Arboretum Field Trip

Today was the Kindergarten field trip to the Children's Garden at the Dallas Arboretum.  It has been raining almost every single day, but the weather today was perfect. There was no rain and it was mainly cloudy so we didn't all sweat to death.  Here are some pictures of the kiddos having fun.

Carson, Mallory, Jacob, Naima, and Avery standing in front of this machine that blows air at you.

This thing (when it is working) spins air around really fast and simulates a tornado.

Sweet friends: Jacob, Jonah, Carson, Skyler, Naima, and Mallory

Fancy Nancy

I went to the library earlier this week and checked out a bunch of Fancy Nancy books for Mallory.  All but one we have read before. The difference this year though is Mallory can read some of them herself.  This afternoon she decided to dress up and be Fancy Nancy herself.  As of right now, she has decided this is who she is going to be on Halloween as well.

Maggie's Birthday Party

The theme for Maggie's party this year was Jake and the Neverland Pirates.  Maggie helped me pick out a cake that she liked / one that I thought I could actually make. We also had some fun themed snacks and beverages.  I had planned on doing some games outside, but with all the rain I didn't trust the weather so I decided on just one outside activity.

I also decided to make the fireplace banner differently this year. Instead of having a "I am (insert age here)" banner, I just did a character banner that included Skully, Izzy, Jake, Cubby, and Tick Tock Crock.  I was given strict instructions of NOT including Captain Hook and Mr. Smee.

For snacks we had cannon balls (Whoppers malt balls) and Pirate Booty (popcorn).

Our drinks were sea water (bottled water) and Pirate Punch (fruit punch pouches).

A couple of friends ended up not coming, because Mallory came down with Strep Throat the morning of the party.  Poor girl was really contagious and had to stay in our bedroom during the festivies. She was NOT happy about it at all, but felt way to horrible to really complain.

Our indoor activity was making cardboard swords.  We had stickers and little Jake confetti pieces to put on them. The kids had a great time making swords.  Here are all the kiddos - Ethan (back turned away), Everly, Maggie, Kaylee, and Teeghan.

We were very fortunate that it didn't start raining until the end of the party, so the kids got to do the treasure hunt in the backyard.  It was just a bucket of sand with some gold coins, balls, and necklaces.  They had so much fun, but we got sand everywhere on the porch and what a mess.  Whoops!

After playing outside, we had cake.  I think I did a pretty good job with the cake! It was two layers- one layer was Strawberry and the second was yellow cake that we died blue.  Pillsbury now makes crazy colored icing so I didn't have to go to Hobby Lobby and buy the Wilton icing and color it. Made life so much easier.  The candles on the cake are white tiger and regular tiger colors. Mallory picked those out for Maggie at the Dollar Tree.  Maggie loved them.

Maggie's Fourth Birthday

We had so much fun today with Maggie on her fourth birthday.  It was super special because Matt had the day off and could spend it with us.  We had hoped Mallory wouldn't have school, but she did - it was a make up day due to the ice in March.  Since Mallory couldn't hang out with us all day, we decided to hang out with her a bit.  We all went up to Hunt and sat with her during lunch.

After Mallory came home, Maggie was able to open her presents.  Look at that smile!

Maggie loved what we gave her.  After many months of searching and then being sold out, I found her a girly Paw Patrol shirt.

Maggie had one request for her birthday and that was an Anna costume.  Mallory gave it to her and Maggie was thrilled. It is a little big right now, but that is good. She can grow into it and Mallory can wear it right now as well.  After presents, we have Cookies and Cream ice cream.  For dinner, Maggie requested chicken nuggets and she gobbled them up.

Maggie is FOUR

It boggles our mind that you are FOUR.  Dadda and I have noticed these past few months that you look like a little girl now and not a baby. I'm so glad that you are growing and healthy, but it still makes me sad. Maggie you were supposed to stay little!  This week you finished preschool and are already asking when do you go back so you can be upstairs with the other big kids. It feels like yesterday that you cried and cried each time you went to preschool.  However, this last month of school you have walked yourself in and have even been excited about it.  I wanted to walk you in a couple of times and you told me "no, please do the line so I can do it myself. I don't need help anymore."

You still enjoy cleaning the house and love to spritz and clean the toilets. Sometimes you get mad when I don't ask for your assistance.  You continue to be good about picking up your toys and keeping your area tidy.  You also continue to help Mallory when she won't, but she is getting better too.  I think you may be rubbing off on her or kindergarten did it.  Maggie, you continue to be super sweet, but we have noticed you are becoming a little feisty at times and trying to be too grown up.  I feel bad having to discipline you because you truly get so sad when you know you have been disobedient. That is one great thing about you - your heart cares about obeying and you want to honor your parents and God.

One thing you LOVE to do is creepy eyes.  You are able to cross your eyes so well and it makes us scream because it is so CREEPY.  We just laugh and laugh after you do it.  Oh...you have gotten much better with your words, but there are a few that you still put an "s" on the front of them.  Blue is swew and jake is shake.  Just recently you learned how to write your name. You have the "M" down really well and we are working on the rest. Dad also taught you how to spell your name. I have been working on that for a while and you refused to learn: I was gone to In-Sync for one day and you did it for him.  Silly Girl!!!

This isn't the best photo of you two, but it sums up your relationship perfectly. You adore Mallory and she adores you.  The two of you have started bickering more lately, but its because you both want to play with the same things all the time.  You both love to play dress up, play with snap dress dolls, Sofia, Strawberry Shortcake, and Lego's.  I LOVE that you have each other.

4 year old stats: Height - 40 inches (55th percentile) and Weight - 37 pounds (66th percentile)

I decided to ask Maggie to tell me her favorite things this year. This is what she said:

color - blue

thing to wear - pretty shirt

show - Paw Patrol and Jake and the Neverland Pirates

movie - Frozen

food - corny dog and broccoli (not sure why because I don't make that often)

activity -  drawing, coloring, and just playing

toy - Jake pirate ship

book - Paw Patrol 

animal - elephant (not what I expected)

insect - Rolly Polly

least favorite thing to do - play with my sister (she is in a bad mood right now and said she likes to play with Mallory, but not all the time.  She likes alone time too.)

Making the Cake

My helper making her birthday cake.  Maggie poured the water and oil into the bowl and I took care of the mix, eggs, and mixing the batter.  She was a very good helper and enjoyed licking the beaters.

We've Been Flocked

I pulled the blinds back this morning and saw this.  I was so excited. I knew who had done it too.  Matt on the other hand didn't think it was funny.  

FBC Wylie is doing a flocking fundraiser for their mission trip to New Mexico.  You donate money and the flamingos go and live at someone else's house for a few days.

Last Day of Preschool

Today was the last day of preschool.  Maggie's attitude was the complete opposite of the first day of school.  Today she was excited about going, wanted me to drop her off and not walk her in, and was willing to smile for pictures.  How things have changed.  Here is a picture from the first day and then from today.

Her attitude did change when I got there for the party.  When I arrived, they were in the worship center watching a video and she was so happy and cheerful.  Maggie had no idea I was in the back watching her.  As soon as I walked up to her after the video she put on her pitty party.  This was her attitude until the majority of parents and kids left.  I asked what was wrong and she didn't like people looking at her. I tried to explain that people were not looking at her, but their own kids and to just relax.  I knew it wouldn't work and it didn't.

Finally having some fun.  She had so much shaving cream on her and she loved every second of it.

This little picture stand was in the hall and she wanted to have her photo taken. Too cute!  I was hoping for a picture with her teachers also, but she would have nothing to do that with.

Mother's Day Lunch

The girls and I met Mammy at Luby's today for our annual Mother's Day lunch.  Little did we know that kids eat free on Saturday so that was nice.  We had a great time at lunch and Mammy really loved her gift.  After lunch, we headed to a few stores to look for a maxi dress for Mallory.  Unfortunately, we were unable to find one that fit correctly or was the correct price.  After shopping, we went to Nothing Bundt Cakes and got a chocolate chocolate chip mini bundt cake to share. It was delicious.

I didn't take pictures while we were there, but here a few of the ones Matt took at home.

It was nearly impossible to get them to smile at the same time.