Weekend Excitement.

The perfect start to a rainy morning.....sadly though there wasn't room for me!

Proof that Granny helps feed the fashion monster.....separately these clothing items wouldn't seem that wild, but when Brooke puts them all on at the same time....well, you can't miss her that's for sure!

And, another exciting beginning to another 'not so much our taste' wall covering. Conveniently enough, my back is on the fritz again right as Steven started this project.....no, I didn't plan that! ;o) It's going to take at least one more coat, but what he is doing is kind of an all in one step. It's where you mix the joint compound in with the primer, so it covers, textures and primes all in one. We will eventually paint over this, but I am just so excited to get the dingy gold gone!!

Field Trip to the Apple Orchard

Brooke's first class field trip this year was to an apple orchard about an hour away (by school bus anyway). She got to ride on the school bus for the first time ever, and although I didn't take a picture of her ON the bus....I think that might have been the favorite part of a lot of the kids. There are 17 kids in her Pre-K class and the Kindergarten class of 14 went too, which means 31 kids to herd, I mean help get around. It was chaotic, giggly, entertaining, lots of "don't do that" was said, etc.....and although I have always appreciated what teacher's do, trying to help in these situations makes me realize what treasures the teacher's are!

Most of my pictures on this post were 'snap and grab' shots because with that many students us parents were all put to work too!

The only negative thing about the field trip was the initial smell. I am not sure if it was rotting apples, or them actually making something....but mix that with Brooke's already flared up allergies and nearly every shot I took you will see her nose crinkled up. She is probably sniffling. Just chilling in an organized moment.

Standing in a line (I never said straight line) waiting on their taste of apple cider, fresh honey, and getting a lady bug to release.

Getting a lady bug. One of the dad's was kindly putting them on the kid's for them to walk to the orchard and let them fly away. I giggled because if I were trying to put it on Brooke she probably would have been squealing, but since everyone else was doing it....she did it too with only a few giggles.

Walking it to the orchard....nose crinkled.

"It flew away Momma!"

On the hay ride.....yep, we learned she is probably allergic to hay, insert "AH CHOO" about 30 times....BUT she had a blast. She made room for me to squeeze in beside her for which I was grateful because the rest of the parents had to walk....and it wasn't a short trip!

I was assigned Brooke and this sweet little girl, Emma to help pick apples (or more accurately keep up with). We walked through the orchard picking apples, checking for worm holes, and of course TASTING as we were picking. This is an organic orchard, so we could just wipe the dirt on our shirts and chomp down. I think Brooke ate 3 entire apples yesterday.

This picture is from another Momma. I am sharing it because their actions at age 4 already crack me up. They are officially young little people, not babies. Their conversations are adorable, how they handle situations is so fun to watch. This is Brooke just chatting with her friend Paige.

Paige, Kayleigh and Brooke.

It was a fun day. I am very thankful that Steven makes it possible for me to go on these adventures with Brooke. I get very emotional at how blessed I am!!

American Beauty.

I don't pretend to be a photographer, I do however love capturing pictures of my definition of a true American Beauty. I know I am partial.....and always will be, but I think a few of these could be in a fashion magazine....scary!! This is about 20 feet from our driveway....

I couldn't get her to look at the camera at all because the sun was shining, so you take what you can get! She loves her hot pink 'cowgirl boots' so expect to be seeing them a lot as the weather keeps cooling down.

A typical kid, kicking dirt....

Probably my personal favorite....you can actually see her face, and love the background.

Just chillin'

Do you think they like each other?! Macy has been a really fun addition to our family. Her and Cooper are now officially inseparable. They play, chase one another, cuddle together and hate to go outside without the other one....and it's only been a week!

Brooke FINALLY wore her New Home Leopard t-shirt I decorated for her. I think she will wear it a lot more now because of all the compliments she got on it at school.

Brooke has never minded when Momma is sick or just not feeling well, and here is why.....more quality alone time with her Daddy. Our cowgirl, got herself dressed Saturday morning to go get her flu shot.....and yes, she wore the cowGIRL hat all day long. If you call it a cowboy hat expect to be corrected immediately. ;o)

Too late already....

It is too late already to say we aren't attached to this sweet little girl Macy. Even Cooper is attached and vice versa. When Brooke or a lap isn't around for Macy to rest in, she is right beside Cooper. We were afraid at first that her growling at him was going to lead to trouble, but after about 24 hours here she stopped and is fitting in perfectly. Brooke is begging to get her a pink and purple "girlie" collar.....and I think I will gladly oblige. Miss Macy wasn't around for the crazy toddler years, so she follows Brooke around and wants to be by her all the time. This picture was during Saturday morning cartoons....who do YOU think enjoyed it more?!

We have a busy next few weeks in front of us, a good friend's wedding, teacher appreciation week, field trips starting already, etc... I am praying and pumping vitamins down us like crazy because after a disappointing weekend in football (except Bama of course), Brooke slept ALL afternoon yesterday, went to bed early and STILL woke up crying this morning about being so tired. I am hoping little missy is not running down already! This was the first morning she hasn't been ecstatic about school and was hugging on me, acting like she didn't want me to leave. Here is to wishing everyone a wonderful, WELL week!

Our little guest.

We have a new guest staying with us. Meet Macy, the adorable ratt terrier on the right of my big foot in this picture. She reminds me so much of our first dog Bandit. She is a very sweet little lady who is always welcome in our home, whether it be full time or part time. Brooke woke up this morning asking about her. Cooper is finally leaving her alone enough that they have actually been playing together instead of constant butt sniffing.

The story behind Miss Macy is that a dear friend of ours is going through a rough time right now in having to put his mother (aka Macy's mom) in an assisted living home. That has got to be one of those dreaded decisions no one really wants to have to make for their own parents, but sometimes it has to be done for their own safety. We might get to keep Macy, we might not. That doesn't matter to us. What matters is that our friend's mother is where she needs to be and we will love on Macy while she's here no matter how long that is!

Another picture to make you smile....Brooke STILL won't wear her New Home Leopards t-shirt, even after I bling blinged it.....but I have found her some really cute red and black options courtesy of Target! If you look closely, even her toenails are red and black....haha. Love my girly girl!!

TGIF everyone! And here's to hoping for two really good football games this weekend! Go New Home Leopards and Go Red Raiders!!

School picnic.

Yesterday at Brooke's school the parents were invited to come have hot dogs and sit outside with their kids. There were tons of parents there, and it was nice to get to meet the few I hadn't, as well as see Brooke's huge class all together. Brooke very sweetly took me around and introduced me to every single classmate, and her social skills totally crack me up. Social butterfly for sure (just like her Daddy)!

The first three pictures are courtesy of Miss Kayleigh's Momma. Brooke and Kayleigh.

Posing again, Brooke and Kayleigh.

Momma and her sweetie pie. No, I didn't intentionally match my child.....just happens....a lot.

I was trying to get Brooke to actually LOOK at the camera, but she was having too much fun playing....you take what you can get!

It was so much fun to get to see her in her newest element. She is thriving and already learning so much, as well as polishing up on things she already knows. The thing that makes me giggle the most is that she now knows the Pledge of Allegiance in sign language......ummmm, I don't know even that! They got to meet a fireman yesterday and practice dialing 9-1-1, as well as learning Stop, Drop and Roll.....the best part is seeing her show me when she gets home.