Sausage Fest

To anyone who is not from the tri-cities...and event called the Sausage Fest probably sounds a little bit odd. However; growing up here it is an annual event that we always look forward to. Good food, games for the kids, face painting, toys, balloons...just a bunch of fun things to do. This year we went and met up with our friends the West's. The kids had a blast and were really fun to watch.
I had to post the series of group photos so you could see the progression of Hailey picking her nose, eating it, and then the disgusted looks on the other kids' faces. Yep...that's my daughter for you. Ella was also picking her nose in the first photo...although I don't think she ate hers. Classy, I know.

Food Terrorist....

I am trying to loose weight. So far I have lost about 12-14 pounds (depends on the day!). What I have been doing to loose it so far is just to cut out sweets. And then...this morning...I woke up to this...



I tried to ignore them. Cleaning, computer, laundry...but the smell of them was making it's way through the entire house. Eventually I gave in and ate that tiny little corner piece. Even without frosting it was delicious. Thanks Grant!!!

Growing up

My little baby is growing up so fast!! Ella has started preschool two days a week! And it's not a co-op I just drop her off and pick her up. She had a blast on her first day...didn't cry at all (she told me this) and was happy when I picked her up. She said goodbye to all her teachers and off we went. She told me all the things they did and said she had fun. She is also in preschool at the daycare she goes to two days a week. So between the two of them I am sure her little mind is just going to start expanding with knowledge! I love her so much and can't believe how fast she is growing up. I am just trying to cherish each moment because they all go by so fast!
These photos were taken by my lovely and talented sister in law Chelee (you can see her website at http://www.michelleellisphotography.com/. She took these for us as first day of school photos. She also did one last year on Ella's first day of school and it is amazing to compare and see how different she looks. I will have to figure out how to scan it and get it in.

The Bully....

Hailey has been having a bit of a hitting problem recently and we have been dealing with it but it is making it hard to go out anywhere with her in public for the fear of being judged because she is the "bully kid"...which Hailey definitely is. She will go up to the other kids and just flat out smack them for no aparent reason. Probably just to see the reaction take place. At our most recent playdate I think she hit every kid at least once. It totally looks bad on your parenting. I just need some help...advice...anything you've got, to try and help me work through this. The playdate we went on was with all the little babies who have been born of our NICU nurses within the last 3 years (yes...we've been popping them out!) We've had a lot of fun hanging out and watching the kids learn and play and grow up together.
The picture I added is of all the NICU mom's and their baby's taken by some very nice lady at the playground.

Lets see if I can label it from left to right:
Jessica with Jordyn and Kiley: Tina with Avvon and two more on their way :) TouTou with her son Drew: Sara with her daughter Jaidyn and one more waiting to come out to play :): Val with her son Andrew: and then me with little bully Hailey Jane. Ella didn't want to take the photo so her little head is right behind us a bit.
So, all in all, it was a really fun playdate and nice to catch up with everyone (outside of work) I just wish that I didn't have the bully to deal with. Truthfully, any advise that people have for me and I will be all over it!!

ps: Please try and ignore any spelling or grammer mistakes. I'm writing this after a 12 hour night shift, and falling asleep while I am doing it!