Sensory Overload

Need I say more...

Camping Old School Style!!

It was my night off!! That day I wasn't feeling very well at all. In fact, I spent most of it in bed with my feet up. Adam was on kid duty and got creative as usual. Skylar had been obessesed that weekend about going camping. I think it was because she watched an episode of Olivia and decided she too would go into the forest and stake her claim. Well, as you can see she didn't quite make it into the forest but got close enough. We left the tent up all weekend and let Skylar and Ronan enjoy our version of a bounce house. They had so much fun. I even spent a couple of hours in the tent watching Max and Ruby, another one of Skylar's favorite shows. It was quite relaxing and very peaceful to hang out in the back. Thank goodness for husbands and their abilities to set up tents, put together bikes, put air in the tires and make omelette's for dinner:)

Beauty Parlor (boys included)

Yes, that is my son all done up. Skylar isn't very picky about who comes into her beauty shop. Actually she isn't even really Skylar when she sets up shop, she usually goes by the name Tilda and goes on and on about her 12 kids (which are all twins by the way) and how sometimes they listen and sometimes they don't, blah, blah, blah..... You get the point. I usually end up with purple or blue sparkly eyeshadow and lots of body glitter. Yep, I leave that little beauty parlor all lathered up and ready to start my day. I do, however, spare my son the embarrassment of being seen in public and mistaken for a girl, by washing his face before we leave the house. I am sure his future wife will love seeing these manly pictures of her husband someday. Aren't cameras the bomb!!

It's Magic!

Skylar and her handsome Dad performed in the Talent Show a couple of weeks ago. Our video camera wasn't charged at the time, so I had to shoot little videos with my camera. She did such an amazing job- so much confidence that girl has. She told me last night, after reviewing her work, "that she just had to face her fears." I asked her where she had learned that and she told me, "I just taught myself." A smart little whipper snapper I must say. She must take after her mother.

Quality Time

Being 7 1/2 months pregnant and trying to raise two active children at home can be a challenge. There are days I feel like I can barely take care of myself, let alone two little ones. I have been trying to plan different activities for the kids everyday to keep us all going. Kids really are easy to please- one of my very favorite moments was when I looked out back and saw Skylar trying to teach Ronan how to fish with her Barbie fishing pole. They just sat there taking turns with one another. Skylar (95% of the time) is very gentle and loving with her brother. She loves him so much, and in return, Skylar is Ronan's hero. He really loves to do everything she is doing, and if that means getting dressed up in girl's clothes he will do it.

Howdy Partner!

While we were visiting Grandma and Grandpa in Texas over the holidays, they took the kids to a western store and purchased a few choice items. I must admit, I did not forsee them having much use for cowboy/cowgirl attire in our neck of the woods,(especially the boots). Much to my chagrin, Skylar's school hosted a "Wild West Day" and all the kids were asked to dress up. She was sooo excited to showcase her shirt, skirt and cowgirl boots. So, Grandpa- this photo is for you. Next time we will have to dress Ronan up in his duds.

Rudy Comes Home

Yes, the class dog Rudy was our guest just a few weekends ago. Skylar gave him the royal treatment. He was given 3 square meals a day (and a few choice treats), dance lessons, a trip to a flag football game AND a ride in the Escalade. Skylar even took a picture of me and Rudy (not half bad), remember I am 6 months pregnant.

It is still amazing to me how excited children get over the littlest things. It doesn't take much to make them happy. I try and remember that each day, although some days I am better at that than others. They are precious and will always be my little darlings.

Chefs in Training

Usually Skylar and I do some sort of baking activity each week. She has been helping me almost everyday prepare at least some part of dinner. Yesterday our choice dish was "pizza meat pie." As she was mixing the ingredients in the sauce, little buddy, decided he wanted to join in the fun. He loves hanging out with his sis and it's hard to leave him out when he wants to do big boy things. While Skylar stirred our "delectable" (that is a quote from Skylar) dinner, Ronan pretended to pour spices into the mix. We gave him a stab at stirring but realized more was ending up on the floor than in the bowl. All in all, it was a wonderful evening spent together with my little darlings.

A special shout out to An

Yes, this picture was taken may years ago (5 1/2 children ago to be exact), and both of us look way hotter now. This is my friend Andrea, whom I've know for something like 15 or 16 years. She is a doll and I love her. We like to gab about our kids, she listens to all the drama in my life and our husbands like to go out into the ocean for hours on an inflatable kayak. They also like to stay up until 7 am in Vegas and come back to the hotel room giggling like school girls. But, those are stories for another time. Just didn't want her to be left out, and after this picture and post I am sure she feels really special (or mad). I love you Annie!!

This is what it's all about...

It's late, my feet ache and I am exhausted. This post may be somewhat incoherent, but I feel impressed to write it. I am grateful-- for many things, but most importantly my family. They support me, encourage me and lift me up when I am discouraged (okay, that last part sounded a little like a Josh Groban song). They are the lights in my life and I don't know what I would do without them.

My husband calms me down when I cry about the littlest things (and I mean little). My children give me hugs and kisses when I need them the most. My mother is one of my best friends and she ALWAYS lends a listening ear and some sound advice. My father reminds me to be patient and not to create problems that don't exist. My in-laws support me and love me as if I were their own daughter. Basically, what I am trying to say is, "I am surrounded by people that ROCK!" Hopefully they will remember that when they see their pictures posted.

Love and kisses to everyone!!

Word Up!!

Yes, here are my little darlings, Skylar and Ronan. We will have another little darling come May and then the girls will officially be outnumbered (as will the parents).

I know Ronan could probably put MC Hammer to shame with this outfit, (it's really the shoes that completes it) but I am a product of the 80's and therefore very proud. Actually, now that I think about it, some parachute pants really should be purchased. The shoes were bought, with love, at the "Hong Kong" mall in Texas, which was an adventure in and of itself. Grandma and Grandpa treated the grandkids to all sorts of little treasures, and these are the shoes Ronan was gifted. After all, only an 18- month old could carry them off. Skylar is proudly wearing her winter hat that she made herself at school.

I know I should really fix the red-eye in the pics, but I just don't have time today. I am taking a photography class, so hopefully my pictures will have a little bit more flair in the coming months.

Watch out world here she comes.... (I mean that literally)

So, here we have it folks- Skylar and Ronan riding off into the sunset. I never thought they would own a Cadillac before I did, but Santa apparently felt them worthy of such a car. We arrived home from a wonderful vacation in Texas to a BIG present from Santa. Skylar had been asking for a "jeep" from Santa for quite some time and, after many months of reassuring me that cost was no issue since Santa and his elves would be building her car in their workshop for free, her dreams were realized when she returned from vacation to find a black Cadillac Escalade waiting under the tree.

It has been a little bit of a nerve racking experience watching her drive that thing all over the street, and grass, and curb and grass and curb and grass... but she has enjoyed it thus far. I haven't quite got a read on Ronan yet. He usually just hangs on for dear life and then wants to be rescued mid-drive. After a few days we bought him a bright red helmet just in case he ever decides to abandon ship before we can get to him (he’s come close a couple of times). He is a trooper though and he certainly is a tough little nugget. Although Ronan is too young to actually drive the vehicle, he has fully embraced his roles as “Secondary Navigator” and “Radio Operator.” It is a thing of beauty to watch Skylar and “Taxi” (Skylar has given Ronan a new nickname) fly down the street with great big smiles on their faces, hair whipping in the wind and radio stations changing at lighting-fast speed. Watch out world, here they come!