Leland turns 7

I guess Leland is getting to an age where she wants a legitimate birthday party, with friends, not just our family. I finally gave in and we settled on a party at home with several friends. She had 2 requests - butterfly cake and a pinata.

The wonderful thing about having fabulous friends is that when you feel so busy with life and work that you can't figure out when you will have time to make your daughters birthday cake, a friend offers to make the birthday cake for you and does a fabulous job! Thanks Heidi!

We ended up with 11 kids at the party and it was lots of fun. They made some crafts, played in the backyard with bubbles and played musical chairs.

Then it was time for the pinata. Screams and cheers could be heard down the street I am sure. It was loud and crazy and seemed to take forever to break it open. I'm sure the fact that Chuck would pull the rope so they couldn't reach it had a lot to do with it too.

We are so grateful for Leland in our family. She is very helpful and likes to think she is a grown up. She is a great leader and loves to be the "director" at all times. She loves school and loves to learn. We are so thankful that Heavenly Father sent her to our house to live.

County Fine Art Festival

Leland loves art. She was very excited when one of our art pieces was chosen to be displayed at the County Art Festival. It was a huge event where all types of artwork were displayed from every grade level of every school in the county.

Leland was very funny about explaining how one area of the the project she had messed up on and how she "fixed" the mistake. We were grateful that Nana was visiting for the weekend so she was able to go with us.

The girls were most excited about the face painting by some high school art students.

Bon Air Fun Run and 5k

Leland ran her school's 1 mile kids run. She had lots of fun running a race "like mom"

My mom and I ran the 5k which was lots of fun. This was my last preggo run (13 weeks) because I started having some numbness in one of my legs and the doc said no more races until next year.

November Happenings

 Leland came home one afternoon so excited with this "new" game that a friend made for her. She thought it was the coolest thing ever. She was a little shocked when I told her that we used to make them when I was younger too. What do you call it anyway?

 This picture is for my sister, who says that blogs are only for people to brag about the good things, so I decided to take a picture of what my family room often looks like. Toys scattered and a overflowing laundry basket of clothes that need to folded. After I snapped the shot, Leland asks, "Mom, why are you taking a picture of a dirty room? Who wants to see that?"

 We always love when Nana gets to visit. We are so happy she is retired now and we get to see her so much.

We like to play dress up. There is usually only one princess and two super heroes in our house.

 I cooked my very first Thanksgiving dinner and had lots of helpers in the kitchen. My dad, his girlfriend, and my lil sister, Layni came for dinner. I didn't get any good pictures, but the food was delicious and there was enough to probably feed 25 people. Good thing we love leftovers.

 The girls had a dance party after dinner.

September

First day of school was a rainy, dreary, mess. Leland loves her new school and classmates. The bus stop is right next door with about 10-15 kids getting on the bus.

It's obvious that I let my children totally pick out their own clothes. Lucy has a mind of her own. Chuck once said that I should have my girls wear a button that says "I dressed myself." I told him that I think it's pretty obvious.

Messy hair - purple dress - red and black socks - brown shoes - oops! (Name that book)

I love this picture. We were opening up our weekly produce box from Dominion Harvest and I asked the girls what their favorite item was that we received. Charly picked the red peppers and Lucy picked the goat cheese. The way Charly was holding the peppers made me laugh.
"You're the cutest thing I ever did see. I really love your peppers. Want to shake your tree." (Name that song)

Charly (plus my other girls) love to use an umbrella. So much so, that they have broken or bent 3 umbrellas in the last month. Charly was so proud of herself getting the newspaper for daddy with her umbrella.

The love of Spider Man had been passed down. Lucy already grew out of the pjs that she got for Christmas just 9 months ago. Charly was so excited to get to wear the coveted pajamas.

Promised Land Pageant

Leland was in The Promised Land Pageant in June with my mom, Larry, and her cousin Leah. She has looked forward to it all year, since she was in it last summer. She was in a few different scenes this year, but felt like a pro since this was her second year.

The Hocks came to see the pageant too (with cousin Denim). We enjoyed a walk in Washington and dinner before the show.

We took a boat ride with cousins.

We went to the NC Estuarium.

We loved our weekend with cousins.The Benner family, Morris family, and Layni were there for the weekend too.

Mother's Day Notes

Lucy's Mother's Day note from school. (click on picture to enlarge)

I think it was so sweet that she put that my job was taking care of my friends. She brought this home on a day that my friends were really taking care of me, so it was perfect.

Leland's "A Book About My Mom" with commentary by the mom. 

Leland said she drew me wearing "your church jewelry". Sunday is the only day I wear jewelry (and makeup too for that matter)

I thought...she makes me look like a healthy eater...salad, carrot, orange, chicken...

then she breaks out the Cheeburger, Cheeburger.

Pretty accurate picture with the red boxes too.

They also picked me a beautiful bouquet of flowers all from our yard. Sweet girls.

Happy 6th Birthday

Leland turned 6 years old. I can not believe my girl is growing up. She is...

• losing teeth
• has almost completed Kindergarten
• loves school
• says she has a boyfriend
• ties her own shoes
• Oh the drama!! the tears, the sobs, the kicking and screaming all over what clothes to wear to school
• knows so much about the Gospel of Jesus Christ
• corrects me when I sing the wrong words to a song
• is a huge help with her little sisters
• says she wants to be a librarian when she grows up, so she she can read stories to kids for story time
• is really smart
• loves to cook and is always ready to help chop, stir, or pour
• loves Taylor Swift and some Katy Perry and Lady Gaga thanks to her dad

We sure do love this girl. She is a joy in our home and are so grateful for her example to all of us. 

Easter Hunt #1

We went to a community Easter Egg Hunt with the Morris girls. Leland and Lucy knew the drill and were on the run to get as many eggs as possible. Charly just stood there watching the craziness. Even when we showed her candy was inside the eggs, she still was not interested.

The girls showing off their loot (that I would later throw away).

It's funny how the girls are so different in little ways:

Just dump 'em all out

line 'em up one by one

Then the Easter Bunny came for a visit. He was kind of creepy looking if you ask me.

We then checked out the beautiful flowers...

and baby chicks at the local garden store. As much as I hate birds, I really wanted to take some of these home to have chickens and fresh eggs.

Jungle Party

Leland's kindergarten did a musical show called Jungle Party Tonight. It was so cute. You could tell they had practiced so hard.

She even had a small speaking part.