School pictures...

Brenna was so proud to have her hands on the table. I guess that is a sign of growing up for her.

Piper kept ripping her pigtails out this day. Usually she leaves them alone. She must have known it was picture day.

Ain't motherhood grand...

There are no pictures for this, you will just have to use your imagination...which really can't be much worse than reality anyway.

Piper is sick. If you have a weak stomach skip this paragraph because I am telling the entire nasty story. Yesterday afternoon we were having a lovely day at the shop. Around 3:30, Piper crawled up in my lap for what I thought was some cuddle time. (I should have known better since she is not our cuddler.) After a few sweet moments, Piper coughed..and puked down my back. There was no mess anywhere expect on the entire back side of my shirt. Piper looked pale, but seemed okay. I called the shop a few doors down, briefly explained the situation and asked if they had any shirts in XL for really cheap. She told me I could come in and look on their bargain rack. So, I got our good neighbor Mark to watch the girls and shop while I went shopping. The cheapest shirt they had, which was 1/2 price, was $40. I don't spend $40 on a special occasion shirt, let alone an emergency-my-kid-just-puked-on-me-shirt. So I saw they has some "Edmond" shirts, so I got one of those. Don't love it, but it worked in a pinch, but was still $18.00. For a T-shirt. Who does that on a regular basis? Anyway, I digress....I headed back to the shop and see that Piper is back to usual happy self. For a bit. Not too much later, she crawls back up in my lap and I know I am in trouble. I immediately start shutting the shop down. As we were heading out the door, Piper does a little cough and as I say "Uh-oh", she throws up again on my new shirt, face and IN MY MOUTH. And continues to throw up. This time she and I are both covered in vomit, as well as the carpet. And while this is going on Brenna is yelling "That is naaasty!!!" repeatedly. Thankfully Mark swept Brenna away so I could tend to Piper and the mess that was growing. Elaine shows up with a bucket of water and bleach to start cleaning carpet and damp paper towels for Piper and me. It was the moment that I was cleaning Pipers hands - because she was nearing freak-out about her dirty fingers- and i saw the vomit dripping off my glasses that I knew I had just won the inevitable one-up-game on motherhood vomit stories. I stripped Piper to her diaper and loaded up. We drove with the windows down most of the way. At one point, Brenna asked me to roll the window because the wind was blowing her hair. After a few minutes, she asked me to roll them back down because it stunk. No kidding.

For those who are concerned about Piper, she seems to be fine. She slept well last night. She woke me up at 5:30am and immediately wanted to eat. As of last report (Josh is with her this morning), she was holding down the crackers and water she was given at dawn.

And if anyone is interested in purchasing a turquoise blue XL shirt, I've got one available for the discounted price of $15. haha

T-ball finale

T-ball season has come to an end. And it is bitter sweet for us. Bitter for Brenna, sweet for Mom and Dad. haha

She loved it, and we loved watching her. However, some days, weeks, it was overwhelming to fit it all in. And we didn't even practice. I got my glimpse of jr. high and feel very, very tired.

Before the last game we have a pizza party for the team and all the players got a medal. This is Brenna's pride and joy right now. She wants to wear it everywhere. (I saw Troy wearing his at church and felt like a bad mom since I refused to let her!) I think she will remember t-ball for a long time.

Thanks, Coach Josh, for putting it all together and being so encouraging of our young team. You may have just laid the ground work for the next Babe Ruth! (And just for the record, I am well aware that will NOT be Brenna. I said she had fun, not that she was a natural! haha)



This picture says it all!

Dads & Donuts

Last week, while studying the letter "D" at Sonshine School, Brenna's class had "Dads and Donuts". I cannot explain how excited Brenna was about this, other than to say that she told me everyday for a week that "Dads and Donuts" was coming up and Daddy was supposed to take her to school.

I haven't heard much about it because Brenna has told me it is a secret, but I know they had fun. She sat at a table with Mr. Matt and Collin, and her friend, Raif.

Piper's first magic trick!

"Where is Piper's arm???" "There it is!!!!!" and again and again and again...

Scott and Mark from next door have been working on magic tricks for the girls. I think Piper is trying to return the favor.

The latest and greatest

Brenna posing for her t-ball trading card!

The Cubs

Brenna and school

Brenna is learning so much at school. Everyday she talks about her friends and what they are doing. She tells they have learned new songs, working on their alphabet, cutting, writing their names, and lots of other things. She fills me in on what Ralph did in chapel, who sat with whom for lunch, and who wasn't in class each day. She often saves some of her lunch until after school and "has it for a snack". One day last week she hardly ate anything and I asked her why. She told me she didn't have time. I asked her if she was playing around and didn't eat. Then she looks at me with very large serious eyes and says, with her hands out in exasperate, "No, they only gave us five minutes to eat!!! Can you believe that?" Ummm...No. We have great conversations about school.

And then I learn the most when Brenna doesn't know I am listening. She was playing "school" with her Little People and had all the students lined up reading. Then the teacher came barging in and said "You kids are being too loud. You woke me up from my nap!!!" Hmmmm....

I know my daughters imagination. So, Ms. Mandy and Ms. Jennifer, lets make an agreement. I won't believe all I hear about school, if you don't believe all you hear about home!!!

Back together

Josh and Brenna got back from San Antonio last night. All is well in our world. Brenna had a great time and talked about it rapid fire until she crashed in her bed. I heard about "Big Top", Sam's wholesale (apparently they ate lunch there one day), Uncle Ben's guitar, Chick-fil-a, sleeping in Beck's bed and Thomas the Train. When I asked about Briggs, she said "He doesn't do anything". And that was all she had to say about Briggs. haha

The first thing she said to me when I saw her at the airport was "Mama, what did you wear to church yesterday?" ???????...I can't even imagine what was going on in that little head of hers!!!

Sounds like it was a great trip for all of them.

Leaving on a Jet Plane...

This morning Daddy and Brenna got on a great big plane (ok, it was probably a little bitty plane, which may be worse) and flew to San Antonio. Uncle Ben, Aunt Jaime, Beck and Briggs live there. Brenna was so excited to see them, and to fly.

Her casual "Bye, Mom" nearly broke my heart. It were as it I were dropping her of at school. I insisted on a great big hug and kiss. I think she rolled her eyes at me.

...and so it begins.

I look forward to hearing about their adventure.
Ben and Jaime, have a blast and take care of my family!!

Dragontales

So this morning Brenna and Grammy were sitting in the big green chair watching a little TV. Dragon Tales started, which is one of Brenna's favorite shows. She was singing along with it and then turns to Grammy and says "That's my Mama on TV". I heard Grammy snicker and this brings me out of the kitchen. I asked Brenna what she said and she said she just told Grammy that was ME singing on the television.

So what did I do??? I belted out the lead in to "Dragon Tales" at the top of my lungs. Piper was amused, Brenna looked rather non-plussed about it, so I went back to packing lunches.

flashbacks...

I was looking at some pictures saved on my computer at work, and wanted to share them with you. Some you've seen before, but were too cute to not show again. They are in no particular order.

Piper and Daddy


Piper


Piper - cute, but not flattering!


Brenna and her self-proclaimed future husband, Nathan - friends since birth!


Brenna sleeping Nathan's crib - told you...friends since birth


Brenna in pumpkin patch, fall 04


Christmas 2006, can you find Piper?

I think we are in trouble

And I only wish I had a camera.

This morning I got Piper dressed for the day. As I got her off the changing table I said "OK, Piper, let's get some shoes". She immediately went over to her closet and opened the door. She stood there for a bit, took one pair out of her cubbie, looked at it, shook her head "no" and put it back. Then she put her tiny pointer finger against in her cheek and tapped it and said "hmmmm....". Then she choose another pair of shoes and sat down to put them on. She worked on the left while I put the right one on. She got it about half way before she asked for help.

This coupled with the shoe shopping experience we had with Aunt Jaye. This involved Piper selecting about 10 pair of shoes to try on, and multiple pairs she wouldn't try one, before deciding on a pair to buy. I've never seen a kid so intent on shoes! She knows what she likes!

It might just be hereditary, huh, Ma!!!

Life at the shop

self explanatory

Our first t-ball game

Brenna playing third base

the dugout

"Good game" Brenna is behind some kid drinking her drink because she was "hot and thirsty".

Labor day

OK, when you play catch up, you get things out of order. For that I apologize, but at least you are getting the info.

We went to Josh's grandparents in Arkansas over labor day weekend. We had a wonderful time. Here are a few shots of the trip.



The girls with Great Grandma and Great Grandpa Bailey

The manicure tradition continues....

and perhaps some new traditions were started!!

Aunt Judy bought Brenna a new Barbie doll. As you can see, it was a hit with all parties!!

Piper's version of extreme sports

(I'd like to add here that Stefanie-the grown up- is about 20 weeks pregnant. You can't even tell, and it isn't the angle. Disgusting really isn't it?)

organized sports are amoung us...

I didn't think I would ever let the girls do team sports this early. And I don't know that they will continue from here on out, but I wanted to see how Brenna would do with it. And we know she needs the exercise. (Being at the shop with me most days is not really conducive for getting her heart rate up-me neither for that matter.)

She really does like and enjoys hanging out with so many of her friends.


Getting the bat

Action shot

Right after the collision that resulted in a spontanious hugfest from all parties included. If only all sports were so kind.

First Day of School

This was taken September 4 around 9:15am (school starts at 9:30). They were both happy to go. Sweet Piper really had no idea what it meant to go to school, but settled in as soon as she got there. She has one teacher that was her teacher last year and the other teacher is a wonderful sweet woman. Piper seems pretty happy in there. And Brenna is just thrilled to be back as school. She knew her teachers from church and was most excited they were teaching her.

So far this school year is off to a great start! Busy, but great.

HELP.....

Brenna's Sonshine School class is studying the alphabet all year long. Each child is supposed to sign up for a week (or more) to bring snacks. I signed up for "B" - which is in a few weeks - thinking it would be easy and the letter "B" is Brenna's favorite letter of obvious reasons.

But now, I am stuck. Here is what I have thought of thus far....
*Broccoli-most kids hate it
*BBQ-little messy
*bananas - a viable option, especially since someone suggested chocolate/sprinkle covered!!
*beef- what would be preferred - ground? filet? roast?
*bread-Although Piper would be content with this, I'm not sure the 4 year olds would be

Then there is the option of something in the shape of something...
*Cupcakes to look like Bees -also I viable option, I made Bee cookies last year.
*cookies like buffalo - nah, i don't know how to make brown icing

That is all I got. Ugh

So, I throw it out to you for suggestions, any and all will be considered. Go ahead, get creative. But keep in mind I am but one, not-really-crafty, mother-of-two, double-employed, under-achiever.

Thanks for your help. By the way, expect for this same type post to appear farther in the year when I have to sign up for another letter. Hope I don't get one of the vowels, or Q,X,Y,Z!

perseverence has it's pay off....