I See Blue

This was definitely the week for boys. Starting on Monday, one of Kyle's cousins in Denver had a baby boy. My best friend, Shauna, went to her 19 week checkup and she is expecting a boy (they had told her previously that they thought it was a girl). On Thursday, my wonderful friend and monkey bathroom artist went to her twenty week sonogram and yep, it's a boy! On Friday, Kyle's brother and wife had a baby boy in Abilene. His name is Jake Coleman. Can anyone see a pattern here?????? Congrats to all and happy Saturday!

Flashback Friday

Some of the pics didn't scan all that well. I believe I'm four or five in my dance pic. I am pretty sure that my mom put blue eye shadow on me and I know for a fact I wore pink sponge rollers to get the curls!

I'm thinking the hair is a bit 90210ish. What do you think? Kyle at my apartment in probably early spring 1997. He probably still has that shirt-he won't throw out anything.

If you think you might need a reason to loose some weight or just want to torture yourself for the day, dig out a sophomore in high school cheerleading photo of yourself. Ok, guys, the joke is up. Who stole my legs-I want them back. September 1994

Evidently I was in a brown, layers, bangs stage. Not so much looking myself but hey, it was college. I am a blond at heart.

Tech Graduation-2000. I think the bob is pretty cute. I was so glad I didn't have to study anymore.

This is the first and only time you will see Kyle in a Halloween costume. Not too sure how we made it happen in this pic. Peer pressure, baby! October 2000

Handy Work

I had to show some of my handy work that I did last week. Not that anyone else will care too much, but I'm way proud of these tops we made for the bookshelf and computer desk in Slade's room. We took his bunk beds apart and the two pieces of furniture no longer had a top since they held the bed. So Kyle got me a thick wooden board and I sprayed adhesive on and attached batting(not sure how to spell that) and then I cover it with material. The other one is red. We liquid nailed in on, so they will probably stay that color forever, but at least Slade can't knock the tops off! I felt like I was on an episode of Trading Spaces. That is sooo something that they would do!!!!

I bought a silver light plate, but instead decided to decoupage the old one. My friend, Tandy, gave me some really cute scrapbook paper so I cut the sheet all up and stuck some of the cutest pieces on there. Cost-absolutely free!

This shelf had four paper squares that were trucks and planes. Too little boyish for my big boy, so again, I decoupaged. Slade is a U.S. map nerd and this was some cute paper from Tandy, as well. I cut it to fit each of the four squares. The paper has cute little state things on it like the state bird, etc. He loved it! I also made another light switch plate for his closet out of the rest of this paper. I'll bet you a smooth hundred that Slade can name more state capitals than you!!!!

I have three things I need to remember from today..............................

1. That I love it when Finley says "Lello" for yellow. Kyle will ask what color something is just to hear her say "lello".

2. That Slade will never accept the fact that we have two McAlister's Deli Restaurants in Lubbock now. Every time he comes home and sees me with a cup from there, he asks, "Did you go to Midland today?"

3. That Finley walked up with her play dough design and said, "This looks wonderful, mom."

Big Girl Goes to School

The Smell of Sweetness

My baby girl started Tuesday/Thursday school today-and yes, I was a bit sad. It wasn't as grueling as when I took Slade, but still a milestone-which always makes me sad. When Kyle and I took her, she wanted me to sit her in her chair, but after that, she was on her way. She didn't have anything else to do with us. Actually, it was good because her room is the same room that she goes to bible school in, so it was familiar to her. I was dying to get her by 2:30 so I got there at 2:00 and paid for tuition, trying to waste a little time. She was sitting there drinking her cup. She ran to me really excited. Mrs. Casey said her day was absolutely wonderful - she colored, glued, made some sort of clay, ate cookies, and even napped an hour!!! I mean, how could she not have fun doing all that art work! Both of my kids love artsy stuff so it's right down her alley. She made buddies with a little one named, Avery, and I think they chatted and played all day. Tonight we were rocking and she said word for word, "I had fun at church school today." Wow, what more could I ask for? She told me she wanted to go back on Thursday when I asked her. I think it may have been the new backpack-she was really excited about the "backpack". It is like the one brother takes to school. I'll get pictures posted tomorrow.

My friend Beth came and painted the words in the monkey bathroom as posted last week. So tonight we are in the monkey bathroom and Finley points to the words. She says, "Beff did this and Beff did that." I had to call "Beff" and tell her that Finley has been listening to me show off her calligraphy skills. The funny thing is that Finley wasn't even here when she painted. She just has been eavesdropping!

Slade is back in the swing of things, loving school, but not wanting to EVER go to bed. Last night he was telling Finley everything to expect at tues/thurs school. I guess he is an expert considering he attending two years!!! Unbelievably, he is only 11 days away from turning 6! I had to purchase some birthday supplies for the festivities today. Campbell and him share the same bday as you know, and Brandi has been kidding him for weeks that they have to share a cake. She keeps asking what he wants on his "half". He is going for an ocean theme, so Campbell is on her own!!!

I have to tell you what I did on Sunday night. Kyle was asleep and Slade couldn't get fixed in his bed. He walked through and told me that he couldn't sleep, so I sent him into the room with Kyle. Finley had been up a few times and I rocked her back to sleep. When I finished all that I was working on, I decided to sleep in the big bed in Finley's room, as she was in the crib (Yes, we all play a mean game of musical beds in the household!) I'm not embarrassed to tell you that I literally picked up my snoring, sound asleep baby and put her into bed with me, simply because I wanted a warm body in my bed!!!! I don't care what you think about me. It was wonderful! She cuddled right up to me, and put her little arms around my neck. I laid there, feeling her breathe, and smelled her yummy Baby Magic-clean hair. It smelled so good, I could just drink it. I slept really well that night! Brandi, if you want Campbell to sleep with you, just let her. Who cares. The world will keep turning, the seasons will still change. Enjoy her anyway you can-they grow too fast.

If you are reading this and never have had the opportunity to smell your very own head of Baby Magic hair, I highly recommend it. No matter how you came into possession of that hair, being adopted from love, or carried in your own stretch marked belly, there's just something about it. You won't be sorry, and it might just be the sweetest smell of your life. Almost six years and two blond, Baby Magic'd heads of hair later, I'm still in awe of God's miracle. I can't believe they are both mine. I am so blessed.

Just Call Me Forrest Gump

I did it. Hiatus over. Three miles, a wet head of hair, and 20 ounces of H2O later, I accomplished the amazing wonder that has been eluding me. I'm back at the gym. Take that, Christmas fudge, spinach dip, and sangria-you will sit no longer on my derrière!

No, I did not run across the U.S. three times in the same shoes, come up with the saying, "Have a Nice Day" or have a large group of followers like Forrest. But I did get quite sweaty!

Better Late than Never

I'm finally posting my Christmas Day pictures. We actually opened presents on Christmas Eve morning(Santa came early) and went to Colorado City and Abilene on Christmas day. Cita and Slade are in this picture. Cita was under the weather, but looks good in the pic!

Kyle and I on the 25th.

Just had to show how terrible cute Finley was in her special outfit. She had tulle and lots of ruffles! I can't wait to see Campbell wear it next year.

Brandi and I

Christmas morning breakfast. They are having cinnamon rolls-which are now a tradition at our house on Christmas morning.

No, Slade. There are no more presents left. The rest are for your cousins. You only opened EIGHT!!!!!!!! I just thought this was too funny not to post!

Santa brought a Nintendo DS and Super Mario game. Good job, Santa. Mom likes it, too.

Mickey Mouse was the craze this Christmas. We now have a tray, pajamas, dishes, the Clubhouse, racetrack, and stuffed doll. Mouse overkill? Maybe.

Play dough was a hit. I have dried balls of it everywhere just to prove it, but who can say no to that face!!!

We had our annual cookie decorating party this year. We decided on cupcakes. I think the boys were a little disappointed but the girls loved it. Maybe the boys were too busy playing with the toys? Who knows.

Typical Slade. Eating instead of decorating. He would sneak some every time I wasn't looking.

Tucker liked the icing, too. He wasn't much on the decorating, just eating the final product.

Eryn loved decorating. She was very determined and wanted to do it herself!! No help, Mom!

This girl did some serious decorating. The concentration was hilarious to watch. She did a very good job and loved her results!!!! It was truly like watching a kid in a candy store!