We started baseball yesterday . . .

and a certain almost 5 year old is still a little excited!

(I think he is the only T-baller in the league who wears a batting glove -

 nothing like 4 seasons of watching his older brother play and now finally getting his turn)

And just to give you some further insight into my brilliant little boy. . .

Notice how he is sleeping on top of his quilt - but has his blanket over the top of him - 

Well, that it because before the boys get breakfast in the morning they have to make their bed - Kristopher's solution is to not "unmake" his bed in the first place - so he sleeps on top - 

His bed is ALWAYS made!

Exhausted. . .

Yesterday as I picked Kale up from school in the pouring down, monsoon like rain storm,

he walked up to the car,

opened the door,

plopped his backpack on the front seat,

climbed in the car,

laid his head back,

and

sighed.

I could tell he was tired.

He came home,

got a snack,

and

sat in front of the fireplace.

I convinced him to do a few pages of homework and then. . .

He took a nap.

A long nap.

He woke up,

ate some dinner,

and sat in front of the fireplace some more.

Then he went to bed at 7:15 at night.

When I tucked Kris in at around 8:00 - Kale turned over and said:

"mom, I don't think I am going to make it"

"What do you mean" I asked

"I don't think I will make it through the night,

you know when you stop breathing"

Why does he have to worry so much?

Where does he get it from?

What's a mother to do?

I'll tell you what I did.

I promised him I would check on him every hour to make sure he was still breathing

 (which I did until I went to bed)

and then,

I let him sleep in today.

Third grade can be exhausting!

Time for a QUIZ. . .

Is she HAPPY?

or

Is she MAD?

I'm her mother and I can't tell. . .

I've looked at it over and over and over again.

At first I want to say 

"happy"

then I look closer, and think 

"nope she's mad"

but then I look again and think

"happy"

Oh forget it - she's cute either way! 

First "Kid" on Mars

Yesterday we went to the Library. . .

On the way home Kale informed me

"My new goal is to be the first kid to step foot on Mars"

I thought random. . .

Until I saw the books he had picked out!

Before and After

BEFORE

and

AFTER

I didn't plan on . . .

DOING 11 LOADS OF LAUNDRY YESTERDAY!

My laundry bins haven't been this empty since I bought them.

It just happened.

It might take them all week to empty their bins. . .

And don't even get me started on the sheets and towels.

Happy VALENTINES Day!

I LOVE Strawberry Heart Shaped Pancakes for Breakfast. . .

I LOVE Heart Shaped Pizza For Dinner. . .

I LOVE Fondue for Desert. . .

(I really love using Grandma Jibson's heart shaped plates and Grandma Schlappi's pink dishes)

I LOVE Him. . .

I LOVE Him. . .

I LOVE Him . . .

I LOVE Her . . .

I LOVE Valentines Day!

(this picture was actually taken on our anniversary last year but I thought it fit perfectly here)

I spent Valentines Day with the people I LOVE most!

A Day of Surprises!

The day started out with PRESENTS!

Then as Kyle was leaving for the gym. . .

He was greeted at the door by this!

I'm not gonna lie - 

it scared him a little.

And as soon as he broke through his FIRST surprise. . .

He found this these waiting for him in his truck!

After unloading all the balloons

he did finally make it to the gym

while I took the kids to school

and baked a cake!

THEN WE WENT TO THE MOVIES.

DURING THE MIDDLE OF THE DAY!

WHAT A TREAT!

When the cashier said that will be $11.00

I said "no 2 tickets"

That was the price for 2 tickets.

It's Matinee Price!

For dinner we tried a new Burger place in town

where you

BUILD  YOUR OWN BURGER!

So fun.

Kale had a burger with

lettuce, tomato, hard boiled egg, and olives.

YUMMY!

Kristopher had mini burgers with

MEAT - nothing else - just MEAT!

I don't even know what was on that enormous burger. . .

but it is his birthday and he did go to the gym.

And for the highlight surprise. . .

ROLLERSKATING

The birthday boy opted to watch the baby

and take pictures

while 3 of us skated our hearts out!

He did get to play a few video games that he played

at least 20 years ago when he used to come here.

And finally,

the cake.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GUY!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KYLE!

Dear Kyle,

Remember that year that we had to celebrate your birthday at the crack of dawn because between, law school, internships, jobs, study groups, church callings, and sleep the wee hours of the morning were the only time your son and I would see you that day?

Remember that?

Well, today is not going to be like that!

I hope you are ready to party!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!

How was your day?

She's had better days . . .

CELEBRATIONS. . .

PARTY!!!

Care-Bear Style

Complete with the signature Care-Bear "Rainbow"

Presents. . .

Look at everyone who loves me!

This girl is ready!

Bring on the CAKE!

We didn't even get through the

"Happy Birthday Song"

and she was already digging in!

I'm not gonna get in trouble right?

Well OK then. . .

And the finished result. . .

The end of the party. . .

Time for BED!

And we have a WINNER to my GIVEAWAY!

AND THE WINNER IS. . .

#6

(that's you Darcey from the Mann Clan)

Thanks everyone for the fun birthday wishes!

Karalyn

Last night I rocked my baby to sleep.

In the squeaky rocking chair that has been with me since my first baby.

She fell asleep in my arms.

And I thought about her.

I remembered how worried I was the entire time she was growing inside me.

And I cried a little.

I didn't want to put her down.

One year ago her life began.

And today she is ONE!

Happy Birthday Karalyn

There's Something Special About Today

This day will go down in history right alongside these other great things that happened on this day:

The largest Jell-O ever was made 

(9,246 gallons of watermellon flavor)

Kareem Abdul-Jabar became the 1st NBA player to score 38,000 points

Readers Digest was 1st published

Snow fell in San Francisco

"Where on Earth is Carmen San Diego" debuted

The Sun, Moon Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn were all within 16 degrees

and

The 1st moving picture peep show machine was patented

So What's So Special About TODAY?

IT'S MY 100th BLOG POST!

Can you believe it?

(This is me posting my 100th post)

Oh, and it's my Birthday.

So in Honor of both

I am having my FIRST giveaway!

A 30 something (because that's how old I am) dollar gift certificate to 

It's simple and you've played before.

Just leave me a comment,

and I'll pick one at random.

You have until Sunday Night!

I'm so excited!

My guy. . .

So I realized at the end of today that I had made a blog post about everyone in my family except for MY GUY.

And I didn't want him to feel left out.

So here he is.

(do you know how hard it was to find a picture of just him?

I need to take more - wouldn't you if your guy looked this good?)

He loves meatloaf.

He loves his kids.

He loves his job.

He loves Tennessee Football.

He loves doughnuts on Saturday mornings.

He loves uninterrupted Sports Center Highlights.

He loves the Church.

He loves a made bed.

HE LOVES ME!

Planting Beanstalks

What a way to spend an afternoon. . .

Oh Boys!