I love my big brother

Today after school I found Ben and Brenna cuddled up on the couch watching Ben play his leapster. Ben was explaining what he was doing and Brenna was listening and asking questions. They usually are fighting like cats and dogs. This is one of those pleasant times when you feel like you have done a good job at this mommy thing. Of couse I know in the next passing moment it could all be over. This actually lasted for a while today. They have played well and really enjoyed eachothers company. If you look at the picture I thing Brenna is even playing with Ben's hair. How sweet is that? !?

Getting Skinny.....

I said I would give an update on my weight loss..... So far I have lost 3.8 lbs in 3 weeks. The first week, I lost 1.6. The second week 1 lb. Then this week 1.2 lbs. So even though I would love to see more I am staying consistant and not gaining. Even this weekend with my family here I still managed to lose weight. Only 16 more pounds to go until I get to where I want to be. So what is that, at least 8 more weeks. Uggggghhhh!!!! I guess I will keep truckin' on.

Family visits

Okay... I wrote out this nice long involved post about my family visiting and our trip to the Aquirium, then somehow I deleted it... Candy You saw it.. I really did post one. So sorry this is so short. I don't have time to rewrite everything I said before. Oh well. Maybe later. Anyway here are the pictures of the Aquirium. The kids had a blast.

I love Madison

It is funny that I just wrote the post before this one, because I just found the above paper in Ben's "Notebook". He came home talking about a little girl in his class Madison. He wanted to know when she could come over and play. Later, he asked us how to spell her name. When I asked him why he wanted to write Madison, he just grinned and say "just because". Well, I just found this paper and it says I LOVE (with a heart for love) Madison. He is only 5!!! I guess Ben is as sweet on the girls in his class (at least with Madison) as the girls are with him.

Babies to teenagers

My friend Carol asked me to take her 13 year old daughter to a hair appointment. Carol was going to be out of town and Lauren (the 13 year old) didn't want to have her dad take her. We had a good time but it was crazy to think in 10 year Brenna will be that age. OUCH!! She wanted to do alot more to her hair than her mom and dad wanted her to do so the compromised and Tiffany (the hairstylist) gave her her some good advice. She ended up with an awesome hair cut and highlites, but wow, it is a wake up call that my babies are going to be teenager before I know it. Ben already has a couple of girls that are sweet on him in his Kindergarten class. Now, he IS the cutest boy in the class, so I totally understand why the girls like him. (If I do say so myself) And Brenna just likes to hug and kiss on all the boys, especially Matthew. He is Carol youngest child. However, at 5 he is an older catch for Brenna. I don't want to even think about them dating. Brian will be the daddy that is cleaning his gun as the boy shows up for the date. Brian would argue that no he would not because Brenna is not going to date. You do notice that all this applies to Brenna and not Ben. ...

Back in the Groove

I think we are finally getting back into the swing of things and back into our little routine. School is back in full swing, and Brenna was really glad to go back. She is very social. Ben was ready to go back as well, but was also enjoying his time "Hangin' out" as he would say.

Today was a no school day for Brenna, so she ran around with me. We bought her a new carseat. She had outgrown the one we had for her. So she picked out one that has pink trim and flowers on it. She loves it and it helps the seatbelt fit over her shoulder better. We also bought new pillows. I really wanted to buy some pillowcase covers for them, but I was having a hard time finding them. While I was looking, I heard Brenna say, (very loudly) Maam, Maam! and then Sales lady walked over to her stroller and Brenna proceeded to ask, Excuse me Maam, where can my mommy find the pillowcase covers? She doesn't know where they are. So needless to say, we found the pillowcase covers, and the sales lady got a good chuckle. What would I do without Brenna?

Where's the bathroom?

So, last night around 10:00, Brian and I are sitting on the couch watching TV when Ben comes stumbling down the stairs. He was not awake at all. We decided to let him keep walking and see where he was heading. Well he seemed to be walking towards the bathroom, but them made a turn towards the kitchen. Brian decided it might be a good time to watch and see exactly where he was going. Ben made a couple of laps around the kitchen table and then stopped at the Computer hutch, opened the doors and proceeded to pull his pants down. Brian grabbed him and headed him in the direction of bathroom. A very close call for the computer. Hopefully this is not a habit that will continue, but a funny story.

Brian was ordained as a Ruling Elder in our church this morning. He as served as a Deacon for several years prior to this. It is an honor for him to be able to serve our church like this. We are in a wonderful church that we love dearly. We have lots of friends who are more like family. As much as we would love to be closer to our family, we know that we have aunts and uncles and grandparents, as well as the kids have tons of cousins in our church family. We love you all....

Differences in Kids

Well we did not go anywhere today. Brian had to work and I cleaned house. While I was cleaning I noticed how different my kids are. Not that I was unaware of this, but I thought that you would like to see the difference. Ben is very particular. He takes very good care of his things. He is cautious and thinks things though. He loves having friends over, but has to make sure everything gets put back where it belongs. And when I say where it belongs I mean Where Ben thinks it belongs. He knows where every little Mcdonalds toy has been put away at and where every transformer part is. Do not even dare move it because he will know, and he will not be happy about it. Ben also HAS to match his clothes, even if we are just sitting around the house.

Now Brenna is a different sort. She is very laid back, spontaneous, and a little wild. (sound familiar) She is her mother's child for sure. (And Ben is his Father's child) She can break anything, and I think she takes pleasure in trying. She doesn't care if anything is put away. Brenna has her own style, and we fight about it already. (Remember she is only 3)

Now today I took pictures of their bedrooms. This is the perfect example of the differences between the two.........

New Look

Okay check out the new look.... Didn't I do a great job? Actually, my friend, Candy did it for me. I thought that was way easier than figuring it out for myself. I do know how to add music, though. That was the easy part.
The kids are at school and I have been completely lazy. I had coffee, read a little, and played around on the computer. I did do a couple loads of laundry. It was my first day of no kids since Christmas break, and I needed a BREAK!
Ben has a birthday party to go to this evening at the House of Bounce. That will be fun and it will also tire them out, so maybe they will sleep in tomorrow morning.
Really my life is usually pretty busy. So I am going to totally enjoy my day of "not much to do". Right about now I am going to fix my self lunch (low cal, of course) and watch What not to Wear before I have to go pick up my babies from school.

Oh yea, I did mention that I joined Weight Watchers. I will not tell you what I weigh, but I will keep you updated on my progress. For anyone out there who really wants to lose weight, this has been the best thing ever. I lost close to 35 lb after Brenna. I kept most of it off, but now I would like to loose the little I gained back plus some more.

Is anyone out there...

Okay, I am wondering (just for the record) who is out there reading this.... Just wanna make sure this is worth my time. I really enjoy doing it. Please post a comment so I have an idea who is out there. (or email me)

The kids went back to school today (YIPEE) I decided to rejoin weight watchers. I really want to loose a little more weight. Why can't we all look like we did in highschool. And to think I thought i was too fat back then. Oh if only we could turn back the clock.

It was really nice having the kiddos home, but i think it might even be nicer that they went back to school. Ben is in kindergarten, 9-1 every day and Brenna is 9-12 three days a week. Those two are like oil and water. Brenna knows how to get on his last nerve and Ben doesn't want her to touch ANYTHING that belongs to him. He thinks she will break it. The fact is, she probably would. That girl needs a job testing toys to see how well they can hold up to being played with. If there is a way to break it, she will find the way.

Okay, well everyone have a great rest of the day. Until next time.....

Brrrr... It's cold

Okay, today is freezing, literally! It is only about 38 now. It is probably as warm as it will get today. I had to do some grocery shopping and I took Brenna with me. The cold wind made her eyes water. She wanted out of the cold wind ASAP! Me too! So I don't think we are looking at moving north anytime soon. Sorry, all my Minnesota family!

Since the kids are stuck inside, Brenna is doing her favorite thing.... Dressing up like a princess. She insisted on me taking her picture. Ben is staying busy building with his leggos. We had to go get his allergy shot (for fire ants) this morning. He has two more weeks left on the weekly shots, then we move to once a month. It has definitly been an ordeal getting him to the doctor every week for the last year for a shot. He has been a trooper though. He only cried the very first time. The nurses are very impressed. Well we are going to stay warm today. Maybe coudle up and watch a movie. I know all you northern people are laughing at me, but remember, I am a Florida girl. My blood is thin.

okay here goes...

The first one worked out. Now let's try some pictures. We had a great Christmas. We had a huge Christmas Eve party at our house after the service at church. We had about 45 people. Everyone brought a dessert to share. We did it last year and so now I think it is becoming some what of a tradition to come to our home on Christmas eve. Here are some pics of Christmas...

Keeping in touch

A friend of mine started this post and I thought it was a great way to keep in touch. So we are going to see how technical I can be and figure this thing out.. Be patient with me. Brian's one question was "Who's blog is this, yours or mine? " Meaning can I figure this out on my own or is he going to have to help me.... We shall see...