I lost the fork fight!

She is one tough cookie and will not let me feed her anymore. As you can see by the plate, she still manages to get some of it in her mouth.

Dallas Trip

For a couple days we went to Dallas to visit with our friends and attend their daughters birthday party. Miss Kayla turned 5 years old! I remember the first time I held her when she was a newborn and can't believe how fast 5 years have flown by. Have you ever heard this saying coming from a mom to her oldest child, "All of my children are special but because you are the one that made me a Mom you will always be very special." Well in a different way, I feel that way about Kayla, she was the first baby in our group of friends and will always be extra special to me because she made me realize how bad I wanted to be a Mom. I get teary eyed just thinking about it.....Well anyway, her party was a lot of fun and Ethan loved jumping in all of the bouncers. While we were in Dallas, I was able to meet up with my sister Stephanie and her three boys Trevon, Donivon, and John Michael. We meet up in some small town so that one didn't have to drive too far. She lives closer to Dallas than San Antonio. After lunch, the kids played at a playground while we laughed and joked that much of our narotic behavior is due to our parents. Overall, it was a great trip and I am hoping we get to go to a Dallas again later this year for a Cowboy game.

*****By the way, thanks to Gracie my cell phone broke and as of 4:00pm today I have lost 5 years worth of phone numbers so if you can text or email me your number I would greatly appreciate it. It is so scary that the only number I know by heart is Eric's cell*****

Trevon, Doni, and Ethan Playing

Doni and Ethan

Gracie swinging

John Micheal and Gracie swinging

Cody, Kayla and Ethan playing before the party

Thomas was loving the jumping castle

Gracie was so scared of the jumping castle and wouldn't even go in there with me, however she would let Nycole take her in there and play with her and Thomas.

Cody and Ethan throwing basketballs in another jumping thing

Cody and Ethan having a blast in the castle

One of the few of her not crying

Ethan sliding down the slide jumper

Rule breaker

Splish Splash we were taking a bath!

Ethan goofing around

Playing with his toys

See her brand new chompers

Such a charmer

Ethan giving Gracie a kiss and her laughing hysterically

The joking around continued, she adores him.

Gracie acting silly

Gracie loves to rock on brothers rocking chair. She gets on and off all by herself.
They usually argue about who's turn it is.

Just call me Mrs. Stewart

I saw in a magazine how this woman had all of her children baptism outfit's placed in shadow boxes and thought it was such a neat idea. I think they turned out quite cute even though Gracie's box was being a little difficult. Our neighbor came over while I was in the middle of my little project and told me she was going to pay $100.00 just for one box. So I will be showing her how to do it next month. Now that I think about it, I saved Eric $140.00. That totally is worth a little mall shopping!

What have you done with my son??

Ethan has always been pretty good at taking naps, but now that he is getting older I think he is starting to outgrow them. So he gets a choice, he can either take a nap or he can have quiet time in his room like for instance, reading books, doing puzzles, playing with toys....etc. Well you can pretty much guess which one he normally picks. Here is a conversation we had earlier today.

Mom: Okay Ethan, Gracie is going to take a nap, it is quiet time for you.
Ethan: Mom, I don't want to go upstairs. (the whining starts) Please Moooooom.
Mom: You know your choices, which one do you chose?
Ethan: but Mooooooom I want to stay down here and play with you. (then the waterworks start)
Mom: Since you are starting to cry that tells me that you really need a nap so maybe you should chose the nap one.
Ethan: .......(silent thinking).........Okay Mom.
Mom: WHAT?????
Ethan: Your right(as he starts to walk to the stairs)I think I do need a nap.
Mom: Okay wait, are you playing a joke on me? Where are you going?
Ethan: Goodnight Mom.


NO JOKE, I went up after 5 minutes thinking I would find my child running rampant. You know using my lipstick on the walls as a way to get back at me, but instead I find him tucked in his bed fast asleep. As I walked back downstairs I kept asking myself, "Your the parent, right?"

I know, I know...

I know it has been a week since I last posted anything and if it weren't for the friendly reminders it would probably be another week before I got around to it. It is just that we have been really busy and by the time I get "my" time, I rather soak in a warm tub than get on the computer. The kids are doing great and as always figuring out which buttons need pushing. Ethan loves the fact that it is getting warmer outside so that is where we have been spending most of our time. Gracie's two front top teeth are making an appearance and she is starting to talk baby talk. Anytime she falls or hurts herself she says "owww", drops something it is "uh-oh" and finally when her brother is spinning her on the office chair she says"weee". She is too funny and I need to record her in one of her fits where she just throws herself down. Ethan just says with no sympathy "Your alright Gracie". The other day, we were on our way to a party and we came to a light that had just turned red. It seemed like it was taking forever to change but I thought it was just in my head till I hear, "OHH come on red light!!! Change....I want to go to the party!!!! . Poor Ethan, he was given his mother's patience and outspokenness. At least he knew I wasn't the one to be blamed. Below are some pics from us at the playground.

Ethan hiding

Gracie and her tongue

Yes Ethan, the 'I don't care what you are asking me to do
I will do the opposite look' is great on you.

Another one of Gracie and her tongue.

Finally, one without the tongue.

Ethan sliding.

Fun at the Zoo

Ethan brushing a goat

Ethan and Oliver playing in the sand

He truly loves his baby sister

Gracie Playing

Trying to climb the vine

Ethan fishing in the pond

Ethan contemplating if he should pet him or not.

Inner Book Worm

Since becoming a Mom, reading for fun was really put on the back burner. Well recently I had a chance to read a book by Ellie Kay named 'Heroes at Home'. It was really good and I think if you are married to a military service member this book should of been handed to you along with the marriage certificate. Ellie Kay is married to fighter pilot and basically write a survival guide for all spouses but adds in the quirkiest stories. Being a mother a five she has some funny stories to tell. I have also read her 'Shop, Save and Share' book. It was really informative and now I know why her nickname is "coupon queen". I have even started clipping coupons. Hopefully, I can get my hands on some more of her books. We have been trading in our playgroup and I really want "Money doesn't grow on trees" which basically teaches your kids about the value of a dollar. Especially since "Put it on your Christmas list" doesn't seem to be getting through to Ethan in the toy aisle.