14 days and counting

Blake has struggled the past few months going to bed on his own. He used to do awesome at this but since the new year, he has decided that mommy needs to sleep with him. I've tried different tactics and read up on my parenting books and finally decided to quit laying with him until he falls asleep but rather sit in the rocking chair next to his bed. If he could fall asleep this way and not come get me in the middle of the night, I would give him a sticker for a chart and then after 4 stickers we would go to Monkey Joe's. Well he's doing great and now 14 stickers later, I'm going to go broke because this little boy isn't letting me out of my deal. Oh well, I'm just happy to be able to sleep in my own bed.............

I got a poop spreader!

I have to share a quick story about Blake but first you need the background info. While at the WIU farm show Bradley and Blake went to check out the toys. Bradley purchased Blake a manure spreader. This is of course fitting since we are frequently hauling manure from our cattle. But instead of telling Blake the proper name, he told him it was a poop spreader.

So a couple days later Blake and I went to the bank. The teller started talking to Blake and he declares "I got a poop spreader!" She says, "what did he say?" I said, he has a poop spreader and explained to her that he is a farm boy and had just gotten a new toy implement to pull behind his tractor. She was very sweet and then started talking farming with Blake.

Out of the mouth of babes.....

Fancy Nancy Party

Lauren had a party with her classmates on February 19th. Finally wrapping up her two week long birthday celebration! She doesn't know how lucky she is! Anyways, she had a Fancy Nancy Beauty Day party. It was based off of one of her favorite books, Oh La La It's Beauty Day! The girls enjoyed getting pedicures and manicures, decorated flip flops and sugar cookies and enjoyed playing games. It was so much fun! Instead of having gifts for her, Lauren requested donations for the Clinton County Humane Society. Lauren was thrilled with how many wonderful things she received. She will present them to the CCHS on March 5th.

On February 12th, we traveled to Grandma and Grandpa Bartlow's house for a fun weekend. We first attended the WIU farm show so the Bartlow cousins could get lots of time climbing on farm equipment. All of them had a great time! After the show we went to my childhood favorite pizza restaurant Aurelios. Then we headed back to Grandma Marcia's house for cake and ice cream!




In normal Lauren fashion, she had to put on dress up clothes with her cousins before eating cake and opening gifts. Grandma Marcia made Lauren a butterfly birthday cake at her request. It was awesome. Lauren got lots of nice presents! We all had a great weekend.

Lauren's 6th Birthday

Lauren turned 6 on February 9th. We celebrated by going to dinner at Chevy's with Grandma and Grandpa and Aunt Leslie (Uncle Keith was out of town on business). Lauren's teacher sent home a birthday bag which included books for us to read and a Pooh bear for Lauren to take with her and spend the night with. So Pooh joined us at Chevy's too.

Lauren was hoping to get a sombrero. Unfortunately, they were out that night, so she had to wait until I picked one up the next day! Regardless she loved all the attention. Following dinner, Lauren opened her gifts. Blake gave her a pillow and necklace (which he then claimed as his own), Grandma and Grandpa gave her clothes, arts and crafts stuff, and a Wii game. Her big gift was a Wii. She was thrilled!

Blakes' Version of Happy Birthday

I've been practicing singing the Happy Birthday song with Blake in preparation for Lauren's big day! I can't believe my baby is six already! How did that happen! So today the minute he woke up he started singing it to her. This is his second version, not as good as the first but I didn't have the camera in hand when I got him up nor did I expect him to sing it first thing!

Lauren's fun festivities start today after school. We are going to Chevy's for dinner with Grandma and Grandpa and Aunt Leslie, then to Grandma Marcia's this weekend to party with the Bartlow Family and then her friends from school come over on the 19th for a Fancy Nancy party. Can't wait!

Max & Hannah

Our friends the Gaines' Family just got a new puppy named Max. I was lucky enough to be able to dogsit this little fur ball on Monday along with his protector Hannah. He is just the sweetest little thing. So cuddly and cute! He we so much fun to have. Makes me want a house dog......

Building a Snowman

Our surprise snowfall on Saturday morning (8 inches when only a dusting was forecasted!) resulted in great snow for making a snowman on Sunday! Luckily Daddy was home so he was able to help us make a giant one. We've made several smaller ones this winter but none big enough to use our snowman kit that our elf Eddie brought Lauren and Blake during Christmas time.




Our hope was that Sadie wouldn't be able to destroy the snowman. But unfortunately, she managed to get the carrot down and its now destroyed. Dogs.....

Taylor Swift Biggest Fans

It's no secret that my two kiddos love to sing and dance especially to Taylor Swift. Lauren knows all her songs and Blake can get quite a few lines in as well which I have to say is pretty cute. This clip is from a recent snow day when we were listening to the radio and one of her songs came on and the kids turned it up and went crazy!

Lauren (and Daddy and Mommy) are super excited that Taylor is coming to St. Louis in August. I can't wait to see Lauren's reaction to seeing her live on stage! Sorry Blake, your just a little too young yet buddy.

Best Seat in the House

Blake prefers to sit on someone's lap to eat. Usually it's mine but the other day he chose his big sister!