Bowling

We decided to take the kids bowling during one of the rainy days we have had recently. The boys had never been (Wii doesn't count...although they have done that) so I thought it would be something they were excited about. I was right...and they were also excited about the arcade type games and air hockey table that is right by the door when you walk in. There were a few highlights for them...number one being the BOWLING SHOES. They though they were so cool in them. They did fairly well taking turns and, of course, they had the bumpers and the metal thing so all they had to do was let go of the ball. One game was plenty...

Oh, and the bowling alley gave us cards for the kids...they get one free game every day of summer. So, it ended up being a pretty cheap outing since all we had to pay for was shoes for all and one game for me and JD. Not sure when (or if) we will go back before the end of August but nice to know we have them.

Yes, the kids beat me. I am using the bumpers next time!! :)

Mini Vacation

JD and I went on a mini vacation (without the kids) to Branson and Eureka Springs. Our "plan" was to just do nothing and get some much needed rest. However, you cannot be in Branson without doing some shopping...and eating...and more shopping. We did sleep in and we were back at the cabin/hotel early to watch the finale of American Idol! These pictures are in no particular order...

We stayed at the Basin Park Hotel in Eureka Springs. I laughed every time we got the key out...it was huge!



We walked around Blue Spring Heritage Center just outside of Eureka Springs. It was so pretty!




We stayed at a cabin in Branson. It was bigger than we needed (2 bed, 2 bath) but it was nice to be able to spread out and not be cramped in a hotel room.


The back of the cabin


We ALWAYS eat at Ermilio's and Mud Street Cafe in Eureka Springs. We are usually only there for one day and those are our choices. But, we were there 2 days this time and went walking to find lunch. Local Flavor Cafe was so good and we will definitely eat there again!


We had to have a little fun...mini golf...I started out strong then it went downhill towards the end! I did, however, get 2 hole-in-ones (no clue if that is how that should be spelled)


We have no pictures of us so we used my phone and took some...


There was a candy shop across the street from the hotel in Eureka Springs. This apple was delicious!

New Bedding for the Boys

We used some of the birthday money that was given to the boys to get them new bedding. We are getting them new beds and thought that new bedding was needed too. Both of the boys LOVE animals and the zoo. I didn't want to get something that was too young (this stuff is not cheap and I wanted it to be something that would last a few years). I looked at Target, Bed Bath & Beyond and ran across this at WalMart (where else?!). I was back in that section looking for something else and these were on the end. Of course, they had only 2 twin sized and more full size (they share a room so twin is all the bigger bed they are going to get for now). I didn't get them and kept looking. I was back a few days later, after unsuccessful searching at other stores, and told myself if they were still there I was going to get them. They were, I did, and I am keeping them a surprise for when their beds come in. Several years ago we sent Kylie to JD's parents for the weekend. We completely re-did her room...paint, curtains, bedding, wall decor, etc. It was when Trading Spaces was super cool and she was so excited. I know the boys won't have the same reaction but it might be fun to re-do their room and see what they think.


Again, this picture is from the cardboard insert in the bedding taken with my cell phone. Not the best picture quality. I will post pictures of the "finished" product...whenever that is :)

Playin' at the Park

We have had RAIN, RAIN and more RAIN! Last Saturday was pretty nice so I loaded the kiddos up and we went to Laurel Park. My children would play outside ALL THE TIME and I usually have to bribe them with something to get them to get in the car or go inside. Suprisingly, the park wasn't busy and my kids were actually playing nice together...




JUST KIDDING! Gaving was mad at Kylie and Landon wanted to do bubbles and Gavin didn't and then a friend of Kylie's from school was there so she disappeared. The boys made up...



Kylie let me take one picture and then she went off and didn't have time for us. Her friend gave her a picture of Kris Allen (an American Idol contestant from our town) and she was on cloud nine.



We had fun and the boys took a nap when we got home (ALWAYS a good thing). These pictures were taken with my phone so they aren't that great of quality...

Four Years Old!

The last month and a half has been a complete blur...This time of year is always so busy for me. Since my school follows UCA's schedule I am usually done at the end of April. Wrapping up the year is so much work. And, the past two years, I have had graduate school classes and finals...and birthdays. Kylie's birthday is March 30 and Gavin and Landon's birthday is April 29.

My boys...I don't even have the words to fully describe them! They have the ability to make the laugh and cry in the same moment! It doesn't seem real that they are four years old! They are as much mama's boys as Kylie is a daddy's girl (but not in a bad way).

They had a bit of a rocky start but they quickly showed us their fighting spirits! I could post a million pictures of all of my kids but here is a quick recap of their four years...

Gavin in the hospital. I have never felt fear quite like that. Seeing them so tiny and surrounded by machines is something I will never forget.


Landon in the hospital. He was a tiny bit more fragile than Gavin. Huh, that hasn't changed. He is not sickly but more sensitive and he has a softer "voice".


Fun times in the hammock at the lake


John Deere brothers


Their fourth birthday! They LOVE strawberries so we put them between the cake layers and on top. Of course, chocolate frosting. YUM-O!

Dance Pictures

I just have not been on the ball lately...

Kylie had dance pictures right after we got back from Oklahoma City for a cheer competition (which we got FIRST...US Finals Champs). Kylie was tired, I was tired, and luckily...the boys were at JD's parents. She had ballet pictures at Hendrix (a local college) and tap/jazz pictures at Sonshine Academy. I ended up taking one picture with my phone during ballet (which it won't send to my email...and it calls itself a smartphone) and I took one picture during tap with a regular camera and I got nothing to show for jazz. So, hopefully her pictures that were taken were good or I'll have to wait until recital because we are NOT messing with those costumes again until then! :)

Easter

I am combining a few posts...Easter eggs and Easter. My children were being incredibly uncooperative on Easter Sunday so I don't have 1 picture of the kids. Oh, well...there is always next year!

Kylie got a tie-dye egg kit for her birthday. Didn't work out exactly like the box looked but she had fun anyway. The boys just did solid colors. They lost interest pretty fast...they just wanted to eat them (on a side note...their teacher introduced them to hard boiled eggs and they have been eating them like crazy ever since).

Gavin


Landon


Kylie


JD was concentrating!


Finished tie-dyed eggs


Finished regular eggs


The boys had 2 Easter parties and 2 egg hunts and were NUTS with sugar overload so the Easter bunny didn't bring them a lot of candy in their baskets this year. My kids get so excited over little things (fruit cups, yogos, cheetos, handi snacks, popcorn, easy mac, airplanes (boys), stretchy lizards (boys). They did get Peeps...


Family Easter picture