Birthday Weekend

I think Colton had a great birthday party and it was so much fun decorating. At first, I felt a little bad because I didn't feel like I was going all out for his birthday, like I would for Katie's. Then, I remembered that I was preparing for a little boy's birthday and not a girl's. This is just my opinion, but I think a girl's birthday preparation is much more involved than a little boy's.

The Cake
I got this idea from Betty Crocker's website. You can find it under the name Barn Cake with Farm Animals, not a very unique name, but it will do. It was so much fun to make this creation and not nerve racking at all. It's very simple and enjoyed getting Katie involved. She was biting at the bit for her turn to help. She got to put the yellow coconut on the chick cupcakes and marshmallows on the lamb cupcakes. She did such a great job!

The instructions suggest using fruit roll-ups for the pig ears, but they were not working for me.  Instead, I formed the pig ears out of red gumdrops. The eyes and snout are brown & red M & Ms. 

The chick's beak is actually a piece of gumdrop that I cut off

What do you think? I'm sure a professional could do a MUCH better job than I, but I had a lot fun and it didn't take a lot of time to put together.

The barn was formed from a regular square cake and then I cut out 4 angles. The leftover angles were given to Katie for a little fun and practice icing a cake. She had a blast making her creation.

The final table display * I used Colton's farm yard toy as part of the decoration

All the visitors signed Colton's ceramic plate with all their well wishes.

Little Man Of The Hour

It took him awhile, but he soon got the idea of digging into the cupcake

I think he liked his dump truck

Anthony took him on a ride

He liked sitting down and pushing himself better

Happy Birthday Colton!

Big Sister

June has her hands full

Early Saturday morning, I had to get Katie up, dressed in her recital costume and head to the studio for individual and group pictures.  It didn't take long, so I wasn't stressed.  Thank goodness Millard and Peggy could watch Colton for me, while I was gone.  I don't know why I didn't take a picture of Katie in her costume before we left.  She insisted on keeping her hair up in a bun for the remainder of the day.  The only thing is the bun turned into a braided mess by the end of the day. 

A photo with me and my babies

She had a blast, playing with her cousins Trey & Ty

I got so tickled at Katie having a conversation with her boy cousins.  She was trying to convince them that it is cool to play with Barbies.  LOL! Later, Will came over for a little bit.  She started on him about Barbies.  She told him that he needed to watch "Barbie in the Mermaid Tale" because it was such a good movie.  I tried telling her that boys aren't into girl things like Barbies.  She piped up and told me they should because Barbies are so bea-u-ti-ful.  She's my Katiebug!

Katie gets presents as well (Alice)

She's been wanting to add to her stuffed Disney Princess collection.  Alice in Wonderful is the newest line because of the Johnny Depp version.  She loves her dolls!

. . . and Tiana

Of course, Tiana is her newest favorite princess.  I have to say, I really like the movie.  Katie has put in a request to have a "Princess and the Frog" birthday party.  I told her that I would look into it and see what I can do.  I would love to try to make frog cupcakes, but she doesn't want a lot of frogs for the cake.  She told me today, she wants a HUGE box cake with Tiana and Prince Naveen on it.  Okay!

The Newly Engaged Couple

Look at that rock!

Chase & Leslie

This is my favorite photo of the happy couple

Kite Day
I wasn't aware there was such a day. That is until I received a note from school, stating the children will be celebrating "Kite Day" on Monday (today). In art class, Katie painted a pretty kite and daddy finished putting the kit together.

Millard met Colton and myself at the school around 10:30 today, so we could see Katie flying her kite. I had envisioned something totally different from what actually happened. I don't know, but for some reason I just knew Katie would really be interested in flying her kite. Nope!

Millard watched Colton for me, while I tried getting the thing up in the air. As soon as I got it up, it would spiral out of control and finally nose dive into the asphalt. After a few times of that, I stopped because I knew I would tear up the kite. Shoot! Katie's friend, Claire, had already tore up her kite. Her poor mom, tried and tried to get it going but eventually the kite piled off the frame. I felt so bad for her. I gave Katie's kite to Millard. I thought maybe he knew the magic way of flying a kite. He didn't have much luck either, so we graciously put the kite away and just watched Katie running around, playing with her friends. She could care less about flying her kite. Her only concern was playing with her friends.

It was very windy today, but it more or less whipped around and not in one direction for any length of time.

Katie didn't care for kite flying, she wanted to hang out with the girls

Millard tried his best to get that crazy kite up in the air

A beautiful Spring day for a little kite flying

Easter Plans
This is going to be a very BUSY Easter week for us.  Tomorrow, I've got to get ready for Katie's Easter party on Wednesday.  I'm going to try to make something similar to these sugar cookie Easter eggs.

I got the idea from one of my blogs that I follow Bake at 350. She has the neatest and most creative tips for desserts like cookies and cakes. I've really enjoyed reading her blog. There are all kinds of craft and baking ideas. The creativity is endless! Her instructions on marblizing sugar cookie Easter eggs sound so simple. I guess we'll see if they are really that simple tomorrow. Because I plan to make about a dozen or more of these jewels for Katie's Easter Egg Hunt party. I'm supposed to be there early enough on Wednesday to help hide eggs for the students. {FUN!} I've given Katie the speech on how she needs to be confident enough to find her own eggs and press forward. She is so bad about just walking around and saying that she can't find any. Of course, if someone finds more than she, she gets upset with herself. Ugh! {drama, drama, drama} I told her that I would practice with her tomorrow. I know she can do better, she just needs that nudge from mom.

She was aggravating me to death today about decorating the house up for Easter. I waited this year because of Colton's birthday this past weekend and really haven't found the time to get it all out. I don't have much Easter, but I have enough. She had more fun decorating her Easter basket for the Easter bunny. Too funny! I don't think there will be enough room tfor the Easter bunny to put all of Katie's goodies inside her basket. I got Colton a cute airplane basket with blue grass and decor. I think it's cute! I'll have to have a show and tell day.

Speaking of Easter bunny, can you believe Katie asked to have her picture made with the Easter bunny yesterday. Yes! Colton and she sat on the Easter bunny's lap and had their picture taken. Grant it, we couldn't get Colton to smile for anything. Hey, at least he wasn't crying. I was SOOO proud of Katie volunteering to do this. I had hoped that they would do it, but I wouldn't press the matter. I'll have to post the picture another day.

After the big Easter Egg Hunt party, I'm to take Katie and Colton by my parents house to dye Easter eggs.  Now, this should be interesting to see.  I gave Susan a lot of my plastic eggs for Tim to hide for the kids this Sunday.  I so believe in plastic eggs.  They are so much more nice and neat and not messy what so ever.  Mom said she just wanted to do it to build memories with the kids, which I thought was a great idea.  I'll take lots of pictures. 

Thursday is Colton's 1st year check up with Dr. Lunsford.  Boy, oh boy!  This should be a barrel of laughs.  Anybody wanting to go with me?  Any takers?  Later, June is supposed to picked us up, so we can head on over to Jon's baseball game.  I think we'll be a little later, but that's okay.  Do you know how tall that kid is now?  Jon, nephew, is 6'4" and is only 15 years old.  He's nickname around here is "Big Jon" and that's for daggum sure.  Some time during all this fun, Katie's supposed to have a play date with her little Jacy.  If we see her and her mommy tomorrow, I think I'm going to see if we could reschedule it for next week.  Us moms have been trying to schedule this playdate now for about a month, so I hate asking her to do this.  Maybe we could have a very early lunch. 

Friday, we go for our school assessment.  Whoo Hoo!  I have absolutely no idea what to expect or even know what a school assessment means for a Kindergartener.  Ha Ha!  I feel like I'm back at school and about to take a big exam.  Doug said he would try to be there for the meeting.  I hope so because I know I'll be nervous and when I'm nervous I have a hard time listening because my mind wanders.  Pray for me!

Bearcat In Training

Okay, so she's not officially a little bearcat that is not until August. Yes, we've got our Katiebug registered to start Kindergarten at CCPS this Fall. Their school mascot is the Bearcat.

CCPS Bearcat Mascot

Now, before you start sending in all the questions as to what a bearcat is exactly, I've got a picture and brief description for you.

A Bearcat is another name for a Binturong, a viverrid mammal from Southeast Asia (China). Get this a Bearcat is known for their scent. They smell like popcorn. LOL!

As a new little bearcat, Katie had to represent her school well. So, we bought these flip flops. I didn't think she would like them because they're not pink, but when I told her they were her school flip flops.  "Mom, I love them" she began telling me.  The high school softball team were selling these to raise money for the season.  Our little town is very proud of our school system, so we won't have a hard time trying to find school apparel.

I don't know why, but I'm just so happy for Katie and so excited for her.  I took her by the school yesterday and to our surprise, her friend Olivia was there from her preschool.  Yay!  Katie was having a fit when she saw her.  A few minutes before we got there she was just asking me if there was going to be anyone there that she knew.  I was relieved and so was Olivia's mommy and daddy.  As we were filling out all the paper work, we were talking about how we hope the girls will be in the same class.  Olivia's daddy took the girls on a tour of the school.  They came back to the office all big eyed.  They were so excited and couldn't hardly wait to tell us mommies about their new school.  Katie's just amazed that the playground is in the middle of school.  It is pretty cool and I'm very pleased about their security measures.

Then, last night as we were in ballet, I was talking with my new friend, Becca.  She plans to register her little girl as well at the same school.  The only thing is we have to wait to see if she will be accepted because she's out of district.  Ugh!  I hope she'll be able to get in.  Oh, it would be great if one of Katie's friends could be in the same class as she.  I have gone ahead and warned her of the possiblities that her friends may not be able to be in her class.  I just don't want her to be upset, if they're not.  Surprisely, she sounds excited to make new friends.  I did tell her that she might get to see her cousin, Trey, and Zayne's sister, Nia, because they'll be there.  She was excited because she's going to be in the same "big" kids school as Nia and Trey.

Colton at 6 Months - 9 Months 

7 months old

8 months old

9 months old - sharing some Ritz crackers with daddy

Precious

I want to thank Julianna for introducing me to Darius Rucker's song, "It won't be like this for long" as I was reading her sweet sweet love note to her little Johnny.  If you haven't had a chance to follow Julianna's blog, you've got to read her letter to her son HERE.  It is so precious!

I loved Darius' singing when he was a member of "Hootie and the Blowfish."  I knew he's been working in country music as a solo singer.  I've heard a couple of his songs from the radio, but not this one.  I love it!  Anything to express how I feel about my little blessings, it just brings a tear to my eyes. 


I've always like Trace Adkins song "You're Gonna Miss This." I think I tear up everytime I hear it. I just love this song.

Good Advice to Follow
Lady Blogger Society posted some great advice on how to "just let things go." Oh, how I needed this by Sunday. I'm the worst type person when it comes to holding in issues and stress. I'm like a ticking time bomb when I've had my fill. In this post it tells you how to find a quiet place when your stress level has reached it's MAX  and not unleash your rage with the closest person next to you.  It's a great read.  I will try to practice it the next time, I've had enough. 

In Political News
As you know the Obamacare passed the Senate with I believe 217 votes. I had a feeling it would pass, but I was so hopeful that it would not. There are just so many faults and pork in this bill that is so unnecessary.

Did you know according to this bill? (Please keep in mind, this bill be in affect for some time)
If you can't afford health insurance right now, you will be charged a fee for not having coverage? Guess whose in charge of making sure you follow the law? Yep, the IRS.

Federally, anyone can have an abortion in any clinic of choice and the taxpayers will flip the bill. I feel this is very unethical and it is against what I believe is morally correct.  There have been some question that a lot of doctors will be forced by law to conduct this murderous act. I'm not too sure if this is correct. I just feel that our Constitutional Rights have been violated.

You may can keep your private insurance, but because of high premiums employers will be forced to purchase the government run healthcare insurance.  So if you want private insurance, you'll have to pay for it out of your back pocket.  You may not be discrimated against for pre-existing conditions, but the gov't run insurance will decide when you should receive medical procedures, like hip replacements or heart valve surgeries.

Republican Senators are rallying around working on a repeal right now. The Liberals are expecting lawsuits because of the passing of this hideous new law. What you can do as citizens of these United States is write to your Senator(s) and request that they as state legislators invoke the 10th Amendment of the Constitution. The 10th Amendment reads as follows: The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people. This would hopefully give the states power against this law.

If you don't know where to go to contact your Senator(s) or don't even know who your State Senator(s) are CLICK HERE and click on your state. From there, a button should be available in order to get you in contact with your representative.

Colton 4 Months to 6 Months

Katie dressed Colton up

Colton's First Three Months

Coming home from the hospital

Few days old - he loved to suck his thumb

11 days old - Spring Pictures

One month old

Two months old

Three months old