Growing up!

Mallory and Barrett are growing up so quickly.  It seems like just yesterday Mallory was a little baby, and Barrett was still in preschool.

Mallory's personality makes us laugh!  She is sassy, strong willed, determined, expressive, and funny!  She loves reading, playing outside on the playground or jumping on the trampoline, loves Minnie Mouse (Micky Mouse Clubhouse show on t.v.), and being entertained by her big brother!!!  Of course she likes little girlie things too...like getting into Mommy's make-up, taking baths, SHOES, BOWS (believe it or not she keeps them in her hair without complaining), and gazing into the mirror at her beautiful self.  We have a morning routine of sitting on the counter and while I'm fixing her hair.  We call it, "getting pretty".  She plays with my make-up (or her toothbrush)!  She helps me pick out her bow to match her outfits.  Afterwards, she hops down and runs into the living room to show Barrett and Matt how PRETTY she is!  Our hallway is like a little run-way for her! ha ha ha

Barrett is into a NEW bike!  Yes, he's upgraded!!!!  Our friend Brandon is a 3rd grader and recently got a new bike for his birthday.  He didn't want to get rid of his old bike, but since he loves Barrett so much and new Barrett was close to growing too big for his own bike...Brandon gave us his.  It's just like NEW!  It's taller and fits Barrett perfectly.  THANK YOU Brandon.  It was a pleasure getting a new bike in the middle of March.

This girl loves playing in the front seat of cars.  I guess all kids do!  Matt let Mallory play around in his car one afternoon and that's all it took.  Now, every time he gets home from work (and we're outside) she is persistent about getting into his car.  I guess the steering wheel along all the buttons and gadgets is just too much to resist.

I will say that she kept honking the horn one day (over and over).  Our neighbor Marilyn came out of her house and was looking around.  She thought something was wrong!!!  We had to explain that one!

It's the age of SELFIES...so occasionally Barrett and I take a selfie (selfies) to send to Aunt Brandi!!!! 

2014 Weekend Trip to Throckmorton (Me and the kids)

Lately the weather has been random, but the Saturday we drove out to Throckmorton was incredible.  The wind wasn't blowing, and the temperature was in the high 70s!  It was absolutely perfect.

Matt stayed in McKinney while the kids and I took a quick trip to Throckmorton to visit.  We stayed outside the entire day.  I love going back home.  There is just something special about the slower pace, relaxation, ability to let the kids run and play and not worry about any traffic (whatsoever), and just experience life.

I'm so glad God blessed us with a beautiful day.  Mallory's eyes were open to all kinds of sights!  She's at that age where everything is pure excitement and she's curious about her environment. 

Barrett too likes being out in the country!  He learns more and more every time we are out there. 
We rode the mule around looking at cows, horses, trees, tanks, flowers, cacti, etc., we ate Mimi's yummy home cooked meals (including her angel food cake with icing), we played with toys outside, practiced our egg hunting, rode in the wagon, threw rocks in the tank, fed the horses and cows, read books, and even managed to go swimming (just Barrett and Karlee).  They weren't in the water for very long as the realized how COLD it was!!!!  Crazy kids.

March / April Pics

This is the little friend that Mallory stays with during the day at Mrs. Michele's.  Her name is Marissa and she's about 4 months younger than Mallory.  I'm glad they have one another.

These are Mallory's pretty new shoes.  She LOVES them (and the fact that they are Minnie Mouse).  Right now, they're a little big.  She wears a 7 (even though that's big for her age), but the shoes are size 8.  She's Miss Independent and is adamant about putting them on all by herself.  Sometimes they end up on the wrong foot...but since they're too big, it doesn't really matter!!! 

First pony ride!!!  We went to a birthday party for a friend of Mallory's and there were ponies to ride!  Yeehaw!  Lots of fun!!!  Mallory wasn't scared at all.

Lunch date with Matt during our Spring Break.  I can't wait for summer.  We'll be having a lot more "lunch dates" with him!!!

Here is Barrett's man-made fort he built himself.  It's just the structure.  Eventually we added a cover to it!!!!

Best friends!!!  Here is Pierce Polpelka and Barrett eating out at Mellow Mushroom in McKinney.  It's a really fun, groovy little pizza joint.  We love the Polpelkas!!  They are special people.  I'm blessed to call them friends.

Barrett - Kindergarten Open House

Here are some pieces of Barrett's Texas Unit and other work from Open House 2014!!!  I'm so proud of him.  He's grown up this year, become an excellent reader, loves Science and History, write so well, and is learning to be an incredible Mathematician!!!