Birthday Bear is 8

This kid turned 8 a couple months ago.  I can hardly believe it.

In honor of the birthday girl, we celebrated with some pizza and games on her big day and then spent some time with family and a few friends over the weekend.

 Just Dance!!

Make a wish

After everyone headed home, the rain began to pour from the sky making a few little girls very wet and very happy!

What a great end to a great day for a great kid!

Halloween 2010

I made it my New Year's resolution to post pictures from Halloween 2010 sometime before Halloween 2011.  I don't mean to brag, but I'm way ahead of schedule.

This year we had a princess, unicorn (again) and a clown. 

What a clown

 Pretty as a princess

Oh look...unicorns do exist.

This year was our first year to really trick or treat.  I don't know what we've been waiting for.  It was great.  The girls got lots of good candy to share with me and we had a really fun time seeing our neighbors and just being out in our neighborhood.

Camping and Kayaking

In honor of the October birthdays in our family (mine and Jerry's), we went camping for the weekend and spent some time Kayaking in Morro Bay.  Here are a few shots from our trip.

Jerry kayaked for the first time and I think he enjoyed it.  The girls are getting old enough to learn to paddle their own boats too.  So this time around, we tied a single boat to the back of Rob's canoe.  That's Grace paddling behind Rob and Hannah.  Sarah rode with me and helped paddle from the front.  We saw lots of sea life and even got up close to a jellyfish.

Ok, Maybe One More...

Last night Sarah came to me and asked "Does it cost a lot of money to change your name?"

"I don't know Sarah.  Why?  Do you want to change your name?"

"Ya.  I just really like the name London".

"Ok, how about we just start calling you London.  It'll be cheaper that way."

"Ok"

I figure London can be her stage name someday.  She's a funny kid!  I think I'll keep her....forever and ever and ever!

A Few Funnies Until I Can Get Back to Bloggin'

I haven't had time to blog properly lately.  I have a couple posts started and lots of pictures piled up on my computer where they will just have to stay until I wade through a bit more of my real life.  Until I find time to sit down and get caught up, here are a couple funny things the girls have said to me lately...

A few nights ago, the girls had their Christmas program at school.  Hannah borrowed a cute little skirt and top to wear from a friend since we didn't have any Christmas clothes in her size.  I insisted she tuck in the top so the bow on the skirt would show and she told me very matter of factly that "If I didn't have a mom, I wouldn't tuck in my shirt"...Yeah, no kidding, you and about every little boy who ever had to dress up for something.

About a week ago, when I was tucking Sarah in to bed, she told me "Mom, I get so tired of smelling Matthew's breath.  I try not to talk to him, but he just keeps talking to me and I am tired of smelling his breath".   Ha!!!  Matthew is the little guy who sits next to her at school.  I let her know that her breath doesn't always smell like roses and maybe Matthew gets tired of smelling hers too.  She didn't think so.

Just today, Grace came in from the backyard rubbing her backside and whimpering.  "What's wrong Grace?", I asked.  "My bad word hurts", she said.  I'd tell you what her bad word was...but, well....it's a bad word.  She was upset, so I tried really hard not to laugh, but Hannah and I ended up busting a gut anyway. 

Happy Birthday Jerry

A few weeks ago, we celebrated Jerry's 17th Birthday.

He had a few friends over, Rob barbecued and I made a Tres Leches cake.

 His sisters wrapped and decorated a special gift for Him.

Yes, that would be a box of 50 bags of Fire Hot Cheetos...the boy's addicted. I remind myself that he could be addicted to far worse things than pain inflicting snack food.

Jerry has been part of our family for almost 8 months now.  Life with a teenage boy has taken some getting used to.  A lot of the time, I feel like I am on a crazy roller coaster.  But, when I am not feeling worried, scared or sick, it's a pretty great ride!  I don't know what the future holds or how this whole thing will work out, but right now, I'm glad he's in the next room (texting his little heart out). 

Happy Birthday Jerry.  We love you!

Murals for Papa's Shop

 A few weeks ago, we paid Papa Mike and Grandma Kris a visit.  They had a very special project planned for us.  We got to help Papa Mike decorate the walls of his newly completed shop/man cave.  Nothing on this earth could make the Cobb girls happier than the chance to paint whatever they wanted on clean white walls.  It felt so naughty!

Needless to say, Papa's man cave has some really pretty rainbows, hearts, butterflies and pink thingamablobs on the walls now.  No doubt his buddies will be impressed.

 Grandma and Daddy even got in on the action.

 Daddy painted his dream house...

really more of a hut, but who cares when you have the perfect wave out your front door.

 We also got to meet Daddy's long lost twin brother.....

Oh, I mean Papa and Grandma's new dog, Mugs.