Smithalicious

Did I hear you say that you LOVE Smithalicious? Well, make sure you head over there tomorrow for something exciting-our very own giveaway! You won't be dissapointed!

How do you sleep? And a reminder...

I know I have posted pictures before of Brenna and Braelynn sleeping but this one I had to do. If you can't tell, Brenna is sleeping with her pillow over her head and Braelynn is sleeping on top of Brenna.

And this is my little reminder in my seeminly never ending quest to find the balance between a neat, clean house and reveling in the joys of having kids and letting them be kids. Most days I have that balance but some days I don't. I am proud to say that I have made great progress the last few years with this but regret the years that I didn't always have that balance with my older kids.
It is not about the pictures on the fridge but about the fact that they won't always want to run around with their dress-up dresses on, scattering their clothes and unused dress-ups around the house or constantly draw picutures and all of the other things that I will miss when they are grown.

What....

Do you think he is doing? Any idea? When I asked him he didn't know either. I saw him headed outside with the twine but didn't think too much of it. He is a boy and loves to spent time outside, build, create and use his imagination.
In fact, I think his favorite present he ever received was the one from Grandma Smith that was a box full of different kids of tape, paper, scissors, rope, string, straws, etc, etc.
When I saw what he was doing today, though I did a double take and had to take a picture!

Preschool...sort of!

Brenna and Braelynn started a preschool co-op today. Nothing big, just one day a week. Five little girls. They were so excited, they wouldn't hold still for a cute picture.
Braelynn was confused. When the older kids started school, she wanted to go, too, so I told her when she was five she could go to school. Then we formed this "school" but she wasn't five yet. After a little bit of explaining she was fine with it.
They had a ton of fun and are looking forward to next week.
My personal triumph today? Not wanting to spend too much money on backpacks and finding two of the last three girl backpacks around for 70% off! Spending $5.00 for two backpacks, one Dora and one Tinkerbell. That made all three of us happy!

We Are Ready For Some Football!!!

It is that time of year again. Football time. This is his second year playing tackle football. Last year I really fought it, just wanted him to do flag football for a few more years. Then I decided that if that was really what he wanted, then I could probably do more harm holding him back then letting him play.
He loves it. Loves it more than I can tell you. I love to see him so passionate about something. I love to watch him and Joe practice together, discuss together, be excited about it together. Just one more strand in that bond that is woven so tight between those two.
I didn't get very good pictures. I was gone all morning doing luncheons and some other responsibilities that I couldn't get out of so I was there just in time for the game to start and was busy keeping two tired-without naps-hot-cranky three year olds entertained by myself. They had already been sitting there with Joe for an hour and a half before the game started and then once I got there he went down to help run the chains for the game. Maybe next time the day will go more smoothly and I can get some video or something...maybe!.!

New Picture

I just had to post this family picture we had taken by Joe's brother (Inspirational Photography). I think my kids are just cutest ever!

Separation Anxiety?

We tried...we really tried. We know it is important for each of our kids to have time away one-on-one with each of their parents and we really do try to make sure we do that as much as possible with the older kids although it doesn't happen as much as we would like.
I guess with Brenna and Braelynn we really haven't done that good with them. On Friday Braelynn decided she wanted to take her nap in my bed. Fine with me. Brenna hates sleeping in my bed and wanted to sleep in hers. Fine until Brenna realized that Braelynn wasn't sleeping with her. Poor Brenna was so sad she cried herself to sleep and has every day for nap time since. We are making progress, though. She only cried for Braelynn to come sleep with for a few minutes today.
At least we know she loves her sister, right?