A Good Evening......

Tonight was a great evening! It is so fun to watch Parker & Paxson play. They are getting to where they really enjoy playing together. I mean really playing not just sitting around doing their own things, but really playing. There are moments when Parker has to settle down and be a little softer but I guess that is part of being boys and being brothers. Paxson is going to be one tough little guy! They were playing chase with the balloons this evening and it was one of those moments that every mom has. I had to simply stop and say thank you JESUS! I love standing in the kitchen preparing dinner watching them run around and laugh. It reminds me why we have lived in our house for almost three years and I still have tons of decorating that I would like to do. Between Parker, Paxson & Daddy things often get broken around here. So far we have been through three lamps in the living room and kitchen. Therefore, I have given up on lamps and coffee tables (to many falls they get in the way of the chasing paths) in our home, at least for now. :)

Hope everyone is having a great week and has a wonderful weekend. Stay well!

Proverbs 17:6

Children's children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children.

First popsicle...yummy I think he likes it!

An old pro at eating popsicles!

Mom of the year.........NOT

Okay so I am not winning the mom of the year award for the past few days. I have been a little under the weather with allergies the past few days. I never get sick. I am so fortunate I think I must have the immune system of a super hero. Maybe that is because I have been surround by little curious germ sharing children for the past 17 years. However the ragweed finally caught up with me. Zyrtec D and Flonase has helped and I am feeling better! :)


.......Back to my mom of the year reference. Well our usual routine is to come home from school and Paxson pretty much goes straight to nap then Parker and I have lunch and play for little bit then he rests and I have a few minutes of "mommy time" before Paxson wakes up. (It would be nice if they both slept at the same time so I could have a little longer to try and get things done but then it takes away from their personal time mommy. I feel it is so important to get good one on one time with each of them daily if possible.) Well since I wasn't feeling well on Monday and Tuesday I laid down to take a nap with Parker. So when we got home from school I explained that mommy didn't feel well and we could just watch a movie instead of playing and even have a picnic and eat lunch in bed. I asked him what he wanted and offered him some choices. He thought for a minute and said he wanted chocolate chip muffins and a Spiderman popsicle. Rather than explain why that might not be a good healthy lunch I simply said sure just grab what you want and lets go lay down. Then on Tuesday we followed the same routine and I told him mommy was still sick and she needed to rest so he looked at me and said "don't worry mommy I will get my own lunch, you go to bed." So I said okay and I went to go lay down. I was very curious to see what he was going to get for lunch. A few minutes later he jumped into bed with a bag of powdered donuts and a V8 Fusion. I just smiled and thought oh well at least he is getting his veggies with the drink. So to conclude why I will not be receiving the mom of the year award... my three year old had muffins and a popsicle and powered donuts and V8 fusion for lunch! Good thing I only felt bad for a few days. :)

My little brother is growing up...

Jesse and his girl.... Haley

I can't believe my little brother is old enough for PROM.

They road the "Party Bus" to OKC for dinner at The Spaghetti Warehouse.

He was so sweet, I texted (how do you spell the past tense of text??)him while they were at dinner and he said how beautiful Haley looked. Haley is such a sweet girl. I am glad Jesse spent Prom with her.

Haley & Jesse Prom 2009

Feeling A Little Old...

As I was checking out at Wal-Mart earlier today. I stood there in line gazing through a magazine, looking for something in my purse for Paxson to chew on and explaining to Parker that it really wasn't safe to THROW things on the counter just to watch them land and slide down to the check out lady, I noticed the girls in front of me. There were 3 young girls checking out they were laughing and discussing their plans. I then took notice of the items they were purchasing and compared them to the items I was purchasing. In my cart, diapers, Popsicles, butter, milk, eggs, brownie mix, garlic bread. In their cart, 1 new tall plastic white trash can, 3 brightly colored plastic Margarita glasses, 8 boxes of jello, 3 gallon jugs of fruit punch, and 4 bags of ice. Now who do you think was going to have a more exciting evening. Ohhh the college days!!!



(Not to say our evenings are not priceless, but oh do I remember those times. LOL)

School Pictures

Here is a link to view a few of Parker & Paxon's school pictures. The photographer is actually the mother of a child that attends School for Little People and she gives a portion of her profit back to the school. Her son is in the four year old program so he may start kindergarten next year which means SLP will surely miss this benefit. (Maybe they can talk her into continuing her generosity!) She also took my "belly" pictures when I was pregnant and they were precious! I hope to schedule an apt. for springs shots in the bluebonnets. She is so good at capturing special moments.
http://www.pictage.com/client/eventPhotos.do?event=634652&folder=1694981&photo=850

Fotoby DeEdra Photo [E] Motion

Anniversary Program

A few pictures from our school program.
Parker's class preformed 5 Little Flowers.

The anniversary programs are always adorable!

BIG Kodak moments! (I will upload the video soon. )









Kate, Jacob, Parker, Jannick, Presley


"There are clouds in the sky!"

My class (2 year olds) preformed The Little Green Frog

One child decided that it was to overwhelming to go on the stage, and one child hid down low during the song and popped up at the very end!

It can be pretty overwhelming to preform for over 300 people. :)

Healing Well

After our Dr. Apt today the doctor felt good about Paxson's leg. He was happy with the way that Paxson was walking and the Xrays looked good. We went back on Wednesday for more observations and again he was happy with the healing process. We are going back on Monday for him to do some observations. Then we will have break for a little while. We have so much faith in our pediatrician and feel so fortunate to have him in our sons lives. He is the best!

Still Healing

Well we go tomorrow for another set of Xrays. I am anxious to see the healing process. It was a pretty frustrating week for him. His little temper sure came out a lot this week. Bless his heart he is so frustrated. He hurts and doesn't know why. He started walking (limping) a little on Tuesday, which scared me because I did not want him to make anything worse. But I was assured by the doctors that it would be okay. He is walking around more and last night actually had a decent night, we did start our morning at 4:50 but hey I got 5 straight hours of sleep before that and all moms know how wonderful straight uninterrupted sleep is!



Jeremiah 30:17

"But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds," declares the LORD.

Worn Out

Worn out after a day of visiting Meme & Dandy!
They were both fast asleep before I got out of town.

I spent the day CLEANING while Parker & Paxson spent the day with grandparents. I was talking on the phone the other day with a friend (who has 2 little girls close to Parker & Paxson) and we both agreed.....we give up. I used to go crazy trying to keep things picked up and I would go in circles. Paxson pulls the books off the shelf just as I put them back on he thinks it's a game...And Parker well he likes to be creative. (hmmm) You never know what you will stumble on to. He is really into making traps right now (he uses ribbon and tape to make traps all over the house they usually go from his room across the whole house to my room it can be dangerous). So imagine books, toys, balls, GI JOES, trucks, and traps everywhere, now you are imagining my house! LOL .........Why pick things up they are just going to be dragged out again and again. Just go ahead and leave it, live life! I give all moms permission to leave your house messy. Then when company is coming rather than try to hurry and clean, simply apologize for the mess! Just explain that you live in your home. :)

( Let's see how this really works. hahah)

Toddler Tumbles

Nothing is worse than your babies hurting! I have said time and time again (as I know anyone with children has said the same) , please take the pain away from them and give it to me. I would rather take the pain 10X more, than know my little ones are hurting. I can't even begin to imagine how God must feel. Our lives seem to stop when Parker or Paxson are sick or hurting. Can you fathom feeling the pain of the whole world! Just another example of his Awesome Love!

...Short story Pasxon got hurt at the park and has a stress fracture in his left tibia. He is doing very well, he has a very high pain tolerance so it isn't slowing him down to much. Children are so resilient it is amazing to me how quickly they can recover from some things. We are trying to take things a little slow but he is still wanting to do everything he did before. We go in a week for another set of Xrays.

Skills

Video of Parker Dribbling (just in case .............press the little triangle to play )

(The quality isn't that great, it is from my phone and it is old and has lived a very abused life...more to come on that story!)

Parker loves playing basketball with his big goal. He has even made shots (all by himself) using a smaller ball. He is so proud! Paxson watches big brother in awww! He plays basketball with the little goal. He gets mad when I lower it to make it easier for him. He screams, then I raise it back to the higher position and he is happy. (Not really sure where his temper came from.....Allen side of the family maybe.... LOL) Paxson has a video playing basketball that I will post shortly!

Easter treats for friends

We made chocolate covered Oreos for friends at school. I wanted to do something a little different and I saw these in one of my magazines. They turned out so cute and were very very simple. I used craft sticks to make them look like lollipops. I think it might help to put a little melted chocolate inside next time to help hold them together. They stayed together well, but I think the chocolate would be extra support. I used colored frosting for the poka dots. You could also use sprinkles.

Parker Choices...

I decided this year Parker was mature enough to handle the responsibility of dressing himself.


We agree that for Church, pictures, and other special events that Mommy may help influence his clothes decisions. But as far as for everyday dressing Parker chooses. It has been very interesting. I don't want to lose these opportunities to teach independence and self confidence. Sometimes it can be a little impractical yet, it always brings smiles to my face. I want him to always have pride and feel comfortable being Parker. Every now and then I capture his choices with photos to always remember these special times. Here are a few of his latest choices. Needless to say when we go places other than school where people know us, we provide strangers with many smiles and sounds of laughter. It is very rare for us not to receive a comment/compliment from someone. Can't help but smile!


We often wear goggles, glovies (latex gloves from the Dr. office), motorcycle boots, various masks everywhere we go!

Hearing His Plan...

A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps. Proverbs 16:9

Wow I honestly don't know where to begin. My mind has been filled with possibilities, scenarios, opportunities, trepidations, prospects, and apparition for the past few weeks. I wish I had a box to label and store each thought. Simply pack my thoughts into their coordinating box and put them away. It is all to easy to be single minded and stay focused on on these "stressers". However by doing so I am missing out on experiencing the joys of right here and now. I realize I am not in control but how easy it is for me to forget and try to be in command. Once again I am reminded (by a friend who probably isn't even aware of the power of her influence) I can turn it all over! I can simply pack my thoughts and worries away. JESUS is standing by waiting for me to ask, for me to say I need help. Why is it so easy to get distracted and forget and try to do things all alone? Isn't it an amazing feeling to know that he has a plan. That we are constantly being watched over. He knows what is best for us and all we have have to do is call upon him and he is more than ready and willing to lead us down a paramount path. I pray for guidance, knowledge, and the ability to truly hear his plan!


I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you. Psalm 32:81


"So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Luke 11:9-10

Easter Treats

I have never claimed to be a good cook. As Casey says on a regular basis, "I didn't marry you for your cooking skills", I can claim to be a good baker. I love to bake cookies, muffins, cakes, bread, any yummy sweets! I wanted to share a few yummy Easter treats that we have been making!

Peeps Smores

They were so bright and easy to make and lots of fun to eat. The boys mostly enjoyed taking them apart. However, I thoroughly enjoyed eating them I ate one of each color.





Cadbury Egg Muffins
2 cups flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 cup sugar
2 large eggs
1/3 butter melted and(cooled)
1 tsp. vanilla, 1-2 1/2 milk
12 mini Cadbury eggs



Preheat oven to 350. Line muffins tin.
Large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt
Small mixing bowl, whisk together sugar, eggs, melted butter, vanilla until smooth, whisk in milk.
Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and stir until just combined and not streaks of flour remain. Evenly distribute muffin batter into muffin tin. Place 1 mini Cadburry creme egg in the center of each muffin. Bake 14-16 minutes, until the top of the muffin springs back when lightly pressed and the edges are a light gold. Cool on wire rack.

**The pictures don't do justice. These were very good, something different and special for Easter.**

Fun Website....

In the weee hours of the night, while everyone is alseep and I have some pure MOMMY time, I enjoy "surfing" the internet seeing what I can find. Recently I came across this website PhotoFunia. It is great, fun to play around with and see you what you can create. I did check the box so that my photos would not be posted to their "faces" section so you may want to check into that. I posted a few that I created. :)

Super Powers....

Here at the Allen house , you should never fear because Super Heroes are always here! You never know who is going to greet you at the door, fly from the kitchen table, jump from the top of a closet, spin a web from the kitchen counter, or jump from the back of the couch. All to save the day!!! Our latest Super Hero fascination is Wolverine (thanks to Gigi). I have a great appreciaton for watching children engage in creative and imaginative play! As adults wouldn't it be nice to let go of our inhibitions and feel free to pretend! Play is the base of everything for children and look how happy they are. I pray for the ability to feel free to let go, and purely pretend everyday! (At least a little bit everyday)

Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.(Psalms 127:3-5 ESV)