HAIRCUTS, LIVESTOCK, AND A PRISSY POT

One day last week, we took all the kids for hair cuts. This was Mary's first.

She did excellent. Not much bothers that girl.

This month for dress up days at school, it was all about a farm. The kids were to dress up as farmers or farm animals. Of course, Brett Paul took charge. All I got to do was take some pictures. He's so creative. That's a Minnie Mouse hat under there. He also took that roll of cotton looking stuff and glued to a white shirt and added a sweet little collar with cotton balls to make it girly.

Fabulous job, Brett Paul!

Farm Day #1 My little farmer and his sheep. I just love her little hooves. heehee

Farm Day #2. My three little farmers. Mary has a pink bandana in her back pocket. Too bad you can't see it. I'm sure it fell out as soon as she got to school anyway. And no, little ones don't have to participate but like I've said before, Mag doesn't want MB left out. Mag said she wanted to change animals for Day #2. We talked her into being a lamb instead. ;) Should have known that wouldn't fly. Brett was at Walmart at 8 am because she decided she wanted to be a farmer. Duh, Mac and Mary were. Since she only wears dresses and skirts and has for some time now, she owns no jeans.

Recital costumes are in! Mag wasn't happy that it wasn't a skirt but I think she's okay with it now.

I told Brett that he needed to catch one of her rehearsals soon. She said, "Yes, you do. I am very, very, very good. I... am... a... Supersta."

The hola hoop is her stage.

I may not can cook but I can make a mean salad. This is Barefoot Contessa's guacamole salad. Funny Maggie story. Brett grilled hamburgers the other night. Mag said, "Thank you mom and dad for the dinner and letting us eat outside." I said, "Mag, I didn't make dinner." She replied, "I know but you chopped the onion."

Friday, Brett and I took Mac to see an food therapist. Thank you Lisa and Jakers for letting Mag hang with you guys and thank you, Laurie, for tackling watching two one year olds. Laurie's son, Luke, is a month younger than MB. We took Mac because the child just will not eat anything besides "Brown, Round, & Crunchy" things. Ex) cookies, crackers, chips. With the exception of oatmeal and half a taco burger. We only got that far because Mag sat for 30 minutes promising him a high five and fist bump after every bite. Have I mentioned that she is the best big sister I have ever seen? So, we walk in the office, Mac looks at the lady and says, "I wike a W!" Yes, "wike." Too sweet. Well, she said that it's a sensory thing because he also hates for his hands to be dirty. He may really believe that he can't eat other kinds of food. So, we're to try making his foods fun and easier for him.

Brett is such a good daddy. Nice try but didn't work.

Friday night, Mag and I had a girls night. I took her to her first gymnastics meet. AL vs LSU. On the way, she discussed marriage. She said that Mac would grow up and get married and so would Mary. I asked where she would be and in a very "duh" tone said, "Wherever Jake is." She's ready to get married now, btw. Why? She's ready for a big wedding. Oh, that pizza right there, 8 bucks. Ridiculous. But, I wanted her to get the whole experience. She was a little overwhelmed at first. Sat still, observing. I was amazed at how many people I saw that I know. We were seated one row in front of The Brown's and Williams' from church and three rows in front of Brett's cousin, Tanya, and her hubby, Anthony. Lt. Fuzz, as my dad calls him. No clue why.

After she got the feel for the place, she danced none stop. I don't just mean when they cranked the music up but the whole time. Even when it was turned down low during an event. I got her down from dancing in her chair at one point. When "Poker Face" came on she wanted me to tell the stranger seated next to us that that was her favorite song. BTW, I hate typing "that that." Then she asked if I remembered going down the lazy river at AL Adventure because that's the song that was playing at that time. That was two years ago people! Memory like an elephant. We had a ball together. That girl is so much fun.

Stopped to pose for me.

Buying all white socks is not the best idea when your kids don't wear the exact same size but really, really close.

Mary just loves running in our room and digging very important papers out of our desk.

See.

-A FEW SIMPLE RULES
Our house has been baby-proofed for over 4 years straight now. We have doorknob covers, outlet covers, padding on the fireplace (when you take the corner piece off, it makes a perfect "L", just ask Mac), have all furniture arranged where a little head is least likely to get bonked, never leave small objects around (poor Mag even has all the little princess' shoes put away). The kitchen, living room, and kids' bedrooms are as close to being perfectly child-proofed as they're gonna get. We are so used to it now that when I go to someone else's home, I feel like a bird out of a cage. It's a strange feeling, kinda unsafe yet kinda liberating. Anyway, there are a few things that you can't "lock" so remember these if you ever visit. We've learned them the hard way.
1)Mac and Mary are not allowed in the laundry room. Way too many things to make messes in there including their favorite, putting Jackson's food in his water.
2)Mary must not walk in the kitchen in sock feet.
3)Don't leave Mac and Mary alone together. Maggie is our watchful eye when we can't be. Maggie lets Mac ride on her back. Now, Mac pushes Mary down, saddles up, and says, "Giddy up, Mary!" Not good.
4)Always close our bedroom door if Chucky is in there. Refer here for reason.
5)Never leave Mary alone in our bedroom. See photo from above.
6)Always watch where Mac lays the end piece of his breakfast bar. And he will lay the end piece somewhere. By locating this piece, you avoid Mary finding it, choking, and puking everywhere.
7)NEVER let them in the bathroom while Maggie is brushing her teeth or doing anything else for that matter. This is why.
These are just a few that come to find at this moment. If you want to come over sometime, be on your toes. Have fun and relax but...be on your toes.