We Love Reading!

Ok, so maybe we don't love reading as much as we love completing a monthly reading log...The girls were both given a reading log for the month having to read 15 books each. One morning last week, they realized they only needed a couple more and they would be done. As we were getting ready that morning, I was trying to get them to get their hair fixed, and I went searching for them and found them on the steps reading trying to finish their logs. They did not want to be interrupted, they were on a mission. I was slightly put off as I was trying to get everyone ready and move them out the door, but I quickly changed my tone. They were so cute, and I was so proud of them for working so hard to complete the lists, but ever more so for actually getting along and doing it together.

Just the Girls

So the first few weeks of school and involvement in extra-curricular activities have been hectic to say the least, which it always is, so this comes as no surprise. Anyway, the fact that I had been out of town for two weekends in a row and trying to keep up at school and home, I was in need of a little fun time with the girls. I felt like I had been sort of neglecting them. They are with me before and after school, but most of the time I feel like I am getting onto them trying to keep them quiet and from running around the school, so I had promised them a girls night out. It was a fairly packed weekend, but we did manage to squeeze in getting their nails done, a little shopping, and we spent some time cuddling as we watched a few episodes of Hannah Montana. They had fun, I had fun, it was a good day!

11 months

Can you believe that in less than a month this baby will be one year old? I guess it's a little bittersweet. On the sad side, this IS my last one and there will be no more babies, on the other hand, he is so much fun as he gets more interactive! He LOVES his Daddy, and almost always prefers him over me when we are in the same room. If it's just me though, he doesn't complain too much. He always greets us with that goofy grin, and remains happy most of the time. The newness of a baby around hasn't seem to wear off much, the girls love him as much as the day he was born, and he still adores them as well. They have a way of getting each other pretty wound up. He is not walking yet, but crawling like a maniac, and he attempts to walk around furniture and stuff. I haven't really taken many pictures this month because we had all been sick, and then school started, so we woke him up this afternoon to try to get a few to post. He was quite cooperative considering he was a very tired baby. I still am shocked that the next month post will be of his first birthday party!

Over the Hill

This week, I officially survived my first over the hill birthday. I turned 31! Kevin and I celebrated while we were in Kansas City, and while we were gone, the girls made a birthday cake for me while they were staying with my mom and grandma. They were pretty proud of their cake, and couldn't wait for us to eat it. This is me after a very long Monday (looking rather old) with the fabulous cake made by the kids. It was also necessary that we dig out candles so the girls could blow them out, we found four....

This was my attempt to get a picture with the kids. It was rather difficult to keep Lincoln away from the cake, especially the sprees. (please ignore the messy kitchen in the background)

Skylar putting the finishing touches on the cake,and Londyn snatching the candy.

Although I hate that my birthday falls during all the craziness of back to school, I still managed to enjoy a little time to celebrate, and I think I'll be able to hand actually being "in" my thirties!

A Weekend Away

This past weekend, Kevin and I managed to get away for a little anniversary/birthday celebration! Thanks to my mom and grandma for coming to stay with the kids while we headed to Kansas City to do a little shopping, hang out and watch a baseball game. I adore my children, but I thoroughly enjoy the time that Kevin and I get to spend alone together. This is us at the end of a very long week, heading out the door. (There are not many actual pictures of us on the trip because I left my camera here to take pics of the kids. I figured that would be easier than asking every stranger we passed in Kansas City to take our photo.) On that note, while we were gone the kids had plenty of fun without us, I'm pretty sure they didn't miss us at all.

They made home-made pizza,

played a little twister,

made adorable flip-flop cookies,

and these fabulous fruit flowers. Not to mention a birthday cake for me which I'll put in the next post. I am glad that I feel completely comfortable leaving the kids with family so we can get away without worry, but I think maybe they should have a little less fun so that they would actually like it when we get back:)

Back to School

Well, we all managed to survive the first week back to school. It was a little hectic, but it ended up being a great week! I am so thrilled to have both girls at school with me this year, although I find it hard to believe that they are actually old enough to be there. A goofy picture of Skylar and Londyn as we snapped a quick shot outside the front door.

Skylar and her first grade teacher Mrs. Kennon.

Londyn with her kindergarten teacher Mrs. Goss.

Both girls with our favorite principal Mrs. Blankenship.

As much as I hate to see summer come to an end, there is always a little bit of excitement as school gets started, and I am generally ready to get back into a routine, even if it's a crazy one!

Free Family Fun

As school is quickly approaching, we thought we needed a day of fun! We kicked off the morning with our school picnic. Rhema happens to be our partner in education, and they have thrown a back to school bash for the last couple of years. They bring tons of inflatables, provide lunch, sno cones, cotton candy, and best of all, FREE school supplies. It's a great way to start the year as all the kids are excited to see their friends before they have to get serious about school. Skylar and one of her best friends.

Londyn and one of my former students. They have no reservations about hanging with the big kids.

Kevin was able to get some free tickets to the Drillers game Saturday night, so that's where we headed for the evening. We had great seats, and were able to enjoy about 4 innings before Lincoln was more than ready for bed.

We have no great pictures of the evening. One sweet lady offered to take a family picture, so we posed for it in front of the field, but it didn't take. I didn't have the heart to tell her, she was so excited about it! Overall, it was a day filled with a lot of quality family time, and to make even better, it was FREE!

Because We Love Them

So, as we were about to head home after our long adventure I convinced Anastyn to take a picture with me. It took a little bribery, but I'm pretty sure this is the only picture I have of she and I since she was born. She's such an adorable little thing, but she is INDEPENDENT, and she does not stay still for long. It was my lucky day!

Me and my adorable sister. I don't have very many pictures of us together in recent years either. I think it gets a little harder to spend time together, visit, etc. when you have kids running around everywhere. It was so great to be able to spend so much time with the family during our visit. Living away from my family, I must say I am definitely thankful I have my summers off to spend a little extra time with them! I really hate to see it come to an end.

Hayride on the Farm

I have a few more Missouri posts from 3 whole weeks ago, and then I can get on with my life:) It actually has worked out ok since we've done nothing upon our return to Oklahoma. The first week back I worked on getting caught up around the house, and then the last couple of weeks, as I stated previously, we've been sick off and on, and on top of that trying to get things ready for us all to go back to school things have been a little crazy. But, I suppose we wouldn't want it any other way. That's apparently how we thrive around here. Anyway, one of my favorite things we did while we were visiting in Missouri was head out to the farm for a weenie roast and hayride. There wasn't much going on at the fair that night, so we made alternate plans, and had a ton of fun. (Aside from me almost getting attacked by a bull, but I'll just leave it at that.) Our extended family from Ohio were able to join us, which made it even that much more fun, especially for the kids, they couldn't get enough time together! I had several favorite pics, so I went the collage route, which is a little small, but it works. We, of course, had to dress the part and take a few pictures before the festivities began. My children were surprisingly cooperative and I got several pictures that I really liked.

Everyone had a great time roasting their weenies, marshmallows for smores and chowing down on watermelon. The flies were a bit of a problem, but we still managed to get plenty to eat and then some.

We had so much fun hanging out with the family and enjoying all of the "country" things we don't get to do at home!

9 Years....

As of yesterday, we've been married for 9 years. Someone in our house has been sick every day for the last two weeks, so there wasn't much interest in celebrating as Kevin and I were both a little under the weather. I am thankful for such a wonderful husband and feel very blessed that he has tolerated me so long! Although we didn't celebrate this week, next weekend we are headed out of town. To Kansas City. Alone. With no kids. To eat. Shop. Go to a baseball game. And just hang out. I can't wait. Until then, Happy belated Anniversary honey, I love you!

Belle Fair Finale

The final fair event was a lawn chair concert by Jayme Johnson. I would love to say that it was a great concert that we thoroughly enjoyed, but it was past Lincoln's bed time,and he wasn't much interested in the concert. Which means my attention was diverted elsewhere. We had to leave a little early, but the girls got to stay with the grandparents for most of the concert. Even though we had to end our evening a little early, we all had a great time at the fair from the parade to the fish sandwiches, and most of all, the company.

More Fair fun

So, yes, I'm posting about an event from 3 weeks ago. These are a few pics from the fair, and this year was a little different. Usually, when they go ride the fair rides, they ride the little cars, the mini ferris wheel, and maybe the merry-go-round. This year however, they had eyes for the big rides. I was a little nervous, so I insisted on joining them for a couple that I didn't trust. As if there would be anything I could do, but it made me feel a little better anyway. I have to say I think these girls are growing up way too fast. I think I'm in for a few long years ahead.