Balloon Festival

Alanna's dance teacher asked some of her students if they would like to perform in the local hot air balloon festival. We thought it would be fun since usually their only chance to perform is at their annual recital. Alanna spent a month going to extra practices with her group and their performance on Saturday was really good!

Alanna's Birthday Girl's Day

Instead of a birthday party, Alanna requested a girl's day.

She got her nails done.


She picked Taco Cabana for lunch.


We also shopped, she picked out jewelery and a new dress. It was so great to spend the time with her! Happy 8th birthday to my one and only daughter!

This is what happens. . .

when an inexperienced sewer tries to make her daughter a SKIRT.



Oh well. I added the ruffles to some capris she already had and I think it made a cute outfit anyway.

Alanna's Dance Recital

Alanna's 3rd dance recital was this past Saturday. She LOVES dancing on stage and wearing the fancy costume. I think she also loves the attention that she gets too. Her class did a really cute tap number. I was able to take pictures during the rehearsal, she comes walking out on stage barefooted which was a little annoying since I knew I wanted to take pictures. I guess her bows on her shoes were too tight and were hurting her feet. Luckily we got that figured out before the big performance that evening.

1st Grade Field Trip

I went with Alanna on her field trip to a zoo in a small town nearby. It was not as big as the Dallas or Fort Worth zoo, but I loved how close we could get to the giraffes, and they did a private show just for the students where they were able to pet some animals.

I do not have very many pictures with my kids.


Alanna with her friend, so cute.


Check out their tongues! I love giraffes so this was so neat.


Logan and Alanna were able to pet this hedgehog and a big lizard.

Happy Birthday Alanna!

We went to Rainforest Cafe for her birthday last night (and for mine too). It was good and a really neat place. Alanna got a TV/DVD player for her room from us and lots of toys from family. Great day.

Alanna's 2nd Dance Recital

Alanna's dance recital was yesterday. She did an awesome job and her dance was so cute. They did a ballet dance to one of my favorite songs from the Sound Of Music. Her kindergarten teacher came to watch her and brought her flowers. I thought that was incredible. Alanna was so excited to see her there. My whole family came also and we took her to Texas Roadhouse afterwards. The poor girl was so tired that I don't know if she even enjoyed her dinner.

Kindergarten Project

I remember Kaleb doing this earth buddy project last year and I thought it was so cute. Alanna is proud of it and waters it daily, I think her "hair" is longer than Kaleb's was last year.

Alanna's 6 year old pictures

My mom and I took Alanna to the mall to get her 6 year old pictures made and for lunch. She had just spent the weekend at grandma's so she was a tired little grouch. But luckily during her pictures she was in a really silly mood so I lucked out and got some good ones. Plus I bribed her with candy and grandma bribed her with ice cream. That always helps.

Happy Birthday Alanna!!

Alanna is 6 today. She had a Barbie party at Chuck E Cheese with a few friends from school and church. I attempted to make one of those Barbie doll dress cakes for her and Alanna loved it. I think it turned out cute for a first try. Little girls are so easy to buy for that she got way too much stuff. I think she had a great day, and she loved reminding her brothers whose birthday it was.

already??

I can't believe she is old enough for this already.



The tooth fairy is going to go broke at this house.

Pumpkin Patch Field Trip

Logan and I went with Alanna on her Kindergarten field trip to the pumpkin patch. It was the perfect weather and they had a blast. They went on a hayride, fed the animals, chose a pumpkin (Logan thought he needed 2), and ate a picnic. I am so glad I went with her. I have a new respect for Kindergarten teachers.

Ladybug Room

My friend Melanie helped me finish Alanna's room last Friday. I bought these vinyl polkadots from my friend Emily (she sells tons of cute stuff with vinyl lettering). They stick to the wall and it was easier than painting. I decided to do the wall by Alanna's bed all red and black dots and I am happy with how it turned out. Red is my favorite color and I love ladybugs so I was glad I had one girl that I could do this in her room!! I hope she loves it for many years because I don't want to change it!!

Dance Pictures

Since this will be Alanna's first dance recital in a couple of weeks, I took her to Picture People for portraits in her costume. I love how they turned out. I always spend way too much $$ at this place.

almost ER visit

I never understood why people with kids would be constantly visiting the ER. My kids are rarely sick and we have had no broken bones, no stitches, no major traumas. My kids must be either really careful or really dull HAHA. I am definitely not complaining, and I may be sorry I am writing this since with 4 busy kids I think we are fighting the odds, I should be knocking on wood too (I am). I mean really- they play sports, we have a trampoline and playground in the backyard, they have bikes and scooters. I can't believe we aren't there every week! Where am I going with this? Well, the other day all of this was going through my mind, and then Alanna came and told me something out of the blue.
"Mom, I stuck something in my ear."
I thought she was kidding. Why would you do that? Later my mom reminded me that I stuck something up my nose once, maybe all smart kids do this HAHA. Then I checked her ear. Sure enough, she had stuck one of those tiny plastic balls, (I think they go in toy guns?), we find them outside all the time. I tried tweezers, my mom told me to try swishing it out with hydrogen peroxide, it was shoved to far down and would not budge. I call the doctor. Of course, she tells me this at 4:45 and the doctor tells me that since it is so late I will need to go to the ER. Well, the receptionist told me that, I am still waiting for the DR to call and tell me what to do, nice. That was Wednesday afternoon! I call Kim and he tells me to not go until he gets home (not a problem, I did not want to take all the kids there anyway). He comes home from work and pops it out in 5 seconds with some tiny tweezers he has that I would be too scared to try. I am worried and he takes care of it that fast!We love our dad, he saved us a 4 hour (or more) trip to the ER!

High School Musical On Ice

On Saturday my mom took Alanna, my sister Kayla, and I to High School Musical on Ice for her birthday. Last year we saw Disney Princesses on Ice. They were both really good. The first act was High School Musical 1 and the second act was High School Musical 2. Both Alanna and I really like the movies and the ice show was great because they danced and skated plus they played all the songs.

The girls:


We were pretty close:


Alanna with her "Troy" poster that she was holding up at the end:

Alanna's Party

We took Alanna to Chuck E Cheese for a small family party with grandma and grandpa. We had not been there for a while, they had some new games that were not there last time. Alanna especially loved this horse race game where you can ride the horse and pretend you are in a real race on a track. Grandma played the "Deal or No Deal" game most of the night (HAHA mom). Alanna loved her castle cake that I had the brilliant idea of making and my friend Melanie pretty much did all the work (sorry, Melanie, but it did turn out really cute!!). Alanna came away with way too many gifts (what can I say, girl toys are more fun to buy!), and a great night full of pizza and fun. And her brothers are so glad she picked this place since they got to have a great time too. Happy 5th birthday, Alanna!

Happy Birthday Alanna!!

Alanna is 5 today! We almost shared the same birthday (it would have been fun to share the same birthday, but I think it is better that she has her "own" day). She chose to have her family party on Saturday at Chuck E Cheese. She is really looking forward to it. I gave her one of her presents this morning (she gets the rest on Saturday) and she has been playing with it nonstop. She is really into Barbies and this one is a Sleeping Beauty Barbie. Sometimes I think kids get too many presents in one day on holidays, and if it was spread out moms would get many days of peace. HAHA
We are so blessed to have Alanna in our family. She says the funniest things and gives a nice "girly" touch with all those brothers. I have fun with her and she is so sweet. I can't believe she is already 5 and will be heading to school next fall. Time flies.

Preschool

Some friends and I are taking turns doing a little preschool 2 days a week at our homes. I volunteered to do the first week (What was I thinking?? No, actually it turned out fine). Alanna loved it, she loved packing a lunch the night before with the boys, and I really think she enjoyed the school work too. She needs some structured time during the week and a chance to play with friends. She will be in kindergarten next year so this will help prepare her for that.

Ballet Round 2

For those of you that know Alanna, this expression on her face reflects her true personality- cute, but mischevious and strong-willed. She asks if she can go to ballet every day.