JiGgLe JaM!!!

Yea, we Jiggle Jammed it!

We didn't let this crummy weather get in our way!

We had a ton of fun at Jiggle Jam this afternoon. This is our first year going because we are usually out of town. It was definitely worth it, my kids loved the crafts, dancing to the music, and the junk food galore! Check it out if you are free tomorrow, maybe the sun will be shining!

This is Margaret inside a human ball.

From the moment they laid eyes on this my kids were begging me to let them do it. Kind of looks like fun but thought people might stare if I left my four kids alone to roll around in it:)

Chop Chop

Here it is folks, the last picture of Margaret with all of her long,thick, gorgeous, sleek, healthy-looking, shiny, vibrant hair. Okay already, this momma just wasn't quite ready for her to cut these locks but totally wanted her to be able to make her own decisions without trying to control (too much). This parenting thing is just so hard sometimes!

Seven inches gone!

And a happy girl she is!

It was worth it just to see this smile:) And of course it is still long,thick, gorgeous, sleek, healthy-looking, shiny, and vibrant!

Girls on the Run

Last weekend I had the great opportunity to be a part of the Girls on the Run program here in Johnson County. I love this program for so many reasons.

It is designed for girls ages eight through thirteen, basically those awkward years. It not only promotes a healthy lifestyle but it also helps to build a positive self-esteem in these girls before they get too far out into the big bad world. The girls train several days a week after school working towards running a 5K race. It is amazing to see the confidence in themselves that they gain just after completing this race.

This year I was a running buddy to a sixth grader. She was so sweet and put up with all of my ramblings as we ran. On race day she kicked booty and sprinted in to the finish line!

My family was there to cheer us on. It was important for me to have my own kids see how many young girls were involved in this program. After my run my three oldest informed me that they would be running with me someday:) Of course Margaret corrected Walter and let him know that this was only for girls, he would have to do a Boys on the Run with daddy:)

My Little Boy is Three!

Walter's birthday was last Sunday and even though we had already had a party for him it hadn't quite set in that my little man was really going to turn three. I think that with the party being a week ahead of time I was just in denial that he was actually going to turn three. But of course the day came and he did indeed become a three-year-old.

Here are the two things that Walter was most excited about when turning three:

1. He gets to finally go to visit the dentist. Don't know what the draw is here but he has been talking about this for the last six months. I can't relate, I hate going to the dentist!

2. He finally gets to do an activity other than swimming and this little guy picked soccer. In fact, he was asked to be on a t-ball team this summer but when he found out girls would be on his team too he said he only wanted to play soccer. He starts Friday:)

Each day I am reminded of what my Walter looked like as a baby. His little sister takes the cake on being his little twin. I still, in fact, see him as so much younger than my older girls when really the only difference between Margaret and him is eighteen months.

Lately though, this little guy has amazed me with all of the knowledge, courage, caring, and sensitiveness that he has. He is excellent at every sport that he tries, I can't wait to see him on the soccer field. He loves playing with his cars, drawing me pictures, reading books, running around like a maniac, and just basically doing anything and everything outside. He makes up and sings me the silliest songs each night before going to bed and he has the coolest dance moves I have ever seen!

We waited until his actual day to give him his "TA DA" present,

a Lightning McQueen scooter!

Poor guy has had to scoot around on a pink one for the last six months so this was a big WOW for him.

Couldn't even get him to stop for a good picture!

We had a great day of seeing all of the animals at the zoo. Walter's favorite part was getting to watch the giraffe eat.

Trying to coordinate a picture with all four... well you know how this goes!

Two of the most handsome boys that I know, love them to pieces!

Happy Birthday Walter!

Mommy loves you to the moon and back!

Pretty Piggies!

These freshly painted piggies have brightened my dreary, rainy day:)

Dance, Dance, Dance!

My little beauties have been working hard at their dance routines! Recitals are coming up and these girls are front and center and ready to rock it! Here are a few shots from their dress rehearsals. Can't wait to see my girls up on stage!

"Minnie's Boutique"

"Baby Face"

Rootinest Tootinest Round Up!

Last weekend we did a combo party for my two little ones.

Caroline turned one May 13th and Walter will turn three May 22nd.

He actually was very excited to get to share his big party with his baby sister, which made life super easy for this momma:) He chose the theme, Toy Story, and I took care of all of the details!

Decorating was super easy for this theme, we just decorated our mantel with some of our favorite Toy Story characters that we already had lying around.

Woody is really the cowboy that inspired the party. Walter loves Woody! He's got his cowboy boots, his cowboy hat, and now he has got his cowboy vest!

My cousin made these yummy treats! They were amazing! I can honestly say that I have had a lot of cake in my lifetime because of my sweet tooth and these really are one of a kind. They rocked my world and were a huge hit!

The birthday girl just waking up from her nap.

My little cowboy was so excited. He kept asking all day, "When are the people going to get here?"

Every birthday girl needs her birthday hat!

Sharing some smooches with daddy.

This was the highlight of the party. And for any of you who thought about doing this but didn't want to spend the extra money... it was worth every stinking penny! It got delivered and setup at 12:00 and then taken down and picked up at 8:00 that night. My kids literally jumped in it from the moment it arrived until the moment it was unplugged. If it wasn't such an eyesore I would maybe even consider buying one just to get things done around the house:) The company I went with was very reasonable and very professional, I highly recommend them.

I had other games set up in the backyard but really the kids were so into the bounce house they didn't give a hoot about my bean bag toss or my ring toss games.

Caroline and her cousin Stella

Walter with his buddy Davis

He did a great job blowing out those candles!

My cousin also made Caroline's first cake. She didn't dig in quite like I thought that she would but she did take a few bites. Boy am I going to have to teach this one a thing or two about these sweets!

Not sure what to think about all of this cake...

decided to give it a try...

didn't like how it made her hands feel sticky.

Miss Stella loved her piece!

Although the weather was a bit chilly for May the party was a blast.

We are so blessed to have so many wonderful people to help celebrate and create memories that we will cherish forever!

Happy 1st Birthday Sweet Caroline!

She was indeed the Birthday Girl today!

She soaked up every little bit of special attention that she got and she really lived it up,

I think that she actually might have known that today was her special day!

Her day started with all of us sneaking into her room to wake her up by singing "Happy Birthday". Her birthday breakfast was a treat that is loved by all of my kids, cinnamon rolls. After morning drop off we came home, got all dressed up and took some fun pictures in her party dress.

Caroline's Godmother got her this dress and I would say it fits her personality perfectly!

Bright, colorful, happy, and full of sass!

Thanks for thinking of her, we love it!

Checking out her presents. Our rule is that they have to wait until Daddy is home to open presents. He leaves for work before the kids wake up and lately has been getting home after they are asleep already. I was a little worried he was going to miss out on this one but he made it home in time:) My kids can hardly stand this because their presents are usually wrapped and sitting out when they wake up in the morning. It is kind of like torture for them to have to wait until their dad gets home.

She loves the phone these days. Not a play phone, it has to actually be a working phone in order for her to want to play with it. She holds it up to her ear and says "Hi". I love when they first start saying words because I finally get to hear what their voice is going to sound like. This was the only way I could get her to sit still for another picture.

We were going to try to picnic at the farm today but the weather was not so good here. Very cloudy and chilly. We called up our friends and met them for a birthday lunch at Chick-fil-a. Here is her first opportunity to indulge in a sweet treat and it was a flop. I had frosted chocolate chip muffins thinking she would dive right in but it just didn't happen. Is this really my child??? Didn't know that I could have one that wasn't crazy over sweets! Maybe I will have better luck tomorrow at her party.

Okay, this looks like my child!

After naps and picking up her big sis from school we got to meet up with Daddy (still in his surgical hat and all) and boy is he a sucker, literally! No judging here! Seriously, my other kids NEVER had suckers or any type of candy at this age. He gave this to her and I almost flipped my lid but really decided to let this one go. I guess this is what happens when you are the fourth child, the mom is just to darn worn out for the fight. And really, look how happy she was:) How could I tell this sweet face no.

She loved her presents. Her siblings loved getting to open them for her:)

She was most excited about her Little People dollhouse, which of course I don't have a picture of. She was actually pushing everyone's arms out of the way so that she could get to it.

Can't believe she is one, time just goes by too quickly.

Why was it that when I was a kid time just went soooo slowly. All I wanted to do was grow up and it just couldn't happen fast enough. Now all I want is for life to slow down. I kind of wish I could just freeze her and keep her this way for a couple more years.

fUn ThInGs ThAt CaRoLiNe CaN dO

*Purposefully drops things so that she can say "Uh Oh". Cutest stinkin thing I have ever seen. I actually have this on video and will upload it soon.

* Stands on her own for a few seconds or until she realizes what she is doing and then she drops. She is still a bit timid about this walking thing. She will walk really good along furniture and behind any thing that she can push around the room

* Loves to give kisses. Just ask for a smooch and she will lay it on ya!

* Has actually started playing with her sisters. Usually they play with their baby dolls and she watches and tries to imitate what they are doing. Watching this makes me burst with happiness! Love that they have each other!

* Blows bubbles with her mouth!

* Yells at me as I am making her food. This is actually a not so fun thing that she does but thought I needed to mention it just in case you were thinking that my job was too easy. I cannot feed this girl fast enough! She really eats anything I give her. I can hardly get it cut up before she is yelling at me. Thank goodness my other kiddos are tolerant and let her eat first.

* Crawls up the stairs lickety split! Hasn't quite figured out how to go down them.

* Loves playing with anything Little People.

Happy First Birthday Sweet Bug!

Mommy and Daddy Love You To The Moon And Back!