A True Picture

So often I don't take pictures because the house is a wreck, the kids' hair is messy, or they aren't even fully dressed. So after dinner tonight when we were eating popsicles outside I thought, "If only their faces were wiped off and Allie was wearing pants, I could take some pictures and post them." Then I realized that those pictures with clean faces, matching outfits, and combed hair are nice, but don't really show a true picture of what life looks like around here. So I went and got the camera and snapped away! These aren't pictures that will end up framed and hanging on our walls, but they capture our everyday life: messy and fun! So enjoy these "true to life" pictures. Oh, and ignore the garbage can in the background, pizza sauce on faces, and lack of clothing. Hey, pants are optional!

The best way to welcome Spring: popsicles in the driveway





"Hey kids, stand by that tree and smile" seemed simple enough, but proved to be quite a challenge.

Happy Spring everyone!

Belated Birthday Goes Underground

Since Coleman had basketball games all through January and February, we had to wait on celebrating his birthday. We knew an entire Saturday was needed for this year's celebration: caving! We chose to go to Natural Bridge Caverns north of San Antonio. It was definitely worth the wait!

Coleman, Spence, and their friend Matt ready for the 3 1/2 hour car ride!

No trip to San Antonio is complete without a stop at Buc-ee's in Luling, TX!

After a few stops and a few more hours, we arrived at the cave, ready to explore!

After celebrating Spence's birthday with two friends at Space Center Houston and now Coleman's birthday with one friend at the cave, I'm really liking these special outing birthdays. You get to go somewhere really fun and don't have to plan a birthday party! Win, win! But don't get me wrong, I'm already making plans for Allie's Dora the Explorer party which will be in 3 months. I've done the big theme parties for both the boys, next is my baby girl's turn!

Field Trip Day

This past Tuesday Spence's class went to one of our favorite field trip destinations: Bayou Wildlife Park. We had a great day!

Spence's sweet class

I think I'll put this picture by my bedside so when I wake up at 6:00 and don't want to exercise, I'll be inspired to get up and do it anyway!

I bent down to take a picture of the lovely pig and felt something pulling on my back pack. Mr. Goat was trying to eat it!

Can't wait to go back with Allie in a year or two!

Don't You Like to Laugh?

Does anyone not like to hear funny things kids say? I can't imagine that would be so. Here's what my munchkins were sayin' today! (Some names have been changed to protect the disgusting.)

Coleman: Wally likes to burp in my face at lunch.
Mommy: Yuck. Did you tell him that's gross and to stop?
Coleman: Nah, I didn't want to ruin his day.

Spence: When you fart, do you have to change your pants?

Another quote from Spence, who just got some interesting toys called S.L.U.G. Zombies. Who comes up with this stuff? They actually have some funny names: A Pharoah zombie named King Guts, an astronaut called Neil Armgone, and our beloved 15th President - Grave Lincoln. Anyway, we were playing Police guys vs. Zombies today and Spence said, "These zombies think they're the best zombies in town."

We were walking to pick up Coleman from school.
Allie: There's an orange school bus!
Spence: I like the white ones.
Mommy: Yeah, we don't see many of those around here.
Spence: They're sometimes bad guy buses. They might start shooting from the windows.
Mommy: (a little puzzled) Well, they wouldn't have guns. You know they're bad guys that are in prison, right?
Spence: Oh!
He thought they were bad guys driving around town, I guess looking for people to terrorize! I can always count on my Spencey for good material!

And be sure to keep going to see pictures of Coleman's baseball game!

Go A's!!!

The first Spring baseball game was tonight! Coleman had fun, but was a little disappointed that he didn't get a hit. His first at bat, he made contact almost every swing though. I think he's going to do great! Now that he's in a younger league that plays on a field with no lights, his games start earlier - like 5:00! It was awesome to have Brian home at 4:30 to come with us! Brian even got to step in as 3rd base coach.

Our little A

Lookin' good batter! (And 3rd base coach!)

Not impressed with outfield (yes, this was during the game)

So Coleman has to find ways to entertain himself while playing center field, but he tore it up as short stop! I forgot how much Spence and Allie love being at the ball field! Last season there were lots of little boys, but this season it's all about the girls! Allie made lots of friends.

New friends with baby dolls,barbies, and goldfish, and playing under the bleachers. What more could a girl ask for?

Spence reaching new heights

Practicing My Positives

Instead of complaining about the high humidity we've been having here in lovely Southeast Texas, I'm going to practice thinking positively:

• My skin is not dry in the least!
• My Chi flat iron was a wise investment.
• I'm getting a jump start on "manning-up" for summer.
• My precious baby girl's curls look amazing!!!

OK, so really I just wanted to show you this picture. I love that curl on the right side. We even had another Shirley Temple comment today!

Being Purposeful

Last week I told you about my Bible study challenge of writing a Life Purpose Statement and meant to share what I had so far on Saturday. Seems as though I got a little distracted this weekend! Here are the verses I want to work into my purpose statement:

Psalm 90:17
...establish the work of our hands for us— yes, establish the work of our hands.

Philippians 4:6
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Philippians 4:8
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Ephesians 5:1-2
Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children ² and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Ephesians 5:15-17
Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, ¹⁶ making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. ¹⁷ Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.

Anyone have a verse you'd like to share?

Why Boys and Princess Books Don't Mix

Today Spence decided to join Allie for her nap time reading. She picked out her princess book, as she has done almost every day since she got it for Christmas. (I'm stopping right now and reminding myself that very soon this sweet time of snuggling and reading books will be over. Until then, I will try not to strangle any princesses.)
Throughout the book, Spence had me laughing so hard I had trouble reading! On the page about Ariel (The Little Mermaid, wearing the seashell "bra"), he said, "Look, she has shells covering up those things right there!" This led to a whole conversation about why girls have those things and what they're for. I reminded him that's how I fed Coleman, him, and Allie when they were babies. He said, "But Ariel doesn't have any water babies!" I think we just turned the page!
On Belle's page, he said, "I want to watch that movie 'cause I wanna see what the Beast looks like!" I'm pretty sure no girl ever watched Beauty and the Beast because she was curious as to what the Beast would look like.
And then he wondered why Snow White was named that because she didn't have any white on her dress. He could have cared less about Cinderella, but was quite intrigued by the wicked stepsisters. I guess they're the princess story bad guys!

Okay Okay. I'm going to take a break from writing about my uber-hilarious kids (why does spell check have a problem with that word?) and be a little more serious tomorrow. My Bible study challenge this week is to write a Life Purpose Statement. I'm going to share what I have so far tomorrow. Maybe some of you can even share if you have a life verse or some kind of purpose statement or something that inspires you to live a meaningful life. Until then!

Think Outside the Box, But Play Inside It!

I've decided, that if ever given the opportunity to build a house, I will have one room solely dedicated to big boxes and packing supplies!

Keep Me Laughing

I just love the silly things kids say! So I've listed three things that happened today at our house and the funny things the kids said.

Daddy and Allie sitting on the couch
Daddy: Allie, did you just wipe your boogers on my sleeve?
Allie: Yes. I don't like them on my face.

Coleman had just helped Spence lift his mattress and find all the little stuffed animals that had fallen behind the bed
Coleman: Spence told me one time that he wished I wasn't real. I bet he's glad I'm real now!

The boys were watching You Tube and someone was speaking Russian
Spence: They're speaking Spanish!
Daddy: No, that's Russian.
Spence began listing off all the languages he "knows."
Coleman: You don't know any of those languages!
Spence: Well, I know lots of English!

Be Our Valentines!

Spence and Allie's Valentines for the class parties turned out pretty cute! I hope the kids realize that's a hunk of crayon and not chocolate! So Spence would have some part in making them I had him write "Your friend Spence" with crayon and then I scanned it so he wouldn't have to write it 11 times! I love how he writes now. (Of course what you see on that small card went all the way across a piece of paper and had huge spaces. I had to do a little editing to get it to fit!) Click on the picture so you can get a better look at it!

Reason To Love Her #579

Tonight on the way to church Allie was looking at a My First Bible and really liked it. Our little friend that goes to church with us told Allie maybe she could get one for Christmas. I suggested getting her one for Easter, but Allie said, "No, I want to ask Santa for a Bible!" Then after a little more discussion, Allie said, "Santa's scary. I want Jesus to come to my house!!!" Isn't that the best?

Determination

pop-pa-roo-zer (pop' uh roo' zer) n. an air-filled bubble used in packaging materials that makes a popping sound when collapsed.

I think that is my favorite made up word. And I know this is my favorite popparoozer popper! She has quite the determination and perseverance!

The Classic Stomp

The Classic Stomp taken up a notch

The Two-Footed Stomp

The Mighty Jump and Stomp

The Smack It Good

The I'm Down on One Knee Begging You to Pop

The Face Smash (I've never seen this move work)

And to be used only as a last resort - The Bite and Rip

Aftermath of The Bite and Rip - plastic in your teeth

I think I got 'em all Mama!

This Is Love!

For some reason I've decided that store-bought cards just won't do for Spence and Allie's Valentine class parties. And I used to be creative, but now I just steal all my ideas from the internet! Well, steal is such a nasty word. I use the internet to get some creative juices flowing, then I tweak other people's ideas. There! That sounds better! Here are some Valentines I just love (click the link in the caption to see where I found the Valentine):

Love this elephant!

Adorable butterfly!

Perfect for boys?

And my favorite, once I pretty it up a little...

So I'll be on the look out for heart-shaped pans! In fact, I think they're so cute that I might even attach some to Coleman's Star Wars Valentines I bought at... the store (gasp!).