I admit it - I have a problem .....

I can't control it sometimes. The bug catches me if I wander down the wrong aisle or browse in the wrong section of the store.....it's the "cute pajamas - 'buy me!' BUG"! It's my weakness. When I see comfy, cutesie pj's....I have to get them. There are times when I resist the urge, but I have to practice self control to just not look for them. Yesterday I found two that I thought were adorable....a nightgown, and a spring set with a top and pants. So spring/summer cute, nothing fancy (WalMart), but I bought both! I took some pictures of the girls last night when they were twirling around and playing in their new nightgowns. You see, they love receiving new pj's, which just makes it that much more fun!

Happy Easter!

When will my daughter's natural smile reappear in pictures? Oh, well.....it's still fun to make the memories! Here are a few photos of the girls on Easter morning....

Spring is just around the corner....

The last two days have been beautiful here! Yesterday we planned to picnic at the park next to Bethany's preschool, anticipating 60 degree weather, but it was chilly. We enjoyed ourselves, though. The girls and I went again today, and it was warmer - 64 degrees! It's so fun watching Mallory walk around and climb on things, and laugh as she goes down the slides - with and without our help. She loves to swing. Brad and Bethany played hide-and-go-seek and tag, as usual. We LOVE going to the park!! (Especially since there are no fire ants, and it's nice not to have to shake sand from everywhere when we're finished. We don't miss that, just the friends we used to play with.)

Does this sound familiar?

So, we're reading "The Kissing Hand" by Audrey Penn for our bedtime story tonight, and it went a little something like this:

" 'Mrs. Raccoon smiled. 'Now,' she told Chester, 'whenever you feel lonely and need a little loving from home' -Bethany, stop pulling on your sister!-'just press your hand to your cheek and think, 'Mommy loves you.' -I told you to leave your sister alone! - 'Mommy loves you.' And that very kiss will jump to your face and fill you with toasty warm thoughts.' BETHANY, why did you just pinch your sister??!!! Story time is over!! Lay down and go to sleep!!!"

This book is such a lovely and loving story, but I guess I'm the kind of mom who just couldn't grin and bear it -even to get the story's message across. Surely, I'm not the only one of us 'moms' to have lost patience at a time like this---- right???

MOUNTAINEERS VS. Pitt.....Victory!

Our family had so much fun Monday night because we got to go to the WVU vs. Pitt game at the Coliseum in Morgantown. Brad's dad got 6 tickets from his business partner for Christmas, so he wanted to take us...mainly because they wanted to see the girls' reaction to a basketball game and that atmosphere. The Bennetts are a basketball family, as is mine, so it was a good fit. In fact, my dad and sister, Heather, were also there. We didn't meet up with them, though. You'd understand if you saw how high up our seats were. ( Very steep and exhausting to do with the little ones if you had to do it too many times.) Anyway, Brad and I went to the WVU vs. Pitt football game this year, which ended up causing hearbreak throughout the state when we lost and doomed our almost definite opportunity to go to the national championship game. So, we were looking for a win! And, we got it. It was very fun. Bethany got excited about the slushies, but would pay attention closely to the game and any floor events that took place during halftime or timeouts. She always wanted to know where the "man with the gun" was....the mascot Mountaineer. Mallory clapped right along with all of the other fans. They truly enjoyed the experience.....almost as much as Brad enjoyed sharing it with them. These times with our little ones are so precious! I love to see them get excited about something that I also enjoy.

DANCE FEVER

Yesterday morning, we danced our hearts out to The Little Mermaid & Friends music. Bethany and Mallory had so much fun, and I took picture after picture, hoping for a few good ones. I decided that they don't have to be great because they tell a story about a memorable day that I had with my girls.

Just an update...

We've had snow everyday this week, but not enough to keep us in the house. It's great! It seems like it starts melting as soon as we get time to just go out and play, though. Kindergarten registration was Tuesday, and Bethany scored a 100%, whatever that means. I don't know what they asked of her because I was stuck filling out papers the whole time we were there. She is excited, though, and saw at least four of her preschool friends there, too. So, with only 2 kindergarten classes, I'm sure she'll have at least one friend with her. Last Thursday, Brad and I went to a WVU men's basketball game, where they beat Rutgers. Then, the girls and I went with my family to the WVU women's game on Saturday. They were ranked 11th in the nation until that game, because they ended up losing. It was fun, though, and Bethany and Mallory really seemed to enjoy it. I should have taken pictures of these events, I know. I'm just not in the habit. Hope all of you are doing well. Have a great weekend! (We'll be in Winchester, VA for a basketball tournament that Brad is playing in, and visiting with friends we haven't seen in years.)

This is what happens when I try to capture a moment on camera...

1. Mallory had stepped on Bethany's toes, trying to get away from her.
2. Anytime I get out a camera, Mallory tries to come and grab it.
3. Cute 1st time pigtails, but she doesn't want me to have a memory of it.
(sniff, sniff)

"Um, Mom--- look at Mallory!"

I hear those words a lot these days! "Mom, Mallory got your makeup!" "Mom, Mallory is putting wet paper on my bed!" That one ended up being toilet paper out of the toilet because Bethany left the seat up and forgot to flush. Gross, yeah, I know. Well, I tried to capture the makeup mayhem on camera, but my camera is pretty crappy, so I couldn't get it to show very well. She was basically eating my blush, so it was all around her mouth and chin, on her clothes and shoes, and all over the floor around her. She was enjoying herself, as you can see. That was the same day we experimented with her hair, hence the pig tails and hair clips. It was fun... I learned to keep better track of the makeup, lectured Bethany about her potty responsibilities, and got to play hairdresser to both of my girls for the first time (Bethany wanted hers done the same way).....all in one day!

The talk...

The talk went well. Thanks, Amber, for that tidbit of wise advice from your mom. I actually mentioned it and her during my talk. I felt good about how it all came together, and the other two talks given after mine focused on different aspects of love, so we didn't double up on the same scriptures, etc. That's always a plus. I love when a talk or assignment settles into your heart and mind, and this one has for me. I'm more aware of how I love my family and those around me, and our family home evening last night was about how we're going to help each other use kind, soft, loving words with one another. ( And that when we're upset or frustrated we'll lovingly remind each other to do so.) We'll see how that goes this week.