Snow Days

This photo was taken on Sunday at church, the day before OCTAVIA hit.  We have been living in a winter wonderland since Monday.  I was really thinking we were going to escape any large snow storm this year, but we did not...and there is more snow coming this weekend.  I am ready to move South.  Anyway, we have not left our house since Sunday. 

School has been cancelled all week, roads have been bad, so we have had many lazy days at home.  Tuesday was my birthday.  We could not go anywhere so the kids and I had a mattress party in the living room, and watched old movies on Netflix.  3 Ninjas Kick Back was a big hit.  We cuddled, laughed, and were lazy all day.  It was not a glamorous birthday, but I enjoyed every minute with them.

We have ventured into the snow a few times.  Caleb has loved helping Nick shovel the driveway, Mckinlee has loved rolling in the snow, and Paxton has enjoyed the snow from indoors.  The kids and I walked to our neighborhood park yesterday while Nick stayed home with Paxton.  We went down the slides that were covered in snow, used the swings, played mother may I/race/red light green light, tried to build a snow man, and had so much fun.  We were all freezing by the time we got back indoors.

Speaking of indoors, I have ran out of ideas to keep the kids and myself entertained.  I can only clean so much with 3 kids trapped indoors.  The end of the day comes and it looks as though I have done nothing.  I have turned to Pinterest all week to keep us entertained, and most ideas have been a success. 

It is freezing out, but I think we may venture into the real world tomorrow.  The gym is calling my name.  I have to get out before the next storm hits, or I may go insane.  I love this time with my littles, but I think we would all benefit from some outside interaction. 

Paxton's FIrst Birthday

We celebrated Paxton's first birthday the day after Mckinlee's party.  Having two babies 1 week apart is not something I would recommend.  Party planning was exhausting, and by the end of the weekend I felt as though I had ran a marathon.  However, Paxton's party came together great, and he seemed to really enjoy himself.  He was in a happy mood the entire time, ate some of his cake, and allowed anyone and everyone to hold him.  I would call that a first birthday success.

We did an "Our Little Wildcat" theme.  My sister, a DUKE fan, told me "that was the worst idea I ever had".  However, I figured UK blue was an easy theme, and some décor items we will be able to use again.  My sister made a basketball smash cake, I ordered cupcakes from SAMS, we had some appetizers, and minimal décor.  I made sure that I had a photo book at the entrance for family and friends to sign (I have done this for all three kids).  I didn't go as above and beyond as I have previously for birthdays, but it was stress free, and our guests enjoyed themselves. 

The banner was purchased at Hobby Lobby and then my friend Brittney painted his name. 

My mother in law made the wreath, the banner, and the flags.

My husband made the KY sign. 

Paxton was not as into his cake as Mckinlee was, but he liked it more than Caleb did.  Once he figured out what it was he enjoyed eating it.  We had to finish with a bath, so that was a success.

 

 

He mostly received gift cards so we only opened a few presents. 

I wasn't great at taking photos.  I loved having a photographer at Mckinlee's first for that reason.  I missed getting photos of him with Nick and I, and him with various family members.  It is what it is at this point, but I am disappointed. 

All in all it was a great party though!

Paxton, I can not believe that you are already one.  It just doesn't seem possible.  My memory of your birth/first week, is still so fresh. I literally feel like it was yesterday.  You my boy are the sweetest little thing. You are so calm, so laid back, so loving.  You kiss me, hug me, and pat my back while you squeeze me daily.  I love it.  You dance on que now, love to wave hi and bye bye, do so big, will raise one finger if we ask you how old you are, shake your head no, and crawl.  You walk behind your walker like a pro, and love to pull up/cruise around everything.  You have four teeth now, with two more trying to break through.  You say dada and mama.  You love Caleb and Mckinlee.  You have started laughing at them so hard whenever they are around now.  You are so perfect. I literally can not get enough of you, and I never want you to grow.  You have the cutest smile, and the most adorable "stinker" face.  Goodness I love you bud! I pray that you will be an amazing man one day. A man among men.  A follower of God, a leader for your family, an amazing husband, and that you will experience the joy of fatherhood.  I pray that God blesses you with health, and enough money to not worry. I pray that you always understand why you are on Earth, and that you chase after your dreams.  However, for right now, I will hold you, snuggle you, smother you with kisses, and wish for you to never grow up.  I know you will be an amazing man, but for right now you are my sweet, loving, cuddly one year old boy, and I am so blessed to be yours.

Love Mommy

Mckinlee's Fourth Birthday

We celebrated Mckinlee's fourth birthday this past weekend.  The night before her actual birthday I asked her to a take a few pictures for me.  I wanted to document her last night as a three year old.  This girl is such a hard subject to get a photo of.  She is constantly bouncing, twirling, posing, jumping etc.  Most of the photos turned out blurry (per usual), but the ones I did get captured who she is at this fun age.  (Sidenote, she wants to be a Power Ranger when she grows up).

She awoke to balloons, and a decorated kitchen on her actual birthday. He doorframe was also covered in streamers.  I like to do small things like that to make them feel extra special on their birthday.  We served cinnamon rolls, and we sang Happy Birthday to her, and then she opened her present.  We got her a kindle, and she was so surprised.  I love her expressions. 

We celebrated the rest of the day at the Museum Center, and then the next day was party day.  We did not have an all out party this year, but we invited family and a few friends to go ice skating with us.  Mckinlee was totally into Frozen, and I thought that ice skating would be a great "frozen" activity.  We all had fun skating.  The kids held onto buckets to learn to skate, and they were all so cute.  Mckinlee didn't last as long as the rest of us, but she had fun.  Caleb was loving it, and he has asked me 100 times to go back already. 

After ice skating our guests came to our house for a breakfast dinner (per Mckinlee's request).  She played with friends, and opened her presents, and had a great time being celebrated.

Mckinlee-


At four years old you are so sassy and hilarious.  You literally keep me laughing, second guessing, and shaking my head daily.  You have such a personality.  You have more personality in your tiny little body, than I can even fathom having.  You are constantly making up songs and performing.  I love that about you!! You are such a girly girl, but you can play Power Rangers alongside Caleb just as well as any boy.  You love to read books and go to the library.  You love pre school.  You are learning so much from church, and you talk so sweetly about Jesus.  You are obsessed with "the egg show" on you tube, and love to watch it during quiet time.  You live on no sleep.  You are the last one of the kids to fall asleep, and the first one to wake up.  You think that as soon as the sun rises you are suppose to get out of bed.  We are working on that one.  That is not my favorite character trait that you possess.  I could go on and on about you sweet girl.  You hug me, kiss me and tell me you love me multiple times a day.  You are totally into the stage where you are fearful that Nick or I will leave you right now.  You do not get upset when  we say bye to you, but when you hug me you will say "I love you, and I want you to stay with me forever, and never go to jail".....haha.  I love you to pieces my little Princess.  You are perfect, you are strong, you are beautiful, and you are amazing.  I am so blessed to be your mom.