summer blues

I think nursing is the best possible degree I could have gotten to prepare myself for motherhood.  12 hour shifts, on your feet all day, no lunch, poop duty,thankless, underpaid... yep, that about sums up both of my jobs.  I don't think anything could have prepared me for having three kids. It is a challenge to say the least.  It is go-go-go all day every day.  I've decided to take a step back from that though (the go-go-go, not the parenting!)... Zoe has been out of school for a couple of weeks now (she only went twice a week, so no biggie)... but all day every day she complains about being bored! (or hungry!)... it's enough to drive a mom nuts!  And we do a lot of activities!  Playdates, gymnastics, etc... Today she kept complaining about being bored, and had the saddest look on her face.  I nearly loaded all the kids up in the car to take them to jump street, or somewhere else they love to burn off some energy, but then I stopped myself.  She doesn't have to be constantly doing something!!  She had already been to gymnastics!  So I told her what my mom used to tell me, "you don't have to be entertained all the time!!!"  They need to learn how to play by themselves and entertain themselves!  Use their imaginations (and for the love of God, leave me alone for 5 minutes!) ;)  I had big plans to head out to Walmart tonight to stock up on construction paper, crayons, markers, etc... since ours is getting kind of low... but now that the kids are in bed (always a beating)... I think I will be hanging with mattress the rest of evening, thank you very much.

Here is a little of what has been going on with us lately...

Zoe on her last day of preschool!  I wanted to post this next to her first day pic, but it is saved on a seperate computer:(  She has changed so much though!

Reese's 2nd birthday.  Elmo themed, duh!

Not so happy because our big day was windy and chilly!

Cookie bouquet by Black Flour.  Beautiful and DE-LISH!  I made the little "2" centerpiece myself with skittles and a hobby lobby jar (pinterest find)

sand buckets with goodies inside as party favors

I did the cupcakes myself

Party guest, Madison Taylor!

Ella Claire!

Singing "Happy Birthday"

We had to put her cupcake in a bucket so the wind wouldn't blow out the candles!

Presents!

She loved the babydoll Maddie got her!

In May we took a trip up to Roswell for my MIL's birthday (she loves being called MIL!)... and Bryce got to meet his great grandma and grandpa Alsup for the first time!

We headed up to Cloud Croft and found this golf course!!!!!!!  Someone was kicking himself for  not bringing his clubs...

Hiking in Ruidoso!  Doesn't Reese look like such a big girl here???