Nothing Runs Like a Deere!

There is a FUN new toy at our house! We are thankful that our friends Jamie & Matt passed along a toy. Kevin ordered some parts from the John Deere dealer, and now the girls have a cute set of wheels to ride around in. They love being outside and this is just one more way to experience the joys of life in the country! "we'll have fun, fun, fun til our daddy takes the "Gator" away....he would like one in his size for sure!

WEEE!

Tessa can't stop talking about her fun day we had yesterday. This morning she even wanted to make some calls to tell our family about the fun she had....

"I got to go to my friend Eva and Jaden's house, we played at the big water slide at their friend Brady's house. It was so tall and I went down it and I said "Weee!", then we were so lucky to swim in the pool all day! I had so much fun with My friends!"

We had a wonderful day enjoying the start of summertime. The girls (including me) ...loved the time with friends and time in the pool. The day was great,...but we did not use enough sunscreen, Tess especially got too much sun. I thought the SPF 40 would do it, I guess I need to kick it up a notch and use the 50 and apply it more often! This Momma felt bad about the extra kisses from the sun yesterday. I told Tess I was sorry, she said "Its alright Mommy, I am okay!", that was nice to hear but I still feel really bad....

We are thankful for the day and joys of togetherness! Hooray for Summer and that I have three more days of the school year then it is officially "SUMMER!"

Kids + Water = FUN!

The midwest heat finally came, and like usually, it came quickly and intense! I can't complain, after a LONG week of rain, I was glad when the sun came, and so were the girls! Tessa loves to play in the water, I know most kids do, I still do! Ella had her first experience with this and she was NOT so SURE at first. Then, she discovered that she can chase Tessa around and giggle, then it was all over, she was crying when it was time to stop! The girls were giggling the more that Pops got them with the hose! There curls were adorable! The first of many fun times in the heat and water this summer!! WE can't wait for more!

Tessa in action!

I could not resist taking some photos of Tess on the move...On her bike and in a dress! The girl is ALL about the outfits. I have not ever seen anything like it! I get a kick out of it. She actually asks, How does this look? What shoes do you like best? Look at what I picked out Mom! All I have to say is Kevin better look out for the days of shopping to come with this one!!

I love to see her on her bike having such a great time outside!

"THE" Pink Cowboy Hat....

There is a time and place for bribery with children. Tessa has been working on bedtime for a LONG time, she likes to get out of bed many times before she finally goes down for the night. From the sounds of it from my mom, she comes by this honestly! She has had some success with charts, so our next step....work toward a reward..... Here was the "Deal":

If Tess had successful bedtimes for 4 nights in a row she could earn a reward.... We asked her what she would like, her reply without missing a beat....was "A Pink Cowboy Hat"!

Time marched on and we continued to work on this. Well, in perfect Tessa style, like many things, SHE decided she was going to do it, and she did! In turn She reminded us that she was due for a "Pink Cowboy Hat". It was all she talked about, all day! I told her we would go shopping for one the next day.... Before that day could come....DADDY was the HERO!

He came home from work with a bag from ....none other than the Western Store! This is perfectly "Kevin" style.....anthing for his girls! Her eyes were so wide with delight! So pleased! The best part, she wears it a lot.....Even better....her bedtimes have been awesome.

What a way to solve the problems of the world....All you need is a pink cowboy hat and a smile!!

My New Favorite Snack....

I highly recommend a new snack that I enjoy!! They are very tasty and good for you! The girls and I have enjoyed them.....We have had probably toooo many of them as a snack! They have the taste of a chip and they are full of veggies.....And the taste great!! Thanks for the bag Mom and Dad, we will be buying some more!!

Food in the Car!?!?

I have never been a fan of eating in the car. This is for two main reasons:

1. I like to sit and enjoy my meal!
2. I like a CLEAN car!

Well, I have always said that our girls won't eat in the car....Well, I was wrong. We were heading to my parents for Katie's tennis match and Alex's birthday & baseball game, (3 hour drive), I thought to save some time, we could have a light meal in the car....Well, it backfired....big time. The girls were EXCELLENT travelers, and they even ate neatly. But, it must not have agreed with Ella, she "spit-up" as Tessa calls it. So, we had to stop anyway, and change clothes, clean up the car seat....etc. etc....Yet, she never shed a tear, tough girly! Poor thing, I felt so bad for her....Needless to say...Now I have a #3. The #3 reason not to eat in the car is.....

3. It might not sit well in the tummy......

So here's to traveling and GETTING out of the car to eat!!!

Holes in the floor of Heaven.....

From our door looking East one morning, I thought to myself....Each day is full of many things that shows us God's splendor and his beautiful creations. God gives us many "peeks" as the wonders of his creation....we often just have to stop, look around, and enjoy what is often right in front of us!

Cheerleading!

We had to get a kick out of Tessa and her enjoyment of watching the National cheerleading Competition with Mommy. I turned it on because it something I enjoy watching part of, it reminds me of a fun time in my life. I thought Tess might like watching it with me for a few minutes, ....she lasted longer than I did. She was fascinated by the tumbling and stunts. Although it can be a very dangerous sport, it is also a great deal of fun! Most of all, she liked their outfits, go figure, this is Tessa that we are talking about! ......Maybe she can cheer on the off season from ....golf, tennis,??? Who knows???

Melt my heart!

As we were snuggling today reading books before her nap, Tessa put her hand on my face, and said this, in a tender voice....

"Mommy, You are the best Mommy in the whole World, I love you!" She is so loving, and so loved! She truly can melt your heart with the kind things that she will randomly say. We are so blessed by every little bit of our girls personalities!

Our refrigerator magnets

It is always interesting to see what other people have both INSIDE and OUTSIDE their refrigerator. Have you ever thought about what is says about a person or a household? I always enjoy looking at the photos, magnets, and art on refrigerators. Being the "anti-clutter" being that I am, for years our refrigerator had nothing at all on the outside of it. Then, we had the girls, and there are some photos and art "decorating" the outside. I still try to keep it pretty simple.

Recently, we have had a new "magnet-INSIDE" our refrigerator. As soon as I open the door, I hear pitter-patter! Even if she is in the other room, she sound of the door opening sends her little legs running to see what she can get her hands on. Ella, AKA, the Refrigerator Magnet, loves to try an sneak food out when I am getting things out to prepare a meal. When I pry, yes, pry her away, she throws herself on the floor in a protest. I even found myself sneaking the milk out the other day to avoid this. She loves to "Nack", she will come in and say "nack, nack", in request for a snack. The pantry is another one of her hang outs these days. She is a little eater, not picky at all, we are so thankful! I can't help but giggle at her joy and frustration in the kitchen!

Rain....

Rainy days are only as good as you make them.....No need to get the blahs....We have had a tremendous amount of rain the past couple of days!! Inches in fact. What is it about rain that makes me want to snuggle in with a book? That is what the girls and I did last night. We had been out and about at gymnastics (Kevin joined us by surprise we were so happy) and then we went to eat. When we returned, water logged!...the girls had their baths and we read books....many books, many more then on a typical night. They both sat and enjoyed them with me, a girl in each arm. I could not have had a better rainy day!!

Happy Birthday to Tessa!

It started off as a cold day for Tessa's Birthday, so she bundled up to go outside!

Four, Four Years Old, Our Little Girl is 4! I am not sure what it is about four that sounds so different from three, but to this Mommy it does. Tess was so excited for her birthday, the preparation for her was a joy. She seemed to have thought out answers to all of the pre-birthday questions, she knew what she would like.

"What kind of cake would you like Mommy to make?"

(head tilted slightly, pig tails and all) "How about a purple cake with pink icing and sprinkles"

"What would you like to wear on your birthday?"

"I could wear my tu-tu and some jeans, that would look nice, wouldn't it?"

She was very excited and she wanted to go fishing at her birthday party. Although the weather did not cooperate, we had a wonderful celebration and went fishing the next day.

Her party was Saturday evening and we had family and some special friends to be there and share in the joys of Tessa turning 4. We had dinner,(baked macaroni and cheese by request was the main dish) Purple cake with pink icing, and candy heart suckers that Tess and I made.

She received many special gifts and did a nice job of thanking everyone. Tess also did a good job of trying on her new clothes. In the midst of opening them, she would run off to her room to try on another outfit, such the fashion queen! She really enjoyed playing with her cousin Tony and her friends. They did a hat craft, played, and played some more, then completed the evening with a concert they performed on the stage....good stuff!!

It was a special evening for Tessa the Four Year Old. Today she said, "I am four and one day, I will be five soon", Well, it probably will be "Soon" as time does move quickly, but as for us, we are going to enjoy and savor each part of the joys of being "4"!

Happy Birthday Tess, You are LOVED EVERYDAY!

Sock Party!

Who can take a raining evening and turn it into some fun??? We can do it!! We recently had a random silly sock party this week! We had a grand time, choosing socks, Tess orchestrated this part! We all "socked up" then enjoyed the time together a a family! Best of all we had a great time!!

Daddy....and ME!

Our dear Kevin. The good Lord knows what he is doing....I feel so blessed EVERYDAY, by the wonderful man that is a remarkable, husband, daddy, friend and individual. He has so much to give to others and he continually shows that helping others is simply natural to him. He has a caring and loving heart and is such a positive presence in our lives. He has three girls that eyes twinkle at the sight of him. It is such a joy to watch him with the girls! While he is a busy man, when you get the heart of it, his true joy comes from the times he can be at home, in the country, with his girls! I am so thankful for the man that he is and the blessing that I have such a special hand to hold as we journey through the day to day....Just look at him with his girls!! In his glory!....

Sign of A Tough Day....

Ever had one of those days, when things just don't seem to be going your way?? We all have those days, from time to time....Even Ella ....

At times, we just have to pull ourselves together and move on...To Brighter things....and put on a happy face!