Birthday Week

Birthday eve chocolate mess

 When, I say birthday week, I mean birthday w-e-e-k!  Mary Ella's actual birthday was Wednesday, August 7th, but it started with her party the Sunday before.  My mom stayed with us all week, so we could stretch out the fun.  ME is going to be square dancing Labor Day weekend, so we've had practice in Prairie Grove about twice a week and Mia got to get in on that action.  Tuesday night after practice we had a girls' night out at Marketplace Grill.  ME loved the chocolate mess!

Talk about some fresh birthday morning hair and eyes ;)

 

Pooped after WW

 On Wednesday, Mia went with us to Branson to White Water.  ME ran around like a wild woman, and slid down the slides about a hundred times.  Rhett had fun too, but he's definitely not as fearless around water as his sister.  He pulled me around all day by the hand and said, "Come on, Mama, come on!"

 On Friday, we drove Mia back down to Hope and stayed the weekend there.  We got to visit with Nanny and Pa and do all the fun thing my kids like to do at their house.  On Saturday we all went to see the move Planes with Cole and Jenn.  I had no idea how Rhett would do, but he loved it!  I had snacks, of course, and he sat on a few laps, but his eyes were glued to the screen.  After the movie, we met Michelle, Steven, and Brady for supper.  It was a great visit!


Boy loves airplanes

Do you ever wonder if you're spoiling your kids?  I do!  It's something I enjoy doing, but at the same time I don't want to do.  I want to give them as much of my time and attention and love, and yes, material things, that I can afford while they're with me.  I'm especially big on making special days special, like birthdays.  I mean, you know I like to plan a good party.  But sometimes I wonder if I try too hard, or if they'll turn out to be bratty if we give them too much, because raising children that are grateful and thankful and appreciative is high up on my list of parental priorities, especially in today's world.  I feel like I am often saying, "You don't always get a treat.  You can't have everything you want.  You'll have to wait and ask Santa for that toy."  Actually, I was saying to ME, "Maybe you can ask for that for your birthday."  And I've had to immediately switch that phrase to, "You'll have to remember to ask Santa."  It's not like we give them everything they want, and maybe she's just being a kid.  But I hope I'm not feeding the monster with Princess Sofia parties and such.  ANYWAY, that was just a little glimpse into my mind of worries... I said all that to say this... Sunday evening, ME was blessing the food at supper, and she said, "Thank you God for my Sofia birthday.  It was so much fun!"  Yep, spoiled or not, it was all worth it! ;)