Priceless

The down side to being the younger brother to an older sister. She encourages you to play dress up with her (and then proceeds to laugh at you) and you're so little you got no clue, my friend...

Notice: the heels!

Beckham turns 2! And Trip to the State Fair!

Two years ago beck struggled his way into this world with his umbilical cord wrapped around his neck, and although sometimes he makes me wish I had something wrapped around my own, I couldn't imagine our life without him.

Not a day goes by where he doesn't make me smile, and laugh out loud (usually when I'm suppose to disciplining him!)

We celebrated his actual birthday by taking all three kids to the fair. It has been years since we last went (thanks to pregnancies with the boys). The weather wasn't too bad, although Stratton was pretty hot in the stroller.

It did seem really crowded to me, but maybe that's because a family of five, with two strollers, is quite a big group to maneuver around at a place like that. Beck and Ky had a blast riding rides and playing games. And of course we came home with a bag of cotton candy (my fave!) Here are a couple pics from our trip.

Ky riding the dumbo ride. Beck was too short, and preferred the car rides anyways.

Bad to the bone! The birthday boy livin' it up!

They both wanted to do the bumper cars so bad, but neither were tall enough. Next year maybe...

This cracked me up! Stratton LOVES to play with the tag on his big stroller (which we rarely use anymore) But this shot makes it look like he's reading the safety warnings.

Happy second birthday my main man. All the little boys in this world and somehow I got two of the best. I'm one lucky mom!

Picking ducks!

Couldn't get Beck to look at me the entire time, too much to see!

Note to self:

Highly enjoyed my impromptu dance session with Stratton tonight. Bouncing around the room, in the dark, singing Curtis Chapman's "Do Everything" and listening to the sounds of his belly laughs.

Must. Do. More. Often.

Need to remember to LIVE life, and not let LIFE live me. (Yeah, I know it doesn't really make sense, but it sure does sound good...)

Thanks for the reminder, once again, that life is precious. And thanks for allowing me to raise three of Your precious children who teach me how simple life really is.

I feel so blessed.

Beckham's Car Birthday!

Although Beck doesn't actually turn two until this coming weekend, we celebrated last weekend with what-else-but-a car themed birthday party! I had fun making the invitations, and my mom helped out a ton with some of the other necessary items (thank goodness!!!)

Here's a pic of the invitations I made. The final ones turned out much cleaner, but since I didn't get a shot of one before mailing them all out I'll show you the rough draft, you get the idea....

I created a road map with markers and colors on easel paper that we put down on one of the picnic tables so the kids could color and create the town. They also had hot wheels they could play with on the roads, allowing their imaginations to run wild! All the sayings are phrases from the Cars Galore book, one of Beck's favorites from our local library.

"Fun Drive. Sun Drive.

Gotta Run Drive.

Cool Drive. Dream Drive.

Someday You'll Drive!"

I took two cardboard boxes our diapers get delivered in and turned them into race cars using directions I found online. I had so much fun decorating these! The first time I painted the one below, the flames turned out more like flowery vines and J said they belonged in a gay pride parade, needless to say, I ended up repainting them. It was pretty funny...hey, I'm learning to do this boy thing..its still all pretty new to me!

Born 2 Ride. I cut out a large square on the bottom so the kids could climb inside and play with them around their waist.

Setting up the chalk area before the party. It looked like rain all morning, but luckily cleared up right before we got started. The wind was terrible, but without it, we would have sweat to death because of the humidity so it all worked out in the end.

The best shot we could get of Beck in his shirt my mom made him. It says, "Does this shirt make me look 2?" Love it!

Treat bags I started and my mom finished. Of course they ended up looking WAY better than they would have had I done them all on my own!

Inside were car parts stickers where the kids could "build a car", car bouncy balls, candy, car suckers and such....

The cupcakes my mom made for the party. AMAZING right???? She never ceases to blow me away!

Cookies she also made. So freakin' cute!!!

Ky and Beck during the party.

Love this shot...

Bre hanging with Strat, who did pretty well till the end when he was over it and ready to nap.

The kids were invited to bring any riding toys, and they did, putting them to good use riding around the playground and pavilion area...

On your mark, get set, go!

Singing happy birthday. It was so windy we didn't even bother trying with candles. Oh well, he didn't know the difference...

Ky and Kenz enjoying their cupcakes...

Jordan not sure of the camera...

Beck chowing down...

Gabe and Addie, LOVE these kiddos!

Beck checking out his new train table Nana and Dampa got him. He LOVED it.

Beck and Jordan, doing what BOYS do!

Beck & Jordan

This past weekend, my good friend Jess headed up to Dallas from Houston with her two year old son Jordan. Last month I was able to take a trip her direction and meet Jordan and her new baby girl. As soon as I met Jordan I know we just HAD to get him and Beck together.

Now that Jess is quickly becoming a seasoned stay at home mom, she loaded him up and headed to Dallas for Beck's birthday party.

The boys actually did better than I thought they would (I guess I should say MINE did better than I thought) That is, until Beck opened his presents Saturday evening and decided no one, and I mean NO ONE was allowed to even look at them, let alone play with them. But Jordan was a great sport about it (this boy is about as even tempered and patient as I have ever seen).

We spent a ton of time outside, thanks to the beautiful weather, and although the weekend flew by and the trip seemed way too short, I'm so glad they were able to make it.

My favorite moment of the trip was the square off that took place in our living room. Beck had all his cars lined up on the couch. He wanted to move to the right, Jordan wanted to move to the left, and so they just leaned into each other, neither willing to give any, and they both looked up at us like...really? does he really think he's going to win this one?...It was quite funny, and a memory I'm sure Jess and I will carry with us for quite sometime.

Hopefully it won't be long until we can all get together again, and I'm sure by that time Stratton, and maybe even Julia, will be getting in on the action as well!

Thanks Jess, for a wonderful weekend!

Ky and the boys running back and forth from our yard to the neighbors tree. Jordan really enjoyed having someone older to follow around and copy, of course this is nothing new for Beck. I'm so lucky Ky's so alright with it.

Two peas in a pod.

Ok, so how can you say no to this face? Seriously, I don't know how she does it!

Corny pose...

Playing chalk in the front porch, although it looks more like they've been rolling in it...

SOOO cute!
I haven't given up hope that this wonderful family will pack it all up and move to Dallas soon!!!!

Not trying to brag BUT....

Kylie is rockin' it these days (as she likes to say!)

-She came home with all "Mastered" on her first kinder report card

-She never had to "flip her clip"

-She stayed on green for the entire first six weeks

This past Friday the boys and I, and my parents, went up to the school for Gator Groove. Its their end of the six weeks recognition party. Kylie received an award for being a "never later gator" (always getting to class on time in the morning), received the character counts award for her class- Responsibility, setting a good example for others, and received an award for "Great effort".

I was so proud, and couldn't wait to give her huge hugs after school. Her first words? "Mom, I didn't get the attendance award because you kept me home sick that one day." Can you say perfectionist??? We had to sit down and talk about how GREAT she did, and how we should focus on all the cool awards she DID get, and not the one we missed this time around!

Her prayer Friday evening was thanking God for making it "her special day". It sure was a special day. And I'm VERY proud of her.

Sitting with her class, waiting for the assembly to start. (she's in the middle in green)

Receiving her "character counts" award (each teacher picked 1 kid from her class)

Receiving her "great effort" award (each teacher picked 4 kids from her class)

This picture makes me laugh. Look at how much taller Kylie is than the rest of this group. I don't think she'll end up being all that tall in the end, but there's a noticeable difference right now!

Nana and me, holding the boys while dancing the ''a-too-di-ta" song. This is something the kinders do at school, and it is HILARIOUS! Stratton LOVED it!

I guess its fair to say that kindergarten is going well so far! I know she's having a blast and loving it. And although I wish she was being challenged more, those days are just around the corner! And I'm JUST FINE with sitting and enjoying the HERE and NOW, and how proud of her I am!