The reason why...

I was reminded tonight of the reason why it's so important for me to do this blog. I was sitting on the couch with Jack & Halle and I was catching up on friends blogs on my laptop. The kids saw pictures of themselves on our family blog and got excited and wanted to see more. As I scrolled down our blog the kids wanted me to read them the words that were by their pictures. As I read outloud some of the sweet moments I've had with these two amazing kids I noticed that they both had tears in their eyes. I turned to Halle and asked her if she was ok and she said "those are just really good words".

I will never run out of "good words" when it comes to my feelings about my family.

The Daily Jack

"Mom, I know who has the curliest fries. Arby's."

I really feel like he is equipped with all the knowledge he needs. What more is there?

The Daily Halle

The doorbell rang the other day and Halle ran to get it.  I could hear her talking for a few seconds and then she closed the door and came back into the kitchen.  I asked her who was at the door....

Halle:  "It was Easton.  He wanted to play but I told him I didn't want to play with him cause he's been pissing me off."

So...Sorry Liz, for the new word that Easton has probably added to his vocabulary now.  I have NO IDEA who she learned that one from (wink wink).  Someone around here needs to watch her mouth.  Ugh. 

Farewell Summer...

...we will miss you.

The Daily Halle

She busted this out in Primary last Sunday:

"I love Jesus.........and Justin Beiber."

As long as it's in that order, I think we're ok still :)

A party fit for a princess

Oh for the love of GIRLS! I knew that there wouldn't be too many more years where Halle wouldn't think she was "too cool" for a dress up princess birthday party, so I'm glad this is what we decided to do this year. Her 4th birthday was THE PERFECT year for it. She is SO girly, loves ANYTHING dress up, and still believes in the magic of being a princess...

 The Royal Feast!

A surprise visitor arrives...

And they were all mesmerized

 Princess Amerah told stories

And she danced and sang

And brought another surprise vistor...her royal pooch Sadie

And then every girl was crowned a Princess!

There were MANY times throughout the party that I got that lump in my throat...the one you get when you see such pure HAPPINESS on your childs face. Halle loved every second of her party. It was the least we could do for her, for all the JOY she brings to our family. Happy birthday Princess. We love you. Here's to another magical year!

"You want me to take 12 boys where?"

 "To the skate park for my birthday, Mom".  That was his request.  And because we kinda like him, me and Randy loaded up 12 boys, bikes, scooters, skateboards and helmets and spent an afternoon at the skate park for Jack's SIXTH birthday. 

 Randy thought he should show the youngins' how it's done.  This picture is about 2 seconds before he hit the ground.  Hard. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BUDDY...YOU CONTINUE TO AMAZE US EVERY YEAR...WE ARE LUCKY TO HAVE YOU AND LOVE YOU SO MUCH!   

The Daily Halle

Halle to Jack on his 6th birthday: "Happy birthday Jack, but really you still look 5"

It then took me ten minutes to convince him he really looks 6.

The Daily Jack

When I woke up this morning Jack had already gotten himself dressed, brushed his teeth, combed his hair and had poured himself a bowl of cereal and was eating at the table. This isn't like him...he usually comes in a gets us when he wakes up. When I came out and asked him what he was doing, he said "I'm practicing being a six year old"... :)

Luck of The Irish....

Halle: Mom what's those little guys with the hats called again?
Me: Leprachauns.
Halle: Oh yeah.

Happy St Patricks Day!

The Daily Halle

Halle: I think I need to quit dance. I need to give my bones a rest.

Blankie

The other night Halle wanted me to lay in bed with her while she fell asleep. As I layed there, I realized she didn't have her precious pink blankie...the one she's dragged around for years now and sleeps with every night. Then I realized it had been a few days since I had seen her with it...and she hadn't been asking for it. I panicked. So this was it...the moment she would let go of her last "baby" thing and move on to being a big kid. I felt like crying. But then I heard her little voice "mommy, can you find my blankie?".... phew .... there she is .... my baby girl still.

This and That...

This boy is LOVING music right now

Lots of bath time with cousins. Jack always feels left out. Someone needs to have another boy around here!

Two of my favorite actors. I approve.

Have you tried these yet? Do. They are awesome.

My talented friend Amy did these drapes for me and I am in love.

Halle's motorcycle has a permanent parking spot in the kitchen right now. I will say stuff like "come to my bathroom so I can do your hair" and she'll say "ok I'll meet you there", and ride her motorcycle to the bathroom. Too cute.

These two have been reading Harry Potter at bed time. I hope Jack gets his dad's love of reading.

The last of Jack's tree frogs bit the dust. May have been the shortest lived Christmas present ever...

I can't keep this kid fed. He is going through a MAJOR growth spurt.

I am trying (heavy on the TRYING) to be better about excersising. He is my work out buddy.

I had one of those "mommy moments"...one that melted my heart and reminded me what a kind, sweet boy I have been blessed with. Jack was racing, and on one of his races another boy crashed. Jack could have easily went around him, and could have placed high in the race, but as I watched (with a lump in my throat) he put his bike down and went to help the other kid. THESE are the moments that make the tough job of parenting SO worth it. I feel like a broken record every day "apologize to your sister" "you have to share" "be nice to each other"...but in this moment, when I wasn't there to tell him what to do, he made the right decision all on his own. It makes the "broken record" days seem worth it, because maybe he is hearing me after all. I love you Jack. You make us SO proud.

Jack has started to add things that he wants to my grocery list...and I love it. It makes me smile to walk past and see his little handwritten "wish". I can't believe how smart he has gotten this year. I love to see him learning...and using what he's learned! (and yes, he got the gum, how could I resist?)