BIG GIRL BED!!!

Bye, Bye, Baby Bed. I held off as long as I could for many reasons -- she slept so good in her crib, she never climbed out, but mostly because Mommy couldn't accept she wasn't a baby anymore. I don't know why I have such a hard time accepting my kids are growing & will continue to. I think if I could freeze time I would -- I love the baby, toddler stage, even as hard as it is at times. So, the long-awaited day came to move Lauren's 'big-girl' bed from our upstairs bonus room to her room. The transition was very easy & she loved it. She didn't even try to get out & continues to call us to come get her when she wakes up.

Lauren's last baby room....

Testing out her new bed....

Night, Night....

DisneyWorld - 2009

DisneyWorld 2009 -- COMING SOON! Lots of pics & highlights of our 'magical' vacation!!!

September 2009

Well, the kids have been in school a couple of weeks now. I'm still adjusting to not having my babies home. Lauren's adjusting to not having her playmates either. It's actually been fun & giving us some good one-on-one time together. Lauren still loves to play "cooking". Lauren started preschool 2 days a week in the middle of September. Here are a few pictures I "tried" to take of her on her first day. She wouldn't keep her finger out of her nose. I just hope one of these days she'll pose for a picture & it won't seem like torture for me. She loves preschool & I really enjoy my 2 days (1 for errands & grocery & 1 for volunteering at the kids school & I usually get to have lunch with friends). Tassie is getting so big, too. She still is a crazy puppy, but the kids really do like having a dog. The bottom picture is how she sleeps --I have never seen a dog sleep on their back, but that's the way she likes to sleep. It really is cute, though.

Awesome August

I'm sad to see another summer come to an end. We had a great time, though. Many fun times & memories made with the kids. Here is a look at some of our things in August.

Lauren loves to dress up -- especially in Dylan's old halloween costumes. Her favorites are Winnie the Pooh & a monkey. It is so cute!

Lauren sure is looking older as her hair just keeps getting longer & longer. I swear she had hardly any hair this time last year. One of our favorite things is going to the pool. We all love the water & sun. Dylan was quite the swimmer this year. Hard to believe he never had swim lessons. Lauren has never had any fear near the water either. I have to really watch her because she thinks she can swim without her floaties.

This was Dylan at Tokyo steakhouse -- he hated the fire from the hibachi grill & he wore my sunglasses. :)

Back to School

Wow -- the summer flew by. I'm so sad our lazy days of summer are over. Now back to schedules, packing lunches, carpool & most of all missing my kids. Yes, it's plural now. Dylan is my big kindergartner. I can't believe he's going to be gone all day from me, too. As you can tell, I'm emotional about this. I'm going to miss him so much & I don't know what Lauren is going to do without him. They are buddies. I know it's the way life goes & I know most moms can't wait for summer to end. Not me! The kids were excited though (even Dylan). Alyssa got Mrs. Haug & Dylan got Mrs. Hoyt. They both seem very nice & sweet. Surprisingly, Dylan didn't even cry - which is huge.

Alyssa's Slumber Party!

Alyssa with her sleepover buds Trinity, Elise, Andrea, Mallori & Olivia. So, Alyssa wanted a sleepover this year. I let her invite her 5 closest friends -- that was my cut-off. I have to admit -- I dreaded it, but it turned out to be so much fun & the girls couldn't have been any better.

The girls played for a bit, then it was off to the pool for a couple of hours of swimming -- I needed to wear them out. ha!! :) We then came home for pizza & a craft -- they each decorated the letter of their first name with jewels. Instead of cake, Alyssa wanted to make ice cream sundaes. So, the girls loaded up their ice cream with lots of candy & stuff. We ended the night with a movie. It was such a peaceful, drama-free night. I know Alyssa had the best time. She can't wait for the next one! (We'll see about that!)

I survived!! ;)

Alyssa Brooke turns 8!!!

Happy Birthday my baby girl!!! It's truly hard to believe I have an 8 year old!!! We had an awesome day. There's something to be said about summer birthdays -- a day full of summer fun! We started our day at the pool -- it was Alyssa's choice. We hadn't been there since her July 31st surgery, so it made it that much more special. After a few hours of fun in the sun, we came home for presents, then finished our night with dinner at Tokyo Steakhouse. It was a very special day. Here are a few pictures of my birthday girl!

The Joys of July

Well, summer is here & the kids are still finding lots of ways to have fun. We are having a blast with our laid back schedule. The kids are doing library's reading club and we go to the pool almost every day. I love summer!

We got a playscape & Dylan help Daddy build it. You know it was great experience for him since he's wants to be a builder (that's what he says he's going to be when he grows up!)

Another thing we look forward to each summer is Summerfest. The annual event at our church. Alyssa had a birthday sleepover for her best bud, but Lauren & Dylan still had a ton of fun! I have to say it was very strange without Alyssa with us. Something was missing!

My kids never cease to amaze me with their creativity and their imaginations. . After realizing things had been too quiet for a long time, I found Alyssa giving pedicures to her little brother & sister. I thought it was super cute!

Alyssa is such a great big sister. I don't know what I would do without her. Both her little brother & sister adore her. She was taking the time to sing nursery rhymes with Lauren. So stinkin' cute!!!!

It's not summer around here with a little sprinkler time from the Balko kids. They love it!!!