Enjoying the outdoors!

The weather has finally dried up long enough for us to go outside and play! Here, ther girls are playing softball with their cousin, Jordan, in the front yard. They were so funny becuase you know Baby Briley wanted in on the action. I must say the "big girls" were extra nice and let Briley have her turns at bat. Thanks girls!
It was a little hard to keep my balance - spent a lot of time IN the grass!
Legs, don't fail me now! Running is still a challenge! Hilarious!
my beautiful Paityn at her game

Briley Smurf

Boy, do we LOVE those bottle pops?!?!? I gave Briley her first sucker/bottle pop while we were coming home from shopping the other day and she absolutely loved it. I couldn't get it away from her so she finished it up when we got home. Needless to say, her WHITE jacket was blue as well as most of her face, her shirt, and her jeans. But, I am happy to report that everything came clean - including my BriBri! Can't wait to do it again!

Cheer Party

As Paityn's cheer season came to an end, we had our year-end party. Paityn got to jump around on all the gym equipment and hang out with the girls. We will miss them next year as Paityn takes on some new adventures but may return in time! She really does like to jump around and use up some of that never ending supply of kid energy!
Paityn with her trophy
Just the girls
Paityn jumping into the "pit" - her favorite thing to do!

Softball time!

Here's Paityn at her softball practice. This is her first year playing softball and we are so excited. Cheer season has ended so now we can take a shot at something new. We're just ready for "t-shirt and shorts" weather! That wind was COLD today!! We had a scrimmage game and Paityn did an awesome job! She went 3 for 3 at the plate. Go, Slugger, Go!

My little fish!

Here is Paityn and her wonderful swim instructor, Miss Kate! Paityn took the spring session of swim lessons offered at mom's Alma Mater and our local university! We just love it there and the campus has become mighty "fancy" since mom walked those "hills"! Paityn says that swimming is her all-time favorite thing to do in her first five years of life! She prefers swimming over softball and cheerleading (so far - you know how five-year olds can change their mind daily!) So we will definitely attend the fall season of swim lessons and my little fish can just swim, swim, swim. Did I tell you she jumped off the DIVING BOARD on her last day! Mom was so proud (and maybe a little nervous, too)! Happy swimming to all as that time of year is quickly approaching!

Mom's one moment to shine!

OK, for those of you who know me, you know it has become a tradition for me to make the birthday cake. Well, here it is! I promise if I ever quit working I'm going to start my own business of baking birthday cakes. Most people are talented in playing an instrument, singing, etc. but I think I have found my one talent - making cakes! HaHa! I do love it but in the moment of decorating and piping the icing it is really stressful. Since this was my first "3-D" cake, I made two just in case. So, we had this yellow duck as well as a brown (chocolate) duck. Next cake adventure, whatever Paityn picks in September!

Happy Birthday - Briley's first party!

Briley absolutely loved her balloons! And, of course, we had a huge pink pig balloon on top!

Briley is ready for cake. Her cousins and sister are there for moral support! I actually think she was scared at firsst because everyone was looking at her. When she sucks her thumb it is usually for comfort or if she's sleepy and I don't think she was sleepy! :0



As you can see, Briley dug right in. At first she just poked at the icing but eventually she got the hang of it.

One of my favorite gifts (next to the gifts of love from all my family who came to see me today!)is - yep, you guessed it - a PIGGY bank! If Briley's favorite animal is not a pig I'll be so surprised!

Afterwards, we girls needed a little snuggle time! :-)