Middle child syndrome

Poor Blakey- he gets jipped from time to time. Thankfully he has Aunt Kristin who is very aware of the middle child position and she advocates for him and reminds me not to forget. So, seeing as his 4th birthday was over a month ago, I am finally writing a post about what 4 year old Blake is up to.

Blake is into all things super hero, costumes, making secret hide outs, Ninja Turtles, and making epic messes 10 times a day.


He still loves football, golf and soccer. He insists on wearing his football jerseys- even to school sometimes. He is always up for a good time.


He was very excited at his soccer party to receive an honest to goodness trophy. He will play t-ball next.


Blake is still joined at the hip with his bestest buddy, Luke. They have the best time together and are quite the duo at school.


To celebrate the boys' 4th birthday, we did a tailgate party again. It was a lot of fun and the boys had a great time.


Blake adores Emily and hunter- he is truly the sweetest little guy. Of all of our kids, he's the one that will come up to you out of the blue to tell you he loves you. Melts your heart!


Words to describe Blake- spunky, funny, sweet, loving, goofy, stubborn, headstrong, generous, cuddly, independent, tender hearted, spirited, all boy!


Typical silliness


We have been so proud of how he has taken private golf lessons with Hunter and his friends. Blake has done incredibly and really has a talent for golf. See him bringing up the rear? Too cute!


Blake with his uncle Blake. My prayer for both of my boys is that they grow up to be men of integrity like their daddy, their grandfathers and their uncles. We have lots of amazing and strong role models for our boys. Uncle B is getting ready for his own little boy to join this family and we cannot wait for our first cousin on the Stouffer side.


This sweet boy has us wrapped around his finger! He's truly the kid everyone wants to take home with them. Blake, we love you more than words can express. It's so fun watching you grow and learn and become a little boy. God has great things in store for you and we are privileged to have front row seats! We love you!
-mommy and daddy


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Seven so soon

Dear Hunter,
How did 7 sneak up on me like this? Wasn't it just yesterday we bundled you up and your daddy and I made our first car ride home on a cold December evening? I remember it all so clearly- maybe because the moment you arrived, my life changed in an instant. I was no longer the first person I thought of...you were. And to this day, you, Blake and Emily have both mine and your daddy's hearts.



I dreamed my whole life of being a mom. Truly, I imagined, daydreamed and tried to picture my life with a little baby of my own. Never could have have dreamed or imagined the gift that you would be. And then, to have your brother and sister to follow- my cup overflows.



Tucking you in on this 7th birthday eve tonight, I told you stories of your babyhood. You giggled and laughed at the funny things and then squirmed and got silly when I got a little too sappy for you. That's ok sweet boy- I just want you to know that the moment I saw your face, I felt like I had known you my whole life.


Your precious smile with new big kid teeth is so boyish and happy. I love the way you crinkle your nose and laugh at things that tickle you. Silliness abounds in a 6 year olds life and I love it. You have a sprinkling of freckles across your nose and cheeks that give you that classic little boy look. And tousling your hair in my fingers is a daily thing. You seem to have grown by leaps and bounds lately. I layed down next to you tonight to tuck you in and felt like your feet reached way too close to mine. I hope you still love and adore me when those feet pass mine and you are looking down at your mama. I hope it's not embarrassing to you when I do our secret "I love you" sign. I hope you never stop wanting me to be there for you- like getting to come bring you a special lunch or read with you at school. The way you're so excited and rush up to come hug me when you see me absolutely melts this mommy's heart. Your enthusiasm and innocence are one in a million. I want to wrap you up and keep you in this most sweet of stages but I know that God has great things ahead for you.


You still mispronounce words- its so endearing. You say...
Molt control car for remote controlled car
Movie pewter for movie theatre
Chrey for try (just with a ch)
Thinger for finger



There's more but I can't think. I just love them all.



Being 6 has been a good year- you have done Lego camp, karate, golf, basketball, soccer, baseball- both machine pitch and tball, gone to Seaside, gone skiing for the first time, had lots of fun times with friends, learned so much as a kindergartner and now as a first grader. You still love to draw and create, write and are a great student. You have really grown into a great soccer player and baseball player. Your daddy and I are so proud of how you are so kindhearted and sweet


.

You can be a terror to your own brother and get into lots of little skirmishes at home but otherwise you are a dream.

We celebrated at Art Works with 15 little friends last night and will continue to celebrate on your real day.



Hard to believe 7 years ago I was totally oblivious as to how soon you would arrive. I thought I had my day planned out- my last day without a baby. Little did I know that at 6:40 pm on december 15, a little 7 lb 7 oz baby boy would steal my heart and make it his. I wouldn't rewrite a single moment, only slow down the speed. It's been a joy sweet Hunter. I am blessed beyond belief to have been given the gift of being your mom. Even after 7 years I am amazed that the Lord would be so gracious to me to send you to be our son. Thank you for making
me a mom. It's been the greatest!
Dad and love you with all of our hearts!
Mom





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Sesame street live

E and I had a mommy-daughter date with our friends Hayley and Lyles and Stacy and Savannah. We took the girls downtown to Sesame Street Live. They all had a blast and were such a good audience.

All dressed up and ready to go...


Happy girl!


Enjoying her popcorn


We had awesome seats- up close and along the aisle so we were close to the characters.


I think she likes it!


Smiling pretty!


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Thanksgiving Week

We have enjoyed every minute of this week off.

We kicked it off early with Blake and Luke's 4th birthday. We did the tailgate party again and had a great time!


That weekend, Blake played in his last soccer game of the season. We went to the Alamo Heights Parade that evening and then to The Purple Garlic for dinner.

Sunday, we went to church and started pulling out Christmas decorations.

Monday....We went to the Witte- pics on my good camera. We took Christmas card pictures too.

Tuesday....We got a head start on decorating. Emily played on my tree skirt with her babies.


Wednesday- we went and saw Wreck it Ralph, scoped out the toys at Learning Express and played at Sha Sha and Babs all afternoon with Aunt Kristin. That night we went to Longhorn Cafe for burgers (or the restaurant with the little house according to Blake).


Here is my veggie tray for Thanksgiving. Its a turkey!
I also made the mashed potatoes. This was day two of strep throat for me.


Ending the night in a big tshirt and heading out to roast s'mores.


Friday- we left for Waco. E and I shopped with Mimi and we all went to El Con for dinner. That night, E was diagnosed with and ear infection and Dr. B looked in my throat to confirm what I already figured.

Saturday- with several of the Joneses sick, we left to come
Home after breakfast. We were able to rest and run a few errands. Chris had strep throat by this time.

Sunday- with so many of us sick and on antibiotics, we didnt go to church. We finished the Christmas tree and the outside lights.






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Unforgettable

Dear Emily,
One typical Friday night, we were home together while the boys went to Redbox for a movie. As I cleaned up the kitchen, I was completely unaware of artistic measures being executed mere feet away from me. Oh the pride you had in a job well done. Many have asked what my first reaction was....and it was sheer shock. I believe God was gracious to me at that moment and gave me perspective and humor over the entire episode. So, I immediately grabbed my camera and began taking pictures.

You are so thorough. You don't miss a detail. Your lips were so perfectly colored, each toenail filled in and even the bottoms of your feet marked. Proud you were!

Luckily- it was washable and not on any other surface. However, you did not learn your lesson. Why, you ask? Well, I found
You this morning scribbling with a ball point pen on my bed skirt. Sweet girl- stick to paper.

Love you most!
Mommy








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This is the latest....



You may be confused. Chris and I did not go to TCU, but there is a clear love for the purple and white at this house by our boys. Where did this originate? Well, 3 very cute Fort Worth cousins have convinced our boys that TCU is the best- so, we have some very dedicated fans around here. Blake has been wishing for a uniform for months, so I found the TCU one and let him break into it early. Thanks Mimi and Bapa- he couldn't resist! Now Hunter is thoroughly disappointed that he doesn't have one too, so looks like we will have 2 uniforms around here soon. Go Frogs!

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New family member

Thank you Woodridge carnival...you just keep on giving. Last year, we won our first fish. He soon after expired, but had to be replaced with a newer and fancier version- a Beta. I think we are now on our 2nd Beta but the kids argue it's not. The point is, you then buy the whole fish bowl, rocks, decorative pieces, food.....The fish is living a great life. Oh, and guess who takes care of it? Uh huh. Me.

So this year, we came home with Shelly the Hermit Crab. And we have since doled out more mou-lah to make his home hospitable. Here he is soaking in a little salt water. I had no idea they were this high maintenance!



So, currently at our home, we have:
2 dogs
1 cat
2 frogs
1 fish
1 hermit crab

Yippee skippy!

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Playing catch up...

2 worn out boys from a fun weekend away....


Ready to cheer on big brother at the baseball park


First machine pitch game- fall 2012


Tutu wearing spectator


We got "flocked"


Potty training diva on day 2


Cheering on the Horned Frogs


Celebrating a special birthday


Cute boys!


Looking good in purple!


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iPhone treasures....

Jamaica 10 year trip....
Leaving Atlanta for Montego Bay. Yeah mon!



Peacocks roamed the grounds of the resort. The hotel bar was called The Wobbly Peacock. :-)


Gorgeous view of the ocean from the lobby.


Me ready to head down to the beautiful beach, my daily piña coladas, some Jamaican music and read a book!





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