Another Year Older

Today is officially Brinleys 3rd birthday; wow does that age me to have a 3 year old. I can’t believe just how fast time has flown.

Happy Birthday my…
Tutu Wearing
Ballerina Dancing
Tinkerbell Befriending
Candy Snacking
McDonald Eating
Pink Coloring
Book Reading
Trampoline Jumping
Aladdin Watching
Cupcake Baking
Hair Twirling

Owen Loving
Block Building
Picnic Taking
Dress Adoring
Make-up Doing
Smiling, Laughing, Giggly, Happy Girl
I love you my Southern BEL!

Tinkerbell and the Ducks

Imaginary friends have become somewhat of an interest to me lately since we have an infestation of them living in our home!!! Fish, ducks, and the occasional octopus swimming in the bath with mom, here is a snippet of one of the conversations Brin and I have had.

“Mom don’t wash your hair they don’t like it,” Brin says

“Who doesn’t like it?” I reply

“Papaw White and Grandma Orange, the ducks,” she responds with a little frustration that I would be so insensitive to the ducks needs

Needless to say I have a showering by myself rule now “No “imaginary” Friends allowed”

Tinkerbell is the old stand by, and may I add she is a little mischievous, whining for snacks, demanding to ride in a car seat, and crawling in Owens crib to wake him up when Brin and I are cooking downstairs. I have on many occasions over heard Brinley tell her that she is “being naughty.” Worried about why Tinkerbell is acting out I have done a little research on the subject to see if I needed to treat this situation differently.

So this is some of what I found …
“Children may talk to their imaginary friends, draw with them, or even read books to them. And plenty of parents have had to set an extra place at the dinner table for the "friend." So are children's imaginary playmates cause for concern? In most cases, the answer is No. Imaginary friends are a pretty normal part of growing up, especially during the toddler years. They can help kids figure out the difference between right and wrong.”

There are a few supper cute stories of how much Brin loves her buddy, like the time it took her 3 trips up the stairs to clean up her shoes just so that she could keep one of her hands available to hold Tinkerbells, and how careful she is with her when they cross the street or drive in the car to make sure she is safe.

I also found some dos and don’t of dealing with Tinkerbell, so I will try. One more child to watch, and a rowdy one to boot.

Lensch Lowdown

I have some catch up to do thing like Valentines day, Basketball, and a new ADDITION to the family…

Valentines

Justin and I had a Valentine’s to remember, we dropped the kids off to his parents around 10:00 and went on a jog, followed by a day of shopping, a movie, and dinner ALL BY OURSELVES. This is the first day we have spent alone in maybe years and it was fabulous. I was super hesitant at first I was even contemplating calling the whole thing off, but as the day went I really started to enjoy the time with my hubby. Thanks for a great day!!

Basketball

Basketball is officially over a bittersweet moment. I am so stoked to not drive to Mesa so often, but I will miss so many things about coaching. I think if I knew that I would do it again I would be fine but I wonder if that will be a chance for me again, with the kids and schedules. I could not have asked for a better group of girls to be with Brin calls them “MOMMY’S GIRLS” and I suppose I started to think of them that way. I felt protective and concerned with not only there play but with life in general. (The mom came out in me.)
I loved Coaching and am so grateful for the opportunity. We ended with a 9-4 record, #1 in our division way to go girls!!!




We have an addition to the family...

Yes it is true; Brinley has an imaginary friend “Tinkerbell.” She is a cute little thing (I’ve been told) she has brown hair usually in piggy tails and always wearing a dress. She showed up the beginning of the week while Justin was pushing Brin on the swing set, and has only left her side to go home to eat. That’s a whole other story, Tinkerbell always wants to eat at the house so I told Brin that she has to go home and eat no setting a place for her at dinner. Brin was a bit disappointed but life has gone on. It’s been a circus around her and now I have to watch out where I sit on the couch or walk in a room because I have sat on her and run into her. Oh children’s imagination what next!!!

"Can Tinkerbell go to church with us?" Wow she is already doing missionary work, you go Brinley.

Owen

Don’t want to leave out our baby boy, he is doing well, sitting up, eating baby food and loving EVERYHING from peas to prunes. He is a happy little guy and for over a month has been sleeping 9-10 hour a night THANK YOU.

Like Sister Like Brother

Brinley 6 months
Owen 6 months

What did you get for your Birthday!!!

Happy Happy Birthday DADDY!!!

Justin is officially 27, and enjoying getting older. One of Justin’s life long dreams is getting old, living in Sun City, playing golf, and driving his very own golf cart. He even has gone so far to have his clothes picked out, argyle socks to his knee and plaid shorts, with a woven hat. (NO JOKE, he can’t wait until he is 70.) We celebrated on Monday (he took a sick dayJ). We went to the mall for some fun goodies, off to Arribas (his favorite Mexican restaurant), followed by and family nap and movie, and for dinner we ate at Johnny Rockets. It was a fabulous day and the kids we so excited to spend so much time with daddy. He even won a bear for Brinley at Arribas (he is now 2 for 3).

What did Justin want for his birthday???? He asked for gift certificates to Home Depot and his family delivered (thanks.) What did he get!!?? A new vacuum and a carpet rake . Yes, that is what he wanted for his birthday so that he could be EVEN MORE TIDY. Don’t get me wrong I am not complaining that my husband loves a clean house and is such a great help around here, but a carpet rake!? “So that the carpet ALWAYS looks like its never been walked on,” he has used it several times since Monday, the stairs look amazing. HA HA!! Thanks Just.

Caught Ya

Brinley is honest to a fault...

Me: "Brin where are you?"

Brinley: Running out of my bathroom "Don't worry mom, I am just sneaking around in your stuff."

Brinley is still in love with her brother, the other day in the car I hear them both giggling in the back seat. I am driving down the freeway thinking to myself just how great it is that they both enjoy each other so much. The giggling gets louder and louder, so I look in my rear view mirror and Brinley says "Owen is upside down," both are still laughing so hard. Terrified I turn to see Owens car seat is totally sideways. Well lets just say that it was fun to try to get him safely back into position while trying to maintain some composure as I drove down the freeway. Oh, and I promise I am not always so neglectful, most of the time car seats are properly attached to the car.

Basketball Update

Justin mentioned to me the other day that Basketball is nearly over; he assumed I would be a little relieved. Just the opposite, I am so distraught to only have a few more weeks with these wonderful girls, (yes I said wonderful to describe these 13/14 year old girls.) I am having the best time with them. I do hear some of the boy drama and a little whining but what do you expect. Owen and Brinley are the hit of the team. They get to travel with us, occasionally go to practice, and Brin loves to sit on the bench during games. It has become quite the family event.( I really should get pictures of it.) I know that I have gained more from these few months than all the girls combine. Just to toot our teams horn a bit we are on a 6 game winning streak, winning by an average of 17 points, up from a total of 2 wins last year.

I am so proud of you girls!!!!