Sunday Afternoons and Birthday Week

Our church time recently changed from 1pm to 9am, and although we rarely are there on time, it has been nice to have an afternoon. Usually Brian, Luke and Jeffey have naps and Ben and I have our quiet time. This last Sunday Ben and I had a blast making him yet another birthday cake. Ben's birthday week started with a party at Brian's parents where Maurine made him a train cake. He loved finding the quarter and blowing out the candles three times as per Delwin's request. He had a party at his preschool and then we had a party with all his friends on Friday where I had 15 kids at my house for two hours! I was a little rushed getting ready for the party and made cupcakes instead of a cake. I was sad that I didn't have time and we needed a cake for his last party with my family so Ben and I went to work. I explained to him that decorating cakes was for mommy like golf was to him and daddy. We decided on spiderman and had a wonderful time creating in the kitchen for two hours. I love these special times one on one with my boys where I can just focus on them. The final product turned out great and Ben loved eating the red and black icing. We went to my sister's house and had fun with cousins and Papa and Grandma. It truely was a fun week helping Ben celebrate being four.

Horton Hears a Who

I took some inspiration from other moms and decided to make spring break a fun traditon for me and the boys. Yesterday was for me. Two of my friends and myself hired a babysitter (the young women don't have school either!) for all of our children and went and got pedicures and then to lunch. It was such needed "girl time" and so nice to do it during the day when I wasn't dead tired from my daily routine. Thanks Emily and Amber!

Then today I took Ben, Jeff and Ben's little friend Caitlyn to the movies. We saw the new Dr. Seuss movie and they kids loved it. I don't usually enjoy the kid flics, but this one had such a great story and actually held my attention! Highly recommend.

Tomorrow we are planning on swimming and then Ben has requested to play trains at Toys R Us (we miss you Jackson) and they both want to go to the mall. We will hopefully fit the park in there somewhere. I forget how fun it can be to plan your day around making it fun for your children as opposed to trying to fit them into your scheduele. My house will no doubtedly take a toll, but I figure there will be plenty of time to clean when they don't think it is cool to go to the movies with their mom anymore!

Daddy is home...kind of

We get to have our daddy home a lot more these days...good for us...maybe not so much for Bri. This Wednesday he had the ACL replaced on his right knee. The hospital told him he could stay the night (I would have milked it for all it was worth), instead he convinced them to send had him home two hours after surgery was done, and it turns out he did great. Everything went smoothly and he has been a pretty good patient. I told him he better start complaining, because he is making me look bad! The boys have loved having him home this week, even though they don't quite understand why he can't get off the couch to play. The contraption in the picture keeps his knee in constant motion and we hope he will be up and "running" soon. I think he's counting down the days till he can play ball again.

Happy Birthday Benjamin Bean!

Here are some of my favorite things about you:

1. You were my first baby.

2. You love letters and love to read.

3. You bring me flowers from outside whenever you see them.

4. You knock me over with your hugs.

5. You are a great big brother and watch out for Jeff and Luke like McQueen watches out for the King.

6. You think I'm funny.

7. You like to dance with me to country music in the living room.

8. You want to be just like your daddy when you grow up.

9. You forgive me immediately when I lose my patience.

10. You make me smile everyday.

I love you Ben and we are so glad you are part of our family. Happy Birthday.

Twins...just born two years apart?

Nope these are not all pictures of the same kid. I saved some pics on a hard drive and for some reason the dates got messed up, we were amazed as we started to look through the shots and how difficult it was to tell who was who. Wow, Ben and Lukey look so much alike! I never thought it would happen to me, but I am going to be the mom in ten years who can't tell their children who they are in a photo...yikes. I better get savvy at digital scrapbooking before I forget who sat in what highchair and who wore what. The jury is still out on one of the pics in the walker. We have to ask Gayle when she gave it to us to figure it out. Is there hope for a mom who can't tell which kid is which...I think it means the next one better be a girl!

(PS The pics go Ben, Luke, Ben, Luke...we think!)

Why I May Cave...Or Not

We got to babysit two dogs last weekend and we all know Jeffey loves dogs, but I didn't understand the extent of his obsession. (Those are dogs on his shirt) He followed them around, took them food one piece at a time and instructed them to eat all their dinner, "and then I will bring you a drink". He would bring those poor dogs their water dish no matter where they were in the yard. Then when they wern't eating or drinking he would just sit next to them and talk softly to them or lay beside them. He wanted to be outside with them constantly and now keeps asking when the "real doggies" are coming back to our home (another Jeffism, he never calls it our house, always our home!). As much as I am opposed to something else to take care of, I have to admit I enjoyed knowing they were in my living room at night, and adored watching the boys excitement with them. (Yes they actually got to sleep in the house at night, I felt bad leaving them outside, I know, so not me)

Then my good common sense kicked back in when the next morning after changing two dirty diapers I had to pick up the evidence of the dogs in the back yard...we may still wait until they are eight to get one of our own. For now one weekend a month is plenty!

A Brief Brag Moment

The last few weeks of my life have been pretty much consumed with planning a wedding for one of my past young women. I wouldn't exactly call me J Lo but it sure was fun to do some girly things and get to develop some talents in the process. Making the veil, doing the cake and the flowers were my favorite parts. This floral centerpiece was my fav and with a lot of help from my very talented sister-in-law it turned out gorgeous. These pics aren't the greatest, but when the photographer is done I will post more. Thanks to Kimi for teaching me all that I know about being crafty, my mom for teaching me all I know about being organized and to my sweet husband, aunt colletty, auntie nea, tiff, papa and amber for watching my babes while I got to create. Also a big thank you to Leslie, and all the girls who helped it all come together in the end. It truely was so much fun!!!! Now to clean up my negleted house and get some much needed R & R.

Anyone need a wedding planner...call me in a year:)