double the fun!

Sleep-overs are super fun, but they are even more fun with double the kids! Some of our good friends have kids the same ages as our boys (what a blessing!)...and when the opportunity came up for both big kids from both families to sleep-over, we had some pretty excited 7 and 4 year olds!! This was Jaxon's and Mason's numerous sleep-over with each other, but this was Ausin's very 1st sleep-over with a friend and I think the same for Jillian too. Much fun to be had with this group!

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We made pizza and the boys also picked up their Book-It pizzas after earning them from reaching their reading goals.

 

 They played a ton, but ended the day with a pajama dance party contest. Prizes went out for various dance moves and styles :)

Love these kids!

 

 And what's a sleep-over without movie and popcorn!

 They all wanted to snooze together, so we blew up the old air mattress and piled them in...

...and believe it or not, they were all sound to sleep before 10pm!!

And I was asleep by 10:01 :)

Youth Art Team TODAY!

 Jaxon joined a youth art team this fall through our church and it has been one of the best experiences for him! There are so many things we love about it. This team of kids ages 5-18 and a handful of very brave adults have worked really hard to research, organize, and perform their play today. We saw it last night and it's really cute! The kids did all the work and I must say, their gifts shine through! It's just a great team with a great mission. If you are looking for something to do today...join us!

Public is welcome and it's a super family friendly show (only about 30 min :).
$1 admission (all ticket sales are being donated to African American Historical and Cultural Museum in W'loo)  Two show times: 11:30 at Harvest Vineyard and 3:00 at Orchard Hill Church.

Maybe we'll see you!

Celebrating Jax @ home!

This is the first year in 3 years we have not been at God's Mountain over Jaxon's birthday. It was a quieter day around here celebrating our 8 year old! We surprised him with a little rec 3 on 3 basketball tourney for his big day. He played with a few of his friends, got some new BB shoes from his Papa, and was ready for some games. I think he had fun, even though his team was the only 2nd graders and they got bumped up to 3rd & 4th grade bracket. I could see my little competitor take it all in and I will be honest... it was hard to watch my birthday boy get a little lost in the bigger kids and losing bracket. It was a good learning experience for all of us though and he still said at the end of the day it was his favorite part of his birthday. We did his requested breakfast, opened gifts, went to his tourney, got pizza for lunch, relaxed in afternoon (his request again!), played some backyard ball, and went out to eat...he choose Carlos, yum! Our 8 year old had a good day here at home, but did ask if we could go to the mountain next year about 3 times :) Oooh, how I love this 8 year old of mine. He's growing into such a good young boy. Happy, happy birthday sweet baby boy! (I can still call you that, right?)

 Backyard ball

 Birthday breakfast...this year he chose birds nest :)

 He is #21 white jersey...and doesn't he look so short next to the boy in black!?!? Jax is the tallest boy on their team!

 Birthday boy!

 Buddies :)

They know more than we think!

I have been working with Austin and writing his name most of this school year. We've worked mostly on writing his letters individually. Every so often I have him practice writing the letters in his name in order, but he really just likes to work on one letter at a time. This day I was doing school with both of the boys at the table. I wrote out Austin's name and went to direct Jaxon with something. I turned around and monster had copied this all by himself! Whew, I guess our kids know more than we think they do! No more getting away with me writing his name every time :) He quickly got embarrassed and did not want his picture taken. But now I have proof he CAN do it...even when he says he can't :)  Good job, buddy! You are getting so big here!!!

Happy 8 years!

 Happy Birthday to our 8 year old today! I know this is what everyone says... but I really can't believe he is EIGHT today!! It's going so fast and he is a wonderful first son. I am still learning to see him though God's eyes and every time I learn something new about him, I am so honored to be his mom and oh so very thankful. 8 is a fun age of many new things and stages. We're excited to have an 8 year old around here for the next year and just celebrate his life today, like everyday!! We love you sweet baby boy :)

 First Birthday (My red eye is a mix of me crying a bit and a bad eye infection, seriously. :)

Hours old.... oh, what a beautiful day!!!

More on our recent 8 year old soon!!

a happy heart

Doesn't he just make you have a cheerful heart? His easy to come giggles and smiles just make my heart happy in so many ways. Oh Austin... you are the best middle son a mama could ask for!!

here comes trouble

Carson and his little buddy, Simeon. These two boys will surely have us mom's on our toes a time or two... just like their big brothers!! :) I already see that twinkle in their eyes!

a sweetie kind of day

Okay, I'll admit it. I secretly kind of like Valentines day. Yes, it is super cheezy, yes it is made to be way more then it should, yes card companies and flower shops make a ridiculous amount of money for this day (of course, my mom is a florist, so I can't complain too much! A GREAT day for her :)... but it is such a sweetie pie kind of day for me here! I love making it fun and having fun with it all. From heart shaped pancakes and pink frosted cookies all the way to handmade heart cards and paper decorations hanging in my house. It's just a fun day! If anything, I love to use it as a day to make my own sweeties feel extra special and create a little groundwork for my future men. After all, my boy's wives will thank me someday when I have raised these future men to know that Valentines Day really shouldn't go ignored :)

We do a handful of just simple fun things... having kids on this day is way better then waiting around for some boy to make it special for you. I think Valentines Day should be a kid only holiday :) 

 Fun heart activities...

 Fun lunches...

 Fun valentine deliveries...

 Fun breakfasts... (like who doesn't love heart shaped pancakes with pink sprinkles!!)

 Fun friends...

 One of my personal favorite sweetie pies...

 What your kitchen will look like after making it the "fun zone planning & prepping area"...

 Fun scavenger hunt...(Our yearly tradition. They have to go on a scavenger hunt to find some fun prizes)

 Jaxon's this year...football sticker book and packs of football cards.

 Austin's prize... Car racing hat & t-shirt and a clearanced down train engine house.

And the best Valentine's Day gift... 3 handsome boys to end my day with!