Maeley's 6

Playing dress up

It's hard to believe we have a 6 year old. Time sure does seem to be flying. Maeley has really matured this last year partly because of school. Thursday Derek and I went to parent teacher conference. Maeley is doing exceptionally well and is beyond kindergarten level in many areas. Her favorite day of the week is Monday. She loves school because she "loves to learn" as she as told us many many times. She is setting such a great example to Chase and Zoe. She uses every spare second to count, add, or try to sound out words when we're in the car. She still thinks she can boss her brother and sister around. She still loves to sing and makes up songs often. She loves when I read her chapter books. She loves when I do her hair curly. She always lays out her clothes for school the night before and remembers when things need to be signed and returned to school. She can be a huge help to me.

We love you Maeley and are so proud of everything you are doing.

Zoe turned 3

Last week Zoe turned 3 years old. Its hard to believe my sweet little baby isn't a baby. She's just as sweet but a "big kid now" as she says. We were very lucky to have never gone through the "terrible two's" with her.  Zoe is such a delight. Her personality keeps you laughing and guessing what she'll do and say next. She is still strangely obsessed with polka dots, preferably purple ones. She loves playing with dolls. She thinks she can do everything her big sister and brother can do. We enjoy conversations with her because she talks so much. She will often come up to you and tell you how much she loves you and give you plenty of hugs and kisses. She has done extremely well at potty training and even wakes up dry in the morning. Chase and Zoe have become better friends since Maeley has gone to school. However she still adores her big sister. When she's in a grumpy mood its normally pretty easy to get her to smile again. And lucky for me she still likes to snuggle.



We love you so much Zoe.

Ready for the bus stop

Chase and Zoe insist on bringing a toy sometimes multiple to the bus stop each morning and afternoon. Today Zoe wanted to bring her My Little Ponies with her. So she packed them up into her backpack and added her blanket too. She looked like she was ready for school.

The backpack looks so big on her.

They are growing up so fast.

Here's Chase being crazy.

For the record this kid hates to wear pants and jackets.

He's being a good boy today.

Potty trained

When it came down to getting Zoe interested in potty training there just hasn't been that much excitement on her end. She's never been afraid of going on the potty but not that interested in giving up diapers. I really think when it came down to it she just didn't want to be bothered by it. Which reminded me so much of Maeley. Just last week I asked Zoe why she liked diapers. Her reply was, "They keep me warm." Not only is that response hilarious but gross too.

Sticker placement is all her doing

Wednesday of last week after reading this blog  Derek and I decided it was time to potty train Zoe. We told her Saturday was going to be her pee pee party and that meant she was no longer going to wear diapers. That got her excited and Maeley and Chase too. When Saturday came around she was ready and knew what that day meant. I gave her plenty of drinks and snacks to get her more thirsty again so she'd have plenty of opportunities to use the potty. At first I had my doubts and wasn't sure she'd get it afterall this wasn't our first attempt.  By about noon it started to click. Saturday she ended up having 3 accidents but  many successful tries too. By Sunday morning she knew that by going in her panties it was yucky and gross and didn't want that. Today she's doing fantastic. It wasn't the nightmare I thought it was going to be. She was good and ready.  We are so proud of her.

Company and the Balloon Fiesta

Last weekend my sisters family came to visit. Unfortunately for them it happened to be by far the coldest weekend thus far this season. But that didn't stop us from having a wonderful weekend together.

Friday Laurel and I baked these cute witches broom cupcakes. They didn't turn out as good as we had hoped  because we were having issues with the frosting. Oh well the kids didn't care. Zach (Laurel's boyfriend) ended up helping Derek get the shelves installed in our entertainment area. Its looking awesome. Can't wait to finish it up and post pictures. And of course the kids had a great time playing together.

Saturday we went to the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. We left the house about 5:30 and it was 34 degrees. When the sun started to rise around 7, I about gasped when I saw all the snow on the mountain.

Don't they look cold.

Maeley and Jake

This meant it was starting. It began about an hour late. But at least they were able to fly. The previous 3 days they never got up because of rain and wind.

 

This was Maeley's favorite last year. Joey and Lilly (who have a baby seen in the previous picture.)

Left: Maeley's favorite this year

Right: Zoe's favorite, the haunted house

I'm pretty sure the only reason Zoe liked the Haunted House was because it's purple.

Chase loved Spider Pig. We call him Spidy Pig.

Zoe with Jacob.

She can't pronounce his name correctly, it sounds like she's saying "wake up".

Zach, Laurel, Jake, Devan, Chase, Maeley and Zoe

Sadly the weekend came to an end and they left Sunday morning. It was a great weekend (even if it was cold). I love how Jake and Devan treat our kids. They give them so much attention and love. No wonder our kids are already missing them.

First horse rides

Yesterday afternoon our realtor Jane, had us over to ride her horses. We all had such a wonderful time. I was amazed how natural Maeley seemed to be on the horse, Derek too actually. Maeley told us later it was a dream come true for her.

When we got there the kids feed the horses some watermelon rinds. I think each of them were a little timid to do so.

Maeley was the happiest kid getting up on the horse for the first time.

First lap around the corral.

I love how Chase decided to get in the shot. Silly Chase.

Chase looking pretty excited to get up on the horse too.

3 very happy kids.

Jane's niece and her friend are riding with Zoe. 

The horse Maeley and Chase were riding is named Glory.

The other horse is named Borego.

Chase got a short ride by himself, that is before Maeley wanted back on.

Derek said when Zoe was riding with him she would say, "Go Borego!"

When you've lived in the desert your whole life you truly appreciate the beauty of greenery.

Forgotten summer pictures

While uploading some pictures recently I found some others that I had completely forgotten about.

For Chase's birthday last year he got this Buzz Lightyear rocket blaster from his cousin. It was fun to pull it out this summer and get some use out of it again. The kids became pros at launching the rocket pretty high up.

While our garage was set up as a paint shop when we were painting our kitchen the kids enjoyed washing all their bikes.

I love how Zoe put her rat in her Minnie car. It reminded me of Ralph, the Motorcycle Mouse books.

Chase (before his haircut) and spot

Zoe with her doll Paige.

The best chocolate chip cookie recipe!

I love cookies. They are my weakness. I could do without any other desert but cookies I cannot. I've tried so many plain chocolate chip cookie recipes over the years and this one by far is my favorite. I wish I could remember where I found this recipe. I know I found it about 2-3 years ago, I thought I knew where it came from but sadly I don't.

Mrs. Field's Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients:
1 pound softened butter
2 cups brown sugar
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 T. vanilla
3 eggs
6 cups flour
1 1/2t. salt
1 1/2t. baking soda
1 bag chocolate chips

Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cream together butter, brown sugar,  and sugar. Next add in vanilla and eggs and beat on high for 4 minutes. This will feel like a long time while you wait but it's totally worth it. The mixture will be nice and fluffy.

Mix in salt and baking soda to mixture. Then mix the flour in but mix as little as possible just until the flour is Incorporated. Hand mix in the chocolate chips. Place medium sized balls on an ungreased baking sheet and bake for 9 minutes. The cookies won't look done and will probably have little if any golden color. Take them out anyways. Leave on the baking sheet for at least 2 minutes so they cook a little longer. If you do this correctly, your cookies will be crunchy on the outside and soft in the middle.

The best part about these cookies is they taste even better the second day. I love these cookies and so does the rest of my family.

Hope you enjoy!

School BBQ

Last week at Maeley's school they had a BBQ during lunch and families were invited to come. Unfortunately Derek had a meeting and couldn't make it. The kids were all looking forward to this. Sadly it didn't play out as I had envisioned. Let's just say that Chase, Zoe and I didn't get food because the line was so long that we wouldn't have had any time with Maeley. Then Maeley decided to run around the playground chasing boys instead of playing with her siblings. That made Chase really sad. He wanted her to play with him.  Then when we were getting ready to leave she began crying. I was so shocked especially after she ignored us. I did manage to get a few pictures though.

This was Maeley's first school lunch. She was pretty excited. Zoe on the other hand was a grouch.

cute Chase

Maeley chasing a boy.

Maeley chasing another boy.

She is still loving school. On the weekends school is all she can talk about. Monday's I think are her favorite day of the week.