Happy Leap Day!

Today is Leap Day which only comes once every 4 years. It calls for a mini celebration~don't ya think?
So I planned a Leapin' Lizards Playgroup at Pump it Up. On Fridays from 10:00-12:00 they have an open playtime for $5. We had a coupon for buy one get one free, so it was only $2.50. A bargain for all that FUN!
Ten comes pretty early around here, so I was once more rushing to get us ready and there on time.
Bailey pooped on her clothes AGAIN, so I left her lying naked on the floor and ran upstairs to get some clean clothes. When a came back a few minutes later, this is how I found the girls! Yep,lesson learned...your 3 year old is NOT an adequate sitter even for a minute or two!
After removing all the stickers and finishing up our getting ready routine, we headed out the door by 9:45 and got to Pump It up only a few minutes after 10. Yay!
It was a little crowded, but not too crowded. Our play group alone had 9 mommies, 17kids, and 1 adult cousin. It was super fun to watch the kids play and I of course got to slide on the big slide with all of my little friends. So much fun! Does that count as exercise?
After about an hour and a half, we decided to wind it up and start thinking about a lunch plan. We decided on O'Charley's cause you know the Bullock household is all about free kids meals and rolls.
I passed out Leapin' Lizard treat bags stocked complete with candy and a rubber lizard. Brooke was so determined to get a pink lizard that it concerned me a little. I explained to her the night before that we get what we get and we don't care a bit and wouldn't you know the last one I pulled out to give her had a pink lizard in it. I think she must have really prayed hard for that lizard! ;-)Psalm 37:4
"Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart!"
A few people opted out for lunch, so that left us with 6 mommies and 12 kids. Oh my, you should have seen the enthusiastic look on the poor waiters face. He was NOT thrilled about the situation at all. We ordered and our drinks and the food came without too much confusion. We ate drank and were merry. We were enjoying all this food for mere pennies and then the bad news came...
Starting in May, O'Charley's will no longer have free kids meals anymore! Whaaaaaatttt? Nooooooooooooooooooo! It can't be true!!! Tell me you are kidding! I know isn't it sad?
When I told hubs he almost got physically ill...it is a real heart breaker for us. What next? Are they gonna start charging for the rolls too? At least we can still continue filling out surveys for free appetizers. ;-)
After our leap day playgroup ended, we headed over to Hobby Lobby. Bailey slept in the car seat while Brooke rode in the back of the buggy enjoying her 1st Fun dip. They were both very well behaved while I picked up some Swarovki crystals for my bracelet making pastime. They were on sale for 50% off!
Oh...you haven't entered my giveaway yet? Click here!
Back at home we had naps, and then daddy came home. We talked, played, ate venison tacos and Mexican rice for dinner, and then Daddy and Brooke made chocolate chip cookies with M&Ms for dessert. The kids were off to bed and Penn fell asleep while we were watching a movie.
It was a great Leap Day...too bad it only comes once every 4 years!

I ain't too proud to beg!

OK so last night I was gonna go over to the church to scrapbook with the little scrapbooking group that meets on the 1st Friday of the month, this month we did the 4th Friday. I can't remember why.
So anyway, I get all my stuff loaded up and head off without my girls or hubby. I am all alone in the car and loving it. Amen!
When we get together, everyone brings a snack to share. I usually bring a pizza from Little Caesar's cause its good, cheap, and right on the way. I pull up at the pizza place and go to get out the car and notice I have no wallet. What? Oh I must have left it in the diaper bag cause that is what I am usually using as a purse. Awww Man, what to do? So I start digging around the van and find a checkbook. Cool! I head on in to get my grub and guess what? Yep...NO CHECKS ALLOWED! Awwww Man again. I walk out really sad looking and pout all the way to the car. I don't feel like driving home to get my wallet. I could go without it, but I really WANT that pizza. Think, think!
So I remember that there is an envelope in the glove compartment with a five dollar bill in it. YES! It had been in there for months. It was actually change that I owed the Goodners from a fellowship nursery back in like August or something and I had been forgetting to give it to them. (Sorry Michelle G~I will totally replace it OK!)
So yay~I'm in the money! But wait~I need 40 cents for the tax. I dig around and find not even one penny.
I think to myself, surely someone could let me borrow 40 cents, so I head back in to the pizza store and a man is walking out and I say, "Hey can I have 40 cents?" (Did I mention that I have on very little makeup, ugly sweats, and very greasy hair) I didn't want to say borrow cause I knew I would probably never see him again.
He walked back in the store with me and got out his wallet. He said, "I don't have any change, but you can have this $10." "Uhh nooooo, I am not taking your 10 dollar bill." And he kept insisting and I kept saying, "No, no! I just need 40 cents." and another man overheard us and slipped me a one.
Yay~I 'm rich..I can buy my pizza now!!!! I made sure the dollar man stayed and I gave him the 60 cents change from his one.
I was a little embarrassed, but the excitement of knowing I had my pizza out weighed it and I was on my way to scrapbooking.
I arrive and wouldn't you know there were already 3 pizzas there...JUST KIDDING! I would have been SO MAD if there was already pizza there and would have gone through all of that rigmarole for nothing.
I can only scrapbook on a full belly, so I loaded up my plate with goodies, including pizza and went back for 2nds a few times.
Finally, I started on my scrapbooking. I worked on a Dora book for Brooke using her 3 year old birthday pictures.
When I scrapbook, I am soooo slow, talk too much, and take forever to do one page, but I eventually got a good momentum going and about 4 or 5 of us ended up staying until 1:45AM, so I actually got a lot done.
Today I slept in since I didn't get into bed until 3AM! Thank you hubby for letting me rest...you're the best!
I got up around 11 regretting that I stayed up so late, but I was feeling motivated to be done with that book and Brooke gladly volunteered to help me. We finally finished it around 6 tonight. We then went out to Jason's Deli as a reward for finishing. Brooke totally loves her "DORA SCRAPBOOK", so all of the hard work paid off!
And so now you know...I AIN'T TOO PROUD TO BEG!
*****If you haven't already...scroll down to the next entry to enter my giveaway! Hurry because the deadline is Wed. the 5th.

Because I am feeling generous...

Because I am feeling generous and Easter is my all time favorite holiday, I am having an Easter giveaway on my blog! This is a private blog and not many people have my address, so your chances of winning are pretty good well great actually! You may enter up to three times by leaving your comments at the end of this post.
On Wednesday, March 5th, at 9:00PM I will post the randomly chosen winner here.(so leave your comment by 8:00PM) I told Penn about the contest and he said that he wanted to read the comments and pick a winner, but I thought it would be more "fair" to draw randomly. Remember, even if you don't have a blog leave a comment to enter. Come on even if you have never left a comment today is your day to get in on the action.
Okay, Okay so don't you wanna know what you are trying to win?
If you didn't know already, I make jewelry. My favorite thing to make is name bracelets. Being from the deep south, I believe everything is better when it is personalized and if you win I will make you one of your very own. The single strand bracelet will be made from very high quality sterling silver and Swarovski crystals. It will have your choice of lobster or toggle clasp. You choose the name/initials, size, charm, color(s), etc.
It can be yours to keep are given as a gift. I can make it for you, your daughter, your aunt, your mama, your grandma, or even your cat or doggie!
Anyway, just leave a comment, it'll be fun!
Here is a picture of the sweet little Easter bracelets I made for my girls tonight. They didn't photograph well. I promise you~they are way cuter in person! Anyway, I chose light rose crystals with the sterling to match their little pink, gingham, bunny, smocked Easter dresses. I hope this gives you an idea of my work!;-)
I promise to have your one of a kind personalized bracelet delivered just in time for you or your loved one to wear on Easter Sunday!

Happy 1st Birthday Peyton!

My little nephew turns one today!!! Sweet Peyton you are such a special boy! You bring joy and happiness to all that meet you. You are so handsome and so full of energy. Penn and I are proud to have you as a nephew and Brooke surely does love her cousin Pey-Pey!
Brian and Becky you are doing a great job raising your son. I will continue to pray for your sweet little family to have decades of happiness together and I look forward to continuing to make memories with you over the years!
We are so sad that we can't come to your party next Sunday, but we know you and Elmo will have so much fun. Eat a piece of cake for us!
Happy 1st Birthday sweet boy!!!!!

Almost a hip baby~4 months today!

Today is my bitty babies 4 month birthday and I am excited to say that she is almost a pro at hanging on to my hip! Don't you just love it when they get big enough to just sling'em on your hip and go?
Anywoo, we had a restful day and then went up to the church. They had a little celebration for Bailey's birthday~well not exactly, it was the Missions Leadership Dinner, but she didn't know the difference!
We had some yummy soup and salad and lots of good desserts. Someone also brought the most delicious fresh fruit including kiwi and pineapples. Isn't it amazing how yummy kiwi is and to look at the outside you would never think. I digress...
The reason for this post is about my sweet baby girl. She is full of smiles and continues to be a joy. She is also a little wiggle wort. She can throw herself out of the bouncy seat, bumbo, and swing, so you have to make sure to buckle her in at all times! She loves to be held and snggled and she HAS to hold your hand at all times.
Her pacifier and my boob are her best friends~and her sissy is a close runner up! She has the cutest little laugh. It is like music to my ears. Brooke is really good at making her laugh, and daddy even got a few giggles out of her the other night when showing her his Mardi Gras song and dance.
We went for her check up on Wed.
Here is the low down...
Bailey weighed in at 13 pounds 4 1/2 ounces, was almost 25 inches long and her head was about 16 inches around. She is still in the 75th percentile for height although she did slow to the 50th in weight. She still has her big sister beat who weighed a little less at 4 months but had about the same head size and height. Here is a pic of Brooke at 4 months. I think that they are really starting to look more and more alike!
You can't tell in pictures, but Bailey still has light eyes. I think they will probably be hazel. I guess they could always turn brown too, but I know by this time Brooke's were already very chocolate brown.
Dr. McCowan said that Bailey was in perfect health and assured me that her head was perfectly fine despite all the bumps and lumps. He just told me to continue rotating her in her sleep to prevent a flat head. He also said to continue letting her play in the exer-saucer and giving her plenty of tummy time. Well she loves the exer-saucer, but the tummy time is a different story.
I have been exclusively breast feeding, but Dr. M gave me the go ahead to start her on cereal, fruits, and veggies. I will definitely start her on the rice cereal, but I think I might hold off on the others for now.
It was time for her 2nd round of immunizations. That poor baby had to get 4 shots. Brooke had to get a few shots too. They both did great and barely even cried.
All I know for sure is that I am so in love with my sweet girls and I feel so very blessed to be enjoying the days I have with them. My prayer is to grow them up to be women of God and that they will never remember a day without the love of Jesus. I also pray that my milk supply will overfloweth cause I sure do love nursing my bitty Bullock!
Thank you God for the joy of babyhood/motherhood!1Tim 5:8 But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith, and is worse than an unbeliever.
Happy 4 months Bailey!

V is for...

On this February 14th, we hurriedly got ready for school and then dropped Brooke off with a bag full of Valentines to share with her friends. I love "special" occasions and any excuse to have treats.
While at school, Bailey and I ran a few errands and set up these goodies at home on the fireplace. It looks like a bunch of stuff, but is is mostly just junk~I mean fun surprises from the dollar store! And some goodies from Mimi.
Afterward, we headed back to school to pick up Miss Brooke. As I approached the door of her classroom, I could tell by the look on Mrs. April's face that she had something to tell me. I always ask if Brooke had to go to time out and if she does it is usually for something that is not that big of a deal, but today was different.
Mrs. April said, "YES, she had to go to time out for PUNCHING Nicholas!!! What??? Are you kidding me??? My sweet girl punched somebody?? That was the first time I had ever heard of my little girly being VIOLENT!! I even had to sign a report to be filed in her permanent record!(Already tarnished at 2! Sniff. Sniff.)
As I walked out of school, I was so upset. And doncha know I saw the Mama of the boy on the way out. I couldn't even look at her. How could Brooke do something like that especially today~on Valentine's Day? A day when you are supposed to spread the LOVE!
What was I going to do? I couldn't give her all those treats on the fireplace. It would be like rewarding her for bad behavior.
But wait~it gets worse...
As we drove home, I asked her if she had to go to time out today.
She said, "NO MAMA, I didn't have to go to time out."
Oh really~you didn't have to go to time out for punching somebody today?
"No mam!"
Are you sure?
"Yes Mam!"
So I say, well I guess I will go back to school and ask Mrs. April if you had to go to time out today and see what she says.
Brooke said OK you can ask her!!!
Ummmm really, I can ask her and she will say you didn't?
"Yes mama!"
So I turned around and started driving back to school and then she finally confessed. During her confession she said, "But he didn't cry or anything Mama!" I think she was trying to convince me that it wasn't that bad because he didn't even cry!
I am so sure that she is going to punch somebody and then lie about it and all on Valentine's Day! Where is the love? This was not turning out to be a very happy heart day!
I told her that she was going to have to get a spanking when we got home. She was upset and I think it was good that she had to think about it ALL the way home.(and I drove really slow!)
I spanked her in the garage so that my happy home would not be tainted on this special day and I made her have quiet time until daddy got home.
When daddy got home he talked to her about it and she promised to be a sweet girl from now on! We will see how long that last...
I usually cook a special dinner on V-day, but under the circumstances I was NOT in the mood, so Daddy took his girls out to their favorite place.
Yep, you guessed it...we headed over to Pizza Pro. It wasn't too crowded and it was delicious as usual. I think I ate one to many slices of chocolate chip pizza though.
When we got home, I let the girls open their goodies.
They loved it all.
It ended up being a good family night considering the earlier events of the day.
Bailey had a great 1st Valentine's day with lots of chocolate via breast milk.


Hope you had a not so vicious, violent, vehement, Valentine's Day! ;-)

I've been Tagged!

Becca Tagged me with this blog fodder...How FUN!

Here's the rules:
1. Link to your tagger and post these rules on your blog.
2. Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird.
3. Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names.
4. Let them know they are tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

Here are 7 random facts about me!

1. I don't like anyone to touch my face. I have always thought that it gives you pimples. Growing up my brother knew this, so he would intentionally do it just to aggravate me! As a matter of fact, when I was in B.R. the other day he put his hands all over my face and said, "Oohhh you better watch out you are gonna get a zit!!!" And don't you know I did get one!:-(

2. The only thing I wanted for Christmas this past year was a cute little label maker, so I bought myself one and put it under the tree. I have had the best time labeling EVERYTHING in my house. Penn says I'm such a nerd. If you would like to borrow it just let me know. I would love to share it with you!!

3. Post-Bailey my stomach now looks exactly like Kate's on Jon and Kate plus eight before she got it fixed. I even have to wear a girdle thing and all. The big difference is that I only had 2 kids 1 at a time and she had 8 kids 2 and 6 at a time. One day I may get the nerve to post a pic. But don't feel bad for me, I will be getting it fixed VERY soon.

4. Since I got my license at 15, I have had 5 brand new vehicles. The 1st in high school was a cute little red Cavalier with a sun roof and CD player~loved it. The 2nd was a nice little red convertible with a black top that I got when I graduated. Boy did we have fun in that car during my first 4 years of college! After that, I bought a super awesome red Honda Prelude to drive during my next 3 1/2 years of college. I got quite a few speeding tickets in that one. Shame on me. Then when I graduated and had been teaching a while I decided that I needed an SUV. I broke the red streak and changed over to silver and got an Explorer. Loved it for a good while. I relly wanted it for the cargo space for road and long shopping trips. My final(according to Penn) and my most favorite one of all is a silver mini van! What? How can a mini van be my favorite? My point in all this is~It sure is funny what being a wife and mother will do to you.

5. Y'all will think I'm mean for this one but here goes. I really don't like dogs! I think they stink and lick too much. I know, I know I have a dog and I love him very much, but it is only because he is more like a cat. I am definitely more of a cat person.

6. If you did the math in #4 you figured out that I took 6 1/2 years to graduate from college. I was a "fulltime" student and I only had a job once for a couple of days (see #7) and it still took me 6 1/2 years. I was infamous for taking 15 or so hours and then dropping down to 9 or less if I wasn't doing so well in them. (What was my Mom thinking continuing to foot the bill?) I was a nightmare of a student. And then to become a teacher~how ironic! We always jokingly said that I was on the 8 year plan and I did so well that I finished a half year early!

7. I have always wanted to be a waitress all of my life, but my friends and family would always discourage me and tell me that there was no way I would be able to be a "good one"! I decided to prove them wrong. So in college...I got this job at a little restaurant on campus called Khaki Kabana. I was so excited to start waiting tables, but for the first couple of days the employees that had been there kept giving me "other" things to do. It seems as though I mostly just filled ketchup bottles. And then I hurt my leg and was on crutches, so I had to quit. I never even got to wait the first table. I still think about what could have been!

I tag: Sarah S., April V., and Michelle G.

I also tag: Christy, Connie, Kent, and Michele M. I know that you all read this blog and it would be great for you to start your own. What better than a fun little game of tag as your 1st post?
Who's game? :-)

Home again, Home again, Doodley Doo

We have been in BR for 2 weeks and after 1 eight hour surgery, 4 nights in the hospital, 2 major colds, 1 horrible period, 1 really big ear infection, and a baby on a nursing strike~it sure is good to be home!
Janet was a savior to stay in the hospital with Mimi and Penn did a great job caring for the girls during the first week, but week 2~I was all on my own. It was really hard!
While I drove back and forth to N.O. Penn took the girls on a few outings. They went to LSU to visit Mike the tiger. Brooke was really excited to see him and it was fun for Penn to visit his old alma mater.
They also went to the fire station to visit some of Penn's old firefighter friends, but while they were there Brooke didn't act very sweet and Penn got kind of embarrassed. Don't you love when your kids refuse to perform for you? ;-) Come to find out she hard a pretty bad ear infection, so that was probably the culprit of the grumpy attitude.
When Mimi came home from the hospital, Penn headed back to the Ham and I was own my own for the most part.
The four of us girls just stayed around the house in our PJ's, ate, slept, and watched TV, but it was hard for some reason. Don't get me wrong, I really am thankful for our sweet time together...home healthcare is just not my cup of tea. On the other hand, my Brooke may have a future career as an RN. She was so gentle, kind, and helpful to her Mimi.
As week 2-progressed Mimi was itching to start doing for herself, so Penn drove back into B.R. and we headed over to New Orleans to our friend's 3rd birthday party. Mimi stayed home alone and loved it. That woman is amazing! She dyed her hair, cleaned up around the house, and she even changed the sheets on her bed. She just couldn't take being incapacitated anymore. Boy did it wipe her out, though.
At the party, we had fun, as we were able to see lots of friends that were in town from 5 different states. Most of our families have grown from 1 child to 2. No one is really saying that they are going for a third child yet!(After the week I had, I am thinking probably not myself!)Bailey was really sweet and of course Brooke had a blast eating cake and ice cream and jumping in the Dora bouncer.
Since Mimi was feeling much better and Penn had to get back to work, the next day we headed back to AL. As we drove into the driveway about 9 o'clock last night~Brooke declared, "Home again, home again doodley doo!"