Happy Birthday Ava & Drew.

Ava & Drew turned 4 about 3 weeks ago. They were very excited for their birthday this year--seemed to really 'get it' for the 1st time.

We started off the day with birthday doughnuts. We never get doughnuts, so they thought that was great!

Then we headed to Grapevine Mills Mall to the Sealife Aquarium. It was so much fun. Noni, Dandy & Aunt Jess met us there & we just had the best time looking at all the different sea creatures.

After the aquarium, we went over to the Rainforest Cafe & met Uncle Will for lunch. It was a lot of fun, even though all the loud noises scared Drew a little. He still seemed to enjoy his lunch & all the things to look at.

Dear sweet, independent, beautiful Ava,

I love your zest for life. Your crazy energy. Your infectious smiles. Your crazy laughs. You light up anyone's day that sees you. You are so much fun & so very funny. I love when you're happy. I love you when you're moody. I love how you love Drew. I love how you tolerate Pres(I know you love her, too!). I love watching you play with your cars, and how you love getting your hair fixed. I love how you love to sleep & would sleep all day--if your brother & sister could stay quiet! :) I love listening to your prayers. I love seeing you start to 'come out of your shell' & want to go to church & see the other kids. I love how you like to play alone, but still need Drew to be close.

I love you!!

Mom

Dear affectionate, sensitive, adorable Drew,

I love your snuggles. Your nonstop energy. Your sweet smile. Your super big hugs. You are so sweet & caring. I love playing with you. I love you when you're happy. I love you when you cry(and even when you pitch your fits!). I love how you try to play alone(because Ava does), but can't quite enjoy it without her. I love how you love Ava. And how you love Pres. I love watching you with your friends. I love listening to your (sometimes super long) prayers. I love watching you with the girls. And how you're already learning to be their caring, protector brother.

I love you!!

Mom

Big Birthday Party

We decided to throw a joint birthday party for the kids. It was great. We got a bounce house (Cars!) & a bounce slide. The kids LOVED IT!!! We may do bounce slides for everyone's birthday from now on. It was so much fun. Almost all of their friends were able to make it & it was a beautiful day.

Happy Birthday Presley

I've gotten very bad about posting on the blog lately. In the past, it's because there's not much going on. The last month or so, it's because there's TOO much going on! Starting in September, we've been BUSY. Ava & Drew are doing Cubbies on Sunday night & KidsCore on Wednesday nights. We have Bible Study on Tuesday mornings & Moms2Moms all but 1 Wednesday morning/month. I've started working for Weight Watchers, so that's at least 1 afternoon/week that I'm gone. Add in a playdate every now & then & always something to do on the weekend..and free time....what's that!?
The 1st week or so, the kids had a hard time adjusting(I mean, US...busy? Never!) But, they seem to be doing a lot better with it now & Ava & Drew are really starting to make some friends(so cute!).

We are also right in the middle of lots of birthdays. My mom's was (a little over) 2 weeks ago. We celebrated by going to the zoo & Chickfila on the day, then when my sister could make it in, we had 2 more celebrations over the weekend.

Last Thursday was Presley's birthday. She has been having a blast opening presents & eating cake AND cupcakes. We did McDonald's for her birthday lunch & pizza for dinner with some yummy cupcakes. Yesterday was my dad's birthday & we had a combined 'party' (Jess joined us) with mom's lasagna & more cake.

Ava & Drew are loving this birthday season--even though it's not theirs. They enjoy seeing others open presents & sharing in the cake. And they just talk about when their birthday is. We're already excited about that!

We still have one more birthday to look forward to before A&D turn 4. Happy early birthday Uncle Casey!

Happy Birthday girl. She was a little tired of taking pictures at this point. Still looks super cute, though! :)

Big brother & sister. 'We love birthdays!'

Sweet, silly, sometimes grumpy, Presley. Happy happy birthday my little love. God so blessed our family by giving you to us. One of the best surprises I've ever received. You brighten our days with your super silliness, your goofy smiles & your constant talk. The doctor asked me if you were putting any 2 word sentences together...girl, you're already up to 7 & 8 word sentences! You love your brother & sister & are happiest when they let you play with them. They love you too.....and more & more let you play. This past week, you've told me you love me...and cake. Pizza & brownie bites are your favorites & you love it when Drew sings to you. You are still quite the early riser...you started your birthday at 5am! We're kind of hoping you'll grow out of that soon. Your favorite songs are ABCD's, Jesus loves me & 'red, yellow, white'(your title for Jesus loves the little children).

I love you, goose.

You are(1 of) my sunshine(s),

Momma




Photo shoot after church yesterday. We got some pretty good ones.

Aren't they precious!??

August from my phone

In no particular order...and I have no idea why the pic size is different...

Thanks to Noni & Dandy's move, we are now the temporary owners of the 'popper' & 2 BIG Lightning Mcqueens!

Drew being crazy:

Ava's trip to the zoo with mom & dad:

Ava learned how to write her name:

Silly pic for Aunt Jess to show off their Italy shirts she got them:

Pres snuggling in mom & daddy's bed:

Reading books...in the bathroom:

Feeding the birds at the zoo:

Trying on dresses that were mommy's & Aunt Jess' when they were little:

What we've been doing.....

Last Sunday (7/24/11)
Playing outside at our new house:

Grocery shopping:

Playing in our new house:

Yesterday (7/31/11)

Sunday Snapshots: boots, bandaids & funny faces

7/3/11

Not sure what's up with Pres & Drew's smiles these days. But, they make me laugh!! Drew insisted on wearing his cowboy boots--with shorts at 1st. Fortunately, we were able to talk him into jeans. 100+ out & he HAD to wear the boots! :)

Ava refused to take her bandaids off for church. Her leg is NOT cut to pieces....really, they're more of a fashion statement these days! (But, they pretty much only get them at Noni's house. At home, "no blood, no bandaid!")

Father's Day

We didn't have time before church to do any pictures or give any gifts, so as soon as we got home from church I grabbed the camera.

Waiting for daddy to change clothes so they could give him his cards & candy:

Pres jumped the gun a little

Father's day hug

Then we headed to my parent's house for a yummy lunch of lasagna & cake.