Cuddle Time
The girls and I had a little bed cuddle time this weekend while still in our pajamas. It was warm. It was cuddly. It was perfect.
My Little Model
Lauren had her preschool pictures a month or so ago and we just got them back. I know that every parent thinks their child is the most beautiful but Lauren...she takes the cake! That girl is so photogenic! I cried when I saw them.
Here's a photo....of her photo.
I, of course, didn't order many because I figured she'd never smile for strangers and instead fall into a puddle of tears on the floor. And really...did I need another picture of Lauren throwing a fit?
If I had only known. I would have purchased the largest package they had!!!
And then I looked at the class picture. None of the kids were smiling....except for my Lauren!!
Seriously...I can't take the cuteness!!
Here's a photo....of her photo.
I, of course, didn't order many because I figured she'd never smile for strangers and instead fall into a puddle of tears on the floor. And really...did I need another picture of Lauren throwing a fit?
If I had only known. I would have purchased the largest package they had!!!
And then I looked at the class picture. None of the kids were smiling....except for my Lauren!!
Seriously...I can't take the cuteness!!
Joke of the Day
We recently switched cable providers and in doing so had a credit from our previous provider. And as an FYI to all who call our home...we also got rid of our land line! So if you call and get a message the number has been disconnected don't be alarmed. Please email me if you need Dustin's or my cell phone number.
I digress.
We received a check for the amount of our credit this weekend.
Are you serious?
I digress.
We received a check for the amount of our credit this weekend.
Are you serious?
Lauren's Preschool Conference
Well, we have officially started the parent-teacher conference cycle with our second child. Today Dustin and I went to Lauren's conference and pretty much knew what we had in store.
She's a smart little girl. She is a very happy little girl who's smile lights up the room. She loves, loves, loves to sing. And she is a very good friend and very motherly to the new students.
We were happy and proud of our little Crazy Train. However, she appears to be saving all of her good behavior for Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. ;-)
I may have to start calling Lauren "My Little Songbird". She sings from the moment she gets up in the morning to the moment she goes to bed. And while 90% - okay 75% -of the time it is absolutely adorable, there are moments when her singing can be...ummmm,....unappreciated by most. We have the basic songs down and now even Ella can do the "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes" routine. Other times she just makes it up as she goes. But one things is constant....her voice.
When her teacher told us that it makes her smile to see how much Lauren enjoys singing I had to share a little story with her. And now I will share with you....
The other night I was coming home from a very long day at work and the three children were a bit loud. Ella was crying about something. Josh was irritated with Lauren and Lauren was singing "Jesus Loves Me" at the top of her lungs. Hence, Josh's irritation. And to top it off, I was getting a migraine.
As I squinted with every passing of a car (to avoid the pain brought on by their glaring headlights), I asked Ella to stop crying. I asked Josh to help pacify Ella and then I paused.
Can a mother really ask her daughter to stop singing "Jesus Loves Me"?
Yes, yes she can. And I did. Felt awful about it...but not as awful as my migraine.
She's a smart little girl. She is a very happy little girl who's smile lights up the room. She loves, loves, loves to sing. And she is a very good friend and very motherly to the new students.
We were happy and proud of our little Crazy Train. However, she appears to be saving all of her good behavior for Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. ;-)
I may have to start calling Lauren "My Little Songbird". She sings from the moment she gets up in the morning to the moment she goes to bed. And while 90% - okay 75% -of the time it is absolutely adorable, there are moments when her singing can be...ummmm,....unappreciated by most. We have the basic songs down and now even Ella can do the "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes" routine. Other times she just makes it up as she goes. But one things is constant....her voice.
When her teacher told us that it makes her smile to see how much Lauren enjoys singing I had to share a little story with her. And now I will share with you....
The other night I was coming home from a very long day at work and the three children were a bit loud. Ella was crying about something. Josh was irritated with Lauren and Lauren was singing "Jesus Loves Me" at the top of her lungs. Hence, Josh's irritation. And to top it off, I was getting a migraine.
As I squinted with every passing of a car (to avoid the pain brought on by their glaring headlights), I asked Ella to stop crying. I asked Josh to help pacify Ella and then I paused.
Can a mother really ask her daughter to stop singing "Jesus Loves Me"?
Yes, yes she can. And I did. Felt awful about it...but not as awful as my migraine.
Sixty pounds....gone!
Can't believe it and thought I'd never get rid of the last two from this set of "ten"! But...I did it!! I am officially at my half way point!!! Woot woot!!
So...another eight pounds and I will have lost Josh!
Or another way to look at it is that I've lost one and a half of Lauren!!!
So...another eight pounds and I will have lost Josh!
Or another way to look at it is that I've lost one and a half of Lauren!!!
Funnies and Random Cuteness
Had some photos that made me laugh or say, "Awwwwwww". So I figured I'd share.
We've had a rough week at the Bricker household. One kid fighting strep for three days and now one with croup and another with a nasty cough. Tis' the season, I guess.
We've had a rough week at the Bricker household. One kid fighting strep for three days and now one with croup and another with a nasty cough. Tis' the season, I guess.
Halloween 2010
It was a perfect night for Halloween here this year. Well, as perfect as it can get for Iowa!
The kids had a blast and even Ella was into it this year. Josh and Lauren would get to the door first but as soon as Ella caught up she'd push the older two out of the way and dig right into the bowl of candy! It was too funny! Try telling a one year-old to be patient and wait for the candy to be given to you!
We stayed out until their bags were half full and their fingers were frozen! Once they got home the took inventory of all their candy and proceeded to pick out their favorites. After a few, or more, pieces....they crashed!
The kids had a blast and even Ella was into it this year. Josh and Lauren would get to the door first but as soon as Ella caught up she'd push the older two out of the way and dig right into the bowl of candy! It was too funny! Try telling a one year-old to be patient and wait for the candy to be given to you!
We stayed out until their bags were half full and their fingers were frozen! Once they got home the took inventory of all their candy and proceeded to pick out their favorites. After a few, or more, pieces....they crashed!
Bricker Kid #2
Lauren's first Halloween Parade at preschool went pretty much like Josh's. Well, to be honest it went EXACTLY like his.
This was RIGHT before she crumpled into tears and collapsed in my lap.
Oh well.
Makes me pretty excited for the Christmas Program. ;-)
This was RIGHT before she crumpled into tears and collapsed in my lap.
Oh well.
Makes me pretty excited for the Christmas Program. ;-)
Trunk or Treat
Lauren's preschool hosted a Trunk or Treat last Wednesday night. Dustin had taken the night off of work so that he could go with Josh to a Science Program at Coe College (more on that later) so it was just me and the girls.
It was very cold, very windy and very rainy that night so thankfully they decided to take the Trunk or Treat inside and make it a Table or Treat. ;-)
Ella was not thrilled.
But Lauren couldn't wait to show off her Strawberry Shortcake costume! Toni made it for her and she looked absolutely adorable in it. And she knew it.
Once we got there the two of them clammed up and didn't want to do anything. So we just kind of walked around for awhile and looked at all the displays.
We ran into a bunch of friends from daycare and even some friends of mine from my own youth group days! It was fun to see everyone's kids after all these years! After a bit of that we went over and had a few snacks. Well, Lauren and I had a few snacks....Ella had more than a few. ;-)
It was very cold, very windy and very rainy that night so thankfully they decided to take the Trunk or Treat inside and make it a Table or Treat. ;-)
Ella was not thrilled.
But Lauren couldn't wait to show off her Strawberry Shortcake costume! Toni made it for her and she looked absolutely adorable in it. And she knew it.
Once we got there the two of them clammed up and didn't want to do anything. So we just kind of walked around for awhile and looked at all the displays.
We ran into a bunch of friends from daycare and even some friends of mine from my own youth group days! It was fun to see everyone's kids after all these years! After a bit of that we went over and had a few snacks. Well, Lauren and I had a few snacks....Ella had more than a few. ;-)
Quiet time
The other day I was working in the kitchen and it got quiet out in the family room. I noticed the kids had taken all the toys out of the toy baskets and spread them all over the room. I just sighed and kept working.
A little bit later I came to find the girls coloring nicely. I had to get a photo to remember the moment.
A little bit later I came to find the girls coloring nicely. I had to get a photo to remember the moment.
Wrestle Mania
The kids have been having fun wrestling on the floor. Lauren and Josh usually start and as soon as Ella realizes some fun is being had she runs right over and jumps on top of the pile. We've had a few bumped heads, mostly on accident but every once in awhile Ella thinks it's all part of the game. Ummmmm...no, Ella.
It's no fun until someone gets hurt. Or something like that.
It's no fun until someone gets hurt. Or something like that.
Movie Night
Last night I was exhausted from a lack of sleep the night before so I figured the kids would love a movie night with mom. I popped enough popcorn to kill a small horse and we all cuddled up in the bed and watched "Up". The peace and quiet was amazing. And we had such a good time that we may just make it a weekly event!
