Our precious, beautiful, gorgeous little girl.  Love her to pieces.

See ya’ later!!

It was a BEEEEE-YOUUUUUUU-TI-FUL day today!  The first day that I haven’t wanted to pass out from heat stroke every time I walked out the front door.   Thank goodness for air conditioners.  Holden asks to go outside all day long every day, as well as Kasen, but at least she understands that it’s too hot, he doesn’t.  Well, they were scrambling to find their shoes when I said that we could go outside and play.  Holden grabs his shoes and says, “Shoooooes, Owww-side” - too cute.  Normally we have them wear shoes because their feet would burn on the concrete, but today, today we didn’t need no stinkin’ shoes, it was cooler on the concrete - yahoooooo!!!!  ;) We started out with a snack, played with insects, then we moved on to playing ball.  We had some swing time, slid down the slide a LOT, played in the fort, rode on the glider, had tickle fights on the grass, each had a ride on the tricycle, we rode the plasma car (Kasen pushed Holden and I, then I pushed her), we played with the water table and then it was time for sidewalk chalk.  It was Holden’s first time with the chalk and I could not stop laughing.  I took tons of pictures and I had to share them before going to bed tonight because they’re just too cute.

Kasen and Holden started out drawing together on the concrete, but then Holden moved on to writing on the post. LOL

Holden then decided to taste the sidewalk chalk!  The face he made after he took a bite was priceless.  I was SURE he wouldn’t do it again after THAT face.

However . . . . he did . . . . he tried the red next . . . .

. . . then the pink . . . .

. . . . then the purple . . .

Kasen was mortified and tried to get all the chalk out immediately.  By the way, I had already wiped his mouth clean a few times before those last pictures were even taken. LOL

And really, there’s nothing cuter than a chalk bum!

Our day did NOT start out well, but the day ended fantastically - the kids and I both were so excited to play outside.  We headed for the backyard before 3:00 p.m., and after playtime, and the kids taking a walk with Mae Mae and Papa, they didn’t come inside until 6:30 p.m.  They were wiped out when they went to sleep.  Love that.  The cooler weather was exactly what we were needing.  I’m hoping for lots more of those days - wonderful, wonderful memories were made.

See ya’ later!!

Kasen had so much fun creating this card for her Papa - we’ll be hand delivering it later today.   Sooo, even if Papa sees these pictures before we get there, the outside of the card will definitely be a surprise.

See ya’ later!!

I have a story to tell about this picture, of course! LOL  But I’ll be back later to share.

Look at that face!  She was SO excited to have a little friend.

See ya’ later!!

Just a little bit of fun before Holden hit the hay.  He was playing earlier on the slide, actually in the buff , but he wasn’t sliding too well like that! LOL  Kasen wanted to stay outside and play, so Brad took over outside duty.  I then headed inside to give Holden a bath and get him ready for “Nigh Nigh” as he says.  Well, as I was gathering all of his stuff, he saw Brad outside and had a fit.  He was grabbing the doorknob, standing on his tip-toes, saying “Oww-side!  Owww-siide!  Owwww-siiide!”  Listening to that cute voice and watching him work so hard to get outside, I, of course, took him out for one last little playtime.  And that’s the reason he’s in his jammies.  A few slides did the trick and he was ready to head for bed.  LOVE the look on our little man’s face in these pics.  Love, love them!

The kiss-off from Kasen. LOL

Kasen helping Holden take off.

See ya’ later!!

Kasen just returned from a camping trip with Brad’s parents, her Mae Mae and Papa.  She’s one very lucky little girl to have such great grandparents.  They are making such wonderful memories with her, ones that will definitely last a lifetime.

Me, well, I couldn’t have been happier to see her run into my arms this afternoon.  I really missed her.  Holden and I even played in her room a lot while she was gone so we could have some pretend “Kasen time.”  Holden has started calling for her now.  In the past, he’s called her “KayKay,” “ShaySay,” and now his latest is “Kayyyyyy-Seeeeeeee.” LOL  I could tell that Holden was a little off his game while she was gone, but he hung in there.  Kasen waited patiently for Holden to wake up from his nap after she arrived home.  She discovered him first on the monitor, saying “He’s sitting up.  He’s sitting up.  Can I PLEASE go see him now?”  It’s very sweet how much she loves him, and it’s definitely a mutual admiration society . . . . . well, most of the time! LOL  He seemed pretty excited to see her enter his room and they even read a few books in his crib together and played a bit before getting on with the afternoon.  They had fun chasing each other and playing with trains, balls, and a pretend vacuum cleaner (Holden’s fave).  We only had one infraction which landed Kasen in time-out.  My favorite line ever - “You can’t be mean to me.  I’m FIVE now!” LOL  Well, being mean to her little brother was what landed her in time out.  Holden did his usual - going to her while she was on time out, pointing his finger at her and yelling “No, No, No, No, No.” LOL  Then he would squat down so he could see her eye to eye.  It actually turned out great because it made her laugh, and it happened 10 seconds before her time-out was over.  Everything ran smoothly after that, thank goodness.  Just testing her limits I’m sure - has to see where she stands . . . guess she found out.

We had a little play time in the backyard late in the afternoon, it was a little cooler then.  They really did great.  Kasen is such a good helper when Holden starts getting into things he shouldn’t.  It’s a good thing too, because he’s super fast now.  A lot of the times, she can get to him before I can and steer him in the right direction, which is wonderful.  Actually, she can be quite the Mother Hen.  I gave him a cheese cracker this afternoon and she promptly took it from him, telling me, “That cracker has cheese in it.  Do you know that cheese has milk in it?  Holden CANNOT have milk.” LOL  She’s right about the milk, but he’s doing quite well with the crackers . . . . as long as he doesn’t have too many.  Funny girl, she is one smart cookie.  Okay, back to playing in the backyard. They both had some swing time, they played in the fort, and Holden ran around touching stuff and saying “Hot! Hot!”  LOL  He’s not a fan of the hot.  We were outside the other day and he touched one of our patio tables and yes, it was super hot.  He pulled his hand back so fast, put it on his chest, and looked at me with the most serious (and shocked) face and said, “Hot. Hot. Hot. Hot.”

Here’s Kasen playing on the swing, obviously upside down.  Look at that sweet face.  Oh, how I’ve missed it.  The cuddles all afternoon and the numerous times she said, “I love you” and “I missed you soooo much” just warmed my heart.  I was holding her quite a bit today, and when I had to get up, she said, “Nooooo, I wasn’t done loving on you yet.”  Awwwww, another Mommy melting moment.  What a sweetheart. <3

See ya’ later!!

We had a little downpour this evening, which was greatly needed.  I walked on to the front porch to see if it cooled down this crazy Texas heat, when I was suddenly joined by my little sidekick.  We started holding our hands out to feel the rain and slowly, but surely, Kasen inched further and further on to the front walk.  Before I knew it, she was already on the sidewalk.  Soooo, I did what I always do, I grabbed the camera.   It was so cute to see her twirl, run and jump in the rain.  By the time she was finished, she was soaked, but smiling from ear to ear.  Precious.

Love her toes in this next one ~

And this is when she heard the thunder. LOL  She booked it right to the front door.

See ya ‘later!!

We heard a lot of “I can do that by myself now.  I’m a big girl.  I’m FIVE you know!”  Kasen had her annual doctor’s appointment today, and she was only too proud to wear her shirt with the big number five on the chest.  Just in case people weren’t aware that she was five, she had the shirt as a conversation starter to let them know . . . . and she did . . . . several times.  LOL  I can’t even tell you how many people know all about her birthday party too, in great detail.  She’s hilarious.

As I watched her get weighed and get her height checked, I got a little melancholy.  I remember her first time at the doctor’s office, Brad and I unbuttoning her tiny, pink, cotton outfit so she could get weighed, while she screamed her little lungs out.  How did she get so big so fast?!  Whew, it really does fly by.  All those moments swirled in my head, just wondering where the last five years went.  She did everything the doctor asked her to do, no prompting from me, no holding her down, no crocodile tears while the doctor looked in her ears and mouth.  How far she’s come.  She was quite concerned about the shot though and kept telling me that she didn’t want one.  However; when the time came, she got the shot, got her finger pricked and there were no tears.  She was SO proud of herself.  Beaming and giggling, she said, “I got a shot and didn’t even cry.  I whined a lot, but I didn’t cry.” LOL  That’s our girl.

Oh yeah, she weighed 39 pounds, she’s in the 45th percentile.  She measured 41 3/4″  high - again, in the 45th percentile - just about perfect!

See ya’ later!!

Wow, what a GREAT day!!  Kasen woke up early and whispered in my ear, “Mommy, wake up.  It’s my birthday!” <3  She was so excited.  Brad and I hurriedly got out the video camera and led her to her first present, a makeup musical vanity table.  She loved it!  Holden gave her a play makeup kit that she adores.  Yes, he picked it out himself. LOL  I held up two and he picked.  She has been asking for a makeup table where she can put ALL of her makeup on, so it was definitely a hit.

We had a fun day of watching movies and having a picnic in bed while Holden napped.  At 5:00 p.m. we headed over to Brad’s parents house for Kasen’s family birthday party.  Heather had the table set beautifully for a princess.  We had a wonderful meal and fabulous cake - what more could anyone ask for?!  Oh yeah, and Kasen opened her presents before dinner.  You know, she hasn’t even been five for 24 hours . . . . we can’t expect her to have the patience of a saint just yet.  She loved all of her gifts and I’m always so proud of her for being so incredibly grateful.  She gave many, many hugs and many thank yous throughout the day - sweet.

I do have pictures, but I’ve lost my card reader, and right now I’m trying to hook up my camera to the computer, but it’s just not working.  Sooooo, pics to come later.

Happy Birthday to our adorable, exuberant, wonderful, charming princess.  You make everyday joyful and we can’t imagine life without you.  We can hardly imagine it before you.  You have brought more happiness and love into our lives and we are the ones who are truly grateful.  You are and will always be our light after the storm, our rainbow baby, our sweetheart. We love you to the moon and back.

Happy 5th Birthday Kasen!!!!!!!!!

Kasen - isn’t it adorable?

I took her in about a month ago and she had five inches cut off.  She really wanted it shorter, but I wasn’t sure she actually did.  Anyway, I told her if she still wanted it cut short that we would go back.  Welllllll . . . . she REALLY wanted it shorter, so we went back and got four more inches cut off.  I told her it was so cute and that I loved it.  She responded by  cupping her hand under her hair, all the while bobbing it up and down, batted those beautiful blue eyes up at me, and said in her best teenager voice, “You really should have listened to me the first time.” LOL  What a girl.