Brantley Farms

I just realized that I never put up pictures of Audrey's field trip to Brantley Farms from earlier this month. We've been to this place twice before - look back here and here.






As usual, Audrey didn't want to feed, hold, or even touch any of the animals... except for the pony. She was thrilled to ride a pony again. I hope that another adult got a better picture of her this time. This is the best picture I got, and she has her eyes closed!

Spring Break fun

The first few days of Spring Break have been fun, at least I hope they've been fun for the girls.
After playing outside Monday morning for just a few minutes (and totally driving me crazy with their whining) we headed to the library. I also made up an outdoor scavenger hunt for the girls to do after we checked out books.

We weren't able to find everything on our list (there was not a squirrel on the entire block!) but they still enjoyed the treat I brought for them - Easter eggs filled with jellybeans!

We swam later that day, but the girls really didn't want to put on sunscreen, so I only allowed them 25 minutes in the pool. They were ready to go inside by then anyways. The water was still cold. I think Audrey has inherited my unique sense of style. :)

Tuesday morning, I texted a friend from our Lifegroup and we arranged to meet at a local park close to her house. Here is Julia and friend walking hand in hand. Adorable.

All 4 of the girls:

We walked to their house afterwards for a tea party. I had prepared snack food (strawberries, cheese sticks, graham crackers, etc) in Easter eggs. I think that the girls' food will be served in Easter eggs countless times in the next few weeks.

Blessing 401-410

401. Spring Break! 9 days with no school :) We've already been to the pool once (we went March 16th - I wanted to make sure and have the girls swim while it was still officially winter) and we plan on swimming several times this week.

402. Julia's homework Thursday night was funny. She was supposed to write a 4 sentence story about what she's doing during Spring Break. Her first sentences were, "I want to go to Tennessee for spring brake. But Mom wont let me."
403. All G's on Julia's report card. 65 in all. Grading Scale: Good, Satisfactory, or Needs Help.
404. The girls being happy with the plates they painted. We picked them up today, and ate on them at dinner.

405. Fun with the first living room campout of Spring Break. Last night, the girls snuggled on the couch with us to watch The Princess and the Frog before moving their sleeping bags in there to fall asleep while watching TV.
406. The laughs the four of us have shared while reading Junie B. Jones books together. Yes, Matt finds her amusing too!
407. Matt getting nearly 4 hours to himself today while the girls and I ran errands.
408. Buying some new toys for outside play. We grabbed a scooter, a velcro ball set, and a bouncy ball thingamajig... you know where they sit on it, hold the handle, and bounce. Anyways. Matt took the girls outside to try it all out as soon as we got home.


409.Silly girls who have slept WITH a couple of Matt's t-shirts the last few weeks and have recently decided they want to sleep IN mine.

410. Tired children who each fell asleep in less than 3 minutes tonight. Love it.

The girls have really enjoyed modeling the new clothes they received for their birthdays. Audrey, in particular, loves dressing up and getting ready for "the ball". I think she's living in Cinderella's dreamland.

This morning, Fedex showed up at our house with several more outfits! Audrey and I had fun modeling new outfits for the camera. I love being silly with this little girl!






Thank you, family, for the new clothes (and new toys too). The girls will be looking fabulous this summer!

March 10, 2012

Audrey opted for biscuit doughnuts for her birthday breakfast. We added candles, of course!



After breakfast we opened presents.


Our morning and early afternoon was spent hanging around the house and enjoying some family time! Eventually, we got dressed and went outside to take some pictures. Audrey's pictures are in the previous post. Here are a few more.




After our photo shoot. We had to say good-bye to Meme, Pop, and Eli.



Then we headed to a "paint your own" pottery studio. The girls each chose a plate to decorate. Audrey seemed to have fun.



Julia didn't have much fun. She'd already been feeling a little off, and after 5 minutes of painting she was finished. She cuddled up in my lap and just waited for AK. The lady at the pottery place said she'd save Julia's plate for us to finish next weekend.


Julia fell asleep as soon as we got home, woke up 2 hours later only to move from the couch to her floor bed. Let's hope, hope, hope she gets better soon. She has her first Kindergarten Field Trip Tuesday. She's been talking about going on a field trip for MONTHS so I would be so sad for her if she missed it.

Audrey came home from the pottery place, watched a little TV, and fell asleep on the couch too. She's just exhausted, not sick.


We'd been planning on going out to eat, but Audrey refused (good thing since Julia got sick). Then we offered to order pizza. Audrey said she no longer ate pizza. She said she wanted peanut butter for dinner. Fine with us, but Matt and I picked up pizza and added a side of "parmesan bread bites" for the birthday girl just in case she changed her mind regarding food. She's just finishing up a meal of ice cream, peanut butter bread, and parmesan bread. In that order.

Happy 4th Birthday, Audrey!

I can't believe my baby is 4! Audrey Kate Bowman is one fabulous little girl, and I am so glad God made me her Mom! Here is Audrey's 4th birthday photo shoot! This child is so goofy.

March 7, 2012

Julia's birthday started with biscuit doughnuts (and eggs and fruit) while we sat down for a family foursome breakfast.

We took cupcakes to school for both girls that day since it was Audrey's last day of the week. I joined her class for a minute during snack time to help celebrate. (I didn't cut my hair, it just looks funky in the picture)

A few minutes later, Matt and I headed to the elementary school to join Julia while she ate lunch. It was picture day at school so she was out of uniform. Julia made sure to tell us that her teacher made her take off the "birthday crown" for her school/class picture.

After school, there were presents. The girls each opened about half the presents Wednesday and have saved the other half for Audrey's birthday, Saturday, since so many of the presents are identical or very similar.

They received many new clothes and started trying them on immediately. Audrey was sweating before the night was over, and I realized it was because she had on 3 layers of new clothes.

Posing, posing.

Happy Birthday, sweet Julia! We love you!