First Tooth Fairy Visit

Caitlin lost her first tooth...  Yes, it came out on it's own (some wondered if it had help from her brother or sister!)  It had been wiggly for days.  She would never let anyone near it fearing that they might pull it out.  Caitlin freaks out with BLOOD!!!!  I was trying to warn her that there would be blood when it came out, but it wouldn't hurt - I don't think that she believed me.

We were visiting the Warner house for the weekend and I heard a commotion coming from the basement.  Several children came running up the stairs and Caitlin was holding her tooth.  She was a little worried about the blood at first, but thankfully NO tears were shed. Her and Ava were so excited that the tooth fairy was coming that night.

Caitlin received a special note from the tooth fairy, $5, and even her tooth to keep.

She was one proud girl.  These milestones with her are killing me --- she is my last BABY!!!!  I was trying very hard to show my excitement for her, but inside I wanted to just cry.  I am already struggling with her going to school full time next year.  I just love this little girl.

Beautiful Weather

With nine days in a row of record breaking weather, we have been spending a lot of time outdoors.  I haven't posted in a while because I can't help but be outside enjoying this awesome weather...

Last weekend, I gardened and gardened and gardened.  Of course I got poison ivy.  For four years in a row it is my spring tradition.  I always forget how awful it is.  Hopefully, these two patches on my arm will be all that I get.  I love working in the yard.  I am totally addicted to cutting down plants, transporting them and clearing more of the woods out.

The kids have had a blast catching frogs/toads and building habitats for them.  We have also been enjoying taking walks with the dogs in the neighborhood.  It is going to be hard when this weather goes back to NORMAL.

I have still been battling a sore upper back and shoulder.  Since, I had to cut back on weight training, I have been running like CRAZY!!!!  I am loving it actually.  My body feels so great and I have had very little aches and pains from it.  I have even been telling myself that I should do a full marathon in the fall...  Lets see how the half marathon in May goes first.  Physical Therapy twice a week has really helped me out.

We are anxiously awaiting a visit from both of my sisters...

 A new bubble machine...  We go through several of these a summer!!!

FROGS!!!

We caught our first frogs of the season.  The kids and I spend a lot of time outdoors hunting for frogs.  We normally have several habitats around the house with tadpoles and frogs in them.  I love how they will play with them for hours.  Of course, they are all given names and we try to release everything that evening so that nothing dies...  I sure hope this nice weather sticks around!

Shamrock Shakes

I am obsessed with shamrock shakes.  I am sure that I gain 5 pounds every February-March because of these.  My  kids finally tried them this year and love them!!!!  So glad that I can pass on this tradition to them...

We have also had a taste of SPRING this week.  Nothing like muddy kids and dogs!!!

Bring on the SUN!

I think that we are ready for spring.  It is supposed to be in the 50's here today!  I am so ready to see the sunshine.  All three kids wanted to put their shades on as they headed out to the bus this morning.  We love spending time outdoors.  I am so excited to be able to spend hours in the backyard again very soon!

 We also had a little "genetic" lesson the other night.  Caitlin loves that she is the only kid that can roll her tongue - just like dad!

I just came across these adorable sunglass pics from the younger years.  Why did they grow up so fast????

Blake Allan

 Madison Belle

 Caitlin Ruby

Read Across America

This week is Read Across America week.  The kids have been doing great activities at school and even able to dress up.  Caitlin's homework was to draw and write about where she read each day.  She of course didn't want to just draw her bedroom every night, so we decided to read in the bath tub last night.  She just told me that she wanted to read on the toilet for today...

Caitlin put a few towels down at the bottom of the tub and we read four books together in my TUB!!!!

 Pinkalicious is one of our favorites...