Y'all better backup and return where y'all came from

Enchiladas at Nana's

New Underwear!

It was a two step process.

First, I let Wyatt pick out his own big boy underwear (superheroes)

Second, I spent the better part of a morning trying to convince him they were NOT called panties.

Hazard of having an older sister.

We finally resolved the issue by calling cousin McGregor who, at the age of 5 1/2, is the bastion of male wisdom as far as Wyatt is concerned.

Rockin' some Thor undies! Way to go!

Happy Birthday Pappy!

Yummy Le Mistral!

i heart chick-fil-a

Young motherhood is a stage.

A very intense, sleepless, exhausting, high-demand stage.

Eventually all your children will wipe their own mouths and bottoms, cut their own food, not spill their drinks on a regular basis or manage to use an entire stack of napkins at lunch. But I'm not quite there yet (very bright light is visible at the end of a tunnel though). B/c of this crazy time known as the preschool years, Chick-fil-a has won me over. And when I say "won over," I mean I would seriously contemplate taking up arms in defense of my beloved restaurant.

(slight exaggeration.)

(sort of.)

Why do I love it so much?

Well, it has awesome food (moment of silence for waffle fries.....) but, more than that, their employees smile at you. They come to your table to see if you need any refills or napkins or straws or wipes which means I don't have to leave my baby alone to hunt down ketchup packets. They have toys that don't drive me bonkers and inspiring lessons on their kids' meal bags. They have face painting and balloon animal nights.

How could I go back to the golden arches after all of this?

We let Shelby keep it on over night. Your only young once right? Next up, a life size bunny of chocolate for Easter morning that she can gnaw on for breakfast.

Wyatt showing his basketball on his hand and Shelby silently communicating her love in form of a heart-shaped balloon.

*PS It should be noted for posterity's sake that Seth took them b/c I had a meeting. Numero Uno Esposo!

How a forensic eye could judge our day by this picture

Exhibit A: The boots

Mom let him dress himself

Exhibit B: HEB sticker on his chest

He is either for sale or wrangled some stickers from the checker

Exhibit C: Sugar cookie in hand

Mother must be showing sign of fatigue

Exhibit D: Distant Target store indicators in background. Appears to be in Starbucks area of store

Mother showing extreme signs of fatigue


Conclusions:

Signs of errands and passive parenting.

Must be a tired mommy at the end of a tiring week.

Ty turns 3 & Brooklyn gets baptized

Pile 'o dirt party.

Do I need to explain the popularity of this brilliant idea?

There were a couple of kids intent on digging a hole to China and one little girl who decided to eat it (note: this is the same little girl from Mac's pirate party who ate Starbursts with the wrappers on. Her gut must be lined with steel.)

Dirt cake for dessert!

Mac & Wyatt looking less than pumped.

Birthday boy picking up the slack.

Do not be deceived.

Shelby is actually running a fever in this picture and was sick to her stomach. Of course, not sick enough to not eat two pieces of pizza and some dirt cake.

Wyatt enjoyed the dirt cake as well.

I mean, who doesn't love dirt cake?

Crazy people that's who.

Feeling a little rumbly in the tumbly after pizza, Hi-C, massive amounts of dirt cake, chips, and gum.

Go figure.

"We're 3 and we're tuff!"

Please observe the white jeans I am wearing in the background to the DIRT party.

What can I say? I like to live dangerously.

Have you ever seen such cute babies???

The two big blurry figures in the background are Bons & Ryan holding wee Brooklyn.

Wyatt on the drive home the minute the movie started.

Shelby the whole way home (double feature!).

I'm not sure how the mink stole slipped into her suitcase. I promise I pulled out multiple tiaras, scarves and accessories.

Guess I missed that one.

Good times in Cajun country!!!

All Girl

Shelby got herself a nightgown that represents all she could ever want in a piece of clothing:

pink
ruffles
tulle
hint of shine
bow

Actually, not that dissimilar from what she is currently wearing.

Can't say she doesn't know her mind.

Potty training is going well

Thank you for asking.

Some are just born with it

I'm sorry that's MISTER Walker to you.

Do I know you?

Sheesh! The paparazzi just walk right through all those new laws.

My #1 Helper

I discovered something.

Something so big and life-changing I can hardly believe my luck.

I'm talking HUGE news people!

My daughter LOVES to clean.

I think the tongue gives her an extra edge

Important note: you may want to give Target a few days to restock all their various forms of cleaning wipes. They are running low.

I hear.

1st Solids

Ate like a champ w/ hardly any mess!

Man, I love this kid!

Why 3rd children are the toughest

I. Love. You. So. Much. It. Hurts.

Someone's had chocolate milk

He's a keeper

So not only did my hubby go dove hunting to bring dinner home to the family, but he made it himself w/ NO MESS in the kitchen.

Between you and me, he's never looked better!

Shelby ate the bacon and cream cheese. (Nutritious)

Wyatt ate everything declaring "More bird food!"

Post-Christmas House

Santa brought Wyatt trains, hula hoops, and a pair of ripped abs. (Those must have gotten put in the wrong stocking)

Christmas Eve Service

Shelby is wearing my old Christmas dress from years passed & Walker is wearing his little Santa outfit.

Super Pumped!

Not super pumped.


I've said before and I'll say it again. Wyatt MUST to be tortured by the same coat with which his father was.

It's family tradition.

*************************


After the service, I snapped a couple shots of the hubby and our first-time service attenders. I included both pictures. I think you can see that they both have something to offer. I mean, how could I choose between such great material?

New 3-D at Nini & Pappy's

And this is where I found their petrified bodies years later...

The Evolution of "2"

So proud of his new skill!

Thoughts on Childhood and Humiliating Headgear...

....embrace it now before they are old enough to protest.

They will choose their own form of humiliation later in high school (think body suits and mule clogs. Oh the horror!).

Was that the cutest montage or what?!?!

Happy 5th Birthday Shelby!

Since Shelby's birthday is 7 days before Christmas, we do a small family party for her actual birthday and a friend's party on her half-birthday (think June, think pool).

Shelby saw the wrapped gifts the night before and woke up excited.

Really excited.

Saw the Monkey Bread going in the oven.

Really, really excited.

Ate Monkey Bread and opened presents.

Potential for spontaneous combustion.

Seriously, after all the sugar from the Monkey Bread it was like there were sparks shooting off her electrically charged curls.

That night we ended with some white chili and family. You can see some of the spoils below.

Important side note: The pink diamonds light up when you press them

Important side note: Shelby feels the need to shout orders to Wyatt in an English accent while wearing her cape.


Does her family know her or what?