Lexi is 9!

Well our Lexi Lou is now the big 9! Her birthday snuck up on us fast and before we new it it was time to plan the party and buy presents. We tried to keep it simple but it still didn't quite work out that way. Even dinner and a movie with friends can add up! Lexi invited two friends over and we all went out to dinner at Winger's for two reasons: 1. they have yummy dessert and 2. the kids meals were only $1.99! I know a bargain when I see it! After sitting at dinner Bryan informed me that he was definately outnumbered and was going to take a rain check for the rest of the evening! Can you blame him poor guy? Sitting at dinner with 6 females, 5 of which were 10 and under would be a bit much for any man! So that left me with the gang. We went home and the girls changed into pjs and we headed to a late movie, Space Chimps. After our last sleep-over I was a little fearful but I had promised Lexi, so I was willing to follow through. We invited the girls to sleep-over and much to my happiness the mothers of the girls coming over said they felt better about a late-over rather than a sleep over! Yeah I was off the hook!!!! It worked out so well we may never have a sleep-over party again! I took the girls home at 11 pm and we all slept in the next morning. Lexi was happy because she got all she asked for and more and I have no more parties to plan until December.

First Day of Kindergarten

Oh my goodness my baby is in Kindergarten!!!! The big day finally came and Madison could not contain her happiness while Mom could not contain her tears. We decided to try afternoon kindergarten and so it was a long morning waiting for the time to leave for school. She happily walked over to her spot, set down her backpack and promptly ran off to play! She left Mom standing there with tears of joy and sorrow streaming down her face! She has waited a long time to be like her sisters and the joy on her face as she walked home with the girls after school was over was worth the sadness of having her grow up. If you ask her what her favorite part of school is she will tell you recess but I hope that changes soon! She has been my companion for the last few years and that has made us close and her spoiled so I am glad to see her off to school and will miss the quality time we got to spend together.

Back to School

Well another short summer has gone by and the girls are back to school. Three weeks never seems quite enough but I guess the breaks during the school year when we track off make it okay. Taylor is now officially a 5th grader and Lexi is just behind in 4th. They are growing before my eyes and becoming young women faster than this mother would like. I am amazed by them and proud to see the kind of girls they are. They have been so understanding with having a mother that works two jobs and can't quite do all that she used to. They have been so grown up and have taken on the load that I can't always do. They have started to clean and help cook and definately have made my life a little easier. I love you girls and am so proud of you!!!!

Afternoon at Boondocks

While my sister was here visiting we decided to take the kids to Boondocks for the afternoon. After they spent all their tokens on games we headed to the speedway! Almost all the kids got to drive their own cars except Maddy and she was a trooper and rode shotgun with her cousin Ally. It was hotter than crud and those cars only added to the heat. After the raceway we headed to the water ride where they got each other soaking wet and cooled off. Good times!!!!

Fireside

This July my sister Laura and her kids came for a visit for a week. We have this wonderful firepit in the backyard and don't get to use it quite as often as we should. So for the 24th we had my other sister Sheri and her family over for dinner, smores by the fire and fireworks by Bryan after sun down! It was a fun evening and great for all the cousins to get together and play.

Lexi and Connor

Madison

Bryan and I

Taylor

Sheri and Kirk

Ally and Nick