Saturday, April 25, 2009

Milestones, Accomplishments, and Talents...

We have had quite a busy, and fulfilling April. I wanted to catch everyone up on our shenanigans, especially those of the kids!
Isabella is nearing the end of her second year at Dietrich's Dance Studio, and her recital is just a few short months away. For Bella, it's not about the 10 months of practice, or the exercise, or even the social interaction, IT'S ALL ABOUT THE RECITAL!!! And why is it all about the recital you may wonder? One simple word sums it all up- MAKEUP!!!!! Bella is definitely her mothers daughter when it comes to 3 things, 1.Being Sassy 2. Boys 3. Makeup. So, needless to say, when it was time last week for dance pictures, Bella couldn't wait to get ready. We rolled her hair in hot rollers, put on eyeliner, eye shadow, mascara, blush, lip liner, and gloss- and Voila! My little girl went from 7 t0 17 in half an hour! Of course , she couldn't stop looking at herself in the mirror either. All I could think was- "Wow, if this is even close to what she will look like in 10 years, we are in big trouble!". She also had two entry's in the Art Show today. Here is a picture of her still life. She also has developed into such a big helper, and little mother to Ophelia. While Todd and I were cutting the boys hair this evening, we layed Ophelia down in her crib. She started fussing, so Bella got her out of her crib and sat down on the couch- Ophelia promptly fell asleep right on her sissy's lap! Bella was so proud!
Tommy also had a very big month!! He had a starring role in Little Dragon's Preschools Production : The 3 Piggy Opera!! When his teacher, Mrs. Huffman suggested that he take on the role of the "Brick Pig", I was shocked! If anyone knows my Tommy, then they know that singing a solo in front of several hundred people is def. not his cup of tea. But, Mrs. Huffman assured me that he was practicing in front of all his friends, and singing very sweetly, and she just knew he could do it! The eve. of the play came around and he was noticeably nervous! He said "Mom, I'm real nervous!", so then I got nervous!! I thought, who cares about the play? I don't want him to get nervous and forget the words and get humiliated. Tommy has a very sensitive heart, and he doesn't like it when he thinks people are making fun of him. I was so scared for him. Once the play started though, he turned into a little star! He ran up to that microphone and sang his song so sweetly!! He had 2 solo's at the microphone and he was wonderful! My heart was so swollen with pride- what a brave guy! This pic. is of Tommy, and Bella with Mrs. Huffman. She is retiring this year from Little Dragons and will be missed.
Aiden had finally parted ways with his binky!!!! Yeah!!! I am also so ready for him to be out of diapers and wearing big boy underwear. Although, he hates to get his diaper changed, he refuses to sit on the potty. I should just feel lucky that the binky is gone. We are going to buckle down and really try this summer. He is also such a daddy's guy. In these pics he is keeping daddy company while Todd picks up tree limbs from our cut down tree. He just sat out and talked to Todd, and watched, and looked at bugs- he had a great time.
Little Ms. Ophelia Jane is becoming quite the social butterfly! She now drinks her bottle as if she is a goat at Grants Farm. She sits completely upright, and looks around wildly at everything and everybody while trying to drink! It's so funny! She is also attempting to try to crawl, but it looks more like a really chubby inch worm- except she doesn't get anywhere! It is adorable! She has also graduated to the big girl bath seat and enjoys her baths very much!
My accomplishment this week is that I cut the boy's hair tonight for the first time!! I think they turned out ok. Tommy wanted a mo-hawk like his friend Chase at school. We are going for a "surfer" look on Aiden, so his is just long and shaggy still. What do you think? Not bad for a first timer huh?

Thursday, April 9, 2009

Family Vacation Spring 09

We just got back from our first (and prob. only) family vacation for this year. We left last Thur. eve. and headed down to Gulf Shores, Alabama. If you've never been, I would highly recommend it. It has gorgeous white sand beaches, wonderful weather, and a very family friendly atmosphere. We drove down, caravaning with my mom and dad- both vehicles loaded with kids and bags, and of course enough snacks to feed us for a week! We made the haul driving 12 straight hours. After many rest stops, food breaks, and a couple of Britney Spears "baby on my lap" moments, we arrived early Fri. morning. Our main reason for picking Gulf Shores, is that my grandparents vaca. there every year for about 6 months out of the year. They stay in an RV park with a bunch of their retired friends, and relax in the warm weather. We visited with them a lot, played at the beach enough to get sand in our hair, ears, and other various places that need not be mentioned. We went on a dolphin cruise, got sunburned, and maybe a little more "tanned" than I would have liked(thank you for all your comments), our kids tasted salt water the hard way, Tommy got knocked in the head with a wake board, we ate the BEST BBQ we've tasted (and got a little sick from it also), and one of our children commited their first real crime (don't ask). We left Alabama on a balmy 80 degree Sunday, and arrived in Missouri early Monday morning to snow. While the grownups are still sleep deprived and recovering, the kids have bounced back quite enthusiastically...meaning they are completely jacked up! We had a great time, and I am quite sure we have made many lasting memories- some of the best we even caught on video. Of course, Tommy "hates the beach", and "hates the dolphins", and Isabella had to "spend her birthday in the car (insert whiny voice)", and Aiden was just Aiden....Ms. Ophelia was the best by far! But then again she hasn't learned to see her mothers "optimistic side of life"....sarcastic undertones???? Here are a couple of pictures of our trip to Gulf Shores...enjoy!