The Puddles

They were adorable again this year.  The girls picked their outfits a month before Easter (thank goodness).  There was some concern that Ben’s suit wouldn’t arrive in time but it did.  He is so proud of his suit.  I am NOT kidding.  He picked out the suit. Plus he wore it every Sunday after Easter.  He would come home and carefully hang up his suit and cover it in the original plastic.  He was serious.

They are gorgeous this year!

Read Full Post »

The topic is old, but their creativity is new. Ben’s tent had super weapons for protection similar to the Bat cave. Ainsley was a full service salon.  She wanted me to crawl under so she could give me a pedicure.  I can’t even remember why they are all in the bathing suits!  Hopefully they were going swimming soon?

Read Full Post »

Ainsley doesn’t hide her emotion.  She wears it out in the open for everyone to see. On this very special day, EVERYONE could see the excitement in her eyes, her smiles, her voice. When Madie was lighting the candles, Ainsley walked up to the front of the sanctuary and whispered in a very loud voice, “Good job, Madie. Good job.  You are doing great!”  I am not fond of letting little ones take communion, especially my own! But when you ask Ainsley about communion she gives some awesome answers.  She understands what she is doing.  I think she could teach a few adults a thing or two!

You can see in these pictures her infectious smile.  She was so happy to join the ranks of her sister and brother.  The week before her first communion she loudly announced to the communion assistant, “Not this week, but next week I can take communion.”

Now she does it every week.  Love that girl.  It was a special day.  Our last child to celebrate First Communion.  A sad and happy time!  Congratulations, Ainsley!

Read Full Post »

Read Full Post »

This trip is always fun. I took Madie’s class two years ago.  There were enough parent that I had a group of three.  They were a great group of kids. I remembered to bring a towel and extra change of clothes for Ben.  Thank goodness!  He needed them.  He and the others got really wet.  The other stations were cool as well. And since we have been there a lot, Ben was able to show everyone around.  The day ended with a picnic.  Very fun!  

Read Full Post »

This was our second tour of the food bank.  It is still fun.  The girls always like the walk in deep freeze best especially on a hot day!  Always a good exposure to our girls about how much food is needed in our county.

Read Full Post »

These pictures should be reversed, especially the pictures at the bottom of Ben upset.  He started out upset and by the time Daddy was done talking to him about all of his derby losses, he was laughing!  I think the magic words were that he and Uncle Will never won a derby contest.  I’m not if it is true, but it made Ben feel like he belongs to a good group of people. 

The best part of the entire evening was the fun races.  Right before Ben’s car went down, Dad yelled out to the den leader to turn the car around and make it go backwards.  And dog-gone-it, it won every . . . single . . . time. Seriously.  Now we know how to make a winner. Plan the car how you think it will go fast and then flip it around and make it go backwards!  Awesome!  It was a fun night.  Even the girls enjoyed the evening.  We all had a good time!

Read Full Post »

Read Full Post »

These pictures and story is so old that the front teeth are half way grown in!

I was on the phone when I heard screaming all of sudden.  I go in the living room and seeing blood pouring out of Ainsley’s mouth and her pointing to a clothes hanger on the floor.  I’m thinking, “Oh God, she’s perforated something in her mouth with a hanger.”  I call Chris while I’m trying to stop the blood from pouring from her mouth.  Chris is close so he heads in my direction.  Of course, Ainsley throws up blood at this point and I’m becoming more nervous.  But I remained calm.  I tried to get Ainsley to stop crying and kept shoving paper towels inside her mouth to try to get the bleeding to stop.  I look at her clenched hand and I see a tooth.  Then I start to process that she lost her teeth.  Her front two teeth had been wiggly.  I finally realize that the blood is coming from the teeth that came out a little too soon. Mix in a ton of crying and tears = a big bloody mess.  You can tell from the pictures that she is happy and excited about missing the teeth.  I called Chris and sent him back to where he came from.  The cutest part of the story was that Ben went into the living room and found the other tooth.  He washed both teeth off and put them in a clean ziplock bag.  He even labeled the bag, “Ainsley’s teeth.”  So sweet.  I didn’t even ask him.  As soon as Ben handed her the bag she smiled!

Read Full Post »

I may have already told this story. Be patient with me if I have . . . 

Madie had a friend spend the night.  It turned into a campout in the backyard.  The girls did great (I slept on the couch). I see Ben in his ninja costume.  The end result was Ben attacking the tent with a water hose (since the ninja sword didn’t work to sufficiently scare the girls!  A fun memory!

Read Full Post »