Bike Rides

First, let's get it out there...our kids don't know how to ride a bike. Don't judge.
We do take them out occasionally to try and in our defense, our street isn't really conducive to staying alive while trying to learn to steer & pedal at the same time. Anyway, we're making progress - LoveBug has mastered the pedaling and steering but training wheels are still a necessity. PunkinBear & Handsome...well, it'll happen eventually. I'm not stressin'.

Anyway, the point is that we took them out to ride their bikes a few days ago and I thought it a perfect opportunity to snap some photos. I mean, between pushing and steering for them, it's easy to get some good shots, right?!

When I uploaded the photos, I noticed their outfits. I allow my kids to dress themselves most days. I decided a long time ago that as long as they were modest, comfortable and appropriate for the occasion, they could wear whatever. It's not a fight I choose to have...most days.

LoveBug wears a lot of jean shorts (like momma, like daughter) so most everything usually matches. On this day, jean shorts were dirty.


Handsome has no clue yet so as long as there are shorts and a shirt, I'm happy.


And then there's PunkinBear. Her style is always impeccable! See for yourself:

PunkinBear

PunkinBear is really into looking at pictures right now. She loves to see pictures of family, friends, and of course, herself. We have about 4 albums that are available to look at...the problem is that those 4 albums cover LoveBug's first 18 months of life. There are NO pictures of PunkinBear in those albums. Mommy Fail.

So, she asked where her pictures are...and I answered with "they are on the computer, baby"...and she said "can you get them off the computer please? I want to look at pictures of me when I was a baby"...sweet girl.

You see, when LoveBug was a baby...I had a beautiful Canon Rebel #1 camera that I used quite often to document her every move. When PunkinBear was a baby...I had an even more beautiful Canon Rebel #2 that I used even more often to document her every move along with LoveBug's every move as well (and the process continues for Handsome).

So, what's the problem? Canon Rebel #1 was a 35mm. Canon Rebel #2 is a digital camera...thereby allowing me to take ever so many more pictures b/c I can delete the bad ones, right? Wrong. There are no bad pictures of my babies. (note: I'm aware there are bad pictures in there but I have a severe paranoia of deleting the wrong ones. so I don't delete. don't judge.)

Anyway, that's a ridiculous amount of writing for me to really just be saying that I'm working on wading through the 1000's of pictures so that I can print out at least 4 albums worth of pictures for my sweet PunkinBear so she can see pictures of her when she was a baby....and then I'll be working on Handsome's too so that I don't completely fail as a mommy again (on this subject).

The pictures scattered throughout this post are of the cutest little 4 year old I know...taken at some point within the 1st year of her life!

First Day(s) of School!!!

We've hit a new stage around here. It's strange and weird and odd and WONDERFUL!!!

All three kids are in school. LoveBug is in 2nd grade, PunkinBear is in pre-K and Handsome is in preschool. What does this mean?

It means that 2 days a week, mommy is left by herself for 3 solid hours. Alone.

Anyway...here's some pictures of the kids on their first days of school...they are the cutest kids alive!

Cakes & Cupcakes & More Cakes & More Cupcakes

Truly, my life was overrun by cakes & cupcakes this past week! I think I've outlawed cakes from here on out but it was my joy to bake (& bake, & bake, & bake) for my precious gifts.

I realize that they each deserve their own post about their birthdays but I also know that I'll never get around to it so here is a brief summary of our birthday week!

LoveBug turned 7!!!
I still have a hard time imagining that she's been my baby girl for 7 years...seems like 7 days. She is growing into a beautiful little lady - inside & out. She has the sweetest personality...she's kind and tender, a little shy, brilliant, loving, curious, imaginative, and easy going...and that's just for starters. We are truly blessed to call this little girl our daughter. I'm so thankful for her life. I have prayed since she was born that she would grow up to be pure, obedient & joyful...and I see each of those in her life already.

To celebrate her birthday, she chose to have a party at our local pottery painting studio. A girl after my own heart! It was so much fun! She also took cupcakes to school and had a small cake on her actual birthday as well. Her big request this year: a guitar. So, now we need lessons.

Handsome turned 3!!!
As hard as it is to believe that LoveBug is 7, it might be a little harder to believe that my baby is 3. He's growing out of being my baby boy and turning into such a...well, BOY! It's crazy! He is a (slightly obsessed) fan of all things racecars, monster trucks, Cars & Toy Story, and best of all, he thinks his sisters hung the moon. His little heart is bigger than his body and he absolutely adores his daddy....but I'm happy to say that I still have a slight edge (for the moment). He loves to roar and run and shout War Eagle! I'm so thankful that this little surprise blessing was given to us. He is truly a joy!

Handsome celebrated his birthday by starting preschool (on his actual birthday)! and taking cupcakes to share with his new friends. We also had a small party with our neighbors where he scored some train tracks, a bowling game, and lots and lots of cars!

Happy Birthday(s) my loves!

Not Just Dinosaurs

The week before school started, we went to the Texas Memorial Museum. It had dinosaurs so I figured it had to be at least somewhat interesting...plus, it was air-conditioned...and free! My friend, T, and her kids joined us...and we had lunch at Chuy's afterwards! Yum Yum!

Obligatory group shot...

C-man pointing something out to LoveBug

yes, that is a very very very large armadillo shell

the little two more interested in the race car

more armadillos...she had just found out that her class at school is named the Armadillos

pretty? look close! it's beetles and butterflies!

notice the scene...bobcat killing deer, coyotes anxiously awaiting their turn...now, see next picture...

Handsome was a bit distressed...

Miss A showin' us the coyotes

All the kiddos again...

The following three pictures were the only kids who let us take their picture but didn't they turn out soooo good!

C-Man

E-Man


PunkinBear:

A Lovely Stop.

We road tripped this summer. These are a few of my favorites from our favorite (& now traditional) road trip stop.

Can you guess where we were?

If you're unsure, keep scrolling, you'll figure it out!