Babysitter & Baby Goat

On Thursday night, Rhiley Smith came over to babysit the girls while we went to a play in Broken Arrow. This was one of the very few times that we have ever had a real "babysitter" come to our house. We usually just take the girls wherever we go, or have G-Ma or Grandma Baldwin watch them for us. They had a great time with Rhiley. She is so good with kids! After the play we decided it was a very good thing that we didn't take them with us...the play was about a plant that eats people. I think they would have been a little scared! When we got home and her parents came to pick her up, they brought a baby goat for the girls' to see. It was so sweet! The pictures and video aren't the greatest, but that's okay. I never thought we'd have a goat on our front porch!

Hiccups

A few days ago, I looked over and saw Mackenzie laying like this on the couch. I asked her what she was doing and she said, "I'm trying to get rid of my hiccups!" Apparently, she saw this idea on Max & Ruby, when Ruby had the hiccups. She also tried holding her breath, taking a drink of water, and I tried to scare them out of her. We had fun with this and laughed a lot. They eventually went away on their own! Silly little girl!

Introducing Ellie!

Mackenzie is really into dressing up & being "introduced" like she is in a fashion show. Now she has started dressing up her stuffed animals & introducing them like they are in a fashion show. Her little white elephant, "Ellie," is her favorite friend right now!

Mack's TV Debut

Today during ELP, they were filming a new commercial for our church, and Mackenzie and several of her classmates got to be in it! Brian just happened to be walking by and saw them doing it, so he stopped and video'd it with his phone. I love him for doing things like that for me! Mackenzie was very excited about it when I picked her up! She loves "Pastor Ted" and was happy that she got to stand with him. I can't wait to see the commercial on tv! (The sound is very quiet, because Brian was standing back pretty far.)

She also came home today and said, "Mommy, D-O-G spells GOD!" She was so proud that she could spell it all by herself, that I didn't have the heart to correct her. We'll be working on that one though!

Madi and her Babies

Today was an ELP day for Mackenzie, so Madison and I got to spend the day at home together. We read books, watched Dora, and played with babies! We wrapped all of Madi's babies up in their own blankets and put them on a pallet with her. I was working in the kitchen and every now and then Madison would carry one of her babies in there and say, "Sshhh!" Her babies were sleeping, and I guess I was making too much noise! I think Madison is going to have more of my personality. I loved playing with baby dolls more than anything else, and I think I was a little more reserved like she is. As long as Madi has her babies, her ladybug blankie, "Dor-da" to watch, and a comfortable place to sit, she is happy!

Playdate with Friends

We had our friends, Andrew, Abigail, Amanda & Claire Cupp, and Krista & Brody Smith over for lunch and a playdate on Monday. It was so good to see them again! Little Claire is 7 weeks old, and oh, how I loved holding her! She felt as light as a feather, and it is amazing how quickly you forget how little your babies once were.

Mackenzie had Andrew playing princesses...poor guy! Looking at the picture below, I'm not too sure he was enjoying himself! We always have a great time with the Cupps', and we definitely miss them living just down the street from us. I am very thankful that our friendship is strong, regardless of distance. They are, and will always be, a blessing to our family!

I had to take a picture of the aftermath...I think they LITERALLY played with every single toy we own in less than 2 hours! (Which was okay!) It didn't take long to clean up!

This Week's Channel

I love this picture that was on the Channel this past Sunday. Mackenzie, Bella, Emma, Aubrey, Walker, and Bo have all been in class together since they were babies. How sweet to watch them grow up together! We drove home from Newcastle on Sunday morning to do ETC, and this was a nice surprise when we got there.

Two of a Kind

We spent the weekend in Newcastle again, because Brian went to St. Louis for a youth evangelism conference. It was looking like we might have to go with him, but it worked out so that we didn't have to. It is just hard to travel long distances with the girls like that, especially when I don't have access to my own vehicle. I had a couple of cookie orders anyway, so it worked out great. These pictures tell a little bit about why Mackenzie adores her G-Ma so much...because she is crazy fun & does pretty much anything Mackenzie wants her to do!

I think they were having a fashion show to show off their hair-do's! Whatever they were doing, it looks fun!Mack & G-Ma did lots of projects this weekend...they made their own Memory game, played alphabet BINGO, and made artistic creations out of felt. Such beautiful hairdo's they both have!

Fun in the Car

So we were driving to Newcastle (Yes, I know...I should not have been video'ing and taking pic's while driving, but I was being very careful....just pointing my camera in the backseat while I watched the road, I promise!) I couldn't help it...Mackenzie was singing the funniest songs, and I just had to capture them on video. There are a lot of them, so if you only want to watch one, watch this one at the top. CRACK me up! This girl is so funny! I love her facial expressions, especially when she gets to number eight! Madison was singing too, but got a little shy when I video'd her. That is the difference in their personalities coming out, I guess! This is what we do when we don't have portable DVD players in the car. Thankfully, Poppa Jim bought the girls new DVD players this weekend, but every once in a while we may have to turn them off and sing songs again. This makes my heart smile!

Mackenzie gets to dance to "Move It Move It" at dance class, and both of the girls had fun with this in the car! Madison thinks everything Mack does is so funny.

"This is the day that the Lord has came!"

Some more made up songs!

Jesus Loves Me

This is a "crazy" video, as Mackenzie calls it! This was the end of our video'ing on the road.

Now, on to taking pictures! When I raised my camera up over the back of my chair and took this picture (without looking, since I was driving) this is what I got...Madison was hiding from the camera! This was the next one that I got a few seconds later...Peek-a-Boo!

Fun Pics

These are just some random cute pic's I have taken in the last week or so. Everything they do is just so cute that I can't help but want to take pictures of it.

The girls were watching tv, and I looked over and Madison was sitting with the sleeping bag pulled up over her head and all I could see were her little legs sticking out. They were quite content sitting there like this. Until I started taking pictures, of course! Mackenzie was all cuddled up on our bed with this blanket, and it reminded me of when we used to swaddle her up as a littel baby. I can't believe how big she is getting. The other morning when she woke up, she said, "Mommy, do I look bigger today?" I asked her if she thought she grew overnight and she said, "Well, I feel bigger!" If only I could push the PAUSE button for a while. Sadly, that's not the way it works, so I just have to enjoy every moment. Madison was very quiet, so I went to see what was going on and this is how I found her! She still loves playing castle!

"Say cheese, Mommy!" Eating OREO's with Daddy! This was a new thing for Mackenzie...OREO's and milk. She loved it and Daddy let her eat way too many!

Cute Buns

Madison will love me for taking these pictures one of these days, I am quite sure! I just had to do it! After her bath, she ran in her room and sat down to blow dry her hair. I can't believe how long her hair is getting. I am so glad it is curly! I hope it stays that way. You've gotta admit, these are some cute buns!

Flower Girls

Uncle Clint & Abigail came by and brought the girls' flower girl dresses that they will wear in their wedding in October. They were very sweet & Mackenzie loves the way hers twirls when she spins. Right now, October seems a long ways off, but it will be here before we know it. I just hope the dresses still fit by then! A true princess, indeed!

Okay, I am cracking up at this expression and pose!

Madison wasn't at all interested in having her picture taken.

Glad Daddy's Home

We drove home on Saturday, and I had just enough time to unload our stuff and give the girls baths' before heading to the airport to pick Brian up at 8:45 pm. They made him a sign that said, "Welcome Home Daddy" and it was a lot of fun waiting for him to come through the doors. I didn't take my camera in, so all I have are some blurry pic's taken with my phone. We stopped at Chick-fil-a on our way home, and then the girls were very excited to see what Daddy brought them! Mackenzie had specifically asked for jewelry from Belize, so Daddy brought her a bracelet. She loved it...she even put it on all by herself and wore it to church the next day! He brought Madison a Belize hat! It barely fits, but she likes it! As always, we are so glad to have Daddy back at home with us. Thank you, Lord for bringing him home safely. Lovin' on Daddy! If Daddy could sneak the girls in his suitcase, I think he would! He always misses us very much.Mackenzie is proudly displaying her new bracelet!Drinking Daddy's milkshake! SOOOOOO happy Daddy is home! Maybe one of these days we can go to Belize with him!

Jeanjacket Girls

I love my little girls so much! What would we do in the springtime without jeanjackets?! I just love jeanjackets. This was on Saturday, before we headed home to pick Brian up at the airport. What a fun week we had in Newcastle. Thanks Pa & G-Ma for taking good care of us!