Sick Child

Well, Hayden is sick! He never gets sick, but started running a low grade fever yesterday morning and has quite a bit of drainage. I have been home with him all day. He is still in his PJ's!!!! He feels good and gets up a bit when the Motrin or Tylenol are kicked in. We are getting ready to have a family movie night and watch Prince Caspian. We watched the first Narnia last night, so tonight we will watch the sequel. Hope everyone is having a good weekend and enjoying watching the snowfall because it ain't gonna stick!!!!

Other exciting news....I've had my Mexico trip planned for awhile now, but now.....we have our family trip booked and we are so excited! We are going with two other families and together there will be 7 kids ranging in age from about 4-10! The kids are soooo excited! Come on June!!!! We also have a short trip planned for spring break....can't wait!

The Poop Scoopers

Almost everyday after school when the kids get home, they want to go straight outside to see the dogs. The go out there and play with them and then get on the trampoline. I usually here them squealing and playing. I was on the computer and I noticed after awhile the squealing had stopped so I go to check on them....At first, I thought Hailey was digging in our sod and I started to holler at them. I am looking throught the blinds so they have no idea I am watching them. So, I watch for a minute, and notice she is not digging up sod, but picking up dog poop with the shovel. I couldn't believe it! They acted like it was so much fun and even made up a song about it. I could hear them singing, "Here come the poop scoopers to save the day!" So, I had to take a short video....notice what Hayden is using in the video...too funny! Afterwards when I showed them I had video'ed them, she said it was there job and they were going to do it everyday! Wow! We'll see how long this lasts! Haha!

Check out the video below....

Boys Night Out & Girls Night Out

On Saturday night, we had a boys/girls night out.

Boys Night Out: Brian took Hayden and one of his little buddies, Hayes, to the rodeo at Alltel Arena. They had a blast. Brian picked up Hayes early so they could play for awhile. Then he took them to Cheeburger Cheeburger in LR for hamburgers and french fries that are served in a cool cardboard car. They loved it! Then they headed to the rodeo. Brian said they had great seats because they were on the first row of the 2nd level and could see everything perfectly! He got the kids funnel cakes and blue cotton candy and said when he looked down at them, Hayes's mouth was all blue and Hayden had powdered sugar all down the front of him....pretty funny! He said the boys really enjoyed watching the bull riders and they stayed almost the entire time. They got to go pick out a souvenier and they both picked out the stuffed bull replica of "Reindeer" the famous bull. They came home and were so excited to show me all of their stuff (car boxes and bulls) and tell me ALLLL about it! Haye's had a sleepover and they crashed after a long day.

Girls Night Out: Hailey, my mom, and I decided to go to dinner and a movie for our girls night. We had a great time together, too. Hailey picked Mexico Chiquito and then we headed to the Rave to see Coraline the 3D movie. She really enjoyed it....but the movie was strange...don't think I would recommend it. It was kindof scary, but she liked it.

The Arena

Brian's sister, Kim, and our niece, Miranda, were also there and they got to see them while they were there.

The clowns trying to distract the bull.

Hayes & Hayden

Ride 'em cowboy!

Yummy goodies are one of the best parts!!!

Woo Hoo!

Our Date

Brian was so sweet...he planned an entire date for us. Mimi and PopPop kept the kids over night for us while we went out on our date. I didn't know where we were going except to eat and to a movie. We went to Sonny Williams Steakhouse and I had the best filet mignon ever! It was so tender, I didn't really need a knife. We also had the best appetizer...the fresh crabcakes...they are to die for! After our huge meal, we were too full for dessert so we headed to the movie. Brian picked "He is Just Not That Into You" for our movie and even went and got the tickets ahead of time earlier in the day at the Rave. I thought that was really sweet that he picked a chick flick for me!! We both really enjoyed the movie...it was funny. We had a great time together.

Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day everyone! We got up early to get to Hailey's Upward Basketball game. The kids came to breakfast to find their valentine sack and were very excited. They each got candy, a Bakugan which they had been wanting forever (it is a little ball that when you put it to metal, it opens up and is kind of like a transformer). Hayden also got a hot wheel car that changes colors when it is in hot/cold water....he loved it!!! Hailey got a little preteen pop magazine that had posters of some of her heartthrobs (jonas brothers, etc.) in it. She LOVES it and likes looking at all the fashion trends. Too funny!!!!

We had a nice day together as a family. After Hailey's basketball game, we went to Madison's birthday party at Playworld. Then we headed to do some shopping. We got the kids several outfits from Old Navy and Target for spring/summer. Brian and I decided not to get each other anything for Valentine's Day and wait and go on a date the following weekend. So, we got steaks and grilled at the house with baked potatoes and ranch style beans. They were AWESOME!!! We also got strawberries for strawberry shortcake but everyone was too full! We had a great day!

Hailey's Valentine Day Party

Here is the picture of Hailey and her valentine box she "designed". We found some valentine sacks and the store she liked and we cut them and used them as wrapping paper to cover her box. Then she used peel and stick foam letters to spell out Happy Valentine's Day and her name was on there too. It was all her design and she did a great job.

Here are some pictures from her valentine's day party. They had pizza, cupcakes, and chocolate covered strawberries. They played several games and voted on favorite boxes.

Hailey and Thomas sitting at their desks.

Hailey and I posing for a quick pic.

Out of all the food the had at her party...she comes back with a few of these little conversation hearts which she doesn't even like.

Hayden's Valentine's Day Party

A few days before Valentines's Day, the kids had to make valentine boxes to take to school. Hayden wanted a car box and I helped him make it. He painted it and then helped me glue on the "extras". He had a clear tape windshield and foil for the rims and mirrors. He thought it was pretty cool.

Front of the car box.

On Friday, the kids had their valentine's day parties. I had to coordinate and run Hayden's so I ran down to Hailey's while the kids were going through their valentines so I could be with Hailey some too. I was sweating trying to run back and forth! For Hayden's...we had ice cream sundaes and juice boxes. The kids enjoyed making their sundae's.

Hayden so proud with his box. He got really hot and took his shirt off so that is why he is in his undershirt.

Hayden & Maria. This is the little girl that he confessed to kissing. When I asked him where he kissed her (thinking lips, cheek, etc.) he said, "under the slide". I about died laughing. I told him he better not be kissing girls on the playground anymore, even though Maria IS pretty cute! He told me a few weeks later that he "broke up with Maria". I said, "What did she say?" and he said, "nuffin" (aka nothing).

Hayden going through his valentines.

Nana's Visit to Celebrate Hailey's Birthday

"The handmade glass Nana had made for Hailey b/c she loves to drink out of Nana's pretty glasses when she goes down to her house.
Hailey posing with all her goodies!

Nana, Hayden, & Hailey

Hailey ready to open her presents.

I swear Hailey's birthday lasted WEEKS!!! Virginia came up on a Thursday to celebrate Hailey's birthday and go out to eat. She picked Michaelangelo's and we had a great dinner. She enjoyed her gifts and had a great time. Thanks Nana!

American Girl Trip to Dallas

On Saturday morning...me, my mom, Hailey and her best friend, Megan, headed to Dallas to the American Girl store. We left at 8:00 and stopped in LR to eat breakfast at Krispy Kreme. Then, it was on the road again. With a short stop for lunch at McDonald's, we made it to Dallas by about 2:30. We got checked into our not so great hotel and changed clothes. Then, it was straight to American Girl. It was so exciting seeing the sign and walking up to the store. Once you walked in, it was so incredible and overwhelming! Dolls were everywhere! There were display cases with dolls under glass in different outfits or with furniture that you could buy. The clothes for the dolls would be found under the glass case in little boxes with tissue wrap just like a fancy boutique. It was two story with an escalator up to the second level where you found a little more merchandise and the bistro. Hailey found her "just like me" doll. She got an outfit that matched her doll. We took the tags off in the store so she could wear it out and match "Lily" her new doll. She also bought her new doll another outfit. We got the doll's ears pierced, her hair done at the salon, a box of earrings and a hairbrush. Megan got her doll several outfits and some super cute pink boots. We all had a good time...a once in a lifetime experience.

A few quick pics before going down and to the store.
Two excited girls! Wait, make that 4!

The girls with their goods.

Lily ready for her new "do".

Ears pierced, too...and she didn't even cry! What a brave girl!

Her stylist wetting her hair.

Hailey got to pick the hairstyle she wanted for Lily. She chose two braids....that took about 45 minutes for the girl to complete....and $20.00 later....

Almost finished!!

The new mommy watching closely!

Ta da!!!

What a pretty little girl!

Megan, Lizzy, Hailey, & Lily

Exhausted and hungry after 2 hours of shopping....just in the American Girl store!

They cheered with their dolls, danced with their dolls and gave them lots of kisses! What fun!

Right when we were taking this picture, the girls looked over the ledge and noticed a limo picking up some people from the American Girl store. They were wowed!

After shopping, we were all starving! Hailey picked Mexican food for dinner so we headed to On The Border. The girls took in their dolls and played with them the whole time. We had a good dinner and I told the waiter it was Hailey's bday. He brought out a brownie dessert and I started singing Happy Birthday and momma and Megan joined in. Hailey covered her ears and her face turned red as she glanced around to see if anyone was looking. She shhhst us so we got louder and louder and louder ....just to embarass her. It was soooo funny.

This is not our best picture, but had to post one of us, too!

Lizzy and Lily

Chucky, I mean Lily...haha!! Only the grown-ups will get this one! HeHe

After the birthday serenade!

Once we got back to the hotel, the girls wanted to go swimming. So, we headed down to the pool. Momma and I sat and watched while they swam for awhile. They got a bit cold and got out to dry off when I noticed something....their hair was GREEN!!!! Agggh!!!! I mean neon green, shrek green! We got them back to the room and had them take a shower right away. Then they had snacks, played with their dolls and we all piled up in the bed watching funny pet videos on my laptop! Then we got tucked in, watched a little Hannah Montana before hitting the sack!

The next morning, we headed to breakfast. The only thing we could find was Denny's. Hailey wanted to wear her outfit again and have her hair braided like Lily's. And of course, we had to tell them it was her birthday again! We sang much quieter this time so as not to embarass her too bad! We got on the interstate about 10:30 for the long drive back. We stopped in Texarkana at Carino's for lunch and made it back to Conway about 4:30.

After we got home and unloaded, Hailey picked Cracker Barrel for her birthday dinner....I swear this has been the longest drawn out birthday ever. I think we have been celebrating for a week now! We went to eat and, again, I just had to tell the waiter that it was her birthday. Well, this time, he came with about 6 other wait staff, asked her name and age and then said to the restaurant ..."Can I have your attention please? It is Hailey's 9th birthday today, could you help us out?" and then we all proceeded to sing her Happy Birthday. She just smiled with the reddest face ever....my face even got red this time! But it was funny! Happy Birthday, Hailey and hope you had a great time! We love you so much!