Birthday Celebrating.... a little early!

I can't believe that in about 6 weeks my baby boy will be 6 years old... it just doesn't seem possible. Where does the time go??? In his class they have seasonal birthday parties where they celebrate birthday 4 times a year as apposed to doing it on their birthdays. So Friday they celebrate spring birthdays and it was his turn. All the parents bring different things and his teacher even gave all 5 of them a book... how sweet! He had a blast on his special day!

Take me out to the ball park!!!!

Hey if you need us anytime between now and May... check the ball park I am sure we will be there... as a matter of fact with two playing we are there about 4 or 5 days/night out of 7... but i would not have it any other way.... I (heart) being a ball park mom! :)

J's first game was Thursday night... it was a "nail bitter"... we only won by 2 points and the bases were loaded and we got the last out before they all scored... shoo... it was close.

i think this pic says it all... he was so excited to win! (red powerade mouth and all). however we lost saturday night and brylee's game was rained out. Fun times!

Look What Happens When Daddy Is In Charge!!!

while i was away in NYC our church had a spring fling and daddy took the kids... do you think they enjoyed the face (body) paint booth???? also can you believe that daddy took the kids out in "matching shirts"i did not even lay these out...i must say i was shocked... now it is a little early for sand buckets but shhh don't tell him... it was a job well done! he left the job of getting the paint off for me... i can assure you they did not think that getting it off was near as fun as getting it painted on. :)

NEW YORK CITY HIGHLIGHTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

i am back from nyc and i had a blast... i can not wait to go back... two years baby!!!! it will take me that long to rest and save up for the next trip. but it was soooo much fun!!!! i posted some pictures of some of my favorite things that we did. First and of course my ABSOLUTE favorite of the whole trip was Mamma Mia on Broadway! WOW! is all i can say. I was in ahhhh the whole time. I think my favorite part of the whole show was the last 10 minutes of the show when the cast comes back and sings together and the whole audience stands up and sings and dances. It was AMAZING!!! One night we ate dinner at John's Pizzeria... AHHHH! It was sooo good! It is a great place to go especially if you are going with a group b/c you can get several pizzas and share. The pizza was really good.... reminds me of davenports in mtn brook... except they don't cut it into little pieces. This gets the best food award from the places we ate in my opinion. It is also the oldest pizzeria in the united states. Another one of the highlights of our trip was walking across (well to the middle) of the Brooklyn Bridge. It was neat... not what i thought it would be like... i pictured us walking in the middle of the bridge dodging cars... but it was not like that at all. It for people only... bikes and lots of runners and walkers... and how about do we SCREAM tourist in our super cute matching shirts! This was our last day and actually one of the last things we did before heading back to the hotel to get in the limo and head to the airport. A few of our group pictures from various things we did. It was a GREAT group of people to go with. You know you can't just travel... especially to New York with just anyone but this group was Perfect. K & L (mom & daughter) are New York Pros... they go at least once a year and I told them I would NEVER go to New York without them. S & E (also M & D) are friends of L & K that we only see when we go on this trip and they are so much fun. C & P (M & S) are my "second mother" and "little brother" he was the "token" boy on the trip... that i must say was a trooper following all us girls around shopping and holding sacks for us. And what would we do without all his unexpected humor... he keeps us laughing the whole trip. And last but not least me and mom. I love that i get to go to New York with her she is the best and i am so excited we have started this tradition! We have declared it to be a Bi-Annual Trip!

Mike and Juliet! Just an FYI if you are going to NYC you can get on their website and get free tickets to the show. It was a great experience! And we actually made it on TV too. Which is pretty cool! Let me just say it gives you a whole new appreciation for TV and shows with audiences for that matter. It was a J-O-B! There are so many do's and don't. Don't look at the camera or monitors, clap, clap, clap, smile, look interested in the show... etc etc etc... I was so self conscious the whole time... not wanting to make a funny face, scratch your noise, b/c i was sure it would be my luck the 2 sec. i did something "wrong" in the 60 minutes that is what would be on national TV. But it was a lot of fun. It is also inside so no freezing waiting outside like others.

The Subway (and no not the sandwich place like my 5 year old thought). This was our mode of transportation the whole week. I know some people are "freaked out" by these things but really they are NOT bad at all and for the price they are FANTASTIC! They are 25.00 for unlimited for a whole week which is great considering that is usually the price of a cab one way for one stop and for our group we would have to get 2 cabs. PRICEY!!! And kudos to KB she is the subway "makmamma" she had the application on her iphone and could tell us exactly what time it would be there and which ones we needed to ride, for how long and boom we were there in no time. I of course was clueless when it comes to Subways but i think you can get a map and figure it out... i just did not have to b/c i had KB!

Chicago... i knew NOTHING about this before i went but it was really good. It was a great story line, entertainment, everything... so good!

Top of the Rock!!! All i can say is breath takingly bee-u-tiful. And from what i understand it is just as good as the empire state building without the wait. 20.00 and you can see all the lights, building, and the whole city pretty much. It really was pretty!!!!!!!!! Very quick elevator ride up 68 floors and then you walk up the last 2 floors. Even the little "chickens" who shall remain nameless survived their fear of heights and observed from the middle of the observation deck. Great Experience!!

Shopping, Shopping and More Shopping... that is just about all you do in NYC. We shopped at all the big stores, Bloomingdale's (were i bought me and B panties that said bloomies on the back... got to say you got something there right???), looked and "wished" at Tiffany's, Macy's, Burberry, Saks, H&M, Century 21 (where i bought the most... always do) Canal Street (aka China Town)...i LOVE that "place" i love to bargain with those people and get purses and jewelry. So FUN!

Serendipity.... i have heard there was a movie...been twice still never seen the movie... need too. They are know for their frozen hot chocolate which was SOOO good. There food is OK... I am a little to "plain" for their food but everyone else liked it and i think it was what i got b/c i sampled everyone elses and it was good. Make reservations if you are going!!! Fun Place!

Ellen's Stardust Diner.... This was my second favorite thing we did This place is sooo cool. It is a 50's diner type place... kind of like Johnny Rockets except they sing and dance the whole time you eat and they actually can sing and dance. The food is pretty good too and they have tons of drinks and desserts too. So much fun... the gets my vote for # 1 entertainment place to eat in NYC... i hope we always go back to this place!

We had a amazing time. I am so tired b/c all we did was GO GO GO but you don't have time to stop or you will miss something. Thanks Mom... it was a BLAST! XOXO

I also have give a huge thank you to my sweet hubby for keeping our kiddos while i go on a trip with "the girls and patrick" on "his" spring break... thanks honey you are the best!

New York Girls and Patrick... it is less than 730 days until our next trip right???? Can't wait!

My Bags are Packed....

Si-a-nara Folks... I am off on a jet plane to the BIG Apple... see you Monday with lots of updates and fun pictures too!

Big Park Fun!

Today we headed to the BIG park in Leeds that we saw on the way home from Atlanta with a packed picnic basket, a beautiful day, and lots of fun had by all... a lesson learned too. We started with a picnic by the creek and the kids just HAD to walk to the creek and after being told numerous times not to get to close.... guess what happened.....

this picture pretty much sums it up... JP "accidentally" fell into the creek... when will he learn that mommy and daddy really do know what they are talking about... rocks ARE slippery! Thank goodness for baseball clothes in the car.

So we head to the park... now this my friends is a park (should I send the man a picture at Mt. C... so he knows what a PARK is???)

We enjoyed the park and highly recommend it to all our friends... we also had a surprise play buddy... our buddy J and his family were there too.

More Spring Break FUN!!!!!!!!!!!

So on our way home from Atlanta husband was just not ready to come home yet so he was trying really hard to find us one more thing to do. We drove to Underground to see what we could do down there but lets just say we were a minority and decided not to stay. So husband grew up in a "camping family" and wanted to take the kids to Mt. Cheaha on the way home. He calls and they tell him they have a several playgrounds and hiking trails. So we go.... enjoy the pictures and a great laugh too just as we did.

OK so here is a picture of the playground... you can't really see so let me explain. A slide and swing pole with no swings... and this was the playground. So we enjoyed the 1970's slide.

Hold on it gets better... there is a tower husband wants us to walk up.... so we do. J- says "it smells like horses in here"... B doesn't want to walk up the steps and is more scared coming down and declares that it stinks too. Poor Daddy he is just trying.

We also see this... and let me just say before I knew husband I did not know people truly CAMPED in tents... but oh they do and her is a picture to prove it. I almost had a heart attack... poor people this was their spring break fun. Better them than me.

So we are off to find the trails... we don't get far before B declares she is not walking all the way down to the bottom and back... she wants to go back so we do... and we get back in the car and head home... home sweet home. Thanks honey... you tried!

Rainy Day Fun!

Saturday was cleaning day at the casa de powers. Lets face it; it was raining what else do you do when it is a rainy yucky Saturday... and besides that we were headed out of town the next day and i can live in a "messy house" day to day but there is something about coming home from out of town to a "messy house" that i can't handle... sends me over the edge. So we cleaned and this was the kiddies idea of helping! Can't complain when they want to help right? We have the cleanest kitchen table in town! For all you none teachers out there shaving cream on a table will be fun and clean all at the same time. Yes, brylee is in her bathing suit... don't ask this was outfit change number 999 of the day.

Spring Break Adventures

So Spring Break has sprung and we are making the best of it. Why please tell me why the weather will be beautiful and then a break comes or the weekend comes and guess what... it rains. It has rained since Friday. I am very much OVER the rain... really where is the SUN? So enough of that and onto our adventures. We are having fun and living the hotel life in the big city of Atlanta. Enjoy the pictures of our fun!

How many of you remember as a child that an indoor pool was the coolest thing ever. Surely I was not the only one... it did not matter if we stayed in a hotel 10 minutes from our house if it had an indoor pool we were on "vacation" and I thought I have died and gone to heaven... and my kids are no different.

Another hot spot we took the kids to eat while here was The Varsity. What more can you ask for hamburgers, hot dogs, fries, onion rings, ice cream, a hour on the treadmill, oh yeah that was not on the menu but it should be. So here they are enjoying their "birfday cake" ice cream.

We also hit another favorite place... Dave and Busters. We will never get them back in Chuck E Cheese... they thought this place was the coolest ever! They loved "riding" all the ride games and winning all the tickets and "shopping" at the "junk counter". Fun times. Oh the joys of being a kid.

We are having a great time just the 4 of us... hanging out in hotels and hitting the hot spots in Atlanta. ( I am actually working it between the fun... which is OK too). No telling what kind of fun we can get into tomorrow. Hope you are enjoying your break as well and lets hope for a dry day and would SUN be too much to ask?? _______________________________________________________________

And something totally unrelated to Spring Break... and maybe just a little proud of myself for figuring this out. I can brag right b/c it is my blog right???

So I got the Cannon Rebel for Christmas and I love taking pictures with it but I will be the first to admit that, the camera can do WAY more than I understand and sure I could read the manual cover to cover but to be honest I don't really want to... so while the kiddies were swimming in the indoor pool and daddy was doing daddy duty in the pool (b/c mommy doesn't... a) get in a bathing suit in march with no tan or b) basically get in a bathing suit unless i am basking in the sun... anyone else feel that pool duty is daddy duty too?) I was "playing" with my camera. I saw this IOS button on top and started playing with it... it was way cool to figure out that 1600 IOS took really cool indoor pool pictures as apposed to manual IOS. I basically figured out that is has something to do with the amount of light it lets in (i think) so I am sharing the difference a little IOS makes in your pics. And if you have this camera feel free to share any other tricks you might know?? I am always up for options.

Clothes, Clothes and MORE Clothes....

So it is this "wonderful" time again where I go through all the kids clothes that they can't wear or they or I don't like anymore and take them to here and sell them. I always enjoy the money I get when it is all said and done... but gezzz it sure is a pain. It is cycle... dig out clothes, sort, price, print tags, pin on tags, hang clothes, sort by size, take them... ahh my work is done. Hubby also get really excited during this time too because I always wait til the last minute and then recruit him for help... his favorite ha... but he helped... willingly might be stretching it. He also rigged me up a place to hang them... thanks honey! :) But at least there was another prize delivered during the clothing transitions... clothes out and clothes in! You know it is bad when the UPS man drives up your drive way and your daughter says "is he bringing me more cute clothes"... gezzz... girl after my own heart... I guess I am trying her right! :)

yes i am fully aware that 6 years old is definitely pushing the age for your name to be on your shirt...

poor guy his mommy is just not ready to give it up!!!

All in One... One Size Fits All... Combo

This is an all in one... one size fits all... combo post. There were several times this week I was going to post and never seemed to get it done. So here you have it the fun in our week all in one!

The Princess and the T-Ball

Once upon a time there was a princess who had her first t-ball practice and lets just say she sure thinks she is a princess straight from a castle. She went all decked out in pink... pink shirt, pink belt, pink socks, and pink bow... to go along with the pink cleats, pink bag, pink helmet, pink bat, and last but certainly not least pink glove. Who knew they made so much pink? Needless to say it was interesting she only wanted to be FIRST... run first, bat first, throw first etc... she was TOOOO cold and needed several snack and water breaks. When we ask her if she liked it she said "I just want to sit in granddaddy's lap and eat a hot dog and watch Jackson play"! Well I guess she told us... so there you have it... t-ball practice in the eyes of a 4 year old girl and a picture to prove it!

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You've got mail... or " I just got a letter"

This week I got two surprises in the mail!!! Refer to an earlier post about my children's clothing obsession... well those obsessions are starting to arrive in the mail... YIPPEE! And thankfully they are arriving with warm weather as well.

********************************************************************************* Our next BMX racer???

And now onto the weekend... is anyone else L-U-V-I-N... this spring weather??? It can not come at a better time... good by cabin fever... hello outside. We enjoyed the weather and riding bikes as well. Jackson learned to ride his bike without training wheels back in the fall but did not get much practice before mr. winter came so he never really got the confidence he needed. Friday when he got home from school we went to the back circle and practiced again... he rode some on Sat. and today he was racing brylee around the track... it is now his new favorite thing to.

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Drinking in Style...

Sharing a new happy (nonnie gave us) that i don't think i am the last to know about.... i have seen these cups before with fabric in them with monograms and such but they never seem to work right (get wet, wrinkle, mildew etc) but we just got these laminated inserts from this company and they are fabulous!!! They have tons of designs for every holiday, boy, girl etc... don't think i won't be getting the mickey ones for disney... so cute. Just thought i would share my new treat. Enjoy!

********************************************************************************* May I take your order???

While at the park today... the kids were using there imagination and were playing restaurant... this was the drive Thur and they were ordering food.. it was so cute. They have finally gotten to the age were they can play at the park and i don't hear... push me, catch me, help me... etc... it was a great day at the park especially since i was flying solo. A few more pictures for your enjoyment.

A Snowy Day!!!!!

Oh How FUN! It was to wake up to a winter wonderland... not something you can say often here in the south. How beautiful were the white blanket covered yards and the snow covered roof tops. Well, we were actually woken up by a very excited 5 year old... running in our room saying "It snowed, It snowed, everything is covered in snow"... and sure enough it was. I loved that we even got to see it snow even more after we were up. We had a awesome time playing in the snow today. Enjoy the pictures... we had a great time sledding, building a snowman, having a snowball fight, and just playing in the snow! Oh what fun! We had a great time sledding down our hill on a sled that was 25 years old. The sled was actually mine when I was a child and my children had a ball. The one time you enjoy living on a hill. One of my favorites... my three on a sled ride...

We have had a great time outside and now we are in for a long winters nap by the fire!! Stay Warm!