Daddy Daughter Dance + Mommy Jack Date

This past Friday was the annual Daddy Daughter Dance at Katie's school!  It was actually scheduled for last Friday but got snowed out (just like last year) and thankfully they were able to have it last night!  I took Katie shopping a few weeks ago - whew!  If that was any insight as to what it will be like shopping for prom -- yikes!  I am fairly certain she tried on about 35 dresses.  Thankfully she really liked the only pair of shoes they had that coordinated with her dress and were in her size, so that limited the drama on that front!

 

I picked Katie up from school so that we would have more time to get ready (even though it would have gotten her home at the exact same time - ha)!  We went upstairs and got to work on her hair!  I was quickly reminded that I need to invest in a set of hot rollers.  My curling iron isn't the super skinny kind, so it is hard to make the kind of curls that will last in Katie's hair.  But she was excited with how it turned out and that's what mattered!

 

Here she is in one of the pictures that I took with the nice camera...and holy moly.  Those eyes!  She just looks incredibly grown up.  Unacceptable.

And here is the full ensemble!  She was so excited with how everything came together! 

And Katie with her date! :) They both clean up pretty good!

And the corsage that Daddy gave her.  So sweet and dainty!

They had to eat at Jonathan's because Chuy's already had a ridiculous wait when they got there!  Then off to the dance!  And apparently Katie would not even think about dancing with Brad until the last song (literally).  She danced with her friends a ton!  I asked her why she wanted to run around with her friends there even though she sees them every day -- her response?  "Because I always have to do math and stuff at school!"  I get it.  That's so tough for a 6 year old!  She did promise Brad she would do better next time :)  Here are some of the pictures Brad sent me from the evening!  Dancing girl!  He also sent me a video of her doing the whip nae nae with some sass! HA!

And while they were out having a blast, I took Jack out on our first Mommy-Jack Date!  He picked Newks for dinner because he wanted mac and cheese.  At the end we split a piece of cake and he wanted to sit next to me for that part. :) Then I made some suggestions about activities (I knew he'd fall asleep in a movie that late and we were full so a trampoline park was not a good idea)...he picked going to Petsmart to look at the animals!  We had so much fun wandering around!  Since we were nearby, I suggested we go to Home Depot next...he sat on every single riding lawnmower they had!  And last stop was Starbucks for some hot chocolate!  We had several dance parties in the car and just had a blast together!  I can't wait to do it again!

In case you may be interested in comparing Daddy Daughter Dance pictures, you can find the post I did about last year's night out {here}!

 

Matching, Posing, + Climbing: Our Day Today

This post is unusual on several accounts - I actually got my nice camera out this morning, I used it instead of my phone to take pictures, and I am doing a blog post with said pictures on THE SAME DAY, folks!  Watch out! :)

 

Katie was so thrilled at her outfit when I showed her the other night - and then she about lost it when I showed her I got her the matching American Girl doll outfit.  Looks like we are officially in this phase.  Anywho.  She told me yesterday  morning that she wasn't going to talk at school at all so that she could get on pink (the best behavior level) and pick a bring-a-toy-to-school card from the treasure box (also: I understand that is a bit dramatic....clearly that is not what is required for achieving pink -- doing the right thing, helping a friend, doing work quietly when asked, etc is what it takes)!  When she got home from school yesterday, she was busting at the seams because SHE GOT ON PINK!!!!

 

Last night I wasn't home for bedtime routine which means I wasn't here to lay out Katie's clothes.  I went in this morning to find her doll dressed and Katie's undershirt and boots out to match (she couldn't find her top or pants)!  I was so impressed and of course she had it all planned out.  She even asked me to do a little side braid in her hair so that they'd truly match (she took Julie)!  AND she didn't complain about picture taking!  Win!

 And here is the full body look - Katie even commented that she picked these boots for herself because they were the lightest brown she had in order to match most effectively!

 And Jack posed himself for this picture - ha!  He got his hair cut a couple nights ago and MAN does it make him look so old!  He really seems like he is chilling out some - he is helpful and has bouts of craziness (rather that constant craziness) and is so sweet and loving.  Of course he has had his moments, but I sure am hoping we are exiting the "threenager" stage of life!  In the mornings he has been getting up early so he can come cuddle with me (I would prefer he give me about 30 more minutes of sleep, but I know I will miss it one day)!

 And I love this picture!  Sweet boy!

 And since I got some pictures of the biggest kiddos, I ran outside with Ryan before we loaded up for school and snapped a couple!  He actually sat still on the chair for some pictures - amazing!  His little personality is shining bright these days and is so cute!  He loves to sit and read books and love firetrucks and construction equipment and trains (ha - wonder where he got that from)!  He loves Sadie (sometimes too much).  And he loves to eat.  HA!  He is a little tank!  He also is more of a climber, for now at least.  He likes to climb up and sit on top of the train table.  And just this evening he climbed on a kitchen chair and then stood up and climbed on the kitchen table and was walking around.  Yikes!

And while this isn't a smile, I think his expression here is so funny!  I wonder what silly thing I was doing to try to get a smile.  And I also wonder what he was thinking.  Maybe it is best that I don't know :)

And there you have it!  The three ring circus in picture this morning!  And they all had school - hooray!  I actually didn't work out because I had to go to the orthodontist to have something fixed.  It was so nice to run some errands (including going in a local store that I have been wanting to go to for so long), surprising Katie for lunch, and then coming home to put clean clothes up and take care of some things (in a quiet house).  And then I made poppyseed chicken for dinner while Katie was at her girl scout meeting - I hadn't made that in forever and boy was it good! Now - sweet silence.  :)

 



Back to School, Losing Teeth, Funny Faces, + More

We've had a fun couple of weeks - though it seems like we were finally getting back into the routine of school and all and then we had a snow day today!  Oh well - I will take it for sure...it was nice!

 

The big kids when we were about to walk down to the bus stop!

And I actually caught a sweet moment in Publix!  Ryan kept loving on Jack -- I think it was because he wanted his cookie :)

And the day we got back from the mommy and me camping, it was absolutely frigid!  That didn't stop these crazies from having races down the hill!

It makes me cold to just look at these pictures - brrrr! But they had a blast!  I am going to try to do better about getting the kids outside to move around and play, even if it is 20 degrees.  Even 5 minutes outside can wear them out!  Sometimes fresh air and running around can do wonders for kids!  And really, they could care less about the temperatures - it is me that cares!

And Ryan finally figured out how to drink from a straw!  Of course it was at Chuy's -- that is where Jack figured it out too :)

I started feeling a cold coming on when we got back from the mommy and me camping, and it hit me full force last Tuesday.  After dropping off the boys, I headed straight to the doctor!  After a steroid shot and a stop at Walgreens for some Sudafed, I headed home and actually took a nap!  Since I didn't make it to my workout class, I did get outside and go for a brief walk on the trails in my neighborhood.  Sadie didn't mind one bit - she was so excited to get out and go on a walk!

And one morning last week I was getting lunchboxes packed and looked up to find both the kiddos reading.  It was amazing!  So glad they love books!

And Katie lost another tooth!  It was her first top one....and it was definitely time.  She had been eating apples for a while and they finally worked!  I love to see that hole in her smile now - she will look so old once a grown up tooth fills the space though!

And we happened to have the same outfit and I looked at Timehop before I got out of bed - so we wore it the same day a year apart! 

And the kids had some powdered donuts (with some fruit that isn't pictured, thankyouverymuch) for breakfast and Jack thought it would be fun to imitate the face that the donuts were making.  I love this picture!! What a ham.

And we headed down to the bus stop!

After dropping the boys off and working out, I headed to get a haircut!  I decided it was time to chop it off since I had so many random length hairs after so much hair falling out after having Ryan.  I think I love it!

And after school, we headed to a playground in the neighborhood.  It was such a pretty day - so glad we could spend some time running and playing!

Friday night I went out with some friends to an indoor trampoline/play place (definitely suitable for a grownup birthday celebration) and then dinner.  It was SO MUCH FUN!  I cannot wait to go back. And I'm secretly SO excited that Katie wants to have her birthday party there!

Here was the whole crew!

And an action shot!

Ryan tolerated a hat on his head for a little while!  So stinking cute!

Jack kept saying he and Brad were in the "hat club" at dinner Saturday night...hilarious!

And the three ring circus at Newks...crazy Saturday night, huh!

Sunday I woke up and found this...they have been doing this for a few days now!  A huge mound of pillows and then sit in it to play or watch a show!  I'll take those sweet moments however they come!

And we headed into church!

After a stop at Target we headed home for some playtime and lunch!  Love that he cooperated for this sweet picture!

And Ryan has figured out the art of the selfie!  Love it!

Couldn't leave out this wild one!

Later in the afternoon, we got the magformers out for some building fun - it really is fun for all ages!  Brad loves them too!

Monday, Tanja came over to visit for a few minutes on her lunch break!  So fun to visit and the kids loved seeing her for sure!

That afternoon we headed to Krispy Kreme so Katie could redeem her 4s for some donuts!  I love that they reward the kids for a job well done!  I also love that Katie is a good enough student that we get to enjoy them too :)

Syd came with us - and they all loved watching them make the donuts!

And here she is with the donuts - she was so proud!

And yesterday I surprised her and showed up for lunch - it was so fun!

When she came home, the first thing Katie did yesterday was put a white crayon from school by a window - she learned that you have to do that to make it snow :)  It sort of worked!  We had a snow day today (more ice than snow - and we are supposed to get more Friday)!

What fun we've had!  Check back soon for more!

 

Mom + Me Camping

Last weekend Katie and I headed about an hour away for an evening of fun for Girl Scouts!  It was a Mommy and Me camping event (in a cabin - not outside!) and we had fun!  It was nice to leave those crazy boys at home!

 

Of course we left in time for a stop at the Krispy Kreme drive thru!  Clearly someone couldn't wait for a bite.  :)

The theme was Wizard of Oz - and our first activity was tornado making!  Who knew it would provide such entertainment?!  She still is just sitting and playing with it!

Here are some of the girls from her troop and their mamas.

And we got a picture of us!  Love this one!

Next, we headed to groom some horses (dressed up like characters from Wizard of Oz, of course) - this was the Tin Man!  So creative!

Then we headed for Katie to ride one!

She got to ride Reggie - such a sweet horse!

And the girls finished an activity and had free time, so they played on the big slide from the barn!

They got to be creative and make huge lollipops - so cool! Katie hid hers in her closet so a certain middle brother won't find it and destroy it!

Then we headed to the cabin to take our things in and get settled.  We headed back to the barn for dinner and of course got caught in hard, hard rain that was blowing sideways.  We were soaked and freezing!  So we warmed up and ate dinner and got to do all of the evening activities!

Then it was finally bedtime.  That was great - except with sleeping, for some it means snoring.  And let me just say...I have never heard snoring that loud come from any human.  Needless to say, in a big room of 15 bunk beds, and lots of snoring and restless folks, not much sleep happened for this mama!  I actually ended up with a cold when we got back from getting wet and cold and not enough sleep (and I'm sure being around new people and new germs - yuck)!  Katie loved sleeping on the top bunk!

And we woke up to a small dusting of snow!  And it was coooold!  This was when we walked up for breakfast!

And one more picture of the two of us before packing up and heading out!

I think Katie had a good time and it was nice to get away with her!  She will head back to that same place with Brad in April (at least I think so) for a Daddy Daughter camping event (they did it last year and had fun)!