We have a seven year old!

We made the (wrong) decision to have Lindsey's birthday party two weeks after her actual birthday, so we had a lot of celebrating in this house. 
We had an Easter/birthday celebration with my parents the weekend before the big day, so there was a huge lunch and cupcakes and singing and such. 
The night before Lindsey's birthday David and I had a dinner to attend, so Nani and Cappy came down and had cake with the kids.  More sweets, more presents. 
Then on her actual birthday, Lindsey requested waffles with whipped cream and sprinkles for breakfast.  She could not wait to open her present because it was a surprise.  She originally said she wanted a new American Girl doll with long hair, but David said we were standing by our rule of only one AG doll.  However, we had to admit that Lindsey treats Kit as a member of the family, and all of the gifts Lindsey gets for birthdays and Christmas revolve around that doll.  On the way to school one day, I asked Lindsey what she wanted for her birthday and she said some books.  When I asked about the Caroline doll, she said she was going to wait to ask Santa for it because she knew it was too expensive and dad said no.  Naturally, I ordered the doll that day.  Lindsey was shocked when she opened Caroline on her birthday, and we were so happy to be able to surprise her.  She truly is a smart, caring girl who is mature beyond her years.  She makes us proud daily with the way she takes care of Benton and Kate.  If the girl wants a doll, we are getting her a doll. 
I went to school to eat lunch with Lindsey, and she requested McDonalds (why doesn't my child love something like Subway?) and more cupcakes.  I could tell Lindsey was so proud to have me there with her eating on her birthday.  That night we took Madilyn with us to Newk's then finished her birthday at church.
A week and a half later, we had Lindsey's birthday party.  The plan was to keep it low key--she wanted a slumber party, so we had 12 girls over from 5-7 for supper, cake, and crafts, then 3 girls from the neighborhood spent the night.  Twelve girls doing crafts--plus Benton wanting to do crafts and Kate wanting to eat everything in sight--became a bit overwhelming, but Lindsey had a blast.  Once we were down to four I popped in a movie and put them all in sleeping bags.  Lindsey enjoyed it, and that makes it a success.
We are so thankful for our seven-year-old Lindsey and the constant joy she brings to our life!  She loves reading, writing poems, making up cheers, playing with her American Girl dolls, and most of all, being a big sister.  She is a blessing to the four of us!  (I did a terrible job taking pictures.  I was busy with the crafts and food.  During the party I realized I am really not to the point that I can successfully throw a party without my mom's help.)

The cake looked like a bed.  It was cute and I hate I didn't get a better picture. 

I love Kate's face here.  She wants Lindsey to hurry up and blow out the candles so she can eat.  I also think it's priceless how much those two girls look alike.

Benton missed the beginning of the party because he was at another party, but as soon as he got home he wanted to make a Star Wars pillowcase. 

Lindsey and her school friend Anna Kate decorating pillowcases.

The next morning.  Lindsey, Lily, Madilyn, and Abby Grace look tired, so I'm sure I did too.

Maggie, Anna Kate, and Chesney eating pancakes with Lindsey.

Here comes Peter Cottontail...hopping down the muddy trail...

Easter was early this year, so the weather did not cooperate with those who love outdoor egg hunts and spring dresses.  Regardless, we were able to celebrate the true meaning of Easter--up from the grave He arose!  I think the cold, rainy weather was a blessing because it made us stay home and enjoy time with family this year. 
We had a rainy neighborhood egg hunt, but the kids had fun (and racked up loot) despite the weather.  The Easter bunny even made an appearance.  It was the shortest egg hunt I've ever attended, but it was still fun.  Later that day we had a Sunday school egg hunt at our house, but again, due to the weather, we had to change plans and hunt eggs in the playroom.  It was a bit chaotic but the kids had fun. 
Sunday morning we went to church then went to the Ruffs' for lunch.  The kids and I were off Friday and Monday, so we enjoyed taking it easy with art projects and library books. 

Kate and her friend Will

I know that cute clothing has nothing to do with the meaning of Easter, but I do think these kids look adorable!

Lily and Lindsey at the rainy egg hunt

Neighborhood kids lined up to hunt.  The bunny had to stand behind the kids or else they ran off screaming.

Great Amazing Race

Lindsey has been asking to run a race since she found out kids her age ran the 5K Habitat for Humanity race that I ran last fall.  When Matt mentioned a parent-child team race, David and Lindsey were on board.  She has been training for this one-mile run for weeks.  She usually trained with me, because David has a bad habit of getting distracted and running off in front of Lindsey.  That man makes everything a competition!
Today was the big race.  We came home from church and got everyone dressed for a spring day--the temperature was 65, so perfect for a day outside.  However, the closer we got to Millington, the lower the temperature dropped.  By the time we reached the race course, it was 48 degrees.  Poor Lindsey was freezing!  However, she was a trooper and still wanted to run.  David was certainly a trooper because he was missing Ole Miss playing in the SEC championship game for basketball.  While he was at the starting line listening to instructions, Cappy yelled from the parking lot "HOTTY TODDY!" so we knew Ole Miss had clinched and SEC championship. 

Lindsey and David did great in the race!  We think they placed second overall in their age group (age based on the youngest runner) but most importantly they had fun.

Ready for the race to start

I thought this was a cute shot of their feet, but David said I clearly just wanted a picture of his bottom.

Trying to keep the little runner warm

Madilyn and Lindsey warming up

One of the six obstacles they had to complete while racing

They make a great team

This picture is blurry but I wanted to include it because they look so cute running together

Little Trouble had to get in on the action--she had Cappy help her with one of the obstacles

Spring Break 2013

David took off work Friday to join us at the zoo.  The weather was beautiful and this was Kate's first time to truly understand the concept.  For the first time, we let the big kids (and David) ride a camel.  David complained about the waste of money, but I reminded him that this is probably a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to ride a camel.  Kate squealed at all the big cats and laughed hysterically at the monkeys, but the funniest thing she did was run up to a blonde woman screaming "MOMMMMMYYY!!!!" The woman was younger than me and looked very much childless, so she seemed a bit overwhelmed by a toddler running towards her in a full-hug position.  Benton wanted to know when we would get to see the elephant go poop again--one time, two years ago, and that is still his fondest zoo memory.

Life in the fast lane

I have neglected to update for the past few months for the same reason that I have neglected to take any pictures since Christmas--we are busy!  A few highlights from the first two months of the year:
Lindsey continues to excel in first grade.  She is reading predominantly chapter books, especially Junie B Jones, Magic Tree House, and Ivy + Bean series.  She has her last ballet class for the semester tonight, and we are taking the rest of the spring off to hopefully take tennis lessons. 
Benton continues to surprise us with how much he loves preschool.  He can't wait until kindergarten because he loves Miss Natalie.  He did the pledge for the school a couple of weeks ago and Lindsey said it was adorable.  He is still obsessed with Star Wars and any type of super hero.
Kate continues to be trouble.  She bites, she refuses to apologize, she screams in the car--but she redeems herself everytime she toddles over and says, "I wanna hold you" or "moon and back" (her version of "I love you").  She started talking in sentences and is now unstoppable. 
I started sewing, which is something I've said I wanted to learn to do for years and I am so thankful that mom took the time to teach me.  I'm very much a beginner, but I enjoy sewing for my kids.

This weekend is Spring Break, and we decided to stay around home this year.  We went to Tupelo to spend a couple of days with B and Popsey, and I was able to spend time with Julie and Elizabeth.  It is always fun to catch up with old friends.  Tripp came to stay with us one night, and adding a boy to the house doubles the noise level--but those two boys have the best time together.  Trying to get ready and packed with the four kids running around was not easy, especially when Tripp ran in to tell me that Kate had painted her face with fingernail polish. 

This picture is hilarious because it captures Kate's personality so well.  B promised Lindsey and Benton she would take them to Build a Bear during Spring Break, so while they did that, I took Kate around the mall.  We met up with them and Lindsey gave Kate a miniature bear.  Kate was not thrilled with the tiny version of Lindsey's bear and refused to smile for a picture. 

Mom let the kids pick any bear they wanted--and it shows.  Benton wanted an army bear, which is cool except that we have no camo in our house.  What makes this even better is that he wanted his army bear to have a leather motorcycle jacket.  He named the bear B.O.  Not Bo, but B.O.

Crazy sock day at school.  Those are some crazy socks.

Tacky day at school.  Lindsey remembered that I did not dress her very tacky last year, so I let her go all out this year.  She was definitely tacky.

When she sees a camera, no matter who the camera is pointing to, Kate yells "CHHHEEEESSSSEEEE" until someone takes her picture.  Then she says "I wanna see" until you show her the picture.  Cutest baby on earth, but she is a handful.  I think we had two well-behaved children and decided we could handle one more so God laughed and said, "Watch this!"

Benton's Valentine cards for his class.  I love that he was able to write his name on each one.

Of course he had Star Wars cards.  I did not get a picture of Lindsey's, because she quickly wrote her name, stuffed them, and put them in the box.  She is efficient at all things.

Hard at work.

Lindsey's homemade Valentine's box for school.

The first day of Spring Break, the kids were bored by mid-morning.  I pulled out paint, paper, and Q-tips and they got to work.

Painting her paper--and her fingers.

I think he said this was a ninja turtle--or a robot.

Definitely a princess.

Holiday Recap

This holiday season was filled with activities for the kids, so throw in a New York trip and a birthday party for Kate and we had one crazy fun month!
Lindsey had her annual mother/daughter tea at church where we decorated cookies and created crafts with friends.  This group of girls has been together for years at church and it has been fun watching them grow as they are now mostly first graders. 
This year the boys joined in the fun and had a mother/son party at Orange Leaf.  Typical of the boys, they never actually decorated cookies (just ate them) or created the crafts.  While the girls sat at tables working with soft Christmas music playing in the background, the boys ate yogurt then ran around the party room chasing each other for an hour.  At any rate, they had a blast.
Lindsey had her year-end dance showcase where she showed us what she has learned at Kids Only Gym this semester.  We watched her floor exercises, tap routine, and ballet dance.  This studio is very low-key and we love it.  Our tiny dancer did a great job in each area of dance.
Both kids had a Christmas party at school on the same day, so I was able to run over during exams to enjoy Lindsey's party for a few minutes but could not stay for Benton's (he did not care if I was there as long as he was able to party).  After their parties, we were finally out of school and able to enjoy our holidays!
Once school was out life slowed down and we spent a lot of time the last two weeks at home (bundled up inside!) enjoying time with family.
On December 23 Brooke and Daniel bravely offered to have a sleepover with L, B, and Tripp.  The kids watched Elf and ate ice cream and enjoyed time with their cool aunt and uncle.  Christmas Eve we went to the Ruffs' house for the kids to decorate cookies for Santa (Kate was able to decorate this year with a little help) and exchange gifts.  The kids have so much fun with their cousins, especially Benton and Tripp since they are so close in age.  Then we all loaded up and went to Anne's house for the Morris family Christmas.  Most everyone was there so it was an enjoyable night with the family.  We headed home to get the kids to sleep so Santa could come work his magic...
And he did!  Christmas morning was fun at home with the big two this year (Kate does not understand Christmas yet).  Lindsey has asked Santa for a Kindle Fire for months, and he delivered.  She had already received several chapter books for Christmas (along with an electric pencil sharpener and an encyclopedia) so she downloaded some apps on the Kindle--the word search app has kept her busy.  Benton threw Santa for a loop the week before Christmas by changing his request from Star Wars toys to boxing men. I think Santa had a hard time locating the boxing men, but true to his nature he came through. 
After unwrapping and putting together toys for a while, we headed to Tupelo to finish Christmas with my family.  Ben and Ashley and the boys were there so we thankfully had a house full this year.  More toys and unwrapping and putting together followed until we were all exhausted that afternoon. 
Since Christmas we have been cleaning, organizing, un-decorating, and having family fun (bowling!  sleepovers! ice cream!). 

 Lots of wild boys! 

 Fun with Fisher

 Lots of icing

 Caught them in action--both tongues are out in concentration

 Madilyn and Lindsey...er, Comet and Cupid

 Sweet friends!

 Lots of girls!

 Scroll back up to notice the difference in icing quantity between B and L's cookies

 Sara and I dressed alike--obviously didn't plan it

 Getting some help from Brooke

 Miss Independent thinks she can do it by herself

 Sweet girls--Lindsey is so good at taking care of the little cousins

 All five Ruff babies

 Kindle from Santa

 Boxing men from Santa

 Three little Ruffs under the tree

 Benton got lots of Legos this year--so David spent a lot of time putting them together

 Kid table at Popsey and B's house (missing Benton)

 Reading with B

 Playing with Aunt Linda

Thankful for Jesus's birthday that we are able to celebrate each year.