Paraphanelia

A couple of weeks ago I left the kids quietly watching a movie and went to take a quick shower.  This is generally a successful undertaking, that is they are usually right where I left them 15 minutes later! This day, not so much.  I walked out to check on them as I usually do and found empty couches, and the house was quiet! That always causes alarm. I immediately went to look under Ben's bed. The above is what I found under the bed with them.  And yes, that is a half eaten ice cream sandwich, and yes this was relatively early in the day! Ben finished his.....

Birthday Fun

Matt's brother Mark and his family played a little birthday prank on Matt the Sunday after his birthday! It was great fun! Yes, that is a car full of balloons, and yes that is Matt in his suit trying to go home after church! Ha ha Ha ha! we all had a good laugh! Man we love the Lexington Crew!!

Favorites!!

This is two of Ben and Clara's most favorite people doing what is quite possibly their most favorite activity!!  We had an impromptu pizza party at our home a couple weeks ago. After all our other friends had left and we were working on getting the kids wound down for the night Uncle Brandon and Aunt Rachel read to the minis. This picture just warms my heart. And yes, I know that sounds corny. But living so far from my brother and sister and the majority of Matt's siblings I feel particularly thankful for these two wonderful friends that have taken up the mantel of Aunt and Uncle to my minis!! Family is the most IMPORTANT thing, and this is a family photo!

The Pacy Fairy Returns

The Pacy Fairy first visited our house in early 2010 to get Ben's pacies.  She came back around last month to collect Clara's pacies.  It just occurred to me one Tuesday that it was time, she was ready, and if we waited we would have a battle royal on our hands.  I was NOT ready, I want her to stay little. She will not. So, in the interest of making this changes as least painful as possible, the Pacy Fairy came with out delay. I asked Clara in the afternoon if she was ready for the Pacy Fairy to come and take her pacies away. She said YES! when previously asked she had always said NO!  At bed time we went on a pacy hunt, put them all in this gift box and placed them for the fairy.  She sang herself to sleep that night, no crying. It took an HOUR.

 This is what the Fairy left in place of the pacies. A mini my little pony! and some Hello Kitty candy. We have an exceptionally generous fairy!

 The fairy even left a small gift for Bubba!  ( the notes are another post! )

 First thing in the morning she asked for Pacy. We immediately went to the box and talked about the Fairy. She was soo excited about her gifts!

I must say it has been a huge success! The first couple days she had a little trouble falling asleep for her nap with out the pacy. She asked for it several times a day but when she was reminded that she gave them to the Pacy Fairy she accepted that with out any crying or fussing! Now occasionally she will tell us that the Pacy Fairy has her pacies and that they went to a new baby! How Sweet!!

Just for the record, this is the Pacy Fairies collection!

Mild Winter

As today is the first day of spring I think it is an appropriate time to note what a very mild winter we had here in TN this year. This is Ben outside in short pants and sleeves in February playing with match box cars. Oh how I love this part of the South!!

Lotion vs. Shampoo

Clara is aware of the differences in Where lotion vs. shampoo is applied. She did not, unfortunately, until this day know the differences in the ramifications of misuse.  When things get quiet, I go searching. I found this.

This all resulted in her having to be showered off in my shower. The poor thing ended up being practically tackled by Mama because once the water hit that soap started running. I tried to get her to lay down on the tub floor so that it would not get in her eyes. She fought tooth and nail! When it was all said and done we were both soaked she was crying and Ben thought I had murdered Sissy!

Side note: it took 4 cycles in the laundry to get the shampoo to stop sudsing in the rugs! Ha Ha Ha

Worm's Eye View

Or, in this case, Kid's Eye View.  These are pretty self explanatory. The kids apparently get hold of my camera more than I was aware! It is kind of fun to see the world from their angle.

Puzzle Mania

I know I have already posted about Ben's love for puzzles. But it continues! And I know I am partial but I really do think he has pretty advanced skills for his age in this department.  This puzzle is two sided and shaped like a fire truck, no straight edges to tip you off as to how to start.  He can do this entirely by himself now and has been able too for about a month.  There is only one puzzle in our collection that he cannot yet do entirely by himself, and it is a really really tricky one that is the rainforest's!  Just a few weeks ago I had to sit down with him and do every puzzle. It continues to amaze me how quickly he learns and gains new skills and independence!!

Siblings.....

There really isnt much to say about this. I just thought it was funny!

Matt's Birthday

Yes, I realize it has been 6 weeks again. Sorry. When I last tried to post I got a message saying I had reached my storage limit. Maybe it was a fluke, cause everthing seems to be working now.... Anyway, here are a few shots from Matt's birthday. The kids loved opening presents. We also went out to dinner with Aaron and Rachel.  Matt says not that he is "well" into his 30's he wishes his hair would stop fighting the inevitable! Ha Ha We sure love him!