NKOTBWNRMT

Translation: New Kids on the Block were never really my thing.

But...when your boss gives you box seats in the VIP section for you and your kids, you go. And it was so amazing! We were able to go straight to VIP parking without waiting in the long lines to get in and walked right up to a special holding section where we stayed until the concert started; perfect for wiggly children.

Hayden, Landon, Peyton and I right before we walked in. Sutton was taking the picture while Reagan and Keaton are still visiting grandparents.





















Showing off our special "important people" bracelets.














"Hmmm...what should I order?"













Sutton and Landon














Hayden, a little excited?
















Such a sweet boy.

















We found out when we got there that the opening act was the Jabbawockeez. So cool.

















Hayden was not too fond of the masks but he made it. The dancing was incredible.









Sutton and mom














Oh, the screams when these guys came out.













Peyton and I agreed, it was too loud...and she was sleepy.

















For all you New Kid-ers out there:













Because I'm old and my dates were young, we only have pictures from the first half of the show. Sutton was gracious enough to understand when it was time for all of us to leave. But I secretly think NKOTB has a new 19 year old fan!

It makes me smile

I just love my new header. That picture took a while to get, a long while. There was some complaining, some bickering, some snickering, and some dog poop (don't ask.) But we got it. And I love it. The individual personalities shine through and it makes me smile.

They make me smile.

I love them all so.

A great day

I had such a great day. I got a ton of things accomplished at work. I got a bunch of loose ends tied up about life. I was getting things taken care of at rapid speed. I was on a roll. I was on top of my game.

I was feeling cocky.

I was headed out the door to run an urgent errand at 5:30pm when I realized, I had locked my keys in my car and couldn't leave, couldn't run that urgent errand. I was stuck, stranded.

Dang.

So I get two people to help me. They acted like they didn't mind. They worked and worked at it. It was 108 degrees where we were standing. No kidding. I was literally 108 degrees where we were standing, where I had parked, on the pavement.

It was HOT.

Thirty minutes later they were in; my car door was open. We were all drenched in sweat from standing on 108 degree asphalt trying to open a locked door. I was late for my urgent errand. But I didn't have to call a locksmith; didn't have to pay tons-o-money. I can take care of my urgent errand in the morning.

I had a great day, a really great day.

A slight flair for the theatrical

Ever so slight.

A double blessing

I went to church twice this weekend all because of this man. Inspiring doesn't even begin to describe his story, his life, and his lesson.

It was, well, Incredible

The kids and I wanted to do something fun so we all went to Incredible Pizza Company. We had such a good time. The food was delicious and plentiful, and the games kept everyone busy all night long. Yes!

My day

Slept
Power walk
Work
Shopping
Lunch with daughter
Work
Cocktails at Modern Art Museum
Dinner in rooftop restaurant in downtown Ft. Worth overlooking Sundance Square.

Times, they are a-changing.

Twinkle toes

She can do the Twist.





















She can do the Can-Can.





















She can also just stand there and look pretty.











Bravo. Encore!

Pathetically easy to motivate

I've always hated running. In high school I ran the mile and 2 mile and hated every single second of it. In fact, I remember qualifying for and running in the regional meet for the 2 mile and being so bad that my father was in the stands yelling, "If you'll just finish, I'll buy you an ice cream cone!" It worked. I finished but I swore I would never run unless I had to, like when chasing after a 2 year old running toward the front door in a supermarket. Boy, I can bolt then.

But that's always been about it.

So, for the past few weeks, I've begun running and I am in shock at how far I can now go without throwing up. Granted, I have to start out at a snail's pace to give my knees and ankle time to adjust (i.e., stop killing me) but I can plumb run again! My muscles hurt like crazy and I have to literally make myself climb stairs and not cry like a baby, but I'm running, er, well, jogging and it feels great!

And to motivate/reward myself since Dad's not here to do it: Skinny Cow. (Oh. My. Gosh)

How much?

"I love you this much," we say to each other, raising our arms to the sky as high as they'll go. She laughs and says, "Do again, Mommy!" We repeat...many times. "...this much," and we both giggle.

So much. So very, very much.

He's an "eely" good swimmer

Landon's swimming lessons are over and he's proud to show off his blue ribbon and his certificate. He's an eel which means he can jump in the deep end and swim back, he can float, and he can swim for 15 feet. Actually, he can swim all over a pool and do flips off of the diving board; he just needs some "refining" in using proper swimming techniques.

So I guess Power Ranger ninja moves as you hurl yourself off of the side of a pool don't count as proper techniques.

Whatever.

He still has an eely, eely good time swimming.

Y oh Y

Hayden and Landon have been having a great time at the Y day camp the past few weeks. They play all day long and come home tired. Not too tired, though, as most nights I take them to a local park to run off the last of the wiggles. Last night we went to an after hours event at the Y that we could all participate in. The boys loved showing off to their sisters where they play each day and we all enjoyed a hot dog or two.

Just looking at her makes me smile.





















Some of Hayden's camp buddies.















A pre-swim jog for Peyton and big sis Keaton.





















Hayden's swim test.











"Watch me, Mom!"





















Landon's favorite pool trick...look at those feet!














Hayden told me, "I love this place! It is so AWESOME!"





















Keaton is a wonderful swim partner.





















Three sisters.












Awwww...sweet baby physique.





















We'd been home 20 minutes when I found this:
















Little boys love the Y and mommies do too.

She loves her some Bubba

Top gun

Hayden, trying out his new gun.















Run for cover!






















I can't wait until it's my birthday.

Turning eight is SO great!

Today Hayden turned eight years old. It's a fun age to watch; he's trying so hard to be big and resists vehemently being little.

But he is little...to me.

I'm enjoying the young man he's becoming. His heart is so kind and his demeanor is becoming more gentle. He's leaving the age where he steamrolls through life, demanding and expecting. He sees other's needs now. He recognizes that kindness feels good to receive but giving it feels amazing.

This birthday boy is probably partied out. He's had birthday celebrations here, there, and everywhere.

Superman!













Baby sisters are always willing to help.





















The big gift he's been wanting.













He was pretty thrilled with this one too.





















"I picked the coolest cake EVER, Mom!"





















The icing feels as good as it tastes.





















Guess who was watching and followed suit before I could stop her.

















Happy Birthday sweet boy. I love you from the top of your head to the tips of your toes. I am so proud to call you mine.

We. are. family. I've got all my sisters (and mother and daughter) with me

Normally, my days are not my own. And never do I do anything that doesn't involve at least one of my children but usually many more. So you can imagine what a treat it was to spend a little adult time with my sisters, Gina and Krista, my mom, and my oldest daughter, Sutton (See, I always have at least one child around!).

We were cheap: we ate before we left and then had one drink each (nope, not 19 year old Sutton) and sadly for her, us old fogies called it a night before 11. But it was fun while it lasted and I'm back to mommy duty, where I'm really at home.

Sutton, Krista and I on the ride there.
















Fast-face novices no more.
















Sister, Gina, looking beautiful.














Naunie flanked by her girls.

Camp: It does a Mommy good

I dropped these two pretty girls off at church this morning at 6:30am to catch buses for youth camp in Oklahoma for five days. They were excited. So excited I don't think Keaton even went to sleep last night. So excited Reagan got up at 5am without me having to nag her. They cleaned their room, I mean really cleaned it. So excited they couldn't eat breakfast. They didn't argue or complain. They were patient and kind. They smiled.

Youth camp only happens once a year.

Too bad.

Happily waterlogged

More birthday celebrating was done at this really amazing water park that truly had something for everyone. I think Hayden come up to us once the entire time we were there while Landon probably stopped by twice; they stayed so busy playing.

This is a brand new place.






















Hayden hated loved getting dumped on.


















Peyton wanted Reagan to keep moving.













"I'm not sure about this at all."





















"On second thought, Weeeeeeeee!"





















Reagan guiding Landon through the not-so-lazy river.













"Uh oh,...water's coming!"















This woman (my mom) has four children and 13 grandchildren. I'll have whatever she's having.

Sprinkle mania

An afternoon at a local "Sprinkle Park" was just what we needed when the temperature inched toward 100 degrees. This outing was one of several activities scheduled to celebrate Hayden's impending 8th birthday and was such fun for all...even those of us unwilling to run about and get drenched. The fuddy-duddies in the group did, however, enjoy the cool mist and the frequent errant sprays that helped with the rising temps.

In the beginning, Peyton wasn't so sure.


















Hayden found things a little colder than he expected.














"Brrrr...Hold me, Keaton!"





















Landon found the best way to keep warm.














Peyton soon followed suit and wouldn't stop...




















...except for the frequent hi-fives to Naunie















No one was exempt from his attempts to drench.





















"Finally, my turn. Who will I shoot first?"





















"HA!"

















One last pic before we left. I love, love, LOVE this photo.

Too tired to blog

But can't help thinking:


















Deep thoughts.

Silliest sisters

We just got back from a fun weekend and I have tons of pictures to edit. As I was looking through them, these three pictures jumped off of the screen for me as I couldn't stop giggling at my two sweet girls and their persistent goofiness.

Keaton (11) and her mini-me, Peyton (2).















She does whatever big sister says.













And loves her like no other.

Dental decisiveness

Dentist: "So, Hayden, would you like the spearmint or bubble gum flavor?"

Hayden: "Hmmmm...I'm not sure. What do other kids get?"

Dentist: "The smaller kids usually choose the bubble gum flavor, while big kids usually ask for the spearmint."

Hayden (who had announced numerous times that day that he couldn't wait to get bubble gum flavoring): "Well, I am a big kid and I'll bet I'd really like the spearmint just like those other big kids, who are big like me..."

Dentist (so patiently): "Okay..."

Hayden: "But I'm thinking maybe it would be better for me to choose the bubble gum flavor even though I'm not a little kid (actually I am really big!) but since you probably use a lot of bubble gum flavoring with the little kids, I'll go ahead and choose that. I'm definitely going to choose spearmint next time, though, because I'm almost eight years old but people tell me all the time I look like I'm ten. Right Mom? And I know spearmint is what I should choose, being big and all, but bubble gum is really good so I'll probably just go with that even though I'm probably too big for it.

Dentist (long pause): "Soooooo it's the bubble gum then?"

Hayden (smiling ear-to-ear): "Yes, bubble gum, definitely bubble gum."

Proud to flush

She's proud.

She is using the "big girl potty" several times a day. She wipes, she flushes and she tells me when it's time to go again...I think, just so she can flush again.

But whatever works.

She squeals (and flushes) and high-fives (and flushes) and runs around telling everyone who will listen (and then she flushes again).






















"Awwww...it's nothing really."





















I tinkle and I flush and I flush and I flush some more!





















Mom is feeling pretty proud too.

Now about all that flushing...

Bathing beauty

Every day she begs to go swimming. Just about every day I take her, if for no other reason than to watch her walk around and look adorable.

A sure sign of a good camp

What I found on the couch tonight at 7:40pm.













You can't help but to steal kisses off of those sweet cheeks.












"Wake up, Bubba, let's play!"

Day camp delirium

Hayden (7) and Landon (5) began their summer day camp today. There was no keeping them in bed past 6am this morning so I just gave in and got up. After breakfast they grabbed their backpacks and patiently not-so-patiently waited for me to get ready. I took them to the camp area and they both squealed with delight, running off.

There was swimming and tons of games and adventure. The lead camp counselor told me this afternoon how impressed she was with Hayden's disposition. (Who is this boy and what have they done with my son?)

BFFEEE (Best Friends for Ever and Ever and Ever)

Sutton, Maeli and Rachel have been best friends since the fifth grade. It has been a joy to watch over the years as these three girls matured into beautiful young women. Even though we moved away years ago, they make sure they get together during school breaks; Maeli and Rachel visiting Sutton here in DFW this weekend. Now, at 19 years old, these girls are still a joy and a pleasure to be around. Sutton is so blessed to have such wonderful friends.


















Another of Sutton's friends, Courtney, joined the girls last night.













A mom couldn't pick better friends for her daughter.

Summer's here!

Our first day of summer has been great! We hope yours is too.

It's a clubhouse. It's a slide. It's a BED!

Hayden and Landon love their new bed almost as much as their little sister does. You can hide out, you can slide down, and you can sleep tight. The space theme is just icing for two little boys.

Scholarly beginnings

She's 25 months old and she's talking...a lot. In her own sweet little voice she's telling me stories and describing the events. She tattles on her siblings and details each transgression. Today she and I were walking out of a business when she looked at me and said, "Who were you talking to?" I was so surprised to hear the complete sentence that I repeated to her, "Who was I talking to?" She responded very matter-of-factly, "Yes, on the phone."

While we were waiting our turn for an appointment, I gave her a small notebook and a pen to keep her occupied, hoping for a few minutes of not chasing after her. She sat in my lap and doodled wrote for a good ten minutes, repeating the letter sounds I gave her. After our appointment she asked to write again in her car seat, jotting "words" down as she spoke the sounds we had gone over; she did so for another ten minutes until we got to our next destination. When we got home she crawled right up into a chair at the dinning room table and got busy again.

It may be about time for her own blog.