Golly gee mom that hurt

Poor little miss Elsie had her doctors appointment today.  I always tell the kids what will be happening. Maybe this wasn't such a great idea.  She was so freaked out from the moment the nurse left the room, and then when she came back oh, no she wasn't having it.  Poor thing.

She cried harder than any one of my kids.  She was really upset.  We left the office and she was still crying.

She cried the whole way home and the rest of the day.  I actually started to worry.  The rest of the day she wouldn't walk.  Even the next morning she still wouldn't walk.  She had a fever and was still very upset.  I called the doctor's office and they told me to give her a bath and keep my eye on her.  Fortunately the bath worked.  They said because she was so scared she was extremely tense.  She had a muscle spasm in her leg and that is why it hurt so bad.  Poor little bug.  All is well now.

The 11th Season of JJ's Amazing Race

We started at the park.  The kids picked their teams and off we went.  JJ was not in on any of the clues so it would be fair.  His team was the first to arrive at the first pit stop. 

JJ got to do the road block on leg 2 of the race.  They had to count the number of po boxes.  The total was 895 but we let them get within 20.  JJ was the first one finished.  Keith was next, and then Carson from the last team.

We did all sorts of crazy stuff but the funniest had to be the boys blowing up the balloons, popping them, and then fishing out 11 letters out of a whip cream pie with only their mouth. 

JJ was the first to get his pie go and they solved the puzzle.  I guess JJ yelled out the answer so it became a foot race at the end.  Unfortunately JJ runs like his mother.  His team was on the mat yelling run JJ run. 

Thank goodness there were other people that were slow like my son so his team still won in the end.  The boys had a ton of fun. 

Second Place Team

Third Place Team

This was one of the funniest birthday parties and the best part is they are in your house for 10 minutes only. 

I think JJ had a blast.  He kept telling me "You're the best mom ever."  Can't beat that.  This party really was a ton of fun.  I will have to say I couldn't have done it without all the wonderful drivers that helped out.  Thank you so much.  JJ is loved.

JJ's Amazing Race Party

One of my friends asked me to post exactly what I did for the party.  I was searching the internet for great kid birthday ideas and came across one that was the tv show Amazing Race. I knew JJ loved this show and thought it would be a lot of fun. I love a good scavenger hunt and that is exactly what the Amazing Race is only on a much larger scale. Here is what we did and hopefully it helps you if you want to do this kind of party.

I searched the images on google and found the yellow envelope  logo.  I simply saved it in my pictures and from their I sent it to my printer.  I had it printed on sticker paper 6 in x 8 in.  If you need to be a little more cost effective  you can always print it on regular paper and glue the labels on.

I found these awesome cards on Chica and Jo's website.  The site is very user friendly and they also had other great ideas.  Again, I had these printed on a thinner cardstock. 

I organized each envelope in a number order.  I labeled the outside of the envelope but also the inside corner.  If you look closely you can see the #7 in the road block.  I would match the number with the paper I was putting in.  That way there was a check and balance system so no one got the wrong clue.

I printed up a guide for me as well.  Which Leg had what and what I needed to do on that leg.  This really helped me to stay on top of it.  There were 4 legs on our race and 7 clues.  It really was so much fun to do. 

For the kids I made these packets for them to take with them.  I had each kids bring a backpack, weather appropriate clothes, and a jacket (just in case)

Since the kids didn't all know each other and the drivers didn't know them I made name badges for them.  I also got these at Chica and Jo's.  they worked great on some of the clues also. 

We also had fun making these water bottles.  It just made everything feel so official.  I know, The detail  was more for me but it was fun. 

This has to be the most handmade, cheesiest part but last minute decided we needed tags for the cars.  So I made these darling rear view mirror hangers.  Got to love it:)

I put up route markers so the kids would know they were in the right place or on the right path.  I really wanted the kids to do most of the work on their own without help from their drivers. 

My favorite part was that we had a neighbor that  had done this for a youth group in our area.  They made this awesome clue box and pit stop mat.  I was excited that they let me borrow these.  They just made they whole thing AWESOME.  You could make the clue box like this one or what I was going to do before I borrowed this one I was just going to paint a small box black and add a red and yellow fabric on the bottom. 

Before I forget if you are doing this for kids you will need drivers for them. We had our wonderful grandparents and uncles, and brothers lady love help us out. This was a life saver. You will need someone. Or keep it more localized. There isn't a ton of work to do on this party and it really is a blast for everyone. Have fun doing this one.

CHOPPED

Emma has been growing her hair out for a long time. Every time I ask her if she wants is trimmed she freaks out. Earlier this week she came to me and said I want my hair cut to my shoulders. I had to do a double take and have her repeat herself. Sure enough, cut to her shoulders is what she wanted. I had a hair appointment that coming Friday so I figured why not. I scheduled Emma and Ellie with me. I could not believe how much hair we cut off. We measured for locks of love and it just missed the mark. Too bad, because her hair is beautiful.

Drum roll please....

Here they are with their new fabulous dues.  Don't they look adorable:)

Pictures taken by the iphone not that great.

I literally went to get my hair done at 11am and returned home around 3:30.  It was an all day event.  Elsie goes with me and plays with my hairstylists/friend's daughter Bailey.  It was so cute, at one point Amy and I look over and we caught Elsie doing Bailey's hair.  It was darling.

See the jar of candy?  Don't you worry Bailey and Elsie polished that off as well.  I hope Amy will ever let us back.  She probably died that we were there for so long.  Thanks for putting up with us and for the super cute cuts.

Circle of Presents

I watched as Elsie put all of her brand new things in a circle. She folded each item of clothing and placed each one with tender care. She loves all of her new things.

She really is too cute.

Our baby is three!!!

This little lady had been looking forward to her birthday for a long time. Everything she sees she says "Can I get this for my birfday?" She wanted princess everything. She was so excited about everything.Especially her blanket and her twirly dresses. 

 Since JJ, Emma, and Elsie all have their birthday's right together we try to make sure Ellie doesn't feel left out.  So we celebrate her Unhappy Birthday.  She loved getting the Hannah Montana Final Season. This little lady is Hannah's biggest fan.  To bad she is done because I don't think Ellie ever will be. 

Elsie and Ellie have never been to build a bear so I thought it would be fun to go there for Elsie's birthday.  They really did love it but holy cow I forgot how freakin' expensive it is.  That will be their first and last build a bear. 

I just love this pic of Boo.  She loved every minute of her experience at Build a Bear.

After build-a-bear we headed to McDonald's (Yuck) and she had a blast playing on the playland.  It was so cute.  She just had a blast.  There was even a big girl that tried to take her toy and she just pushed the girl and said "Get away"  She is one tough, brave cookie.

After McDonald's we headed home for cake and ice cream.  Mmmm.  I took the first pic of Elsie when it was dark and she had just blown out her candles.  I love her "dear in the headlights" look.

Party Girls

March is INSANE at our home.  We love every crazy minute though.  Emma's birthday is on March 10th and Elsie's is on March 14th so we throw them a joint family party on the Saturday between. This year it fell on Uncle Michael's birthday but with him all the way in France we didn't think he would mind if they had a party on his day. 

We sure love our little ladies and we love how everyone came to show them their love for them.

We had to laugh that Elsie can blow out the candles but Emma struggled. Thanks everyone. We love our fantastic family and friends.

Silly little lady

Lately Elsie and Ellie have shown an interest in doing the dishes.  I couldn't resist this shot though.  That is smart thinkin' kiddo.  She gets wet while she does them so now she just does them in her undies. 

Happy Birthday Emma Leigh

Emma was pretty excited this year to get very simple things.  She wanted art supplies, earrings, necklace, and money for a bike.  Oh, and any book I choose.  It was simple.  She is so cute.  She was so excited about everything she got. 

She loved her earrings.

Bieber Fever Baby

I just love Emma is this pic

Her brand new blanket I made.  haha, don't look to close it is scary.

And yes, she already lost the back to her earring.  I love that JJ took this pic. 

So Emma hates cake, and this is what she wanted.  Go figure. 

It is a good thing Emma has Ellie.  Emma CANNOT blow out candles.  Holy cow, it is hilarious. 

Still trying

Emma blocking Ellie from doing it.  Ellie had it down but Emma really struggled.

Still having trouble.  Ellie would keep blowing them out so we had to be on the ready to relight for Emma and her long winded, air sucking, non blowing, candle issue.  She never did get them all.  I think she actually put them out with her spray of spit.  YUCK

We sure did giggle though.  And just think, if you spit on all the cookies your the only one who wants one.  She is one smart cookie, that girl. 

 

We really can't believe our Emma is already 9.  And 9 is her favorite number so she is so excited for this year.  

Silly Kids

When we got home today this is what we arrived to. I couldn't pick just one so here is all of the keepers. JJ was babysitting and he said the girls wanted a makeover. Ha, this is quite the makeover.

We had the dreaded talk

Jeron and I have been feeling like it was time to have the talk and recently JJ said something that made me think NOW is the time.  We were very technical with the terminology and we were actually very comfortable.  We talked about love, marriage, and how sacred sex is.  It really did feel like a good parent moment.  Jeron and I feel we passed this sticky situation with flying colors.  JJ kept saying gross and things like that but for the most part it went fairly smooth.  Today JJ has been saying a lot of things about what we talked about and I can tell that he has this all on the brain pretty much all day long.  So when he came in the room I could just tell he was a little uncomfortable. He finally turns to us and says

"I sure hope they find a cure for the way people make babies...soon."

after laughing for a bit I simply said

"I have a feeling you won't feel that way at 14 and if you do I will be shocked!"

He just looked confused

After all of this I will say the sex talk is not all that scary.  But this subject has never been scary to me so maybe that is why it was easy.  The part I find odd is I am now looking forward to when we talk to Emma.  I think this one will make Jeron squirm just a little.