Happy Birthday Grandma McKnight

Today is my Grandma McKnights Birthday!! I always hate that I can't do more than just say Happy Birthday over the phone, so I thought maybe a little Happy Birthday Post would be a little nicer :)

I just wanted her to know how much I love her and respect her. She is truly one of the neatest women I know and I aspire to be like her. She is strong and patient and forgiving. I am so lucky to have the relationship I do with her.

Grandma, I hope you have a wonderful birthday and I love you so much. Thanks for being such a great grandma, and an even better great-grandma to my kids!!

Cambree with Grandma

Ridge

And of course Brecklynn

Brecklynn is 7 months!!

Another day another month and this little one is now 7 months old.

I haven't taken her to the Doctors in a few months but I did weigh her on my scale here. Might not be totally accurate but according to it, she is now 15 1/2 pounds. She's our chunkiest baby so far. I love it. She's got little rolls everywhere. The chunkiest hands, fattest little feet and chubby little cheeks. I could just eat her up.

Of course, I just blogged about her just learning to sit up this month and put her hair in a pebbles hair-do, but some other things she started doing this month. She started playing peek-a-boo a couple weeks ago. She's so funny with it. She'll throw the blanket on her and it sounds like she's gasping and freaking out, but then she'll pull it off an giggle so loud. I'll start to say "Where's Brecklynn" and she quickly will pull it off her head and give me the biggest smile.

She wants everything in her reach, and even out of her reach. She is getting an attitude too. If you don't let her have what she wants, she gets mad. She loves food- well table food. I've officially given up on baby food. So done with it all. I will open a jar and she'll just gag and throw up with every attempt. So I waste so much food. So I'm done. Just focusing on getting her table food. Its hard though because she makes such a mess.

-She is starting to scoot all over. She is better at going back wards, but when she really wants to, she'll move forward. We'll see how much longer till she's fully mobile-I can wait :)

-Her squealing has kept us out of church pretty much entirely. I have my hall pass still and I have a feeling it will stay that way for quite awhile longer. She's happy-just EXTREMELY loud!!

-She loves her baths now. She reminds me of Ridge a lot when it comes to water. Splashes everywhere.

So another month down. We'll see what the next month brings. Here's a few pics I had to share. She's such a cutie, don't you think

Had to get them together since they were matching (pants too) but this is the best I could get. Oh well :)

Kid Fun

Ever have those moments where you just have to take some pictures of your kids? That's today. I had to take some of Brecklynn because of her being 7 months, but these kids were just being so cute and funny. Ridge wanted to copy Cambree's pose. Thought it was just cute of him. I love this little guy.

Allen Milestones!

This past weekend our little family had a few 'milestones' that I had to share:

Ridge 'learned' to mow the lawn.

He loved helping his daddy and wouldn't let go. Even on the corners where Curtis had to lift the mower up, he wouldn't let go so he would be raised in the air holding the bar. Quite funny looking.

The kids learned to do the laundry.

Ever since Disneyland the kids, or more Ridge, can't stop talking about going to Disneyland. They are always asking to go and talking about the rides etc. Well Saturday morning they both said they wanted to go to Disneyland and headed toward our laundry room area. They were in there forever. We went to go look at them and found them inside the dryer calling it the teacups. It was hilarious. I am just hoping that was it for that curiosity. Them inside there just makes me a little nervous :)

And lastly, they can all take a bath together.

Brecklynn started sitting up this past week and taking baths with the kids. She loves it, and I do to because it cuts down on time and water. Curtis likes to point out the skin differences between the three. They are each their own-FOR SURE :)

Brecklynn is SITTING UP!!

Brecklynn has been on the verge of sitting for awhile now but officially yesterday, she's sitting up!! We also started doing her hair like Pebbles!! I love this hairstyle on little girls and she's got the perfect amount of hair to start this. She's getting so big!!

On a side note, my camera is on the way out I think. As you can tell from the quality of the pictures, they aren't the best. If anyone knows anything about Nikons, I would love to get some help. I've had it for 2 years and in the last 2 months, its decided to just not take pictures at times. REALLY FRUSTRATING!! I've missed so many good shots because of it.

Amazing Race Valentine Scavenger Hunt!

Last night, we hosted our Amazing Race. We wanted to do something for our husbands this year and when I found this on My Insanity, I just had to try it out. We got 5 couples on board. The trick was, we were keeping it a secret for our husbands. Took quite a bit of planning, but in the end, I think it was worth it.

We made up clues, and put them on cards for them to find throughout. We also made these shirts for them...

All of the guys were not told pretty much anything leading up to this day. Some knew more than others, but overrall, they really had no clue what to expect. At 4:50, I told Curtis that things were going to get started and that he needed to go pick up Sam, Michael, Chace and Adam. I'll be honest, he wasn't happy about this one bit. They were then told to go to the Thatcher park. They didn't know why or what they were looking for.

My sister-in-law and brother-in-law Sara and Darren acted as the host for the race. They were there waiting for them with a big pink box and these instructions that Sara read to them:

Welcome to the Amazing Race-Valentine Edition. You were each brought here by your lovely, adoring, beautiful, smart, sexy, and talented wives. Who knew you’d be up for a challenging Valentines Day adventure.

In the box are your uniforms that you must wear for the entire race.

Also in this box is your funds for this leg of the race use them wisely.

Lastly is your video camera.

Race Rules:

1. You must wear your uniform at all times

2. You must make a video of the events and each member of the team must be in the video participating in each event including purchasing items with the funds provided.

3. You must have completed all clues and the following tasks in order to win:

• Acquire a bouquet of flowers for your wife, using the funds provided

• Make a gift for your wife, better be thoughtful

Good luck Boys, here’s your first clue.

Clue #1

You’ve found your first clue

That didn’t take long

You’ve got your uniform

Make sure to keep it on

Make your way with great speed,


To the first place you’ll need


To get this race in gear,


We’ll send you to a place that is near.


Head down Norton road,


To Erline’s humble abode.

At the house, there was a box of craft paper and supplies and this on the table:

Your first task in this race,


is to look at these materials in

front of your face.

Then put things together to make a card,

It really isn’t all that hard.


Make a Valentines card to your wife from you,


When you’ve all done this, then look in

The box to help you find your next clue

We were all suprised by the fact that they actually took time to make these cards.

Clue #2

Frugal people pass through Dollar Tree’s doors,


To seek an item worth a dollar and no more,


With the funds each were given

Can you buy things to make

A beautiful flower bouquet?

Be creative, and once you’ve each

made your purchase

Ask the cashier for your next clue

They each did quite well with this. Each one was a bit different. Some had balloon weights, some had foam bases and a thing of flowers....quite creative.

The next clue I can't seem to find but Brooke wrote it and it lead them to EAC's bleachers. From there they got this clue

Clue #4

Now go to the house where Curtis was raised,

Where all of you boys partied for days.

Here is where you will find your next clue,

We all wish the best of luck to you!!

Here they went to Curtis' parents home and they got this clue:

Now we are gonna test your taste

In this Amazing Race

Before you is a ‘delicious’ dish

Each person must eat a little fish

Make sure to video for proof

Upon completion, ask Pat for your next clue

Here they each had to eat a sardine. We were amazed at how some didn't mind it at all. Others though, seemed to get off without eating it at all....CURTIS!!!

Clue #5

Now that you’re full, we’ll let you know you’re

Almost done

Just one more clue, this will be a lot of fun!!

We hope that y’all are ready to groove

Your next task requires you to bust a move

Daley's home is where this will take place

You better hurry, remember this is a race!

They got to Sam's house where they got this:

Now here’s the choice of two songs from which

You must choose,

Which one, you ALL will bust a move to

Hannah Montana, or Black Eyed Peas are the names

Its all for fun, so don’t be ashamed

Once you’re finished, you’ll get your final clue

Better make sure to video tape too

Rachel put on one more song than what was listed, and of course that was the one they ultimately chose. It was "All the SIngle Ladies". They didn't do the whole song, but it was still funny to watch. Then they got their final clue:

Clue #6

Have you got your bouquet and your card, yet?

If not, do it now, or you’ll be quite upset

When you reach the finish-line

And have to turn around.

The race isn’t finished until these

things have been found.

The finish line, and your fabulous prize

Are waiting at a place familiar to your eyes.

Make your way through traffic,

Obey all the signs

And step on the mat of the home whose name rhymes with “farter!”

We tried forever to come up with a different Rhyming word, but we figured the guys would get a kick out of it. It took them to the Carter's home where we, then entire time, were making dinner for the guys.

Here's Laura making her yummy heart-shaped cupcakes

Amber and Rachel seasoning the steaks

The setup.

This was their prize at the end, candy bouquets.

Rachel-our official cook!

Brecklynn joined us in the fun and was so good. She refused to go to bed, but she was happy so it was ok. She at 4 or 5 graham crackers and was a complete mess but was so cute.

Their final clue on the Carter's door.

All of us girls

The whole group when the guys arrived

All the guys

Adam and Laura

Sam and Amber

Chace and Rachel

Us

Michael and Brooke.

After eating, we went back to our house and watched the video of the night. It was a really fun night.

Valentines Day!

This year, we celebrated Valentines early with the kids because they went to my parents for the weekend. I've got a suprise for Curtis for Valentines and I was needing a babysitter, so my mom offered!! More on that to come tomorrow so definitely check back!

So Thursday we did our little Valentines. I was pretty excited for this year with the kids being older and understanding more.

First off, for dinner we had pink pancakes with chocolate chips and pink milk. The kids loved it!

These pics are out of place but these were the valentines Cambree made for her classmates. Cute huh?

Then this was my valentine to my preschoolers. Pathetic I know but I had never made rice krispies before and it was quite the feat. :)

Back to the dinner.

Then they went on a scavenger hunt. Cambree really got into it. At the end, they were taken to Grandma's where they each got a small box of candy and a balloon.

This year, along with the suprise tonight :) I made him these checks that I got from Love Actually. I then made them fit into a real check book. So just a modern more formal take on a classic coupon book. I had fun making it. We'll see if they ever get used.

Here's Ridge with his monkey.

So it was a fun valentines. But check back tomorrow! I'm so excited to share it with you all

What a week!!

Below is just some interesting-fun picks of the kids. They're so crazy. I wanted some good pics, and this is what I got. Oh, well its them :)

AAAHHh!! Its been a week! So just for kicks and giggles later on, I would like to document it. Going through it wasn't very fun, but later on, it will be fun I'm sure.

Monday it rained. And rained hard. This always makes preschool so much more difficult. First off, kids just seem to be off their game on rainy days. On top of that though, there is the coats, and the shoes that have to come off because of the mud. Then in the end, coats have to go back on and shoes as well. Figuring out whose shoes are which and helping each kid putting their shoes on, get their back packs and yadda yadda. Just adds so much chaos. I always hate these days because it looks like I am out of control. Hate it.

So Cambree has been struggling with what I figured to be a UTI for about 3 weeks now. Well after much frustrations, I finally decided to just get her in to the Dr. despite the fact that I don't have insurance. First off, I decided to try first to figure it out for me at home. My mom helped me find a home test at the store. We tried it and of course it was inconclusive so we ultimately got her in. We went in and waited about 1/2 hour in the waiting room with all three kids. Of course with a UTI you have to get a sample. So once we get in the back they ask if they could get one. Its impossible to get a 3 year old to go on demand. So we ended up having to leave with a cup just to have to bring it back. So we had to run it back up later on. Well it was too late to find out that day so had to wait for the next day to come around.

So the next day we started treating Cambree for her UTI but it was with pills so I had to start the process of figuring out how to get her to take it. Took a few tries, but we eventually got it figured out.

On Thursday, our sink stopped working. In that, I mean it stopped draining. I was trying to wash my dishes and it just stopped. Now for those that don't know, we don't have a dish washer and no we don't have a disposal. So its already hard enough. Well after about 2 hours, the sink finally drains, leaving a complete mess in the sink. We tried to put drain-o down it, and one other clog cleaner of some kind. Didn't work. So three days later, and washing my dishes in the tub, and figuring we were in trouble, we snaked it. DISGUSTING!!! This house is old and it must have been major build up, but man was it disgusting. But it did work thankfully. What a joy it is to have my sink back.

Sunday, I woke up at 2 am miserable. At first, I thought it was food poisoning. My stomach was killing me. I was up from then on just so sick. I was throwing up all morning. About 1 pm I finally stopped throwing up, but then the attack of body aches started. It seriously felt like needles were poking me everywhere. I couldn't sit or stand or lay down with being in pain constantly. It was terrible.

Here is some other info from this week- Brecklynn is everywhere!!! She scoots and rolls everwhere. She prefers to be on the ground now. Still working on sitting up. She seems to really have no desire to sit up. She'll sit for about a minute and then throw herself back and be done with it. She's my latest sitter yet. Kind of frustrating!! She also REFUSES to eat baby food. I have tried every kind out there and she dry heaves, gags everything!! She prefers only table food and even that is very little. Not sure what I am going to do with her.

Ridge, is Mr. Copycat lately. Everything Cambree does, he does, whatever she says, he says. Quite funny. Ridge has also discovered formula again. I am constantly trying to get Brecklynn to switch over to formula. Well the other day, Ridge saw her bottle and begged to try it. I thought it would teach her a lesson by letting him try it. WRONG!! He loves it. Since then, I have caught him countless times sneaking it into his room and drinking it. SICK!!!

Well that's my week. Written down it's not that crazy but living in it was crazy.