Finally- It's Dance Time!

Philipians 4:13

Yesterday afternoon we celebrated Carson's 4th and Elli's 3rd birthday- look how excited they are to be the center of attention! Sydney had a great time at the party, which was a Brian Kinder concert at the Summit Church. Of course I told her we were going to Elli's birthday party, but when we pulled up to the church Sydney said "I no go church! I go Elli's party!?!?" But she soon figured it out and had a great time. Several times all the other kids were sitting and listening and Sydney was up dancing and jumping around.

Terri and Brian Kinder- a popular local children's group

Ashley, Emma and Elli Eaton with Abby Nagal

Please notice the one child that is up and jumping/dancing

Whew. Other than the birthday party, I also worked at Rhea Lanas until past midnight 4 nights this week. In addition to being a mom and wife and working my regular Speech Pathologist job, I have worked over 60 hours as a manager at Rhea Lana's, which is a huge consignment sale in Central Arkansas. I sincerely do love helping people find great things for their families, help them sell things they no longer need, and getting to do lots of shopping for my own. That said, I am ready for a break from working 2 full time jobs!!! This morning at church I was supposed to work in the 2 year old class, so I told Sydney all morning I was going to be her teacher and then they needed a 3 year old teacher instead. Needless to say, that wasn't going to work so Sydney got to come in the big girl class today and have worship with the 3-5 year olds. It was really special to get to watch her try and say the monthly memory verse and participate in singing. Of course music is right up her ally, especially because all of the songs have hand motions/dancing. I snapped this of our group and Sydney singing "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength". Whew. I know one teacher who needed that reminder more than the kids did this morning.

Thank God for long weekends!

Thank God for long weekends! Saturday was a really busy day for our little family. I worked Rhea Lana for 12 crazy hours, Brent tailgated and cheered the Hogs on to victory, and Sydney spent the day with the Walkers and Aunt Erin. We were all exhausted that night, but couldn't wait to get out of bed on Sunday morning to head to the lake! My parents bought a new place and we loved getting to spend 2 days without work, school, or a to-do list!

Sydney-rella has been well trained. The moment she gets on the boat, she finds the spray and sponge and starts cleaning up any stray spider webs :).

Trying to get up the nerve to jump!

On Saturday while the Walkers had Sydney they made a trip to see Brent's grandmother/Sydney's great grandmother Nanny. I sent my camera and made Sandy promise to get some pics. This is all I got but I will take it!!!

LOVIN' this weather

We met the Eatons at the park after school today to enjoy this amazing weather. Hoping for no rain this weekend too!

Weekend Fun

Happy Birthday sweet Vivian and Bauer!!!
We helped celebrate at the Museum of Discovery and as I watched their sweet family blow out the candles I couldn't help but think about her "boo boo" she got this summer, what an amazing recovery she has had, and that every new year with a child is a blessing from God.

Sunday afternoon we got in some pool time with our birthday twin, Jackson. Both of the kids love the water and hopefully won't lose their love over the long fall and winter. Sydney got a big girl haircut on Thursday- almost an inch off in the back. Funny, Melissa's mom complimented me on her hair cut and said "Wow! It looks just like yours! Who cut it?" to which I replied "My hair dresser" :)

Viva Las Vegas!!!

Brent and I snuck away for a long weekend to Las Vegas! This is on our way to dinner in front of the "Trevi Fountain" at Caesars and below is my first view of the lights :)

Brent and I got to Vegas around lunch time on Thursday, and spent the day shopping, eating and seeing the shops at Caesars Forum. Wow- the most amazing and upscale shopping I have ever seen. The Levins finally made it just in time for dinner reservations and we ate the first night as the most fabulous Italian restaurant I have ever dreamed of. YUM.

Friday we ate breakfast at Caesars at this little French bistro and I had the most fabulous Nutello crepe with bananas that I have ever dreamed of YUM. Then we spent the morning at the pool, ate at the most fabulous Chinese restaurant I have ever dreamed of. YUM. (This train of thought will continue ;) ) and then shopped a little. We had dinner up in the Stratosphere (modeled after the Seattle one). As we settled in for steaks (YUM) the sun set behind the mountains and we watched the lights come up in Vegas. I highly recommend it!

Look at that view for dinner!!!! You may be too distracted by the view of my huge hair, as I was unaware of how huge it actually was. That is what you get when you travel with a hairdresser.

We took a taxi back to the middle of the strip and after we played a little blackjack, Corbin and I settled into a balcony of the Paris overlooking the street and the fountains at the Bellagio.

So, I have seen the final scene of Oceans 11 and I knew there were fountains in front of the Bellagio. I was completely unaware of how amazing and beautiful and awe-inspiring they are!!! The fact that they were set to music (like Celine Dion, Faith Hill, Phantom of the Opera, God Bless America, etc.) doesn't hurt the sentimental value either. Our final night in Vegas we enjoyed sunset and dinner at the Bellagio and were blessed to sit right outside overlooking the fountain and "The Eiffel Tower" at the Paris Casino. Of all the highlights- this was my favorite moment!!! Romantic, relaxing, breathtaking and fun!

So I officially have the "Vegas Bug" and I already want to go back. It was so many of my favorite things rolled into one: beautiful buildings, amazing food, great friends, making a little money at the blackjack table ;), and did I mention the world's best shopping?!?!?!? Just in case you are wondering, Sydney stayed with my mom and step dad and was such a wonderful angel. It didn't hurt that she was the PRINCESS of the universe the entire time. Thank you Mom and Joe!!! We had such a relaxing and wonderful get away!

Full of wonder at the Wonder Place...

Sydney and John Austin got to explore at the Wonder Place. I wish that was my idea and business. Parents and kids need a cool (focus on the temperature) and safe place to play and explore and there is so much there to explore and play with. Sydney got brave and went down the slide on her tummy. Except that she griped on with her hands and keds so tightly that she literally inched down. What a brave girl ;)!

"I spank you bottom Cinderella!"

Last Sunday morning, Sydney woke up early and seemed to be a little cranky, but I pressed on towards the day (because what are my options? I would have LOVED 15 more minutes of sleep at 6:00 am though!). We ate breakfast and took a bath and got dressed for church when Keri called. We had been trying to get the kids together all weekend and so agreed the Walkers would go to the 11:00 church service and they could come over and play around 9:00 for an hour. Now, I try and be transparent on this blog, so if you are offended by spanking then please stop reading and catch me the next post. Normally, Sydney is a really good "sharer" and we have had numerous play dates here with no problems. But for some reason, she was OUT of control that morning! She cried and whined and snatched away toys at everything Caroline and Carlee did! Yikes! Needless to say, she sat in time out 5 times and got 3 spankings with the spanking spoon!!! A new record!!! And yet, after dramatic tears and an apology, she would come back in the playroom and start over again! Literally, I was at my whits end but tried to be consistent and kept at it. I left the spanking spoon on the dining room table after our last "issue" and in a few minutes Sydney came into the playroom with it. She calmly walked over to the dress up box, pulled out Cinderella's dress, and proceeded to spank her bottom with the spoon while saying "I spank you bottom Cinderella- timeout!". Yikes. She then stomped over to our timeout rug and left her there. I tried to not die laughing but also was thinking "Oh great! Everyone will think they need to call Scan when my child models what her Mommy does at home!" :)

PS. I am NOT making excuses for her behavior, but I do want you to know that her top two year molar broke through that afternoon and she is back to her sweet (with a lot of sassy on the side) self.

Catching up August!

Water Park fun! Sydney and I have been several times this summer but Brent finally came with us yesterday. Could there be anything more fun than water slides on a hot August day???

Erin's Surprise 30th Birthday Party!!! Surprise!!!

And I got a copy of the pictures from us White Water Rafting taken by the Outfitter we went with. I zoomed in and the faces crack me up! I want to go again soon! Brent is the front right paddler and I am sitting to his left. My dad is on the front left with Doris to his right.