The Best of Both Worlds

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

2011-12-18T04:31:00.000-08:00

Christmas has always been my most favorite time of the year. My most favorite part about it was/still is helping my mom decorate for this wonderful holiday. But what I love now is that she includes my children with helping prepare for Christmas.

LaLa now has the train that my MaMa and PaPa had around their Christmas tree every year. You would've thought Benjamin won the lottery when he first saw it. I wish you could see his face in this pic...it's a total look of surprise.

He was totally mesmerized by the train.

I don't think he ever got tired of the train! He even got to "tell" McKenzie all about it. Check out his pointer finger...that's his signature way to point at anything. I love how it curves.

"Choo choo!"

ME thought it was pretty fun too.

These two nosy people pop everywhere to see how they can help decorate. I love Benjamin's funny look.

My second favorite part about Christmas when I was a child (and actually it still is a fave of mine) was all of the baking that my mom did. I love all of the smells in the house!

I love that LaLa's cooking skills have rubbed off onto ME. She wanted to help make some chocolate chip cookies for her daddy and LaLa's company Christmas party.

She loves to roll the dough, but she really loves to taste test the dough. :)

She's a great "measurer" as she always tells me.

The cutest baker any kitchen has ever seen.

I love all of the Christmas clothes, too!

After helping LaLa with all of the baking and decorating, the kids sure do clean up nicely for church. Of course, they have to be silly when the camera comes out.

Mary Elizabeth is four!!!!

2011-12-10T18:02:00.000-08:00

We celebrated Mary Elizabeth's FOURTH birthday today! I can't believe I'm even saying that!!! We had a great party at the church down the street from our house. They have a playland similar Chick-fil-A, so the kids new exactly what to do! All I had to bring was the cake and party favors...way too easy!!!

Look who stopped in a few days before the party and ate all of the kid's cereal.

At least Delf made it up to them by bringing party favors for ME's party (and they were even in ME's favorite colors)!

I wish all men listened as well as Delf does. Ha!

This adding another candle every year is really going to play on my emotions the older she gets!

Our little birthday princess all decked out in her favorite colors (pink, purple, blue, and green).

The food table to coordinate with her favorite colors and food (Cheetos and chocolate cake).

ME even helped me set up the table...she took all of the Hershey's Kisses and put them all on one side of the table. My little OCD child couldn't stand the thought of the kisses being scattered all over the table.

She even did a little taste test of her favorite snacks.

Caught ya!

This is what a 4-year-old looks like. The next time you see her, ask her about it. She has a face for 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 9-year-olds.

Benjamin had no trouble figuring out how to party!

Neither did McKenzie!

Benjamin: "Uhhh...move out of my way McKenzie! I need to play!"

I love how these boys look like they're pouting because they don't get to climb in the playland.

Benjamin kept coming in the party room for a snack. I love how he didn't even stop to smile for a pic with his VeVe. He's serious about his food!

"What? Did someone say I have something on me?"

Don't they look like they're having a serious convo?

Time for cake!

Look at all of those boys!!! Thankfully we had McKenzie, ME's classmate Reagan, and a few little baby sisters!

I love this!
Davis and Reagan (the "big kids") are helping McKenzie climb up to the next level.

Superman Kade!

I love how ME is so patiently waiting to blow out her candles! How do they automatically know to do that?

She tried soooo hard to blow out all 4 candles!

I love her cake for lots of reasons...it has all of her favorite colors, it was made by two of my dear friends (Ashley and Kerri), and it was chocolate!!!

We even had purple ice cream to fit the theme of her favorite things!

It was good to the last drop. :)

ME: "See VeVe! It's really purple!"

My birthday princess even had time to pose with me. I wonder how many more years this will last!

And now for the presents...

I love how the room was practically full of boys and they were all huddled around her presents until they saw what was inside...

girl toys!!!

Benjamin even found him a gift that he liked! Guess we'll be asking Santa for a guitar for Christmas.

I'm not sure how I feel about this tradition...the other sibling gets a present becuase it's the other one's birthday party. Benjamin sure didn't care though! He was serious about opening his present and then reading the book that was inside!

Two of the cutest boys I know!

Awww...

I know these pics are a little out of order but I still had to post them.

ME was seriously so determined to blow out all 4 of those candles!

And the girl seriously loves her some cheetos!

"What? I still have something on my face?

I think she really was taking it all in!

I finally had to help her with the blowing of the candles. A little spit on the cake doesn't matter, right?

I love a little princess that's all smiles!

She just wanted to make sure that she got every taste in!

Who cares if he's a mess? He's still so cute!

Look at this big boy! When did he get to be so independent?

Ha! That independence lasted for about 5 seconds!

How did 2 such cute girls like Reagan and ME get put in the doghouse? Ha!

I wonder how these 2 got sent to the doghouse. :)

The way all of the boys are surrounding ME, you'd think they were into the Barbies. But I think they were hoping for her to open a Transformer or something.

This dude has some serious talent! :)

ME's first Cindy! The boys are really checkin' that doll out!

ME with her Jesus doll.
What's up with that you ask? Well, a few weeks ago, ME told me that we had to decorate for Christmas. Then she proceeded to tell me that she wanted to play with her baby Jesus toy. I wasn't sure what she was talking about, so I told both grandmas about it. So VeVe came across this "grown up" Jesus. However, before VeVe found this doll, I finally figured out that ME was actually referring to her Little People Nativity Set that we put out every Christmas. Ah ha!

Dandy and Ddub...two very important men in our lives!

Yes! I was able to sneak in a birthday kiss from the birthday princess!

Two of the cutest troublemakers around

ME still had enough energy after the party to strike a pose and show off her cute shirt that my bestie, Sarah, made from Make it Initial.

My Spirited Art for AROVCC

2011-12-06T20:25:00.000-08:00

My mom and I had the opportunity to join our dear old friends, Amy and Suzanne, tonight for a fun benefit at Spirited Art. Have you been there yet? It's a shop that you can go have a paint class with a group of friends while you have a glass of wine. Now why didn't I think of this concept?!?! Anyway, the proceeds from tonight went toward the Arkansas Ovarian Cancer Coalition. The paint instructors tell you step by step how to paint the picture and it's amazing to see all of the end results from everyone. Some were exactly like the instructors', while some of us "took a risk" and rebelled with some of our paintstrokes.

It's party time!!!

2011-12-04T19:33:00.000-08:00

We went to one of ME's "oldest" friends birthday party at the Athletic Club today. She and Kade started daycare together and go to church together. Obviously, we were having too much fun since this is the only picture I took. But I love this picture since it's Benjamin and Kemp, ME's other longtime friend from daycare and church. Both always love to act like big boys.

Little Rock Christmas Parade

2011-12-03T20:00:00.001-08:00

After the Who-ville Chilren's Event, we headed back home to "rest". Then LaLa and I took the kids to the LR Christmas parade. It's so funny how things look different when you're an adult compared to when you were a kid...the parade seemed so much bigger back then. Fortunately, the weather wasn't too bad, so all in all we had a good time.

Patiently awaiting for the parade to start.

Oh, there's a marching band! They were so excited once they started seeing all of the groups come by!

We are the coolest kids!

Ooh...what's coming next?

ME was busy checking out all of the groups passing by.

"I like the parade! You get lots of candy!"

Awww...

This wasn't even a 1/4 of all the loot that was thrown at them (literally thrown AT them)!

My school's cheerleaders and flag line were part of the parade. We got to see several of my girls...too fun!

I wonder what's coming next.

They REALLY liked all of the candy! I love that all of their mouths are stuffed!

I'm not sure what's going on here, but I had to share. Maybe McKenzie was taking ME's candy. If that's the case...note to self...do not mess with ME's candy!

They were so excited about Santa and his reindeer!

Whew! What a day!

A visit from Delf and off to Who-ville

2011-12-03T20:00:00.000-08:00

Look what we found when we woke up this morning! I guess Delf heard us say that we were going to see Santa and he left the kids a note to tell Santa hi for him today. They were so excited that ME decided to write a letter and draw a picture for Santa today too.

My mom and I took McKenzie and my kids to the Junior League's Children's Event today. The theme this year was Who-ville...too cute! We waited in line to see Santa (a little too long) and then walked around to do all of the arts and crafts activities.

The trio waiting in line for Santa

Check out Benjamin's new favorite thing to wear all the time...his boots...finally! I guess I need to get him some boot cut jeans now.

Someone was smart and placed a tv near the line for Santa.

One of many attempts. Maybe they'll be comfortable with the jolly old man by the time their 18. Ha!

Benjamin loved playing Baggo. Maybe we need one at home.

ME found some tunnels to crawl through.

They worked really hard on their jingle bells. :)

Maybe Benjamin has some artistic skills like his Sissy.

Not only were the crafts really cute, but they were really tasty too.

Mmmm...

The kids found the Krispy Kreme station where you get to dip your own doughnut and poor sprinkles on it....it wasn't messy or anything. Ha!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

2011-11-28T14:28:00.000-08:00

ME helped me decorate the house this weekend. Sadly, I am not putting all of my decorations out this year due to some busy hands and lots of breakables. But ME is developing her own sense of arranging things and I think she did such a great job with decorating her tree in her room. She's so proud of it, which makes me even more proud!

Every night after dancing class, we usually watch "Pretty Dancin'" or "Dancing to the Stars" (aka Dancing with the Stars). But seeing how the season is over, I've had to get pretty creative with how we pass the time on Monday nights. Luckily, my most favorite Christmas movie, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, was on tonight! I think I was more excited about it than the kids were, but they soon got into it as soon as I gave them their plush animals. And I'm excited about getting to share this memory with them every year.

I wish you could hear how he says Grinch...it's the sweetest thing!

Home for the Holidays

2011-11-25T10:40:00.000-08:00

I love the holidays because it means that I get to stay home and spend time with my babies! Since we were in Batesville yesterday, I decided to DVR the Macy's Parade so we could watch it today because that's honestly my favorite part of Thanksgiving. What did we ever do without DVR??? The kids loved watching the parade and seeing many of their favorite characters. I loved watching the kids watching the parade! They even helped me pull out some of the Christmas decorations while the parade was on.

Do you see my tree in the corner? I can't find the tree stand! :(

ME felt the need to wear markers all around her waistband and dance while watching the parade.

Thanksgiving 2011

2011-11-24T22:06:00.000-08:00

We had a good trip to Batesville yesterday! The weather was beautiful and all of the kids played great together!

ME loves getting to play with Alex! Everytime we see her, ME talks about her for weeks after we see her.

I think you need the energy of a college student like Amy to keep up with this guy. ;)

Don't let this concentration fool you.

Ha! Ha!

Benjamin'a first taste of Uncle Greg's boiled custard...mmmm!

An attempt of getting a "decent" Christmas card photo.

These boys could be trouble when they get older.

Grant and Rhett showed ME the door to fun...where all of the coloring things are.

Benjamin needed a "mid-afternoon snack" (the stairs).

Can we clone Uncle Greg to take back to LR with us? The kids love playing with him!

My little artist still found time to color even on Thanksgiving.

They love to hide underneath the "tum-pune-o" as ME calls a piano.

They still found time to love on each other on Thanksgiving. :)

VeVe and her sisters helped Mama Sam decorate her place for Christmas after Thanksgiving lunch. But Mama Sam and ME had a better idea...watch tv and eat their favorit snack (Cheetos).

Aunt Nan like their idea better, too.

Here's my first thing that I made from Pinterest. These acorns were actually ones that my room mom made for my class, but I made some for Thanksgiving using mini Ritz. ME wanted nothing to do with these until she saw the other cousins eat them because she thought they were actually real acorns from our backyard. Ha!

On the road to Thanksgiving

2011-11-24T08:36:00.000-08:00

Look who came to our house this morning before we left for Batesville! Delf the Elf was waiting to read his story to the kids this morning. They were both so excited to see him. I can't wait to see where he'll show up this season.

Benjamin had to get his nap on before he played bigtime with his cousins in B-ville.

Splishin' and a splashin'

2011-11-23T08:30:00.000-08:00

As I was giving Benjamin a bath tonight, he looked at me and said "Cheese, mom, me." I took that as "Momma, take some pictures of me. I'm pretty cute!" I'm glad I followed orders. :)

He LOVES bathtime!

Thanksgiving School Feast

2011-11-21T23:23:00.000-08:00

Both of the kids have been learning about Thanksgiving this week at school. They've been talking about everything from pilgrims and indians, to turkeys, and what they're thankful for. In Mary Elizabeth's class, each student took turns saying what they're thankful for...

Davis: "I'm thankful for God and turkey to eat on Thanksgiving."
ME: "I'm thankful for cows with no any grown-ups to walk with on the sidewalk. Big cows." Because she told me that she can walk the cows all by herself.

What I'm thankful for, though, is some great room parents at my own school that were so willing to watch my class so that I could run up to Benjamin and ME's Thanksgiving Feasts at their school! I LOVE to get to watch my babies interact with their friends! And I loved seeing both of their looks of excitement when they saw me since I didn't tell them that I was coming. :)

Benjamin was so proud to show me where he was sitting.

Benjamin had no problem trying all of the yummy food.

One of my two favorite reasons to be thankful for life is sitting right in my arms.

Benjamin was so proud of his turkey placemat that the made with his cute little handprints that he didn't want to let it go.

ME's feast was right after Benjamin's, which worked out perfectly for my schedule! I helped take Benjamin back to his room after his feast and laid him down for his nap, which was torture to both him and me because he did not want to me to leave.

ME's table setting for her feast.

ME's class shared their feast with another class. They took turns "parading down the hall" toward the cafeteria. ME and her classmates were the indians, while the kids in the other class were the pilgrims. As soon as ME's class walked out, she was sooooo excited the second she saw me! She's the one in the white shirt in the doorway jumping up and down.

Indian Davis

I love this expression on her face. That's her "I'm really proud of something" face. In this case, it was the fact that I was right across the table from her with the other mommies. :)

The 3 boys and ME are trouble! The first two are Jonathan and Davis (apparently both of her boyfriends) and cutie-patootie John Hardin who always puts me in my place.

Waiting to see what's going to be served.

The other half of my two favorite reasons to be thankful for life sitting in my arms.

My bestie, Sarah and her friend, made this adorable outfit. Isn't ME a ham?

HOGS vs. Mississippi St. Tailgate

2011-11-19T20:32:00.000-08:00

My mom and I took the kids to the tailgate today. It was very lowkey considering it was an early game. But the kids still had fun getting to play at the "Razorback party" as ME calls it.

I was the only girl that actually went to the game so I got to play with Davis during the game. He fell asleep on me by the 1st quarter. ME remembered that she wore this dress to the last "Razorback party", so she insisted on wearing it again...she's a girl of routine.

Benjamin was taking it all in.

This is how to properly eat a hot dog at a tailgate.

They sure do love their grandmas!

Razorback Pep Rally

2011-11-18T21:30:00.000-08:00

The Razorbacks play against Mississippi St. tomorrow here in Little Rock. So to kick off the fun, there was a pep rally at the mall tonight. I don't know who had more fun...me or the kids. :)

We had the perfect spot on the 2nd level because we were able to look down and not miss any of it. I love ME's look in this pic...I think she knows that this will totally terrify her daddy who's totally terrified of heights!

Thanks, VeVe, for telling us about this!

What goes better with a Razorback Pep Rally at the mall than a visit with Santa?

Benjamin wasn't quite so sure about this guy, but ME knew exactly what to do. She walked right up to him, sat in his lap, then looked around the area and named the first thing that she saw that she might possibly want from Santa...a toy stuffed penguin (like she doesn't have any?).

Benjamin: "Get me away from this guy! He doesn't have anything for me!"

An update to the ending of Halloween and my sweet girl

2011-11-06T06:50:00.000-08:00

As we were walking back home from trick-or-treating, an ambulance and fire truck came zooming into our neigborhood. Lo and behold, after they both took a wrong turn, they finally pulled right up next to our neighbor's house. Of course, Benjamin was beside himself and kept saying "woo woo, woo woo" and fighting me as I was trying to take the kids inside. ME, on the other hand, had no desire to be near the loud noises and didn't fight me one bit about going inside. But I finally convinced ME to go sit in my lap outside so Benjamin could watch the fire truck and ambulance, but she just sat in my lap and kept saying, "I don't like it!" So I told her that maybe we could pray and ask God to keep us safe from the loud noises and to make our neighbor all better. Then as serious as can be, ME turned and looked at me (with her hands over her ears still) and said, "Mom, we're not in bed. You have to be in bed to pray." Ha!

Anyway, it turns out that our neighbor was moving some furniture, fell, and then hit her head. She's "all better now" as ME says! After I talked to our neighbor the next day, I told ME that she was better. As soon as I told her that, her eyes grew 2 sizes bigger and said "Because I prayed for her?" Don't you love my sweet girl? :)

Several days have passed since all of this has happened, but ME hasn't forgotten and still asks about Ms. Cindy. Today when we got home from school, she wanted to draw a picture for Ms. Cindy. She's totally into writing and drawing people these days.

Do you know Ms. Cindy? :)
The top says "We love you".
I LOVE my daughter's sweet heart!!!

The Wonder Place with the Atkins

2011-11-05T20:10:00.000-07:00

Drew and Ryan went out of town for the weekend and we had a pretty lazy, but fun weekend around the house.

Here are a few pics of the kids watching Benjamin's snow globe that Daddy Mike gave him when he was born. The funny thing is that neither of them ever have wanted to bother their globe, but they wanted to me to play the music on his all morning over and over.

Ashley and I took the kids to The Wonder Place. I love the fact that it's never the same there.

I love a child's sense of wonder! These tubes are filled with air and you just put scarves inside of them and watch them fly out. I seriously think the kids could play with this for hours.

I have no clue why I ever bother with the darn aprons at the water tables! Ha!

Davis the elephant

Benjamin gave me a scare for a split second as I couldn't find him. Luckily, I found him at the sand table!

Check out that concentration! No wonder he wasn't responding to me when I was calling his name!

"What? Why can't I ride this? It has wheels."

I have no words for this sweet picture!

ME just loves her some Beth Ann!

I think ME's favorite thing to do today was playing "Farmer's Market" as she called it.

I love these knuckleheads...ME the firefighter, Davis "the camping guy" (aka a hunter), and Benjamin the pirate.

Lunch date with Daddy

2011-11-04T19:51:00.000-07:00

The kids and I met Drew for lunch today at US Pizza. You can see how well that went...they ate their few bites of cheese bread, then they headed to the game room. But aren't they oh so cute?

We are so blessed

2011-11-03T14:10:00.000-07:00

We are so blessed that Benjamin and Mary Elizabeth are loved by so many people!!! We are very aware that we are so lucky that our parents live in LR and are always willing to watch them. But more importantly, we love that their friends love our kids as well. I think that VeVe's friends, Big Ben and SuSu, would take ME and Benjamin home with them if we would let them.

Happy birthday, Dandy!

2011-11-02T07:42:00.000-07:00

We celebrated Dandy's birthday tonight at Brant and Kari's new house. I love how excited the kids get about other people's birthdays. As you can see from the pictures, they had a great time helping Dandy open his present and celebrate his day.

Trick or treat!

2011-10-31T21:29:00.000-07:00

I've never really liked Halloween, but to live it through your kids is totally worth it, especially when they "get it"! ME did have dance tonight, but she got to wear her costume. The funny thing, though, is that she didn't want to be a China doll anymore. So I went through a list of things that she could be that we already had and she opted to be a Razorback cheerleader. I think she made a great choice! :)

My mom keeps Benjamin while I take ME to dance most nights, so we had to go back and pick him up before we went Trick-or-Treating in our neighborhood. ME wanted to go ring LaLa's doorbell.

Benjamin totally got the concept! ME rang doorbell, Benjamin answered door, Benjamin put candy in bucket, Benjamin closed door on Sissy and yelled "bye!" while we were still standing there. Too funny!

The kids went to a few houses around my parent's neighborhood before we met with our group in our "hood".

Benjamin picked up this take the candy from the bucket thing real fast!

I love this look of anticipation!

This house is right across from my parent's house. While climbing the stairs, Benjamin kept saying, "Uh, biiiig steps!"

"We're ready for round 2!"

The group meeting up getting ready to plan their attack.

Transformer Carter and Conductor Benjamin eating candy

I L-O-V-E this!!!

ME's old classmate, Kemp, showed up with Mason. ME was excited to see him!

Poor baby Chandler was our dinner tonight. :)

Off to the church Fall Carnival

2011-10-30T20:46:00.000-07:00

We sure have gotten our use out of costumes this year! I had to tak just a few more pics of the cuties before we headed to our church carnival.

Benjamin was a little overwhelmed with everything in the gym when we first got there...for about 5 seconds. He quickly made himself right at home!

So did ME!

He's got an awesome swing! It's a little dangerous, but it's pretty awesome!

It's almost in!

It's almost there!

Ugh! I give up! Let's go this way.

But he still got a sucker. :)

After the carnival, we went to Jim's Razorback Pizza with our Sunday School class. Lots of kids, yummy pizza, good times!

Benjamin and Penn driving together.

Vivian and ME

And another Fall Carnival (Part 2)

2011-10-29T09:01:00.000-07:00

I had to share just a few more pics of the neighborhood carnival from my mom's camera.

Aunt Kari made these shirts for her and Bebo. Kari's shirt has a skeleton of a baby on her belly.

Benjamin, the fearless conductor/climber!

ME LOVES to hold Beth Ann!!!

Who cares if Benjamin is spitting at the camera? At least they're all looking right? Ha!

Check out this serious convo!

But McKenzie has an objection to whatever he's saying.

Davis had to show off his firefighting skills.

And another Fall Carnival

2011-10-29T09:00:00.000-07:00

We went to my parent's neighborhood Fall Carnival tonight. I love the street that they have it on! Do you remember the scene at the end of Big when they show Tom Hanks walking down the street back to his mom's house with the leaves all over the street in a cozy neighborhood? Well, I get that comfy warm feeling everytime I drive on this cute little street in my parent's neighborhood.

Anyway, ME's "boyfriend", Davis, and her BFF, Lila, from school last year both live in the neighborhood. So they all 3 had a great time playing with each other.

Isn't Davis such a stud?

Sweet Beth Ann

Tinkerbell...er, uh...McKenzie joined us, too!

I love Benjamin and McKenzie's looks!

Trick or treat?

2011-10-28T20:03:00.000-07:00

Daddy Mike sent the kiddos treats today. Once I told them that the package was from Daddy Mike, they couldn't wait until Halloween to open it.

Benjamin had to go ahead and check out the loot.

I love this picture! ME got some coloring things, but she's sharing with Benjamin by letting him push his cars on the road map.

Both of them working on it at the same time didn't last long.

But at least they took turns!

Another school carnival

2011-10-27T21:08:00.000-07:00

It's October and that means LOTS of Fall festivities. Tonight we went to one of the many events of the season...the kid's school carnival. It was fun to see all of the kids in their costumes!

ME's class had a pumpkin decorating contest earlier this week. I knew about it all along, but seeing how I never know if I'm coming or going these days, I missed the important detail...when the pumpkin was due. After I had a major meltdown about the fact that my work has me totally bogged down these days, Drew decorated this pumpkin for ME per her design request with all of her favorite colors (pink, purple, blue, green...and orange to accent it) while I was enjoying a girls night with my Sunday School group. This is one MAJOR downfall of being a teacher...you get so caught up in your own schoolwork that you don't even pay attention to your own child's school happenings. Hopefully, I can fix that!

Benjmamin, the Train Conductor. I didn't think he'd wear the hat so I didn't even bother buying him one. And he wanted nothing to do with the bandana. Do you like where I put it?

My Halloween cuties!

ME was a China doll. Our friend, Ron, brought this outfit to her 2 years ago from Asia (I can't remember which country), so I thought Halloween would be the perfect time to wear it! Obviously, I did NOT miss my calling as a makeup artist. Ha!

Fishing for candy

Benjamin wasn't so sure about getting his fortune told.

ME liked it, though.

Benjamin found a spot where he was more comfortable...rockin' and a rollin'.

The parents for each class had to sign up to work different stations for the night. We joined the Atkins' for cookie decorating. I loved watching all of the kids (especially ours, of course) generously apply the icing. :)

Superhero Davis (I guess I better learn the correct names of these heroes as I'm sure I'll be getting into them with Benjamin soon).

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Beth Ann was a sweet little flower. So fitting, I think. :)

Best buds (Miss Meagan, their teacher, is behind them...I love her!).

It's the great pumpkin and Barbies, Dandy!

2011-10-19T20:00:00.000-07:00

Dandy (my extremely talented Dad) once again showed off his awesome pumpkin carving skills. The kids, of course, had to help. The sad thing, though, is that I carved a pumpkin with my class last week and was sweating bullets because I realized my dad was always the one actually doing the carving. Let's just say that I didn't inherit his awesome carving skills.

I'm wondering if he just touched "the guts". :)

Meanwhile, my mom pulled my tub of Barbies down from the attic for the girls to play with. I guess they realized they wouldn't have to touch the guts if they played with Barbies instead. Ha!

Mickey Mouse, Razorback, and a silly skeleton

After the party...

2011-10-19T13:50:00.000-07:00

Now that his birthday is over, Benjamin finally gets to play with all of his "boy toys" of his very own and not share with ME! It's only been a few days since he got his new toys, but he's lovin' it! He had to feed all of his cars and trucks dinner on Monday. That's just like girls feeding their baby dolls, right? And I love how he has them all lined up in a row just like ME!

Benjamin has some cool new shirts that he got for his birthday, too. He had to show his Dandy how cool he looks.

Benjamin has developed a love for guitars (real guitars, objects such as the broom that he turns into pretend guitars, and especially air guitars) the past few months, so LaLa got him this guitar shirt for his bday. When I put it on him this morning, he went straight to my mirror and watched himself play the guitar on his shirt. He's too cool!We had to stop by Dandy's store today and this is what Benjamin wanted to wear before he walked in. He kept them on for most of our visit, too! I guess it's because he knows that there's a guitar on display in Dandy's store.

Like mother, like daughter

2011-10-17T09:10:00.000-07:00

My Papa and Lil came to visit for Benjamin's birthday. I was excited because they brought Lil's dog, Miss Molly. I think this was a great distraction from the loss of Dixie. I love how much ME (and Benjamin, too) love animals as much as I do! ME couldn't get enough lovin' time with Miss Molly this weekend!

Planes, trains, and automobiles...oh my!

2011-10-16T05:32:00.000-07:00

We had Benjamin's birthday party at Maumelle Park today. I couldn't have asked for better weather than what we had! I think we'll be pretty fortunate with the weather every year for Benjamin's birthday party. On the flip side, we'll always have the Razorback football schedule to plan around...ha! I think everyone had a great time, too. The park was perfect for all of the boys to get to run around and play football.

I did a planes, train, and automobiles theme with orange and yellow everywhere. I may have already said this, but never in a million years would I have ever guessed that I would be sooo excited about trucks! But I know that's what our little Ben Ben is into and I L-O-V-E how excited he gets around his favorite things!!!

This was his invitation that my mom and I created. The top of it says "Planes, trains, and automobile...oh my!"

I'm sad that this was the only picture of the food table, but I love how it turned out! Everything was orange or yellow. Do you know how easy that was considering that Summer just ended {insert clearance sale on yellow decor} and Halloween is right around the corner {insert orange is practically oozing out of every store right now}?

"Seriously, Mom? I don't have time to take pictures...it's my party!"
My bestie, Sarah, made his dump truck shirt to match his dump truck dirt cake. Check her out on Facebook (Make it Inital).

He's saying "c'mon, let's go open presents!" All of his friends are by the swings and they pretty much stayed there.

ME wanted to go get a truck shirt to wear to her brother's party, but I told her that they didn't have a truck shirt for girls. So she settled for her self-proclaimed party clothes and Benjamin's "I heart trucks" button.

"I found a stick thiiiis big!"
Davis found a stick and was very proud of it!

ME was a great helper with opening the presents.

Don't let this picture fool you. Benjamin just likes to pretend that he uses his fork from time to time.

"Mmmm...messs!"

I love my little messy boy!!!!

"VeVe, I'm listening to ya, but I have to eat my cake!"

ME was in Heaven with her plate full of Cheetos!

All of the kids really wanted to get in the water. Maybe this pavillion wasn't a great idea after all. Don't worry...no one got it in! :)

I guess Benjamin wouldn't listen to VeVe anymore, so LaLa

He's such a big boy now!

He's "patiently" waiting to eat his cake.

Benjamin was so impressed with everyone's singing of Happy Birthday, that he applauded us. :)

This was the easiest cake I think I will ever make for a birthday! Dirt cake poured into a dump truck.

It was too fun watching the kids play football!

ME gave up on helping with present opening, so our neighbor, Will, and Uncle Bob-o helped us. They were both great helpers!

This is one of my favorite pics! It won't be too long until the roles will reverse.

Another year, another candle...

Our little Ben Ben is two (Part 3)!!

2011-10-15T23:30:00.000-07:00

I promise that this is the last posting about Benjamin's birthday! But I had to add his pictures from his birthday breakfast. We hardly ever get doughnuts, so I think he was a little unsure of what to do with the "cake", as he called it, until the sugar hit his lips. I mean who doesn't love a doughnut?

Our little Ben Ben is TWO!! (Part Two)

2011-10-15T21:13:00.000-07:00

Today was full of mixed emotions, which made for a very long day! We started the day around 4:30 this morning taking care of Dixie and then letting go of her. But then we spent the rest of the day celebrating another special life that God has placed in our lives...Benjamin! First, we went out to get doughnuts for breakfast (pictures to come later). Then we came back home to open a few presents.

Benjamin wasted no time ripping into his present as soon as he realized that it was a TRUCK!

Somehow he figures out that everything is for riding on.

I LOVE this picture for two reasons...look at both of those expressions telling two different stories. Ha!

"Backpack!" He was so excited to get his own backpack (and a boy one at that). Poor thing has played with so many of Sissy's toys, but he finally has his own things.

While the birthday boy took a nap, ME helped me make the dirt cake for Benjamin's birthday party tomorrow.

ME just can't let Benjamin steal the entire spotlight!

VeVe stopped by after Benjamin's nap to bring some presents. Can you tell that the boy loves some trucks?

Two of the most important people in my life both celebrating their birhtdays together.
LaLa's birthday was Thursday (my actual due date) and Papa and Lil came to visit, so we had birthday cupcakes to celebrate.

I love how ME loves him and loves on him all the time!

"Hmmm...which one do I pick?"

"Yummy!"

"I think I'll have some more."

"Just a little more icing."

"And a litle bit more. LaLa, you can't stop me with your kisses!"

"What? Do I have something on my face?"

"Messs"

Uncle "Bob-o" makes a really good pretend horse. Cheap entertainment!

ME showed McKenzie how to trace her foot. Benjamin is inspecting every move.

Riding in style

Our little Ben Ben is TWO! (Part 1)

2011-10-15T21:12:00.000-07:00

To my sweet precious Benjamin,

I cannot believe that you are now a little man! And I can't believe that I don't have anymore babies in my house! I mean it feels just like yesterday that I headed to the hospital to deliver you. You have changed mine and Daddy's worlds in so many ways that you wouldn't even be able to imagine! You are seriously the cutest little boy that I've ever laid my eyes on (and I don't think I'm being biased). I love how you can be Momma's little boy and then in a split second, you can be a monster and scare people, or play with cars, trucks, and guitars. I love that spark of energy that you have almost 24/7.

Never in a million years did I think I would be so excited about buying clothes with cars, trucks, dinosaurs or guitars, but that's completely what you're into and that completely fills my heart! I can't even tell you how excited I've been getting about planning your birthday because I know how much you love trucks. Just to get to see those sweet dimples, watching your eyes grow wide, and hearing you say "TRUCK" in that gruff voice means the world to me!

I love that you inherited my love for animals. I think Dixie was one of your most favorite pillows in the house. Ha! No matter how hard she would try to hide from you, you wouldn't give up on trying to love on her. You do that with Uncle Bob-o and Aunt Kari's dogs, too. You also have a pretty awesome cat impersonation!

Your appetite is unbelievable! I guess you come by it honest though. I could NEVER get enough food in my belly when I was pregnant with you! And that still seems to true with you now. Your favorite food still is blueberries. You eat them like they're going out of style! I just wish you could teach your "Ish" to eat half as good as you.

Benjamin, you may be a handful with all of that energy of yours. You may have me one edge constantly since I'm always wondering how severe you bumped your head almost every week when you do bump your head. And I may have to constantly chase you and hardly ever get to sit down to have an adult conversation with my friends, but it is all so worth it! I know you won't always want your momma around and I won't always get to hold you or love on you they way I do right now, so I will gladly soak up all of you that I can get right now. Thank you so much for brightening our lives every day! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BABY!

As soon as he saw me grabbing the blocks, he went straight to the bear and put it in the corner. He sat there for a very long time saying "Cheese" while I tried to spell out "two".

What's a birthday picture without a bruise on the forehead? :)
Also, ME was standing behind me trying to get Benjamin's attention, so he's making faces at her in this pic.

It's not the cutest pic, but I love how is just patiently sitting there holding his hands.

ME had to have a turn, too!

Parting is such sweet sorrow

2011-10-15T08:09:00.000-07:00

Today is such a bittersweet day. First it is Benjamin's 2nd birthday! Sadly, though, we had to say goodbye to our first baby, Dixie.

Last week, on mine and Drew's anniversary (remember something sad always happens on or around our anniversary), we headed to my parent's house to pick up the kids and Dixie on our way home from Fayetteville. But when we got there, Dixie just didn't seem like she felt well. So she had a 4 1/2 hour visit at the Vet ER, and then spent a week at the vet on an iv during the day and vegging around the house every night this week. At first they thought she had pancreatitis, but then they decided it was probably something more considering she never changed from day to day. Early this morning, it seemed like she kind of went into a coma and went blind, with other symptoms that I'll spare you the details on. We were going to have an ultrasound done on her on Monday to get some answers, but God helped us with those answers a little bit earlier.

Letting go of anyone is never easy. But I am at somewhat of a peace considering how I saw her this morning and the state Dixie was in all week. I think the hardest part will be explaining to the kids where Dixie is and then getting use to a new daily routine that will not include our Dixie Doodle. If anyone knows me at all, I am such an animal lover, and I truly feel like I've lost a family member. She was such a part of our family for 7 years and we will miss her very much!

Roberts Fall Carnival

2011-10-11T09:50:00.000-07:00

My school's Math and Literacy Fall Carnival was tonight. I thought it would be fun for the kids to come hang out with me while I helped out. Brant and Kari are in the process of moving into their new house, so Drew brought McKenzie with him, too.

Benjamin was making his guess on how many candy eyeballs were in the jar. I love how he's concentrating so hard!

I think I need to work on estimating a little more with ME, though. As soon as she saw the box of Tootsie Rolls, she told me she wanted them. But I explained to her that she had to guess how many were in the box and she might win them. So she guess 5 Tootsie Rolls. Then she spotted the M & M's and I asked her if there were more than 5 in there. She guessed 6. Then she guessed 17 for the lollipops box. We didn't win.

ME and McKenzie found their favorite station...dancing!

The Science Lab was invaded with a ton of animals and creatures! All three of the kids loved the chickens. But as soon as ME, McKenzie, and Drew realized there were snakes in the room, they ran out! Benjamin, on the other hand, wanted to go touch the snake.

The Pre-K teachers were doing face paint. ME actually set down for Mrs. Strom to paint her face. She was so proud of her rainbow.

McKenzie is into "bootiful dresses" these days, so she pointed to the ghost on the chart for Molly to paint a "bootiful dress" on her face.

Benjamin wanted a ball on his face. But the second he realized he had to sit still for Effie to paint it, he was over it. Maybe next time!

Buffaol Grill

2011-10-02T07:46:00.000-07:00

Drew and I have been going to lunch at the Buffalo Grill with VeVe after church way before ME was ever born. It's actually the place where we told VeVe that she was going to be a grandma! The funny part now is that the days that we don't go to Buffalo Grill after church, the kids throw a fit because it's become so routine.

Look at how sweet and happy they are as they are patiently waiting for their "striped chips" (aka Ruffles) and hot dog.

Lion King (3D)

2011-09-30T07:32:00.000-07:00

I took ME to see The Lion King in 3D this weekend. It was so fun to get to share a movie with her that I saw when I was a little girl. But I can't get over how different it was to watch it as a mommy. I BAWLED when Mufasa cried! And then I really wanted to sing, but ME forewarned me before the movie even started that I couldn't sing. And as soon as the first song started, she put her hand on my mouth and said "Remember, Mommy, no singing!" with her raised eyebrow teacher look.

Benjamin's field trip to the Pumpkin Patch (Part 2)

2011-09-29T07:27:00.000-07:00

Benjamin was kind of over looking at all of the animals so he preferred to run all around the place instead.

He is definitely my son, though. He tried getting the goats attention just like I would (kissing like you do when you call a dog).

He loved the rows and rows of the pumpkins...it was perfect running room!

He and his friend, Greer, had the right idea...have someone else pull them around.

Although the hay ride was very hot, Benjamin loved getting to see tractors!

I loved being "sick" today just so I can get my squeeze from this guy all day!

I think he picked out the perfect pumpkin!

But he couldn't stand the dirt on it.

Benjamin's favorite thing these days is to either "roar" or say "boo" to people. He's "booing" the ghost.

He was pretending to snore 5 seconds before he was out!

And he's out!

Benjamin's field trip to the Pumpkin Patch

2011-09-29T06:59:00.000-07:00

I took some time off to take Benjamin to the Pumpkin Patch for his class field trip today. I loved getting to watch him interact with his friends (or runaway from them).

Benjamin quickly spotted the hay maze and fell in love with it. I think we should build one in our backyard for him. Ha!

"Two, two, throw!"
He has two handfuls of corn and counted down before he threw it all over the place. The countdown was considerate, right?

Benjamin loved petting all of the animals. I can't believe how fearless he is!

Back to corn pit.

I wish you could have heard him "oinking" at the pigs. It's very unique!

And back to the corn pit!

This is a safe pose, right? Besides where he's standing, I think we need to work on the animal names with Benjamin and his classmates. Mostly every animal was a "Neigh" according to them. Ha!

"Let me in!"

And back to the corn pit.

The second I turned away from him at he corn pit, he disappeareed into the hay maze.

I loved sneaking up on him to scare him in the maze.

Over to Marianna and back (Part 2)

2011-09-25T20:56:00.000-07:00

VeVe captured a few shots of everyone playing before she headed back to LR.

I think this is my most favorite picture! I love the innocent looks of everyone looking somewhere else! :)

Over to Marianna and back

2011-09-25T20:51:00.000-07:00

Daddy Mike flew in this weekend for his and VeVe's high school reunion (I'm pretty sure it was their 10th reunion). So the kids and I drove over there to meet up with Daddy Mike and Drew, who was coming back home from the Alabama game. Although it was a very quick trip, we had a great time! The weather was fabulous and both ME and Benjamin were in great moods!

Benjamin had to catch a few zzzz's before he showed Daddy Mike how cool is was.

ME taught Daddy Mike how to play with Barbies.

Then she taught him how to play on "her" ipad.

Benjamin wanted to get his picture made, too. Can't you just hear him saying "Cheeeez?"

I love these guys!

Benjamin taught Daddy Mike how anything can turn into a "Neigh" (aka horse), including his foot!

ME found some of Memaw's books and wanted her to read her the "Night Night Book" before we headed back to Little Rock. I love how they are both so focused!

Happy birthday, Davo!

2011-09-23T17:45:00.000-07:00

ME's BFF/boyfriend, Davis, turned 4 a few days ago. That means that in exactly 3 months from his birthday, Drew and I will have a 4-year-old {insert sniff! sniff!}! His birthday party was tonight at Jump Zone. That is the perfect place for our little Ben Ben!

Who showed our kids that you actually put real money in these things to make them move? You owe me some serious change!!! :)

I can't believe that the last bday party we were here for I was a complete nervous wreck because Benjamin couldn't understand that he couldn't get on the slides. There's no stopping him now, though!

ME was too busy playing with her classmates, so Benjamin and I played together.

He loved "roaring" me!

I always love watching the kids sing Happy Birthday!

Meet Johnathan.
Apparently ME now has TWO boyfriends! I caught him with his arm around ME after they went down a slide together. After I introduced myself to his mom and told her how I found them, she said "Oh yeah, they're inseparable at school!" Excuse me?!?! I'm not ready for this!!!

Somebody loves some "Patty-cake" (Ryan's mom, Patty, makes some pretty awesome cakes!)

ME is down on the ground looking for our present for Davis. Sadly, I went straight from work to pick the kids up from school and left the present on the counter at home. As soon as ME realized that we didn't bring the present, she gave me her pouty broken-hearted look {insert stab me in the heart! Busy working mom...UGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!}

Benjamin loved "roaring" his Bop-bop (aka Chopper...aka Ryan)

ME was so excited to see her bestie, Lila, from last year!

I love these two faces!!!

Attempt to watch the Hogs play

2011-09-17T17:35:00.000-07:00

Drew and I "attempted" to watch the Razorbacks play against Troy St. while hanging out with our Sunday School group. I emphasize ATTEMPT because, let's face it, who really gets to watch anything on TV when there are a bunch of kiddos around? ;)

Benjamin made time for his daily 20 second rest. I love that it's almost a guessing game with trying to figure out where he'll rest next!

Benjamin's resting looked so peaceful that ME and "Olivia with yellow hair" (she knows two Olivia's from church, so she always has to distinguish which one) had to rest with him.

I finally got to sit for a moment, but lo and behold, a Princess Razorback had to come share her toys with me.

Brooke, Vivian, and ME
Mary Elizabet finally has GIRL-friends!

Brooke, Vivian, and Benjamin
The ironic thing is that everyone that was there tonight all had an older daughter and younger son. As you can tell, Benjamin didn't really care for that because the other three boys are all younger than one. So he was "stuck" with the pink stuff. Ha!

Olivia, ME, Vivian, and Brooke
I've taught all 4 of them in Sunday School class...I love these sweet girls!

Mmmm! I promise that Benjamin is just eating the ice that's keeping all of the beer cold. ;)

Benjamin is 23 months (Sniff! Sniff!)

2011-09-15T04:06:00.000-07:00

Everytime he has a messy face from food or his drink, or if something is all over his hands, he turns to me and says "Messss". Is he going to be a germ-o-phobe like his sissy?
He thinks that just about every drink or cup is milk and calls it "mulk", except for a coffee cup in ME's play kitchen...he call is "coff" and then says VeVe after that and then blows it. VeVe, what have you been teaching him? Ha!
He still drags his "mahee" (blankey) around the house and into the car most days
Just like the word blankey, he's been replacing the beginnings of a lot of other words with another letter instead. Like snot is "not", excuse me is "mume"...he sounds like Beaker from the Muppets, shoes is "ooes", sock is "hock" or "ock", up is "bup", and climb is "my". He may not be talking nearly as much as ME or McKenzie was at this age (and I know you're not supposed to compare, but it's hard not to!), but he definitely has developed his own language and I love it, espcecially since I can at least understand him!

He loves to say "Wait!" If there is a group of kids going to play elsewhere and he realizes they're leaving him, he immediately starts chasing them yelling, "Wait!" This phrase is especially hard on a momma who doesn't want to work and leaves every morning with Benjamin chasing after me through the kitchen yelling, "Mamma, wait! W-wait!"

1st day back to dancin' class

2011-09-12T19:50:00.000-07:00

After a loooong and TOUGH decision about what to do for "dancin'" class this year, Mary Elizabeth started taking dance lessons at a new studio today. This was a very difficult decision for me because I signed ME up for lessons last year at the place that I grew up. However, one of the girls on my high school dance squad opened her own studio last year and several of my students at school have switched to her studio. For some reason, my gut told me that I should switch ME too. As of right now, it's too early to decide if it was the right decision or not since all she does is shake her hips and is still gettng the concept of skipping down.

ME's in the red tutu...of course, the cutest one in the room thanks to Make it Initial!

The best part about getting ready for dance class tonight was that Benjamin took ME's tap shoes and immediately thought of her "Lollipop" song and started doing the motions. Then, when the girls walked into their room, Benjamin threw a fit because he couldn't go in there. But he didn't stop crying when I took him to the older girls' room to watch them dance.

Tailgatin' with the Dees and Atkins

2011-09-10T12:20:00.000-07:00

Football season is finally here! Our family looks forward to this "season" every year. I know you're probably thinking "Wait! You don't know anything about football!" And yes, you're right! But I love everything else about it...getting dressed up for the games, the people watching, and an excuse to hang out with my friends. Today was the first LR game, so we got to do my favorite football activity...tailgate. Drew Dees doesn't get up early for many things (not even work usually), but during football season, he will get up at the crack of dawn just to go to a tailgate party! I took the kids to the tailgate for a little while, too. I think they had more fun than the grownups did.

ME had to show Benjamin how to play Baggo "the proper way".

As soon as Benjamin walked up to our tailgate spot, he noticed the cookies. "Mmm...cake! Mess!" As he always says.

Who knew that Razorbacks and footballs tasted so good?

The only way to eat a cookie...all at one time!

ME got to watch the Razorback football team pull up to the stadium. Benjamin was too busy with his cookie.

ME didn't approve how the grown-ups were playing Baggo, so she had to show Marc how to play it her way.

Benjamin didn't feel too confident in Marc and Robby's Baggo playing skills either.

A tailgate is the perfect time for little boys to get to run around!

I love that ME and Davis never get tired of each other!

Is ME tougher than those boys?

Nope! I guess they can all win (as she says).

Davis found a new "best friend" at our tailgate. I'm not sure if we ever figured out who he was, though.

ME had to show the boys how to run with the football.

Benjamin took a break from all that playing to rest in VeVe's lap.

One happy Razorback family.

ME: "Really? I have to stop playing to take a picture?"

Do you have the "Moves like our Jagger"

2011-09-08T21:10:00.000-07:00

Mary Elizabeth and Benjamin's favorite song right now is "Moves Like Jagger" (aka "Movin' like our Jagger"). They LOVE singing the song whenever it comes on the radio and I have to turn it up as loud as possible while driving. I'm sure the words (like most songs these days) aren't appropriate for a nearly 2 and 4-year-old, but I'm so precoccupied by watching their cuteness! They both are great at singing the chorus and Benjamin really has the snapping to the beat part down.

Well, the night of the NFL Pregame Show, we were eating dinner and then all of a sudden everything around us had to stop becuase of our background music. Both ME and Benjamin were beside themselves when they heard the whistling from the Jagger song. Thank God for DVR! I got to rewind it several times to watch them cut a rug and sing.

All you need is love...

2011-09-07T20:55:00.000-07:00

I don't know what fills your house up, but mine is completely filled with love!!! Look at how sweet my little Ben Ben and Mare Bear are!

I snapped this while they were watching Cars for the umpteenth time. I had to be sneaky in order to get it though...sorry for the awesome photog skills!

I just had to throw this in. This is Benjamin's new face while saying "Oh no!" if he hears a loud noise or feels a bump. He's so empathetic!

I think this was while watching Cars again! He insisted on sitting in "Shish's" lap and "Shish" didn't mind one bit!

Benjamin has also gotten really into lovin' on Dixie, too. I'm not so sure that Dixie has recipicated yet. :)

I caught them like this a few weeks ago while we were eating dinner at LaLa and Dandy's house.

I mean...SERIOUSLY!!! Total love!

It's all about ME!

2011-09-07T20:36:00.000-07:00

Drew took ME on a date to Wild River Country on Sunday. She was so excited about it that she's been talking this up for a few weeks now!

Meanwhile, she may be a fish, but she's still a great artist, too! A few days ago when I picked her up from school, I caught her painting with marbles. Isn't she talented? :)

ME's first time to call those Hogs!

2011-08-29T21:35:00.000-07:00

We finally took the kids up to Fayetteville for a football game! Well, actually all 4 of us traveled up there, Drew took ME to the game, and Benjamin and I hung out with my bestie, Sarah, and her kiddos. Although it was a very quick trip, we all had a great time!

"Really, Dad? You drove me all the up here to eat a sandwich?"
Our first stop in Fayetteville was to mine and Drew's fave sandwich shop, Loafin' Joe's.

Benjamin loved the homemade Ranch chips so much that he couldn't stop to take a pic. Then he helped me feast on my fave sandwich..."Ben's Favorite". Who knew I would name my son after a sandwich?

After we ate, we headed up to Sarah's house to let the kids play and run around with each other.

They couldn't believe that there was a Woo Pig in the front yard!

But they soon got over that after they saw all of the toys inside the house!

ME loved playing with Peyton.

We tried to get some pictures of all of the kids in their Razorback gear. You can see how thrilled they were about that! The tree looked way cooler!

But we got them to Call the Hogs for a moment, so they were all in one spot.

Like I said, for a moment!

There was just something about this tree! I love that Benjamin is doing is usual thing...shooting!

After all of the fun with running around the tree, Drew and ME took a tour of the campus. I think Drew was a little more excited about it than she was. But she thought it was cool, too.

I love this attitude. She's like seriously? Do I really have to take another one?

Won't she be a great cheerleader? She's a natural!

Benjamin just had too much fun running around in NW Arkansas. He was too tired to even nap in his own bed that he had to finish his nap on his Papa Bear.

"But I don't need to take a nap! I'm not tired!" This pic was taken the day after our Fayetteville trip and about 5 minutes after she said that. She called those Hogs too hard I guess.

A fun, relaxing weekend!

2011-08-29T20:14:00.000-07:00

Sadly, school is back in session, which sadly requires a lot of my time away from the kids. Luckily, Drew and I have FABULOUS parents that are always willing to help! I had to go work on finishing setting up my classroom on Saturday, so LaLa took the kids to get donuts and play with Uncle Bebo and McKenzie at Pinnacle Park.

Do you think they were hot?

I love how everytime Benjamin is around his Uncle Bebo, he is practically doubled over and in tears from giggling so much with him.

Have you been to Pinnacle Park since they remodeled it a few years ago? It's pretty awesome!

Of course, after a day of fun, you have to wind down with a yummy popsicle and "mulk".

I guess they didn't have enough time to play with each other at the park! They can't ever seem to get close enough to each other.

Mmmmmmm.....

Benjamin just LOVES his food!

My Happy Thoughts

2011-08-28T19:42:00.000-07:00

Here are some of my happy thoughts....

After I got through drying my hair today, I noticed it was extremely quiet in the house. Here's why.

"Leave us alone, Mom. We're reading!"

Is your heart just melting right now?!?! I want to tatoo this picture on my brain!

Look closely. This is ME's daily report sheet that tells any important info. about her at school. Toward the middle of the page is her eating report regarding snacks and lunch. Pretty much every day ever since she started eating solids, the spot that says something along the lines of "I didn't eat anything" is checked. But not today. Do you see that she "hearted" the meatloaf?!?! What??? We've never even had that at our house. Just a few weeks prior to this, she even requested ribs after her Uncle Bebo made her some. Could we be raising a foodie finally?
Then, look at the very bottom of the report. It said that she completed a big puzzle, too. That's all the girl does these days is "play puzzle". She could do one puzzle over and over all day if we would let her.

Take me out to the Travs game...

2011-08-26T19:36:00.000-07:00

My parents and I took the kids to see the Travs play last night. As much as I HATED going to baseball games growing up (sorry Bebo!), I actually do enjoy that atmosphere every once in a while.It's even more entertaining now that I have someone else to play with...my kids!

Benjamin, of course, loved watching "off ball"!

Benjamin had to explain the game to Dandy.

What would a fun time be at the ball field without a hot dog a snuggle with my Ben Ben?

ME taught us how to open peanuts...you "track" (crack) them on the chair like an egg. Look at the way she's picking those fingers! Can we all say "Mini Me"???

They both got their first taste of cotton candy. I think ME had a handful of bites and Benjamin just couldn't quite figure out what that stuff was in his mouth so he just kept licking his lips.

Benjamin was a great fan! He did great with clapping when everyone else clapped or cheered.

You've got a friend...

2011-08-16T20:20:00.000-07:00

My dad has become great friends with his boss, Greg. And Greg has become part of the family almost. And for some reason, Benjamin just loves Mr. Greg and Miss Steph's son, Jansen. I love that Benjamin pretty much has never met a stranger. I hope that he'll always have that personality!

1st Day Back to School (Full-Time)

2011-08-15T20:35:00.000-07:00

Even though the kids have gone to school all Summer long, they didn't go every day or all day. Hey, I still had to get my time with them, too...that's why I teach (so I can enjoy my Summers with the fam)! But Benjamin and Mary Elizabeth started their new classes today, just like I did. And since they've been going all Summer, their "first day of school" shouldn't have been a big deal. But it was to me! First, I had to enjoy the first Arkansas sales-tax holiday and go get them new school supplies AND new outfits. Secondly and sadly, their first day of school was also my first day of school, so I didn't get to be that "Supermom" that I always dreamt of being and get to take them to school and take their pictures with their new teachers or classrooms because I have to be in my classroom taking pictures with everyone else's kids on their first days of school. It didn't help me get over that fact either when I showed up with 5 families standing outside of my locked classroom at 7:18 (school doesn't even start until 7:40!). Instead, I had to resort to Drew taking pics of the kids with his camera phone so don't judge the quality. Ha!

I got Benjamin an alligator polo to wear because he loves to "roar" people these days. I bought an outfit for ME, but she opted for one of her church dresses instead...gotta love a girl with style! Drew took this pic outside of our house right in front of the crepe myrtle that is pleasantly hiding the trash can, but not the pile of leftover shingles the roofers left.

I'm happy to report that they both enjoyed their first day in their new classes. Benjamin actually has the same two teachers as last year, whom I love! He just moved to a new classroom with his friends because they are not the "babies" anymore and had to move to a "big kid" room. ME, on the other hand, did move to a new room and got a new teacher. I was a little worried about her starting her new class this year at first because her two girl BFF's moved onto Pre-K since they have summer birthdays. And Davis and her other friends from her class were assigned to another room. As soon as Drew and I realized that she was only going to know one person in her new class, we were "those parents" that called the school to see if she could switch classes. But being in education myself, I realize class changes can't always happen that easily, even after Drew called. However, I gave it more thought and called back to the school myself and said that I just wanted to prepare ME before she starts back to school and tell her who will be in her class so she'll at least know her classmates' names. As I was talking to the director, she didn't realize that the kids' named were not in ME's previous class. Then I immediately realized that she didn't name ANY girls!!! Whoa! My sweet princess first of all isn't going to know anyone in her class? AND she's going to be the only girl? Well, ummm, I guess it is what it is and we'll just help ME through this change. But I guess the director heard my sadness in my voice and called me back in less than 10 minutes to tell me that she was a parent of little children once and totally understood how I felt, so she moved ME back into the class with all of her friends and with girls! I think it's going to be a great year!

I guess I've started a first day of school tradition with Benjamin and Mary Elizabeth now by taking them to Orange Leaf (or "The Leaf Orange" as ME calls it). With the week before school starts being so crazy for me setting up the classroom, I feel like I don't get to spend any time with them at all. ME has been begging me to take her there anyway for the last few weeks because she keeps reminding that hasn't had any accidents at nap time anymore. She's such the persuader!

There's nothing like a first day of school picture with a band-aid right on the forehead! But ice cream makes it all better!

I don't even think ME realized that Lila and Claire weren't at school today.

Ben Ben is 22 months

2011-08-15T19:47:00.000-07:00

Benjamin really is 22 months this time! Sheesh, I can't believe I did that last month! But check out my big boy. He's such a pro at stacking blocks (did you see that he stack a 2 on top of a 2? coincidence? or a hint for mommy?) and posing now!

He's COMPLETELY into "tartars" (guitars) these days. He's playing his air guitar for me in this pic.

He may be a rock star these days, but he still loves his trucks!

I don't think I've mentioned it in his last few monthly posts, but Benjamin is such a great eater. I've caught myself now ordering salads with the tomatoes just so Benjamin can eat them. Pre-Ben, I would 86 the tomatoes...yuck! He also LOVES blueberries!!! I think that he thinks they're candy. They've been my lifesaver during "Adult Swim" at the pool this summer. He could easily eat an entire package of them in one sitting if I let him (which I may or may not have a time or two). There have been several times this summer, where he skips right over his entree, chips, or fries and goes straight to the blueberries. And then in just a matter of seconds, they're "all don" and he wants "more! more!"
Benjamin still isn't talking sentences, but I'm able to get most of his jabbering throughout the day.
He still refers to most animals by the sound they make. I think my fave one is his imitation of a pig. It's a very unique "oink"! But the one we hear the most is "neigh neigh". Beware! If he sees your leg is sitting still, I can almost guarntee that he'll climb right on it and say "neigh neigh" to ride a horse.
Surprisingly, Benjamin is going to time out more often these days. He really likes to hit Dixie and pull ME's hair. The one bad thing is that he'll put himself in time out on his own. He points to the spot and say "mout" and then will sit there with a sad pout on his face. But regardless if he was in "mout" on purpose or not, he knows he is always to go up to the person that he got in trouble with and tell them sorry...he gives a hug instead. Too cute!

Boo boo! Boo boo!

2011-08-11T21:15:00.000-07:00

Sadly, but surprisingly, Benjamin had his first serious head injury today. I mean, really, I can't believe this is the first time that medical attention has been provided to one of his many head boo-boos, but it's still so scary!

This is my first week back to work and, of course, the daycare is closed this week to prepare for the new classes. So my mom kept the kids today. As soon as I sat down for my meeting, I saw that my mom was calling, but I hit ignore (sorry, Mom!) because I thought she was probably calling to tell me something cute that my cute kids did. I also thought that if she really needed me, she would've kept calling me or texted me. But she didn't and I didn't get a good chance to call to check on everyone until after lunch today. Here's the convo that we had when I finally did call:
Me: "How are y'all doing?"

LaLa: "Ok."

Me: "Is ME still awake?"

LaLa: "Yes. She's eating lunch now."

Me: "It's 2:30! Why is Mary Elizabeth just now eating lunch?"

LaLa: "Oh, we kind of had a situation this morning and just got back from the doctor."

Me: "WHAT?!?!" and let my tears begin rolling........

She then went on to explain to me that Benjamin ran into their thick coffee table. The odd part is that there are corner pads on TOP of all the corners of the table. But his head decided to bump into the BOTTOM part of one of the corners. Kari and McKenzie just so happened to be there at the time and Kari said that his head was BLOODY and LaLa was the most panicked that Kari has ever seen her! So my mom and Dad took the kids to the "brown" doctor (remember that's the color of the doctor building). Luckily, after the doctor looked at Benjamin's head, they determined that he just needed a "glue strip".

Thank God for cheap entertainment while you have to wait for numbing ointment to work!

"Please no stitches! Please no stitches!" Instead, they put a special glue strip on his head.
This gives me flashbacks to 2nd grade of when I ran into a sneeze guard at a Pizza Hut salad bar.

"Ok, they said no stitches. So let go of me!"

"Well, maybe this isn't too bad...two ladies are fanning me!"

The cutest patient ever! He had to wait for the numbing ointment to work, so they wrapped him up like he had a war wound. Then Dandy taught Benjamin valuable life lessons like where to put your hands if you don't have pockets. My word! And I was at school during all this craziness?!?!

"It's only a flesh wound!" Or as Benjamin keeps telling me and Drew already "Boo boo! Boo boo!"

My birthday=fun for all

2011-08-07T23:02:00.000-07:00

I turned 31 today. I didn't have too much of a problem with turning 30 last year, but adding that one into the equation makes it sound old for some reason. Anyway, we celebrated my birthday at my parents house tonight. Really it was a party for the kids and grandparents, which is always fun.

You can't go to LaLa and Dandy's house without swimming in the elephant.

I L-O-V-E McKenzie's tongue hanging out! The kids couldn't get to the cake fast enough!

"More!" Benjamin was upset when the candles had to disappear, until he got a bite of cake.

I think all three of them enjoyed opening the presents for me way more than I enjoyed getting what was inside of them! Sadly, this present that they opened didn't quite make it all in one piece. Note to self and grandparents...Must.get.wrapping paper.and.boxes.as.Christmas.gifts.for.kids.

Thanks so much to all of my family for celebrating my birthday with me!!!

Summer play date

2011-08-04T20:39:00.000-07:00

Since Ashley and I both have 2 little kids that can't really swim, we let the kids play in the sprinklers today. Awww...this brings back such fun childhood memories!