Ryland turns 8

It is hard to believe my baby is already 8!  He is a total sweetheart and very athletic. He enjoys hunting, playing in the dirt, jiu jitsu, and everything Minecraft.  Happy Birthday, Ryland! 

Playdate with Ryder

Ridley had her buddy, Ryder, over to play today.  They had a great time upstairs in the gameroom.  We had a tent set up, so they jumped in and giggled for hours.  They played with the roller coaster and all the random toys.  They found new uses and games for the stuff laying around the room.  I love their imagination. 

Reed loses another tooth

My goodness!  Reed has lost another tooth!  He is now missing both lower front teeth.  Cha Ching!

Reed lost a tooth

Reed is going to be looking for the tooth fairy tonight.  He lost his lower right baby tooth, and he is pumped. 

School Celebration

These boys!  Before running off to play on the playground for recess, we celebrated Reed's birthday with cookies and singing.  

Reed turns 6

Our sweet Reed turned 6.  Loving, kind, silly, and playful.  Reed still loves to cuddle and is always up for any kind of sports. He is incredibly smart and is often doing his own thing. 

Baseballl Opening Day 2017

Here goes nothing!  All three are playing baseball this season!  Let's go Dragons!

Dollar Days

Ryland participated in the second grade Dollar Days at Old Union.  He had to start a business and sell services or goods to his classmates.  There were several great ideas, and  the kids loved his.  He sold a turn at Nintendo for $4 Dragon Dollars.  The boys lined up to take a turn at one of the many games he had available.

Ryland spent the bulk of his money at his buddy, Alexa's, booth.  He purchased an arm full of loom bracelets. 

Ridley also enjoyed some of the fun.  She purchased hair coloring.

The blonde hair is now multi-colored!

Donuts with Mom

It was a busy, hectic, and early morning!  I enjoyed donuts with my three precious kiddos before Ryland and Reed headed to class.  The cafe was packed and the line was long for official photos, so we improvised with one of the donut inflatables and an empty corner.  Happy Friday!

Brother

Ryland has always been sweet and protective.  Today we were at Reed's baseball practice, when they wanted to go play at the park.  Ryland's buddy, Alexa, was there, and they play really well together.  I told Ryland he could go to the park with Alexa, and then Ridley chimed in that she wanted to go too.  Ryland spoke up that he would watch out for her and make sure she was OK.  I caught this picture as the three of them crossed the street heading to the park.  I love how Ryland is holding Ridley's hand.  Love seeing their sweet friendship.  

Boy Style Craft

Ryland and John Chris made a paper AR today.  They worked on it for hours and followed the YouTube instructions very carefully, and Ryland is thrilled with the final product.  This is a boy craft at its best!

OWAN

OWAN is finally here, and I am excited for it to be over.  The past couple months have been exhausting but so much fun!  This is the biggest fundraiser for the school, and I had the best committee.  

We had a fantastic turnout for the party, and everyone seemed to have a blast.  This is one of my favorite parts of this event - seeing everyone coming together.  

Kelsey, Vicki, & Abby were so much fun to work with on this event.  We all had our different challenges, but we all worked together to pull off a record breaking night.

And this is the end of the night when Jessica really cut loose.  Fireball!  

Bus Stop

Our bus stop is pretty entertaining when our neighbor joins with drinks.  Tommy is a total nut that loves to mix drinks.  Jessica and I get to be his taste testers while we wait for our children to get off the bus.  He has no shame, and other non-bus riding moms stop and ask to join.  It is all in good fun, and no serious drinking takes place.

Superhero Birthday Party

Ridley enjoyed a Superhero party to celebrate one of her classmate's birthday.  She chose to dress as Wonder Woman, and she loved it!  The party had a surprise guest stop in to say hello.  Superman came to celebrate, too!

Elmo Makes Music

Ridley and I had tickets to Elmo Makes Music in Grand Prairie.  It was a fun date with my little lady, but I was a little nervous.  Ridley is scared to death of mascots or anyone dressed up in some sort of full coverage costume.  She made a scene at a Chuck E Cheese birthday not long ago, and I promised myself I would get her over it.  

Today, I learned that cotton candy and a little dancing can change the fear.  We danced and sang along to the show, and when the characters came out to the audience, Ridley was thrilled!  One of them came up and talked to her, and she didn't freak out.  I am so proud of my big girl!

OUES Celebrates Valentines' Day

The Valentine parties at OUES were great this year!  Lots of candy, games, and crafts with lots of friends. 

The boxes were created in half the time as previous years, and they turned out perfect.  The boys' friends and teachers thought they were awesome.

The treats were a big hit with the friends, but the teachers were happy to see them go home.  Hahaha!  Score!

CHCS Valentine Party

Ridley had a sweet little Valentine party at Chapel Hill.  She was all smiles as she decorated her heart cookie and chatted with her friends.

One of her best buddies is Cade.  They have been in the same class for two years, and they get along really well.  He is a rough and tumble boy, and she is used to crazy boys.  

Ridley and I worked ahead of time to make these heart shaped crayons.  I don't know how many more years these will be our go to treat, but they were perfect for another year.  I enjoy the time that we spend together making these little treasures.  

When it came to posing for a picture, Ridley played shy.  She is a silly mess, and she looked adorable.

Sweet Siblings

I love when the little ones are quiet and sweet to one another.  Tonight it took a little Lion Guard to calm them down and get them still.  We found them all in our bed intently tuned in to the television. 

Time with Grand Pops

We all had a great time visiting with Grand Pops, but before he could leave, we had to take some photos.  Sweet and then silly.

The Ranch

Grand Pop was in town visiting, so we took him out to the ranch to do a little hunting.   I really should say a little shooting, because there was absolutely no danger to the wildlife.  We put out lots of stinky pig treats and rode around the property on the mule.  Ryland loves it out here, and I could see him living out in the country when he gets older.  This is definitely his element.

While we were riding around on the mule, we came across several wild hogs.  John Chris and Grand Pop jumped off the mule and took aim.  A few shots later it was clear that the hogs were lucky and escaped without harm.  I am not sure about these shooters or their guns.  A little more target practice may be needed.  

I sat on the porch with my boy, Ryland, and we talked about life, hunting, and sports.  I am reminded how fast he is growing up.  

3 Year Well Check

Ridley had a great well check this morning.  She weighs 30 pounds 8 ounces which is in the 50-75%.  She is tall at 38.75 inches and in the 84 percentile.  Her head is 20 inches and 91%.  Her stats remind me of her oldest brother, tall with a big head.  Love it!

Jump Rope for Heart 2017

Old Union had another successful Jump Rope for Heart raising thousands of dollars for the cause.  The boys had fun getting better at jump roping and showed off some great skills.  Ryland was so much better at jumping this year.  He showed off with some glow in the dark jump roping.

Reed did awesome!  For his first year, I was blown away by his skills.  He is light years ahead of Ryland two years ago.  There are definitely advantages to being the second child.  

Monster Jam 2017

We continued the monster truck tradition, but this year we watched from a suite.  It was a fancy change from previous years, but it was still a great time.  The children had a blast playing with one another and pigging out!  The freestyle competition was a little lack luster, but we will be back next year.

100 Days Smarter

It is the 100th day of school.  Ryland celebrated by dressing up like an old man.  

Urban Air Take Over

Ryland's class won the top earner for the Dragon Dash.  For their reward, they all were rewarded with a class party at Urban Air

Reed also enjoyed the fun with his friend, Molly.  Ridley was too fast and crazy for me to catch.