Saving our pennies for the Princess Castle!

Ever since Jim and I started following the Dave Ramsey plan, we have been talking a lot about money and a budget around our house. We have always told the kids they don't get something every time we go to a store and Skylar has watched me use coupons since she was little. So, with all this talk about budgeting and saving money, Skylar and Jimmy want to know what we are saving for. I told them we are saving for college, for our future, and to take a trip to Disney world! With this news, Skylar was so excited! She doesn't really care about anything in Disney except for seeing "the princess castle" So now, every time she wants something from the store, before I can even say "yes" or "no" she tells me, "never-mind, we are saving our pennies to go see the princess castle" This has worked out more sweet than I could have ever imagined. I sure hope "the princess castle" is all she has made it out to be when we finally get there (we are planning to go in the summer of 2013.) She will be in Kindergarten and Jimmy will be 4!

Fun Times at Ashton's Birthday Party!

 We always have such a good time at birthday parities! This one was in a park with a huge bounce house, a inflatable baseball cage, inflatable basketball game, and a snow cone truck! I am not sure if Jim had more fun or the kids! Ha.

 It was awfully hot out there (party stared at 1:00) but the snow cones helped! Each person got to add their own flavor from the side of the truck. I am pretty sure most kids decided to add EVERY flavor!

 Jimmy enjoyed his as well. This year he actually ate it instead of wearing it! Yeah for progress :)

 Then of course we got to have yummy cake (and cupcakes) to end the party! Good time had by all and the kids slept on the way home.. love that!

Big Girl Haircut!

Skylar went today for her first "big girl" haircut at a real salon. It was a success! She just got a little trim but it looks so much better. She didn't quite understand having to sit still and look down at the ground but it all worked out. Fun!

Myself!

Jimmy has entered into the phase where he wants to do EVERYTHING by himself. So, whenever Jim or I are about to do something for him, (get a drink, snack, put on shoes, etc...) Jimmy yells "myself" as us. We have to allow him to do almost everything by himself or else there is a major fit! I am so glad he wants to learn to do new things and he is going to be independent just like his sister, but geesh, you would think his mommy could help him do some things... Plus, let's face it, doing things "myself" takes quite a bit longer and is generally a lot more messy! Oh well, I guess it just means that I officially don't have any babies anymore (boo!) just a toddler and a preschooler.

My little reader!

Skylar loves to read, for this, I am thankful! She reads all the time. She reads to her brother, to her babies, to herself, to me.... you get the picture. I hope we can nurture her love of reading and I hope it becomes a life-long passion. She comes from a long line of "readers" And maybe, just maybe, it will wear off onto her brother too! Currently, most of his interest in books, is throwing them :o(

Swim Lessons

Skylar started swim lessons this week. She seems to enjoy it and she is doing a great job listening to her teacher! We got very lucky that she is in a group with a sweet high school girl as her coach and there is only one other little girl in her group... so 2:1 is great for beginner swim lessons! She is learning how to blow bubbles, kick her legs, and jump in and "swim" to her teacher. My hope is that after next week, she would be able to do enough to get to the side of a pool if she were to accidentally fall in. I would LOVE if we could continue the lessons.... who knows, maybe she will be a swimmer like her Aunt Hannah and Uncle Carl. She does have the legs for it!

                                                Posing with her BFF

                                        Waiting for lessons to begin

                                         Holding the wall and kicking!!

Sweet Boy

Jimmy has always been a handful but he makes up for it by being super sweet. He is my cuddler and is always good for a random hug or kiss. One of my favorite things he does just melts my heart! When he gives me a hug, he pats my back really softly. Just like a mom does when she is comforting her baby. I don't know why it makes me so happy... I think it is the combination of him having small little fingers and hands along with it being such a sweet, comforting gesture. I love this boy!