Oil change?

Today I had to take the van in to get an oil change. Of course the only place they had to wait was a small little room with 5 chairs and a water cooler, my worse nightmare. So we went across the street were there was an open courtyard and a pavilion for shade. We had a little picnic and then some play time. And I had some play time with my camera. It was just as fun for me to take pictures of the children as it was for them to play. I had fun trying new things and just finding the perfect pose to capture. I'm trying to get better. And I even messed with the color and things for a fun look. I think my camera has become my # 1 accessory! All of this while waiting for the oil to be changed!

Did you know? Backwards is in!

So today was like any other day. I Had a lot to do and not enough time to do it. I normally help Kelland to get dressed but today I asked him to just try it on his own. He first came out with just his under-roos on and immediately I noticed that they were backwards. My thought? Apparently I could not leave this for him to do. No matter I'll get to it soon. But not soon enough!! A proud kelland came from his bedroom, so happy with himself and announcing to everybody that he had done it!! Not only was his underwear backwards, but his shirt AND shorts were backwards as well. The whole ensemble!?! Backwards!! How does that happen!?! Just makes me smile. And the complete joy of accomplishment on his face is priceless. Of course I had to document it. Being 4 can be so challenging sometimes. I need times like these to help remind me of that. He is so sweet and adorable. I'm so lucky! It's a mom moment for sure.

Superbowl Champs!!!!

Well we made it to the play offs and then to the Super Bowl. The game was close with us just scoring one goal in the first 15 min of the game. The rest of the game was spent playing real good defense from both teams. He was so excited to win. And he proudly displays his trophy and shows it to anybody that walks in our door. If anything, this experience has help to prove even more that he was born to play football for the rest of his life! Or so HE thinks. We'll just have to see about that!!! He played really good defense and got a lot of flags. Notice the red flag in his hand. We were so proud of him. I think he improved most on being a more aggressive defensive player this season.
In this game not only did he play quarterback but he also played the receiver position. A couple of pictures of that. Just click on the picture to see it better.

And then the celebration!!! It was so neat to be there with him to celebrate. Lets face it, if daddy were here it would have been him that he was jumping up to. I think for me that was the best part of the game. And I want to thank my friend Megan for being there to take pictures for me. Otherwise I never would have gotten this picture. I almost didn't put it in because it's not the most flattering picture but his hug says it all to me and I will cherish it always. The rest of the day was filled with rounds of "We are the Champions" and big, big smiles. Of course the coach got drenched with Gatorade and then the award ceremony. Each of them received a super bowl champion trophy. All so wonderful and memorable. He will never forget this! I just know it!!

My Riverfest weekend!

Here in Little Rock Arkansas, over Memorial Day weekend, they have a big party down by the river called Riverfest. Yes, I know, very original. It's a lot of fun with big concerts, carnival like games, activities and way over priced food. It lasts all weekend long and on the last night they end the festivities with a fireworks show. Well I got all excited because One Republic was coming to give a concert there on Saturday. So I asked one of my really good friends Krista, if she would like to join me for what I was anticipating to be an awesome concert. She was just as excited as I was and we both really couldn't wait. First we decided to go out to eat at a restaurant before getting there because the food is to expensive and just plain bad for you at the Riverfest. ( you know carnival food, Yuck!) We started hours earlier then the concert so we new we would have plenty of time. But you can't get girls together without chatting the night away which we almost did. Girls never grow up either I guess. So we were off to the concert. We did everything backwards. Paying to much for parking, parking on the wrong side of the river, walking the longest rout to the concert, cell phones not working, pee brakes along the way,(Krista and her water obsession. Seriously this girl can drink! LOL) it's a wonder we ever got there. Finnally we made it and just in time, so we thought. But there was a huge crowd already and it seemed like they had been playing for awhile. All well, We weaseled our way through the crowd to get to a spot that we could actually see them and plopped a squat. I took pictures of the concert but none of them came out. Bummer! It was a great concert, even better then I thought it would be. They were all so talented. And after the concert our trend of doing everything backwards continued until we were out of there. The funny thing is that we both agreed that we wanted to bring our kids back the next day to watch the fireworks. We must of had a good time because even writing that sounds crazy. But the next night we piled 6 kids in the van and headed back. Now for some reason i took plenty of pictures this night even though to me the best part of the weekend was the concert and being with Krista. But this was fun too. It reminded me of how wonderful and care free it is to be a kid. down by the river where they were setting off the fireworks was a brand new kids area. It was so new that half of it was still blocked off for construction. But the water fountains were up and running. And to a kid how can you resist that! Even though we were not prepared for a water extravaganza, we agreed to let them run and play and have all the fun a child should. THIS was actually FREE! As a kid I could see this night as being so magical. Fountains shooting out of the ground while burst of color shoot up in to the sky nearly over our heads. Sometimes I wish I was a kid again just to have that magic feeling one more time. It was truly a great weekend. I was actually taking a picture of Kelland but Layton was trying to be funny. He kept doing this several time. After the first time it's just not funny any more. A lesson that is hard to learn for some. Your so silly Layton!
Jaren is just a cute kid. he loves to play in water so this was the best night ever for him! Water just shooting out of the ground! How can we do this at our house?! I just wanted to put a picture up of the magical fountains. Kelland: "Where does it come from mom?"

And then the fireworks. This was Brigham's favorite part. He's not to fond of getting wet so for him this was the part that intrigued him the most.

Jeren Watching the fireworks under a cozy blanket. I'm glad we brought them.



I think it's quit obvious what he needs help with in this picture however, just five seconds after this picture was taken I looked over to find a bare butt and a stream of, well, you guessed it. I was horrified and several adults were chuckling at our expense. Classic Kelland. Lesson learned Mom? Probably not!

Happy Birthday Kelland!!

This picture was taken on Kellands first birthday 3 years ago. Wasn't he the cutest with his curly locks. It's amazing how much can change in just 3 years with kids. He looks so grown up now. He will be starting prekindergarten in the fall. They just don't seem to be home long enough before they start to become more independent and leave the nest, so to speak. Out of all my children he's the least independent. Not because he's hesitant or scared but just because he's happy and content where he is now. He was my easiest baby. So cute and laid back. He took his time to do everything. Again, not because he was slow but because he was in no rush to get there. And he still is that way. I can't get him to move quick enough to get anywhere. Life is on his time and he can't be rushed. He is the kindest most loving child. Giving hugs and kisses out to anyone who shows him the least bit of kindness. He loves to sing and dance. And loves to play with his brothers. He loves play-doh and begs me to buy him some every time we are at the store. I usually give in because it's only 59 cents for one and it keeps him quite. But he doesn't play with it as much as you would think. He just carries it around with him all day and you will find it in his arms as he falls asleep at night. He actually does the same thing with water balloons. He'll beg me to fill it up for him and I do just enough to have it expand a bit but not enough for it to explode and he carries it around and will sleep with it at night. Kind of corky, but so sweet. He loves to laugh and be tickled. And has a smile that will melt your heart.
Because Kelland loves Play-Doh so much I decided to have a Play-Doh at the Park party. I have a really good friend who made this beautiful cake that looked like it was made out of play-dah. The kids kept asking me if they could really eat it. The Cake however didn't like the 90% humidity and was starting to slide to one side. It didn't matter, it was still very delicious. Silly mommy forgot the matches so we had to pretend that the candles were lite. But he still blew them out like they were. That's so funny! I love his face in all of these pictures. He looks so happy. I hope it's one he'll always remember.

Kellands doing his favorite things..........Being with friends and playing with Play-Doh!
HAPPY 4TH BIRTHDAY KELLAND!!!!