We don't need a playground

We find ourselves at Home Depot on a daily basis these days. Benton and Will have been very creative in finding ways to entertain themselves during our visits. Before this picture, they were in the washer and dryer section product testing if kids are able to climb into the dryers and shut themselves in. (the answer is yes, they can....)

I am sure I don't have to point out the huge stain on Will's pants. I thought I was being really smart by getting them a frosty from Wendy's to keep them occupied while in the store. I think the picture speaks for itself that it didn't quite go as planned. And of course I had left the wet wipes in the car.

These are good times...crazy, unpredictable, slightly chaotic, lots of frozen dinners, but good times!

How You Teach a Kid to Swing

If any of you have been with Benny at the park, you know that this kid loves to swing. The only problem is that he couldn't swing by himself. Which always meant two minutes after arriving at the park I would hear, "Mom, can you push me?" Which I would proceed to do for the next hour if Benny had his way. Well today he learned how to swing! Now, I would like to say that I taught him how by standing next to him and gently coached him how to pump his legs back and forth, smiling the whole time and Benny saying, "mommy your the best"... Well, it didn't quite happen that way.

Benny learned how to swing because I got a call on the cell phone and so he sat there waiting for me and kind of kicking around. Soon he started to get the hang of it and that was that. He stayed on that swing for an hour and a half!

That day at the park I was the totally out of it mom. While I was staring off at some trees, Will went running in front of the swings and was about to get hit in the head by Benny. Before I could get to him, another mom jumped in the way, pushing Will off to the side, and then she totally fell on the ground. If only she knew Will. Then she would know that being hit in the head is an everyday occurrence for him. There was no need for the acrobatics.......

Will's nighttime routine

Ray has come up with a night time routine for Will that has been ingenious! It has completely eliminated any protests towards bedtime.

First Will waits in his spot on the stairs while Ray says goodnight to Hannah and Benton

Then he gets picked up by Daddy

Up the stairs he goes

He looks out the window and shuts the blinds

Next is a good laugh at himself in the mirror

Then he pulls on the random chain lock on his door that has been there since we moved in

Then he gets dropped off into his crib. No fussing or crying. Just one happy little guy!

(yes I know, Will's room is pink. It is one of the perks of being the third kid. Hand me down bedroom color from big sis!)

Some before's and not quite after's........

This past Saturday we ripped apart our house. We couldn't have done it without the help of so many of our friends. THANK YOU!


Here is a little glimpse of what our place looks like right now.....


KITCHEN before

KITCHEN after

MASTER BATH before

MASTER BATH after

MASTER SHOWER before

MASTER SHOWER after

What a fun Saturday it was!!!

Happy St. Patrick's Day (almost)

Hannah and Benton are very excited to show their friends the shirts they made for St. Patricks Day. Benton doesn't have preschool today so he wants me to take him to his friends houses so he can show them his get up.

After seeing the ribbons in Hannah's hair, Benny insisted on wearing some ribbon around his neck.

Is it just me, or does he kind of resemble the playboy bunny?

Benny's Birthday

Today Benny turned 4. Yay!

Here are the makings of a great party:

Lavish decorations by big sis,

one sneaky little brother trying to swipe the car off the cake,

presents decorated by Hannah and Will........

make one excited birthday boy!

Happy Birthday Benny!!!!

Really it's not that bad.....

We recently bought a house, and let's just say it's a fixer. We haven't moved into the house yet because there is a lot of work to do. On this particular visit to the house, our kids insisted on wearing masks and gloves the whole time we were there. These are kids who have chewed gum they found on the sidewalk, play in the toilet, eat pizza that has fallen face down on a dirty floor, and yet they need to wear masks at our house. Does that give you an idea of what I mean when I say fixer?

Don't mess with my ice cream

While we were all enjoying our delicious desserts, benny announces that he, "needs to go potty" But before he leaves the table he makes sure to push his treat to the very middle of the table so that his sneaky little brother won't get his ice cream. While benny is in the bathroom, he hears a chair at the table being pushed back. Thinking it is Will getting his ice cream, Benny comes running out of the bathroom with his underwear around his ankles screaming, "that's my ice cream, that's my ice cream!" Upon surveying the situation and realizing that it was a false alarm, he simply pulls up his pants and resumes eating his ice cream as though this was all completely normal. Which to tell you the truth, it did kind of seem normal. I guess my reality right now is what seems normal to a three year old is normal. I should probably get out the house more often :)

Fun presents from Mexico

My mom and dad just took a trip to Mexico which always means fun presents for the kids. (Check out Benny's cowboy boots) Hannah wanted to wear her dress to school the next day. I was able to at least convince her the dress is a little too nice for school. I thought my tactic had worked until she said, "great, I will wear it to church then" So needless to say the presents were a big hit. Thanks Grandma and Grandpa!

The Culprit

Hannah's new charm bracelet went missing for a few days. We couldn't find it anywhere until..........Will had a dirty diaper. There it was fully intact after traveling through his entire digestive system! Hannah was thrilled when I called to her that I had found her bracelet, until she saw where I had found it.

This is typical Will. We already have stories for a lifetime on this guy. He keeps us constantly on our feet. We try to subdue his "crazy kid" image that others have of him, but then he keeps being Will who is admittedly a crazy kid! (don't tell him I said that)

Being Pregnant...

Sunday is the one day of the week that I actually get ready these days. It is the one day I feel kind of close to being cute.... until I walk into church. I just thought I would share my top five favorite comments I have recieved.

5. You look really tired today

4. July is a LONG ways away

3. You look really tired today (same sunday, different person!)

2. Do you normally carry your babies so big?

And the number one comment on my Sunday appearance is..........

1. You looked really sweaty when you walked in today.

Pregnancy, don't you just feel so cute!

My three little munchkins. Hannah is 6, Benton 4, & William will be 2 in April. This picture really captures Hannah and Will's personalities. Hannah is always trying to stike a model like pose (or what she thinks a model would look like) and Will always has a crazed look. You never know what that kid is thinking. Benton is going through an "I'm too cool to smile" phase which will probably last through his teens.