The Killer B's

Stationery card

2011-12-11T13:45:00.001-08:00

Classically Yours Christmas Card

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2010-12-01T14:52:00.001-08:00

Snowflake Wishes Noir Christmas

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Summer's Over...

2009-08-23T17:17:00.000-07:00

Random pics from Summer Travel St. Louis Arch
Yes, Blaire is thrilled with all the photo taking...

St. Louis Zoo

Magic Time Machine....they sat us all in the short bus :0

The Dallas Aquarium

Well, my last post, Summer's here, only to be followed by Summer's Over. That is fitting because I have been too busy to really keep up lately. That plus something is wrong with the modem and I lose internet at least once a day and it is a pain to reset. I check email, facebook occassionally and move on. But now that 2 out of 3 kids will be gone at least part of the time (insert halleujah chorus here), maybe I will at least update my blog. Time has flown by this summer. Sadly we did not do many of the things we had on our list. My motto has become, sometimes less is more. We did take several trips this summer, none of which I blogged about. We went to Dallas for a few days and did lots of fun things like the aquarium, Rainforest Cafe, and Magic Time Machine. We traveled to St Louis to visit Ayric's family and did lots of fun things there. We went to Sci Port and the Boardwalk in Shreveport. So I guess when we weren't traveling I really didn't feel like dragging 3 kids to the movies or bowling in the HEAT, so we hung out around here and mostly relaxed. I think it was a good summer overall although as with all moms, we all feel like we could be doing more. I am ready for school to start just to have a good routine again. But once school gets going we are heading to the beach for Labor Day.

Summer is Here-

2009-06-12T11:24:00.000-07:00

Blaire at Story time
Brooke- Kindergarten Graduation
So proud of her!
Brynlee has learned to balance a plate on her head! Don't know where she got this?!
My beautiful ballerina!

I just wanted to add a new post so that when I check on all my other blogger buddies I won't see a month old post on mine. I love to keep up with other people and check facebook more regularly, but seem to let the blog slide. I mean I really don't think I have but maybe 1-2 readers, so maybe they will forgive me. Let's see...we have made it though Kindergarten graduation and the chicken pox, a dance recital and are finishing up swimming lessons this week. We are trying to get in a summer routine but when I have anything in the way like swimming lessons this week, it seems to just be survival mode that day. But next week we will start activites like bowling, the movies, park, or library. Whatever we feel like tackling that day!

Not Me Monday!

2009-05-11T06:40:00.000-07:00

It's Monday again...and you know what that means! Lots of things people from all around the globe would never do.

As for me...

I would never get teary eyed as they played the wedding march this weekend when 2 of my 3 were flower girls thinking it would someday be them. Why would I do that, they are 3 and 6. I've got plenty of time and time definitely does not seem to be going way too fast!

I would never let my newly turned 3 year old have a paci on the way home from the wedding because I knew she would fall fast asleep and there would be quiet in the car! I mean she is way too old for that. Along these lines I have avoided telling her NO to the paci and making a big deal because of times like these when I know I will revert. I have been trying the subtle encouragement instead.

I did not wake up from my mothers day nap to find these things going on:

The girls must have heard him snoring and covered him up. He went in there to play with them-LOL

Brynlee found the paintbrushes but luckily no paint!

Blaire decided she didn't like the church dress on and apparently put herself down for a nap.

Can you find the girl in the mess? They had even stacked furniture on top of each other- oh my!

Not Me Monday

2009-05-04T08:34:00.000-07:00

Ok this may be a little lame but I really wanted to post to be entered to win that necklace!
I do also make Mommy Bracelets and could possibly still get you one by Mother's Day! email me! robyn@braceyourselfdesigns.com view bracelets at http://www.braceyourselfdesigns.com/

This past week I didn't forget to feed Blaire breakfast and then mid morning when she told me she was hungry let her have a cupcake for snack because I totally forgot.

I did not make 48 cupcakes for a baby shower and realize that that was about 40 too many!

I would never put adorably cute but too too small clothes in an actual trashbag for lack of a better container, only to have Ayric mistakenly throw them in the TRASH instead of taking them to Goodwill. Arrgghh

Easter

2009-04-27T10:14:00.001-07:00

Yes...I'm behind but thought I would share a few Easter pics. If you are on facebook..you have already had a peek. It rained here so we stayed indoors. Luckily we had a hunt Saturday when the weather was so nice.

The STROLLER!!!!

2009-03-29T20:02:00.001-07:00

I ordered a stroller (yes, another one) for our Disney trip. I am a bit of a stroller collector. I have had 5 now...all different kinds. I thought I had found the perfect one on eBay. The Zooper Tango. It is a side by side yet slim and seem to get good reviews. I mean if you have to have a double stroller your life is already a bit chaotic so you better have a good one. We already have a double stroller, a sit and stand and a single. Ayric says we could tote 6 or 7 kids around at any given time. Anyway, this dream stroller which retails between 300-400, was used and a few years old but looked like it had minimal wear and I won it for 95.00! Well after shipping, 145.00, but still. So I emailed the seller BEFORE bidding to make sure it could be here before we left. She said no problem and she would ship it the fastest way. I fully expected to get an email asking me to pay more shipping, etc to have it here guaranteed. There were 8 full days so I thought that could work. No contact from seller and no replies asking when she sent it, etc. Ok well SURELY since I paid a stranger money and she promised me to get it here it would arrive-Yeah, I know, I know. Anyway, I was so busy packing and running around and keeping the Disney secret from the girls that Friday passed and I hardly noticed, no stroller. I remember thinking as it was getting dark that sometimes UPS comes late. Again, I know, I know.

So we leave out Saturday with our old double stroller in tow. The wheel is a little bent or something but hey its never given us any trouble and who cares right, I'm going to the happiest place on earth. So we rush to the Princess Dinner the first night with the stroller and all of our little princesses and just before we get to the castle...yep, the wheel falls off. I always laugh at these situations, Ayric usually never does. But this time since most of Epcot noticed and asked if they could help, he did giggle a bit, probably nervous laughter. Who cares, right, we are going to have a birthday dinner with the Princesses and nothing is stopping us now! So we eat and get autographs and photos, etc, etc and go back out to claim the three wheeler and Ayric bends down to try to fix or adjust or something the stroller wheel and he literally POPS his knee out of place. Again, me laughing, him, not so much. We some how made it back to the hotel so he could ice down his knee and figure out how we were going to get these kids around Disney for 7 more days. We had luckily brought the single stroller. And as a side note, this single stroller was on sale for 19.99, 6 years ago and has been everywhere and still ticking! So we spent a whopping 120.00 to RENT a double stroller for the remainder of the trip. The kids didn't like it because it was a low seat and they couldn't see much and certainly could not lay down to rest. Brynlee had to be in the single because she would fall out of the rental. The only way to buy a new stroller was to rent a cab and find a Wal-mart, with 3 kids and a bad knee, remember. No, not happening!

So we get home and I find my stroller on the porch, it had arrived 3 days late. Ayric got it out and put it together and asked me if there were more parts somewhere? Nope,. Well this stroller that was advertised as like new, minimal wear, no damage, and I saw pics, had the back post cracked in half! Ok there was no picture of that. It was very wobbly on that side and there was a spring on the other side but missing from this side. As we looked closer, someone had tried to hold it together by screwing 2 screws on top and 2 on bottom of the broken area. How odd? I know I am naive but who would do this? So of course I emailed the girl and told her it was broken and please let me know what to do. She replied, it was not that way when I sent it to you, maybe you should claim insurance if it was damaged in shipping. I kept writing back detailed posts what was wrong, etc, I kept getting the same reply, claim on insurance. Ok the box is intact, so why would the post office believe it was damaged. Plus I guess the postal fairy put all the screws in to try and cover it up! Anyway, she just absolutely refused to reply to me so I opened up a case on paypal-item not as described. They saw the pic and took about 2 minutes to rule in my favor. She had the nerve to write to paypal and say that she thought I must have broken it in Disney-I WISH! But the catch is I have to pay almost 60.00 to send it back to her and I have nothing. Paypal will refund my 145.00 but then I spent 60.00 to learn a lesson about buying from idiots on eBay. I guarantee if I send it back to her she will go file a claim and say it was damaged on the way back to her. You have to have my receipt where I mailed it to file an insurance claim, I read, so that will never happen! Ayric and I decided to see if we can order a whole new back and if it doesn't cost 60.00, we will come out ahead. So I am going to spend the 145.00 to give her an ever so nice feedback. Happy eBaying!

ONE More Birthday

2009-03-27T07:00:00.001-07:00

We celebrated Brynlee's first birthday the day after we returned from Disney. While I really wanted to have a party for all 3 at the same time, it just didn't work out. She still has an ear infection but was in good spirits for the party. We all laughed and laughed at this little girl eating her cake. She dove right in! Happy Birthday Brynlee!

The Birthday Girls

2009-03-09T06:06:00.000-07:00

All my girls birthdays are within the same week. So this weekend was party time! Brooke and Blaire had a magic show at the party and Brynlee just dressed up and came along for the ride. I decided not to do her "first" birthday in all the chaos but wait until we return from the trip and have a family party. On my to-do list is to get some good pics of the girls in these outfits but the party was just not the place. I think I am going to tell them, we can go to Disney IF you agree to a photo shoot when we get back-ha. The girls helped make the tutus and thankfully wanted to wear them. Brooke had to take hers off most of the day because of all the activities, bounce house, etc. But Blaire as you can see, wanted hers ON.

Betcha can't beat this!

2009-03-06T10:56:00.001-08:00

Ok I was doing some crazy shopping getting 3 girls coordinated for this 8 days we will be gone to Disney. Whew...Anyway, Ayric said he would watch the kids so I could get a little more done. I was zipping through the Gap and spotted a cute enough white tank, plain but even had a little rhinestone heart at the bottom. It was marked .97 so I could not pass it up. When I got to the register, I even thought would that not be funny if it were an additional % off or something. The little guy with no personality and even less brains, rings it up and looks at the register and then says, ".01." I repeated, ".01." He said , "Yes." No smile, no funny comment, nothing. I chuckled and dug out a penny and handed it to him and ran out before someone realized I was STEALING a perfectly good tank top from them. Even funnier than the top being .01, was that the guy did not think to ask anyone if this was ok that he sell a shirt for a penny, or even crack a smile when he told me the total. Oh yes, and I almost forgot, he actually said, "Do you want your receipt in the bag

Long Time No Blog!

2009-02-24T19:50:00.000-08:00

Valentine Cuties

Brynlee learning her ABCs

And she's off...

Three Cowgirls

Wow... I have not posted in over a month. Let's see where to begin. We had my birthday, then Valentine's Day, 4 cases of the FLU, and now planning 3 birthday parties in March. But most importantly..we are packing, planning, etc, for our BIG surprise Spring Break trip to DISNEY! I am so excited I can hardly stand it. The girls have no idea. They all have a birthday the week of Spring Break (I knew this would be helpful one day) so it is going to be a birthday celebration! The first Sat of Spring Break is Brooke's actual birthday so we are going to schedule a call from Cinderella and wake the girls up. Car will be packed and ready Friday night. We are going to somehow ask Brooke and Blaire what they would like to do for Spring Break/Birthday etc and if it doesn't already come out of Brooke's mouth (she tells us quite frequently she wants to go to Disney one day, but we keep telling her Brynlee has to be a little older) we are going to say, "How about Disney World?" and all hop in the car and head for the airport! Ok that's how it goes in my fairytale but I will let you know how it really turns out.

Laughter Lives

2009-01-20T21:05:00.000-08:00

This post is part of "Laughter Lives! Tuesday" on the Riggs Family Blog. Check our their blog to read everyone else's "Laughter Lives!" posts.

Ok now I have a reason to share a couple of funny stories....

Blaire, oh Blaire, what can I say. She is a spunky 2 year old and I love her. Here is one of her latest stunts. Well, we have been having conversations when she gets in trouble about who is in charge and why. (God made Mommies and Daddies to take care of you and tell you what to do, etc, etc) She woke up one morning and at the breakfast bar I could tell she was in deep thought. She said, "Mom, God told me from heaven with his magic wand, that I was the boss!" I think she must have had a dream about it or something. I don't know where the magic wand comes in.

Blaire had this revelation this afternoon as Uncle Adam drove up. She said, Uncle Adam, (pause) Uncle Michael, (pause) Uncle Alan (pause).... Uncle Todd....HEY, they're all on the same team!

Brooke (our 5 year old) has been to the Bass Pro Shop many times but the last trip she made a discovery. She was looking at all the "stuffed" animals and naming them, asking questions, etc. She paused and got very quiet. "Dad, were all these animals alive one time and now they are dead?"Ayric replied, "Yep." She held her composure but said, "We have got to get out of here with all these dead animals!" She is our vegetarian from birth with such a sensitive heart. The kid has never digested a piece of chicken, beef, pork. I tried to sneak it on for her when she was eating baby food, and out it came. She can pick out the tiniest pieces of chicken in soup. And believe me she has really no idea where it all comes from because if she did, none of us would be allowed to eat meat. Recently she asked me where hamburgers came from and I said, "Well... you know from animals, like cows... " I was really pushing it. She thought about it but I really don't think she gets the whole slaughter the animal and eat it thing yet. My guess is that she thinks it "comes from" a cow much like an egg comes from a chicken.

2009-01-17T07:59:00.000-08:00

Found this through one of my other blog friends. After years of infertility issues, Kelly was induced yesterday with baby Harper...all was well with the pregnancy but baby Harper is in serious condition with pneumonia.

Not me Monday

2009-01-12T08:25:00.000-08:00

I must have been pretty good this week, because I really can't think of many things I didn't do. For one, I am not enjoying nursing my 10 month old because it gives me more computer time. I also do not sit in my computer chair and nurse. That would be much too uncomfortable.

Oh- one more thing I would never do. I wouldn't even think of reprimanding another person's child at the mall playground. Because first of all I would never take my children to the MALL PLAYGROUND in the middle of cold and flu season, that would be outrageous right there. But this child who was running around screaming a high pitch annoying scream everywhere he went got right up in my daughter's face and for no apparent reason let go of another scream. It just happened before I could stop it..I said, Oh, no please don't scream in her face. If I had done this, I would say it was because I was protecting my own child. If my husband had been there, dying of embarrassment, he would have told me never to do that to another person's child, just ask mine to come away. OK maybe next time...

Picture People

2009-01-09T11:09:00.001-08:00

We had these pictures made last weekend at Picture People. My mom wanted all the grandkids while we were all together. Here they are Libby 11, Landon 6, Brooke 5, Blaire 2, Brynlee 9 mos, and Whit 10 mos. Quite the little stairsteps.

Wrapping Up Christmas

2009-01-07T19:23:00.000-08:00

I found a few more Christmas pics to share. Random events in December...so much fun!

All decked out to go see the Nutcracker
Brooke and Mrs. Luna at the Christmas party
Brynlee-all smiles!
At the Galleria
Santa party
Brynlee checks out the strange man
All my girls at the Mistletoe Fair

Not Me Monday!

2009-01-05T06:28:00.000-08:00

I did not check MckMama's blog every 2 minutes to see updates of Stellan in the hopsital. I have way too much to do for that. I didn't just continue my life and walk by and hit refresh every time I thought about it to see his status. My 3 kids would never allow that!

I did not return a shirt to Old Navy after I had washed it and worn it! Who would allow that? I mean I didn't like the way the shirt fit and it washed up horribly but I purchased it so it's mine right? I have heard of that but would never do it myself.

My 2 year olds poop did not smell like SPEARMINT from all the gum she swallowed. That could be dangerous or something?!

Merry Christmas

2008-12-27T09:52:00.000-08:00

Christmas Morning!
A big girl bike from Santa

Barbie Jeep for Blaire-(she had no idea-when she walked in she said, "I did want that!"

Watching for Santa-Christmas Eve

Making ice cream to leave for Santa

Christmas PJ's

Goofing off on Christmas Eve

I am so good at checking other people's blogs to see what a great Christmas everyone had and how cute their kiddos looked in Christmas Pj's but apparently not that great at posting my own...so here goes, a few days late. Merry Christmas

Not Me Monday

2008-12-22T07:00:00.000-08:00

Ok -time is flying by with Brooke out of school and Ayric off work. I was truly surprised to find out today was Monday-it's hard to keep up. So here are some things I would have never done..no matter what day it is-

I most certainly did not forget to lock the wheels on the double stroller..(aka the tantrum wagon) and while my middle daughter was getting on the table at the doctor, bump the stroller and accidentally completely fold the stroller in the small doctors waiting room...with my 8 month old baby strapped in. I hurriedly try to get the stroller back up so I could get my scared, screaming, yet virtually unharmed baby out. She did have a mark on her forehead where the little snack tray collided in the unfortunate incident but seemed not to notice. What kind of whack-job must someone be to do that!

When taking my poor poodle to the groomer they would never charge my DOUBLE because we had waited so long to bring her in. (I really wish I had a before shot) I would never have to put a ponytail on top of her little head so that she could see. They also did not inform me that the rescue people were in asking if she needed a home. That would not be my experience at the dog groomer because I take perfect care of all my kids and animals. (I promise we love her)

I Make Bracelets

2008-12-16T07:10:00.001-08:00

Funny-it is amazing how many people I have known for years will get my business card or find out I make bracelets that have no idea. Recently I have gotten orders from friends, etc and thought well maybe I should let everyone know. I make bracelets. Mommy bracelets mainly, but I do other stuff by request. For example, grandma bracelets, cancer awareness, school colors, picture frames. Well, you can see for yourself...braceyourselfdesigns.com Shoot me an email robyn@braceyourselfdesigns.com

They are also on display at Graham Crackers, (childrens consignment in Wake Village).

It's not too late for Christmas, especially if you are local. I can mail UPS and it will get there also.

Oh and we have been struggling on a Christmas Card...3 kids smiling harmonioulsy-haha

So here are some from the photo shoot we are NOT using. I decided you can't really see what they look like under all the hats so we opted for indoor shots...wait and see!

So this was going to be titled, Who Needs Snow? Hence all the leaves, sled, and gear. But didn't really turn out as planned. Oh well. don't sweat the small stuff right?

Blog Frog

2008-12-09T06:37:00.000-08:00

Check out the Blog Frog-found it on McKMama's site.

theblogfrog.com

Not Me Monday!

2008-12-01T04:33:00.000-08:00

It's Monday-back to school after the long break. I had forgotten how nice it was to not have a kindergartener that had to be taken and picked up from school ;) We all miss the days of sleeping in, especially when it is so chilly out! Anyway... here are things I definitely did not do this week-

After 5 trips to the doctor in just 6 days, 6 prescriptions, 2 xrays, 2 shots, 1 strep test, and a breathing machine later-I did not have to keep telling myself, "I will miss all this one day, I will miss all this one day, I know I will!"

When my husband wrote "CLEAN ME" in the layer of dust on our furniture last night, I did not politely comment back with "NO" in my own dust writing.

I did not get up,no STAY up rather, (no sleep to be had this week with the sickies) and drive to Wal-mart at 3:30 AM to try and buy a Barbie Jeep for Blaire. As I watched the crowds I did not think about the post I would write to commemorate all the Black Friday, hmm "Shoppers". Not me, I don't experience life through my blog ...ha

And I most certainly did not let my oldest have an oreo with breakfast because I was literally too tired to care. This is after earlier in the week trying to sneak garbanzo beans in her mac and cheese for protein. (A no-g0 BTW!)

Bible Stories, Bow Heads, and Veterans

2008-11-09T06:56:00.000-08:00

Blaire's rendition of Jonah and the Whale
When I asked her what happened next after Jonah was swallowed by the whale, she said he chewed him up. I said, "No, he spit him out didn't he?" She thought about it and answered, "No, Jesus was really hungry so he ate him up!" She told me she learned that in "class".

AFTER

Look what they've done to my hair

Here is the before shot of the BOWhead-(at Brooke's Veterans day program)

Brooke had a cute program for the Veterans Friday. She invited Dandy (my dad) to her class. The kindergarten sang and then all the Veterans went back to the classrooms to answer questions. I thought it was cute that she introduced him as Grandpa-even though we call him Dandy, because she said that the kids wouldn't understand that. That's Brooke for you, always one step ahead, thinking of those "kids"

Trick or Treat

2008-11-01T05:42:00.001-07:00

So excited about Trick or Treating-
Raggedy Ann
Miss Ladybug
I love it when they are still little enough to be persuaded what to be for Halloween.
Cruella de Ville Strike a Pose-(She loves Halloween)
The cousins ready to hit the streets.
We're all here
We had a great time trick or treating. Once we got over the "I'm first" at every house. We made it through the neighborhood and then stopped off at the mall to show Nee Nee our costumes, or what was left of them at that point. Brooke insisted on being Cruella for about 6 months now. That girl has a mind of her own (don't know where she gets it). I think it turned out pretty cute. I suggested to Blaire maybe a ladybug because we had that adorable tutu from Brooke's dance last year. I have always called her my ladybug so she thought that was pretty neat , and the tutu sealed the deal. Miss Brynlee, she had no choice, this was the costume that both of her sisters wore on their first Halloween so it had to be. I think that wig is too darn cute.
Hope everyone had a Happy Halloween-

Not Me Monday-

2008-10-27T08:24:00.000-07:00

I (we) did not tell my daughter (who can read) that her daddy's shirt said something totally different and then scurried him away. It read "I don't give a ...(And had a picture of a donkey (ass) being pulled by a rat.)" I told her it said, I don't give a donkey and we don't know why it says that it just doesn't make sense and we will get rid of it right away. So if you live in my area check goodwill soon. This is an old shirt he has had since before kids and it made an appearance because his wife has gotten behind on laundry (again), see beach towel post on previous, Not me Monday.

I would never buy that shirt and laugh hilarioulsy because I thought it was so funny, not me.

I'm sure there's more but I've got laundry to do, obviously!

Pumpkins-Take 2

2008-10-25T09:58:00.001-07:00

Well I was not happy with our "pumpkin patch" pictures this year so we decided to just throw some out in the front yard and take a few more shots. These are the outfits from last year but they still fit so we chose to do traditional colors this time. I know you all think I made Brooke wear those big honking bows in her hair, but quite the contrary, she saw them in the drawer from last year and begged me for pigtails. Who can ever tell about that girl. I am trying to let her make some of those choices these days, because really would you like for someone to make you wear those things in your hair if it weren't your idea? Me either-

Where Oh Where Oh Where Is Brynlee....

2008-10-22T21:54:00.000-07:00

Brynlee is seven months and so close to crawling. She can "roll" where she wants to be and tries to scoot a little. She is so much fun. I know I might regret it but I am ready for her to be mobile. She spends most of the day on my hip and wants to be where I am. I know that won't change much but maybe she can crawl behind me or something! She is our baby and I am not rushing her to grow up but I guess I am ready for a new phase.

Pumpkin Patch

2008-10-20T11:33:00.000-07:00

The cousins-

These did not turn out as I had hoped. Brynlee who usually steals the show with her big grins, had just gotten up from a nap and looks thoroughly confused. Oh well, they got to pick pumpkins and that was the goal. Well, not my goal, but you get the idea- (there may be another trip in our future-ha ha)

And a big JEERS to the family that decided to SUE the big pumpkin patch we usually visit. They had games, animals, food, wagon rides, and more. They are not open this year because someone broke their arm last year and when the owners offered to pay all medical bills, they decided that wasn't good enough and wanted to sue. So they ruined it for everyone!!!

Wordless Wednesday

2008-10-15T19:58:00.000-07:00

Not Me Monday

2008-10-12T18:46:00.000-07:00

I did not tell my family to pretend we were on vacation when we had to start using beach towels because all of the towels were dirty! That could never happen in my home because I wash every day and I would never let things get out of hand like that-not me!

I did not let my husband feed our 6 month old daughter MASHED POTATOES because that was the easier than pureeing more "baby food". Not me, because I know they were made with real milk and a stick of butter. I would never allow that until she is at least a year.

And last....I did not have my husband link this for me because I am so techno-saavy, I never have to ask for help.

Tent Camping is not for Sissies...

2008-10-07T19:56:00.000-07:00

Notice the cots drying out in the background-
Campfire Memories-
Nana, Dandy and the B's

Yes, 2/3 of them even wear bows camping. I've lost the oldest, darn it!

Here is Ayric fixing the tent. So much fun-
Rain Rain Go Away-
Blaire learns to fish-
Cousins: Libby, Landon, Brooke, Blaire, Whitmore, and Brynlee

We went camping last weekend. There was absolutely no chance of rain when we left but when we woke up that morning to thunder and lightning we decided to take cover. We took the girls in for breakfast at Cracker Barrel and $72.00 later we killed time around Wal-mart until the storm passed. When we got back the tent had given way under the pressure of the water and there was about 2 inches of water in most of our huge tent. I wasn't thinking of a picture at that point so you'll have to imagine that part. We cleaned it up and started over. The girls didn't seem to notice and fun was had by all. The rest of the day was beautiful. We got back home and everything still smells like a campfire but we had a great time so that's what counts right? Oh and I forgot to mention that the night before we got a late start and then sat on the interstate for 2 hours because a truck lost its load. So we (and by we I mostly mean Ayric) set up our tent by a lantern and we finally got to bed around 2am. But stick around, things like this happen to us ALL the time. Our lives are better (or worse)than fiction most times.

Look what I bought...

2008-09-09T22:19:00.000-07:00

I ordered the sneaky chef cookbooks and headed to the grocery store. My family has never eaten these things in real life and probably never will. I will have to "sneak" them into foods that they already eat like spaghetti sauce and mac and cheese. As some of you know Brooke is a self made vegetarian. She has NEVER liked meat, chicken, or much else. From the time she was old enough to eat foods she refused any meat and can find the tiniest pieces in soup or spaghetti sauce. She has also given up peanut butter so I am really worried. She will only eat a handful of foods, mac and cheese, spaghetti, pizza, breadsticks, green beans, oatmeal, peanuts, cheese only nachos, and if it is a good day grapes and apples. That's it folks. Well, except for any sort of chocolate cake, candy or cookie. She is lactose intolerant so she drinks soy milk with omega proteins. Oh and she eats waaaay too much ice cream thanks to dad. I am excited to use some recipes but unfortunatley I can't hide too much in the only foods she will eat. But Blaire will eat and try lots of new things but doesn't really like veggies or fruit so it should work great for her and Ayric. I will keep you posted on whether or not my family eats the stuff!

Couldn't resist-

2008-09-02T07:03:00.000-07:00

Here are some random pics from the last few days, I couldn't resist posting. These are straight out of the camera (ha ha), that's the only way around here since I really haven't figured out the photo editing software. I did figure out however how to cut Ayric's hair. We bought a clipper set mainly because he always HATES his hair after he gets it cut. He says they mess it up and has been asking me for years to learn how to cut his hair. Well, it looks pretty darn good and think of the money we will save. We just need some more boys around here to take advantage of my skills.

First Day of School

2008-08-26T21:14:00.000-07:00

Ready for school-She was sooooo excited!
Ready to go into class-she told me I could drop her off but I asked her if I could take her in the first day. She was fine with that but when I asked for a picture of her with her teacher she had a firm, "No."
Complete with monogrammed backpack and all.

The first day went great. Brooke has probably never in her life gotten up at 7am, especially not on a regular basis. We tried to get her somewhat prepared by getting her up around 8:30-9:00 towards the end of the summer. She has always been a late sleeper, 9:30-10:00 when she can. So this is an adjustment for us all. She was pretty positive about the first day but said it was long and she was ready to be in college! Blaire missed her but I think she enjoyed having more time with Mommy. I took her to the store today and she took over the role of oldest child , she wanted to walk and helped me get things off the shelf. She is getting so big and now that one has gone to school it makes me treasure the time I have at home with the other 2 before they are gone.

Meet the Teacher!

2008-08-22T21:59:00.000-07:00

Here she is (my baby!) checking out her desk-(Notice Blaire making herself at home) Blaire wants to go to Kindergarten too-she says she is too little, but she can go with Brookie-"she will let me!" (I don't think Kindergarten is ready for Blaire yet!)
Ahhh-melts my heart
It's official- she's on the roster

Brooke is heading to Kindergarten this year (sniff , sniff) . Actually I have mixed emotions, I am ready but yet I know how this somehow means the next years of school will fly by and she will grow up entirely too fast. I have been so lucky to have been able to stay home with her all these years. I tried not to focus on it too much but realized that today was actually our last real stay at home day before she is officially on the school district's calendar. As you can see, she is in Mrs. Luna's class. We LOVED her and the classroom. I think she will be great for Brooke, we are looking forward to an exciting year!

Blaire

2008-08-13T21:34:00.000-07:00

The sisters had a makeup party-blue is her color~
Helping with Dinner- so proud of herself
This is Blaire acting out Fabulous from High School Musical 2. "scuse me"
Sound asleep. Ahhh

Here's a bit about Blaire, the middle child. Ayric, being a middle child reminds to treat her extra special because of this. ;) Anyway, she is a character. She is a cuddlebug most of the time and wants me to rock her and twists my hair around her finger until she falls asleep. She can hardly contain herself when one of her favorite songs comes on in the car, she sings and dances as much as the car seat restraints will allow. She LOVES her Daddy and says the cutest little prayers at night. She is trying to say, "thank you for the boys and girls", (like she has heard in bible class) but most nights it comes across, "Dear Jesus, Thank you for all the boys." Yes, we're
worried. She is lately fascinated with being a "big girl" and was refusing to hold my hand crossing the street at Target, as if we aren't a spectacle enough, this time I was arguing with her the whole way across the street that big girls still hold Mommy's hands. It was all I could manage. Anyway, this is typical Blaire and we love her. The hardest part about her personality right now is that if she wants to do something herself or wanted something a certain way and it doesn't happen, she wants to go back to the scene of the crime and start over. For example, if you forget to let her buckle herself in the carseat, she wants to go back to the house, out the door and start over. It's her kind of therapy I guess, yes, that's what will call it for now. The girl knows what she wants!

Cereal and a Big Girl Bath

2008-08-01T20:07:00.000-07:00

Here's what we have been up to lately: Miss Brynlee had cereal for the first time and even got a bath with the big girls. I think they enjoyed it more than her. We are enjoying Brynlee though we are having teething issues and mixed with Blaire's terrible two's it can get a little hairy somedays. I just keep telling myself I will miss this one day!

Family Reunion

2008-07-20T21:18:00.001-07:00

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Swimming Lessons

2008-07-19T07:19:00.001-07:00

Brooke and her cousin Landon took swimming lessons together this summer. They were both very apprehensive but of course LOVED it once they got there. Ms. Julie was the best!

4th of July

2008-07-18T17:29:00.001-07:00

Cousins, cousins, everywhere...

Fireworks fun-

Blaire thinks fireworks should not be seen or heard!

Brynlee is always a happy camper.

Brynlee arrives-March 20, 2008

2008-07-18T16:54:00.000-07:00

Look- she came out with a bow ;) The nurses did deliver her to me from the nursery like this.

Big Sisters

Ok- I am really going to give this blogging thing another try. I will go back and at least document Brynlee's birth. All the girls were due in sequential order, oldest born on the 14th, middle on the 22nd and the last was not due until the 28th. (All of March) However....the doctor decided that because of the size of my first two babies (both 8lbs 2 oz) and my ability to pack on the pounds this pregnancy that this one was coming early. So I was induced on the 20th. I felt like I was in labor so I went to the hospital like a dork at 3:00am when I was scheduled to be there at 6:00am, because I just knew she was about to fall out of me, but when they checked me nothing had changed since my appointment the day before, still barely 2 cm but RIPE as they say. I have this thing about getting absolutely no sleep before all the births of my children and I don't advise this. Anyway, Miss Brynlee was not cooperating and I was in hard labor most of the day much to my dismay. I got epidurals upon getting a gown on basically with the other 2 in Austin but this doctor wanted to wait!! He also kept telling me I could do it without an epidural so I was keeping my eye on the clock and holding him to when I could have the epidural. Then the anesthesiologist could not get the needle in my back .He tried for about 40 minutes and he kept saying he thought if I could endure this much pain I should just try it without it-no thanks, I said just please keep trying. Finally, it was in. Within an hour I was not making much progress, so the doctor came in and said he would give me one more hour before we would talk c-section. I was not going to let this happen to me on my last baby. The nurses sat the bed up, turned me, etc and it worked, she was ready to be delivered within the hour. Yea- a few pushes and Miss Brynlee arrived! She was large-8lbs 10 oz and a screamer. Beautiful and worth every stretch mark. We are so in love with her and can' t imagine life without this little girl!

Ice Cream Social Frock Giveaway!!!!

2008-07-04T06:21:00.000-07:00

Ice Cream Social Frock Giveaway!!!!

Maternity Pics

2008-02-23T21:38:00.000-08:00

Here are a few pics of a very pregnant me and the girls. I think I only did this because I would feel guilty because I did it with the other 2. Here are some pics to compare.

Baby Whit arrives!

2008-02-23T21:31:00.001-08:00

My sister delivered Whitmore Michael Haynes, on February 21, 2008. He is precious and we can't get enough of him! Whitmore is our maiden name and we have no boys to carry on the name, so she named him Whitmore to be called "Whit". Blaire has renamed him "Whip", or Ally's baby boy.

Backing up a bit- Valentine's Day

2008-02-22T10:47:00.000-08:00

Everyone is mad at Mom because it was 40 degrees and I wanted a picture!

Brooke, Blaire and Lilly

This picture captures Blaire's personality-

We had a great Valentine's day this year at our house. Most times, it is just easier to stay home and not fight the crowds, especially with the girls. I hate to get a sitter because I feel like they missed out on a holiday. So to spice it up a bit this year Brooke and I decided to decorate the dining room for Daddy and cook a meal and even make a heart shaped cake. Brooke was so helpful, we made a list the night before and she was so detailed with what we needed and what we would do. The next day we shopped, cooked, baked, decorated, etc. She was our waitress and showed us to the table and served us. We had a great time... it was exhausting but worth it!