Just some fun pix

Mom:  What are you doing?

Kids: We wanted a mustache and beard.

While making dinner Sunday night, I turned around to this.... You gotta love him!!

Valentines' Day..

I always have this desire every holiday to make it extra special and do something extra cool and be an extra-ordinary mom who makes it extra fun for the kids.  But then reality hits me, the holiday sneaks up on me, and I'm lucky to do anything at all.  I decided I wanted to atleast do something for Valentines Day.

Here was our breakfast....

"I" and "U" shaped pancakes with a heart-shaped fried egg in the middle with turkey bacon and orange juice.

then for lunch...

heart-shaped Pb&J sandwiches for Kamri and Miles and grilled cheese for Asia

then Friday we had our family V-day party with the cousins.

Evan's spelling bee

Last week was Evan's spelling bee.  He did awesome!  He made it to the top 5.  He was so nervous that morning.  He left with an upset stomach and was ready to just quit.  But he did it and I'm so glad he did.  He really wanted to place in the top three like last year so he could get a trophy and he was a little disappointed when he didn't, but I also know he was excited about how well he did.  I was so glad to see him do this especially since he didn't even want to make it to the school bee from the beginning.

Popcorn is new favorite treat.  I haven't ever loved popcorn without butter on it but my kids don't mind it.

I can't remember what they called this.  They spent all morning building this with our blocks and Qwirkle cubes and were so proud of it.  I wish I could remember what it was they built.

This was Sara's first try at sewing with my machine.  She made a bag out of a t-shirt for her cousin's birthday.  I was just one straight stitch across.  She was so proud of herself.

The other kids were all-eyes-on-Sara the whole time.

Sleeping baby

I love sleeping or just-waking-up babies.  

Daddy Daughter Dance

The Annual Daddy Daughter Dance.  We changed it up a bit this year and attended one put on by a different city.  They had a great time.  Ben was Sara's date this year and Uncle Brian was Kamri's.  We didn't get pictures of him because they met up at the dance.  

I think it's so cute how they take it so seriously every year and try to look their prettiest.  It's always fun to dress up.  I put mascara on Sara for the first time and at first she thought it was weird but has asked since to wear it again.  I told her it is only for special occasions, no need to start that ritual earlier than needful.

SIX

Our SHMUGGLEMUFFIN is six-years-old!!  I know it's a phrase that is maybe a little overused, but she is a little firecracker.  She's silly, defiant, sweet, a jokester, and tender-hearted all at the same time.  We coudl make lots of money off her if we put her into acting.  She cries at the drop of a hat and stops just as fast when she wants something.  She's our little drama queen.  She gives the hugest hugs and is genuinely excited to see you when you walk in the room.  She's easily distracted but at the same time works really hard to get things done.  Oh how I love this little girl of mine!!

So excited to be six!

She wanted to take these little chocolate donettes to class on her birthday.

See, look at that face.  She gets so excited and is so happy over the smallest, simplest things.  

"Yay. Just what I wanted."

"My own computer. Really?!" Kamri said with a huge grin.

She opted for a chocolate bundt cake from Sam's club this year instead of me making one for her. At first I was a little sad I wasn't going to be able to make it but then reality hit me and I was grateful I didn't have to make a cake.  One less thing on my never ending list of projects.

Happy, happy birthday Kamri dear!!