Juicy Glasses

Today Ashlyn got glasses.  She is farsighted like Brady just not near as bad.  (Sorry Brady)  Anyway, she does have to wear them all of the time and when she gets home from school we have to patch the right eye to make her left stronger.  The reason the title of the blog is juicy glasses is the brand of the glasses is juicy couture.  Pretty funny.  So now I have a juicy little girl.  Okay, so I love this blogging thing and I especially love adding video.  So of course I had to add a video segment of the first day home with glasses.  I know you are all thinking she is crazy and I must say...I know :)  or I could just say that I am crazy for my kids and love celebrating every moment of their lives!  (that sounds much better)  

pink books and pink curls

A few months back my sister, Liz, told me about this book, Priscilla and the Pink Planet.  So of course, as a dutiful sister I ran out to get it.  It has been a very good investment.  Ashlyn loves it.  Nearly everyday we read it.   Tonight we curled her hair in the famous pink sponge rollers and then snuggled up to read all about Priscilla and her Pink Planet.  From Ashlyn I learn that there are more colors in this world than pink and so does Priscilla.  I hope that Ashlyn will always search for all of the colors that she wants to discover in life.  I am thankful everyday that she completed our family and for the sweet and colorful spirit she brings to us each day.  

Yummy Cookies

My friend Colleen shared this wonderful Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe and I just had to try it.  Funny thing is you might be wondering, does Miralyn only cook 5 cookies at a time - no I assure you - I don't.  Let me just share, that the girls are in bed, the boys are gone and well there are just a few missing.  We will let that just be our little secret.   You can find her recipe at www.hillfamilyfavorites.blogspot.com

Babies, babies, babies

At church we have had 8 babies born (2 are missing in this picture) and two more still on the way.  It has been so fun announcing the birth via email to all of the sisters, having dinners go in and most of all seeing and holding them.   They are all so sweet.  

What a good babysitter I am!!

Amie had to go to the doctor and I got to keep Jackson.  He loves his bed, so he wasn't going to cuddle with me.  I let him down and went into the other room.  He loves this bookshelf of mine. I keep toys there for him.  He got really quiet and this is what I found.  

The trail - 
Froot Loops on his butt - 

I love a sweet sleeping baby!

Connor's first football game

It was so exciting, my little Connor in a real football uniform.  Can I still call him my little Connor?  He was so cute and did a great job.  Connor has always been the unassuming one and he hasn't been any different in football.  He just gets out there, does his thing and moves on. 

Did I mention lately how I love being a mother to my kids.  I use to think oh how sad they have to grow, but as we move into all of these fun times it is so awesome to see my children accomplishing so many things and becoming their own individual selves.  

He plays on the Jaguars!

The joys of life

I have been looking for this playfoam since last Christmas.  My sister in law Sarah had bought this stuff through Scholastic.  It is like that floam stuff only a lot cleaner and much more kid friendly. Last weekend we went downtown where there are so many cute shops.  There is a toy store called the Treasured Child.  My kids thought they had died and gone to heaven.  Lo and behold there it was and it was even buy one get one free.  We were all so excited and they have play with it so much.   One of the many JOYS OF LIFE.

Always posing.  They really made some cute stuff!
Cute little grin!

This is what my 5 year old Ashlyn is up to these days.  Making her own peanut butter sandwiches.  She just thinks she is such a big girl now.  The only problem is she hasn't quite mastered the clean up.  She is so sweet when she is doing big girl things though.  I just love her and she definately a JOY IN MY LIFE.  
She also has a major sweet tooth and was so proud to show me her red tonque.

Sometimes there just aren't enough words

A couple of months ago my computer crashed and of course I had not saved my pictures.  My friend Annette, the computer wizard, helped me and was able to save them.  These are wonderful treasures to me and I so appreciate her taking the time to save this awesome part of my life.  

Ashlyn when she was 2.
Callie, Ashlyn and Connor helping me bake.  Of course, there is always chocolate on my little sweet tooth Ashlyn.
This was a fun Christmas at Grandma's house and we actually had snow.  
My little dress-up princess Callie

Connor learned how to ride his bike when he was four.  (he was 6 in this picture)

Happy Moms back to school party

Today we celebrated the kids going back to school with a luncheon at my good friends' house, Jill Neal.  I must tell the truth, it was a great reason for us sisters to get together and socialize and eat really good food.   I must say these women are so awesome.  I just love being with them.  We had a great time and I am always amazed at their stories and strength they have.  It was a big boost to my day.

Jill, Emily, Kristina and Jen
Me, Jenni, Lisa and Emily
Annie and Lorelei

Slytherin sheds!

Connor has a pet ball python snake that grandpa Fears gave him for Christmas.  Slitherin has always has had a hard time shedding his skin in one piece, but he finally did it.  It was so awesome.  

Slitherin is a very kind snake.  Thats a funny statement.  A nice snake?!?  He really is though, he loves being held by the kids.  
It has been great fun learning about him and being so amazed by such a wonderful animal.  

Crafty football mom

I couldn't be a good football mom if I didn't have a crafty wreath on my door, right? They had a wreath like this made up at Michaels craft store and I just had to do it.  I had most of the supplies on hand so all I had to get was the football and the football stickers.  The boys thought it was awesome!!  It's all football around here!

The yummy tastes of summer

I love homemade freezer jam.  My mom would make it growing up.  We didn't know any different.  So of course, I can't not have homemade jam.  Ashlyn and I made peach jam.  So yummy.  

Look at those beautiful colors.  I couldn't believe it.  Gorgeous and yummy!
I love using the Ball fruit jell.  It is sooooo easy and very delicious.  It uses a lot less sugar.  
Ashlyn loves to be in the kitchen helping mommy.  What a sweetie. 

Can we eat anymore peanut butter?

I have been stocking up on my three month supply of food and peanut butter is a real staple in our house.  At Walmart you can buy this 6lb can for $8.74.  When I saw that it was great for day cares or restaurants, I knew this was the peanut butter can for me.  So I decided to try it out and see how long it would last.  I wrote the date on it so I would remember when it was opened.

Well, it was one day shy of a month that it took us to eat this big thing.  At least I know now how much I would need, but goodness gracious that is a lot of peanut butter in one month.

First Day of School...or should I say freedom?!?!

My two girls on their way.  They were bright eyed this morning and couldn't wait to wear their clothes and use their backpacks.
Connor, my big 4th grader.  
Adams and the Cottons

8th GRADE.  Wow.  

Ashlyn just had to get a little ride in this morning before she went off to school.  

Putting aside all of the teasing about partying now that I have all four kids in school, it was bittersweet putting my little Ashlyn on the bus.  A sure mixture of happy, proud, sad and definately a lonely feeling thinking of not having her around.  She has been my little buddy, my girl, my baby and I love her so much as well as the other children.  They really are precious to Brian and I and we are very proud of them.  

Well, I am off to clean my house.  It desperately needs a little tlc this morning.
 

Back to School Breakfast!!

Hoping to help the kids get use to getting up early, Amie and I decided to wake them up this morning at 6:30 to breakfast outside on the front lawn.  
Blueberry muffins and cinnamon.  Yummy!
It was a bit chilly, so the children just had to have their jackets on.
My little kindergardner!
Brian just about off to work.  He loves that school is starting because now I will be up and breakfast ready.
Cute little Jackson loved the blueberry muffins.
Callie Rae, Braelynn and Mckenna
Getting warm!