After planning 11 birthdays that were all about trains, firefighters, construction, football, bowling and the like, it was so much fun to plan a girly, girl party for Anna-Laura's big numero 3. When we asked her what she wanted to do for the party, she said, "I want a pink bufday!" So, pink it was.We had five little girls over for a garden party. They planted flowers (pink, of course), decorated their pots with handprints, ate a garden lunch, enjoyed ...

Can someone tell me how we got here? I clearly remember being at the hospital last week...giving birth.Anna-Laura you are such a sweet part of our household. The way you say "Yesssss" (emphasis on the "s") and click your tongue when you're thinking, oh it always make me smile. Three years ago today, your mom was running around like a crazy person, ironing, getting the car washed and running errands right about now. At lunchtime, we headed to the hospital ...

I should amend yesterday's top ten to "the things you don't want to hear your meteorologist say"... Things like, oh I don't know, FUNNEL CLOUD, 60MPH WINDS, TAKE COVER, BASEBALL-SIZED HAIL. Yeah, things like that freak me out.I am a Panhandle girl and I'm certainly no stranger to all things windy. We spent many a night in our basement with flashlights, candles and blankets. But, 'ol P-flugerville has a fancy limestone base that doesn't allow for such luxuries. So, when ...

A couple of weeks ago, after we finally got a break in the rain, I decided it was time to wash and clean out the van. That, and the fact that it hadn't been washed in like 3 months (seriously). It's filthy once again, but I digress.I thought it would be "fun" for the kids to help. Actually, the front got very clean - but after 5 minutes, they were done. Oh well. At least we made an attempt. So, ...

Forgive me while I get a bit nostalgic. We're starting to wind down the end of the school year for all the kids and there's a part of me that freaks out a wee bit - will 4 kids under the age of 7 for 13 weeks put me in the crazy house?? But, there's another part, a much bigger part, that wants to freeze this summer and keep replaying it even before it's begun.Freeze in time our little Clare ...

Told ya.