Vote for our MOOOO-velous pictures!!!

A few weeks ago, the kids and I ventured over to our local Chick-fil-A to celebrate Cow Appreciation Day. Abby and Noah were all decked out in black and white attire, their homemade signs, and cow ears. (I even got in on the act by safety pinning black felt spots on a white skirt. haha!) They were excited about getting their FREE kid's meal. They love those "chikin" nuggets!
Noah kept his costume on for maybe two minutes.

Abby was so proud of the sign she made!

Abby has been asking me to enter our pictures in the photo contest so we can "maybe win a prize!" (She's so cute.) So if you have a moment, please click here and vote for our picture - CHIKIN's #1 FANS!!! Thanks!!!

A Change Will Do You Good...

This Sheryl Crow song has become my mantra/theme song as of late. Between moving ten and half hours away from my side of the family (where we have lived for the last twelve years), trying to get settled into our rental house, adjusting to the reality that Abby starts KINDERGARTEN in less than three weeks (She is beside herself with excitement. I am still in denial.), and feeling somewhat isolated not really knowing anyone and not having internet access at the house yet (which is probably a good thing as I still have tons of boxes to unpack, pictures to hang, closets to organize...), I feel like I am on transition overload!

Still, I keep reminding myself that these changes are good. This is a new chapter in our lives, and although we are still working through some things left over from previous chapters (- word to the wise - never own your own business, and especially not two of them at the same time), I am excited about the adventures and experiences that await our little family. Pat absolutely loves his job. We are so grateful for it. Noah still says in his bedtime prayers, "Peaze help Daddy get new job." It was part of our prayers for so long, but now when Noah says it, we remind him to say, "Thank you for Daddy's new job." Especially after hearing that 700,000 jobs are being lost every month, I can't even express how truly thankful we are.

I'm also hoping to get a teaching position with a preschool that's fairly close by. Noah seems excited about the idea of going to preschool, especially now that Abby is going to be starting school. Since he is such a "mama's boy", I think if he knows I am in the building it may help ease him into it. Of course, it could also completely backfire, so keep your fingers crossed for me.

Now if I only I could learn how to play the guitar...

It's Party Time!!!

Noah was so excited about his "racing car" birthday party this year! He's been talking about it for over a month. With our recent move, I wasn't sure how the party was going to play out seeing that we don't know a soul here in Alabama as of yet. But it just so happened that my dad planned a trip to Arkansas to so we could see my grandma right around Noah's birthday and decided to stop through Alabama to pick us up on the way. Talk about great timing! So Noah was even more excited that "Papa", "My-dal", Marc, and Mindy were able to be here for his Lightning McQueen birthday party!

It's hard to believe he is already three years old. He is a crack-up! He loves to laugh (potty humor has definitely kicked in) and make jokes, especially knock-knock jokes. :) One of his favorites, he learned from Uncle Michael -

Knock, Knock!
Who's there?
Police!
Police who?
"Police det me come in. It's dold ow-side!"


We sure love you, Noah. You are one COOL kid!

(Enjoy the Smilebox - Noah picked it out!)

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WFMW - My Secret Weapon

When all else fails on a long family road trip and my kids are on the verge of meltdown, I pull out my secret weapon – a party favor sized bottle of bubbles! Sitting in the passenger seat, I blow tiny bubbles to the kids in the back, and they immediately forget that they are still strapped into their car seats. They giggle as they try to pop the bubbles, and my husband is relieved that he can drive in peace…at least for a few more miles.

(Kristen and I must be on the same wavelength this week. You can check out more traveling with kids tips here!)

WW - The Wishing Well

Just like in the storybooks...

Make a wish!


For more Wordless Wednesday moments, click here!

"It's a surprise!"

Last night as Pat and I were putting Abby to bed, she asked for a song like she usually does. After singing her favorite, "I Am a Child of God", I asked, "How about this one since tomorrow's Father's Day? " and started to sing, "I'm so glad when Daddy comes home..." only to have her smack her hand over my mouth and say, "No Mom! It's a surprise!"

She proceeded to whisper to me (all within ear shot of Daddy) that the Primary was going to be singing that song for Father's Day, so "we can't sing it or it will ruin the surprise." It was so cute.

This morning, Abby kept reminding us not be late for church because on Mother's Day, we actually missed the kids singing! She was really upset about that. I felt so bad. (In my defense, I had no idea the Primary was going to be singing "Mother, I Love You" as prelude music that Sunday.) We didn't want to make that mistake again so we were rushing to make sure we got there in a timely manner. Abby was so excited to go up and sing with the Primary, even though it's only our second week in this ward. She could hardly sit still during sacrament meeting.

When it was finally time to for the Primary to go up front, she was all smiles as she sang and looked out at us in the congregation.

Daddy was all smiles too.

And me? A little misty-eyed.

Happy Father's Day, Daddy! We love you!

Starring...ABBY!!!

Finally! Here's an encore performance of Abby's storybook recital dance, "Seuss!" She is the third one in from the left. Being a dance teacher has its privileges since I was able to shoot this from the front wing. :)

Abby was so excited to dance on "the big stage" with her Aunt Ali this year. She was grinning from ear to ear. I think she was even more excited to get her flowers afterward. (She made sure to remind me about getting them several times. haha!)Our whole family was there to watch her which really made her feel special. (Thanks you guys!) She loved every minute of it!

(Disclaimer- I love Smilebox, but the video came through a bit grainy, and try to ignore the red eye in the pics I took backstage. I'm not on my usual computer and can't figure out how to edit it out.)

And now....here's ABBY!

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We're so proud of you, Twinkle Toes! You were awesome up there!