A New 'Do

This is what my hair has looked like for a while now.

 I have a lot of hair.  It is very thick and I have had it long for quite a while now, but I was ready for a change.

 This is what I look like now!  It feels so much better to have the weight of all that hair gone.

 I am still getting used to styling it, and I realized after Jon took this picture that I am going to have to pay more attention to the back, but I love it and I think it is so fun.

Zoo Fun

This week I decided I was going to take all three kids to the zoo, by myself.  We had a lot of fun, but it was a lot of work keeping up with all three of them, especially now that Garrett is walking.

Garrett love animals and he was squealing so loud people thought he was throwing a fit, but he was really just super excited.  

 Addie was diligent about taking pictures.  Her camera hasn't worked since shortly after she got it, but she was taking pictures like a champ.

 Addie and Ben were pretty good about staying together,

 And Garrett was all about going his own way.

 He looked like such a big boy trying to look at the animals.

 Ben was a little too brave, right after I took this picture he kept climbing and was almost ready to jump over the fence, Yikes!

 Orangutan Bennett.

 Monkey Addie.  She wasn't quite tall enough for this opening so she jumped up and is hanging on by her little fingers.

 Here is ground hog Addie.

 Addie and Ben had fun steering the boat.

We had a lot of fun, but I was exhausted by the time we got home.  It was all worth it though because through out the day Addie kept bursting out with "This is the best day EVER"  How can you complain when you have made your child's day?  Even though it is crazy trying to get out and about with them it is always worth it in the end.

Water Babies

Our kids LOVE water, and it has definitely been warm enough to get out the baby pool here, almost 90 the other day.  Jon is such a good dad, he got the pool out and gave the hose to Addie.  Poor Garrett was soaked from head to toe within minutes.  Don't feel bad for him though, he was absolutely squealing with happiness.  

 Addie is dangerous with a water hose.

 We left Garrett's outfit on him because the mosquitoes were sooooo bad.  What is the first thing he does when he is all good and wet?  Climbs in the dirt of course.  He was trying to use the shovel like a big boy.

 The make things even more interesting I gave the kids these water shooters I had picked up at the end of last summer.  The kids love to shoot water at each other with these, but they really love to shoot Daddy.

 I love her little grin so much, I had to threaten her to make sure she didn't shoot the camera and ME.

We are going to have a fun and wet summer with our water babies.

The Big Kids

The Big Kids are getting bigger every day and amazingly they have been getting along better.  

 You can see what united the two, the Ipad.  They are not supposed to touch it, but they were looking at pictures together and it was so sweet.

 I LOVE this picture.

 So often they are fighting or antagonizing each other, I cherish these sweet moments.

 Here is crazy Ben, I have no idea how he got up there, but he couldn't get down.  I love this crazy little boy.

 When I brought their afternoon snack upstairs this is what I found.  Ben had gotten out of bed from his nap and was sitting with Addie.  I don't know what I have done to deserve such sweet kiddos this week, but right now I will take it.

Notice there are no pictures of Garrett in this post.  I love the little guy, but he is a mess right now.  He is loving his new walking skill and he does NOT like to sit still for a picture, and he hasn't been that sweet to his brother or sister lately.  I know it is a phase and he will grow into the sweet little boy I know is in there somewhere, but wow, I have had my hands full.

Real Texans Now, Pictures with the Bluebonnets at least

Today the kids and I decided to go to a local park and see if we could get any pictures with the bluebonnets.  We pulled up and saw a gorgeous field of green, green grass and some gorgeous bluebonnets on the side.  Garrett didn't really like the flowers very much.

 Bennett had fun exploring and smiling for me.

 This is still the best pose for the kids.  They look so sweet and peaceful.

 Addie is sporting her new dress, my first attempt at a pillowcase dress.  I found this pillow case at an estate sale and I love how it turned out.

 Ben got bored and started to explore a larger area.

 Both boys found the stroller and wanted to push it.

 Ben won the fight and Garrett through one of his fits.

 I love my little free spirit running across the grass.  Isn't the green grass beautiful?

 Addie's matching bow and beautiful golden curls.

 Garrett was ready to go do some exploring.

 If you look closely you can see Addie at the top of the rope contraption.  She didn't climb all the way to the top until she saw some boys do it, then she scrambled to the top after they left.

 Ben loved this park and did not want to leave.  When I said it was time to head to the car he climbed to the top of this rock.

 He was having a lot of fun hanging out up there.  I only got him to leave when I told him we could come back with Daddy.

 More romping through the bluebonnets.

 Garrett was a little more hesitant.

 Garrett was throwing another fit, poor Addie got hit in the head a few times before I could step in.

 My little wild man would go barefoot all the time if I would let him.

 I can't believe he is 15 months old and walking so well now.

 Did I mention Ben LOVED this park and had so much fun?  We will definitely be going back.

I am so thankful to be able to spend beautiful days like this hanging out with my kiddos.  These pictures turned out pretty cute and I feel like a real Texan now that we have our first bluebonnet pictures.

Puss In Boots

The latest favorite movie around here is Puss In Boots or as Ben calls it, "Foot a boots".  This is how the kids dressed up to play Foot a boots today.  

Notice the red wellies on Ben, they were mine when I was a little girl.  Ben also has the handle of the frying pan tucked into the waistband of his shorts.  I am convinced the only reason Ben wears pants is to have something to hold his weapon.

Addie is dressed like Kitty Softpaws.  She has her boots, gloves and all black clothes. 

 I love to see their imagination come alive, and hearing them play nicely together is the best present I could imagine.  

I hope this brightens your day like it did mine.

Heading to Terrell for Spring Break

We started off our Spring Break with an oil change for the van.  Then we got into the van and drove for about 4 hours.  The kids did great traveling.  

 When we got there the kids were ready to play.  My cousin Mikey is 11 and has a lot of fun toys.  Addie made a bee line for the karaoke machine.

 Ben and Rett found the shooter guns.

 Mikey was so sweet with the kids.

 Garrett wanted to be like his big brother and play with the shooter guns.

 On Tuesday we went to Waffle House.

 Garrett was having fun with Nannie and Mikey.

 Aunt Laura and Addie were having fun too.

 Ben was ready to eat.

 I love this sweet picture of Mikey and Garrett.

 I forgot Garrett's booster seat so we had to improvise during meals.  This is how Garrett ate 2 pieces of pizza.  He was a happy boy while he was eating.

 He loves to cheese for the camera.

 Laura broke out her new scissors and did a few hair cuts. Nana went first.

 Ben's eyes crack me up in this picture.  He did really well for Aunt Laura, usually getting him to sit still is almost impossible.

 Aunt Wendy went next.

 Instead of going back to the Waffle House again, Nannie bought a waffle iron.  The kids were excited to help her make the waffles.

 Garrett was ready to help Nannie eat her yogurt.  Again he is sitting on the counter and he is a happy boy.

 Here is Uncle Bim walking with Garrett, they were so sweet together.  We were leaving the restaurant after eating dinner. Apparently I like to take pictures around meal times.

 Aunt Wendy and Uncle Joe being silly.

 Nannie's turn to walk with Garrett.

 Nana walking Ben to the van.

 Back at home and settling down for the night.

 All the ladies in their leopard print jammies.  I am not sure when this started, but Addie had leopard jammies and another person got a pair and Addie loves to match so we have all gotten a pair.

 Aunt Laura and Ben getting some snuggles.

 Nannie getting some fun time in on the tractor for the boys.

 And Pinot was there too.  The kids loved having her around.

We had such a fun time in Terrell visiting with all of our family.  I can't believe I didn't take any pictures of Quilter's Apprentice, my Aunt and Uncle's new shop.  It is a beautiful little store with a great selection of fabric and anything else you might need for quilting.  They always have beautiful quilts on display as well.  You can check them out at www.quiltersapprentice.com.