Snow Daze....

So here we are.....Day 4 of no school.  Another official "snow day."

Last Wednesday both kids got let out of school early for snow. Mom was stuck in SW Oklahoma where ironically there was no snow.  I drove home Thursday to my hubby and kids who were on their first snow day, and when I reached Wichita, it was like driving into a snow globe. Craziness. SO.MUCH.SNOW.

But a Mom on a mission? Don't get in her way.  I got home. Of course I did.  Got home to fix my family a nice meal, make snow ice cream, and bask in the warmth of our home with my family.

Random picture, but I love it.  New canvas prints in our dining room.  LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!

Friday turned into another snow day, but to the point weather wise Friday night where we could get out and grab food at the deli for dinner. Cabin fever? Check.

Bren giving her Dad some much needed chapstick

Saturday we went to Halsted, Kansas for our last MAYB basketball tourney of the season.  Boys played well, and on Sunday after two more games, they ended up taking second in their bracket.  Should have won. Oh well. I'm sure everyone says that.

Warming Up

Second place finish

Luckily I had managed to hit the grocery store before Sunday's basketball games, because the Blizzard of Oz was expected to hit Sunday night.  It didn't, but of course Sunday night they announced "no school" on the off chance it was going to hit.  Instead it snowed in the afternoon, and then really came down hard Monday night while we slept. So of course at 5:40AM this morning, both my phone and house phone went off with the messages of "No School" on Tuesday.

Playing Bakery to pass the time

If you all know me at all.....I am a creature of routine and schedule. I like it. Keeps the world going round.  While I've done just fine here at home with my sweet kids who literally entertain themselves, I'm ready to get back in the groove of things. I have a hard enough time in the summers with the freedom of no schedule, let alone when I can't get out of the house. And literally, we are stuck here because Brian drove my car to work (AWD), and I don't like driving his truck on a sunny day let alone on a snow day - not that I would go any where anyway, it's just that thing that sits in the back of your head.

I think she is tired of me snapping pic's at her

And for heaven sake, I work out of the home most days, although, this would have been the week where I wrapped up the long overnight travel - at least for the next few months. But alas, that too will get rescheduled.  But even when I work out of the home, I usually make a Diet Dr. Pepper run to Sonic just to see the sunshine.  (Sigh) But not yesterday or today - drinking soda out of a can. Hrrmmmpph.

So I'll get the crock pot fired back up, and we'll at least enjoy the sunshine streaming through the windows, glinting off the beautiful white snow.  It certainly has been a beautiful sight, and we definitely needed the glorious moisture this storm has brought.  AND, I've got to be with my kids, who make me laugh and pull my hair out - all at the same time.  Precious kids who really could not have been any better through all of this.

This is the day that the Lord hath made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24

Valentine's Day Love!

I am busy in February!  If I didn't love Valentine's Day so much, it would probably be easier for me, but I love doing things for the kids, and adding that little extra touch.

This year, I put a heart on their door every night between February 1st and 14th telling them different things that I love about them. They really seemed to enjoy and look forward to those notes. That made it all worth it.

They also both had to have Valentine's boxes for school, and of course, I don't buy store bought Valentine's for my kids to pass out. Sorry. Don't mean to be a snob, but those to me are just so thoughtless, and Valentines should have more meaning.

So here we go...... Valentine's Day creations and kids school parties!  Yeah!  Lovely, happy Day!~

Here is a video of my cutie pie and her class singing a Valentine's Day song.

Decorating her cookie

Party time with classmates

Sweet faces

Mom awarded herself  "Best Valentine's Day Box!"  ha ha

And here is Beau and his class....

His baseball, football Valentine box and his Blake Griffin jersey (a Valentine present from us)

Showing love with his friends

My babe and her box after she helped me make it.  We had Dad cut a whole in the front (later) for all her actual Valentine's cards.

This is what Brenley handed out. I didn't snap a pic of Beau's, but I made an M&M love note thing and we attached it to a bag of M&M's (not my idea, but at least the card wasn't store bought!).

Treats for Latchkey

Me and one of my Valentines

And now turning my attention toward Easter decorating! ha ha I made this the day after Valentine's Day!  It is never too early! :)

The actual BD has finally arrived!

If Bren is anything like her Mama (which signs are pointing to the fact that she is), then she will ALWAYS love and look forward to her birthday. For birthday #5, she certainly didn't disappoint. She was super excited.

Excited to share donuts with her friends at school for breakfast snack (pink with pink frosting and sprinkles). She was excited to eat cake balls for dessert after lunch (which she helped me make with MORE sprinkles).

She came home that evening after we finished dinner at her favorite deli, to ice cream cupcakes and more presents. I think my princess had a special day. I know we loved helping her celebrate!

This is my favorite picture of her.

The simple things in life - a new umbrella!

Pretty

Happy Birthday, Brenley May. Enjoy year 5!

Brenley May Turns 5

Hmmm.....not sure how I feel about the title of this post.  I feel like "5" is such a milestone.  And don't you know I will say it again at 10, 13, 16, 18.........all important birthdays, but so is every day in between.

I first started blogging about two months after Brenley was born.  It was March 28th to be exact.  I just briefly mentioned what an easy baby Brenley was on that first post. She was easy.  Now, well, she can be easy, but she can also be difficult. Difficult in the sense that her independence, fierce strong will, and stubbornness get in the way of a lot of things.  She has such an attitude and can take a "tone" with her parents when told to do or not do something. She seems to be getting in trouble more and more these days, and the scary part is......she really doesn't care.  And I quote, "Turn my TV off, I didn't want to watch it anyway."  There are no tears, there is no regret or sorry.......just flat out....."I don't care."

HOLY COW! What are we in for with this one?  Brian and I have a saying about her.  It is from an American Pie movie and one of the guys says....."The force in that one is strong."  We say that A LOT about Brenley May.

But then there is another side of her.  A side that not everyone gets to see because she plays favorites and only lets a few people into her world.  She loves hard.  She gives generously.  She has a huge heart where she pours and exclaims her love onto you.  It is truly amazing what a giver she can be - when she wants.  And that is the key. She gives when she wants - not when she is told or asked.

She is so smart too. Her memory is extensive. Her vocab big. So much in fact that she stutters over her words trying to get out long elaborate sentences. She gets frustrated when the words don't flow out of her mouth, but talk to her for just a little, and you would never guess she is only 4.  She is doing so well in pre-school and starting to read these paper books to us for "homework."  She read a short sentence to me tonight!  She loves art. She loves to color and draw and paint, and paint and color and draw.  She loves stuffed animals, but mostly "puuuuppies," which she says in a long drawn out deep voice.  She loves, loves, loves dogs.  She is a little animal lover in general.

She likes dolls, but hasn't taken to them very intensely.  She NEVER wears her hair down, but yet it is long and thick and beautiful. She says it "hurts her" if she wears it down.  She loves sweatpants and tennis shoes. She will dress up, but only if it is temporary. She doesn't like double layer sleeves (also hurts her??).  She is just VERY particular about clothes, shoes and hair - but NOT in a girly way.

I just really cannot believe how fast five years has went by.  I guess you just get so caught up with your other child and life that you don't soak up the baby and "firsts" like you do with your first born. Not sure.  Or maybe with this one, she was so independent at such a young age, I didn't get much time to mother or care for her.

Whatever the case, my 5 year old is beautiful and healthy and smart and independent. I.AM.SO.BLESSED.  Sometimes so blessed I cannot thank the Lord enough.

Brenley May, Happy Birthday my love, my heart and so much of my soul.

Sporty spice, who oddly enough, doesn't seem to like organized team sports.

Love

Love her in her jewelry. She has a lot of it, but rarely wears it.  

Remember this baby?  Bren at 9 weeks with her special blanket that continues to soothe her now 5 years later.  Thanks Me Ma and Pa Pa for that.

Bren's Birthday Party

We celebrated Brenley May's birthday with her friends on Sunday at the painting ceramic store.  There were 11 friends that came to celebrate.  It was a lot of fun. The kids painted a lot faster than I thought. They were told to do 3 coats on their ceramic.... they were good to get it covered. Forget about 3 coats.

But they were sweet and our girl relished the attention. She wanted to get all dressed up with her jewelry. She welcomed friends. Hugged them hello. Screamed with delight as she opened their gifts. Hugged them good-bye. It was a fun hour and a half.

Here are the highlights and Mom's spin on the art party decorations.

Hey Bren, the camera is over here!

Still over here!

Cookies from a favorite bakery - custom made for our party!

Mom made these. Rice Krispy treats on popsicle sticks dipped in colored candy melt.

Water labels added to water bottles. Cute colors!

Tinley or "Tin Tin" as Brenley referred to her.

Brody. So cute.

The crew

Birthday girl coloring her cupcake bank

Sami painting a mermaid

Ryan studying the Transformer and seeing if he can replicate.

Harper and Kaitlyn so serious

Emma doing so well

Ornery boys, Joe and Blake

Cheese!

Present time!

I think she likes this one!

Hugging Tin Tin

Showing off her goodies

Big brother looking after the boys

And the goodie bags!