A New Baby in the Family - Ella Naomi

My sister, Teresa, had a baby girl on Sunday, April 21st at 9:57 p.m. Her name is Ella Naomi. She weighed 8 lbs. 9 oz. Congratulations, Teresa. Since I didn't get a picture of Teresa with Ella I am posting them separately.This is the first time Paige has been interested in holding the baby. I borrowed a pillow from Teresa to put under her arm and she held Ella for quite a while. I know she wants a little baby in our family. We'd like that too. Here is Paige watching daddy hold the baby.

Preston enjoyed Ella as well. He was very gentle with her and kissed her cheek several times. He is such a rough boy, but I have noticed he is careful when a baby is around. He is fascinated by them and loves playing with them.I, of course, got my turn. Ella is very cute and I'm happy she is part of our family. Congratulations Teresa, Jaime and family.

A Little Princess

Paige's dance class had their pictures taken recently. It was difficult to eliminate any poses and pick just 5, but we did our best. Paige picked the upper right picture for a 5x7 to give to her grandparents. I can't believe how grown up she looks in these pictures. She is a very sweet little girl and a mommy's helper. She is a great joy in my life.

Aerobics ... Not-So Tough?!

I'm starting up doing aerobics so I can be skinny again. I have used this video by The Firm a lot in the past. It used to be not-so tough. I went down into a lunge and had to pick myself back up off the floor. I don't think I've ever done this video and felt my skin flapping. All that has changed. Let's see if the promise printed at the bottom of the box of 'visible results within 10 workouts' holds true. This was my 3rd workout with this tape. Wish me luck friends and family. I hope next time you see me there will be a little less of me.

Little Flirt! ... and Good Friends

We went to Texas Roadhouse on Saturday night with our friends Mark & Carolyn. Towards the end of dinner our waitress came to check on us and after she left Carolyn said, "I think Preston just licked the waitress." We asked him if he licked the waitress. He told us he kissed her. I asked him why he kissed her and he said, "Because she was cute." Carolyn said the waitress told him, "Thank you," and that Preston kissed her hand too. What a little flirt! And he's only 3. I think we're in trouble.

Also, since I've posted before about our friends I thought I'd put up a few pictures of us. We really enjoy our friendship with M&C. They live close to us and are nice to our children and like to play cards. We get together frequently to enjoy each other's company.

I think this is the ONE time Mark won at cards. He was so excited he had us take a picture. It's too bad he doesn't have a blog of his own to refute anything I say. Poor Mark. Now the whole world knows he has only won one game. And he looks so happy. Awww ...

I include this dumb one of me because, well, this is my blog. I guess I should be a part of it. Carolyn tried to duck out of the picture. We can still see you, Carolyn. Next time put on a smile. GEEZ!!

Is it Spring?

I believe Mother Nature is playing tricks on us. Here's what we woke to this morning. I'm glad I've taught my children to make lemonade out of lemons. Oh wait ... I think that's what Doug teaches them. Thank heavens for Doug. I do love the ... uh ... snowman they made. It looks more like a bench in this picture.

Cool Colorings

I posted a while back about Paige's love of coloring. I thought I'd put up some updates for you to enjoy. She loves to have us color in the same book on opposite pictures. A lot of the individual pictures posted here are actually facing each other. Here's an example ...



For you coloring connoisseurs out there I'm sure you know it's not too fun to color in the same book because you have to maneuver around each other. I much prefer coloring together in separate books. One day Paige asked me to color with her. She had picked out two pictures for us to work on together. I agreed to color and told her to color in her book and I'd color in another one sitting there. We started coloring and she disappeared. I kept coloring and after a while went looking for her.

I found her in her room with Doug and she was bawling her eyeballs out. I asked what was wrong. Apparently she was beside herself because my pictures were so beautiful and she would never color as good as me. She was truly sad. I took her back in where we were coloring, sat her on my lap and taught her a few techniques that help me stay in the lines. I also told her I had been coloring since I was a little girl like her and have had years of practice. I have full confidence she will become a wonderful artist if she keeps practicing.

I love Paige and am very pleased with her talent. It's fun to share things with her that we both enjoy.

Preston is an up-and-coming artist. Here's his contribution ...

Paige often asks me to color with her. She colors quite a bit each day and has found that she enjoys using colored pencils every bit as much as crayons. Her favorite ones are now becoming stubs. Anyone know where we can get single colors? If I have to keep buying whole packs we're going to end up with a lot of puce.

Here are my contributions ...

I love coloring too.

P&P Sayings ...

We have some friends named Mark and Carolyn that we like to hang out with. Preston has somehow gotten it into his head that they are both named Mark and Carolyn. So the other day we were driving by their house late ... you know, taking back the Red Box movies at 8:40 p.m. Since it was late and dark outside Preston asked, "Mommy, are Mark & Carolyn and Mark & Carolyn in bed?" I answered him and thought it was funny.

Then as we were pulling into the garage Paige popped out with this:

Paige: "Mom, I know why boys and girls get married?"
Me: "Why?"
Paige: "Because they get along together and think each other's pretty and handsome."
Me: "Yes, that's right. You are such a smart girl." (Whew!! And I thought I was going to have to have a "conversation".)

Another Paige from today. She got Preston dressed:
Me: "Paige, you are so helpful. I really appreciate you getting Preston dressed today. How do you even know what to do that will be helpful to me?"
Paige: "I'm a girl."

I have another great one on Doug too, but he forbid me to post it.

And in all fairness, I have nothing on me. I never say anything funny ... EVER!!