A New Discovery.....

According to Wikipedia, "Planking" (or the "Lying Down Game") is an activity consisting of lying face down in an unusual or incongruous location. The hands must touch the sides of the body and having a photograph of the participant taken and posted on the Internet is an integral part of the game. Players compete to find the most unusual and original location in which to play. The term planking refers to mimicking a wooden plank. Rigidity of the body must be maintained to constitute good planking.


Whoever came up with this truly ridiculous game must have had way too much time on his hands.  With that said, it is quite entertaining and makes for some good family fun.  Here are some photos for your enjoyment.....

My Baby's Three!

Where have the last three years gone?  It's so hard to believe that Claire is already three.  My baby is growing up.....not too fast, though.  She's still in diapers.  That's a whole different story....one that I hope ends sooner than later.

Claire was just a few weeks old here......

And now she's in a big bed......

Claire has definitely brought a new feel to our house.  It's amazing how one little girl can whip the whole family into shape.  I don't remember a time when she wasn't talking.  Sometimes I feel like I'm having a conversation with a 12-year-old.....and then I remember that she's still not potty trained.  Either she's more stubborn than the boys or I've just run out of steam.  

Claire is feisty, funny and strong-willed, but she's got a soft, tender side that can melt your heart.  She makes you work for the tiniest bit of affection, but when you get it, it's so worth it.  Man, I love that little girl!  Our family wouldn't be complete without her.

I love thinking of all the things we'll be able to do when she gets older.....shopping, pedicures, movie nights when the boys are camping.  The possibilities are endless.  =)

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Several months ago, I found an ugly little TV stand at Goodwill for $10.  I'd been wanting to make Claire a play kitchen for sometime, and this was just the thing I needed to get started.

Not too impressive, but I had a vision.  Thanks to Scott and his dad, my vision became a reality.  They did all the hard stuff like removing doors, dividing the bottom shelf, putting a new back on, etc.  Then I got to do all the fun stuff.  We were so happy with the way it turned out and so was Claire.  She absolutely LOVED it!

Amy and her boys stopped by to give her some new toys for her kitchen.....

What a fun birthday!  All of her gifts went so well with her new kitchen!

At Claire's request, we had a "worm cake."  This girl really does love worms.  I can't keep her from picking them up off the driveway after a rain storm.  Yuck.

Happy Birthday, Sweet Claire!!!  We love you!

Halloween!

Halloween was cold and rainy this year.  The kids' costumes and candy were dampened, but their spirits certainly weren't.  We trick-or-treated with our neighbor Josh, and his dad Darrel again this year.  Josh and Logan are the same age and love playing together.  

Mason and Logan went for scary/gross costumes this year, while Brady and Claire opted for the softer side of Halloween (much more my style).  

As a mother, a little piece of my heart broke when Mason told me he wanted to dress up as the "bleeding Scream mask."  It's quite ironic that this very costume scared the pants off him when he was two.  I seriously thought there was some irreversible damage done after that night.  For years, the poor guy trembled and clung to my leg at the mere sight of one of those masks.  It's funny how things seem to change almost overnight.  While I was not wild about the costume choice, I did like the fact that he was finally facing his fears....or rather wearing the face of his fears.  Oh, how far we've come.  

Logan wanted to be Ghost Rider this year.  He and Scott had fun coming up with his costume.  I think they did a pretty awesome job.  Costume creativity is definitely not my biggest strength, so it's nice to have a husband who enjoys that sort of thing.

Brady had his heart set on being a Ninja Turtle, which was funny to me because he's never had a big thing for them.  It all made sense when I realized that one of his best friends had the same costume. 

Instead of serving it's original purpose, the mask became an umbrella as we sloshed around in the rain from one house to the next. I prefer being able to see his cute little face anyway.   

For having three brothers, Claire is definitely a girly girl.  Don't get me wrong....she can hold her own and make any of her brothers cry, and then in a snap, turns into a sweet little princess.  It's amazing how that works really.  I think Scott is officially being taught that women are just born crazy.  That's my new excuse...."I can't help it.  I was born that way."  I don't know why it doesn't work as well for me as it does for Claire.  

Anyway, here's a picture of our feisty little butterfly.

So sweet and innocent looking.  Right?  Don't let her fool you.  She's a girl on a mission and almost always gets what she wants.  I'm thinking that's a quality that will manifest more positively as she gets older.  

Well, here's to another Halloween...... If only could stay away from the candy bowl!