Thankful Thursday

Dinner is over, dishes are done, little girls are in the bathtub, and older girls are watching the Predators play hockey. I realize that Thursday is nearly over, but I haven't done a Thankful Thursday post for a while, so....

Spring!

I got out to the walking trail at our park today and logged 3 miles with a friend. I had intended to get on our treadmill and decided to enjoy the great outdoors instead. It was great to be able to clear my head and find a little "me" time.

The prospect of new employment!

Mark has a job offer on the table and we are very excited about the changes. Hopefully, it will mean more time spent at home with us!

Birthdays!

We had a great time celebrating Sierra and love our "grand finale" so much! I'm so grateful for all of my kids!

Birthday Weekend

Since Sierra was sick on her actual birthday, we had to cancel her party and any type of celebration. Poor baby was miserable and we have had quite the time getting her medicine in her! It's been pure torture forcing her to take it...I may have to take her back for a shot. She's quite the spitter! The up-side is that her birthday has dragged on all weekend.

On her actual birthday, we did nothing more than stick a few candles in a cupcake, sing to her and let her open her presents. She didn't feel like doing more than that and had a pretty lazy day.

Sunday Dad made her castle cake and we celebrated with a few family friends. She was very excited about the cake! Perfect for my little princess!

Monday we were able to have her party. After I picked her up from school, we went to McDonald's for lunch and played at the playground and opened a few presents. All in all a good birthday, even with an ear infection!

Happy Birthday!

Today Sierra turns 4! My baby's not a baby anymore! I planned to take cupcakes into her school and do a little party at McDonald's with the kids from her class for lunch, but she was complaining that her ear hurt and running a fever all night. Looks like I'll be making some phone calls and eating 2 dozen cupcakes today. Poor baby! I had gotten her so excited about her birthday!

Happy Birthday, Sierra! I'm crossing my fingers that it will be a good one anyway!

The End of the Season

We just returned from Lauren's Middle School Basketball Banquet and I can officially say that the basketball season is OVER! She got a nice plaque because their 8th grade team took 2nd place in their district, something no one ever thought our Middle School could do. They were a proud bunch of girls tonight!

Saturday her church team was involved in a tournament. The first game was very aggressive and Lauren and another girl got hurt. They lost, but they had a great season leading up to the tournament and the girls became good friends.

These pictures were taken by another dad and I stole/borrowed them from his blog.

Little Green Men

I don't think there are many who celebrate St. Patrick's Day, but if you have a kindergarten teacher like ours then St. Patrick's Day is anything but ordinary! Ashtyn came home from school one day very excited about a project she needed to do. She would need to create a Leprechaun trap. For weeks now we have not been able to say the word "green" and her "leprechaun trap" became a mouse trap, just in case those little men were listening. Ashtyn wants so badly to catch one and be rich so that she can have an indoor swimming pool in her bedroom. And did you know that Leprechauns like to spill bins of toys in classrooms while kids are out at recess? And if a Leprechaun swims in kindergarten toilets, the water will turn green!

This is Ashtyn's trap. It includes a maze that is supposed to disorient the leprechaun who will, of course be focused on the gold. Just in case, there is some "icky, sticky bubblegum" to trap little feet. We had a great time working together on the trap, and Ashtyn was so proud taking it to school today!

Barnyard Moo-sical

The kindergarten classes have been working and practicing hard to put together their "Barnyard Moo-sical" which they performed last night. Ashtyn's class was all dressed as chickens and performed the "Funky Chicken". There were also pigs, goats, and cows in the barnyard. Their songs were great, the kids were adorable, and we had a great time!

5 Senses Tag!

I was tagged to do a post about the things I like and dislike...4 likes and 1 dislike for each of the 5 senses. So, here goes....

Sight

1. Happy children's faces

2. Stacks of clean, folded laundry ready to be put away. Makes me feel like I accomplished something!

3. Clutter free counters and organized bedrooms. These have a very positive effect on my mood!

4. Flowers coming up and leaves budding on trees

5. People littering or throwing cigarettes out their car windows

Smell

1. My husband after he's put on his cologne

2. Newborn babies. There really is nothing like it!

3. Apple pie

4. Fresh laundry and the smells of a freshly cleaned house!

5. The "outside, sweaty kid" smell. You know what I mean!

Taste

1. Really anything chocolate. Cake, cookies, pie, candy....

2. Movie theater popcorn

3. Chips and salsa from Chili's

4. Diet Coke, especially in combination with any of the above!

5. Squash! It's not even allowed in my house, not even in baby food form!

Hear

1. My children's squeals when their Daddy comes home, along with an "I missed you so much!"

2. Children playing together and laughing

3. Sierra singing her songs as she remembers them

4. "What can I do to help, Mom?" "May I take your order?" "I love you most!"

5. Whining, whining, whining!

Touch

1. Clean, soft towels

2. Big bear hugs

3. Baby skin. Cheeks, legs, arms....

4. Sand between my toes

5. Raw meat!

I tag Chelsea, Stacey, Jackie, Ashly and Gretchen! Enjoy!

Ahhhh! It's Friday! Have a GREAT weekend!

Does Anybody Listen to ME!

Why is it that you can spend years trying to teach your kids the importance of brushing and flossing your teeth, and then a dentist stops by the kindergarten class for 20 minutes and suddenly your child is the "Floss Police"?

Time To Party!!

I have a friend who is just getting started as a jewelry consultant for Premier Designs and I'm hosting a party! I'm really not much of a hostess, but there won't be any kids around. There will be friends, fun, and lots of great jewelry. And if that's not enough, you can count on me to provide something chocolate! So come on over next Thursday, March 12th at 6:30!