Our Princess

University of Michigan room

This is what I have been doing for the last three days. The shrine to University of Michigan - since I won't let Austin paint our bedroom maize and blue - we had to paint the boys. I am so sick of that yellow paint! I have made 4 trips to Lowes in the last 3 days. Three coats of yellow paint and white ceiling paint and blue "M" paint, we are done!! Almost. Now I just need to make the curtains and bedding and put up some blue shelves, but we are finally getting there. I'm really excited that their room is going to be decorated! And I have to mention that I am really excited about the M that I did. I created it myself using 8 1'2 x 11 sheets of paper and one of our thousands of UM shirts for reference. I even measured and used a level! So, that brings us to my new coolest level in the world. The best $14.97 I have ever spent!! It is laser and also has a thing that sticks it into the wall. It is seriously going to change my life - no more crooked and falling off shelves and frames! I love this tool, now I just need a nail gun and a miter saw!

Not Today

Every day is a struggle to get Will dressed. He waits until the last possible second before we leave to get dressed and this includes a mad dash to find one of the two outfits that he will wear (michigan shorts or baseball pants and probably red boots). Today as usual I was trying to get him dressed so that we could make it on time to a class at the Y.

Me - "Will please get dressed so that we can go."

Will, with a precious little smile and wink, "Not today sweetie pie."

Guess we're going naked to the gym.

Will's Graduation from Preschool

I didn't think that I would be sad this day. I have been waiting forever for Will to be old enough to go to kindergarten, but today I actually felt pretty nostalgic about Will (and Cooper's) years at the old Pleasant Plains Baptist Church preschool. In the car coming home from the graduation I told the boys that I was so sad that they are getting big and growing up. Will said, "don't worry mom, I'm not going to grow up." He has been saying for several months now that he doesn't want to get older, doesn't want to be 5-years-old. I sometimes wish I could still be 4-years-old again. Mom made nice dinners, I didn't have to clean the house that much and just got to play outside all the time. Those were the days! I love you Will! Thanks for making me smile!

Prince Caspian

We have been planning to go to the new Chronicles of Narnia movie, Prince Caspian, all week. And Will has been planning out his outfit for the movie all week. And he did indeed wear the following outfit to the movie. He loved it. But I thought it was funny that he dresses like this all the time but when I stopped at CVS before the movie to get some candy he didn't want to go in because he was worried about people seeing him.

This is Will's "King Peter" outfit and pose.

Complete with the shield and a great shot of his adorable booty!

Our new family baker

Cooper is the greatest snickerdoodle baker I have ever seen! And, he doesn't stick to the 1 inch ball size. His balls of dough are more like an ice cream scoop size so they turn out huge and really good. Plus, he also follows the rule of thumb that there is no replacement for real butter in the recipe. Now if I can just get him to feel as passionate about cooking dinner and mopping the floor for me!

Strawberry Patch

One of the things that I love about North Carolina is the long growing season. I have different things growing in my garden most all of the year. Right now it is strawberry season! The kids and I had a great time picking strawberries at the strawberry patch. All week we have enjoyed fresh strawberries on our cereal, strawberry shortcake and strawberries with whipped cream. Yum!

The Destroyer

Don't let this innocent face fool you! On Monday Paris managed to slobber all over my phone and short it out somehow so I had to get a new one. She also pushed some buttons on the computer and deleted a few important things. But she does have a sweet smile!

Honda Pilot

Yesterday I went to get an estimate at a body shop to fix a few minor scrapes on the bumper of our fairly new Honda Pilot. These occured when an old lady and I backed into each other slowly in a parking lot. Will and Paris were in the car with me. When I told them what we were doing Will said,

"But Mommy, how will we know which Honda is ours without the scratches on the back?"

Let the mocking and scorning of my driving record and skills begin.

Paris' 1st Birthday (which was actually a week ago - April 28)

Her first candle - which her brothers "helped" her blow out.

She was not about to touch this thing - who knew where it came from? And she didn't eat a bit, just shook her head no back and forth like crazy.

All ready to party! And no, these are not my legs.

Princess for the day!

Paris' flower cakes - my first foray into fondant.

Paris with Austin but probably reaching for my mom, who she loves more than either of us.

Nonni, Emmy and Paris

We love having you in our family, Paris! We have big dreams for you to be a sweet girl who quietly folds her hands and colors in the corner for hours, a calming influence on your big brothers and someone who begs to be able to clean the bathroom for mom!

When Mommy is Away The Kids Will Play!

Austin had a great time with the kids while I was gone. Even looks like Paris got dressed and was fed! And even learned the correct stance for a pitcher! Will created an amazing race car using a box. Of course his goggles are a very important part of the driving experience.

I appreciate Austin so much for watching the kids and giving me a wonderful break. It was well needed and I am back home with a smile!

A Blissful Weekend in Myrtle Beach

I just returned from an amazing three days at Myrtle Beach with some girlfriends. It was so much fun to spend time with some girls that I haven't seen for awhile. We talked, slept in - today until 10 a.m.- shopped, ate out, and slapped ourselves down on the beach for hours at a time. Thanks so much for inviting me girls! Loved every minute!