Speaking of June

We'll be in Phoenix the week of March 15th to visit our family and friends. While we are there, we want to have June's baby blessing so that we can have all our loved ones with us.

Sunday March 15th at 6:30pm

If you'll be around and want to come, let me know so that I can send you the details!

For the love of Chocolate...and Pete

Nora found an M&M today. Licked on it a few times. And then luckily found me and announced, "candin. chockwaht. candin." I quickly grabbed it from her and threw it away. I figured that since she just licked on it she should be okay. Sadly, not the case.
A few hours later, she just took off her jammies so that she could scratch away at her little body covered in hives! Poor little girl. So we had some benadryl and hydrocortizone and hopefully she will be back to normal soon. I don't want to think about what could have happened if she had eaten it!

*kinda wish that would happen to me so I wouldn't eat half the bag! Or maybe I would anyway, we love chocolate!*

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On a particularly frustrating morning (want the whole story behind the frustration? Pat will blog about that soon...hopefully.) Anyway, I was stressed and in a hurry to get the kids in the car and all strapped in. Little Kyle is famous for being painfully slow about getting in and out of the car. After making it clear that they needed to hurry, I ran in the house to gather a few last minute things. When I came back out I heard Lane:

"For the love of Pete! Get in your carseat, Kyle!"

Nice! (I'll try and work on that.) At least it helped me slow down and not be such a basketcase.

Fouth Child

(Yes, her bottle is being propped up by a stuffed dog)

Neglected, you say?
Don't be so quick to judge until you see this face:

That's the face of a baby that gets held approximately 20 hours a day (at least it seems that way.)

"Its okay cause my mom only needs one arm/hand. I'm sure she doesn't mind. Seriously, have you seen how cute I am?"

Neglected?
Spoiled?

Either way...


We love you J.P.

BABIES

Love Them!

One dear friend in AZ just welcomed a new one...Baby Brigg...last week. And another dear friend is about to have her shower in anticipation for her little boy. Oh, how I wish I could be there with them and share in their joy and excitement.

I love Washington but sometimes (like almost everyday) I really miss Arizona. Let's be honest. I don't miss Arizona...but my friends that are there? That's rough!

Congratulations Ashley! Good luck and well wishes Cindy!

Love you girls!

Groundhog's Day!

I am SO excited for Groundhog's Day. Although I would be much more excited if I were at my parent's house. They really know how to celebrate! I'm not sure why or how it all started - but this day has always been a big deal in our family.

My poor husband...he does not understand. This is the time of year where he just shakes his head and laughs at his silly wife. And that...I don't understand!

How we celebrated Groundhog's Day:
My parents would get up super early, no matter what day of the week Feb. 2nd fell on. And would make a sausage gravy and biscuit breakfast that they would have invited the entire neighborhood to enjoy! Seriously! Those of you who don't know my mom? Well, she loves to do crazy things and have any excuse for a neighborhood gathering. Even if it was 6 am so that those needing to go to work could enjoy a YUM breakfast. A HUGE benefit was living next door to the church. We would prepare the breakfast at home and then set up tables and chairs in the parking lot. Cause in Phoenix one could have an early morning breakfast party outside...in February.
Maybe its because it gives me a thrill of happy childhood memories. Or maybe its because my family likes to celebrate weird things and that makes me happy. Either way, I ALWAYS get excited about Groundhog's Day...ALWAYS will!
I found some real fun websites loaded with games, crafts, snack ideas, printables, songs. All for toddlers. What fun we will have tomorrow ) minus the traditional breakfast party. Maybe in a couple more years, when my kids are older I will start that tradition in my own family. I'm positive that my Husband will be THRILLED to participate. Because he LOVES me!

In parting, I will share a little ditty I regret to say I did not know as a child. Rest assured that MY children WILL know it.

Little Groundhog
(sung to the tune "I'm a little teapot")

I'm a little groundhog, it's my day.
Wake and stretch; go out and play.
Down in my burrow, down so deep,
Time to wake up, from my long winter's sleep.
Grumble, grumble, scratch, scratch, (dramatic action)
Grunt, grunt, yawn.
I'll eat my breakfast in your front lawn.
I'm a little groundhog, it's my day. Wake and stretch; go out and play.

Another funny one...since I just got done sending Groundhog e-cards

Sung to: "White Christmas"

I'm dreaming of the Great Groundhog
Just like I do this time each year
When he brings nice weather
And brings us together
To wait for him to appear.

I'm dreaming of the Great Groundhog
With every groundhog card I write.
May your Groundhog's Day be bright
When the Great Groundhog visits you tonight.

Tuesday Morning...

We woke up to this


So we went out to enjoy!


I know what you're thinking...which one's the girl and which are boys?



They don't care what they're wearing! As long as they're warm!
Right?
Maybe they will resent me later. I don't know.
But they had fun!

So thank you unexpected snow! You really made our morning delightful and whine fest, cry free!

(Also, thank you for keeping my kids hydrated!
They do love to eat snow!)

Oh yeah, I never get to go in the snow. I never get to do anything. Except to look cute. Even if my clothes don't match, either!

5

5

DAYS

TO

GO

!!

(**hint hint, husband. Allow no bullying about staying longer! We Miss You!**)