New Room

Riley recently got to paint her room.  The night we moved in, she said she liked the new house, but her walls needed to be pink.  Of course.  So just a few months later, we bit the bullet and painted her walls pink.  

The kids got to help... for a little bit.  Then mom and I got down to business.  Six hours later, it was finished.  Did I get an after shot?  Not yet.  Stay tuned.  We still need to add some finishing touches.

The "Ball"

Woody asked Riley if she would accompany him to the Ball (also known as the prom) last weekend. Being the princess she is, she immediately accepted- then asked if her mommy and brother could come.  So they got really dressed up, Riley even got to wear a little make-up. We all went to Bogle Gardens to take pictures with every other prom-goer in Bentonville that night.  I had to stop and just look at the preparation that went into the make-up, hair, nails, and oh my goodness the dresses.  I cannot fathom how much money was spent on that evening's attire.  I think we need to start a prom saving account now!

Riley was very ready to pose for the camera, and didn't seem too overwhelmed at the amount of people there.

Then we went to the square.  More pictures, following by jumping around and singing songs she made up as she went along- a true sign of joy.

Poser.

Stopping to smell the roses, I mean flowers.

Jude even got in on a lot of the pictures too. Oh, did I mention Riley got to wear a pair of my dangly earrings.  Such a lady.

We got to the ball before all the big kids.  Fortunately for us, the DJs were doing a sound check, so they got to dance on the lit up dance floor. Again, lots of jumping around.

Run run run, jump, twirl, fall down.

We might need to check into dance lessons.

And the coolest game of Ring Around the Rosie ever.

Riley said it was the best night ever. I love that her Daddy got to take her to her first ever ball.

Rileyism

Wow.  This lack of pictures is really thwarting my desire to blog.  I guess I'll have to be as descriptive as possible in my language until I figure out how to post more pics.

Last night as I was finishing the preparation of dinner, I asked Riley to put forks on the table.  This is one of her new responsibilities as a productive member of the family.  So she got three "big girl' forks and one "baby" fork for Jude (just meaning that it's plastic and not the kind we use).  Then I hear her say "Jude and I are going to use these picker-uppers."  I turned around to see two sets of chopsticks in her hands. I laughed until my guts hurt.  What a great use of vocabulary for that girl!  I don't recall every using that term, or hearing it lately for that matter.  But she got her point across, so mission accomplished.

Baseball Fun

Being the baseball family we are, there are lots of games to attend this spring.  And typical of our family, Woody is the only one to get any pictures of any of it.  Why do I never think to take pictures in between giving snacks, toys, books, saving kids from fly balls, etc?  

This is Jude with Woody's baseball glove, waiting for a home run in a Razorback baseball game. Something about this picture is so sweet to me.  Maybe it's the oversized glove...or the little baseball cap.... or maybe it's the fact that Woody managed to catch Jude being still and focused on something.

A couple of weeks later, we all got to catch a Razorback game.  I enjoy the games that Woody can sit with us.  I think I learn something new about the game each time I sit with him.

We tried to recreate the above picture.  But now Jude has his own glove and a hat that fits him.  It just doesn't work as well, but still a very cute kid watching a baseball game.

We attended a LOT of Tiger baseball games this season.  I forgot to pack a hoodie for Riley once, but Daddy saved the day with a pullover.  It was a very long dress on her.  Too funny.  She loved it and did not want to take it off to leave.

First Dentist Visit

Our first dentist visit went so well!!!  The kids loved the frog that had teeth and modeled what to do.  They loved the sunglasses they got to wear while their teeth were "counted".  The loved that they got to choose a flavor their toothpaste and floride treatment.

I loved how they behaved and bragged on them for days.  I also loved how they both have healthy teeth and gums.  I love how the dentist talked to all of us for several minutes and answered all questions without us feeling rushed.  We can't wait for our next visit 6 months from now!!

Easter 2013

How cute are they? This is ultimate Jude & Riley behavior.  "Smile for the camera" and they start hugging, then end fighting.

And if I ever get a picture of both kids smiling, it will be blown up into a large canvas to remind us of that moment in time. Jude was saying something very important here, though no one can remember what that important can't-wait statement was.

The hugging turns to fighting. We knew that was going to happen. "Riwee stop it!!! Don't hug me Riwee!" Riley might me smiling, but there is a definite growl coming from that mouth.

After an Easter Sunday service and a huge lunch, we went Easter Egg hunting.  Daddy and Poppi helped "hide" the eggs.  I cannot count how many eggs, which lay out in the open, were passed up with a child saying "I don't see anything!"

So proud he found one!

"Jude what's in there?" He tried to eat the egg.  That's my boy.  Forget the annoying wrapping of a plastic egg, just eat that plastic to get to the candy inside.  Efficiency at its best?

My two handsomes.  Jude's hair is getting longer and curlier. We are pretty sure that Jude looks just like Woody, but acts just like me.  Riley looks like me, but acts just like Woody.  A perfect blend.

Loves her Daddy...and her dress.