Wacky Wednesday!

Last week the kids had Wacky Wednesday at school.  Let me tell you, they were all about it!  Such fun times in the life of a child. :)

I love Emery & Bailey looking at Elijah...that was his wacky face!

Ginger

A couple of weekends ago we dog sat for the Moore family.  Their dog Ginger is a cocker spainel/poodle mix.  She really is a sweet dog and the kids have fun while she's here.  It helps that we have a fenced in backyard and she can go outside and play.

This time Eliot spend quite a bit of time in Ginger's cage!  This was something new for him to explore. 

Many times he & Ginger were in there together...I'm not sure how they both fit!

It rained for a couple of days before Ginger came.  A muddy backyard and Ginger did not make for a good combination!  Check out her paws!  One time I looked out there and Eli & Ginger were going to town in the mud holes...they were like 2 kids in the candy store :)  We ended up giving her a bath everyday.

I had a little help from Eliot that weekend making pancakes.

He is all about helping me these days :)

He will drag his own chair over to the island any time I'm busy in the kitchen.  I have to be careful though...he's starting to help himself on things!

Happy Birthday Eli!

Eli turned 6 on February 15!  Out of all of my children, Eli's childhood has gone by the fastest.  Because he and Emery are so close in age, we often have to look back at pictures to remember his first 2 years...seriously!  He's such a sweet boy and is growing into a fine young man.

A little surprise on his birthday morning.

There's nothing like lighting up 2 giant donuts for breakfast on your birthday :)

We saved 1 last present so he would have something to open on his actual birthday.  Aunt Michelle, Uncle Brad, Keith, Kylee & Kate sent these super hero masks.  They go right along with the Christmas presents they gave him.

Our kids get to have a friend birthday party every 5 years and  Eli chose to have a swim party at a local hotel.  There was much jumping on this bed!  Check out the balloon wall...isn't that cool?

Katelyn & Emery were experimenting with static electricity!

Grandma, Grandaddy & Uncle Lurch drove up for the party.  They were a huge help!

We played several games in the pool.  This was "follow the leader" while doing a jump.  Elijah had the face to go with his jump.

Mamaw & Papaw drove up for the party and got right in on the action.  Having 7 adults on hand made everything go smoothly.

Elijah, Tyler, Eli & Jake hanging out on round 2 of swimming.

Elese was so excited to swim but really didn't get in at the party.  She was sick the week before and just really wasn't up to it.

Jenna & Elese having some fun in the hotel room.

Time for cake!

After pizza, ice cream cake, presents & swimming we had some fun playing games with the balloons.

Eli truly loved his party.  He was so excited to get this necklace!  He wears it all.the.time!  My little man is growing up so quickly.  We are truly blessed to be his parents.

Happy Valentine's Day!

It's Valentine's Day!  Our Valentine's tradition is to have a nice dinner as a family.  We break out the candles, fine china & most importantly, the kid wine!  This is such a fun tradition for us and one that the kids look forward to ever year.  This year we decided not to get each other gifts.  Instead we chose to focus on loving one another.  Scott and I each wrote what we loved about each child.  During dinner we took turns reading them out loud to the kids. 

Here's the table all set and ready to go!

The kids always love to see the place cards...it's the little things I've learned that mean the most.

Emery & Elese got all dressed up for dinner.  They chose the perfect dresses and Emery even asked to put on makeup.  Eli wasn't too interested in changing (you know boys!) so I let him make his choice.

Scott & I got engaged on Valentine's Day 1998.  It seems like yesterday!

The menu:  roasted chicken, mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables & gluten free red velvet cupcakes!

I did give 1 gift for the family...our blog book of 2011!  The girls were checking it out after dinner.

The kids had some Valentine's to open from Aunt Michelle & Uncle Brad, Uncle Jason, Grandma & Grandaddy, Mamaw & Papaw.

Let me tell you about the cupcakes.  I tried a new recipe which was a BIG mistake!  There weren't any reviews on this recipe and I blindly trusted it.  The homemade icing was delish but the cake portion was terrible.  So bad that you couldn't eat therm :(  Eliot didn't seem to mind though!

 

Emery was such a good sport.  She was trying so hard not to hurt my feelings but after the first bite I could tell she couldn't even stomach them.  She said, "The icing is good Mom!"  All I can say is lesson learned!

This is my wish for all of you on this Valentine's Day...1 John 4:7  Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God

Boys will be boys!

I wanted to share a few things that make my heart smile.  You know that you have boys in the house when you find things such a these...

Looks like the elephants had a little fight with the plant!

"Mom will never see these here!"  How cute are the matching sandals all stacked up?

Super Bowl Sunday

Well, we are not big time football fans but we do have a few Super Bowl traditions!  We started off the day at church.  After naps we got a little outside play time.  It wasn't super warm but it was sunny and warm enough to get out and enjoy the day.

 The girls were enjoying some time on the scooters.  Eli was in the opposite direction on the 4 wheeler.

I just had to capture this moment.  Eliot & Elese were having a conversation...I'm sure she was telling him exactly what he needed to be doing!  Yes, she put that outfit together herself :)

Love the mud on the lips, cheek, shirt cuffs!

And here's what the bottom half looked like.  Before we came out front, Eli & Eliot were messing around out back in the mud.  I'm just thankful that Eli's old rain boots finally fit so I'm not washing out his shoes 24/7.

The big kids always help prepare our Super Bowl menu.  Every year we have appetizers for dinner during the big game!

We made chocolate covered strawberries and chocolate dipped marshmallows for dessert.  Both were a big hit!

The menu:  veggie tray (gotta have something healthy), bacon & cheese potato skins, grilled buffalo wings, Kelly's queso (yummy) & the chocolate dipped fun!

We moved the party to the basement this year and ate picnic style while watching the game.

Emery's favorite marshmallow was the one rolled in Reese's chips.   I loved them all!  We dipped them in chocolate and then rolled them in peanuts, Heath bar, Reese's, chocolate chips, sprinkles & even tried Snickers.  If you've never had dipped marshmallows you should give it a try...super easy & delicious!

Nothing like holding a chicken wing in one hand and a chocolate marshmallow in the other!  These 2 ate their weight in desserts. :)

We were all laughing because Eliot kept going around giving hugs & kisses after we ate...such a sweet boy!