Circus Night!

For the past two years, Brian and I have taken the kids to the circus and continued the tradition again this year.  They were *SO* excited this year because 1) it was the circus and 2) this year's circus theme was DRAGONS - say what?!?!!  They are all into dragons lately and love to watch the How to Train your Dragon show and movie - they kept asking if Toothless was going to be at the circus.

After school we had mandatory naps since I knew they'd be up later than usual for the show.  We then loaded up, grabbed some Bojangles and popped by Brian's office to eat and grab him to go.  We got there early enough to go down on the floor and see some stuff up close (and ran into our friends the Markham family).

Once the show was about to start, Naylor started freaking out because he wanted a lighted twirly gig (that was $22!!) and I was able to play that off on Brian having all the money and he'd gone with Lalon to fetch popcorn... then he spotted the snow cones and I don't care if they were giving them away, we WERE NOT having snow cones - I was not mentally prepared for that sticky, messy sugar high.  He calmed down shortly and was distracted by the popcorn and show starting and then we all had a fun time.  I can't believe the lady in front of me didn't turn around and kick my ass though, as Whitley Ann (who sat on my lap the entire time) continued to kick her in the back of the head repeatedly.  I mean like 8 times at least.

Everyone was in the groove after intermission and the remainder of the show was smooth sailing.  We had gotten an awesome parking spot, so we scooted out quickly and were home in no time.  The kids are all tucked into bed and Brian and I aren't far behind.  What a fun time out - I see this tradition in our future for a few more years.

I couldn't take my "good" camera in so I just used my phone since my old point and shoot is so slow - excuse the picture quality!

Lalon showing off her blue teeth / tongue from the cotton candy.

Whitley Ann was in HEAVEN with the horses - I think she may be a veterinarian or cowgirl - she has a small horse obsession.

Naylor sad over his lack of lighted whirly gig and snow cone - fret not, he survived AND had a good time without them.

I would love to have a Great Dane - I felt like this random dog in the opening parade was a sign. Then when we got home and watched a quick show, there was one on that show (randomly, not regularly there) and I told Brian it was DEFINITELY a sign!

shoving in the sugar!

Happy Birthday Pa!

Today is my Daddy's birthday, the young fifty-something that he is!  We loaded up and made a day trip to SamCo on Saturday to spend time with the family and have a little pizza party for Daddy.  The kids sure do love going to the farm, as do I, but I love seeing them there, just running and interested in all it has to offer from the plants to equipment to animals.  We have fun cousins there too!  :)  After a full afternoon of play, we had a pizza party with cupcakes and ice cream and then a little later, hit the road back home.  A fun day with the family, no doubt.  I told the kids that today was actually Pa's birthday though and that we'd make his favorite prize snack after school - peanut butter crackers with a marshmallow on top, popped in the oven and browned up right.  They thought that was the best thing and timing worked out that we were able to FaceTime with Pa, Annie and Uncle Robert to sing Happy Birthday to Pa and blow the candles out on his cracker "cake".  Pa told the kids to save one for him and Lalon promised that we would.  They were eating dinner, so we kept it short and got back to our snacks before they got too cold!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PA - We LOVE You!!

The kids got a quick ride around the farm with Pa Pa!

Sweet Ella sharing her pacifier with Uncle Robert

and now sharing her pig

Brian took all the kids out to fly a kite - perfect weather for it!

Anna is a kite flying rock star!

on Pa's birthday after our FaceTime, enjoying Pa's favorite snack

I believe Ava James and Lalon must have spent the day doing their hair... who's in charge of these girls?!?!

Pa post pizza party!

the Birthday Guy!

Lalon's super excited for cake and ice cream!

Miscellaneous Monday

Just a few cute pictures I've found on my phone that have been taken so far this year... thought I'd share some of the silliness that goes on around here.  I love these kids!

Lalon attempting to stay up a few minutes later by being sweet... it didn't work, got some kisses from her and sent her back to bed!  I think this was actually the last night she had her own room before I bunked the girls up.

 

My best shopping gal - Whitley Ann is a pro at shopping with Mommy while Naylor and Lalon are in school.  She frequently sports shades (so as not to be recognized) and plays on the iPad while I browse.

Whitley Ann and her prized possession... her Horsey!  Annie & Pa gave her that horse for Christmas and you'd think it was the size of a Beanie Baby the ways she hauls it around.

Just cute and sweet - this dress was one of cousin Rachel's when she was a little girl.

On another shopping adventure...

Naylor has a new fascination with tents and camping.  He's built this pillow fort in his room and frequently sleeps in there at night.  I'm excited for the weather to warm up so we can try our first attempt at camping (we'll start in the back yard).

The things I walk in to when I check on the kids before I go to bed... Naylor told me the next morning that he had made his bed all nice for me.

Whitley Ann and Naylor set up this race with their stuffed animals.  It was pretty cute, but I couldn't figure out why Whitley Ann didn't set herself up to win!

This child loves a horse and a baby doll; this day she was letting her baby hold her horse.

All the kids are enjoying coloring and drawing more and more, but Lalon is especially interested.  Yesterday she drew this picture, from left to right: Mike Wazowski (from Monsters, Inc.), a banana phone and me with my "pretty hair".  I'm not sure if she was being funny about my hair or not... :)  

Super Bowl Sunday

We are NOT a professional football watching family - we live two hours from Charlotte and I've never even been to a Carolina Panthers game.  Pretty much, if it isn't a home NCSU football game, my interest declines QUICKLY!  However, it does seem you have to watch the Super Bowl, or at least the half time show, so we got some game day food and let the kids watch for a bit.  Brian wanted to introduce the kids to pigs in a blanket, so we had those and chicken wings - it was all a hit.  The game was okay, most exciting part was when the power went out, but not enough to keep our interest as we turned it off probably sometime in the second half so as not to miss any of Downton Abby!

Bone licking good wings!

Hey Whitley Ann, you've got a little something right there... 

While watching the half time show with Beyonce, Lalon was the most interested with the singing and dancing (she's my musical one) and got so excited at one point, jumping up and screaming, "Look!! Look!!  She's got a microphone like me!!!"  Oh boy, I could eat her up.

We need a bigger mouse trap...

The kids were playing so great in the playroom this morning, so I went upstairs to vacuum while they were entertained.  As I was wrapping up, Whitley Ann came up the stairs with this:

Apparently she wanted more cheese and cracker snack and just helped herself.  Came down to take a picture of this cheese block and when I set it down to grab the camera, this happened: 

I think I'll just cut that section off and label it, Whitley Ann!

Love is in the air!

We've had a bunch of fun doing crafts in preparation for Valentine's Day this year.  Last night we did some window decals that Annie & Pa gave the kids last year - they loved sticking them on and making the sounds of each animal.  This morning we worked on some Valentine's for the grandparents and a little more decor for the kitchen area.

I'm planning for Naylor and Lalon to make their own Valentine's for school this year, but I suppose we need to get started on that sooner than later!