point they realized they couldn't all play beauty shop together so they took Mandy's bible and took turns being the "boss" telling the other two what to do! Can you IMAGINE! They crack me up! Alex had a hard time getting to sleep so she ended up going home, we missed her. This picture is from breakfast, we had breakfast pizza...I was enjoying the moments too much for the camera, sorry for the slack.

Playdate

Mandy had a play date with her friend Olivia from her dance class today and both girls were very excited to play together. This was a first for Mandy and she really enjoyed herself and was invited back (possibly for a sleepover!). Ofcourse the distracted Mama that I am forgot the camera but they were just hilarious to watch.

Grandma

The great grandkids had been asking all day why we weren't going to their Grandma's anymore so when we left the park to head home we decided since Grandma was going on an outing she must be feeling better we dropped by and visited with her, just us grandkids and great grandkids. The kids were excited to see her and tell her they loved her as were we. She told us she had gotten some rest and was doing okay. That is alot for all that she has been through. We got to let her know we love her and she enjoyed watching the kids run crazy around her backyard. We didn't stay long because we didn't want to wear her out but she was very grateful for our visit and told us to come back and see her. We will for sure! It always does you good to see her and know for yourself that she is well.

The Park

After we went to see Mama B we all took the kids to the park to feed the ducks and play on the playground. We couldn't have asked for better weather for it.