A Four Year Old Feast

Raelee had her Thanksgiving feast at school Friday. They made Indian t-shirts, hats and did a craft. They sang a couple of songs, in which I learned Raelee is never going to be shy. I can't imagine where she gets that from. This child thinks she is destined to be the next American Idol...who knows....maybe so. I just don't want to have to wait in line for 2 days on a sidewalk somewhere, waiting to try out! Anyway, back to Thanksgiving....They all had Indian names, and of course Raelee's was "Running Horse". They had a mini feast, preschool style, and did a precious prayer. She loves school so much and is so upset that she's out all week! I will have to keep little "Running Horse" entertained until she can reunite with her best friend, Emmie.

Making a beautiful craft.Raelee and Mrs. Becca

Tiger Lily, Pocahantas, Running Horse, and Princess Flower
Raelee and her best friend, Emmie.

Are You Ready To Get Your Jingle On?

I have been tagged to answer this question....Are you ready to get your jingle on?

I absolutely LOVE the holiday season. It's like time stands still for the month of December and everything seems magical. Here are a few of my favorite things about Christmas.

1) I love Black Friday! (day after Thanksgiving) Lisa and I get our wind suits and Starbucks and hit the stores at 5am. We have such a blast and it just kicks off the holiday.

2) Going to Songs of the Season and getting in the Christmas spirit and what it's all about.

3) Walking in stores and restaurants and hearing Christmas music everywhere and everyone being in the giving spirit.

4) Sitting in the living room at night and our house being lit by the beautiful tree and the many lights outside. (although, we'll see how many decorations we get up this year with Colt man running the house!)

5) I love the treats that everyone bakes and brings over to share. (notice I said everyone, I'm not Betty Crocker...remember)

6) Wearing our matching pjs and seeing Raelee's face come around the corner Christmas morning. This year I'll have 2 munchkins fighting to get to the tree first!

7) Getting lots of Christmas cards and seeing everyones family and how they've grown....keep um coming guys.

8) Sitting by the fire and watching Christmas movies and drinking hot chocolate.

9) Going with the whole family to Christmas in Roseland.

10) Last, but not least......The most wonderful thing, is being so fortunate to spend the holidays with my entire family. What a blessing that we are all together and get to share these memories every year.

So the answer to the question is....ABSOLUTELY....I'm ready to get my jingle on!
The people I tag next are: Carrie, Deann, and Michelle B.

True Fashionista

My little Raelee LOVES to dress up. Mostly in her princess and ballerina costumes, but every once in a while she raids my closet while I'm getting ready. Here is a combination that she came up with this week. Red shoes, gold belt, Brad's brown belt, pink sweats, and a pink wrap. Oh, and don't forget the many butterfly clips in her hair and big shiny lips from the layers of gloss she has on. Her pretend name on this particular day was "fashion sense"......go figure! She is always cracking me up. I NEVER know what is going to come out of her mouth. Look out fashion world.....Fashion Sense is on her way!
P.S. Don't ask why I had butterfly clips and a gold belt....who knows?

More Meds = More Poop

So I took Colton back yesterday for a recheck of his white count. It had gone down from 30k to 22k. Still high, but better. His doctor looked at his ears and said that one was bulging and had puss....ear infection. She felt like that was more the reason for the high white count than the spot on the xray. We caught that early enough that she's not concerned with him having pneumonia. Another shot of antibiotics and some more to take by mouth at home. Needless to say, little Colt Man was not a happy camper. He slept all night and had a really good day today, besides the fact of me changing his diaper every hour. Let's just say, the antibiotics are giving us a whole other issue....yuck! Raelee feels tons better and went back to school today. She cried and begged to go yesterday, but I made her stay home one more day to make sure. By noon I knew that I was not going to make that mistake again. She was bouncing off the walls and going stir crazy. Sick in our home does not mean P.J.s and quiet time!
Hope everyone else is getting rid of their yucky stuff too : )

My Poor Little Munchkins

To make a long story short..... Raelee and Colton have had this nasty cough for about a week, that the whole city seems to have. I've had them on medicine, but no luck. Last night Colton spiked a temp and felt crummy all day. When the child didn't eat breakfast and just wanted to go back to sleep, I new it was doctor time. So I gathered enough incentive to take him to the doctor, and I'm so glad I did. His blood count was sky high, he had a spot on his lungs, which is the beginning of Pneumonia. They gave him a shot of antibiotics and I have to take him back tomorrow to have his blood count checked again. While at the doctor with Colton, mom calls, and says that Raelee is complaining of an earache. Now, she has only been to the doctor twice in her whole life for sick visits, so when she says she doesn't feel good, something is usually wrong. Well, mom brought her up there to me and they checked her ears. Sure enough, she had an ear infection. So there I am, sweating to death from fighting with a sick 16mo old and try to console a pitiful 4yr old. Poor Raelee was hurting so bad, I felt so sorry for her, and Colton was just ready to get the heck out of dodge. We left with suckers, band aids and hopes that new medicine will work. They are now both tucked away in bed and hopefully we'll have a good night. Say a little prayer that Colton's visit goes well tomorrow.

A Trip To Kid City And The Fire Station

My church has built this incredible new area for the youth called "Kid City". It's an amazing place for all ages. They have a separate party room, an arcade, theatre, and a HUGE indoor play gym. Also, don't let me forget to mention, the Starbucks Cafe. Yep, they thought of everything. I took the kids yesterday to let them play a while. I have talked to Raelee about having her birthday there, but I can't make her understand that she won't have to go to her Sunday school class at her birthday party. Needless to say, after getting to go..... just to play, she is certain this is where we are having her party. Here are a few pics. There aren't very many because I spent most of the time chasing Colton.......go figure....and Raelee was climbing up top the whole time!

Next, we went to visit Brad at the fire station. He was working inside the airport, which was right down the street, so the kids were excited to go. Brad took them on his big "green" firetruck (they have special ones at the airport). Raelee kept asking where the "red" was. Colton was obsessed with the steering wheel, and just wanted to drive. Brad pulled the truck outside and showed them how the water squirted out of the front. They loved it! Raelee thought it was so cool that we were right next to all the airplanes. Thanks daddy for a tour of the big green monster! Maybe Colton will be giving tours in his future : )

One things for sure, they were ready for a good nap!

Just Us

I Will Love You FOREVER

Mimi and Aunt Peggy came over to mom's today to visit for a while before they headed back to Hot Springs. We started watching old movies from when Kevin and I were little. As I watched the movies with my beautiful Great Grandmother and my handsome Papa, I was so thankful that my mom had captured these memories. She was so wonderful about documenting everything about our lives. My "Papa" was someone I loved with all my heart. He was not just a grandfather to me, he was like a second father. Every trip we took, every holiday we celebrated, him and Mimi were right there with us. He passed away at age 54, 2 months before my senior graduation. It was truly God that helped me through it, because I honestly don't know how I made it. One of the men I loved most, was taken from me in an instant. I know that he would be so proud of me today and the wife, and mother I have become. I thought all afternoon about how he would love being with the kids and taking them places. How he would share stories with Raelee about me and want to give Colton a fishing pole for Christmas. He would be the proudest "Papa". I miss him so much still today, it hurts. There's never a Hank Williams Jr., or Creedance Clearwater song that comes on, that doesn't make me think of riding in the front seat of his truck all the way to Lake Bistineau. One thing that does make me happy though, is how strong my Mimi has been. She is a rock for our family, and my kids are so blessed to have her in their lives. She is one of my best friends and has been there like a mother for me. Life was not easy being a widow so young, but Mimi, you have done and amazing job. I love you so much and think God for you everyday. I know Papa is looking down on us..... and we are making him proud.

Calling All Units

My little fireman and his trusty dalmatian were in full force for Halloween. We live in the greatest neighborhood for kids to score some major candy. All the neighbors "tailgate" down by the street so the kiddos don't have to go to each house and ring the doorbell. (I honestly think it's more so that we don't have to keep opening the door and letting mosquitoes in....duh Louisiana!) We had my parents, Kevin, Alisha and Alyssa, Mimi, and the Burrows over for our annual Halloween get together. Colton and Alyssa took their usual spot in the wagon, while Raelee skipped along from house to house. Alisha and I kept laughing at how cute she looked from behind with her little tail wagging as she bopped along. She was so excited and had such a good time. I never got a pic of Colton with his fire helmet on. He wears it all over the house, but why on earth would I expect that he would wear it with his actual costume? Go figure! We added bows to Raelee ears and gems to the collar to make it a "girl" dog. We had a really good time, and the kids were totally pooped. I just LOVE Halloween! The Candy MonstersRaelee and Grandmother on a missionThe poodle cleaning her paws Colton saw the fire truck

Raelee and Josh Our sweet little puppy Colton didn't last as long as sissy

Just Call Me Betty.....

....Crocker that is! I had the month of October to bring the treats for the Halloween party at Raelee's school. Raelee could not find just the right recipe she wanted to create.....or actually she found too many and could not decide. Well, this is what we came up with and it was a huge hit. I always make her sandwiches in cookie cutter shapes, depending on the holiday, so we used those to make "Orange Jello Pumpkins". Then, we made "Boo Brownies" using brownies, marshmallows and white icing. Not too shabby for a non-baker like myself. We had fun with our creations and Raelee was soooo proud of her work! Good Job Rae : )

P.S. Mommy had fun too....I see lots of fun baking toys in our future!

A Fun Fall Festival

O.K., so I'm a little behind on all the fun things we did for Halloween/fall. We all had a turn with the yuck stomach bug this week, so it was kind of nuts. I'm going to start with last weekend with the Grace Community Church Fall Festival we went to. Mom and Dad had Alyssa, so we decided to take her, Raelee, and Colton to this great festival down the street from us. They had inflatables, games, and trunk-or-treat for the kids. Raelee was so excited and she had so much fun. I was really impressed with all the fun things they had for the kids, and how organized it was. Mom helped Raelee with all the games and candy, while Dad pulled the little ones in the wagon. I managed the snacks and pics. Yep....it took all three of us! Colton and Alyssa had fun just watching everyone running around.....or it may have been the fact that I kept them full of snacks the whole time. Either way, they had fun! Here are a few of the pics.... PawPaw on "Wagon Patrol"

Alyssa liked the Oreos....

...and so did Colton

Oreos make you thirsty

Raelee on the monster slide

Wild girl with the ping pong ball

Her beautiful sand cross she made

The "Girlies"

This is them in "true" form: Raelee fake smiling until the babies look at the camera, Alyssa cheezin, and Colton doing anything he can to not look at the camera.....gosh we love these little rug rats!

I will post the rest of our Halloween parties over the next few nights....happy reading!