Beau's 4-Year Old Art Show

Last night, Beau had his final art show with Ms. Richelle---which is a little sad for me! It was at the library again, and Beau could not wait to go.  He showed us all his poster he had made, and the crafts that were posted on it. I was surprised to see Beau's new career choice "doctor" for when he grows up. I guess we're moving up in life from being a bus drive (which is what he wanted to be just a few months ago :).

New "Do's"

Beau and Baine went in for big-boy haircuts last night. Baine has been rockin' the undercut for awhile now, and he wears it so well :) After Baine had his hair cut, Beau decided he wanted a big haircut just like Baine--this is normally not what Beau wants! So goodbye to Beau's golden locks! He looks like a big boy now, and not my little 4 year old :(

Beau's 1st "Friend" Birthday Party

     Last weekend Beau had his first "friend's" birthday party that he went to. I didn't quite want to leave him, although he would have been completely fine if I did! Beau is very shy, especially if he is around people he isn't comfortable with. I thought he would struggle playing with Ayden's friends, since Beau didn't know any of them. And while Beau mainly played with Banx and Bond, he seemed to play well as a whole crowd!

Family Night with Dena

     Dena and I wanted to go workout at the PAC last week, and Beau insisted that he come with us. I was a little nervous that he would get restless and want to leave, but he was in heaven! He literally outran me, was faster than me, and was able to keep running when I was dying from being out of breath---and I'm not even that out of shape :)  He was very frustrated when he could go down on the football field and practice football. I told him when he's older, he can practice all of the time like the "big boys" were. Beau replied, "Well I like football more than they do so I should be able to practice now and not them".
     After working out, Dena came over for supper and for game night with the boys. After losing to Beau at Memory, and no we do not let him win, we played an interesting game of Jenga. Beau thinks it is more fun to destroy the Jenga tower than to actually try to win. We're still working on that game :)

Valentine's Day Dance at Church

     Last week was the Valentine's Day dance at church.  Beau was a little shy, which is his personality these days, but he loved decorating cookies and making crafts. Baine, our feisty-fireball, loved the dance! He kept walking around wanting someone to hold his hand and dance or just bounced up and down to the beat of the music :). 

Valentine's Day 2016

     I must admit, Joe has always been extremely good at doing something special and sweet for me on Valentine's Day. I tell him every year, do NOT buy me roses on Valentine's Day. They are so ridiculously expensive. However, he still buys flowers anyways, and always tops it off with a sweet gesture, which can mean more than any gift. This year, he made arrangements with Jodee that he was going to pick the kids up during his noon hour. Joe, Beau and Baine came to surprise me at school with a beautiful bouquet of flowers and candy to share with my students. It was the best Valentine's gift I have ever received. My students loved meeting Joe, Beau and Baine, and of course the candy too :) Beau wanted to show everyone on the whiteboard that he can write his name, "hi" and the letter p, because we are learning to write our last name.  He loved having the audience :)

Future Basketball Player??

Baine has been in love with his basketball hoop! He absolutely loves to play and will bring you the basketball to invite you to play with him. I know its a baby hoop, but he never misses! Haha, maybe I am just hoping he is that good at basketball since I secretly want him to be ;) But it is so fun to watch his enthusiasm with the ball and run up to the hoop and "dunk it"!

SuperBowl Party 2016

Every year we have family and friends over for the Super Bowl. This year, we did a "Cajun" theme party. This is mainly because Joe and Caleb wanted to do a crawfish broil...so we did! We had fresh crawfish that Caleb brought back from Arkansas, and home made jambalaya.  Even though the football game wasn't very exciting, we definitely had a great time celebrating.

Best Buddies

Baine Joe--No Longer a Baby

Baine has become quite the little ornery baby! It was a complete overnight change! Just last week he was my little baby who quietly would play, bring books to read (he still does this) or just follow Beau around. That is not the  case anymore! He is one crazy kid now and definitely no longer in the baby phase. He has the most ornery laugh I have ever heard! He will taunt you and tease you, and then laugh! Oh dear, I think we have our hands full with this little dude :)

 Baine had his 15 month appt. last week and he jumped from 74 percentile in height, to 97! Okay, so maybe he will be as tall as Beau, or taller!

Making the Most of It

  

     I have really been struggling with finding peace and serenity the past several months. I am constantly worrying and stressing about everything imaginable. Having Beau and Baine have definitely made me a "worry wart". I am always wanting the best for them, like every normal parent, and wondering if I am doing enough for them and their future. I never want my children to go through hard times or have their heart broken or worry about financial issues, or paying for college, etc. I realize they need to face these bumps in the road to make them a better and stronger person, but like most parents, you just want more for your kids and want them to have the best life possible. I am trying to find the balance in that. The boys are only 4 and 1, and I am already stressing about making sure they don't ever have to worry about college loans! How crazy am I, right?! This is what fills my mind. Worries non-stop.
     I understand life could be worse, it always can be. I understand I am very blessed and and fortunate. However, sometimes you selfishly think about your own life and your family's lives, and just think to yourself, "What can I/we do to make our life better? Are we living in the right place? Are our kids going to the right school? Do we need a different life plan/goals?" These thoughts are continually overflowing my head. I am trying to deflect these thoughts, and only focus on the positive right now. It has definitely been a challenge. My job this year has been horrible, and it has been a major factor in making me more miserable than I have ever imagined I could be. But, it could always be worse.
     A dear friend sent me the picture above, and it resonated so well with me. I know I need to just LET IT GO! :)  I know I need to not worry as much, and try to enjoy life for the time we have.  So to Beau in Baine in the future years, I apologize for being that mom that hoovers over you, constantly worries about you, and is always riding your case to do well in school and behave. But that is my main job in life. And right now, it is the only job I am wanting to put my full effort and energy into!

Church Bowl Night

A couple of weeks ago, it was Church bowling night. Beau was in one of his 4 year old moods, so it was his way or no way that night.  Little does he know, that it is not going to be like that :) At first, he had a great time bowling with Daddy and his cousins. After awhile, he only wanted to play the games---the driving games to be exact. It was a fun night for all of the kids and families.