Some Happy Birthday Wishes

I have to post these! The kids are sooo darn cute! One is a happy birthday rendition for Uncle Brandon and the other is a rendition for cousin Isabel! Enjoy!!

Teasin' Ray Ray

While Unkin was gone Clara thought she would leave a love message for Ray Ray on her Facebook so she wouldnt be too lonely. But first she had to tease Ray Ray just a little! Poor Ray Ray is teased a lot by this mini! Again, too cute not to post here!

Unkin Leaves Town

Each February for the past 3 years Uncle Aaron has gone to Ecuador on a medical Mission Trip.  This year Clara Jeanne left him a little love message on his Facebook. I just think it is soo cute I am including it here!

Projects

I like to sew. I like to make fun little things for my niece and nephew.  This is a skirt I made for Isabel for her birthday. She is a princess and loves to wear tutus and such!

 This is a chef's hat I made for my nephew Wyatt.  It has strawberries on it because that is what they are growing in their garden right now. Wy guy is the same age as clara and loves to help his mom in the kitchen! So now he is Chef Wyatt!

Clean Sweep

Ben is really really good about helping me clean. He has even gotten so that he can clean up the toy room all by himself!  This is the first time he did it!!! One lone book on the floor (sissy may have put that there after the fact!) and everything else in its place!! No supervision from me AT ALL!! I really appreciate this kid! (wish I had gotten a Before shot!)

Conclusions....

I have decided that a few posts that are not simply pictures of the kids and our daily happenings might be an okay addition to this blog, perhaps even a welcome addition.  So, from time to time I am going to throw in some OPED posts. (after all it is MY blog, right?) To begin this little trend here are some conclusions I have come to as of late. (and some I have known for a VERY long time.)

1.  I really enjoy cooking, or more specifically Baking!!
2.  I do not enjoy cleaning up after a bought of baking.....
3.  I really like clothes, new ones specifically!!
4.  I really dislike keeping up with my families laundry. It is becoming the bain of my existence....
5.  I have a chaotic organizational style.  I love to organize, but some how am still living in chaos!
6.  I cannot do everything I want in a single day..... They don't call me Turtle Jeanne for nothing! and that is OKAY!!!!
7.  I really really love being a SAHM. Who knew? I guess God did. Thanks Matt for making this possible!
8.  I really should have started in depth scripture study younger. I am soo behind, I feel the pressing need to learn EVERYTHING I can!! Don't just read, STUDY!!
9.  I want to write a book. I don't know..... I just do!
10. Though I am not polished in my violin playing right now and that makes me feel a little guilty and sad, there will be more than enough time for that when the kids are no longer "little".  And that, that time will come all too soon.

Well, There is a good start. Feel free to share you conclusions!

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!