Five minute Friday

Merry Christmas!!! This certainly was a different Christmas. Not only are we in Las Vegas with the Pulliam family, it actually snowed last night-didn't stick, but still counts, and we had to make an ER visit. Avila likes to give us a scare every once and awhile. All is well now for the most part. With a chest xray, breathing treatment and some medicine our little babe is almost back to her normal full throttle mode. Grateful for cautious nurses and helpful family. It's been a fun couple days here already and we still have a couple more to go. Just a couple pictures from the day from my sister in law. I'll post some from our Christmas last weekend when we get home. 

Five minute Friday

I had a great birthday last Saturday! Friends and my sweet babes and their daddy made it very special. And then yesterday Kenny gave me an early Christmas gift with tickets to Adele next November! Spoiled week for sure. Tomorrow I get to extend the celebrating and go on my traditional birthday trip to Anthropologie with a girlfriend sans kids. Avila is feeling better and has moved into her "big sister "bedroom upstairs so we can put together Lyla's nursery when we get back from Vegas. The biggest sisters room is finally done for the most part. Since we will be at grandma and grandpas for Christmas we asked Santa to come early to relieve his work load next week ;) I have a feeling he maybe becoming this weekend. Avila and I went to all three kids school parties yesterday and she loved every sugar filled second of it!! Fun today and weekend ahead, it really is the most wonderful time of the year.

Five minute Friday

Little Avila has a bad ear infection. Hoping after another couple days of antibiotics she will be feeling a lot better. We all need some sleep :/  Tomorrow morning I'm going with a girlfriend to a vintage market, so excited!!! Coffee, mini road trip, old stuff, perfection! It's been a good week and we are looking forward to a short week next week. 

Five minute Friday

Well the little girls have colds, Elle lost her sixth tooth this morning, Kenny had his work Christmas party last night, I have a craft fair tomorrow, and Rylan is cruising along with all the ins and outs of this sometimes too busy family. Short and sweet post, but a few more pictures. Kenny's party attire, all Elle wants for Christmas is her two front teeth, Blake in her "fort" watching a movie after school.

Five minute Friday

We hosted thanksgiving yesterday which included ten kids eight and under and six adults. We all had a great time and full bellies. Today we are planning to get our Christmas tree and start decorating. We got almost a peek at baby Lyla on Wednesday. She had her hand in front of her face this time and last time her face turned away so she is just going to make us wait until her birthday to see her little face. The biggest sisters got bunk beds last weekend and are doing great sharing a room. We are almost done with their room, then I'll start Avilas transition into Blake's old room before Christmas and the nursery after Christmas. The kids have been off all week and I think will be ready for school Monday. 

Five minute Friday

Today was the turkey trot at the kids school but Rylan was the only one able to participate but he came in number eleven out of second grade boys and they are about 130 kids second grade. He had been working hard and really wanted to be too three but stoked to get a ribbon for being in the top twenty. We said good bye today to our beloved pediatrician and this hormonal pregnant mama actually held it together. The kids are off all next week and anxious to decorate for Christmas next Friday. We are almost all healthy, hoping this two month bout of illness is coming to an end soon. Yesterday the little girls and I had thanksgiving lunch with the kids at school. Love this time of year!!!

Five minute Friday

Still rounds and rounds of someone with something. Avila's cold came to visit me :/ In better news it's cooling of and feeling like real fall, jeans, socks, windows open and everything!!! This makes me one happy mama. The kids had a fun week at school with international children's day booths today. It is one of my favorite events at the school as well, sadly I couldn't be a part of anything this year. Today we have a birthday party for one of our favorite two year olds and Avila's first friend! I have been having some terrible headaches and round ligament pain that some resourceful and gifted friends are helping me with that I'm beyond grateful for. These ladies are helping me get back to the normal mama I want to be for the babes already here. Less than three months until baby Lyla will be her an covered with kisses, so excited!

Five minute Friday

Two for one...still using my old phone but downloaded the blogger app again to get back in the routine of posting. The pictures from this phone are terrible, it's actually not user error, swear! We have had round after round of illness, cough, fever, hives, tummy bugs, you name it. It has rained and rained and rained and made us miss plans, but Halloween was cool and dry. Kids were wiped out after about a hour so Kenny and I had almost a real date night in since the kids were soud asleep by 8:30. We are heading back down to San Antonio tomorrow for the weekend to visit Kenny's parents and grandma. Time is just flying by. About three months until we met out newest family member, so excited to kiss that little face. 

Five Minute Saturday

Another late post...another week of being sick and Thursday night was worse :/ The kids had a cook out at school I was very sad to miss and then a sock hop for their annual Bluejay Bash at the school. Daddy took the three bigs and I hung out with Avila for a bit before she went to bed.Our week seemed to fly by, but we have had fun beginning to choose things for baby to be. We are very close to a name, just working out spelling. It started raining really hard about three this morning and hasn't let up, we need the rain, but by tomorrow the kids will have cabin fever I'm sure. I, however, am enjoying a true fall day, under seventy degrees with grey skies, ahhhh! I made scones for breakfast and will be making soup for dinner, yes!!!!

Five Minute Friday times 3

Shortly after my last post I dropped my phone in the toilet :/ So I am behind from that tragedy (heehee) lots of visitors and sick kids. Rylan had an awesome party celebrating his eight birthday, in fact he said it was his favorite party! We had lots of fun and got a lot accomplished with nanny and papa were here. Shortly after that our friends from California came to visit and we got to show them some of our favorite things including Magnolia Market in Waco and Sweet Berry Farms in Marble Falls. In the middle of all that we also announced our biggest news! Our family will be adding a daughter (LMP-"L" yet to be decided) in February!!! Our healthy baby girl was very shy with her face at our twenty week ultrasound. We have had this secret of our girl for over ten weeks. We were lucky to find out so early, it would have been a long wait for the ultrasound. This weekend we are going to San Antonio to bring Grandma Sugar a birthday treat a little early for her 98th birthday. The kids participated in a short term Tae Kwon Do class and their graduation is on Saturday. It'll be another fun weekend. When I can I will update this post with pictures from the last few weeks.

Five minute Friday

We have had a busy and fun week. Papa and nanny came and have been helping, playing, entertaining, and joining right in on the hustle and bustle of all these babies. Tomorrow we are having a small celebration for Rylan's eighth birthday at the Bass Pro Shop restaurant and bowling alley, Uncle Bucks Fishbowl and Grill. We are still anxiously awaiting some cooler weather :/ 

Five minute Friday

We had a nice little tease of awesome weather last weekend and now we are back to the high 90s with miserable humidity woth no end in sight. O-V-E-R I-T!!! Blake got her first golden ticket at school today! This is a very big deal for them, I'm proud, she's proud and her daddy will be proud when he gets home too. I'm having some girlfriends over for lunch today and family friends for dinner tonight. The house smells amazing, I'm hungry already. Lots of fun ahead in the next month with family and friends visiting and a quick trip to San Antonio to celebrate Grandma Sugar's 98th birthday. Life will slow back down after that and hopefully bring some cooler weather to enjoy. Our baby snowflake is growing up too fast

Elle had a great date with her daddy last Friday night!

Five minute Friday

We had a nice relaxing three day weekend and quick four day school/work week. Today I'm having lunch at the kids for grandparents day, not quite as exciting as if they really had grandparents here, but I certainly love being able to go be a small part of their day. I try to have lunch with them about once a month. Tonight Kenny and Elle are going on a special dress up date they have it all planned out! I love all the things these dates teach our kids. It takes almost a year for us to each get in a special date with each one. Just having one in one time with them is a treasure, they are all so different and we love getting to know them as individuals and as who they are to each other as siblings. Our big busy family is never short on laughs!

Five minute Friday

Two weeks of school down already. I just know this year is going to fly by. Everyone seems to be in a rhythm and really enjoying their classes. My little dare devil at home continues to keep me on my toes, she's fun and growing up and changing daily. We had a long overdue and great time with Vaughan family last weekend. The littlest sister are best buddies and such cuties.We are looking forward to a mellow three day weekend and fingers crossed, the last time we will be at the 100 degree mark for the year. Nanny and papa come this month to celebrate Rylan's eighth birthday with us, friends come next month, and we are spending Christmas in Las Vegas with the Pulliam side. Lots of special times ahead!

Five minute Friday

School started on Tuesday and what a busy week it has been. Fortunately we are early risers so getting to school at 7:15 had been an easy transition. They are all so exhausted at the end of the day and I imagine will be even more so tonight. Avila had her 18 month well check today and got her last shot she'll need until she is four, phew! Hard to believe September is just right around the corner, a little more heat until we can get our pants out again but the "fall" weather will be a welcome change. 

Five minute Friday

Our last week of summer! Lots of play dates this week and some last minute cramming in of fun!  Last night we met the teachers, saw the classrooms and dropped off supplies. It was a bust but great time. I am thrilled for the year. Fun friends, engaging and enthusiastic teachers, classrooms with real desks for the big kids. They are all excited and looking forward to Tuesday. We are especially stoked on Elle's teacher, she was out hope and prayer and had become a friend before we even had a child in her class. Today is our family fun day. Kenny took the day off and we are splitting up littles and bigs for the morning then having a fun afternoon all together. Tomorrow we have a birthday party in the afternoon, it'll be a great end of summer weekend. 

Five minute Friday

Last night we went to the new Blue Jay orientation for Blake and the kids excitement for the school years continues  to grow! The teachers may get their class lists tomorrow and start calling students. We had fun play dates this week, tried a new church, planned our last week of summer and tried to stay cool. This afternoon Kenny and the big kids are going to see Clark Little. Rylan has been talking about it since we told him about the event. Kenny starts training Saturday for a big ride he is doing in September and we are having some friends over for dinner, love those kinds of Saturday's! Last weekend we went to one of our favorite restaurants and Avila sat with is like a big girl until the food came and she sadly had to go back into the high chair, she loved it while it lasted!!!

Five minute Friday

It was an eventful week here. I had a couple appointments and some dental work-boo, we celebrated four years in Texas, we bought a big new car for mama, kids got their schools shoes, Blake had a few shots, new car seats purchased, we are pet sitting Dragon the beta, Rylan has about mastered shoe tying(Elle already has, shhhh), Avila is officially one and a half today,  Elle got her new glasses, and we are planning to explore a new place to play in the water tomorrow. Less than three weeks until the kids are back to school, we are all set and ready to go! 

Five minute Friday

This week we wrapped up Blake's summer dance class, finished school supply shopping, and had some back to school photos taken. Three full weeks of summer left before school starts. We have been on the hunt for a bigger car and we may have found one! We will be stoked to have more space, like an actual trunk and not have to take two cars to go camping. White, remote start, and more space will make this mama very happy ;) kids had dentist appointments and all did great. Avila has found her voice and is letting us all know though she be but little  she is fierce! 

Five minute Friday

Well it was another quick week. It's getting hotter and hotter as we enter our true Texas summer. Kenny took the kids to a driving range on Sunday and it sounds like they all got bit by the golf bug. Daddy is stoked! Tomorrow we are going to San Antonio to do a little playong, sight seeing and lunch with grandma Sugar. We ordered new frames for Elle and they are super cute. The lenses should be in by the end of next week and she will be rockin em! 

Five minute Friday

Started the week with a very strong theme of patience at bible study innthe morning and continued through the day and I believe it was prep for the rest of the week. Monday night I went to urgent care for a painful sinus infection. I have struggled with sinus issues for the last couple years. The next morning I woke up with that side of my face swollen and couldn't open my mouth much. Wednesday I decided to go back and from that appointment the doctor sent me straight to the ENT. She prescribed a steroid and that was the missing piece! Now here we are at Friday and almost all the swelling is gone and I am feeling better everyday. Wednesday I sucked it up to go see Kari Jobe and Christine Caine. It was encouraging, inspiring and just what my spirit was needing. Last night I went to see Sam Hunt, Hunter Hayes, and Lady Antebellum. First concert since moving to the live music capital city, so sad it took four years but worth the wait. Sam Hunt I could do without but Hunter Hayes rocked several instruments and seems like a humble appreciative artist. Lady A, perfection! Flawless, fun, and interactive. Lots of lucky people got videos and pics via the stars themselves!!! But lucky for me, my friend Lynnea's husband doesn't like country as the tickets were from his work, VIP status even fancy fancy! Best free concert ever, which may have included horribly good fair type food. 

Five minute Friday

Again a week that blew by! Fourth of July was full of fun, followed by backyard bible club, play dates, splash pad, treats, and Blake started dance class. More fun in store today and tonight! This weekend is our twelfth anniversary, 12 on 12 :) 

Five minute Friday

Another fun summer week in the books. I took the three big kids to see Inside Out and we all loved it. It was an extra special treat for the kids to go to a theater that serves food, though they were most excited about the mini tables at their seats. Kenny has today off, we are all excited about that. We are going to sign Rylan and Blake up for fall soccer today, uhhhhh wish me luck since I can hardly stand soccer eeek! 

Five minute Friday

We had a busy and fun week with family here and more. The kids had a great time with cousins Katelyn, TJ, and Jessica, grandma Jackie, uncle Kyle  and aunt Jami. It was a treat to have them all visit and play lots of games of memory, hide and seek, tickle, wrestle, bury with pillows, school, outside, you name it and they were indulged. We had a simple and sweet celebration for Father's day with special things the kids had created to share with their daddy.  Hard to believe it's already almost July. Summer is cruising right along

 

Five minute Friday

This was a week we will always remember...

We are happy to report she is back to our normal silly little girl, I just keep a very very close eye on her now. 

Five minute Friday

The first week of summer is off to a great start. Our swimsuits have been wet almost everyday. Even Avila is a little water baby, she is too brave. Our baseball season has wrapped up and Blake starts her mini dance sessions in July. Rylan lost his sixth tooth yesterday. Kenny is stil very much enjoying his job and I'm enjoying the less structured days and treats that summer break allows. 

Five minute Friday

Today was the last day of school and field day. We started our day with donuts for national donut day, even Avila enjoyed part of her sister's 😉. Rylan and Elle had a great day and I was so glad to be there for a couple hours. The little girls were troopers and Blake even got to get a little wet which inspired some sprinkler time when we got home.  We ended the day at fun half birthday movie in the yard party! Our friends did an awesome job and it was the best end to the school year. Tomorrow is our last two games and a date night, much needed and appreciated. 

Five minute Friday

This week has gone fast, I feel like I was just here yesterday. However it's been a long hard week for our state.  We have had some stressful hours waiting, but we feel very grateful to be on the other side of this with no damage or loss. Tragically for so many others that cannot be said. Devastation in several areas and flooding like we've never seen. Tomorrow looks like more storms. We have had a couple breaks but this whole month has been intense with rain and severe storms. On a lighter note the kids have had some practices and hoping to get games squeezed in before rain. We went to an Express game last night hosted by Kenny's work and had a fun time. The kids have one week of school left, what!!!  

Five minute Friday

This was a rough week. Lots of sick, lots of tired, lots of rain. However, the best part was celebrating Elle's sixth birthday. On Sunday we went ice skating with the three big kids for the first time and they all loved it and can't wait to go back. On Wednesday, Elle's birthday we continued the celebration and I was able to take the kids lunch. We wrapped up the day with a special frozen custard cake per the birthday girl, lots and lots of sprinkles. I think it's safe to say we are in the clear for anymore illness. We have had a ridiculous amount of rain, great for te lakes and water supply, horrible for te end of the year crazies at school and missing so many baseball games and practices. Two weeks left of school. This year has gone very fast, too fast. It's going to be strange having just Avila home for a few hours next year when Blake's heads off to prek  with Rylan and Elle in 2nd and 1st grades. 

Five Minute Friday

We have had a lot of rain this week, we need it but we are all getting a little cabin feverish. Blake and I have played in the rain when there the thunder stays away but as soon as we hear it we follow the rule, thunder roars head indoors. Practices and games have been cancelled and it looks like this weekend will be the same. Avila and Blake had well checks this week. I just can hardly believe my baby is a toddler and my former baby is four and ready for prek in just a few months. My first baby girl will be six in less than week. Whoa whoa whoa this whole growing up business is getting out of hand! Mother's Day was a sweet day of spoils and of course some time away for a little shopping with my funniest friend Courtney. All the celebrating and kids growing just makes me fall to my knees in gratitude for this life I have of raising babies. I appreciate the hard and boring days now because it all just goes to fast. Having four I have never felt like it's too much, maybe some moments of their behavior being too much, but never too many faces to kiss. In fact having four has made the opposite true, I think I will always want more! These little humans that made me a mom are the best part of my life forever. All my life was preparation to be their mom. 

Five Minute Friday

Kenny and I had a great time in Dallas celebrating the big 4-0! The kids had fun here with nanny and papa and hopefully the feeling was mutual. It was so good for us to get away and we really liked Dallas. We are very grateful for parents that are willing to take on our tribe. We look forward to doing this again. The kids helped me decorate on Wednesday and we officially celebrated the birthday with some of Kenny's favorite which of course had to include In-n-Out. We are in the stormy spring season so practices and games get cancelled and or rescheduled, but honestly, its a nice little surprise in the week we don't have to be as rushed. Kenny is loving his new job, which means I am loving his new job, however the kids are missing him being home as much. Avila is walking and has four teeth, tell me how my teeny tiny baby is becoming a toddler but she was just born right?! Less than a month left of the school year, eeekk! Time to start planning for the summer!!!

Eeehhhh more like one minute Friday

Kenny and I are in Dallas celebrating the big 4-0! Nanny and papa are with the kids and it sounds like they are having a great time. On all accounts the Pulliams are enjoying the day!!! Thank you nanny and papa for this time :)

Five minute Friday two for one

Last week I went to California for my dads retirement party. Kenny stayed home with the three big kids and my little travel buddy make the trek out west with me. Avila did great travelling,but it was a lot of work keeping her wiggly little body occupied and rested on the long flight. I miss California and I have such a greater appreciation for the landscape of where I grew up. I wish we could all travel out there more often, someday. It was perfect   weather, lots of good food, and most importantly fun times with family and friends.  I got to meet my newest niece and spend time with little Jax. The party was great and I think my dad really enjoyed the time. The rest of the tribe here had a lots of fun as well as keeping Kenny on his toes for five days. We have enjoyed a lighter work schedule for him this week in anticipation of the new less flexible schedule that starts Monday. Today he is on Elle's fieldrip to the zoo. Tomorrow we have games at 10, 11, and 12, then friends for dinner! It'll be a fun day. I love this season of life with full schedules, not only does it mean I sleep better, but I love watching the kids learn new skills and be a part of something independent of eachother and their parents, it's like a sneak peak of their future. I thought as they gain independence it would make me sad, although some aspects do, for the most part it's exciting and I feel privileged to have a front row seat.

Five minute Friday

We had a nice mellow rainy Easter Day last week. On Tuesday Kenny accepted an offer from Auction.com and will start on the 27th! He is excited for a new opportunity and possibilities. All the kids had practice this week and their first games tomorrow weather permitting, but I'm hopeful. Tonight is the school carnival and the kids always have a great time! I was so happy to get our family pictures back this week. We have only one other picture of the six of us so it was long overdue. This is one of my favorites.

Easter 2015

Friday, but Saturday

Yesterday we went to Waco to go to the Cameron Park Zoo and Magnolia Market (See link on the side if you don't know what that is) and had a fabulous day! It was a gorgeous day and the zoo was awesome. Blake hadn't been to a zoo since she was about two so she could hardly contain her excitement at seeing all the "real ones" of various animals. I can't say enough about how nice the zoo was. It was shaded, the animals were close and active, the walking areas were flat for the most part, lots of trees and bamboo, would never have guessed we were almost smack dab in the middle of Texas! Magnolia Market is definitely one of my favorite places in Texas so to get a second visit in was a special mama treat! If only there wasn't a budget when I walked in, I can dream right? Blake had her first tball practice the night before so the late night made for a little extra sleep in for our day off adventure, it was such a great day!!! The big kids had great report cards again and both had field trips on Thursday to two different farms, I'd say it was a pretty fantastic week beginning to end!!!

Ten Minute Take

Since I missed last week I'll give myself ten minutes today while Avila sleeps. Last week was a busy week with wedding related activity, Blake's fourth birthday, spring break, and everyday life. Blake had a fun birthday day with treats, gifts, fun with daddy, cake and of course Chuck E Cheese. Four years old means we have almost lived in Texas for four years, that's mind boggling. On one hand it's gone so fast, on the other it seems like we miss California just as much. I suppose we will always miss what feels like home, but I won't get started on unraveling all of THAT. We had a fun week of fun with friends both for the kids and myself. Kenny was able to take a couple days off too. I was in my dear friend Lynnea's wedding on Sunday in one of my new favorite places in Texas. Fun girl time, a beautiful bride, laughs, a relaxed schedule-somewhat, and one last little bit of cool weather made for a great week. This last week has been catch up time for us and the start of coach pitch for Rylan and the girls start teeball next week. I hit a toe on the bathroom door and think it's broken, it's not as much painful as it is a nuisance when I can't put my weight on it, not much time to rest with four babes. Avila is standing on her own but hasn't taken a solo step yet, not that I'm in a rush for her to walk. I'll take all the "baby-ness" as long as I can. Our transfer request for the kids to stay at the school was approved this week, great news! We had some family pictures taken on Monday and I can't wait to see them. We only have one other picture of the six of us, one! Looking forward to some down time this weekend before the chaos of three practices and three games a week start very soon. That's the happs from the last couple of weeks. See ya next Friday.

Texas Day

Five Minute Friday

Today was Texas day at the school which include a hoedown(square dancing and singing Texas songs) and our cowpoke looked adorable. Tomorrow morning we are going camping for one night to kick off spring break with some friends. The kids love it and Avila is veteran already! Blake's birthday is Monday and per her request her daddy will be taking her to drive go carts, Chuck E Cheese, and of course cake and donuts. Elle received two Blue Jay Pride awards on Tuesday and Rylan received one on Wednesday. We are very proud of their efforts and it feels great to know their teachers from the classroom and PE are proud of them as well. Elle also lost her first tooth this week! It's been a very exciting, busy, and full week.

January Fun

Five Minute Friday

To squeeze today's post in I have Blake parked in front of whatever the grown up new Dora show is and Avila happily eating cheese and carrots in her high chair. This morning has been a whirlwind already, eesh. To catch up on the last yearish...Rylan is seven and a half and in first grade, Elle is almost six and in Kindergarten, Blake will be 4 on the sixteenth, Avila turned one last month. All three big kids start t-ball and coach pitch this month, and all three on DIFFERENT teams, this should be an interesting few months. Kenny and I get a weekend getaway in the middle of all that thanks to my parents coming out to watch the kids so we can celebrate Kenny's 40th birthday! Not as much exciting stuff happening with us parents. And I'm already passed my five minutes and need to load up to get to Costco before nap time. See ya next week.

I'm Coming Back on Friday

As we are now settled nicely into our circus of six, I'll be bringing back Five Minute Fridays.