More Tea, Anyone?

So the other night after Wesleigh's bath (and before I put her pj's on), we were playing in her room. Poor thing loves to play in her room, but won't go by herself and it is really hard for me to sit down and play in there (I know...bad Mommy!)

Anyway, we were playing and Richard came in wondering where we were. She immediately points to him and tells him to take a seat at the table! I decided I would grab my camera and capture their tea party. Notice the chair with the babies...so cute!

I think Daddy needs to hold all the babies.

After a while, Cade wonders where we all are and comes looking. Wesleigh proceeds to point to a chair and say, "sit". Cade obeys and Miss W goes to both doors in her room and closes them as if to say, "now you're mine...there is no escaping!".

Cade is a very obedient brother ;)

A few minutes later, Braden comes looking for all of us and Richard and I decide we've had enough tea party for one night. Besides, somebody needs to make her bottle...we escape, but not without three little people close behind.

Another First

As a mom to all boys, there are certain things that you never experience with your kids. One such thing would be all the princess movies. When Beau*ty and the Beast came out, I was in college and went quite a few times with my girlfriends. We loved it! I don't think I have seen the movie since then. I didn't even own any of those movies with the boys.

Well, today, all 4 of my children saw this movie for the first time! They might not ever admit it, but they were all mezmorized! I loved seeing it again as well. Maybe before the summer is over, all my boys will be up to speed on the princesses :) We have quite a few to watch!

April contacted me and told me she was selling some MJ clothes and asked if I was interrested. Of course I was interrested!! The box came today and she had wrapped each piece so sweet. You should have heard Wesleigh oohhhing and aahhing (ok...I was too!). Of course, we had to put something on right away and look in the mirror. She was so proud ;)

This is Miss Thang in her new dress with two of her favorite things: a harmonica and the postal box! I think I've shared that the postal box was at the door with all our mail when we came home from China. Since then, Wesleigh has decided that the plastic containers needed to stay there. Now, she's decided it's her portable seat. She brings it everywhere! The harmonica just appeared (who knows) and she loves it! She actually blows it and "makes music" ;)

As I was taking her picture, Bryce passed by. She immediately told him to come "sit". She wanted me to take their picture. She has become such a ham for the camera!!

Sassy Pants

I just had to show you these pictures. They are not the best quality, but she was definitely hamming it up for the camera. She is hysterical!

I don't know if I posted about it or not, but the same day I went on the 5th grade field trip from hell, Wesleigh lost her little pearl monogrammed bracelet. I was so upset about it that my mom got her a new bracelet. I think it's adorable, and Miss Priss loves it too.

Wesleigh's vocabulary continues to grow by leaps and bounds. She is starting to put more words together and be able to communicate better each day. Today, Richard was leaving to bring the boys to baseball and then he was coming back to get Wesleigh and I. Miss W saw him with the keys and lifted her arms to him saying, "I weady". We always ask her "you ready?" when we're leaving. It was so sweet, I can't believe he didn't take her with him :) She was fine and was very excited when he came back to get her.

Style Change

We have said "good-bye" to our headbands! Her hair has gotten so long that it poofs over the headband and looks so silly. This new look, though, makes her looks so much older! I do love the look, but am not very good at using those tiny pony tail holders yet. Not to mention the fact that she screams like I'm killing her while I'm doing it!!

I'm sure we'll both be pros before you know it!

Just Another Redneck Monday...

Mondays around here can be a little more boring than other days. Usually, we've had a tiring weekend of baseball and need a little down time. The pool is closed on Mondays also, so we can't go swimming. Today, I couldn't stand to be inside anymore so we made our own redneck waterpark! I spend alot of time disguising the fact that we are rednecks, but sometimes, you just can't hide it!

Braden and Cole made their version of an "ice bath". They were sore after a weekend of baseball :) They used most of the ice in the ice machine to make this water freezing cold. I say, "whatever floats your boat!"

Notice they stratigically placed it within view of sports center!

Miss W joins right in. The grass is a non-issue these days.

Why they have the watering can out, I have no idea. Again...whatever....

Hope you all had a great Monday!

By the way, I just have to add how much I LOVE Toy Story 3!! Toy Story came out when Bryce was little and we had all the toys the first time around. I love that Wesleigh (well, all of us) is able to enjoy it now. I actually cried at the end. Since those toys have been around our house for so many years and Bryce is now going to high school, I felt like the mom in the movie did with her child growing up. So sad. I can't wait to go see it again though!!

Happy Retirement and 40th Anniversary!

My dad is about to retire this week! He is super excited, and my mom is super nervous ;) We threw them a party today to celebrate his retirement and also celebrate my parent's 40th anniversary! It was so much fun. We got to see so many friends and family, and most of them got to meet Miss W for the first time.

My parents are a great example of a Godly marriage. I am blessed that they are mine.

One of my oldest and dearest friends, Heidi. Heidi and I met each other in the 6th grade. She just had her 4th boy, Nathan about 3 months ago. This is the first time we got to meet each other's little ones. Wesleigh was amazed by the baby. She didn't quite know what to think of him.

Wesleigh and my niece, Auden. They are exactly 1 year apart in age. This is the first time they really enjoyed playing together. Their favorite game was switching their cups back and forth. Oh well, whatever works ;)

They both seem to have great taste and love the bling. My Aunt Donna wore these fabulous shoes and the girls couldn't get enough. They sat at her feet for the longest time!

The girls also hung out at the present table. The boys were there for the first 5 minutes and then moved on...not the girls, bring on the presents!!

My parents, me, my brother, Joel and sister-in-law, Jennifer.

(Richard was at a ball tournament with Braden.)

White No More

The white sand is gone. Just a couple of days before these were taken, Wesleigh got to play on the beach for the first time. These were taken on Sunday and they are heartbreaking. What's even worse, is that this is the very beginning. It was surreal to walk the beaches that had turned brown and it's still hard to believe when I look at the pictures.

Please pray with us that we don't have a hurricane this year!

End of Baseball

I have to admit, I wasn't quite sure whether I was looking forward to this summer or not. I definitely enjoy the lack of schedules and homework, but I wasn't sure how it would go with Wesleigh being around this year. It has been great! These boys of mine are unbelievably helpful! They will do whatever I need them to (short of changing a diaper!). Yesterday, I was so sleepy that Braden said I should go take a nap. He said, "I've got her". I made sure he was ok with that and took him up on it! I left him playing magnetic dress up dolls with her!! There aren't many 11 year old boys who would be willing to do that!

We had a pretty good weekend in Gulf Shores. Braden and Cade's baseball team went down to play in a tournament. We were way out of our league, but both boys ended the season with some great hits. I have to admit, this is the first time ever I am happy to see baseball end. There was way too much "drama" for this mama.

Here are a few pics from the weekend. Cade won a contest at The Hangout where he had to find cherries in a tin of whipped cream. It was right up his alley and he was super proud!

Baseball boys

I have some very sad pictures of the beach after the oil came in. It was very strange to be there as it did. I'll post those tomorrow.

Beach Babe

I only have a quick second, but wanted to post a few pics from today. Wesleigh Jane saw the beach for the first time and LOVED it!! It's official...she's just like her Mommy!! She wasn't so sure about the sand at first, but it only took a couple of minutes for her to dive right in. She loved digging in the sand, taking a ride on the skin board and tagging along with her brothers. We can't wait for tomorrow!

By the way, the beach is gorgeous! I was really concerned that we wouldn't be able to go on the beach at all because of the oil. I was pleasantly surprised that we only found a few tar balls.

Need Eat!

You might be tired of seeing video, but everyone is always asking me how her language is coming along. This video is the first time she really used the word "no" like a 2 year old. I was trying to get her to say "need eat" like she was before I got the camera, but you know how that goes ;)

Enjoy!!

BTW...I LOVED the comment on the previous video about the 3 year old who asks to see the "China girl dance"!! So stinkin' cute!!

4 Months Home

I can't get the pictures to center!! It's driving me CRAZY!! Anyone have any ideas?

We've been home now for 4 months! I can't even believe it. It's beginning to feel like she's always been here. The transformation that has taken place in 4 short months is nothing short of amazing. In just this past month, she has come so far!!

I'm just going to list what she is doing now so I can remember later:

She can run very fast

Her language has exploded. She is using tons of words on a daily basis.

She answers "ok" alot. It is adorable. You'll say, "let's go change your diaper" and she answers, "ok".

She loves the swimming pool and is not scared at all.

She tells me, "need eat" when she's hungry :)

She can hit a ball off a tee with a bat!

She can blow bubbles.

She still cheers very loud for her brothers at ball games.

She stays with MawMaw sometimes.

She loves to be scared. I jump out at her and she squeals.

She still moves all kinds of things around the house. If I can find my comb in the morning, it's a good day.

She can climb up on the kitchen chairs and almost anything else.

She could climb the stairs in no time if we let her.

She's not the best at sharing...we're working on that.

She does not like me on the phone or computer...ever!!

She's still a peanut. I love it because she's very easy to tote.

She waves and blows kisses to everyone in Walmrt.

She can point out all her features (ears, eyes, nose, etc.)

Elmo and Abby are her absolute favorite!

She has started to show some interest in the potty. She will take her diaper off and say, "potty". We're not always successful, but it's a start.

She still loves anyone with a phone (Iph0ne's preferred ;)

She will go up to anyone and ask for what they're eating. (sometimes very embarrassing!)

Popsicles are her favorite.

I'm sure there's more, but that's all I can think of right now. I'll have to come back to it.

Wesleigh is such a blessing. She is very easy going (for the most part) and just fits in our family perfectly. The boys still adore her. I knew they would love her, but thought the novelty would have worn off by now. Not at all...they are great with her. They can get her to go to sleep like Richard can. We found this out when Rich went out of town last week. She will not lay down for me, but will for all the boys. This is a great discovery!! They just can't ALL go somewhere at the same time!!

My sweet girl.

Baby...Oh

Forget the ABC's this chick is onto bigger things....

Lord, help us!

What about that hair?!?! Someone actually complimented me on her "haircut" the other day and wondered how we got her to sit still long enough for it to be cut in such a cute way. Seriously? Oh well, it could be worse, and I'm sure it will be before it's better. We still always wear our bows, but not around the house and sometimes when we're outside, it's just TOO hot!