{Baby Z}

I got to hang out with this little Miss yesterday. Oh it was pure heaven!! Her Mama almost didn't get to leave my house with her. Enjoy the eye candy!!

{Monkeys Jumping on the Bed}

My kids seem to have an inability to stay off of my bed. Especially after I have just made it. My bed isn't the best bed to jump on, it is a temperpedic and so there is no bounce. That doesn't seem to deter them at all. Instead of getting mad like I do 99% of the time when I catch them on my bed I decided to take pictures instead.
I got this one to be still for about a mili second before he was off to conquer the football. He had his first official tryout this last weekend. He gets to play kid pitch baseball this spring. He is currently reading to me a book called the 4th grade Rats, the gist of the book is that once you reach 4th grade it is time to be a man. As scary as it is that is just what this boy is doing. Slowly becoming a man before my eyes. I need more time.
Oh my, what am I going to do with this one? She is getting so big. She has a mind of her own and knows how to use it. The other day she came home from school with callus' on her hands from beating 4th graders into the dust on the tether ball court. I'm not exaggerating either. She is super competitive and doesn't back down from someone bigger than her, boy or girl. She isn't afraid to let you know what she is thinking on any given subject. She is reading so well and is good at math too. She got an award at school for her behavior. She is just an all around good kid.
This one has blossomed into a self assured kid. She has always been my quieter one, that kinda goes along with the flow of things. She is eating school up and relishing the fact that she goes to school. She can't wait to turn the big FIVE in a few months. Everything is ..."I'll do that when I'm 5" or "Can I do that or have that when I am 5?" My mind can't fully register the fact that she will actually be that old. She still fits in my arms for a good snuggle thanks to the fact that she is a little bug. I love it!!
This boy is giving me a run for my money. He is into everything, all the time. Going about a mile a minute and taking no prisoners. He has turned into the world's biggest tease and frequently makes his older sisters and even brother scream in exasperation. He LOVES to be outside in the rocks and sticks and thinks he is plenty old enough to be out with the big kids. He will not stay out of my kitchen. This morning I found him into the butter, salt and cinnamon bread, along with a measuring cup and measuring spoons. I am not sure what he was making. I can't wait till he is a little bit older and I can actually direct his enthusiasm into actually making something edible, then maybe I can take a break from the cooking.

I was able to keep the girls' attention a lot longer than the boys. They love being in front of the camera.

What a blessing these children are. My life sure would be empty without all the fighting, arguing, snotty noses, smiles, hugs and kisses. All the good with all the bad. That is what makes life oh so good.

{Tool Men}

Sometimes guys just need to go out into mans land (read garage) to roll around in the saw dust and grunt and spit and be real men. I am so glad that this little boy has a Daddy to do that with him. I am not so good at the grunting part.
And it doesn't hurt if they get to use the powertools either (hear Tim the Toolman's grunt).
And what guy wouldn't love to build a race car to then race down the middle of the street?

Yeah these guys have been having a blast being just that....guys!! That is why there are Dads to go along with little boys!!!

{Fire Fighters}

About a week or so ago the youngest two and I got to go on a field trip to one of the local Fire Stations. Lauryn had been looking forward to this little outing and so had Wyatt, if not a little more so. Firefighter Eric gave us a tour of the whole facility from their kitchen to their laundry room and bedrooms. We also got to check out the workout room. But the best and most anticipated part of the tour was the TRUCKS!!!
The kids were enthralled as Firefighter Eric told them all about what the truck did and all the types of calls the guys get called out to.
Wyatt thought he was clearly big enough to stand with the class, and I wasn't about to argue with him.
The fun part came when the kids got the dress Firefighter Adam in his uniform. They told him in what order his gear had to go on and make sure he was ready to go out on a call.
Success the kids got his boots and pants on.
All ready to go. The gear weighs up to 100lbs. and with the hose they carry and other stuff it is over that. No wonder they have a workout room. These guys have to stay fit.
I love this picture if only because of the eye contact between firefighter Adam and Wyatt. They were reminding the kids that if there were ever a fire in their home and they saw a guy that looked like this to not be afraid and to go with him.

This was Lauryn's take on that idea. Sometimes the looks this girl gives...seriously!! She had a great time despite the look she has on her face. She talked about the trip for days afterward. I am really thankful for great guys who take the time from their busy schedule to show the kids around. The kids had a great time.