Braelyn is 6!!!

Braelyn celebrated her 6th birthday on August 1st.

For some reason, this birthday has been the hardest of them all for me. There's something about my baby being older than 5. This was even harder than her first day of school.

Maybe it's because it makes me feel old???

We woke the kids up early again for some birthday donuts. I'm not sure 7 candles will fit on that donut next year. :(

 Braelyn got a necklace from her Grandma W. It's hard to see in the picture, but it's 3 heart charms on the chain.

 She also got some more craft stuff from her Grandma W, Grandma J, and Aunt Amy. Now, if I could just convince her that she still needs some adult help with these things!

Grandma W also sent a preserve making kit for Braelyn's birthday.

Don and I got Braelyn a new JB poster. This is her 3rd poster that's now hung in her room. I'll be honest, this one kinda freaks me out when I got in her room.  (No, this isn't all we got her. It was just one of the things we allowed her to open that morning. She also got a clock radio/iPod docking station for her bedroom.)

We can't forget Donny. Look how grown up he's looking, too!

Pinterest is costing me MONEY! (But it sure is fun!)

Our new height chart - made by ME

I saw a picture of one of these on Pinterest not too long ago, and I just had to try to recreate it. This was much easier than I thought, and it was fun.

The hard part will be trying to hang it at just the perfect height. :)

My Crazy Kids :)

My crazy kids (well...mainly Braelyn) wanted to recreate this picture that was taken 2 years ago.

Here's what they came up with. Hysterical! This is who they really are:

Just Another Day...

So...Braelyn decided to paint her own nails today. I painted them for her YESTERDAY. I also told her at the time that I was not ready for her to start painting her own nails. She's 5 for goodness sake, not to mention the mess she'd probably make if she attempted it on her own.

Today, I was proven right. She snuck into my bathroom, climbed up on the laundry basket to get her Hello Kitty nail polish, ran back to her room and painted her nails. Not only did she paint her nails, but she also decided to paint the inside of her hand! SEE:

Evidently, the green polish doesn't come off very well. This was after washing her hands and wiping them down with nail polish remover. (Before she washed her hands, every finger was a different color.) She also had a little pink splattered on her face and neck. How do you SPLATTER nail polish?! Sigh.

Luckily, she was smart enough to lay a towel down on her desk before starting this insane project, so at least the furniture was protected.

Good times...I'm sure there's more of this craziness to come!

And so it begins...

Donny just brought me a spider.

A REAL LIVE SPIDER.

He picked it up from the playroom, carried it across the house, set it down right in front of me, and told me that the spider said, "Sorry."

YUCK!

I thought my sweet boy was just using his imagination and was bringing me a piece of fuzz. Guess I'll have to take him more seriously from here on out when he's talking about things that give me the creeps! I wouldn't have been near as calm about him carrying a spider across the house had I known it was real. You may have even heard me scream!

The spider is no longer with us. Its been wrapped in a tissue and thrown in the trash - Donny wasn't too pleased with my decision to do this, but it's the best thing for us all.

YUCK! YUCK! YUCK!

Donny is 3!!!

 Donny turned 3 today! We woke him up super early (notice that it's still dark outside) for birthday donuts. We had to do it early since Don had to go to work.

 Can you think of a better birthday breakfast than this?! :)

Man, this kid is CUTE! He's growing up too fast, though. Can time just slow down?!?!

San Antonio Trip 2012

We loaded up and took the family to San Antonio last week. It wasn't the best of circumstances that caused to plan this trip so quickly, but the visit was a good one nonetheless.

We wanted the kids to have time to spend with Don's mom who is currently in hospice care.

While we were there, Don and I took the kids to Sea World so they'd have something to talk about with their Grandma W. She loves seeing pictures of the kids and hearing them each tell their stories.

Here are a few pictures from our trip:

 These animals are so dang talented!

 Braelyn was loving the show. Donny was in NO mood for pictures this day.

 Braelyn and me - and Donny still not cooperating.

 Could we please get just one good picture?! :)

Donny thought the penguin was GREAT! Up until this time, he's usually been afraid of people in costumes like this. He walked right up to it, shook its hand, and even cooperated for a picture! The penguin must have been what we needed all along.

 Don and Donny checking out the sharks. (Check out the handprints all over the glass. I'd hate to be the person who has to clean that glass on a daily basis!)

Donny and Braelyn showing off their new toys!

Braelyn - she was scared to be put in the tree at first, but once she got up there and put back down she kept trying to jump back in there. :)

Donny stopped for a brief second for me to snap this picture. :)