Cupcakes and Candles

We are having Ann Phelps b.day party tomorrow but we still had cupcakes and candles to celebrate her "real" birthday (I have had a time explaining this to the boys)!

She's TWO

Sweet little baby girl


Sassy TWO year old


Today Ann Phelps turns TWO! I will always look at my little girl and be reminded of how God's plans are the BEST plans! I had said from day one that I wanted to raise 4 boys! I always said I couldn't be a good "girl" mom! God knew exactly what I needed......a sassy little girl!! I cannot not picture our life without her! She brings us so much laughter and joy! I am blessed to have these precious little ones! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ANN PHELPS!

Butterfly Exhibit

In the cocoon

He is acting like he is really being eaten by a bird

Going through the huge catapillar

The Natural Science Museum has a Butterfly Exhibit going on right now. It is really cute and perfect for a hands-on activity!! Plus, my kids never get bored with the Science Museum!!

Masters of Disguise

Nani (my Aunt Cindy) gave the kids goody bags for Christmas filled with awesome toys!! The kids have had the best time with all of it and the toys are Dollar Tree grade which is even better!! It proves that I don't need to spend a lot on toys, I can just go to the Dollar Tree and they will think it's wonderful!! Thanks, Nani, for giving us such fun stuff!!

Getting ready for a nap?

In true AP fashion, she is happily
posing for the pic as if to say, "I
am not ashamed!"

Our precious daughter, Ann Phelps, has acquired a NASTY habit. For the last two months, Ann Phelps has decided that it would be fun to dig in her dirty (poo poo) diapers and "paint" with the contents. This is a gross subject, but I want to document it so one day I can blackmail her with it (just kidding)! I have tried everything from footed pj's, onesies, overalls, etc... - nothing has kept her from getting her hands in her diaper! I have a friend who is going through this and she suggested using tape. At first this sounded a little like child abuse, but until you have had to clean up a crib for the 12th time after the "mess" then you get desperate!! So far the tape has stopped her - except when I don't put enough on, then she gets in there! I am really hoping this stage (that my boys NEVER went through) will end very, very soon!!! I am tired of having to use my hazmat kit every time she wakes up from her naps!!!! (when Ben and Will see me getting the clorox clean-up wipes and turning on the bath tub water, they automatically say, "Did AP play in her diaper?")!!

G-free ain't cheap!!

In the picture above is all the gluten free food I got for $68!! This will only last me maybe 3 meals for the boys (not counting the snacks, of course)!!!!! I will need to get a "real" job just to pay for gluten free food!!

Party Weekend

AP was not scared to visit with
the real fireman

going down the fire pole

Ben going down the pole

Will's turn to slide down the pole

Looking at the first "fire truck" - a wagon pulled

by horses!

eating our gluten free cupcakes

The blue wand - he loves it!

This weekend the kids had two birthday parties to go to. We all went to Sam Springfield's party at the Fire Museum then Ben and AP went to a party for one of Ben's classmates. Of course the fire museum was a hit with the boys. We even had some excitement - the firemen had to leave on an emergency call while we were there!! There was a woman who explained everything including fire safety. I didn't think the boys were really paying attention, but Ben informed me this morning when he saw the "smoke" from the humidifier that we should get on the floor and roll out of the house and don't worry about Otis because he will get out by himself!! The birthday party Ben was invited to was a "princess" party. Ann Phelps made herself at home. She pushed her way into the crowd of girls to meet the "real" Cinderella then she "helped" the birthday girl blow out her candles!! As we were leaving, Ben was crying because he didn't want to leave- the birthday Mom gave him his party favor fit for a PRINCE (a sword) but he wanted the blue magic PRINCESS wand instead!! By the time we got home we were partied out!!