Sunday, June 30, 2013

June's Favorite Things


1. working out with britney
2. afternoons spent with my love

3. em's awesome makeup skills
4. a puppy who loves her kids more than everything

5. decisions, decisions
6. my boy's first loose tooth and the pillow we made to hold it (when it eventually falls out)

7. smuggling in cocktails to my kids' friends' birthday parties
8. my mini <3

9. the best thing about walmart
10. princess and superhero parade

11. the church cousins ready for vacation bible school
12. throwback high school jackets

13. embracing change, the best I can
14. meeting j. cole

15. selfies with the husband at the lantern festival that wasn't
16. kiddos born and raised in that summer haze

17. spending father's day at the zoo with a couple of amazing daddies, my husband and his brother
18. camel rides >>> pony rides

Saturday, June 29, 2013

Dating My Kids: Movie and Dessert Date

 

This is the third installment of the Dating My Kids series.  And it's a classic!  There's a reason a reason a simple date like a trip to a resturant followed by a movie is such a good one: it's easy and fun.


Chips and queso for the parents, ice cream brownie dessert for the children, yummy deliciousness.

 

Clay and I were originally going to take our kids to the drive-in to catch Despicable Me 2, but we decided Narls and Em are still probably too young to watch a movie that late. I cannot wait until we do though, they're my favorite. I have such fond memories of many drive-in dates with my dad and brother.

 

Being huge minion fans, my family could not wait for this movie to come out. And it did not disappoint - it was silly happy fun, with such a great ending. Go see it! Your kiddos will thank you.

Friday, June 21, 2013

The Adult Summer Break

Guess what? 

 My sweet darling children whom I love so much and are the center of my world are going to spend the upcoming week up north with their grandma and cousins for vacation bible school. 

You know what that means, right? 

They're going to make precious memories and learn about the good word. Yes, that's right.

But more importantly...

Mama and Daddy get a week 
to. 
them. 
selves.


In honor of this momentous occasion, I've made a special playlist.


brownchickenbrowncow.

Sunday, June 16, 2013

We Are the Lucky Ones



Happy Father's Day to the princess-playing, Star-Wars-watching, t-ball-coaching, boo-boo-kissing, bedtime-story-reading, lesson-teaching love of our lives!
 
Clay, seriously, no words could ever express how much we love and need you. You make our lives easier and better and wonderful.
 
Thank you.

Friday, June 14, 2013

No More Teachers, No more Books


We recently celebrated Narls' last day of kindergarten. There was a celebration at his school, where he was selected to read - in front of everyone! - a paper he wrote about what he enjoyed most this year (which was making new friends). I don't know if I mentioned it on the blog, but this kid's reading is on fire. He's reading at least two grade levels above.  He reads independently, he reads chapter books, he reads silently, he basically reads whatever he can get his hands on.


The kids sang some songs, we were given a binder of some of our child's best work, and we munched on cookies and crackers.  We had his teacher sign his Dr Suess book, which will be annual tradition until he graduates (thank you pinterest), and gave her a gift- a mani/pedi combo. Trust me, she earned it.

 

Narls may be doing well academically but he had some behavioral problems this year. He showed his class his bare bottom (resulting in a write-up and a trip to the principal's office), his inability to sit still and stay in his seat led to a broken playhouse (resulting in a write-up and a trip to the principal's office), and he's had trouble choosing kind words over mean words at times. Three times, in fact, all of which resulted in, you guessed it, write-ups and trips to the principal's office.  The third time for the same infraction should have landed him a suspension, but his teacher - his biggest supporter and advocate, talked the principal out of it. She believes in our boy as much as Clay and I do, and got him a couple days of missed recesses where he spent time with her, talking and helping, as opposed to a day or two out of school. She even loaned Narls several books about kindness, which he really appreciated.


The past month alone has been a busy one. Clay and I chaperoned a trip to a farm, and I got to say, I've become an old pro at school field trips. Quite a change from my first, huh?

The farm is called Grandpa Tiny's Farm, but all the kindergartens called it Grandpa's Tiny Farm, and we got quite a few exclamations of "but it's so big!" and "I expected it to be tiny!" Seriously, these kids are the best (except when you have to ride a bus with 50 of them). They got to milk a cow, see a baby chick hatch right in front of them, and watch wool turn into yarn. It was fun. 

 

We had an end-of-the-year picnic, with hotdogs and chips, snow cones, bounce houses, and face painting. The whole family could come, which thrilled Emerson, and it was just as much fun as the field trip. I love how much this elementary school does.

 

We kicked off summer break by getting Narls his very own library card. And he checked out his first book, King Arthur, that he's halfway through already.


I am so proud of this child. I am proud of how well Clay and I are doing raising him. I admire his spunk; when I was his age I was so afraid of getting in trouble that I wouldn't dare do some of the things my son does. I want him to learn that there's a time and a place for everything, but I don't want him to lose an ounce of his spirit or his courage. I love his silliness, even when I have to endure another round of armpit farts. I love his thoughtfulness, even when he's asked me 13 questions in a row. I am constantly amazed at what he puts together and the words he chooses to express himself.

So, goodbye, Kindergarten. You were a blast, but it's time to move on.
Here's to an amazing summer break.

Monday, June 3, 2013

Home Town Days Are the Best Days


Seriously, is there anything better than a hometown carnival? Clay and I have attended our town's Home Town Days since we moved here three years ago. In fact, last year's event is where we fell in love with, and subsequently adopted, our Lainey girl.

 

This year, we went every. single. day. Friday, clay had to work, so I met my girlfriend Bonnie there and we caught up while our kiddos enjoyed the rides.


Saturday, I took the kids to the parade - BY MYSELF, as Clay had to work again. This is huge for me; I tend get a bit overwhelmed when I have to navigate crowds and parking and kids by myself. All the worrying for nothing though, because I found a spot to park, near the parade even!, the crowds were bearable, we had so much fun, and got loads of candy. 


We had to go back Sunday so Clay could experience the carny experience in all its glory. We said hello to the shelter we adopted Lainey from, we pet some goats and rode a couple ponies, and the kids won stuffies from their most favorite game, Shark Attack.


Great times, great times.