Lunar Golf

We babysat for some friends over the weekend while their oldest danced in the Bobcat Belles dance recital.  Instead of just hanging out at the house, we decided to take them to play Lunar Golf.  They all had a blast!

What is Lunar Golf, you ask?  It is indoor miniature golf under black lights!  The kids were super impressed that everything was glowing, especially all the white on their clothes.

Here is Austyn with flash:

And here she is without!

Here's Ramsey.  He is three.  He and Austyn kept running straight to the end and dropping their balls right beside the hole.  They would get so excited when they "made it." 

Here are a few videos from the night:

 

 

Aren't her reactions the best?!

Here is Ramsey:

They really had a blast, and we can't wait to go back!

Here are the little ones on their "date."  They suddenly got quiet so I turned to see what they were up to.  They found a bench and sat there sharing a Sprite.  How sweet?!

I don't have any pictures of the big ones because I couldn't keep up with them.  And these are shotty because they were taken in the dark with a cell phone.  Next time we go, I'll have to remember to bring my camera. 

Hope y'all enjoyed our play date as much as we did!

PS--Remember, if you are seeing this post via email, you have to go to the actual blog to see the videos!  :)

A Little of This and a Lot of That!

I just realized that my last real post was Thanksgiving!  Sheesh, that's crazy!  Well, this post is going to be more photos with captions than it is a story because there is just so much to share!


Here is Austy-Bear one night at bath time...I think she forgot something??

We have tried to get Mia to take a pacifier since the day she was born.  We have never had luck.  Well, she finally took one.....That's not quite what I had in mind, baby girl!  ;)

Austyn got a Big Wheel for Christmas, and she was so proud to be able to help Daddy put it together!

 

 

 

 

Finishing touches.... 

 

....and she's off!

 

This is how Gannon poses for pictures, now.  Nice!

So Austyn has a little crush on our friend's little boy, Charlie.  We were getting ready for church one morning, and everything revolved around Charlie. 

"I bet Charlie likes my dress."
"Do you think Charlie will think I am pretty?"

"Mommy, can you help me brush my teeth?  I don't want to accidentally spill toothpaste on me because Charlie might think I am silly."

 



 

 

My little priss!

 

Yes, baby, those boots look fabulous on your naked butt!

 

A just couldn't hang anymore after a long day playing with the Bonners!

 

 

 

 A few weeks ago, Bryan and Gannon had a boys weekend at the camp, so we had a girls weekend right here at home.  We met Austyn's friend's, Hallie and Brinley, from ballet at Kid Station.  It is such a fun little place.  They played for five hours!

 

Mia couldn't play with the big girls, but she still had fun!

After Kid Station, we got some gourmet popcorn!  She was so proud :)

Every kitchen has that drawer that babies love and they are actually allowed to play in. Ours is the Tupperware drawer.  Mia loves to dig in it and take everything out, then throw everything back in.  Austyn has caught on to the fact that this is allowed, so she is now joining in.  They love to play "kitchen" while I am cooking!  My sweet girls :)

This one, I just love!

Austyn's day celebrated 100 Days of School recently.  In the spirit of 100, the children were asked to dress as though they were 100 years old.  Well, here is Austyn in her nightgown, house coat, granny glasses, and rollers!

 

And here she is one day post-rollers.  Or, actually, "pearlers" as A calls them!  She just loves her pearls ;)

 



She's with the band!  We love us some In Liquid!

Okay, for this one, I win the worst-mommy-in-the-world award!  Gannon's class had a cookie decorating party for Valentine's Day.  Each child was asked to bring an item for the party.  We were responsible for plain sugar cookies (no icing).  I couldn't find any, so we made some, and we used heart shaped cookie cutters for good measure.  Each child was also asked to bring Valentine's for the class.  Bryan printed these cards at work, and I found para trooping ninjas at our local party store.  They were perfect!  We also bought some iced sugar cookies for the teachers to share.  I knew all the treats wouldn't survive the bus ride to school in Gannon's backpack, so I had Bryan drop everything off before the party.

Here's where things turn sour.

I forgot to mention that each child was also asked to decorate a shoe box (or something like that) to collect all their treats at the party.  I. completely. forgot!  Poor G was probably the only one in the class without one.  When it dawned on me that I forgot, I was actually sick to my stomach. 

But wait...it gets better! 

I put the the things that Bryan was supposed to bring to school on the stove in a pile.  Guess what?  The bag Valentine's stayed on the bar!  So not only did he not have a box to collect Valentine's, he didn't have any to hand out, either!  :( :( :( :(  Bad, bad Mommy!!!

He wasn't upset though, he laughed at me.  I sure do love that kid!!!  We sent his Valentine's to school the next day to give to all his friends.

 

 

The Valentine's on the right were Austyn's.  If you can't read them, they read:

 

"I'm BURSTING with happiness that you're my friend!"

You may have noticed that a munchkin seems to be missing from our munchkin trio.  Gannon has decided that the camera is no longer his friend, and he runs when he sees it!  Like father, like son!  I will try to get more of him for the next post :)

40 Days

40 Days

Is that how long it's been since I posted?  It sure feels like it!  My poor blog has been neglected lately, and I hate that.  It seems like when things get crazy, this is the first thing that goes.  I really need to get better about that so all our memories stay fresh!

I really don't know how long it has been since my last post, but that is not really what the title is about.  It is really about the 40 days of the Lenten season.  Every year, as Catholics, we are asked to give up something as a sacrifice, or to embrace something new that will make us better people.  I have seen people do this, and thought, "No way!  I could never do that!"  But this is the year I take the plunge.  I have decided to give up Facebook for Lent.  Forty days, that's all...forty days.  I promise, though, that I will try to update photos and stories here more often! 

This year, the whole family will be participating in Lent.  Well, almost.  Mia is still off the hook!  Bryan has decided to give up soda, Gannon wants to try his hand at candy, and Austyn is giving up her favorite, "little wienies" or Vienna sausage. 

Wish us luck!

Oh, and since I hate to have a post without photos, here are two of my favorites from the month:

As most of you know, Eric and Maegen are ENGAGED!!!  We just adore them together, and I am so excited to finally get the sister I have always wanted.  They are so great together, and Maegen is the perfect addition to the Duffy family.  Such a great match!

Well, when we got to Lake Charles, Maegen had a little surprise for me:

Bryan and I will get to stand beside them when they promise to be each other's forever.  I am so honored and proud!

We went home for Mardi Gras, so you know we couldn't leave without a King Cake (or two!)!!  Happy Mardi Gras, yall!

 

 

Hosuton...We Have Take-Off

Happy ten months to my most beautiful blue-eyed girl! You are just getting too, too big, my bug!

Here are your stats:

 

You are getting so big, so fast!  It seems you accomplish something new everyday!  Your two biggest accomplishments this month are:

 

 

Peek-a-Boo!

 

 

 

and....

 

WALKING!

 



 

This one is a few days later....she has really gotten the hang of it quickly!

 

 

Day care is still going really well!  They just love you to pieces (and I can't say I blame them ;))!  They call you their little Mi-Mi.  Funny, even before they did, I caught myself calling you that at home.  I'm trying not to, though, because we already have a Mimi!  It just fits you, though!

 

You and Austyn have started to enjoy bath time together.  When you hear the tub running, you race to the bathroom whether it's your turn or not!

 

 

 

You have tried some new foods this month like blueberries, dry cereals (Cheerios, Kix), cucumbers, and yogurt.  You love them all!  Especially the blueberries!  You still just have the four teeth (front two top, front two bottom), but number five is sooo close!

 

Mia and her cucumbers :)

 

 

 

This video is from last month, but I forgot to post it so I'll add it here.

 



Go, Mia, Go!!

 

 

 

Sorry this post is so sloppy, but Blogger isn't cooperating with me right now, and I neede to post this while it's still fresh :)  Love yall!

Nine Whole Months

Nine whole months.  We have now had the joy of knowing you for as long as we anticipated meeting you.

 

 

 

Yes, baby girl, it's food!  You love food!  We aren't really all that surprised ;)  In all honesty, you don't eat much.  You mostly just play with it and it all ends up in your chair or on the floor.  But you are enjoying all the new flavors and textures.

 

Because you can't comfort nurse at day care, we have had to put more solid foods in your diet.  You love to eat boiled eggs, cheerios, and bananas at school.

 

Also new this month:  Crackers!

 

Now that winter is in full swing, we have been keeping the fireplace lit.  You are completely fascinated!  You have to be right there with Daddy as he lights or tends it, and you are drawn to the crackles, pops, and lights it gives off.

Your little personality is hilarious.  You already love to make people laugh.  Silly girl :)

Day care is finally getting to see the Mia that we know!  You have adjusted beautifully.  Your teachers say you only cry when you are hungry...which we knew all along ;)

We thought day care would have brought out a schedule in you, but not so much.  You are not a schedule having kind of gal :)

I know for a while we thought you looked like Austyn, but I think you are looking more and more like Gannon!

And, again, I swear by this amber anklet!!  Your two bottom teeth came in a couple of months ago, and they gave us fits.  Your amber hasn't come off your ankle since.  A coulple weeks ago I decided to check the progress of your top teeth, as I figured teething round two was about to begin.  Low and behold...THEY HAD ALREADY COME IN!!  You cut two teeth without anyone even knowing!  Thank you baltic amber teething anklet!