Kensington's Birthday Pool Party

Kensington had two girlfriends from school over for swimming and a slumber. This was everyone all together before the party began. The two little girls are friends from downstairs. 

Isabella

We had pizza delivered to the pool and then had watermelon! Yummy.

Braelyn

Bell 

Kensington always finds a puppy friend wherever we go. 

Kensi, Taylor and Sarah

This child on the right in the tight green suit was a demon child. His dad was having a bbq on the outside of the fence. He was running amuck poolside. He would push the girls in and take toys from other kids. He came over and took a piece of our pizza then came back for seconds. He made my three hours at the pool not so relaxing. 

I could write how his father behaved when he joined green child in the pool but I will spare you the details. Let's just say, this child behaves the way he does for a reason! 

ANYWAY! Glad the girls had fun and I am so glad that one birthday is down! Happy Birthday Ken!

P.S. I did NOT give him seconds on the pizza ;)

Cali and Bella Birthday Celebration

Cali and Bella will be turning 8 and 6 next week but we needed to do their "Ditch School Day to go out to lunch with mom" this week due to next week being the last week of school and having multiple programs going on. 

Here is them skipping out of class...

They decided they wanted to go to IT'Z for lunch and fun! They were each going to get their own day but they wanted to do it together. So sweet! 

Getting ready to ride the roller coaster. Notice their matching outfits- they planned it.

On the bounce house. 

After eating a brownie. 

Sisters

This was so random. We had gotten our lunch and had set it on a table while we went to fill our drinks up. As we were doing so this man approached me and asked if the girls would pull a name for a drawing they were having for the elderly to win a cruise. I said sure and so we went with this man (while our food got nice and cold) and they were able to participate in this. It was really neat! Here is a video of the girls. This man (Mr. Buddy) is on the Christian Radio here in Houston and he lets Cali pull the name first and then Bella pulls a surprise second name! I was hoping I could go on that cruise but my name didn't get in that mix. :( 

The girls and I had a great day eating, playing and shopping! Happy Early Birthday to my BIG baby girls. 

A Relaxing Day

After church the girls and I went for a drive out in the country to look at some houses. It was so gorgeous. I am a real country girl at heart. We ended up in a neighborhood and we got out to play for a bit. After reading the post from Friday maybe you all can relate to why I loved this neighborhood so much. The first three names of the streets are: Leisure Lane, Idle Lane and Lazy Lane. Yes please. Sign me up! Today my friend, Alona, invited us to go to Surfside Beach with her and her friends. It was so fun! Truly, I loved sitting there and doing nothing. The girls had a good ol' time! 

Kensington building a sand castle. She poured her bubbles in to make it extra sticky. 

Kensington and Braelyn eating lunch. 

Susannah and Kim making Braelyn into a mermaid. 

The most beautiful mermaid ever!

Kensington found a new friend. 

This is a fish head. Do any of you remember the song: Fish head, fish head, roly poly fish head. Fish head, fish head, eat 'em up. Yum! ??? That's what comes to mind when I see this picture. 

Bella and Cali snacking in the back of the car. Look at these humongous Cheeto Puffs. I got more pics of these two girls but none of them turned out great. :(

I am not a fan of the way my hair looks in this pic but I had a good time! I went in the water which is a rarity! haha 

I thought this was funny. This is what I found after one of my girls used the potty when we got home! Who doesn't love the beach?? 

I just don't want to have to go back to all the responsibility tomorrow. Can anybody fix that for me... 

How Would You Describe Me?

I am filling out an application for something bizarre and it asks how my friends would describe me. So... how would you??? 

Rant & Rave

Today has been IN!!! TENSE!!!! For those of you who may suffer from anxiety it is best for you to log off before reading on…

My "To Do"

Last night I had finished this board for a birthday party Brae was going to today right after school. I put the finishing touches on it and it was ready to be wrapped when I had the genius thought to check and make sure the name was spelled correctly. To my dismay we left out the second “e” in Kimberley. Ohhh Awesome!! So, this morning not only did I wake up to a filthy dirty, messy place but I also woke up to the remembrance of needing to re-do this board (the 2nd re-do this week)! After I drove the girls to school (Gleannloch Trip #1 for the day) I came home and did the dishes, cleaned up the dog pee and poo from the previous night, and picked up the house a bit. Then, I read scriptures, and went to work out. I am only going to get to run 3 times this week due to how hectic it is and that’s one thing that I am not willing to give up. After that, I made some phone calls for someone special and ended up giving myself 10 whole minutes to bathe and get out the door to go visiting teaching. (Gleannloch Trip #2). Still making phone calls on the drive there as well. J After visiting I returned to the girls’ school (ate with Bell yesterday there) for lunch with child #2,3 and 4. Took these pics

You will not find a picture of Kensington with me because she never will sit by me when I come. This is her from across the cafeteria. She is second from right at that far table (in black). Sometimes I get my feelings hurt but I truly believe that she doesn't want to sit by me due to some mental issues she used to have with separation anxiety. She told me later today that when she sees me her stomach hurts and she doesn't want to have to go home with me. She also wouldn't take a pic with me though (and that was due to embarrassment!)

On the way home from the school I stopped by a friend’s house to talk to her about doing some vinyl in her home. Finally got back home right at 2 and had an hour before I had to go get the girls. I went on the patio and sanded the old paint off the sign for Brae’s gift. After you finish the board like I had, it leaves the letters imprinted in the old paint. I painted over even though you could still see the old letters. I switched some laundry over, folded a load of laundry from yesterday, returned a call and discovered I needed to drop something off down the street for a different order I am working on, and took my puppa out to go potty. Then, it was time to tell Blake bye as he stopped to pick something up(he's leaving town for 9 days :(  and then puppa and I were off to pick up the girls from the escuela (Gleannloch Trip #3). We then went to Sonic to get my new favorite drink, the Mango Limeade (yummy!) and to the Trophy Store to drop that thing off. While I was there I got a phone call from Braelyn… “Mom, are you going to be done with that board because we need it by 5:00). It was after 3:30 at this point and I hadn’t even started the vinyl yet! So, I got back home at 4:00 and went to work. After I finished hers up and it was drying (I hated it bc you could still see the old letters behind the new ones… uuggh!!) (as a side note- I use ribbon to tie around each board when they are done. Yesterday at Wal Mart I picked up my sheer black ribbon. When I went to tie it on the board I found it wasn’t too black at all. It was Navy! Perfect for this day haha) I finished a board Bella is giving as a gift tomorrow! And started a proof for an order for a good friend of mine. Then, it was 5:15 and time to take Brae the gift (Gleannloch Trip #4). We got home and I was able to breathe a little bit and did some more house work and wrote down all my ideas for this blog. Then we left at a quarter til 7 to drop Kensington off at her friend’s house (Gleannloch Trip #5). Holy Smokes!! Now Bella, Cali and I are at Burger King eating a nice dinner together. Well, they are playing on the machine while I type this out. I have to go home and finish up two more things that I need by tomorrow by 10am. That’s when I pick up the girls and then head to a bridal shower for a woman who ALWAYS supports me along with her amazing sister! Then, Bella has her party after mine. Life is SO busy right now with no relief in sight. Next week I think I will hit the ground running on Tuesday. (Monday I am planning to relax though and do something extra special with the girls.)

Here are the HIGHLIGHTS of my past week amongst the chaos:

I found out today my good friend Eric, proposed to his girlfriend of over a year! They are getting married in Denver in August!!! I am SO completely happy for them. The Stallion and Barbie!

I was reunited with one of my favorite shows with one of my favorite people this week! Thank goodness Friday Night Lights Season 3 is finally out!!! I LoVe it!

I got my deposit back from the old house. The entire amount. It is now in a savings account waiting for our move OUT of the apartment at the end of August. J I am very grateful!

Braelyn’s bike had broke last week and we were stumped as to how to fix it or get it fixed. An idea popped into my head earlier this week to see if Wal Mart would exchange it since it hasn’t been 90 days yet and I still have my receipt. The 90 day mark is this Sunday. We took it in yesterday and they told us to go get another one without question! So, she has a brand new bike and it was a real blessing! I am glad it broke when it did!

I fumbled across the new Mango Limeade ;)

Lunches with Blake (Tuesday) and my ladies Thursday and Friday

If you are still reading this nonsense you are truly a good friend (or really needing some major entertainment)! I hope my head stays on straight the next couple days! If any of you are about town and see my head rolling around please pick it up and bring it by! OR chances are I’ll be on your side of town soon enough!

 

Ken's Birthday Day

She started her day with some presents from us. She got new outfits.

I pulled her out of school at noon and we went to lunch together. I had to convince her to upgrade her lunch location from McDonalds to... the mall food court. haha She had Taco Bell (cheap date) and I did not. We went shopping with her birthday money and had a Frappacino on the way out. It was a nice afternoon. 

At the mall we were doing some much needed bathing suit shopping for her. She chose one at Justice and I had to tell her "no" because it was a little bit immodest. She gave me a nice silent treatment for quite awhile while being her stubborn little birthday self. 

This was what broke her silent treatment (when I let her buy this...) 

Kensington has been asking for something specific for her bday for months. Blake custom made it for her... Kensington anticipated what Blake would bring her all day... This is him leading up to it...

Look at how cute she was getting it

This is what she specifically asked for. As long as it didn't have her "other" nickname on it she said. (Refer to Mother's Day post)

I loved how her new outfit matched the skateboard. She was really, really good riding it. She threw another pouty fit when I made her give me a turn. What, doesn't she trust my skills not to crash into things??? The next day she blamed me for scuffing the board up too) I didn't post a few days ago when I hit another pole in my apartment complex with my car... oopsie but I really didn't scuff the board. 

She had a lovely birthday. I have two more in two weeks. uughh! Please help me. 

Happy Birthday Kensington

Kensington is 10 today! I just posted some pictures from the last year. She brings so much comedy into our home. She is a real joy! I am so thankful for her in my life.

Fun with Photo Booth

Showing the Christmas Moose which is now in the garbage can

With her sisters at the school carnival

Kennedi has us all wrapped around her tiny finger! So much fun!

On the ferris wheel downtown after Christmas. She loves this hat!

At Annika's baptism last summer 

First day of school

She is amazingly beautiful! In all ways.

My Prestigious Award

Haha Check this out:

Quite an honor I must say!

Click here

Mother's Day Gifts

I have had a great Mother's Day so far! I woke up to breakfast in bed (on a cutting board), then got a double breakfast by being invited to Shannon and Jared's house for breakfast. There we had french toast with strawberries and cool whip and sausages! It was so delicious. Thanks Jared!!! I love you. After church I came home and picked up a tiny bit then slept for an hour and a half! After last week I definitely need to catch up! The girls all gave me amazing home made gifts. So nice! I love them all! I want to share with you a Quiz Kensington filled out and gave me...

"How Well Do I Know My Mom?"

1.Her favorite color is pink (indeed it is. I told her this the morning before she took the quiz when she asked me)

2.Her favorite television show is Survivor/Lost (gave her this answer too although she had to know this one on her own)

3.Her favorite kind of car is Not a Trailblazer (hahaha)

4. Her favorite sport to watch on tv is Nothing

5. Mom's favorite sport to play is Nothing (huh...)

6. An expression or saying that my mom always uses is I got a headache (Really? I do...I really don't get them ALL that often)

7. My mom always gets angry when she has a headache (wow Ken!)

8. My mom's favorite foods are lasagna, hamburger helper (uugh), and everything she cooks (well I am probably my biggest fan of my food! Or close second to one other person)

9. My mom's favorite meal is Everything (steak and potatoes, BROWNIES)

10. My mom's favorite restaurant is Chick Fa La (for fast food, yes. Olive Garden and Saltgrass for sit down)

11. My mom's favorite vacation was Arizona (isn't this the only vacations I take??? haha I love seeing my family)

12. My mom has a funny habit of talking on the phone (huh... again, wasn't aware that I did this all that often)

13. My mom really looked pretty on the day she Everyday (aahh... tear)

14. My mom really looked silly on the day she died her hair orange (it was supposed to be blonde! Never again! Never. I was in tears... you can ask Shannon about this somber event. I looked like Ronald McDonald only more orange)

15. My mom doesn't know about the time I am not telling my mom that (hahahaha- my favorite answer)

16. My mom's best friend is Kuulei (and Shannon, Angel, Angie, Selina, Blake, my mom)

17. My mom's pet name for me is Nonny/Boobie (yes she likes the first one, put a check mark by it, doesn't prefer the second, put an x by it) 

I love this little girl! She makes me laugh so much when she's not giving me a run for my money by being so STUBBORN! She will be the death of me as a teenager. Mark my words. I love each of my ladies. They treat me so good, better than I ever deserve! I am thankful for them in my daily life and for my mom! I have so many amazing women in my life! Happy Mother's Day! 

Astros Game

Fireworks

Friday night Blake and I went to the Astros game. They played San Diego Padres. It was so much fun to be there. At first neither team was scoring but eventually our team actually hit the ball and made two runs in one inning. That was the final score, 2-0. Hey, isn't the 7th Inning Stretch normally at the BOTTOM of the 7th inning? I could have sworn! haha After the game they put on the most incredible fireworks display ever. Blake and I were talking about how much the tickets cost and we figured they charge so much so they can pay for the fancy stadium and the fireworks after. It was sooo much fun to be there!!! Go Astros.

***Random***

My favorite neighborhood store, Ace, closed it's doors this weekend. I loved the feeling when I would shop there. I am really sad. I am happy however that on Friday I got my paint for 85% off. So, I paid $1.95 when I normally pay $12.99. Yay! I stocked up for my business. 

Here is a pic of me and Bell leaving the pool last week. Notice my book... it's the last of the Twilight series and I finished it yesterday! I LoVeD it. I am sad now because now what??? It took me like ten months to get through all four. No time! It was amazing and I want what they have!

So, the pool is still pretty cold, esp. if it's not hot outside. This was Cali just out of the water. I thought it was cute. Notice her adorable, pruny, woo woos (feet).

With Blake's help, Cali lost her tooth yesterday. It was in there dang good! She was tough and really wanted it out! It was sweet how they worked together to get it out, even when pliers didn't help. haha

The older girls commented on how I always post her pictures on here after she loses one. How can I NOT... look at her! She is the most adorable kid. Messy  hair and all...

I don't have a picture to post of this one but it's blog worthy for sure. Saturday afternoon the girls were in the kitchen and Cali was on the counter with the cabinet door open above. Kensington was on the ground and went to jump onto the counter and she smacked the top of her head into the open cabinet. As she started to cry I came out to see what was happening and as soon as I saw her holding her head I saw the blood also. It was soo scary to see your child's head bleeding. I couldn't tell where it was coming from and how bad it was at first. We put pressure on it with a wet rag and waited for it to stop bleeding. I hoped it wasn't going to need stitches and we went with that. After some time, ice and some ibuprofen she was feeling better and the goose egg resided. Poor girl. She was very sweet after (she was RELIEVED she didn't need stitches) and told me she was glad I was there with her during that. Considering her past of stitches in her tongue, stitches in her cheek, a broken finger, swollen eye, etc. she should have had to go in this time too. Poor baby!