little b turns TWO

my sweet little guy. two, alread? it doesn't seem possible. you have grown from this beautiful bundle of joy into this handsome little ball of energy. your smile melts my heart and brightens up the whole room. your giggle is contagious. you love to climb, wrestle, rough house, play cars and trucks and trains. you love to jump off everything and run laps through the house. you have become so much more independent. you sleep through the night (YAY!) and are starting to use the potty! you still need your mom . . . but are happy to play for long periods with your sisters. you have all of us wrapped around your finger! the girls know to get you to ask for things they want . . . you cock your head to the side and say so sweetly, "please?". it is almost impossible to resist. you are talking so much and take in everything! you love thomas and toy story, spidey and batman! you are 100% boy! i cannot imagine life without you my sweet guy! happy second birthday!

although we celebrated . . . big time! . . . on the weekend we made b's actual birthday special too! he woke up in a great mood! and had donuts for breakfast! :) then he decided to tear into the two presents i had wrapped for him . . . he was thrilled with the gifts, but we had wanted to wait! :) he got thomas bedding for his new train bed and a cool dino from toy story! he was one happy guy! we spent the day playing at the quarry and then came home to eat dinner outside and celebrated a little more with some cake! what a perfect ending to a perfect day . . .

a surprise birthday!

sweet kam talked about wanting a "surprise" birthday for months . . . well, it just so happened that we were going to be away on her birthday, so, a surprise it was! :) she woke up to a room filled with balloons . . . and had the most beautiful smile! :) she was thrilled! :) morning presents . . . the usual book and outfit (this time with a coordinating outfit for her baby!) a yummy donut breakfast (her pick!) and then the rest of the goodies . . . including her fav - a rapunzel bike that she has been asking for for months! she was one happy girl as she took laps around the house! :) in the evening it was a birthday dinner at our new favorite river spot . . . for a wonderful picnic and some swimming! and a yummy princess cake to top off the day! :) so hard to believe our baby girl is about to be FOUR!

mck's special day with a friend

mck got her special birthday day with her friend g. they had a sleepover and watched barbie and chatted and giggle until pretty late! :) they woke up super early and played american girl dolls for a LONG time! :) it is so nice that they get along so well! :) then it was off to bulid-a-bear for the real fun! :) we ate lunch at chick-fil-a, rode the merry-go-round, and stuffed new friends! :) mck made a cute flowered bunny . . . named daisy! they had a great time making their animals . . . but maybe had more fun riding the escalator! :) (i think my kids may need to get out more . . . it was cute how much fun they had!) :)
(both girls have said what perfect birthdays they have had! the best part is we did the least amount this year . . . simple family parties, out to dinner, and a special day with a friend! it is great that it doesn't take much to make them happy!)

mck turns SIX

mck awoke to a room filled with purple balloons and streamers! :) (she was still a little sleepy as she unwrapped the first of her gifts . . . coordinating outfits for her and her new doll and of course several books! then we headed downstairs where, just like ken, she only got to see her wrapped gifts! :) she did get to check out her new bike and take it for a spin around the house. it is SOOOOO her . . .purple, pink, and girly! :)

we had donuts and balloons and sang happy birthday . . .then it was off to school! :) kam, b.c. and i brought her lunch from mcd's . . . of course! :) and tinkerbell and rapunzel cupcakes for her class! :) she was beaming! :)

in the evening we opened presents, went to dinner. . . cici's! . . .complete with dessert! :) then it was time to play with her new goodies until bedtime! :) what a great day! :)

my sweet eight year old!

my sweet, sweet girl! how are you already eight years old. i am not sure where the time is going. i can remember when i first met you. so teeny tiny, so beautiful, so amazing! you have made us smile from the moment we saw you! you have grown into such a cool kid! you are so mature. so wonderful with your siblings. you are so smart and so talented. you love school. you love books! you stay up late reading almost every night . . . unless you are too tired. you love to be outside and aren't afraid to get dirty . . . but you also love to dress up and be girly! you love to write and make up songs and stories and poems! you love to dance and turn your music up way too loud! you are such a big helper! you are strong and independent, but still love hugs! :) we are so lucky to know you our sweet oldest one! :) what a great example you are for your sisters and brother. i am so proud of you! happy birthday ken! we love you so much!

ken turns EIGHT!

the birthday girl woke up to a room filled with balloons and streamers! she was a happy kid! :) ken opened her first present . . . the usual! a birthday outfit and a book! :) she loved the outfit . . . and i messed up on the book. she had already read it. oops! :) then it was downstairs . . . where she got to see all of her gifts wrapped up . . . but only got one! HER BIKE! :) she fell in love with this bike when she first saw it and talked about it for weeks . . . so it was really cool to surprise her with it! she took a few laps around inside the house! :) we sang happy birthday and she got her favorite breakfast . . . kolaches and donuts . . . thanks to an early morning donut run by daddy! :) sadly, it was a school day, but the second she got home ken was riding her bike! :) she looked pretty cute on it too! :) when daddy got home we did presents. she got a new sleeping bag (because she hated the slipperiness of all the ones we had!), an orbeez lamp, some clothes, and a craft kit! then it was off to mama fu's for dinner (yay! she didn't choose mc d's!)! :) when i tucked ken in at night she told me this had been "the best birthday ever!". wow.

ken's birthday fun with a friend!

ken is turning eight. (so hard to believe!) this year we opted for having a birthday treat with a friend for each of the kiddos . . . it was such a hit last year! :) ken asked to have her bestest friend g over to spend the night! the girls had a great time just being silly! they watched a movie and stayed up late . . . and included the little girls in all the fun! :) in the morning they had donuts and did crafts and then it was off to build-a-bear! ken picked a cool rocker bear that she can plug her mp3 into! :) way cool! the girls picked outfits for their bears and got them all registered! then we hit the food court for some lunch and dessert! :) ken couldn't wait to get home to show off her newest build-a-bear! :) the countdown is on to the big birthday day! :)

another birthday celebration for b.c.!

we had a great weekend in houston . . . mostly hanging out in the pool . . . that's the most relaxation we've had in a long time . . . although how relaxing can it be watching four kiddos in the pool? :) we had so much fun swimming, playing with water guns, laying on floats, watching the girls jump off the rock, getting ice cream from the ice cream man (a first for the bailey girls!), and of course celebrating b.c.'s birthday with the family! :)


the cake was ADORABLE . . . aunt sarah did a great job ordering something super special for b.c.! and they even sent along a little #1 cake just for him! :) he enjoyed almost the whole thing . . . then went for a much needed bath! :)

oh my goodness. so hard to believe he is really one. have i mentioned how much i am in love with this little guy? he is seriously soooooo much boy and drives me soooooo crazy most days! he is such a mommy's boy . . . but i cannot imagine it any other way! i love his smile, his giggle, his crazy dance moves, and the way he manages to escape when i look away for two seconds . . . (okay, dont' really love that part, but i am learning to deal with it!) :) he takes the most adorable pictures because he is a giant ham! :) here are some of the cute pics daddy took this weekend . . . he's got to be the cutest little guy ever! :)

i'm ONE today!

my sweet little guy! where did the year go? you are soooo big now! so hard to believe we met you only a year ago . . . we can't imagine life without you! you keep us crazy busy and always on our toes! you are into everything . . . our own little explorer! you are making it so clear what you want . . . and get frustrated when we can't tell right away! you are walking/running everywhere and climbing up the stairs anytime we aren't watching! you love to play . . . and get into your sisters' toys! you are only taking one nap a day . . . and just started sleeping through the night all the time . . . (let's keep that up!)

you love to eat . . . and love all kinds of food! most meals you feed to yourself . . . and don't want any help! you are soooo attached to me - almost too attached - and freak out if i walk away and you can't catch up fast enough! you have an amazing smile! your whole face lights up . . . it melts my heart. you have a wicked laugh! we will tickle you just to listen to your laugh! you love your cowey sooooo much! it is your favorite thing! you lay in bed waiting for me to hand him to you! :)

you hate to get in your car seat . . . but the girls will distract you and make you smile and then you relax and let me buckle you! you love to be outside . . . you walk around like you know exactly what you're doing! you love to ride in your car and have just started getting rides on the little four wheeler! (yes, the pink one!) you are an amazing little guy!

you have three sisters and a mommy and daddy who love you sooooo much! try not to grow so fast this next year! happy first birthday little b.c.!

b.c. july 20, 2009

6 pounds 11 ounces

b.c. today

your well-check stats . . .

birthday trip 2010

what a wonderful weekend the girls had! it was packed full of fun . . . before we even left g'town! :)

we took the girls to the salon to get their fingers and toes painted! they were in heaven. they were all so still and so quiet . . . and of course everyone thought they were so cute and well behaved! what a fun (but rare!!!) treat! :) we had lunch at chick-fil-a and then hit the road! :)

next stop . . . the animal safari! the kids loved it! i think we arrived a little late in the day for all of the animals to be hungry . . . but there were still a few with appetites! one emu in particular really got a little too anxious for the food that ken had . . . see the picture at the bottom? :) poor kid! :) the girls loved the petting zoo . . . complete with brand new baby goats and an enormous pig! we checked out some cool peacocks too! then it was time to hit the hotel!

after checking in and getting settled we walked the river walk and headed to the rain forest cafe for a yummy dinner and lots of entertainment. the kids were in awe of everything. we sat right next to the elephant so they thought that was awesome too! we topped dinner off with a huge volcano dessert! poor little b.c. was so worn out by the time we got back to the hotel that he fell asleep in the stroller . . . a rare occurrence!

on saturday we hit six flags as they opened at 10 and went strong all day long. the kids rode all the rides . . . and some of them more than once. it was overcast and never got hotter than 80! how perfect! the girls had so much fun and were able to ride many of the rides together by themselves! it was a treat to watch them! we left the park around 5:30 with 4 tired kids!

sunday was a low key day . . . i woke up to lots of wonderful homemade presents from the kids and a few nice gifts and cards! we had a nice breakfast, visited the hotel animals one last time and then we toured the alamo, walked along the river, and just took it easy! bailey splurged and took us all on a carriage ride before we headed out of the city! what a great trip!

5th birthday celebrations!

well, we are about partied out! mck had a great past few days . . . from build-a-bear and an early birthday dinner and cake to todays' whirlwind donut breakfast (complete with candle and song!), cupcakes at school (complete with purple icing and glittery sprinkles), cookies at ballet class (nothing special, but super yummy!), mc d's for dinner (yummmy!), and ice cream cake for dessert . . . we have partied hard over here! mck had a wonderful day! lots of b-day wishes from friends and family, a fun ballet class, and a few small presents at home (i have to say to was funny to watch the girls zhu zhu pets run all over the floor!)! can't believe mck's five. if i think about it too long i'll start to cry.

i'm five today!

my sweet little kenzie! you are so wonderful! you are so beautiful and funny, so talented and smart. you can light up a room! you love to dress up, play babies, and dance. you have a contagious laugh and a huge smile! you are sooooo not a morning person! you love school and have a great time playing with friends! you are an amazing big sister and a cool little sister too! you are so loving and sweet . . . and still want to cuddle. you love to hang out on the floor and look at books! you love tinkerbell and fairies and princesses! you are all girl! and i love it! happy birthday sweet mckenzie. i love you so much!

sweet baby mckenzie

april 13, 2005 * 6 pounds 15 ounces

our princess mckenzie today! a beautiful, healthy 5 year old!

a room fit for a princess!

after arriving home from build-a-bear, mck got her big birthday present . . . a room of her own (she was sharing with kam!). she chose the color months ago . . . but didn't know what it would look like! she was in love from the second she saw it. she really felt like a princess . . . from the canopy to the ballet bar, the room is really "her"! it was so fun to work so hard on finishing the room and see her be so genuinely excited! happy birthday sweet girl! :)

a birthday trip to build-a-bear

mck and little miss c headed to build-a-bear to celebrate mck's b-day a couple days early! mck has been counting down to her b-day treat for days! :) she couldn't wait! she was a great sport when they were out of the bear she had her heart set on and chose a super cute girly bear! :) the girls had so much fun stuffing, washing, and then dressing their new friends. we traveled up and down the escalators and elevators several times, got some snacks, and checked out the candy machines. the girls were so happy! :) now we're counting down to the big b-day trip! :)

ken's "special" birthday!

so this birthday was kennedy's "special birthday" because she was turning seven and it's on the 7th! (this was her idea!) she kept saying over and over "this is my special birthday and i am having the specialist weekend!". very sweet! she had a great time . . . and a very busy weekend! beginning with a sleepover and two other birthday parties to go to and then our family celebration today . . . the kids are worn out! kennedy probably hugged me ten times today and told me thank you! that makes everything worth it!

she awoke to a room full of streamers and balloons and her morning gift . . . her birthday tee, birthday outfit, and a book (the usual birthday starter!) the kids went with bailey to get donuts and her day was made when they gave her a free sprinkle donut because it was her birthday! (they gave b.c. a bag of donut holes because he was cute!) :)
the kids played, we opened presents slowly . . . they played some more! we had a yummy (and rather quiet) dinner (b.c. slept almost the whole time!). and had a super yummy ice cream cake from shakes topped with sparkler candles to end the day! :) a perfect start to her seventh year! :)

i'm seven today!

my sweet baby girl! seven years old! so hard to believe! you are such an amazing kid! you are soooo smart! you do so well in school and, i am proud to say, becoming quite the little bookworm! :) you amaze me everyday with the things that you do! you are so beautiful and so talented! you love to be outside . . . playing and building and creating. you are an amazing big sister to your sisters and such a big help with your brother! you are responsible and helpful and mature . . . but goofy and silly and funny too! :) you are strong-willed, but so sweet. you love to do crafts and create. you love to use your imagination. you love to dance and dress-up. you love to sing and learn new things!
i cannot imagine life without you! you are such a bright light in our family! happy birthday my sweet girl! :) have a wonderful day!

march 7, 2003
our sweet first-born baby girl . . . 7 pound, 3 ounces!


march 7, 2010 . . . a happy, healthy, beautiful first grader!

kam turn's two!

so hard to believe my baby is two! kam had a great birthday! grammy and sarah drove up to help us celebrate! we started with a splashtime in the pool . . . kam spends more time filling up the buckets and dumping the water out of the pool than anything else! :) too cute. when she isn't dumping water out, she watches everything that ken and mck do and tries to get in on the fun! :)

after a short nap, we woke kam up to a decorated kitchen, balloons, and presents! i jokingly told her we were just going to look at the presents . . . that brought on the pouty face an lots of tears! we had to take a fruit snack break to cheer her up! :)

she had fun watching ken and mck open most of her gifts . . . she could have taken an hour, the girls flew through everything in a matter of minutes! she is in love with her new ballet gear (thanks aunt sarah!), her american girl baby to match ken and mck (thanks grammy!), new sprinkler and bath crayons (thanks to tim, missy, and baby sophia!), and the cherry blossom market too! :)

we headed to chick-fil-a (kam's birthday choice!) for a yummy dinner (who doesn't love chick-fil-a?) and some playtime! it was easy to convince the girls to leave and head home with the promise of cake! :) kam couldn't decide between princess and dora . . . so we had a dora cake and princess plates! she was pretty happy! she had the whole birthday routine down . . . the girls have b-day celebrations for each other on a regular basis when they're playing! . . . she blew her candles out without any help and ate most of the frosting off of her cake! :)

we celebrated again on sunday with a doughnut breakfast and lots of playtime (because we really have not had enough with the girls lately!) and a cookout for dinner! kam devoured her corn-on-the-cob!

so sad to think two years have already passed. she really isn't a baby anymore. :( she talks like a big kid, acts like a big kid, and sleeps in a big kid bed. where did my baby go?