What a week!

Even by our nutty standards, this was a CRAZY week! I didn't have my camera at all of our events, but here are some pictures that really capture our week. They consist of piano recital, academic fair, Mother's Day Out program, baseball, and finally Thomas's kindergarten graduation. I also added a few from last week's track day. I will write more on Thomas and graduation tomorrow, but enjoy the show! Put your cursor on the pictures as many of them have captions.

He had me at "Hello"!

I was so shocked and thrilled last night when David Cook was crowned American Idol! He has been my absolute favorite since he sang Lionel Ritchie's "Hello" in the top 24. It seems unpatriotic perhaps to say, but David Archuleta has annoyed me from the beginning. I know he has a beautiful voice, but his "Awww, shucks"-ness grated on my nerves. I was sad on Tuesday night, because I thought it was a given that little David would be the winner.

Matthew asked yesterday if we could have a "watch party" last night! I put the little two down to sleep early while Matthew was at practice, and the three of us watched the finale after baseball.

Here is another of my favorite songs from David Cook. I have never bought a cd from an American Idol contestant, but I think I will this time!

Mary Beth

 

 

 

 

Each one of the kids has an end of the year hoop-di-do this week! Matthew had his academic fair on Monday, Thomas has kindergarten graduation tomorrow night, but last night was Mary Beth's time to shine. We went to the first part of Matthew's game, got completely hot and sweaty (summer has arrived in FULL FORCE this week) and went off to the Mother's Day Out program. I have had a child at Mother's Day Out for 8 years, and we are going to a different preschool next year for Mary Beth, so it was a little sad last night, I must admit. The program was sweet and all the kids were adorable.

Bryon left after ME's "formance" to get back to Matthew's game, so I drove the younger two home. I asked Thomas what he wanted to be when he grew up. He said, "I want to be a Daddy." Mary Beth didn't miss a beat and said, "Thomas, you have GOT to be kidding me! You are going to be an astronaut, and I am going to be a princess!"

This is just a typical thing that comes out of Little ME Lou's mouth on a daily basis. The things she says are just so funny, and she talks like a teenager sometimes! Here are a few other things going on in Mary Beth's world.

*I don't know if you have gotten the memo, but Mary Beth's birthday is only three months away. She has been talking about her birthday party daily for months. If she is upset at someone, the offending party is disinvited to her birthday party. This is particularly interesting when she disinvites me to her party! If Mama ain't comin'...NOBODY's comin', girlfriend! She goes back and forth between an Ariel party, Barbie, or Helly Killo. She will also get up several times before she falls asleep to add things to her wish list. At the top of the list is make up in a bag and an Ariel vanity.

*She has a very raspy voice. My brother thinks she sounds like Stevie Nicks!

*She loves to sing with a fake vibrato. Hilarious!

*Mary Beth remains very social. She loves hanging out at her brothers' games and makes friends with each new team. Her best friend is still Whitney. Mary Beth and Whitney have been known to laugh non stop for hours.

*Mary Beth loves giving me not so subliminal messages. When she wants something, she says, "Can I have a pink purse? Say yes!"

*Other than being a princess, she wants to be a doctor when she grows up.

*Tomatoes are still her favorite thing to eat...other than ice cream.

*She loves to say something silly, pause, then say, "Kidding!" with an emphasis on the "G" at the end.

*Mary Beth still sleeps curled in a ball with her bottom in the air.

*She loves to watch SuperWhy, the Wiggles, and Max and Ruby.

*Her favorite book is Bad Kitty.

I will never forget the first day of school this year. We dropped the boys off and spent the day shopping and eating a nice lunch together. I remember being excited about our two years together, just the two of us during the day, for the first time in her life. I cannot believe how quickly this year has gone. I can truly say that I have enjoyed every minute with her. She is such a fun and easy companion.

My 8 1/2 year old, Matthew

Matthew had his half birthday yesterday, so he is officially 8 1/2! Here is a little of what my little man is up to these days:

*He has really shot up! I measure him every year at the beginning and end of school. He has grown 3 1/2 inches since August! His feet are huge (I wear his socks), and his ring finger is too big to fit my wedding ring on.

*He is a night owl, and, consequently, not a morning person.

*He continues to be very competitive and wants to do things faster and better than he is expected to do.

*His last name is Barnhill, but he looks like, is built like, and has the temperament of a Robinson. He does seem to have Bryon's energy level and enthusiasm!

*He is very ticklish and cracks up easily. If you make him laugh, he usually doubles over in laughter!

*The most remarkable thing about Matthew is his memory. He recalls events that happened years ago that there are no pictures of, or we haven't mentioned in conversation. He also can hear a song once and start singing the words of the verses the next time he hears it.

*He has really turned into a Daddy's boy this year. This makes me a little sad (although Bryon says this is only fair as Thomas is a huge Mama's boy!), but I think this has something to do developmentally with identifying with the same sex parent. He agrees with everything Bryon says, and wants to be with him all the time.

*I have really felt him detaching a bit this year, and becoming more independent. He is busy with his school work and activities, and can handle these without much assistance. He also spends more time riding his bike around our neighborhood and not under constant supervision from me.

*He continues to be my most challenging child. I have had to hone my parenting skills with this guy! I guess, we as parents, have to have one like this to keep us humble! He is perfect at school and for Bryon, but he loves pushing my buttons from time to time. But, just when I think I want to kill him, he turns around and becomes a sweet, quite, and contemplative little man who is an absolute joy to hang out with.

*Matthew's hair is a force to be reckoned with! It is thick and very coarse. One of these days, I will have to take a picture of him in the morning. He looks like Dagwood from the Blondie comics. His hair defies gravity and stands at a 90 degree angle from his head. And don't think that wetting his hair calms it down. The stuff is like a Brillo pad! It has been a while since we cut it, and it is getting long in the back. I cut his side burns and bangs yesterday which THRILLS him, because he thinks he has a mullet. It is his life's ambition to wear a mullet. Where does this kid come from?!

I am ready for the summer break to get to spend more time with Matthew!

Matthew had his end of the year piano recital yesterday, and here is a clip of his duet with his teacher.

Fabulous!

Without exaggeration, Mary Elizabeth in this outfit is one of the cutest things I have ever seen! The outfit is nuclear pink! How appropriate for my all pink, all the time ME Lou.

This week, we received ME's ballet/tap recital costume, and we had her pictures done yesterday. Trying on the outfit has been a great source of leverage for me. She has been going to bed on time, not fussing, etc. all for the ability to try on her costume during the day. Her dance recital is three weeks away. We can't wait!

Baby Cardinal!

I didn't realize that baby birds would be the subject of two of my blogs this week, but I thought I would share this picture! Mary Beth and I were walking through our garden this afternoon, and I found a nest in my arbor. I peeked in and found this handsome little cardinal! He looks pretty new especially given that his sibling still hasn't hatched! What a fun surprise!

Track Day!

Always one of the biggest events of the year! We were blessed with beautiful, crisp and cool weather for Track Day this year. Here are a few pictures from the morning. I love when I catch Matthew's hair mid bounce!

Have a great weekend, everyone!

We are expecting again! (Baby birds, that is.)

They say that the three most important things when talking about housing are location...location...location. I am sure that this is even true in the animal world. If so, one little sparrow is probably regretting his choice in real estate.

I have been noticing lately, that when I open my front door, a bird flies off. Perhaps, I have been too busy to notice the past week, but today, I did some investigating. It turns out that a sparrow looked at my spring wreath, and thought the backside of it would make a great home for her four babies! Stephanie, do you remember me getting this wreath in Canton on our trip there a few years ago?

I am excited about the new arrivals, but am worried that five people going in and out of the door will give the mother bird a heart attack! Maybe we will just use the side entrance for the next few weeks!

Middle of the week..looking back then forward.

I haven't written yet about Mother's Day! I had a great day with my family on Sunday. Each child gave me a gift, and I think my favorite this year was a new baseball glove from Matthew! I mentioned earlier that we play catch in the backyard, and I usually wear Thomas's glove when we are playing. I can't use Bryon's because he is a lefty!

So, we spent the beautiful day playing catch in the yard with my new glove. One funny thing, is that Matthew complained all last month about how his neck was bothering him. He kept moving his neck around, and when he had his baseball helmet on, looked like a bobble head. Well, after several hours of catching fly balls on Sunday, I have suffered from a very sore neck the past few days. I can now understand where the bobble head came from!

I also received a new coffee maker, and it is the coolest thing. It actually grinds the beans in the machine before brewing the coffee. I have jumped up every morning to make the coffee, which is usually Bryon's job!

We have a busy weekend planned with three birthday parties, a ladies function at church Saturday morning that I am singing/preparing the food for, ballet pictures, and Matthew's piano recital! Should be fun!

Empire Strikes Barack

It doesn't matter if you are a liberal or conservative, soccer mom or NASCAR dad....this is hilarious!

Who doesn't love all things Star Wars?

Don't Cry For Me, Woodway Elementary!

There are lots of fun days in school, but "Roof Day" is perhaps the most anticipated day of the year at our school. This is the day that our principal spends the day on the roof spraying all the kids with water. All the kids brings towels and a change of clothes. If the kids make their A.R. goals, they get to eat a picnic lunch outside. If a child earns over 300 A.R. points, they get the honor of being on the roof with the principal, vice principal, and librarian while their grade is outside.

I think Matthew was looking forward to this day almost as much as Christmas Day!

I pulled up to school and found the second graders outside ready to get sprayed. They all were eagerly watching the roof ready to get sprayed. Matthew hadn't shown his face yet. All of the sudden, Matthew appeared holding his hands in the air, and the entire second grade down below burst into cheers. I swear, it was like a scene of Evita! It was a fun hour, and the first time all year that I got really hot. Almost summer!
Thomas also had his track day today. Love kindergarten track day! I still remember my kindergarten track day. I won an award for being the first in my class to blow a bubble. Yes, I am a woman of many talents!

Those fabulous Barnhill boys!

I am having an absolute love affair with my boys right now. I think before I had kids, I would have totally been fine if I had had 5 girls. I just didn't realize how much I would adore the whole boy thing. These are some pictures I took last night. We spend a ton of time in the back yard catching fly balls, practicing pitching/batting, and just playing catch.

Sometimes, I think that boys get a bad wrap. I actually had a pregnant "friend" one day tell me, while I was standing with preschool Matthew and infant Thomas, that she just couldn't IMAGINE having a boy. Too much energy and too loud. Can you believe someone would say that to me?!!

So here is my tribute to my little boys...

I love that they still want me to throw the ball with them.

I love that Matthew gets excited that he can still "juke" me playing soccer.

I love their sweaty faces and stinky, grass covered feet.

I love comforting Thomas when he finds out that Shaun Alexander was released from his Seahawks contract.

I love the difference in the boys when they have the ball. Matthew is extremely focused and serious. Thomas giggles and has a huge smile on his face when he is in control of the ball!

I love hearing them giggle in their room before (and sometimes after) I threaten them with punishments. The would talk/laugh until midnight if I let them!

I love Matthew giving Thomas a hug when Thomas tearfully says that he only has two more years in school with Matthew until high school.

I love Thomas telling me that he doesn't want to get married because he already lives with the most beautiful girl in the whole world. I do believe that he could have asked me for a pony that day, and I would have given it to him! ;)

I love Matthew starting to call his buddies by their last names.

I love that we have transitioned from Gymboree and Dillards to Academy when looking for clothes! Love the athletic shorts and cleats.

I love spending my nights at the ball fields. (mostly)

I love discussing the NFL draft at the dinner table.

I just love my boys, and wanted to share that today.

16 days left!

Only 16 days left of this school year. In a few short weeks, I will have a 3rd and 1st grader! I am sad and excited about this ending and beginning all at the same time.

Thomas:
This has been a good year for Thomas. I have not bonded with his teacher as much as Matthew's teachers (she is pretty private), but I know that Thomas loves her and has learned a lot this year. I did carpool yesterday and watched my sweet boy walking and talking with other students as he entered the building. Last year at this time, I wouldn't have been able to imagine him in school. Now, he just looks like one of the big kids this year. I absolutely love kindergarten, and I can't believe that two of my kids have already gone through it.

Matthew:
I have loved this year with Matthew. I adore his teacher! We have gotten to be good friends this year, and we talk often. Second grade is more challenging than first grade, and Matthew thrives on challenges. He is particularly fond of timed tests and research projects! I will be very sad to say goodbye to Ms. Cooper's class, but I am looking forward to Matthew's schedule slowing down, so we can spend more quality time together.

Bryon and I are brainstorming getting ready for summer. We are looking for a little structure, but definitely not as much as in the school year. Amazingly, we have something going on every week, but most of our afternoons and evenings are free! Yippee! Our weeks will be filled with vacations and day camps. Thomas is going to play coach pitch this summer, just like last summer. We just couldn't fit in another sport this spring, and this way we can focus all of our attention on Thomas. He is Matthew's biggest fan at the baseball fields, so I am looking forward to the family returning the favor for him!

Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters

I am completely obsessed with this version of Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters right now. Oh, how I love (almost) everything Heart sings.

I had to put it on my blog since I can't get it on iTunes. I am fairly convinced that darling Bryon is getting sick of my singing it over and over! ;) This way, I can listen to it whenever I want!

Weekend in Marble Falls.

What a fun weekend! I took my camera, but never took a single picture. Below are a few from a throwaway camera that our fishing guide gave us. This is us fishing on Lake LBJ. Bryon caught the most fish, but I caught the biggest! That is a 3 1/2 pound bass, Baby! The last picture was a funny story. I caught a catfish, and our guide handed him to me while he was getting the camera ready. As soon as he took the picture, the catfish CROAKED, and it scared me so badly that I threw him out of my hands! Didn't know that catfish could croak!

The rest of the weekend was great! We had lots of good meals, I got in lots of reading time, we got to socialize with the lawyers and wives/husbands from the firm, and spend some quality one on one time as well. The kids had a blast with my family reading stories, watching movies, eating ice cream, and going to Six Flags! They weren't ready for us to come home! ;)

This week in pictures...

1. Matthew and Thomas's last soccer game. Matthew played goalie for half the game. At one point, a kid kicked a ball smack into Matthew's face. The impact could be heard from the bleachers with a chorus of "Oooooooo's" ! The ball deflected right back to the kicker and he kicked it again. Matthew caught it! Nothing like sacrificing your face for the team! His team was undefeated until their last game. What a heartbreak! My dad took Thomas to his game while I helped Mom with a baby shower. I heard he scored a goal! Yea, Thomas!

2. Matthew's end of season soccer party at Chuck E. Cheese on Monday. We are Chuck E. Cheesing it again tonight for Thomas's party.

3. Second attempt to go the planetarium on Monday was successful. Mary Beth and I went with our good friends Amy and Hayden. What a fun day!

4. Bryon's birthday celebration at Outback Steakhouse. Remarkably, for the first time in several weeks, we had no obligations on a weeknight, so Tuesday night, the 5 of us had a great dinner together. We then came home to eat Bryon's traditional banana ice cream cake that my mother makes for him every year.

5. Matthew's baseball game was last night. He has had two games in the past week that didn't start until after 8 p.m! I am a little bleary eyed this morning.

6. Tomorrow, Bryon and I head out for his firm's retreat at Horseshoe Bay in Marble Falls. We haven't been out of town by ourselves in over 2 years! It is just so hard to get away, but we are very excited. Meanwhile, my awesome parents/brother/sister-in-law are taking my kids to Six Flags when we are gone! Needless to say, EVERYONE is looking forward to the weekend!

Mt. Rushmore bound!

Well, it's official....I owe Matthew a trip to Mt. Rushmore!

Last August, Matthew told me he wanted to get 300 Accelerated Reader points in 2nd grade. I told him this was quite a lofty goal, as he would have to read around 500 books and take tests on them. He was adamant about it and asked me if I would take him to Mt. Rushmore it he met the goal. It has been Matthew's dream for a LONG time to visit this famous landmark. He has quite the little obsession with all things American history.

Matthew's teacher called me yesterday to inform me that Matthew finished his goal! It was extremely important to him to complete his goal on Bryon's birthday.

Bryon and I are taking the kids on a long trip in July, so Bryon was unable to take the time off for this trip. He suggested that Matthew and I fly there one weekend. Now, Matthew is also is desperately wanting to add more states to his "been there" column, so we decided that driving it would be better. Matthew invited Thomas on the trip, and I invited Lauren for some company! I cannot wait to spend 5 days straight with my sister and sons. (ME and James are going to have to sit this one out.)

We will leave the week school gets out and add New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, (possibly Montana if the boys are super good) South Dakota, and Nebraska to their "been there" list. Just a few more weeks!

Happy Birthday, Bryon!

Just for fun, here is an old picture of Bryon me taken at Cape Cod 10 years ago, after we had been married 2 years!

I just wanted to let everyone know that my sweet husband turns 37 today! Thomas is very excited about this since Shaun Alexander's jersey number is 37!

Bryon has been in my life for 15 years, and he continues to be the most joyful person I know. Bryon exudes energy, happiness, and love from his pores. He works so hard, and NEVER complains. He is never too tired to play with the kids. I know I am very loved. Life wouldn't be nearly as fun without Bryon in it!

I love you, Briney Boo!

Been tagged!

Tagged by Karen:

What I was doing 10 years ago:

*Finishing up my externship for my masters in Speech Pathology- getting ready to graduate!

*Looking for a job.

*Enjoying being a young married.

*Loving being the mother of two large Labrador Retreivers.

*Teaching preschoolers at church.

Five things on my to do list for today:

• Get the boys to their soccer games.
  
• Get Matthew to piano ensemble practice.
  
• Help Mom with a baby shower
  
• Have the family over for birthday celebration.
  
• Cook for our potluck at church tomorrow.
  

Things I would do if I were a billionaire:

• Buy a beautiful ranch.
  
• Pay off the houses of my loved ones.
  
• Set up a foundation to help others.
  
• Find people in need and secretly help them out.
  
• Travel the world.
  

Three of my bad habits:

• Throwing away everything.
  
• Saying yes to too many things.
  
• Worrying
  

Five places I have lived:

• Waco, TX
  
• Abilene, TX
  
• Champaign/Urbana, Illinois
  
• Northport, Alabama
• Tuscaloosa, Alabama
  

Five jobs I have had:

• Bagger/Cashier at HEB
  
• Photo lab person at HEB
  
• Jan's Perfect Presents
  
• Speech Therapist
• Domestic Engineer
  

I tag anyone who wants to do this!

Name change

I have been "A day in the life" for 3 1/2 years, and thought it was time for a change! I liked this title, because it really fits where I am in life right now. When I started this blog, Mary Beth had almost no hair for hair bows, and the boys weren't maniacs on heelies (the culprit of many a scraped knee!). Who knows where the next 3 1/2 years will bring us?

I have treated no less than 8 bloody scraped knees since the weather has gotten nice. No tears, usually, just "Mommy, can you help me clean this up?"

Do I have to explain the hair bows? ;)

Atsome point, I want to change up my lay out again, but that is a project for another day!