Easter Extravaganza 2013

If you asked Charlie, the worst part about today would be all the pictures!  The child can not stand taking pictures but I had prepped him this morning!  Today was going to be a day full of picture snapping!  

My round of photos didn't go all that bad!  

Bubba's round.... Priceless! 

It was a traumatic experience for Ben.  Got all my babies in one frame though! 

It all began early this morning!  

What a beautiful and glorious day our family had together!  While our day was definitely action packed, it was wonderful in everyday!

I was awoken this morning to Bess informing me in the most adorable voice known to man, that there were eggs all over the floor from the Easter Bunny!  I would be lying if I sprang from bed, in fact, I tried to convince her to stall a few more minutes so I could catch just 5 more minutes of sleep!  In true fashion, all 4 kids ended up in bed with us this morning so the extra 5 I had hoped for was a lost cause! 

Anxiously, the crew waited on the steps for the go ahead! 

Excitement filled the air as these little loves learned what the Easter Bunny had left for them ! 

 

Ben's mood during the basket fun was anything but pleasant therefore, we have not a picture to share!  

Then it was off to the Egg Hunting!  These 3 raced around the house in search of the eggs the Easter Bunny had left!  This year the Easter Bunny filled the eggs with pennies for their penny banks!  It was a huge hit! 

 

Not wanting to waste a minute, these little loves immediately began stuffing their piggy banks!  Thankfully, this was also the portion of the morning where sweet Ben appeared!  It was a welcomed moment for all at the house! 

The Easter Bunny left Ben some Ninja Turtle Bubbles and the child refused to let them go all morning! He was more than attached to his loot!  He gave his turtle kisses all morning long! 

We spent the afternoon surrounded by family and love! 

I am so thankful for all our blessings this Easter season!  

The Job No One Wants

One of these days, I am pretty sure Bess will be disgusted if we ask her to do the oh-so-enjoyable chore of Pooper Scooping the backyard.  In fact, we both realize our days with this "pleasure" are numbered.

But at the current moment in time, our precious Bessie is a Pro Pooper Scooper!  And proud of it too! 

 

Thanks to some quick tips and tricks from her father on this rather stinky chore, our beauty spent her afternoon doing a job she thought was spectacular! 

 

While I could go on about how proud this child was, I think it might be a bit sad and a bit disgusting that I let my almost 4 year old do this chore.  Truth is, someone has to do it and with 4, I might as well let their father teach them this job early on so we (okay, really he) can sit back and relax from this unsightly chore! 

Yeah for Chores!  Proud of Ya Bessie!  

Human Songbook

One of the most favorite times of the day for me is "rock rock" time.  Back in the day it was with 2 twins sitting on my lap, then it turned into snuggle time with Bessie Boo and currently, it is my special, alone time with Ben.

The room is always dark, except for the soft light on the sound machine.  Together we are snuggled in the chair with Foo Foo, blanky and the other necessary animal or object for the night.  We always begin  the same way, saying our prayers.  After we have thanked the Lord above for all the family members, dogs and cartoon characters, we begin our songs.  

With Charlie, Wy and Bess song selection was never a big deal.  Sweet Baby James or Swallowed in the Sea were the 2 favorites of C and W.  Bessie was You are My Sunshine and Somewhere Over The Rainbow.  But my one-of-a-kind Ben... he prefers to have a wide variety and selection of "rock rock" songs.  

Typically, we average about 7-8 songs with those being repeated MULTIPLE times!  It is a long process.  Ben begins by telling me he wants the "Buzz" song (AKA - You Got a Friend in Me from ToyStory).  After 1 line, we move to the "Cars" song (Life if a Highway).  Finally, our third standard is any Annie song (Tomorrow, Hard Knock Life, Let's Go To the Movies).  From here there is no rhyme or reason to the song selection because he then begins naming anything or anyone and asking for their song.  "Otis song", "Foo Foo song", "Wy song".  You name it- according to Ben, it has a song!   

Lucky for me, I am working with a 2 year old here because the words, tunes or sensibility of these "songs" is often very questionable.  Sometimes, I just sing animal noises to a happy tune- that seems to satisfy.  Then there are times, I get super lucky and can make up a quick ditty about the topic!  

What never fails though is I will only be 1 (maybe 2) lines in when the little love changes it up and on me and repeats over and over which song he wants next, despite my current musical creation!  

In the end, prayers are said and songs are sung.  And even if I have to make up ridiculous songs about off the wall topics, my cherished snuggle time happens.  The way that little boys body lays against my chest as we pray, sing and cuddle is priceless in every form.  

Sweet Ben- you are growing too fast for my liking!  Thank for the "biiiiiiig hugs" you love to give me, the slobbery kisses you plant on my cheeks and the sweet words of "I luh you momma" that you say.  My heart loves you  more and more each and every minute! 

An Aspiring Singer and A Come Back Failure

Oh how guilty do I feel for my lack of attention to one of my greatest stress relievers!  I feel like I have let my kid's stories down!  There have been precious moments over the past 2 weeks that have made me smile, laugh, pull my hair out and wish time would freeze.  While I wish I had some wonderful excuse for my hiatus of writing, I do not.  My truthful reasons: housework, schoolwork, sunny afternoons and good Sunday naps on the couch have been the time stealers.

But, I am back in action!  

How would I really describe Wylie?  As a baby she was happy, never liked vegetables and was particular about the position of her sleeping essentials.  And still today... these 3 characteristics ring true.     With both Bubba and I sharing a love for all kinds of music, we always batted around the conversation, who would our singer be?  

Friends, we have 2 people to thank for Wylie's self discovery of her vocal chords:  Rihanna and Annie!  

 

My child LOVES to sing!  In department stores, she is very in tune with the music and gets quite a giggle when a song she knows comes on.  From the backseat of the Bailey Bus she belts out her tunes with all her heart and soul.  In the kitchen, she throws song parties that me and Bess have dance parties too.  In front of the television screen, while dressed in her "Let's Go To the Movies Outfit", she pretends to be Annie.  From her bed at night, she continues to pretend she is Annie singing with Daddy Warbucks!  Morning, noon or night, this little girl loves to showcase her aspiring vocal chords! 

Tonight, I surprised my little love with a new song on my phone - her current favorite - I Don't Need Anything But You from Annie.  Wylie's world went from good to great in a matter of a split second!  In no time at all, she was singing her favorite line "Yesterday was plain awful..."  and all was well with the world! 

 

I am dying at how old Wy looks in this pic!!  Seriously, yesterday she didn't have hair and I was forcing bows into her sprouts!  

I am so thankful for her love for music!  I treasure the little songs I overhear her sing.  I love her excitement for a good song!  It makes my heart happy!  

I hope this aspiring singer will never lose her love for a song and will follow in her parents footsteps!  Who knows, she may meet the love of her life while singing like her momma did!  

Love you Wylie Girl!