a sneak peek

This is one fabulous wall in the art room of our new preschool.

One 4 foot section is chalk board and the other is 3 easels.

This room is designed for free art like painting, chalking, drawing, sculpting, tearing paper and using glue till your hearts content.

Kid4 wrote me a little note when she came up today.

She loves me "two" and I love it when she writes.

Stay tuned for more sneak peeks!

Yes I did and I have the doll to prove it!

YES! You're right!

I got the doll.

Bat girl and I stood in line outside of Toys R us.

We stood in line inside of Toys R us.

We stood and stood and stood.

but...

Kid4 will have the doll she wanted this year for Christmas.

It was worth and besides that-

Bat girl is halarious to stand in line with at midnight!

The zipping ceases

Why do we shop on Black Friday? Seriously WHY DO WE DO IT?!

Bat Girl and I have been shopping on Black Friday for years and years and years in Dallas and friends I am here to tell you that I have never seen crowds like I saw this morning in Warner Robins, Georgia!

Last night Bat Girl mentioned to me that there was a sale on a certain baby doll that I have been coveting for kid4. I wanted her last summer for Bat Girls pool and then for Kid4’s birthday but the doll is FORTY DOLLARS! I don’t mind paying a pretty penny for like say an American Girl doll. As a matter of fact Kid2 has quite a few American girl dolls, but FORTY DOLLARS for an all plastic doll … okay it doesn’t make sense, never mind. Here’s the bottom line- I wanted the doll for cheap. So Bat Girl says “Hey that swimming doll is 20 bucks at Toy R Us and it opens at midnight”. It was late already so we thought heck we’ll head to Toys R Us at 11:40 and zip in and pick up the doll…

Do you think that’s what happened? Do you think we “zipped in”? I’ll give you three guesses…

NO.
NO ZIPPING.
NO “run in real quick”
NO be home in an hour and head to bed before the real shopping day begins.
Not even a parking spot.

I have never seen such a crowd.

Do you think I waited in line to save TWENTY DOLLARS on a doll?

I’ll let YOU guess!

LOWES is for

BOYS

Why is Lowe’s for boys you ask?

There are so many reasons and I’m not even sure where to begin.

First of all don’t you think that the wood of the same sizes should be kept together?
Can you even imagine how efficient it would be at the store if the prices were all in the same spot? Can you imagine the prices all being either above or below the actual wood? Can you imagine how easy it would be if all the right wood was in the right piles? Like if there weren’t sheets of pine mixed in with sheets of siding wood? I know, I know… it would be a perfect world. Can you imagine if while you were struggling with a piece of 4X8 wood someone, a man helping you put it on the cart that doesn’t roll straight? Can you imagine that it might take less than 2 full hours of choosing wood if Lowe’s were more girl friendly.

We went, we picked our wood, we bought it, we loaded it, we had it cut, we paid for it, we loaded it again on two carts, we loaded it AGAIN into my truck and then we unloaded it into the preschool. We now have 3 bulletin boards, 7 shelves and some really cute molding around the easel/chalkboard area. It’s gorgeous!

BUT Lowe’s IS for BOYS!

a preschool and a little surprise

Bat Girl and I have had a busy week! We are opening our own preschool and we are more than excited! There are so many things that we can’t wait to do with the kids. We can’t wait to let kids be kids. We want to watch them develop and grow through play.

We found the perfect little building with the perfect little art room. This perfect little art room will be full of paint, clay, chalk, glue, paper, crayons, markers, and anything else you can think of to create. We have a science center, a home center, a building block center, a writing center, a gross motor center a library center and so many things to exchange, change and switch around. We have puzzles, books, scissors, soft things to lie on and more than I can mention. I have taken lots of pictures but I left my camera at the school. So in the mean time….

We took a little break from all our work and here’s a little tidbit of what we did Sunday.

Yes! thats little Stellan in my arms- can you even believe it?

busy

Bat Girl and I are opening our very own preschool.

We are so excited!

We are also...
busy
working our tails off
painting
sanding
hanging
measuring
sorting
more painting
cleaning
and did I mention painting?

I'll post pictures when I find my USB

I miss you...

just me

So what are you up to today? Bat Girl and I are up to so much, I can't even tell you! There will be lots to catch up on and we'll do a catch up session real soon!

truth be told ...

The other morning when I was taking Kid4 to school she said “My backpack is so fat, like you Mom. I don’t want to call you fat though so I will just say really big, okay mom?”

What really could I say… REALLY… What could I say? Before I said anything at all she said: “Well you’re tummy is big, but Ms. ______ (insert good friends name here) is really old and you’re not old like Ms. _______, but you are a little big”

By this time, thank goodness we were at school so I could give her a hug a kiss and a wave and send her on her way to freely insult others and point out their imperfections instead of mine.

Ahhhhhhh, the joys of being a parent!

Have a chubby old day my friends, I know I will!

grocery list

Kid4 asked me this morning if I needed anything from the grocery store. I said "yes, sure I could use heavy whipping cream and some bread".

She came back with her dry erase board and a list for me! I thought it was so cute and funny because can you even imagine taking a dry erase board to the store! I would FOR SURE wipe away my list before we ever even got there!

She was happy when I took a picture to remember my list! One day she's going to read this blog and realize why I always took pictures of EVERYTHING!

give those regrets a BIG OL' hug

Do you look back on your life and have regrets? I use to say I never wanted regrets; I always wanted to own all my choices and be happy with them. That “never wanting to have regrets” was before I was human I guess. It makes no sense to never have regrets and I truly believe that if you have none, you’re kidding yourself.

Regrets can be defined as living life. Have you ever had a hair cut you weren’t crazy about but just HAD to have? Have you ever worn the velour pants one to many places? Have you ever had one bite, maybe ten bites too many? That’s regret friends, its life!

I know it’s easier to look back than forward but it’s so much more productive to look forward. You know how we all say “I’m really looking forward to________ (insert fun thing here)? That’s what life’s about, it’s about looking forward.

I’m not saying don’t live in the moment! I believe that living in the moment, cherishing each minute that you have right then. I think that while looking forward to the next great adventure it’s best to stop as much as possible and look around at what you have and be thankful for it. I think it’s the most wonderful thing to stop while loving a moment and absorb the good feeling, that very second, the one you can’t get back and don’t want to REGRET missing.

Does it all make sense? Did reading this blog make you want to never look back in regret, always cherish every moment and love every second possible of your life?

Yeah, yeah, yeah… I was afraid you’d say that!

(me and my Dad)

My favorite poem is The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost. I fell in love with this poem because it's my Dad's favorite and it's so true. I have blogged before about the road less taken and I'd like to encourage you to take it. Take the road less taken. There will be regrets, trust me. Regrets are part of the road less taken, they are also part of the road most taken. Regrets are part of every road. I can promise you this; if you take the road less taken there will be less regret, more hapiness, and easier days had by all. It's a fact.

20 years of perfect and counting

Last month as you know we headed to Mt. Perfect for Mr. B.s high school reunion. We had a few stops on the way. We got to hug his sweet sister, love our niece, we got to see old friends and family, eat food from the familiar places we love and we seriously enjoyed catching up with old friends and hanging out once again with people we love.

We saw literally hundreds of people but here are some of my favorite people and pictures from the final night’s shindig. It was so great to see everyone again; Mr. B. and I had a fabulous time!

girl-rific

I have blogged many times about girls and the special bonds and friendships they have. I am so honored to be a witness to my daughter’s life, to her friendships, to her ups and downs. It’s been a pleasure all these years to meet and love on her friends. While in Mt Perfect there are some particular special friends that I SURE do love to love on!

This is Kid2’s DARLING friend D-Ann. There is possibly no sweeter person in the world then precious D-Ann. This darling beauty has a heart of gold and if I could steal her and make her mine I would! (shhhhhh! Don’t tell her momma because she might not let D-Ann visit us anymore- LOL)
It’s so exciting to see them run to each other and hold onto each other like it’s been years when it’s only been a few months smiling for hours when they are finally back together. I love girls, I love witnessing their lives, relationships and watching them grow.

Girls are the best (except when they’re not being the best and then it’s just the worst- you know what I mean)

Veterans Day

Thanks to Mr.B. and his brother for serving our country. Thanks to my brothers in laws family who have endured all the absences while he has served. I'm so proud to call you family!

Remember to thank a Veteran

for your freedom!

I have many family members who have served our country including both my Grandpa's, my Dad, cousins and many more... thanks for a job well, but never done!

stretching words

Little darling Kid4 is learning to read and write

She always say's "just stretch it"

She loves Kid1's friend Tyler because she can spell his name

She loves to spell as many things as possible

I bought her tub crayons to 'stretch out' words in the tub too

When we went in to check on her, this is what we found

Oh it's wonderful to learn to read and write!

takin' care of business

I’d like to start a list of things you shouldn’t do outside. Life usually seems more simple to me than it does to others and I like to think that there are simply things you do and DO NOT do! (outside or inside) Here is a start of things I think are unacceptable to do outside and I’ll let the picture speak for itself.

(this was outside Kid4's school while I was waiting in the car line to get ger her- ewww, ewww, ewwww)
AM I WRONG?

I think not!

riding in cars with boys and watching boys riding in cars...

This weekend dear Mr. B. took the boys on a mini road trip up north to see race cars, watch races and apparently get a REALLY good deal on a car for Kid1. It was an eventful weekend packed with all things testosterone for those testosterone filled boys!

I knew they had a fabulous time because once they got home all they talked about was cars, cars, cars... they said things like "fast, cool track, amazing, mom you wouldn't believe..." and something that sounded like "WANT ONE"...

Mr. B. took pictures and since I wasn’t there I’ll let the pictures speak for themselves.

Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous!

My friend Jennie is having the BEST give away. If you like all things darling, vintage and Christmas go here and enter Jennie’s give away while perusing her gorgeous creations!

Go! quick! You won’t be sorry.

perfectly pink

During the month of October Kid4’s school had a little fund raiser. Each student’s family made a pumpkin based on their favorite story character and brought it in for a family night.

We had a nice time working on it together. Kid4 said "hand me the spray paint" and I laughed because I agree with Wal- Mart, you should have to be over 18 to handle spray paint! Mr. B. sanded it, I painted it and Kid4 squeeled and enjoyed the pink-ness of it all!

Kid4 chose Pinkalicious and we had a lovely time.

let's get this straightened out RIGHT NOW!

I have a serious straightening problem… but you probably already knew that. I like things to be straight and neat.

Mr. B. and I went to the Dr. yesterday for his little neck check up. He is doing great by the way. I was sitting in the waiting room while he was having an MRI done and my eyes kept turning towards the table in front of me… the magazines willy nilly, here and there.

I tried to ignore them; after all it’s not my house, not my business. I tried so hard to look away, watch TV, and focus on something else… I took a picture to send to Bat Girl I was going to text her the picture and ask “is it inappropriate for me to straighten this mess up?”

I lost; I straightened them out before I ever sent the text. So I thought I should take a picture after too just so I could share with you how serious my problem is.

Hi, I’m Ashley and I’m a straightener. Is there help for me?

gas station standards (trip)

I love traveling; I don’t think that’s a secret to anyone that knows me. I like to hit the road and see what I can see. I am leery of weird things though so I’m sure the fact that I use gas station bathrooms and touch gas pumps with bare hands is confusing to some of my friends who know how quirky I am.

I try to not be grossed out by a gas station, I mean where else are you gonna potty? I have tried rest stops in the past and here’s the thing about rest stops, when you go do you also feel like you might get murdered at any minute by the weird guy hiding in the bushes? I would much rather be held up at a gas station, but that’s just me.

There are a few gas station standards that I do have. We don’t eat at a gas station, we just don’t. I may pick up a drink and a pre-wrapped candy bar but THAT’S ALL! We say NO thanks to the hot dogs rolling around for hours on end, we say no to Aunt Elva’s home made cookies packaged up at the local neighborhood cat lady’s house. I decline Christmas shopping of any kid at gas stations, no thanks, thank you anyway and although I think it’s a nice idea, I prefer to skip eating Thanksgiving dinner there too.

Does this seem unreasonable to you?

I *heart* Mr. B and me (trip)

Once upon a time long long ago, a boy met a girl and they instantly fell in love. Their eyes met and the rest is history.

History goes a little like this: we were too poor to get married but we did. Too poor to have children so we had 4 and too poor to eat out and love life so we lived it up every chance we got. Nearly 18 years later, we are still living life and enjoying each other and our children daily.

Have we had our ups and downs? Absolutely we have! Have we struggled and wanted to throw in the towel? Oh yes, we certainly have. Are we still together witnessing each others lives, pushing the other to live life to the fullest? YES YES we are!

Mr. B. and I are still in love, we still have up’s and downs like all couples do but at the end of the day we’re happy that we belong together. We’re happy that we’re in love.

Ain’t love grand?

Kid4 keeping herself busy (trip)

Little Kid4 worked busily in the car as we drove and drove and drove and drove…you get the idea! We went to Dallas instead of Mt Perfect for the first day of our trip to hug Mr. B.s sister’s neck and love on our niece. The drive was much longer than we had anticipated but Kid4 kept herself busy with writing and coloring pictures for our friends and family.

She decorated a “P” for Papa and a “G” for Gran. She spent time writing stories and nursery rhymes. Before we left I bought a regular school binder and filled it with lined paper, manila paper, a spiral, pens, markers and stickers. Kid4 spent hours and hours creating wonderful things and kept herself busy as a little bee. I highly suggest this for a road trip.

the boots (trip)

Once upon a time long long ago two little boys would get in the car and after a long long trip of fun in the country they would go home with new cowboy boots. This was our tradition before we lived in Mt. Perfect, when we visited we went to the boot store downtown and they picked out a new pair of boots and wore them proudly home.

This year our boys are no longer country boys and there is only one sweet little pair of feet to cover in tradition. We made our trip to downtown Mt Perfect and picked a very beautiful and very pink pair of cowGIRL boots for Kid4. She has worn them proudly and we were thrilled to be able to carry on the tradition.

Granddaddy (trip)

Our recent trip was very eventful. We visited our darling niece and Mr. B.’s sister, we attended the funeral of my sweet sweet Great Grandmother, we stayed at my fun friend Linda’s house and enjoyed her hospitality, and we attended a football game, a reunion a picnic and saw many family and friends.

While we were in Oklahoma for my Great Grandma’s funeral I got to kiss my Granddaddy’s cheek and love on him a little bit. My Great Grandma was his mother. Can you imagine having your mother around for over 85 years?

A few nights ago I dreamed about kissing my granddaddy’s scratchy cheek. It was such a pleasant dream to wake up too and remember. I have kissed my Granddaddy’s cheek hundreds of times in my life and hope to kiss it hundreds of more times in the future! Hugging his neck is such a secure and familiar feeling. He smells like Old Spice and farm, he’s wrapped in denim from head to toe most days and I can just close my eyes and see his strong farm hands holding my babies.

Oh’ I love him so.