And we all fall down...

He was so excited!

Doesn't she remind you of Marilyn?

This thing was MASSIVE!

So much fun!

Pretty Good Kid

When a six year old, soon to be seven year old, tells you 25 times in a few hours that he had a great birthday party, I consider it success. This party thing almost put me over the edge though.
We went with a company that did not penalize for cancellation due to the weather. The policy was that I had up until 11pm the night before to cancel. They called early in the week asking if they could deliver the day before I had scheduled (at no charge) and although that sounded great to me the weather had me very concerned. I looked at the forecast every day and every day it was something different. I couldn't make my mind up if I should cancel or not and decided that 30% chance of rain also meant 70% of sunshine!
The morning started off overcast. Mckinley who wouldn't go near the "jumpy house" last night was all for it today and Braxton started asking at 8am when his friends would be coming and even wanted to know if I would call them all to remind them.
Drop-offs started promptly and the party was on. The kids had a ball and before we knew it the parents were back to pick them up. Everyone commented on the Bounce House. It really was huge. Hopefully tomorrow we can swim and lay low.
I am exhausted!

When it gets quiet...really quiet.

You've heard the old saying, when kids get quiet they are up to no good, right? This afternoon I got home a little early so after unpacking I decided to start on dinner. Mckinley came into the kitchen and then she was gone. It got really quiet and when I went in the den here's what I found!
 Love a girl after my own heart...chocolate!

Join the "Army"

These two little ladies had people coming up to them all morning. They were so well behaved.

Mckinley does not play when it comes to eating her pancakes!

Today we attended a Magical Wonderland at church. All of the money raised went to support a fabulous cause, Claire's Army. Read all about Claire and her army here.
Mckinley and Zoie had a great time and were quite entertaining throughout the morning. Mckinley even ended up appearing on the local news webpage.
The entire time I was there though I kept thinking about the reason we were together and the event that had occurred that caused the organization to be. It's an absolute heartbreaking story.  Made me feel very lucky and caused me to hug my children a little tighter and a little more often today.

Joys of Waiting

Using the magnifying glass Chris and Ali gave her for Easter

They thought this pose was hilarious!

Chick socks and pink jellies...the latest trend.

Love this boy!

Who knew that waiting for a bus could be so much fun!? With these two (only if they're in a good mood) anything is fun! One of the perks of being on opposite calendars as Braxton is that I can be "mom" for a week. I have been able to take him to school, get him on the bus, and have lunch with him. Not to mention do laundry and get things done around the house on my "to do list" without anyone stopping me. It's been a great week and makes me look forward to summer.
And let it be known: if it looks like Mckinley just woke up, she literally was woken up just so we could go get Braxton on the bus. Under her jacket she still has her night gown on. She's not going to be happy come Monday when she's being woken up BEFORE the sun!

The Day Arrived

Good Morning Beautifuls!

All the "Greats"

                   

Yesterday brought a lot of anticipated events. The Easter Bunny of course came Saturday night and both of my children LOVED what he left. The excitement that they both felt was contagious and I found myself feeling just as happy by watching them.
After church and a good nap for Mck we went to Grandaddy's house for food and fellowship with family. "Baby Zoie" (whom we've called  since she was born because to Braxton at the time, she WAS a baby) was going to be there. We don't see her as much as I would like and every time we have the kids just didn't "connect". Yesterday that all changed! The girls hit it off like best friends. They were talking and giggling. I kept going in the back room to check on them because I found it odd that I wasn't being crawled on or being pulled into another room. Every time I'd peek in they were doing something. Going through my old jewelry box (ohhing and ahhing over treasures), playing with stuffed animals, playing with Braxton, and enjoying each other.
Jokingly I made the comment that finally the day I had been waiting for had come. But in all honesty I wasn't being funny. I have amazing memories of playing with my cousins. Every holiday was a chance I got to see them. Some much older and some much younger but we always connected in a special way and had a great time. I'm glad that my children will have that too. 

Tooth Truth

It just so happened that I took pictures three consecutive days and in every one he's got a different amount of teeth. And he pulled them by himself.  I think the tooth fairy is glad that there aren't any more "really" lose ones.
He's just getting so big and growing up so fast.

What Makes My Heart "Beep"

It's that time of year again. One of my most favorite actually. I love spring. The warmth is always wonderful no matter what the winter was like (especially this winter), the flowers are beautiful, and just the anticipation of all that there is left to do before summer kicks off. Yesterday was a very busy day. I wandered all week how we were going to make it all fit but knew that we'd pull it off.
Friday night as we were getting ready I started telling the kids all that we had to do. Our wonderful friend from church, Tina, has had some serious health issues since August. She's had surgery, chemo, many hospital stays,and had to receive blood. The church was holding a blood drive in honor of her and I most definitely wanted to participate. I said that after I gave blood we'd go to the Egg hunt. Both of my kids had a look of horror on their faces and Mckinley began to go into panic mode. I explained that sometimes our bodies need some help and we have to get blood from people that are healthy. If our bodies are healthy then our heart beats and pumps new blood so it's able to give blood away. (I know. Pretty deep conversation for me to have with a 2 year old!) She still wasn't too sure about it all but seemed much better when I told her SHE wouldn't have to do anything.
Fast forward to the blood drive. As we're sitting and waiting she sat on my lap and turned towards me. She touched her heart and then mine and said, "Our heart beeps and makes new blood".
Everyday. My heart "beeps" for these too. No matter what they do. I know how lucky I am to have two healthy babies. I love them so.