Sydnee Grace

It's that time of year again...the time that I am reminded how blessed I am to have such a wonderful child...a time that I feel that earth-shattering ache in my heart that time is moving to fast.

Happy 6th Birthday Sydnee...I love you "in-a-pickle-in-a-bunch" for many reasons!  Here are just a few!

1. Of all my children, you are by far the most outgoing.  You never leave a place without leaving a new friend.  You play fair and are kind to those around you.  I hope this same kindness is given back to you from the world as you grow.

2. You are most content when embraced in a hug. I never have to ask or beg for your affection, because you give it so freely.  You love to cuddle in a lap...while sucking your thumb and twirling your hair.  I hope you always find comfort in you life...but the thumb sucking probably needs to go!

3. You love to feel beautiful.  You appreciate all sorts of beauty around you...be it either a pink sunset or purple sparkly shoes.  You find beauty in so many things that I fail to notice..and you make me see it through your eyes.  I hope others you meet throughout your lifetime find that same beauty...especially the beauty you carry inside.

4. You love to go to church.  You ask me often throughout the week if it is time to go learn about God.  You listen to bible stories with such interest and crave for more.  My hope for you is to grow up to be a Godly woman...I think you are off to great start!

5.  You ask questions...lots of them.  You have the desire to know "why" and "how" things work and what they mean.  This will cause extra long conversations...and sometimes I wish things could be more simpler, but I'm glad they aren't.  I hope you have all your questions answered for you in life and the only surprises you have are the good ones!

6.  I may be selfish on this one...but I love how you love to play with my hair.  We spend many times with you perched on the back of my chair "fixing" my hair...or running your hands through it at night as you drift off to sleep.  It is one thing that relaxes us both...even though you have to do all the work!  I hope your years ahead are calm and the paths you choose to travel are tangle free!

I love you Mango (and this is where you say, "wuv you to, Spice")...you complete my life and make our family stonger, happier and much more interesting!!!♥

July 4th...bang!

I guess when it comes to buying fireworks, you could say I am a stick-in-the-mud!  I have never bought them for my kids.  If they have any...it is because of family member or friends.  No use complaining to their dad...he is ever worse than me.  Flowers, cards and firework rate the same in his book...which is a big, fat NOTHING!!

With that being said....I caved this year.  I dished out money for the girls at the local firework stand...a total of $30.00.  I know that isn't much but the whole time I am thinking what a cute purse I could buy with this money I will soon be seeing drift away in a cloud of smoke!

I tried to get fireworks that I felt where a bit on the "non-dangerous" side, because see below???  They are doing something I don't usually let them do!

Yep..they are lighting them all by themselves.
[ Hello...my name is Alisa...and I am an overprotective mother!!!]

After the "snaps, booms, whizzes and zips" were all finished...I could relax a bit.  Smoke bombs I can handle!

We then headed out to the front and lined up for our traditional parachute race.

Madi wasn't feeling well so she opted to not join in...and then Syd had a meltdown because she wasn't as fast or tall as the other girls.  So we had a special parachute just for her...hope she enjoyed that amazing prize in the form of some thread and red tissue paper!

We then headed to the pool to cool off after all the running!

What kind of 4th of July cookout would it be without hotdogs...

...smore's....

and sparkler art???

Red, White & Blue

Every year we go to the Corles house to celebrate the 4th...along with many other family and friends!  It is always scheduled on the same night that the city has the firework show...so it a fun filled evening!

Kids are blurs of red, white and blue as they run around...

Sisters get to play with sisters...

Cousins spend time with cousins...

Family gets to talk to family they haven't seen in awhile....

And family that they may see about everyday...

Sisters get to catch up and talk about their babies...

And about the babies they are going to have...

Friends get to share secrets...

Cousins get to make memories...just like their parents did years ago...

Grandmas get to enjoy their grandbabies...

Babies get to enjoy each other...

Music fills the summer air...

Grown men get load up together...

And go blew things up!

Those are just a few of many reasons I love belonging to a large family...having great friends...and being blessed to live in the USA!

Ribbit

When the first of July rolls around, most kids get giddy with the thought of the upcoming fireworks...not my twins.  They get giddy with the thought of Frog Season!

Yep..they love it all.
Late nights.
Pond hopping.
Frog catching.
Leg eating.

Mark took the twins last year and they were hooked and have been bothering him lately to take them again.  In the meantime...Abbie has been sharpening her "lure and catching" skills.

Anyone that has a pool in their yard know that kids are not the only things attracted to it! 

With our pool..the opening on top if just perfect for little frogs to hang out in during the heat of the day. 

Abbie quickly figured out a technique she uses to get her daily "frog fix"!

It works...everytime!

Thats what friends are for!

Friends + Summer = Mischievous Grins

Well, that is what it is like around our house.  Rules tend to be broken...bedtimes no longer exist...meals are served all hours of the day...and our front door is always open to neighborhood friends! 

The girls friend and cousin, Madison and Malcolm, spent the afternoon splashing around!

The twins are at the age where being goofy seems to be the goal for their day!  I take what I can get...weird looks and all!

If you read my blog, you know that we by NO means have a shortage of frogs!  They actually provide a lot of entertainment for the kids...and they are kinda growing on me, so I don't mind as much anymore!

Madi and Sarah served up snowcones...yummy!

The kids had fun...it was a good day...for all of us!

Smile

I try to torture accomodate the girls at least once a year with a mini photoshoot.  So far, I have only had the chance to take pics of Madi.  The other girls are on my list if it ever cools down.  They are trying to fly under the radar, but I'm keeping tabs on them...they won't be left out!!!

Here are a few of my favorites...

Beautiful..inside and out!