The Girl Enjoys Her Food

If the mess on her face is any indication, Vanessa really likes her mom's cooking. All right, she is the pickiest eater of all my kids but when she finds something she likes, she goes at it full force.

To be Just Like Mom

Vanessa wants to be just like me! I came into the front room to find her like this...

Do you think I spend too much time on the computer??? Time to change my ways!

Ally's Sixth Birthday

Yep, it's that time again, our princess's birthday! And, like every year, I can't believe she is a year older! Time sure does go fast. It really makes me sad to think how truly fast it goes. Ally is such an amazing girl with a very large heart. She loves her brother and sister and wants to help in any way possible. She is so outgoing and makes new friends where ever we go. Lately it's been mostly boys, much to her mom and dad's dismay. For her birthday this year we did a 'faux sleepover' and invited all of her friends. The rule at our house is no sleepovers so we chose the faux sleepover instead. Her friends came over for breakfast of waffles and juice and chocolate milk.

Then it was time for the craft, foam flower gardens for each of them to make and take home.

And then, PRESENTS!! I came up with a very creative idea to get Ally the presents, okay so I stole it from someone else's blog, Spin the Bottle. Whoever the bottle points to gets to give Ally her present to open and then they get to spin the bottle to choose who goes next. The girls loved it!!! This is something I will do again and again!

Ally was spoiled with many dolls, bracelets, art supplies, pet shops and even a new scooter. She has some truly fabulous friends!!

It was then time for some yummy, pink cupcakes.

Ally was more into her new Zooble than the song being sung for her

Thankfully she looked up in time to blow out her candle

The kids all enjoyed their cupcakes

Even Vanessa

I had planned for the kids to watch a movie on blankets and pillows we'd put on the floor of our front room

But that lasted about five minutes before the girls wanted to play with Ally's new toys and head over to the park. I was, once again very grateful for the park across the street. Sometime during all the chaos Aunt Dorothy, Uncle Cameron and Max came over to wish 'baby girl' (Cam's nickname for Ally) a happy birthday.

Grandpa and grandma Davis also came over to wish her a happy birthday. She had a fabulous day shared with her favorite friends and family! Ally truly is a blessing to our family! We love her so much and are grateful each and every day for her and the joy and blessings she brings to us!

Pinewood Derby

This year was our first official pinewood derby race. Andrew's scout leaders were kind enough to welcome their scouts and their fathers into their wood shop to use the tools, etc. needed to create the perfect car. Jim and Andrew spent some time together over there working together to make Andrew's car exactly how he wanted it. They really enjoyed the time together and we are grateful Brother Burnett allowed the use of his tools and expertise as they made the entire process much easier. After some spray paint, stickers and weights it was off to the races.

 

All the cars

All the cars' creators

Andrew's car wasn't the fastest but he had a ton of fun. It was a fun experience. One that I'm sure will be repeated for a few more years.

Life Lessons

I learned yesterday that I can teach my kids lessons they will use for the rest of their lives anywhere. Andrew somehow convinced me to take him to Wal-mart after school yesterday. He really wanted to use his hard earned money to buy a new Lego set. Ally was at dance so we decided to take advantage of this time to get her a few birthday presents too. While doing our shopping we could hear a little baby crying and crying. We passed him and his mom trying to hurry and get the few things you could tell she really needed. When we were in another section we passed her again, baby still crying. Vanessa noticed him so I pointed the baby out to her and commented on how sad he was. The mom apologetically explained how he hates his car seat. I sympathized with her and we went to get our last things on our list. We got in line to check out and guess who was in front of us, the mom with her baby. he was no longer crying because he was no longer in his car seat. His poor mom was trying to hold him while unloading her cart. I asked Andrew if he would help her unload her groceries. He gave me his shy, 'are you serious Mom' look but reluctantly went to her cart and started helping her. The mom looked up a little shocked so I explained he wanted to help her. I could see the wave of relief wash over her. She thanked me and then talked to Andrew as they unloaded her cart. As soon as they were finished she quietly asked me what his favorite candy bar is so she could buy him one to thank him. I told her no and that he needs to learn to do things for others just to help, not because he will get something in return. After she paid for her items she thanked Andrew again and told him she hopes her boys grow up to be as nice as he is. He looked at me with a HUGE smile on his face. I thought to myself that he got it. I just didn't realize how much. We got home and he quickly got out of the car with his Legos. I figured that was the last I'd seen of him 'til his new set was complete. He quickly returned and started unloading the groceries from the car. Andrew really is a great helper but I figured he'd be so excited to build his new Legos he'd forget about helping me but he didn't. Not only did he help unload the car but he also help put things away once in the house. I am so grateful for these times and for the fact that my kids pick up on the lessons being taught. Now if I can just figure out a way to teach them to get along with each other.

From the Mouths of Babes

It's amazing to me how an adult can point out one of my weaknesses or tell me something I am doing wrong and my first response is to get defensive and ornery. I quickly argue and start to point out things they do wrong, just ask poor Jim. But, if one of my kids points something out it just melts my heart and makes me want to quickly change. Last night when we were coming home from Ally's cheer performance she told me I needed to get more sleep. I laughingly asked her why knowing that my lack of sleep is caused by her sister, Vanessa. She then said, "because you are so ornery." It broke my heart. I knew I'd been short and ornery with the kids but I didn't realize how much it was affecting them. My new goal, no matter how tired I am, I can't let it affect my relationship with my kids. I don't want my kids' memories of me being that I was always tired and ornery. If I could get Vanessa to sleep through the night it would be easier to not be so ornery but since right now that's not an option I just have to work on me and my lack of patience. Wish me luck!

Ally's Cheer Camp Performance

My friend Tara and I signed the girls up for a mini cheer camp this week. After the first day I realized I made a mistake. Ally LOVES cheerleading. All she talks about is 'when I am a cheerleader.' All right, so it wasn't a mistake. I am so glad she loved it and had so much fun! She really was super cute doing it too. Last night they did a performance for the parents. They had the girls broken down into age groups and each group performed their own individual dance and cheers. The high school cheer leaders then showed off their skills and then all the girls performed one last dance together. It was fun to see all they learned and how much they enjoyed performing. Ally especially, she is such a performer and I can tell she loves every minute of it. I got some cute video of them performing but for some reason I can't get it to upload to the blog so you'll have to settle for pictures only.