1st Day of Preschool

Today was Owen's first day of Pre-K.  He technically qualifies for regular kindergarten this year, but I felt like he needed an extra year, especially because kindergarten is from 8 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.  In my book, that is WAY too long for kindergarten.  He didn't qualify for the Transitional kindergarten class put on by the district (which is more like how kindergarten used to be), so we opted for the best little at home preschool run by a few ladies from church.  The teachers are as sweet as can be and even set up a little photo op for today.

I am happy to report that there were ZERO tears shed today.  He only had a "tickling feeling" in his tummy.  My boy is really growing up and I'm so proud of him.  Lexie, however, cried when Owen didn't come back into the car with us.  I think it was harder on her than it was on him.

We couldn't leave Lexie out.

Happy Birthday To OWEN

 

Owen is now 5!!  In the morning he opened his presents and we went to the donut shop.

 

Then we surprised him with a trip to Chuck E Cheese.

 

Here he made a bouncy ball with his new gross science kit.



 

Uncle Michael joined us for a special birthday dinner.

 

 

 

The following Saturday, Owen had a BOY dinosaur party!  There are about a million girls in Owen's class at church, so given the size of the living room, we opted to just invite the boys. (Although there were a few exceptions for little sisters and cousins). It was a lot of fun!

 

 The volcano cake - I told Rick what I wanted, and he made it happen.  :-)

 

McKennan and Owen- These two are becoming good buddies.

 

 

 Lynnlee and Lexie

 

 

Finding eggs on the dino egg hunt

 

Checking out their loot

 

 

Happy Birthday, Owen!!  Mom and Dad love you so much!!  You are so much fun to be around and you are so kind to others.  You always know how to make your sister smile and you are growing up to be such a smart, sweet boy.  No wonder all the girls want to marry you.  :-)

Owen & Lexie Lately

We have really beautiful landscaping around our home and I wanted to take advantage of it by taking some pictures of Owen and Lexie.  I can't believe how big they are both getting - Owen will be 5 soon and Lexie is 19 months.  Crazy!  Here are LOTS of pictures.  Note the many faces of Owen.  He may be shy in public, but don't let him fool you. He is definitely a ham!

Attempting to touch a butterfly. He is still the bug whisperer.

I'm really not sure why he pulled his shirt up. 

Singing, "If You're Happy and You Know It"

"Then your face will surely show it..."

 

 

The Cheap Way

A few weeks ago, Lexie fell down a few steps outside and got this little beauty.  Poor baby.

 

We were feeling pretty sad about it until I noticed something.  Lexie has a little cyst on the left side of her forehead. Her doctor said it would either go away on its own or she could have it surgically removed when she got older.  You can see it in the picture below.  It's the little shadow above her left eye. It looked like she had a little extra bone there or something. I just figured that as she got older, her hair would probably cover it.

 

Anyway, so after her bruise healed, I notice that her cyst is completely gone!!! She must have fallen right on it!!  This is what she looks like now:

 

So there you have it. The cheap way to get rid of a cyst.

10-4, Charlie

I have a new nephew and he is the cutest thing ever.

On July 7th, my ROCKSTAR- of- a-sister, Julie, delivered Charles Michael Majdali...All 10 lbs. 4 oz. and  22 inches of him. I cannot even imagine. I bow to you, Julie. :)

She delivered him via C-Section and I got to see him briefly before he was brought into recovery with her. I snapped a few pictures while I was there. He's got the cutest little cheeks and big hands that we are calling little puppy paws.

Since she's been home from the hospital, I've been able to snuggle him once or twice and I could just eat him up! He is so cuddly and cute. I'm so excited to have a nephew on the Stephens side and to have another boy cousin for Owen to play with!

His nicknames already include Charlie Bucket (from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory) and 10-4 Charlie, referencing radio talk and his birth weight.  Welcome to the world, Charlie!!

My Baby

is growing up!! Her first tooth is starting to pop through and I can feel the one next to it just under the surface.  And so it begins.

Mother's Day

I feel so blessed to be the mother of these sweet, sweet babies.

6 Months

Lexie was 6 months old on Monday. The time is just flying by!

She had her first taste of solid food (bananas) and she loved it! She slept much more soundly

 because she had a full tummy. She can sit up with help and is starting to babble a lot. She stillnly takes short cat naps throughout the day, but she is my sleeping in girl which means that I sleep in until 9 or 10 a.m. too. She's a girl after my own heart.  We love our little Lexie girl!

Just for fun, here's a picture of Owen at 6 months.