ahhh the wonders of storytime....

The only thing better than holding on to it....

....is being under it.

(it gave Paige goosebumps)

And if this isn't enough to get you to come out to storytime,

there's always the tickles, Ms. Lynn's singing, and our shoulder strutt.

The Dress Jer Vowed to Burn

Any guesses which one it was?

Later, games. They all look so docile. I was kinda surprised the cops didn't bust through our door with all the noise this bunch was making. Jer kept apologizing because our house was so noisy. Let's be honest here. It definitely wasn't the house making the noise. Many favorites from this night...Curtis telling Heidi he can dress her up but can't take her anywhere. Bobbi and I taking care of "RS" business during the game. Watching Wyatt's head turn left then right then left again, as he tried to follow the crazy stories that were making everyone laugh. He finally gave up and decided to read the back of his diet coke bottle instead. My ears are still ringing from all the noise. That is one rowdy bunch of girls!

Least favorite: Losing by 1 point to team Magel and then by several hundred to Wyatt and Jer.

Toppin the Chart, Derby, Forts and Feet

Stole this idea from Kaley. Breanna got to the top of the chart by doing her chores before school for 20 days. As a result she got to pick any place she wanted to go with just her and mom and dad. She picked the movie Alice in Wonderland.

We both thought the movie was great and we had so much fun just being together.

Love this girl!

Dad had to miss it though because he was at home helping Jake with :

Jake's car did well and although it might not have been the fastest, Jake had excellent sportsmanship and had fun just being there.

This is his last Pinewood Derby, that boy is growing up on me!

Arent Sunday mornings the best?
(No need to ask me about how great Sunday Evenings are when we have to clean it up.)

Jake and Bree needed to be in the pic too.

Luke fell off the slide last week and hurt his foot.

Can you tell which one?

I think I should have taken him in because

he is still limping ever so slightly.

I never get these things right.

Either I take them to the Dr. and it's nothing,

or I don't take them and it ends up being broken.

Pretty sure I'm a horrible mom.

(It's his left foot, the one on your right)

We packed it in today

Started the day off with two hours of hiking up gorgeous Camelback Mtn. Breanna led us up the mountain and was so far ahead of us we rarely saw her. Trailblazer, that one. Jake on the other hand was pretty sure he wasn't going to be able to make it. We knew better. On the way down, Jake was the clear leader and we didn't see him at all until we got to the bottom. That's my Jake!
Luke hiking Stanley style.
We couldn't have done it without their cool backpack.
Luke loved it.
Our fellow hikers loved it
(wish I had a dime for every comment we got about it).
Jer was THE MAN to pack Luke over the steep, rocky terrain for 2 solid hours.

Luke snackin on oranges the way home.
Need to replenish the fluids after that exhausting hike.

Then we hit the ballpark.

Anyone know who's playing?

Sure wish someone would sell Jamie some skittles.

Put your order in next time, girls, I will no doubt deliver.

Jer knew who was playing, oh yes he did.

And just for the record Tony Gwinn is a Padre!

I know my team.

Wet n Wild

No crowds.

Gorgeous Weather.

Icy Cold Water.

And a chance to try out my old hat.

Worked like a charm!

Sorry no pics of the magic.

You'll just have to come with us

next time to see for yourself.

Jake coming down their favorite slide.

Jer kicked booty everytime they raced.
Jake said it was because of Jer's mass.
He learned that in science.

After taking a few pics I realized this place was

way to fun to expect anyone to sit still and take a picture.

Especially this guy.

Next time I won't give up so easy, so watch out!

There Again?

We hit the zoo again today.

We had the big kids with us and it was great.

As I pulled out my camera, someone commented that the one thing she didn't need was more pictures of the kids at the zoo.

I beg to differ: I want to eat them up.

That same person later confided in me that she was suffering from a terrible case of cankles,

thus explaining her momentary laps of good mood.

I see no cankles here.

Look how naturally they just posed for this one.
Gifted, every one of em, I tell you!
Love how they're all in green for St. Patrick's Day.
But seriously, Who's Your Paddy?
This one's for you Dylan, you crazy boy!

Missing Drew in this shot because of the log catapult
that temporarily took him out.
Breezy is still so very sorry!

Hmmm, I think I see a little Leprechaun peeking out behind Dylan's legs.
Wish you could see her close up cause she was being so cute.

Still smiling after 5 hours!

If you don't count the buckets of sand in Elle's eyes,

Luke and Jake's many scrapes

and Drew's encounter with the log,

I'd say it was a perfect day.

The kids were unbelievably good

which meant the moms got lots of quality talks in.

Oh and if you ever do come to the zoo with us

(which you really must do)

there are a few things you should know:

The bear is a baby bear.

Yelling at your kids incessantly from a mile a way is very unattractive.

She/he who throws sand in Elle's eyes, if found, will pay.

And bring dem gangsta signs.

Word Got Out

Yes it did. And with just a few days notice,

these girls pulled together a GNO that would go down in the history books.

We forgot to set the rating when dinner started,

so there was a little bit too much spice at the table for some of our delicate ears.

Looking so sweet and innocent.
But the wheels are turning here.
Seems no one really wanted to go home
after dinner so what were we to do?
After much deliberation, the plan was set.
All we needed was a few speedy runners
(Jamie, Paige and....umm Nikki?).
We hit our first spot and it was 100% successful...
until Jon sent the kids out to do his dirty work.
Nearly had a stow-away because of it too (not til you're 38 Brittany!)

Second house.

He was onto us before we even had a chance.

Sneakin around in his black get-up.

Scared the daylights out of all of us.

The Stealth Man in action.

Third House. Better not go there.

Fourth House. Really better not go there.

Also:

Wet pants.

Paige's surprise in the bushes.

She's not gonna make it, she's not gonna make it, she's not gonna make it.

She made it.

Made up stories about afternoon delights.

Don't shower me with attention.

You are all the BEST!

Thank you thank you thank you for a completely crazy, spontaneously fun start to 38!!!

LOVED IT!!!!
And by the way all of your picks for me were spot on!

Love them all and just can't tell you enough how sweet and thoughtful you are all!!

Spring Break....off to a Messy Start!

First Mess: At midnight poor Breanna became violently ill with some sort of stomach sickness. That girl has got some serious skills when it comes to making it to the bathroom every time. She was such a trooper!

Second Mess: Jake woke up with a HUGE unidentifiable red blob in his hair/forehead area. Turned out to be a piece of Big Red gum that he had neglected to spit out before falling asleep the night before. I begged him to let me take a picture (since this certainly will be the first and last time this will ever happen), but he would under no circumstances consent to such an embarrassing suggestion. I deeply regret that I didn't got against his wishes.

It was actually very funny (mom and Marilyn and I had to demonstrate a superhuman amount of self control to not laugh out loud when he came downstairs). Jake did not for one second think it was funny at all. Especially when we broke out the peanut butter, and started attempting to comb it out. Scissors did eventually come into play.

Third Mess: After de-gumming Jake, we decided to head to JoAnne's. After much shopping success, we got in the car and it wouldn't start. Turns out the battery was completely corroded. A nice man jump started us with his pocket knife (not kidding - sparks flew). Jer had to replace the battery all together.

Fourth Mess: Mom and Aunt Marilyn who could not keep their drinks in the upright position to save themselves.

Fifth and Final Mess: The shreds of cloth that are still at this moment on my floors from the amazing and very cool PJ bottoms that Grandma and the kids made.

Now there's a mess I can live with!

Oh and we did get in a little gaming between messes.

So glad Uncle Gerald, Aunt Denys, Mom and Aunt Marilyn could hang out with us!

Toes and Fancy Shoes

Sarah tipped us off to a hot deal on toes...

check out the results!

(Just wish she could have come with us!)

Paige even got some fancy shoes thrown in.

Now just need to find a new shirt to match my foam flops!

Movie Magic

After months of rigorous practice, the kids hit the stage in Movie Magic.

Breanna was part of the chorus of ushers (first row center).

Then she sang and danced with her class to "You Ain't Never Had a Friend Like Me".

Had to add this picture of Jordan's amazing solo.

He's gonna be famous one day, ya know?

Jake's class were Newsies in "Sieze the Day"

Jake tearin it up front and center here.

And the finale, Mrs. Musser thanking everyone.

Jake's so happy it's over! Here's a little clip of Jake's part.

(We tried to video Bree as well, but it didn't turn out! Arghhhh!)