Sweet Treats

My kids all LOVE Popsicle's but I hate that they are so full of c-r-a-p. I have frozen plain ol' yogurt before (the Go-Gurts) but that isn't really a sweet treat so I decided it was high time that I make our Popsicles. Have you ever checked the ingredient list of a stinkin' Popsicle?? Its grossly, ridiculously hard to pronounce... So, since I don't want my kids eating things like maltodextrin, guar gum and tumeric (what???) this summer- here's what I did.. A bunch of nothing really--- Fresh strawberries, pureed with plain ol' fat free vanilla yogurt - pour into container of choice and freeze for approximately 5 hours. And Viola! Healthy and delish!

Logan enjoying his sweet treat

Brady- All hail King Popsicle!

Mason and Daddy went out to dinner tonight so no pics of him getting messy this time round... Now I'm off to check out the Ice Cream maker my Dad got us for Christmas and see what I can concoct... Low-fat blueberry cinnamon seems like the front runner! Mmmmm!

Tea Party Fun

My uber talented, crafty girlfriend, Mariah hosted a Tea Party Play date for the kiddos this week. She makes and sells these DARLING vintage dress up suitcases and wanted some professional shots she could use on her website. So--- an idea was born... I think there were 16 kids total, Moms, Dad's, Auntie's and Tammy her photographer. The kids played dress up, drank lemonade, explored the surroundings and had a great time. Tammy took some individual shots of all the kids and I CAN'T wait to get them back. My boys were the first to go (thank God) and their picture was done on the inside of a rusty old barn. They were MUCH more interested in playing and getting dirty than taking pics but I imagine they will be just amazing (don't you worry, I will post when I get them!). It was a gorgeous Texas day outside and Mariah, as usual outdid herself to make it perfect for everyone else! Here are a few I manged to get with my camera in the midst of the craziness!!

Mason- having a snack, per the norm!

Um, having some cotton candy now...

Brady - animated, independent, full of life and wants to be JUST like big brother.

Logan- Momma's Boy, super snuggler, happy and ALWAYS on the go.

Um, pretty much the story of my life- always collaborating with something up their sleeves!

When he couldn't catch a butterfly (and was totally annoyed about it, might I add), he opted to hit the trees (my typical boy) and fill the net with leaves. He gets this improvising thing from his Momma!

And here I am, as always trying to capture the EVER elusive pic of the 3 boys together. Please note Logan waaaaaaaaaaaaay up in the far right corner... Typical...

Randomness Galore...

Well, its been a super busy week around here. We have had several play dates, another trip to the Dallas Zoo (taking FULL advantage of our new memberships), a super fun BBQ and caught up with some dear old friends. Not to mention the normal insanity of laundry, cooking, cleaning, entertaining kiddos and my part time paying job! Here are a few highlights...

Mason and Aubrey at the zoo- making a wish and making a splash!

The Monorail ride with the kids. They all (um, all 6 to be exact) did great- babes sat in my lap the whole time and Mason and Aubrey listened to the Narrator explain the Wonders of Africa. Very cool.

My sweet Brady, Be-bers, Brady Bear... happy as always!

My lovey Logan hangin' solo chasing the bubbles

Um- just too dang cute for words... Found them snuggled this way after our picnic... Aubrey's Daddy already has his eye on my oh so innocent Mason!

And the crew - my blondie twins on the left and Mariah's in the yellow shirts on right. My son Mason in the red plaid shirt and her sweet Aubrey. Oh, and the Mommies, of course!

And last but not least, some of my favorite gals EVER in the pic below! We treated ourselves to dinner at Sauce on the Square this week and had a blast as always! I feel so lucky and so blessed to have such an amazing family and wonderful friends that I adore and trust so much. I cherish my time with all of them, they are truly a group of talented, kind, creative woman that I LOVE!

The MOB's (name confidential)

Melinda, Candace, Kristi, Intaly, Mariah and Jenny. Click on names to check out their fab blogs.

The Dallas Zoo

Allen had a rare Saturday off so we decided to take the kids to the Dallas Zoo. Mason has been before but this was our first time to take all 3 of the kids. Our good friends, the Leeson's joined us and we had a BLAST! The forecast called for rain and we did get a little wet at the start of the day but after our picnic, the sun broke thru and it was the perfect way to spend the afternoon. The kids enjoyed the monkey's, snakes, kangaroos, tigers and gorilla's. We all ended up buying memberships and I imagine we will be back several times before it gets too hot. We didn't get a chance to do the monorail this time but I cant wait to take them on it next time! A few highlights from our fabulous day:

After a carousal ride

Puppet show by Buford the Buzzard

Sparky, Brady, Logan and I

Mason insisted on pulling the wagon...

Watching the tigers...

2 Moms, 2 Dads, 3 kids each= 10 of us total!

Mariah and I with Brady & Piper

Mason gives brother Logan some lovin'

Mason was the star of the show!

Of course they wanted to ride the camel- too fun!

Cant wait to go back!

Remember when a Fudgesicle made you THIS happy?

Enough Said!

Don't call me Mason

My child really believes he is a Pirate. He refers to himself as "Hook" or "Pirate Mason." He has even taught the babies to sword fight and can recite every word of the songs "My first mate is a Monkey", "Stowaway" and "Yo-Ho-Ho and a bottle of Rum." He pretends every basket in the house is a treasure box and I find them full of random things in random places. His swing set is now his Pirate ship complete with Chi Chi the Parrot, a telescope and ship's wheel. He always wants me to draw him out a treasure map that he promptly rolls up and sticks down his shirt. It's really quite comical, he has quite the imagination!

Example 1- bathed and in his Pj's with his Pirate costume on and his beloved sword tucked securely in his belt that NOBODY can touch.

Example 2- Fast asleep at nap time with his hook, sword and Pirate belt from his Papa.

Gourd Birdhouses

My Dad grows these gourds by the zillion in his backyard. He doesnt know what to do with all of them so he had the novel idea of laqureing them, carving a hole and making them into birdhouses. They are really pretty as is but I decided to let Mason add a little artwork and customize it. We will wait and watch this summer and see if any birdies use our gourd as their new home.

The originals from my Dad in KC

Mason adding "his touch"

We shall see if we get any nesters!

Take me out to the Ballgame!

Mason and Allen enjoyed America's Favorite Pastime when the Texas Rangers took on the Toronto Blue jays at The Ballpark in Arlington. They went several hours before the game so Mason could get the full Ballpark experience. They had hot dogs, watched practice and even got a few autographs. I thought Mason would be wiped out but when they got home at 10:30 that night, but he was so wound up and couldn't wait to tell me about the 4 home runs they saw! In the end, Toronto beat Texas but the boys had a great afternoon together and that's what matters.

On their way- Mas loved his Rangers jersey.

Think he's having fun?

Easter Fun!

Easter was great fun for our family this year! The kids were excited to come down and see that the Easter Bunny had indeed made a visit to our house and left them lots of loot. I filled their baskets and made "bunny tracks" all over the kitchen table with flour. I learned this trick from my Aunt when Mason was a baby and have done it ever since. Its kind of annoying to clean up but soooooooooo cute! The babies could have cared less but Mason told us several times that "Bunny made a HUGE mess!" Exactly what I want him to think!

Kids loot and bunny tracks...

Brady liked the tissue best of all..

A backyard egg hunt...

"Sunny the Bunny" with Mas & Logan at the Aboretum.

Mason loved the poor goat at the petting zoo!

Brady wants to be just like big brother!

My Mom and I with the babes- rain poured down on us but we stayed and toughed it out!

My favorite picture EVER of the boys! They were wet, starving and TIRED, cant believe this picture really happened!

Dance Machine Mason in the rain- having a BLAST!!! Made being wet all day worth it to see him having such fun and not having a care in the world!