My Baby is 15!!!

Even though she promised me since the day she was born to stay my baby, Ashlee continues to grow up. Sniff! I have decided though, that I'm not going to hold it against her, just as long as she promises to stop!  LOL!

So, Ashlee turned 15 and as she continues to remind me, will be learning to drive on a permits license very soon. I'm not sure how I feel about this yet. I keep focusing on the positives to find comfort...

First positive... There will be no more "Taxi Cab Momma!" Selfish? Maybe... but from the time I get off of work until the time I go to sleep, I am picking up and dropping off kids for all of their extra curricular fun. It will be nice to have a little help.

Second positive... Thank goodness Ashlee is responsible! She has always been conservative and careful in all that she says and does. She will follow the rules of the road and will be on the lookout for those who do not!

And third positive... The Ford Explorer is easy to drive and huge! This truck is tough and could probably survive a nuclear attack. For obvious reasons this is the biggest comfort and blessing. ;-)

To celebrate her birthday, Ashlee wanted to take a few friends down to the Kemah Boardwalk to spend the day. The weather was beautiful and I scored a really good coupon for all day passes to ride the rides.

While the girls had fun, Monica and I took James and Sydney to ride a couple rides and then to the playground where we had some fun of our own. Such a nice and relaxing place to be!

Ashlee's favorite food this time of year is boiled crawfish. She can put a few pounds away single handily! So we stopped into the Flying Dutchman for dinner and she gave it all she had. YUM!!!

Ashlee is becoming a beautiful young lady. She loves to play her trumpet in the school band. Marching season is her favorite time of year! She is friendly, funny and smart. She has a great group of friends and a family that admire and adore her. She loves the Lord and is active in her youth group and dance team. I am such a proud Momma!!! May the Lord bless you and keep you in this new year! Happy birthday Sweet Ash!

Happy 5th Birthday James!

Every kids' dream is to have a birthday party at Chuck E. Cheese, right? Well... 

James' wish came true as over 20 of his friends and family came to celebrate for his 5th birthday. The Higgins', Powell's, church family, and friends made it really special for the birthday boy!  We started off with games and fun.

Cousins and Grandma Higgins

James' precious friend, London

Then it was time for pizza and cake. This year, once again, James wanted a batman cake but this one couldn't hold a candle to the one my girlfriend, Melissa, made for him last year. But it still tasted good and hit the spot. Make a wish!!!

Then it was time for the one and only...CHUCK E CHEESE to come out to sing and dance with the kids!  Every kids' dream, right?!  Well...

"James! Chuck E. Cheese is here! James, where are you?"

Uh, under the table...hiding! Lol! James wasn't sure about the 7 foot furry rat and decided to take the cautious route. After a few minutes of coaxing, he decided it would be alright to come out and gave Chuck a great big hug.

Next, James had the opportunity to get inside the ticket booth. The object of this game was to grab as many tickets as possible in 1 minute. You can stuff them inside your pockets, shirt, hands, wherever!  Then you can trade your tickets in at the toy store for prizes. Every kids' dream, right?!  Well...

Once the air began and the tickets started to fly, James was NOT impressed. He just stood there in tears...too scared to move. When he got out the employees felt so bad for him that they gave him the prize golden ticket worth 1,000 tickets!!!  Needless to say, that put a smile back on this birthday boy's face.

 

Then it was back to fun, family, and friends. Every kids' dream!!!

James, Stone, and Case

James, Case, and Garrett

James and Ben

Birthday Sleepover Fun!

This past April, we celebrated Sydney's 11th birthday. She wanted to invite some of her friends from school over for a sleepover. Sydney has a sweet tooth that craves chocolate and peanut butter...so I found a simple but delicious recipe that the girls could hang out and make. We played games, watched movies, cooked, and giggled well into the night.

What goes good with Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls? Well, chocolate cake of course! Needless to say, we were on a serious sugar high that lasted into the wee hours of the night.

Long time friend of Sydney's is her bestie, Anna. Such a sweet pair of girls!

Sydney has become close friends to the Hart twins this year as they gave her a ride home from school every day. As you can see below these twins have so much personality and just are fun friends to be with! Such a blessing their family has been to us! 

Happy Birthday Sydney!!!