Little Boys & Girls gettin down on the farm

 We took our first Joy School field trip to a little farm in Murray and it was so neat! They had just about every animal that should belong on a farm. This baby alpaca was a favorite for the kids.

 Brielle even loved petting the baby alpaca. She was so curious!

 All the kids got to feed the sheep, goats, alapacas, turkeys, and pigs. And some of the kids got to collect eggs in the chicken coop.

 Mollie loved holding this bunny!

 There was a fun slide and a swing in a tree that the kids loved just as much as the animals.

 They got to pick carrots and beets from the garden and eat them.

 And there was a pony that the kids could ride on. I bribed carter with a treat to get on it. He doesnt really care for any animals and he didnt want to be there. But he said it wasnt too bad! Mollie wouldnt get within 2 feet of this pony.

 Here's a few of the joy school groups! They all had so much fun. Mollie said her favorite part was feeding the pigs.

9 Months old!

 

 

 

 

9 months old! Time has got to slow down just a little! I miss having a baby to snuggle and hold!

 

Now that she is mobile there is no slowing her down! She has discovered the door stops and thinks they are a new cool toy. Not to mention a major choking hazard! Looks like its time to baby proof!

And Mollie loves to try to dress her up already. She always wants to put a skirt on her.

 Blurry...but look at that BELLY!!! She will eat ANYTHING!

 And cute football bum. She has found her voice and is constantly squealing and screaming SO loud. Seriously people around us are always commenting that they think their ear drum just burst. And little old ladies in church turn down their hearing aids when we sit by them. Sorry!!

 Another fun baby toy favorite...the entertainment center!

She's a little slow at the crawling but I am not complaining! I know she will be super busy soon enough and I'm cherishing not having to chase her and clean up after her quite yet. At her 9 month check up she was 84% for weight weighing 20 pounds even and only 34% for height. At least she is consistent with the short/fat thing! 9 months has always been my favorite age and while I am sad she is getting so big I'm looking forward to this fun stage. Sure love you sweet Bri! You make living so much more fun!

A little about my Mollie-o and a her first day of Joy School

 Mollie-O! My little girl isn't so little anymore! She is almost 4 going on 21! She started her first day of Joy School after Labor Day and she was so excited to go again! She had her outfit picked out for weeks and had her back pack packed and ready to go by the door. 

 She is not very girly in the sense of getting dressed up and doing hair. Every now and then I bribe her with candy so i can curl it. She is so beautiful!!

 She also carries tons of little emotions in that tiny body of hers which change faster than I can explain! This particular pouty face came because someone stole her shoes while we were at an indoor yard sale that we were asked to remove our shoes at before entering! Some people!

 She still continues to be my biggest helper with Brielle. She is always right there to feed her a snack, give her her binky, or bring her a toy.

 She has such a sweet heart and is always telling my "Mom, I wuv you!" She has always helped me to remember to slow down and take time to play ever since she was a baby. As my current middle child I'm afraid sometimes she gets forgotten about. But this life sure would be boring with out her and her sweet smile!

 This picture pretty much sums up her attitude right now. Riding her scooter, foot kicked up, and tongue out. She is a perfect mix of tough and sweet right now.

 And she is my animal lover!! She loves every animal and loves to pet and hold them. Here she is at a joy school field trip to the farm. She was in heaven sitting on the farmers knee holding this bunny.

Mollie, please know we will love you forever. We love everything about you and know you are capable of so much in your life. You are so outgoing and helpful and fun! Always stay close to me ok?! I sure love you!

The skate park

 Where does a new 6 year old want to spend his birthday? Why the skate park of course!

 He's been begging to go since the beginning of summer and I couldn't bring myself to be around all those bigger wild kids who go to the skate park. So we went right after he got out of school and took a picnic and he had a blast.

 I was pretty nervous and was sure we were going to end up in the ER but we had a mostly successful day. Mollie only crashed once.

 And the cherry on top of his day was a card from Shayne with money and McQueen stickers in it. He was super excited that he got mail on his birthday!

Can't believe I have a 6 year old!

Hot Wheels Birthday Overload!

 I can't believe this car loving little boy is SIX years old! It really seems like yesterday that I held him in my arms for the first time. He was so excited the night before his party he couldn't fall asleep!

But the next morning he was up bright and early ready to go!

 We let the kids usually open one present the morning of their party and this time it was...

 A hot wheels track!

 This cake....oh this cake. I ran out of green food coloring and I ran out of frosting! From the top it looks ok, except the pastel green grass but from the sides it looks pretty sad. Carter placed the cars, flags and candles on it too.I was feeling bad about it but every kid that came into his party he had to drag up the stairs and show each one of his friends. It made me feel better.

 Here's a little party decor and treat bags. I was determined to simplify this year and I did just that! Instead of big treat bags they got 1 hot wheel car and a candy.

 This was the easiest party I've ever done and possibly the funnest. We set up about 6 hot wheels tracks around the house and just let the kids play! They all seemed to really enjoy it because I couldn't get a single kid to look at me for a picture.

We pushed back all the furniture in the basement to make room for the hot wheels extravaganza!

 We ran outside for a quick game of Red Light Green Light and the kids had to jump over trenches and slide in the dirt because we are in the middle of doing our sprinkler system. But they didn't seem to mind.

 Here's the line up of party guests. Mason, Rocky, Brycen, Jaxon, Mollie (who was in heaven being surrounded by all those boys!) Caleb, Carter, and Spencer. Brandt showed up a little later.

 Cake time! White cake and rainbow ice cream was his request for this year.

 PRESENTS! He has some good friends who brought some nice gifts.

 Miss Brielle even got in on the action. She learned to crawl the day of the party and had fun chasing cars on the hard floor.

 And getting into Mollie's markers!

 Later that evening we ordered pizza and opened presents from mom and dad and G&G Reed

 

It's safe to say he was completely spoiled! He kept saying "I'm so spoiled!" as he opened each gift.

 

 Here we are with our not so little big boy! Between the morning and evening parties I was canning peaches like crazy. I guess I forgot to take off my apron. Not what I wanted to be doing but my mom and dad helped so much and it went really quick. Darn peaches couldn't wait a few more days!

 G&G Reed got to spend the day and the kids are always in heaven when they are here. They bough him 3 new Bronco shirts which he thought was pretty cool.

 On his actual birthday we took some treats to school and got sung to and got to pick a surprise out of Mrs. Moore's birthday bag.

 Later that evening we played games as a family and just relaxed. It was quite the busy weekend!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY sweet boy! Your mom and dad sure love you and are so proud of the boy you have become. Hope you have many happy years ahead of you!