Our Little Cheerleader

Football season is in full swing for our little family. We're new to all this :).

Ella joined the cheerleading squad this year, and it has been so great! We love the games on the weekends, and I just love how the younger girls admire Ella from a far - they think she's SO cool :)...

They do a half time "dance" to our teams fight song. And can I just say that we have a pretty rockin' little football team - those boys are great little players and SUCH cuties!

Ella just loves it. And I always prove yet again that I am "that mom" by taking 1000 pictures!

Can you blame me?

Oh I love that sweet 6 year old!

Hope you all had a great weekend!

Because Memory Lane Can Be Fun

I ran across these pics the other day, and I had to post them.

When Reese and Charlotte were 2, they used to get in each others bed at nap time and night time. I told them to stay in their own beds, but secretly I thought it was the sweetest thing ever...

This was a classic nap time scenario, Reese on the edge with no covers...and 1 Croc? I promise I don't put them to bed in shoes :)...

And then at night time, they would do it again...

Sigh...

They grow too fast!! I love those sweet, sweet memories!

We're Getting The Hang Of It...

Our new school/Fall routine, that is.

I feel us slipping into a groove, which I love. No schedule equals chaos over in these parts, so a new groove is just splendid :).

The pool is the past (for now), so we are onto new adventures...

It has been a while since we have been to the park, so the girls are enjoying a change of scenery...

And these little ladies, are ready for some Pre-school. But not for a couple more weeks - they are SO excited.

This picture basically sums up their relationship...

They are always entertained by each other - you know, unless one is hitting the other.

Ahem.

I'm thinking of going to bed tonight right after the girls - this week has worn me out too!! Anyone else??

Hope you all are having a great week!

It's Time, Baby.

Or should I say, "It's time, little girl."

I knew it was coming. I knew you were ready. And I knew you were excited.

What I didn't know is that I would see 6 years flash in front of my eyes as you walked into your classroom. I felt like my heart was going to beat out of my chest.

Wasn't it just yesterday that God gave you to us? And wasn't it a minute ago that you were standing at your 1st birthday doing animal sounds for everyone?

My mothers voice saying, "before you know it, she'll be in school..." rings so loud in my ears today.

But as I've said, you can't fence time, and 1st grade is calling. For the past year, we have been praying that God would give us direction for our family, and we believe that He planted us in a great community, with great schools. I know it's a big change from last year, but I also can tell you that this is where we are supposed to be. You're going to love it!

You are indeed ready my smart, savvy little girl. Have fun, learn a lot, and stop growing so stinkin' fast!

I love you, my sweet Ella Girl.

If you need me, I'll be in the car - trying to pull myself together. :)

It's time, Baby.

(I posted this (almost) exact post this time last year. I did a repost cause I felt exactly the same :)!)

Apparently, I Am "That Mom"...

Well, my sweet Ella started school today. I am going to post pics later of everything, but for now I want to show you what my view looked like this morning...

It's blurry, you say?? Oh thats because I could hardly see since I was already crying on the way IN to the building.

Get a hold of yourself, woman!

Ahem.

I may have said in the past, "I won't cry when school starts. It's time. We've prayed and feel like this is where we are supposed to be!"

(eating my words.)

Sooo. Apparently I am "that mom" that cries on the 1st day of school.

Sheesh, and I thought I was strong :).

Pictures coming of our new 1st grader...

A Little Bit Of This, A Little Bit Of That...

I am way behind. On a lot of things...

I'm enjoying these last summer days with the girls - they have truly been so much fun.

I'm feeling indifferent about school starting. I know it's time, my savvy, smart little girls are more than excited (especially Ella), but my heart hurts a little knowing she will be away from me most of the day.

We will miss the pool days - my girls and I have made some good (and funny) memories there this season.

I have learned a lot this summer.

I have taken deep breaths.

We took a hiatus from Target, but are about to be reunited when our School schedule kicks in.

I laughed at a lady the other day in Kroger's when she said, "wouldn't it just be easier to come after they're all in bed???"

(yea, lady, that would be easier I guess. But not as much fun, right?!)

(and besides, all that candy at the register isn't going to unwrap itself - you need lot's of little, mischievous hands for that!)

I have been learning that useless advice and comments are just that. Useless.

I've decided to make some small changes to the blog. Nothing real big.

The girls are already asking when the hayrides start.

And maybe I'm wondering that too.

I already have my Fall decor stuff sitting at the front of our storage ready to go. Once September hits, it's on.

I will definitely be sharing all our pumpkin recipes. We love all things pumpkin. Seriously.

Raya and Kinley have started "chatting" a bit. It's hilarious. Every morning I hear Kinley in the monitor yelling, "aya, aya, aya!!" Love it.

That's it for now - back to the "end of August crazy schedule." At least that's what we like to call it. :)

Hope you all are having a great weekend & enjoying the end of summer. Do you have a crazy schedule right now too???

The Monkey Went To The Pool

He showed up in our pool bag once we arrived there - I usually try not to take him. Even though sweet Kinley wants to take him everywhere...

He has been around since the beginning...

Kinley and Raya both have one - but Kinley grew attached to her's early, Raya could take him or leave him...

That monkey has had many hugs...

We found out today that Monkey doesn't swim or float well...

But Kinley kept dragging him in :)...

He seems to be recovering well...

I'm pretty sure those little guys are 2 things that I'll keep forever :)

Soakin' It Up

I am just soaking up every minute we have left of Summer with the girls...

Meeting up with bloggy friends (more on that later)...

Hanging out at the pool every chance we get...

Running errands and picking up school supplies...

Asking Ella if she would just stay small...for maybe a few more years...

Eating Popsicles on the back porch...

Enjoying the pool some more...

We have had so much fun the past 3 months, and even though it's never fun to see Summer go - I am ALWAYS excited to see Fall on it's way!

I loovve the colors, cool temperatures, and hayrides!!

Is it to early to think of Pumpkin recipes?? :)

When I Say Smile...

She does this...


And I just want to squeeze her!

I love those 1st "smile for the camera" smiles, don't you??

Let's Just Pretend...

That it's not already August.

Let's pretend that I have 3 months filled of fun in the sun with all my little ladies.

And please, plleeaase - let's pretend like this savvy little girl is not starting 1st grade a week from today...

Ok?

Ok.

Anyone come up with a way to fence time yet???

1 Year Ago

Then...

Now...

Then...

Now...

Is it me, or does Raya look exactly the same??? :)

What I Say VS. What They Hear

I say, "Come here right now, I mean it!"

They hear, "run to the next aisle, but not before running (basically) over that elderly lady looking at the clocks."

I say, "If you don't eat all your food, then you will have no snack later."

They hear, "Don't eat, I will nag until the woman gives in - she's clearly at the end of her rope."

I say, "If you put your mouth on that mirror one more time, we're leaving. The workers have to clean that!"

They hear, "Lick the mirror."

I say, "Sit right at the table, you're going to spill something!"

They hear, "Sit on knees, place cup at edge of table, knock it over with your elbow - then watch it spill all over the table, on to the chair, and then on to the floor. In that order."

I say, "Because if you put the blanket over your head while you're walking, you will run into the walls."

They hear, "Do it! Running into walls is awesome - the most fun ever!

I say, "I told you 3 times that we are leaving soon - I'm going as fast as I can!"

They hear, "Ask one more time."

I say, "Because we just painted those walls!"

They hear, "walls aren't complete till coloring is finished - scribbling is the new accent color."

I say, "I love you - more than you can ever imagine. One day, when you become a mommy, then you'll understand."

They hear, "She loves us - more than anything. Even when she is tired, frustrated, or stressed, that lady adores us."

I do believe they are hearing that last one correctly, even if I'm not making myself clear on everything else. :)

I Always Have It Together.

(except on days that end in Y.)

I never lose my cool...

and never feel frazzled.

I never let the girls say words wrong just because it is SO STINKIN' CUTE...

you'll never hear the word, "turkulator" (calculator) around this house.

And I always have our laundry done...

(except on days that end in Y.)

My kids are always under control...

and would never try to wash their own hair in the bathroom sink - "just like at the hair place!"

I'm never rushing out the door 10min behind schedule...

and always have my house picked up before we leave...

(except on days that end in Y.)

I never laugh when trying to discipline...

and always stand my ground - cuteness never wins me over.

I wouldn't let my older 3 ladies make hot chocolate on their own...

because I know that they are not qualified hot chocolate makers...yet.

I would never say "I don't want to know why on earth you would make it that thick, and you can't make me listen to your explanation."

(except on days that end in Y.)

I am super mom...

and always have it together...

because I just have SO much patience.

(except on days that end on Y.)

Sweet.

Spunky.

Savvy.

Sigh...

Kinley.

A Battle I'm Not Currently Fighting

Black Bean & Corn Salsa

It's exquisite.

Well, it's more like a party in a bowl.

Ingredients:

3 (15 ounce) cans of Black Beans, drained and rinsed
1 (11 ounce) can of Mexican-Style corn, drained
2 (10 ounce) cans diced tomato's w/ green chili peppers, partially drained
2 tomato's, diced. (I didn't use that much)
2 bunches of Green Onions, chopped
Cilantro leaves, add as much or as little as you want!

Directions:

In a large bowl, mix everything together. Add salt if desired. Chill in refrigerator for 8 hours, or as long as you can wait. Which isn't long in this house.

Sometimes I add extra corn or some hot sauce. I'm fearless, I know.

Thats it!

Enjoy!

Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters

I worry about our girls. A lot.

I have seen Ella changing so much lately - she's growing, and learning, and just getting out of that little girl stage. I am watching her interact with other girls, and seeing that even at this early age, girls struggle with fitting in, comparing, and doubt.

I hate it.

I just want to scoop all 5 of them into my arms and say, "don't worry about what others think, just know that God made you just like He wanted, don't listen to them, don't do what they're doing, stay close to Him, focus on Him, and believe Him, just be you, you're a beauty, don't doubt yourself! Alright? Promise mommy you'll do that, ok?"

I know that every child will go through the awkward growing up years, and there will always be mean kids. I just want to protect them - but I know I can't do that all the time.

I hate that too.

So along with asking God everyday to help me be the mom to these girls that He wants me to be - and to please, somehow make me a role model for them, I also read a lot. I love a good book, and lately, I have come across some great ones. I picked up Bringing Up Girls by James Dobson - and it has this great section in it from the book Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters by Meg Meeker. I thought these were some great paragraphs, just wanted to share...

"Daughters might take their mothers for granted, but not you. They light up - or they cry. They watch you intensely. They hang on your words. They hope for your attention, and they wait for it in frustration - or in despair. They need a gesture of approval. A nod of encouragement, or even simple eye contact to let them know you care and are willing to help.

When she is in your company, your daughter tries harder to excel. When you teach her, she learns more rapidly. When you guide her, she gains confidence. If you fully understood just how profoundly you can influence your daughters life, you would be terrified, overwhelmed, or both. Boyfriends, brothers, even husbands can't shape her character the way you do. You will influence her entire life because she gives you an authority she gives no other man.

Many fathers believe that they have little influence over their daughters...But your daughter faces a world markedly different from the one you did growing up: it's less friendly, morally unmoored, and even outright dangerous. She will see sexual innuendo or scenes of overt sexual behavior in magazines or on television before she is 10 years old, whether you approve or not...

Once upon a time ugliness was somewhat "contained" - gangs, drugs, and the "bad crowd" stayed in defined pockets, in certain neighborhoods and schools. No more. The ugliness is all around you...

You will make the difference in your daughters life. You have to - because, unfortunately, we have a popular culture that's not healthy for girls and young women, and there is only one thing that stands between it and your daughter. You.

Pretty good stuff, huh? Well, good but tough. It reminded me that I need to be praying for Eric more, and encouraging him as well in this specific area - cause I do think Dads can have huge impacts on their little girls - sometimes good and sometimes bad.

What do you think?

45 Extra Pounds

That I don't mind carrying around...

Sigh. They are growing way to fast...

A Modern Eden Giveaway!!

It's Friday! How about a Giveaway from A Modern Eden??

Want to see our new favorite Poster?

And our new favorite Flash Cards?

The girls love both!

Want to grab a Poster & set of Flash Cards for your kiddos? Well, today you can!

How did I come in contact with A Modern Eden? I'm so glad you asked :)...

They were one of our many sponsors, and the location where we held The Ultimate Mom's Night Out (that took place last Thursday night), and it was SO fun! We had other fun companies involved like Old Navy, Chickfila, Lifestages, One to One Network, and CSN Stores - who sells everything from shoes to Twin Beds. Fabulous companies, every one of them :).

Now, A Modern Eden wants to give one of you one of their modern Posters and a set of Flash Cards as well! They are an amazing company, and their children's items are simply brilliant. See our Frog picture in our little "play area" in the basement? Isn't he cute? That is Webster the Frog, and he is the girls new favorite character...

So now you can enter to win one of their cool posters (they have 3 different ones!) AND a set of their amazing Flash Cards over at my Reviews & Giveaways Page! Hop on over and win!!

(Curls)

I know, I know - I'm a woman obsessed.

But who could ever get enough of those curls!?

Shoe Rack Needed

It's no wonder I can't get a lot of cooking done around here, is it!?

What do you do with all the shoes in your house? I'm thinking I need a new "shoe system." A place where they are easily found, organized, and out of the way...

Preferably not wedged in the handle of my oven.

Any suggestions?

And Then, They Tried To Manipulate The System.

Oh it's true.

They're good, they're real good.

After I mapped out my rules for the Jars, and after they eagerly agreed, and right after we all went on our merry -jar-happy way...

They came up with a plan to foil my plan.

Oh you're cute, ladies, but mama knows what you're up to...

From upstairs I hear them chatting in the basement...

Ella - let's get all the toys back out, put them all over the floor, then clean them up and tell mom to come see how great it looks down here - then we'll get more candy in our jars!

Reese & Charlotte - Yea! Ok!!

Nice.

Ladies, ladies, ladies. Let me introduce myself - I'm Mom, have we met? :) You don't think I would buy that little plan, now do you?

Ella actually said, "how did you know that's what we were doing?"

Me: Because I'm the Mom, that's how.

Ella: So you know about everything we do?

Me: Yes (not really), remember that when you're a teenager - mom always knows.

I might have to crack down on my Jar rules, don't you think?? :)

In Which I Pay Them To Behave

Well, kinda.

I've decided to do Reward Jars with the girls. I feel we're in a little bit of a discipline rut. You know, when they could care less when I say,

"seriously, I am going to take away every one of your privileges until your 18 if you don't stop. And if you put another cheese-it down the vent, you're going to bed - I don't care if it's only noon."

(I know those of you who know me in real life can just hear me saying, "seriously...")

(I say it way to often.)

(Seriously.)

Anyway. I drove myself down to Target and picked us up some little glass canisters - you know, cute ones in case this whole jar thing falls flat, then I can use them for decor.

I always have a back up plan.

They were only $5 bucks each - totally worth it. I also picked up a .99 cent bag of scrapbook letters, and I taped their 1st initial on...


When they do what they're asked, when I don't have to tell them twice, if they pick up without me asking, if they lend a helping hand, and when they do things without whining or complaining - something goes in the jar...


When they whine, don't listen, ask twice, act rude, get an attitude, argue, or talk back - something gets taken out.

Let me tell you, friends - things are getting done around here.

We don't reward them every time they do something good, just here and there we pop something in after they've earned it. Then they are so surprised when they discover something new.

These stackable Jars have changed the game a little.

So next time I have to say, "stop opening EVERY freezer door in the frozen food section - everyone can hear them slamming shut!!" I can tell them that they will lose something from their Jar if they don't quit.

The Jars, have power.


Sooooo, here's hoping they continue to work!

Have you ever done a reward system?