Birthday Girl

It's hard to believe that eleven years have passed since I became a mom! And I will have a middle-schooler this fall!! My sweet girl is 11 today and growing up so fast. It's nice to have a shopping/scrapping/just-hanging-out buddy. Happy Birthday, K!!!!

The REALLY Lost Tooth

This evening we were at a party at a friend's house, and while helping S get his hot dog, I noticed his mouth looked funny. When I told him to smile, I saw he was missing a tooth! He had a loose tooth several weeks ago, but recently it didn't seem as loose. I actually had totally forgotten about it over the last couple of weeks. When I asked where it was, he said he didn't know. I finally got him to confess that it came out while he was up in his room trying to open his new fishing pole -- obviously with his teeth! He said it was in his room somewhere. I remember him coming to me earlier that afternoon and saying he was trying to open his new pole, but no tooth was mentioned!! I guess he thought he would get in trouble. Anyway, I found the tooth in the carpet, right by the fishing pole (which was still in the package with a very mangled top!). I'm glad I noticed the space in his mouth or we would never have known he lost his first tooth! The Tooth Fairy better leave something good!

K's Weekend

K had a very busy weekend -- which means the rest of us had a busy weekend! On Sunday, she and Tip had their first show together, where she won her first CHJA ribbon. Way to go, K! D and I learned how to trailer horses in our new trailer (he did the driving) and then irritate the neighbors by parking it in the culdesac over night. Oops!
This morning, I did my annual running of the Bolder Boulder. This year, K ran it, too! She finished her first 10K in just over one and a half hours. Not bad for a ten year old! Getting up at 5 and 6 in the morning two mornings in a row, along with a nasty case of pink eye has taken it's toll. I'm thinking she might sleep until noon tomorrow!! Hurray for no more school!!

Field Day

Our school district does the coolest thing -- a district-wide field day where all of the 5th graders from every school compete against each other. The best part is watching the kids cheer each other on. They sit in the stands at one of the high school football fields and cheer for their schoolmates as they compete against the other schools. Please pardon me while I mention that Altona Middle School kicked butt! Way to go Rattlers!! They were by far the loudest group there. K competed in the 3-legged race, the 800 meter relay, the obstacle course, the shuttle relay, and the 400 meter relay. K's 3-legged race was the mismatch of the century. Her friend, by the same name, is obviously much taller than she is, and we were not thinking that it would end well. However, they showed us and took first place! I don't know if you can tell from the pics or not, but most of the kids have black war paint under their eyes. K apparently couldn't find any paint, so she let her friend draw hers on with a black sharpie. I don't know about you guys, but I am definitely smarter than a 5th grader! I can't wait for E to get to 5th grade so I can go to another field day!

My Kindergartner

I am going to have to get all of you friends to call me and cheer me up! My last preschooler graduated tonight, and though I am so very, very proud of him, the time has gone way too fast and I am also very sad! He is so excited and wants to start kindergarten tomorrow. They marched in to their little graduation with their hats on and 'Pomp and Circumstance' playing. I lost it. The songs they sang were absolutely adorable (I'll have to see if I can get one of them up on the blog). The best was watching S march in with his hat so far over his eyes, I don't know how he saw where he was going! He and his buddy, J, will be in the same kinder class with his other buddy, P. I hope their teacher knows she will have her hands full! I'm sure that first day will be every bit as hard as tonight for me. I think I just need to have another one!

There Really Is A Dog

In response to the comment that you never see the dog of 'Three Kids and a Dog', here is the dog.........



....the birds.....



....and the horse.

Tip Your Hat

K would like you all to meet Tip -- her new pride and joy. We are leasing Tip from a friend. K fell in love with him the moment she saw him! He is a thoroughbred, and the sweetest, most gentle horse that I have ever seen! He picks his feet up for her to pick his hooves and puts his head down so she can get the bridle on him. He can get a little fast, but does everything she asks him to. He even let me get on and ride (and I am paying for that tonight). His tail is short right now because he lived next door to a goat that chewed on it all the time. Poor Tip! It will eventually grow longer. I'm sure there will be many more pics of "Tip Your Hat" as show season approaches. It's so much fun watching K, so in love with this horse! She hasn't stopped grinning for a week!!!

Volleyball Season

Well, I'm a little behind on my posts. So not only has volleyball begun, it is now half over! K is really enjoying this season. She has the same awesome coach, and her two best friends decided to play with her this year! It is amazing how far they have come! I am assisting the coach this season, and it's amazing to watch their skills grow with each practice. Their team has not lost a game, so far. K's daddy told her during the last game that if she got two hits over the net he would buy her a horse. Well, guess what? She got four hits over! And we are now leasing a beautiful black horse! More on that in the next post (when I get the pics downloaded). And just in case any of you are bored with your weather, feel free to come visit up here. It was 81 and sunny yesterday. Today, it was 34 and snowed all day! Snow in May!? I must say, though, the flakes were the largest I have ever seen and absolutely beautiful! Have a good night!

For All You Boys....

.....who like to burp and get in trouble for it: Yesterday at breakfast, S let out a belch that any man would be proud of. When his grandma gave him a look, he said, "What? I was just letting my energy out!"

He's good, isn't he?

Happy Easter!

Soccer Season

Well, the season has begun. S and E had their first games last Saturday. And in case you can't tell from the pictures, they are both quite serious!! S was quite excited about the goal he scored. We didn't bother to tell him it was in his own goal. He informed us that we owe him a box of Legos for the goal. Neither D nor I remember making that deal! E played goalie and made some great saves. The last one cost her a knee in the side of the head. It left a nice bruise where her glasses were imbedded in her head! She got up and threw the ball back into play just before the game ended. Then she grabbed her head and cried. Poor thing! Her whole face was red on that side, but she's tough and finished the game before she ever reacted. Way to go, E!
K started volleyball practice this week (which I somehow got roped into helping coach), but won't have a game until after spring break. The high light of my week was getting my piano tuned this morning. The tuner said S should start taking lessons. I'm thinking I need to add one more activity to my life. I think my in-laws are going to have to move back in!

Birthday Boy

I can't believe my baby is 5! He would say that he is not a baby, but he will always be my baby! Happy Birthday, S!!!

All Together

Last Friday we went skiing at Winter Park. S has done so well with his skiing that he got to ski with the me and the girls. He was so excited and so very proud of himself!! His sisters were proud of him, too. D bought him a special harness with a handle on the back so I can yank him out of the snow when he falls. When we get on the lift, he does a big jump as the seat hits the back of his legs and hops right on. His main goal is still to see how fast he can get to the bottom. In fact, we accidentally took him on a blue run (twice) and he did great!! Yes, it was the same run, and, yes, we went the wrong way twice. I'm just glad there weren't any black runs over there! He loved the big hill at the bottom because D was sitting in the lodge and could see him come down. The best part of the whole day was the last time we came down that hill. The ski train was just pulling out and the whistle caught his attention. He went nuts and started yelling and asking if I saw it. Next thing I know he is flat on his back, sliding down the hill head first, and still looking at the train and yelling for me to look! He went half way down the hill like that because he wouldn't pay attention to me long enough to get up! He finally did get up, but kept on talking about the train all the way to the bottom! I guess we need to ride the ski train soon!!

Welcome to Our World!

We are enjoying all of the snow pics you guys are sending us. I don't care how much you hate snow, you can't tell me it's not beautiful (unless you are driving in it)!! My kids get excited every time it snows, and I myself will never tire of it. We would just like to know what, exactly, you Texans are shoveling all of this snow with? It's not like they sell a lot of snow shovels down there! Well, they probably will tomorrow! Have fun with it!!

E's Special Day

We just wanted to share our joy with all of you. E was baptized this morning, and it was so wonderful to watch! We are so happy for her and, in her own words, 'It was the perfect way to end her birthday weekend.'.

Fashion Week

For E's 8th birthday, we held a fashion show. I hired 3 teenagers to come do hair and make-up for 13 little girls. Then the girls got to walk the runway, complete with music and an MC. They had a blast!! I have never seen so many sparkles! The best was watching them box and bowl on the Wii in their finery. I've been instructed to leave the runway and curtains intact for a few days for further use. Somehow the runway is going to be turned into a wall to separate my laundry area from the rest of the storage room. I'm definitely going to have to paint it! By the way, we did make it through the whole party without S following through on his threat to put on his Spiderman costume and
run down the runway slinging webs!

Birthday Girl

Our sweet, funny girl is eight years old today. Happy birthday, E!!!!!!

Shark Boy

Our little guy has made it on the ski lift and up the mountain! He was so excited to finally ride the lift. Way to go, S!!! He is of the mentality that the best way down is straight and as fast as possible. He is very good at stopping -- when he runs into the back of another kid. Actually, from what D said today, he has perfected his turns and stops and is ready to move to the bigger lifts that go higher up the mountain. Now I will have someone to ski with again! The girls' abilities have far surpassed mine. K learned to ski backwards today and is skiing black diamonds all day. She has mastered moguls, and the only thing left is the half pipe. It must be nice to be young and have no fear! E and I didn't ski today because the poor thing is just miserable with the flu. I want to leave you with S's quote of the day: He said, "Daddy, do you like Mommy?". Fortunately, D said 'yes'. S said, "OK. I guess I'll like her, too." Let me add that I was standing right there during this conversation! Boys!!

Catching Up

I guess I need to catch you guys up on a few things. First of all, the best thing a parent can experience- E is going to be baptized on the 24th. And being who she is, she 'informed' us that she had written a note to the pastor saying she was ready for baptism, and then told us. We have since met with E and the pastor, and we are so thrilled for her! When she told her teacher the other day, her teacher said that 'we will be sisters in Christ'. E frowned and said, "How can that be? You are so old and I am so young!". Lucky for her, her teacher about fell off the bleachers laughing!

Next thing on the list: The kids insisted that I introduce everyone to the newest members of our family: Gabriella, Troy, and Sharpay. Yes, we are into High School Musical. The birds have been a blast. They will sit on your finger and shoulder and are so funny to watch.

Last, I thought you might want to know that D took the girls to the Disco Daddy Daughter Dance last Friday. He managed the whole night with just his cane, and they had a blast. Though I myself am too young to remember the disco days, I'm sure it will bring back memories for some of you. :) They looked like Three's Company leaving my house!

Happy Valentine's Day

We hope you all have a wonderful Valentine's Day! Say a prayer for my little E. She woke up with fever and is missing her parties today. She is quite bummed!! And, yes, I did send her out in the snow to take a picture this morning. We are waiting on a lab test to tell us if it's the flu or sinus infection. Did you know that if it's the flu, they can give her medicine for it, and give some to all of us to prevent us from getting it? How cool is that? Hugs and kisses!!!