Chalk it Up!

When we got home on Friday, it was still pretty nice out. We had some cheese pizza (Kendall had chicken nuggets) and went out to draw on the driveway. I have to make sure we do this late enough in the day so we can get directly in the bath afterwards. The chalk makes a mess and they inevitably sit on it, so it's all over them. I took a before and after picture of the driveway. Our neighbor, Sophie, came over to join in the fun. After a while, it got too cold. We went in, the kids got cleaned up, and then off to bed for them. Dustin and I stayed up and watched Twilight. I'd seen it, but he hadn't. All in all a great Family Friday!

Before the chalk

Kendall found her name

Braden still has a bit of trouble with "cheese"

Kendall, Sophie, and Braden

Making one last run for it

Is It Spring Break Yet?

Only one more week until spring break! I am mostly done with my meetings at school (thank goodness), so now I can focus on my paper for grad class and our upcoming drama club performance and Kendall's Birthday and...there's too much going on!

A few weeks ago when I was working on my IEPs for school, Dustin took the kids to his mom and dad's house. Braden took his little yellow alien with him. When I say little, I mean it is about the size of a fruit snack. While he was playing, the alien went missing. They searched high and low, but it was nowhere to be found. Grandma Barb felt bad, so she spent most of the night after the kids left looking for it. She actually found it at the bottom of a toy box...imagine that! So, she mailed it to Braden. He was excited to get mail and had no idea what was in the envelope. I took some play-by-play pictures of him opening the mail.

Unfortunately, the next weekend he lost his beloved alien at Walgreens. If anyone sees it the next time they are there, please mail it back to us!

Kendall has decided she likes to "read" aloud. Since everyone else at the house cannot understand her, she has decided the best audience is her dolls and Holly. I took a picture because it was so adorable. Holly looks really enthused.

I weighed in again tonight at Weight Watchers. I have now lost a total of 15.2 lbs. Hopefully this keeps going for a few more weeks. I know it's going to be a little harder when the Easter season rolls around along with a ton of birthdays and other family/food related events. Keep thinking skinny thoughts for me!!!

It's Been Awhile

I know it's been around two weeks since I've blogged, but we have been super busy. I have lots of paperwork right now at school, so I've been spending a LOT of time doing that. I've pretty much gotten that finished, so now I'm taking a little break before I get ready to start writing my lit review for my grad class. Sigh.

The family has been great. Since I've been so busy with work, my wonderful husband has been taking good care of our kiddos. I feel like I haven't been able to see any of them lately. Last night we went up to the "Jester Fest" at my school. The kids had fun at the carnival and enjoyed playing the games. Dustin and I entered a raffle and won 4 tickets to a Cardinal's game! We never win anything like that! Today we plan on going to the library and going shopping. I have high hopes, but we'll see how the day unfolds...

For those of you keeping track of my progress with Weight Watchers, I've now lost 12 pounds. I feel great! I hope to lose about 10 more pounds. Think skinny thoughts for me :)

We went to visit Sarah & Scott and the twins. I was so busy holding teeny-tiny babies that this was the only picture I took. The older kids were watched by the "Daddies"

When the weather was warm last weekend, we went for a walk. Braden had a little trouble with his bike helmet!

Kendall Grace looking pretty in the best bargain dress I ever bought ($2.95)!

Showing off the beads she got at the carnival.

Braden enjoying the Laffy Taffy he won after throwing a football at the wall. Dustin claims Braden is very athletic. I don't think it takes much talent to throw a ball at a wall, but whatever!

Just a Thursday

It's just a Thursday. I'm REALLY looking forward to these ISAT tests being over tomorrow!!! I weighed in at Weight Watchers this week...so far I have lost a total of 9.8 lbs. I'm almost halfway to my goal!


I'll leave you with a Braden-ism:

Dustin picked the kids up from school today. Braden found his long lost pumpkin ring from Halloween (how we made it through Christmas and Valentine's Day without it I'll never know).

Braden: Thank you for my pumpkin ring.
Dustin: (mistakenly responds) You're welcome!
Braden: (in a disgusted voice) Daddy, your not Jesus!
Dustin: Oops. Sorry.

Each night we've been asking Braden if he wants to thank God for anything. He usually thanks him for toys or friends (I'm going for something a little deeper, but I guess I'll have to wait until he's older). I guess his thankfulness has finally carried over into his daytime routine :)

Casimir Pulaski (Who?)

Whoever he is, I want to thank him. Due to his importance, we had a much needed day off of school before the dreaded ISAT tests this week. We spent the day playing around the house. We went to the library and then went to McDonald's with Jaycie, Olivia, and Jackson. I was also able to catch up on some grading, homework, and laundry. Here are some pictures of our relaxing day.

Dustin & Braden playing Braden's new favorite sport (for now)

They are both sporting light up sweatshirts. A necessity.

Giving a little lovin'

Enjoying a truly Happy Meal.

Kendall had fun, too (even if she couldn't eat the real thing...yet).

Jack's Birthday Party

The day finally came when Jackson had his party. Braden had been waiting for 6 weeks for the day when Jackson would join him as a fellow 4-year-old. The party was held at a pizza place in Maryville. The party was great and the arcade (though a little old school) was a hit with kids and adults alike. Here are some pictures of the Power Ranger's party.

Braden on one of the many rides. Kendall wouldn't go near them.

Kendall was a "Jaycie's Girl"

Playing some ski ball

Kendall and Olivia having a serious discussion on technique.

Helping Kendall roll the balls. Neither one of us was very good.

Returning the Favor

On Friday, Dustin and I returned the AWESOME favor that Jaycie and Randy had given us a few weeks ago. We watched their kids while they enjoyed a "date." The kids came over to play, and Braden and Kendall couldn't have been more excited. It had been pajama day that day, so the pics show all the kids in pj's. Don't be fooled. We did not have them in jammies so early in the evening. We don't have a huge house, but there is plenty of room for all the kids to play. Apparently, the rest of the house wasn't fun so they ALL wanted to play in Braden's room. Whatever. They all played so well together. It was fun, but a little strange that they are all big enough to play without me having to stay in the room they are in. Here are some pictures of the kids playing.

Playing with the Shark Park

Sitting Pretty

Olivia took pictures with Braden's camera. Most of them were of the floor.

See what I mean about the pictures???