Nana's Birthday Flowers

As it turns out, February is a busy month in the Connelly household. Not only do we celebrate Valentine's Day, we have our anniversary and numerous family birthdays including Poppa's (see previous post) and Nana's (my mom).

Yesterday was Nana's birthday and I needed to be in Emporia for a school meeting, so Nana graciously agreed to watch my girls and take them to AWANA until I got back. In order to celebrate her actual day, since we're having a family party for her this weekend, I thought we could draw her some pictures and take her a birthday card. Tuesday night, I ran to the store for some last minute groceries and Madelynn went with me. When we walked through the front door, she spotted the flowers and INSISTED that Nana needed some birthday flowers. So we picked some nice ones and Madelynn carried them through the store even though they were as tall as she was!

These flowers lasted all that evening and into the next morning with Madelynn admiring them every time she remembered them. When we packed up to go to Nana's house, Madelynn again insisted on holding them. Because I didn't want them too smooshed, I told her they had to ride in the pocket of the seat directly in front of her. They leaned just enough so that she could see and smell them whenever she wanted. The flowers fared well until about 5 minutes out. I'm driving along, listening to my AudioBook and I here this, "Mommy, look!" Madelynn was holding out a handful of flower petals. She had been quietly picking petals off Nana's flowers for who knows how long and had stripped at least half (if not more) completely bare. Nana's beautiful birthday flowers were now a couple raggedy flowers and a bunch of empty buds. I expressed my dismay that she had torn Nana's flowers, took them away from her and told her she would have to tell Nana that she was sorry. She sat very quiet for the last five minutes of our drive. When we pulled up, Grandpa was there to let her out and as soon as he opened the door Madelynn told him, "I'm sorry for tearing Nana's flowers." Of course, he had no idea what she was talking about, so I ushered her inside with the flowers. She delivered her apology complete with downcast face and Nana just laughed. "I love these flowers anyway!" And she did. Before I left, I saw the complete bouquet, empty buds and all, in a prominently displayed vase!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY NANA!

Poppa's Birthday

We recently traveled down to Oklahoma (Homa-Homa if you ask Madelynn) to visit with Branden's parents and celebrate Poppa's Birthday. However, my girls did not get that memo. At the birthday party, they were the ones opening presents and helping themselves to the cake. Fortunately, Poppa didn't seem to mind sharing the spotlight! Here's a few pictures from the party.

Happy Birthday Poppa!

Mmmmmmmmmmm, Bavarian Blast!

Poppa's Girls

Katie and Jeremy's Wedding Pictures

Ok, since it's our family blog, I get to post my favorite pictures of my girls! Check out these cuties!

Grandpa is holding her pacifier for ransom!

She told Mommy that she looked like a Princess!

These are all of their nieces and nephews (minus Tobin - he wasn't in the picture taking mood!)

Aunt Katie and her girls!

Didn't Nana and Grandpa do a great job on the cakes? (Cake is for Katie, Cookie Cake is for Jeremy!)

So there's a few pictures of the eventful day. Just looking at them makes me smile remembering all that happened!

Here spring, spring, spring

Man, I need Spring to get here. I'm so desperate for fresh air that I've got all my doors open and it's only in the 40s. Those 60 and 70 degree days really spoiled me. I think it's all that praying for patience I've been doing. God's giving me a chance to practice. Ugh.

Despite the "warm" weather outside we're kind of having a slum day today. We're all still in pajamas (of course, the clock still reads am!) and the house is a wreck. I've been playing on the computer all morning while the girls have had the run of the house. Guess I better get busy and clean up so it looks like I did something while Branden was at work today!

Chris called me a few minutes ago and we were able to chat for a while. Which is interesting, because I had just finished looking at my sister's wedding pictures online and saw the one with all the Brest siblings. I realized how much I miss him when I saw him in the pictures. Can't wait til he's home.

Well, laundry calls. We're heading to Ponca this weekend and it's so much easier to pack when all the clothes are clean AND PUT AWAY!

Out and About

Branden and I packed up the girls and headed out for a Family Outing on Saturday. We went to lunch and then to the Brass Armadillo (an antique mall in Grain Valley, MO). Branden is currently renting a glass case there to sell some of his antiques and paper money. The reason I say "packed up the girls" is because Grain Valley is approximately a one hour drive. Ugh. Plus, once we're there, I usually need a significant arsenal (toys, books, snacks) to keep the girls entertained and away from the priceless antiques within easy reach. (I mean really, why is that a good idea?)

On the way, before they both got sleepy, Madelynn and McKenna were regaling us with tales of pure imagination. Madelynn was spinning some fantasy that encompassed a current Princess movie and the "Rules of the House" (see below). McKenna of course just jabbered along at appropriate intervals since she has yet to take command of the English language.

All of the sudden, in midsentence, Madelynn shrieks, "WHO POOPED ON US?" It took us a minute to realize she had spotted a small spatter of bird poop on the windshield. Branden and I were just rolling with laughter. I think there were even some tears. For the rest of the day, she was insistent, "We have to wash Mommy's truck because it is disgusting." Hmmmm. wonder where she picked that up?

Rules of the House:
*No whining
*No hitting
*No biting
*No tattling
*No wiggling (during nap time)
*Be nice and share

Where am I?

Ugh, the flu season. I hate it. So why don't I get a flu shot? Because I'm invincible, of course.

Branden came down with the flu in late January and I sanitized like a crazy woman. I was determined that he would be the only one sick this year. I couldn't handle any more sick little girls. So I quaratined him to the master bedroom, slept on the couch and Lysol-ed and Oust-ed every night. Plus I used Clorox wipes on every non-porous surface Branden even looked at! He finally re-joined the land of the living only for me to feel like crap. Well, you know what they say, "If you want to hear God laugh, just tell him your plans"!

So today, I feel like I'm waking up from a coma of 3 days. And just in time. We have a socially packed weekend that I have done nothing to prepare for. The girls and I haven't even worn real clothes in days. It's just pajamas to pajamas. So now (after I'm done typing), I'm off to clean the house, put away the mountain of clean laundry waiting for me, dress the girls, disinfect EVERYTHING and get groceries. Ugh.

On second thought, maybe I'll wait for Branden to get home. He can help me. I need a nap.