One great choir concert

Lexi and her cousin Aimee were in a wonderful choir concert this week at the high school. I can't believe I have a kid in high school! Crazy times! It was fun to have Grandma and Grandpa there to support the girls. Also, a cousin and a sibling there for each girl. Fun times.

14 Years and 1 Week

One week ago tonight we were celebrating Lexi's 14th birthday. I have to admit it feels very bittersweet. I think my mind is still trying to catch up with my life. I truly don't know when this happened...when my girl grew up!  

Lexi can:

fit into my shoes

take care of Owen

play the piano better than me

clean the kitchen to my standard (when she wants)

Take charge like nothing I have ever seen in someone her age

be an amazing help 

Happy Birthday Lexi! Thanks for being my super, terrific, 14 year old girl:)

I love how supportive my girls are of each others birthdays. Every sister needed to buy a gift for their big sis. Nicolette chose some of Lexi's favorites:)

Ava also chose gifts that Lexi loves (mostly candy) Lexi loves candy. I wonder who taught her that love?

Vivien chose mascara. Lexi  loves mascara. she goes through a bottle a month...at least. I thought it was so cute of Vivi to know Lexi loves new mascara.

For some reason I don't have a picture of Lexi and Lilli. Lilli bought Lexi a gift she had really been wanting and it took all of Lilli's allowance. I thought this was very nice and giving of Lilli.

 We headed to Texas Roadhouse for a yummy birthday dinner. Lexi wanted to take her family to dinner, which I thought was very kind and fun! Luckily, cute, nice, sweet Kristy was willing to take on those little ones in the family who don't do well at the restaurant. This left us with a very enjoyable birthday dinner:)

Then came the real craziness...I some how (with the help of Lexi's friends and cousin) pulled off a surprise party for the birthday girl. Here is a picture of most of the group that came. I think they all thought I was a nut making them pose for a picture...hey that's just the breaks when your mom is a blogger;)

Lexi requested the birthday cake I always request...Baskin Robins ice cream cake with mint chocolate chip ice cream. yummy! The writing on the cake is a bit sloppy, seeing that the guy behind the counter pretty much refused to write on her cake! So, when I offered to do it myself he said, "sure come on back." So, I headed to the back of Baskin Robins and did my best, especially considering I have never written on an ice cream cake before. Well, when your the mom you just do what you gotta do! And, we were so not having a cake with no happy  birthday on it.

The cute friends helped set up while we were at dinner with Lex. They did a great job:) She was very surprised! 

This is Lexi "fake" blowing out her candles. 

This is my boy hanging out at the party...oh, I really love this guy. He is definitely, a knight in shining baby.

Avoiding the camera...

One really great thing Lexi has going for her, is one amazing dad! This guy does so much for his  daughters. He spent a good hour trying to get the movie to work. The movie was having a few "technical" problems. Doug does not give up though and eventually he had the movie fully set up and on the go...There is NOTHING this Dad can't do! 

* on a side note, Nicolette is one patient three year old. She sat here pretty much the whole time just waiting for the movie to start...oh she's a funny gal. Yes, she had one of her famous tantrums when she could not stay and watch the whole movie, but we'll just focus on the positive for the sake of the birthday post.

I had to add this picture of the party waiting for the movie to start. 

A BIG thanks to the popcorn lady, babysitter, patient friend, who let Vivien "help" her with the popcorn making. Thank you Kristy for giving us the "real"popcorn for our movie party! I think some peanut butter thank you cookies should some day make it your way:)

Happy Birthday Lexi! We love you!

It's Official!

Lexi turned 13 on July 6 while we were vacationing at my mom and dad's house. She had a great day celebrating.

Early in the morning heading out for her b-day breakfast with dad.
After breakfast my mom and I took Lexi on a shopping spree and a ear piercing event. It was a fun day.

Lexi, me and my mom at the perfect place for a birthday dinner...The Cheesecake Factory....oh yummy!

The birthday dinner

I don't know why Doug and I look so thrilled that she was blowing out a candle at the restaurant. I think we were just happy to spend the evening with our eldest daughter.

We also had dinner with my parents. This was a fun evening.

Now, I know we just had the cheesecake...but we have to have birthday cake on a birthday. So, here was the very yummy birthday cake.

The sisters were thrilled to share in the yummy cake.

Lexi with her sisters on her birthday.

This littlest sister was too tired to finish the festivities.

The longing for the Ripstik is over:)

Lexi trying out her new toy in the Mam's kitchen.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LEXI! WE LOVE YOU!

July 4 ,2009

We started out the morning of the 4th with these very festive homemade cinnamon rolls. (There are definite perks with staying at Grandma's:)

We celebrated the 4th this year at my mom and dad's. The girls were all a tad disappointed that they had to miss the many festivities at home. I am glad to report they survived missing the parade:)

Nicolette LOVED her cinnamon roll.

Of course I could not let the day pass without some very festive Fourth of July cupcakes.

My "sparkler" cupcakes. (A big shout out to Mike and Karla for there cupcake help) I was running out of time and they were very quick learners and Karla's cupcakes looked better than mine.

Sparkler fun with Aunt Karla and Uncle Mike

Swimming, sparklers, cupcakes...yes, it's a party.

The fun, yet very illegal, slightly stressful fire work show. That's all I'm saying, I don't want to incriminate anyone.
BIG accomplishment for this girl! This is the first year that Lexi has been able to touch a firework. She has always had a pretty serious fear. Yay Lexi! Good job:)

Nicolette enjoying her treats.

Nicolette, Ava, and sparklers. I love sparklers.

A very swam out Vivi enjoying treats.

My festive Lilli. I know it's late but, had to document our festivities!

Hmmm...

So, as much as Lexi does not appreciate my blog, she was very insistent that I get her most recent photo shoot of Vivi...ON THE BLOG! Well, Lexi, here it is:)

I think this is Lexi's favorite.

Vivien, quiet and calm. A very rare moment;)

Lexi got her hot little hands on my camera the other day and went to work. She picked out Vivi's outfit, curled her hair, and yes, even mascara on my five-year-old. The girls both had a lot of fun. I love it when sisters can get along. It's a very good thing. Good job Lex:)

For The Record!

I am posting this conversation Lexi and I had today for her sake...one day when she is a mom she is going to read it and forever be in my debt!!!

Lexi~ "Mother, please...never be late like this again!"
Me~ " Lexi, I am sorry...but, do you have any idea how I have been running all over this town all day for you girls and that's about all I have done for the day."
Lexi~ "Well, you could at least be on time with all of your running around."

~ then there was something about some random talk...your late for everything, your whole life, and mine...etc, etc...(I am paraphrasing this part.)

Me~
1."Lexi, I woke up this morning and drove you to school.
2. I got Lilli ready and out the door for school without having to drive.
3. I drove Ava to meet up to walk with Lilli because she was late.
4. I drove Nicolette for a photo at stupid Target.
5. I drove back home, a needed bathroom break. (a bathroom break at the store with a toddler...not fun!)
6. I drove to Vivi's preschool for her program.
7. I drove home and fed Vivi lunch.
8. I drove Vivi to her friend's house to play.
9. I drove home to give Nicolette a nap.
10. Nicolette would not sleep so we drove to the school to help with Lilli's school play.
11. As I was heading out of the school to drive the Jr. high carpool...(your carpool Lexi) Nicolette bashed her face into the solid rock hard floor and was bleeding all over herself and me and the elementary school.
12. I cleaned up the blood and drove to the the jr. high...yes, late to pick you up...(remember the bleeding baby here).
13. drove home and dropped you, Lexi off...another bathroom break.
14. I drove back to the elementary school to pick up those girls there.
15.I drove back home dropped off Lilli, got Ava ready for her party.
16. Drove you, Lexi to your singing lesson, drove Ava to her party.
17.drove home.
18. drove back to pick you up from your singing lesson...(only 5 min. late)
19. And, Lexi I still have to drive and pick Ava up from her party!"

" So if I am a little late...maybe you can give me a bit of a break, and maybe when your the mom you might understand this better and give me a little slack."
Lexi~ "Well, when I'm the mom I won't be late for one thing ever, and I will call you up and let you know how it is done"
me~ "lovely, that's just lovely...

Ok, if you have made it through reading this post maybe this post if for me too...I need some positive reinforcement from somebody out there! And, can someone please tell me how it is that I seem to have a teenager in my home even though she is only 12? And, isn't this far too much driving for one person? I think I feel an everyone is walking everywhere strike coming on;)
serenity now... :)

Everyone Grows Up...

We were organizing the girls closet before school started and Lexi decided it was time to pack up some of her things:(

She is done with her dolls, but wants to save them for later... which is a good thing that she cares.

I was a bit sad because it feels like the end of an era for me. To have a daughter that is more interested in "other things". I know it's all part of life...it was just a sad day for this mom.

August 25,2008...That Big First Day!

Well, here she is my daughter that is in Jr. High...is it really true, or just a crazy dream?  Ya, it's true..I'm OK, really I am...(kind of)

Anyway, Lexi was up and ready to go and even let me take her picture:)

Although, she did only allow one picture which was kinda annoying for me, so I just took some more for fun.  I really like the action shot here...well, not really I'm just trying hard to be more positive.

Now, here is a lovely shot of her bright neon finger nails.  It's all the style, neon nail polish....if you didn't know that you must be as old as me:)

Here is dad and Lexi getting ready to leave...lots of big breaths for me this day...lots of serenity now:)

My big first grader!  Ava girl going to school all day.  What a cutie:) I love this girl.  She is really nice to me.  Lately, she has been a little out of sorts, I know that it is just her new adjustments to all day school though and she will be back to her sweet self soon...(more positivity from me here)

4th grade just watch out!  Lilli is out and about.  School and Lilli go hand in hand.  She is going to have a fabulous year because she is my positive, outgoing, school lovin girl...yeah for my Lilli:)

Vivi J...you go girl!  Vivi has got the preschool thing going on. This is her second year in a row with a very terrific preschool teacher!  She is pretty annoyed that she isn't going to Kindergarten with her one true love Carson, but she will be OK.  I am still convincing her of this...of course:)

The toddler...oh the hardships of being the youngest.  Having to hang out with mom all day, taking naps, people preparing your food.  No sisters to steal your cookies..serious hardships!

The preschool carpool...This carpool rocks.  We have 4 kiddos going.  I drive one week a month.  Life is good with the preschool carpool.  

Nicolette enjoying sprinkler time.  I decided to let her have some fun...I actually was not looking forward to going back into my empty lonely house.

Vivi and Nicolette after preschool.  Nicolette was so happy to have Vivi back home:)

We really did have a great first day, it's always so exciting, that very first day of a new school year.  I am trying to remain positive, but it has been a hard one for this mom this year.  We have some serious logistics  going on at our house. For the first time, we have four kids in three different schools.  The driving alone could do me in!  Not to mention, the major Jr. High carpool politics that I was completely clueless to. (newbie jr. high mom that I am.) I am wishing that Jr. high carpools were illegal so that the hurt feelings and frustrations of it all would go away!

It is truly intense and I find myself wishing for those days of pajama mornings and the Price is Right.  Serenity now...