Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas...

Well maybe not! The weather has been very warm and nice for riding bikes but not great for thinking about Christmas. If our street wasn't full of houses with Christmas lights you might think it was still October on Brookwood. All the kids are out every afternoon playing and riding their bikes. Bailey is right there with them. She was very upset when I sold her little bike at our last garage sale. I promised her to get her a new, bigger bike soon. I was going to go after Christmas, but my mom pointed out that there wouldn't be much left after Christmas. That's Mimi, always looking out for her grandkids. She looks so big zipping around on her new pink princess bike with streamers and a water bottle! I have so much to catch up on!
Jack is playing basketball now and loving it! He is actually really good at it. Greg is his coach and I think he is really enjoying doing this with Jack. Jack hasn't actually scored yet and his first game ended with a BIG score of 4-2! He is also thrilled to have his good friend Kyle on his team. Kyle and his family have become friends of ours through school and all the sports the boys play together. I think this is the fourth sport they have played together. GO HAWKS!!!

Last Thursday we had our parties at Sunshine School. Bailey had a great time making a Santa and eating yummy foods. She was so excited that she and Ashlyn had on the same shirt. We have been very blessed to have our kids go to Sunshine School. They have learned so much and really enjoy each day they go. Connor loved his party! They gave him this sugar cookie covered with icing. I said he would never be able to eat it. Boy, was I wrong. He chowed it down so fast and all the little girls in his class were still looking at it when he finished. After his cookie he was ready for a nap. My class had a great party. My moms are wonderful and thoughtful. They were so good to me for my birthday and Christmas. But, I was ready for a break for a while.
My favorite day so far this December, by far, was our annual trip to North Park. We always go see the Santa there. I love how jolly and friendly and realistic he is. My kids truly believe he is the real Santa and all the other malls are just his helper Santas. We went out early in the afternoon with Mimi and sat on Santa's lap. It was the best year ever. Not just because Connor was with us this year but because it went so smoothly. All three smiling and happy and looking at the camera. No stress for me. Connor loved Santa! Bailey even loved Santa this year. Jack has always loved Santa. Then we met everyone else and ate and saw Scrooge. Jack got picked on this year. He loved it. While we were there Jack saddled up to the band playing outside Dillards and sang with them for a long time. They loved him and said they made more money because of him and invited him to come to Sam's Club on Greenville the next day to sing with them again! He was so cute and he truly is comfortable around all ages. The man he sang with was elderly and Jack loved him and talked his ears off. He is such a friendly kid!
Bailey and I were invited to Kendyll's for a Cookie Exchange. Bailey was so excited. We made cookies forever on Saturday night, after we had gone to Santa's Village for a while. Bailey was such a big help making the cookies. She rolled all 4 dozen and helped me roll them in the nuts. She really looked cute in her apron. Then she went to bed...

and woke up at midnight throwing up! And she kept throwing up! All night long. Poor Bailey, no cookie party for her. She was so upset. Whatever she had worked its way through several of us before it was done. Hopefully we are over all the sick before Christmas.

Finally, on the 6th day of Christmas my true love (Jack) gave to me a fun Christmas party at his school! I am Jack's room mom and we had a great time making an ornament (that Jack broke) and eating decorated cookies, and playing games. It was fun to be in a room with that much excitement. I am really enjoying helping Jack's sweet teacher so much this year. So far December has been one crazy month! We are enjoying it so much and can't wait for the rest of the 12 Days of Christmas!

My Hunting Boys

I grew up in a family that hunted. So, it isn't hard for me to understand my husband who likes to hunt. But now, I am raising hunting children too. Jack always wants to shoot his G-dads pellet gun and talks all the time about going hunting with daddy. Bailey, who refused to put her camo on for this picture, always asks her daddy if she can go hunting with him too. She likes the idea of going anywhere with her daddy, but she is not so crazy about the clothes! That's my girl.
I am pretty sure Connor will follow his big brother and want to go hunting also. They do make a handsome picture!

Trimming The Tree

We spent Saturday night after Jack and Bailey returned from Memaw's and G-Dad's trimming the tree. This was the best year ever! We finally have our complete family all sitting around looking at the lights and putting ornaments on. The older two love to put on the ornaments and Connor just sat and watched everything we did. Greg put on Christmas music and Jack and Bailey really planned out where to put all the ornaments. I only had to move a few around this year! Of course, we didn't put anything on the bottom layer so Connor won't be tempted. So far he hasn't tried to pull up on the tree. I give him a week and then he will realize how fun it would be to pull down the tree! Greg doesn't "get into" all this Christmas stuff like I do. I have always loved to decorate and celebrate the holidays. Greg puts up with it for me and now for the kids. Bailey is going to be just like her mommy. She gets so excited over everything Christmas and has been bugging her daddy to put up the lights on the house. Which he did just for her (and me)this Sunday. We are ready for the fun to begin!!! Christmas is really special to me this year, it is the first year for our completed family to celebrate. With Connor added this year everything will be new and the other two can't wait to show him everything. I want this to be the best Christmas ever.

Blessings!

This time of year is spent on remembering the things we should be thankful for. I hope to instill in my three children that we should always be thankful not just at this time. I love all holidays but especially the one where we "Count our Blessings".
Here are a few of mine-
My loving, patient husband, who keeps me grounded.
My three adorable, wonderful children.
My family, who loves unconditionally.
My close friends, who keep me in line and support me no matter what.
My home, clothes, and food that God provides us.
My grandparents, who I have such treasured memories from my childhood.
All our sweet family members who have gone on to be with God. It is comforting to know that they are watching over us.
My children's teachers who help guide their little minds.
Our health, that we tend to take for granted. So many people are dealing with serious health issues.
I guess I could go on forever...
One of my pet peeves is not having a Thanksgiving. Every year now it seems like we jump from Halloween to Christmas without more than a quick stop to be thankful. The meaning behind this holiday is so special and we should never forget to celebrate it!

My Favorite Season

We spent a great afternoon this last Sunday playing in our backyard. The older two kids love to play out back and will stay out all day if I let them. Jack was out back with a short sleeve shirt and Bailey had no shoes on. You wouldn't know it was cool if you looked at my older two. Take a look at Connor and how bundled he was and you can tell it was cooler.
Greg put back up our baby swing and we bundled Connor up tight and let him swing. He loved it and watched all of us, laughing everytime Lulu ran past him.
Jack and Bailey piled leaves up and jumped into them for a long time. We have a GIANT tree out back and the amount of leaves that fall off of it in the Fall is enormous!
Daddy and Jack played football and Bailey jumped on the trampoline while I pushed Connor in the swing.
I love everything about Autumn. The colors, the smells, the crisp cool air, football, jumping in the leaves, the long sleeve clothes, Bailey in tights and long dresses, flannel pajama pants, socks all day long, all the new shows on TV.

Halloween #2

Halloween this year was really quick! With a little one again for the first time in years we only tricked and treated a few houses. It was chilly and Connor didn't need to be out in it very long.
After we dressed everyone in their costume we headed over to Mimi's and Papa's for a good scare. After they knocked on the door Papa came running around the corner outside and yelled BOO! Only Papa was dressed up as a skeleton. Jack just looked at him but Bailey screamed and screamed and cried and cried! Very dramatic.
Connor was just trying to figure out what was going on. After going to a few of Mimi's neighbors we headed home to show some of our neighbors the kids in their costumes. It was pretty late by then so we went home and got everyone ready for bed. Bailey always decides her next years costume the Halloween before and never, ever changes her mind. She is so funny. Two years ago she decided to be Snow White and she was. Then last year she was going to be Ariel and she was and then this year she decided she would be an Aggie Cheerleader and Jack needed to be a football player and she wanted our new baby to be the mascot! Well, that is exactly what the three of them were. I can't wait to hear what she thinks, no what she knows they will be next year!


These are the three cutest kids in the world! At least according to Mommy and Daddy!
Our Nebraska Football player, our Aggie Cheerleader, and our puppy dog mascot!
Happy Halloween!

Halloween #1

This year we decided to carve the pumpkin into a cat! Jack and Bailey both showed me how to draw and then cut it out. Both were very picky and careful with the carving. But, neither were very excited about helping me dig the seeds and goop out of the pumpkin. Bailey did help me seperate the seeds into a pan so we could roast them. (then after I roasted them no one would even try them) Jack wouldn't touch any of it! So, as we finished carving I threw some goop on his foot and he got really mad at me. You can see that in the picture. I probably scarred him so bad that he will hate pumpkins forever! Conner, sweet baby, just sat and laughed and laughed at us while we fixed our jack-o'lantern. Three Kids and a Jack-O'Lantern!

Soccer Princess!

My sweet Bailey is such a soccer princess. She talks BIG before the game starts and then plays really hard at first...
After the first quarter she is so... tired! I overheard her tell her daddy (who is her coach) that he could just leave her out the next quarter and let someone else play. Seriously we are so proud of the way she is playing this season. Last season she wouldn't even make it through a quarter and she was whinning and crying to come out because she was so thirsty and tired. This year she tries so much harder than last time. She is running hard and kicking the ball hard and stealing it from the other team. Maybe soccer is in Bailey's future!!! She is the cute one with her hair up in a pony tail.
Go Bailey, Go!!! No goals yet, but lots of hard kicks!
This was not during a game! She was out on the kickoff circle waiting for the game to start. She jumped up as soon as the ball was put down.
Being the only girl on her team hasn't seemed to bother her too much. She likes all the boys on her team, especially her coach!

Pumpkin Patch Birthday!

Poor Connor! It was way too cold for him. He hadn't even been out there 10 minutes and we decided to send him and his Memaw to the van to play. They seemed to have more fun out of the wind and away from the hay. So, this is the only picture I have of him at the Pumpkin Patch. First, everyone got food for the animals and had fun feeding the goats. Who liked to take the whole cup out of their hands and eat it all at once. Bailey got hers taken away twice.
After a fun hayride they came back to the tables we saved out of the wind and ate cupcakes and opened presents. Bailey really enjoyed seeing all her fun gifts. She really liked the Doodle Bear and Mermadia she got.
The candles were fun to light! The wind kept blowing them out. Somehow we got them lit and she blew them out. The cupcake cake in a pumpkin shape was really cute.
Jack sure enjoyed it! Then we just let them run around and play and climb. It was cold and windy but the kids didn't seem to mind. Bailey thought it was the best Birthday ever! We can't thank everyone who came enough for making it a really special Birthday for Bailey.
Happy 5th Birthday Bailey! Five years ago I couldn't wait to meet my little girl. I loved you from the time I knew you were coming. Even though we have our tough times I couldn't wish for a better daughter. You are kind, thoughtful and loving to all who know you.
Here are Bailey's 5 Favorite Things-
1. Going out to eat at Jason's Deli
2. To play with Connor and Jack
3. To love on animals
4. Favorite color is pink
5. To do anything art

The Tooth Fairy Again!!!
Jack is so excited to have lost his second tooth in a month.
Feeling around he has three more that are somewhat loose and you can guess that made him thrilled.
The Tooth Fairy left him a gold dollar in his tooth pillow.

Handsome Boy! These pictures are all out of order! This is Connor after his first haircut. It took all of 2 minutes at the most. He was smiling and watching what PaPa did. Such a good boy. Snip! Snip!
This is the before picture. He has this cute comb over. The top of his hair is long and dark and the rest is short and blond. After we cut the long part off it made him look older and blonder.
Connor was 6 months old, the same age as Jack when he got his first haircut. And if I could get the scanned pictures to load I would post a picture from Jack's first haircut. They look very much alike.
Everytime we do something with Connor I think This is the last time! Everything we do now is the last time so I am trying really hard to treasure each moment we have with this sweet little boy.
Thank you PaPa for giving all three of us our first haircuts!

Purrrrrr...

This last Friday the kids and I headed to Uncle Sean and Aunt Stephanies house so Sean could take the kids to Memaw and G-Dad's. Brave Uncle Sean packed them all into his van and headed to Sulphur Springs. The kids had a blast and I think Sean survived.
When they got back on Saturday afternoon I went out to meet them and we enjoyed Sean and Stephs Fall Festival. Aunt Steph was the face painter so Jack as you can see is a cheetah. He was roaring at me for this picture.
Bailey had hers painted twice. This was the second time. I think she said she was one of the princesses from Mermadia.
It was a fun, busy weekend. Oh, and Greg was out of town hunting all weekend. The kids can't wait for Daddy to get home so they can tell him all about their weekend.

Bailey is so... proud of her new bed! She takes everyone who comes over into her room, tells them to close their eyes, yells open your eyes and then ask them if it isn't the prettiest bed ever! We can't thank Traci enough for the wonderful bed. Sight unseen, it matches her room perfectly. Now, we are trying to get her dressers painted and moved in so she will have a whole new room.

A Bus Ride and Screaming 6 Year Olds!

I decided to ride on the bus with Jack and his class to the Environmental Center! I had definitely forgotten how bumpy the bus is (especially if you ride at the back!) Jack sat with his mommy on the way there (we played eye spy the whole way) and on the way back told me he was going to sit by Gracie. She is a very cute little girl in his class. Jack can always find the pretty girls! See ya later mom!
On the nature walk part of the trip they all got to use magnifiers and look at organisms around the trail and pond areas. It was so fun to see how excited the kids all got. When we walked by the river and saw the ducks swimming below Jack raised his hand and told us all that he could tell the difference between a boy and girl duck because the boys were green and colorful and the girls were brown. He also said he knew it because his daddy shoots them! I thought the guide would fall into the river with that comment.
Jack couldn't wait to get his hands on this really big and ugly snake! Mommy on the other hand could wait! We saw all sorts of cool animals. Bees, ferrets, prairie dogs, tarantulas, rat snakes, mice and their babies, turtles, frogs, and rabbits.
This is what being a mom means to me. Just being able to spend this fun time with Jack and his friends was great. I love that I have the opportunity to go on field trips and help out with his class. Thank you tons Mimi for watching Bailey and Connor.
Thank you Jackson for being a good boy and trying so hard at school.

Connor Reid French

Connor is 6 months old!
We all can not imagine our lives without this sweet little man.
He has quickly become so special to each of us for many different reasons.
At this 6 month milestone I thought I would list the Top 6 Things Connor is Doing at 6 months.
1. Crawling! As soon as we put him down he is moving. Watch out LuLu!
2. Sitting up! He just began to sit without help this last week.
3. Trying to grab the cats and LuLu. So far LuLu has let him pet her and the cats
just run away.
4. Always looking for Bailey and Jack. He loves to just stare at them and laugh at
them all the time.
5. Charming the ladies! Yes, just like his big brother, Connor seems to like the
ladies. He turns the charm on and gives them that great big smile.
6. My favorite! He smiles, smiles, and smiles some more. He has the biggest,
sweetest little smile. He is such a happy baby. We feel very blessed by God to
have not one, not two, but three really great kids.
We love you Connor! Happy 1/2 Birthday.

"Facing The Giants"

This was a fun weekend. If I say it was busy that is an understatement.

Friday-Bailey, Mimi, Connor and I went to Grapevine Mills to look for some Fall clothes and jackets for the kids. We got a lot done and the kids were really good. We left the mall and went to pick Jack up from school. He actually had an excellent week at school and also got his first report card. I have to brad a little. Jack got all 4's which is like A's when we were in school. He is such a bright little boy. Friday night we met my family at Nate's (Terry's fav) for Birthday dinner for Terry and Mimi. Then we went to Mimi's for cake. It was so late before we got the kids home and in bed.
Saturday- Jack and Bailey were up at 6:30! Yuck!!! We made them go back to bed for a while. Greg and Jack ran errands then Bailey and I ran errands. Then Jack had football at 1:00. He is getting better everyweek, but he doesn't think so! Greg had to leave early to take Bailey to her 1st soccer game at 2:30. Then we all ran home to clean up and go to the Family Movie night. The movie "Facing the Giants" was really good, the kids enjoyed it. Mimi and Papa kept Connor for us and he had so much fun with them.
Sunday- We went to church, ate lunch at El Fenix with my family, and then home to rest! Connor took a 3 hour nap, Bailey fell asleep and slept for 2 hours. And, yes now we are paying for her nap. She is still awake at 9:30. Greg just checked on her and she said she was just hugging her baby Claire!
I'll post pics later for Bailey's soccer. She is so cute in her uniform. And she played a lot harder then last season.
Well, now I am trying to get us all ready for school tomorrow. Lunches made, clothes laid out, dishes done, and bed!

Spring Cleaning in the Fall!

We decided to clean out the garage to make room for some furniture Aunt Stephanie has for Bailey. We need room to sand and paint so our very messy garage got a makeover. While Connor took a 3 hour nap we cleaned and the kids played. We started with just our two then we had the two neighbor kids from across the street then we had some from two houses down and then we had some from the next block all in our front yard playing. They played volleyball, baseball, rode bikes and scooters and chased each other and yelled. It was awesome! They even had water bottle fights. This is what I always envisioned for my children, playing with friends in our front yard. It was a perfect Saturday afternoon, plus my garage is really clean.
Saturday morning Jack, Bailey and Connor all watched cartoons together! And got along!!!
This picture makes a mommy proud. Jack also had a football game that morning early in the rain. They got beat. Poor Panthers, better luck next weekend.

The other big news from this weekend, besides the tooth, was that Jack finally decided to try to ride his bike again. He had trouble last Spring when we took the training wheels off and he just gave up. He doesn't do anything unless he can do it perfectly. Last Spring I was too pregnant to help him and daddy was working too much. It was so nice to see Greg out there helping him try.

He did get better, after many falls. Hopefully he will continue to try, because his little sister is chomping at the bit to try without her training wheels. Her bike has gotten too small so first she needs a bigger bike then we will let her try without them. It probably won't take her very long to figure it out because she tends to work at something until she gets it perfect and without much help from us. A big difference in the two of them, Jack will do things independently but won't if he can't be great at it. Bailey will keep at something until she has it down. Both of them get to the end goal just in very different ways.

Oh, and something else about Jackson Brantley French right now, he loves to be shirtless! He is too skinny to go around without his shirt on but he insists. I can't wait to see if Connor does all these silly things his big brother does!

The Tooth Fairy Finally...

Jack has been talking about his loose teeth for many, many months now! Well, finally, he lost one. Friday night Jack and mommy worked on getting it just a little looser by eating an apple and some carrots. Then we got some dental floss and I started working on pulling it out. He was hilarious! He decided Daddy needed to pull it so I handed him the floss. One tug by daddy, and he was crying how bad it hurt and wanted mommy back. So I dug in my heels and wrapped the floss around the tooth and pulled and POP out it flew. I do mean flew! It took us 10 minutes to find it. Jack didn't even care that it was lost for a while, he was jumping up and down and yelling about loosing his tooth. The tooth fairy did come and left him a whole dollar. Now, he has three more loose teeth, but we thought we'd give it a rest for a while before we tug again.

Football, Soccer and Strep Throat!

This has been one of those weeks! Okay, who am I kidding, all our weeks are one of those weeks.
Here is a brief synopsis:
Monday-School for all of us, and no practices! Jack saying his throat hurt.
Tuesday- School for all of us and football practice. Jack still saying his throat hurt.
Wednesday- School for Jack, gymnastics for Bailey, lunch at Jack's school, finding out my son has been a little toot in the bathroom at school again (a continual problem) , Jack not only saying his throat hurt but that he didn't want to swallow a brownie, Doctor visit for Jack who had strep throat. I guess I should believe him next time he says his throat hurts. This was the third time in less than a year that he has had strep and all three times I tended not to believe him for a few days. First soccer practice for Bailey who is being coached by her daddy.
Thursday- School for all but Jack who stayed with Memaw and G-dad, who happened to be in town. Football practice and yes Jack went because he had been on antibiotics for 24 hours and he felt fine. Connor and I went to my Room Mother's Meeting at Jack's school, Greg went to a meeting after football with a man who had contacted him about this job that sounded to good to be true. If it sounds to good it probably is!
Friday- School for Jack, running errands from 9:00 until 2:55 when we picked up Jack. Bailey was awesome and Connor was a real trooper smiling until the end! Home for Connor to finally nap from 3:45 to 5:30 when I woke him up to go and meet Daddy for dinner. Greg and the older kids went to the Pearce football game. Mommy put Connor to bed and read 10 chapters in a good book. Peace and Quiet!!!
Saturday- Greg works at the bank, Jack had a football game at 10. Bailey had Ashlyn's birthday party at 3. Bailey and mommy went shopping for a while after the party. Cooked out Hamburgers. Greg went to watch the Nebraska game with Chris Milegar. Kids in bed. Mommy has time to herself.

In the middle of all the craziness, my mom is dealing with several serious issues with my Grandparents. The kids have been so great about praying not only for Granny and Papa, but also for Mimi "who takes care of granny and papa." Bailey asked me today on our outing if Mimi was really tired from taking so much care of granny and papa. I told her I was sure Mimi was really tired.
We are so blessed that all we have to deal with is our crazy busy schedule. There are so many people that are dealing with much more serious issues.
Here is our prayer list from tonight:
Aunt Nicole and her mommy
Granny and Papa
Mimi
Ginger (Memaw's friend)
Penny in heaven (this one comes up at least once a week)
Mommy, Daddy, Connor


Jack is really looking more like a football player these days! His team the Panthers tied the Cowboys. Jack is the one bending over growling!

My dilemma

Tonight I had a dilemma. I had to choose between three shows I really like!
Okay, Okay, I know for some not such a big deal. For me it was. Gilmore Girls, which I love, was on one channel. The finale of Big Brother was on another channel. And finally, the season opener of Dancing With The Stars was on another one. Well, Gilmore Girls was a repeat, all be it a great repeat, but a repeat, so I passed on it. Dancing With The Stars was new and I really wanted to watch Emmit dance so I just keep an eye out for him. So Big Brother won! It was a little anticlimactic, Mike "Chill Town" won and that is what I suspected would be the case. At least Janelle won the America's vote for some money. Janelle and Dr. Will should have been the two final players.
I really love it when the new shows start. I am getting so excited about some new things on TV.
I don't always get to watch TV with 3 kids, homework, football practice, soccer practice, school meetings, and a husband that works late many nights. So, when I do I am going to enjoy it!

Go Panthers!

My son the football stud!
Our lives as football parents have officially begun! Today was Jack's first football game.
He was so excited. I was a little nervous I have to admit. Football is that one sport that makes me think injury. Watching Jack's huge smile everytime he went into the game or stole the ball from the other team was an amazing thing. Jack is almost always smiling it is one of the things I love about him. I think of Jack as happy go lucky almost all the time. Well, today he was definitely happy!
Of course, I almost derailed his football career before it began! I put his mouthguard (which he has to have or he can't play) into the boiling water and forgot it. Oops! Needless to say, I melted it. Greg had gotten called into work at the Bank at the last minute this morning so I was alone to get all of us ready for the game so we had to run out and get a new mouthguard with 15 minutes until the game. We made it somehow and when we got there we found out the games were running 45 minutes late. I stressed myself out completely for nothing.
It was so hot at the game and we were out there for almost 2 hours by the time it was over. I forgot sunscreen. So, you see where this is going...
I am a little sunburned. Bailey's face is pink. Jack is of course pink. And, worst of all Connor, my sweet baby, is pink cheeked! I felt horrible about letting him get so pink.
Jack's team the Panthers won the game! Yea, Jack! He ended up playing defense most of the game and he is pretty fast and also caught the other teams ball once. The one thing he did that we were not so proud of was that he ripped the other players flag off and threw it on the ground and proceeded to stomp on it! So, we had a talk about sportsmanship. He replied that everyone laughed. To which I said I bet the other player didn't laugh. Then he understood that it wasn't the right thing to do.
I will have to keep posting updates on the football season. We have practice 2 nights a week. Yes, 2 nights a week. I'm telling you football in Texas is serious business!!!

Thursday, Ugh!

Thursday seemed like the longest day of the year!
First, I got up at the usual early time and started breakfast for Jack and Bailey. Today I decided to make them pancakes. A favorite of both of them. It takes a little longer than some things so I asked them to get dressed while I cooked and packed lunches and started some laundry and cleaned the dishes from last night. I am not complaining but it just seems like we as women cram so much into such a short amount of time! After breakfast I made sure Jack was appropriately dressed in his school uniform and teeth cleaned and hair brushed then I did the same for Bailey. Then it is time to get the little guy ready for Sunshine School. Once he was changed and changed again (time to poop mommy) and fed his cereal I could finish getting myself ready for school. Greg left to take Jack and as soon as Kylie got to our house to ride with us today we hit the door running.
School was pretty uneventful.
We left Sunshine School and headed to Jack's school to switch Logan for Jack. We picked up Jack and his buddy Kyle and Bailey had Logan come home with her. Thank goodness for a big backyard! We love our backyard, it is really large and the kids love to play in it. The picture is of Jack and Kyle throwing a soccer ball at each other on the trampoline. Bailey just sat at the picnic table with a crown on drawing and coloring. She does love art!
In the meantime inside I am trying to get Connor down for his nap but no dice! He wanted to watch the kids play. So, we did until I had to get dinner ready because Jack had his first Football practice at 6. Ok, both friends went home and I had 30 minutes to feed all 4 of us and get Jack ready for practice. Somehow I managed to get out of the house and over to the practice field by 5:59. I was so proud until we pulled up and everyone except us was already there and practicing! What is it with Football and Texans!?!!
I will have to post pics from his first game this Saturday. I am sure they will be good for a giggle or two.
Well, 15 minutes into the hour and 1/2 practice Connor decides he is really sleepy and can not be consoled. Kyle's dad was nice enough to offer to bring Jack home so Connor and Bailey and I headed home.
After baths and bottle Connor was out for the night. Have I mentioned how lucky I am to have another child who likes to go to bed around 7!
So, Jack gets home after 7:30 and takes a shower and soon after is asleep like his brother and sister.
I think that is about when I collapsed! Greg came in and I don't really remember anything.
Hopefully not every Thursday will be so crazy, but I'm not holding my breath!

Road Trip- Three Kids and Me!

For the Labor Day weekend Greg went to Oklahoma for his annual hunting trip for Opening Weekend of Dove (I think?). So, I thought I'd pack up the kids and go out to Sulphur Springs for the weekend. Packing up for a weekend is one thing when you have older kids. Packing for a weekend takes on a whole new meaning when you have a 4 1/2 month old! I felt like I packed forever. And I still forgot a few things. Not diapers or his medicines thank goodness!
Bailey went out after lunch with Gretchen and the boys and I left after Jack got out of school.
After a mandatory stop at Sonic for a drink for mommy and a snack for Jack we stopped at the Library to return our latest Jack and Annie Magic Treehouse book then headed to Memaw's and G-Dad's. Traffic was terrible and it took me more than 2 hours to get there. It usually only takes us 1 1/2 hours! Connor was really good and patient until the last 10 minutes of the trip. He is the sweetest boy.
As soon as we got there of course we had to go swimming! The kids love to swim. We even got Connor in for a while. The water was a little cool because the weather had cooled off.
Connor was great the whole time except when he was suppose to be sleeping. He decided he didn't want to sleep at night a Memaw's. Needless to say mommy had two really long nights.
Saturday we all got up and had pancakes and then the girls went to the Outlet mall to do some quick shopping. The rest of the day the two kids spent in the garden area building a moat! They really enjoyed themselves so much and were so dirty when we finally talked them into the house.
Sunday we went to church and lunch at a yummy Mexican restaurant.
We headed back pretty quick after lunch because daddy was coming home and we all wanted to spend some time with him.
We had a really fun weekend at Memaw and G-Dad's and we are so thankful that they let us come out. The whole way home both kids kept saying when can we go back!


The famous moat! It was really creative and took them all afternoon. They were so dirty and there was mud all over them. It was fun to see them work so well together. That doesn't always happen.

Bailey dropped the rather large shovel that they were using to dig the moat with on her toe! She peeled the skin off part of her toe and it looked horrible. She would not stop playing long enough to come in and have it looked at. So, when they finally came in we had to cut the skin off because their was so much sand and mud packed into the cut that it wouldn't come clean.
The garden definitely got its share of water for the day. It is a good thing they are not on water restrictions there.
Bailey and Connor in the pool.
Jack loves to fill the noodle up with water and blow it into someone's face! He giggles that funny giggle he has.
Well, now we are home and I can slow down. Greg is home, Jack and Bailey and Connor are sleeping. The real question is will Connor sleep all night long again now that we are home? Memaw and G-Dad-
Thank you for a nice, fun weekend that we all completely enjoyed.