They say it better {Robertson McQuilken}

It's hard to get more inspiring than this.

Be sure to watch the video.  It's two minutes long and well worth your time.

The All-American Diet

This was the cart next to me while I was checking out at the Walmart a couple weeks ago.  Now, I'm the first one to admit that I'm a big fan of some of these foods.  Like I can't buy Doritos because I will eat them all.  And Dr. Pepper, well, you can't live in Texas and not love you some Dr. Pepper.  And Ramen soup got me through college on a $50 a month budget (no fear, that was for extras-- I did have a meal plan).

Looking at all of this together in one cart made me a little sick to my stomach.  It made me think about the food choices I make for my family.  It made me want to go back and pick up some more fruits and veggies.

And, I'll have to admit, the toilet paper on the top of all that processed food, made me smile, just a little.

I have cool friends {Splurge Events}

Just because you are probably tired of reading about me, my boys and how cute they are, and what crazy antics they are into lately, here is a new segment.  I have cool friends.  Here is one of them--

Jenna Lee has more creativity in her little finger than I have in my entire being.  Really.  She's amazing.  Besides being wife and mom to her 2 kids (and home schooling them), she does event planning.  These are photos from her home school Valentine's day party that she "threw" together.  

Look at this amazing table.  Out of a magazine.

Red and pink popcorn.

Pink spools of thread to hold lollipops.  Pink snowballs.  Festive vintage candy sticks.  Where does she come up with these things?

Gorgeous cookies she and her mom made.

Yum.

Double yum.

More cookies.  Most cookies that are beautiful (in my opinion) don't taste that good.  These are definitely the exception.  They were delicious.

She set up a photo booth for kids to dress up and take silly pictures of themselves.  Such a great idea.  The girls did this for hours while the boys were outside playing football and basketball.

The props.

Asher was okay enough with his manhood to try the photo booth.

Make your own fun milk drink.  My boys loved this.

Hot cocoa anyone?

The kids each were given a notebook to sign for each other, in lieu of Valentines.

Jenna has quite of a few tutorials here, here, and here.  Once you get to the site, you can see her different ideas and watch even more.  These are perfect for people like me, who need to be told exactly what to do.  She even tells you what to buy and where to buy it.  I love that!

She also has a blog.

If you are planning an event in Fort Worth, she's your gal.

Thanks for the great party, Jenna!

P.S.  Be sure to go and vote for her for the Best of Fort Worth 2011.  Scroll down to the last one (#70) and put in Best Event Planner:  Splurge Event Design/Jenna Lee.

Coach

One of the things that Samuel and Joseph like to do when we finish up school is play coach.  Graham and Asher take longer to do their morning work than Samuel.  I like that S & J get this alone time together.  Usually, Samuel gravitates toward the older boys, but when he's given no other option, Jopie is the chosen playmate.  Lately, Samuel is very concerned with Joseph's baseball skills, especially since they are on the same team for Little League.  And Joseph, well, he likes the attention.

Sitting on a bucket, just like Daddy does.

Indoor batting practice at its finest.

One energetic boy ready to play spring ball (notice the golfing glove).

The season starts soon.  Are you ready for baseball picture overload?

Texas Sledding

We went to the TCU baseball game.  Our boys had a blast.

It was a perfect day for baseball.  All 14 innings of it.

Strangely, Cry Cry sat in his stroller for 2 1/2 hours without so much as a peep.  Probably the steady influx of sugar helped.

Papa was in town.

This is Texas sledding.  The brown grass isn't so picturesque, but being able to sit outside for a baseball game in February is worth enduring brown grass.

Some had an easier time than others.

These two are ready for snowboarding.

These two are CUTE!

Asher was thrilled Nathan would ride down with him.

What a good big brother.

Even Papa joined in on the fun.

And then Samuel.

Would you be able to tell they are brothers?  When I look at them here, I'm not so sure.

Just think it's adorable how those little ears poke out when he wears a baseball cap.

Autographs after the game.

However did I become the mother of such a big kid?

Happy weekend.

Asher's Recipe.

 Asher's been asking and asking to make a recipe he made up in his sweet little brain.  Finally, there was a good time to do it this weekend.  He was so excited.

He melted 2 cubes of white almond bark.  Then he added a little cinnamon.

Next he sliced an apple into 10 slices and then peeled them (well, I peeled them).  He dipped the apple slices in the cinnamon almond bark.  Then chopped up the insides of the apples into little tiny pieces and put them on top of the still wet almond bark.

They look like this.  Certainly wouldn't be the first thing I'd choose on a dessert platter.

But I'll have to admit.

Samuel agreed.

They were pretty tasty.

Samuel took this picture.  He did a good job, except it focused on my knuckles.  I know you've always wanted to see my knuckles a little closer.  So here you go.

Now go make your cinnamon almond bark apple skin boats.

A Good Season

Asher and Samuel both played basketball this winter and loved it.  We played through the city.  One of the best parts about it, parents... it was $20 to play.  Plus we met a lot of fabulous people.

And picked up a few basketball skills along the way.

We do have some height issues in our family.

After the last game, so proud with their medals.

Look who tried to sneak in the picture.

The happy winners.

Love this kid.

Asher warming up before the game.

Time out pep talk.

Passing the time during the game with some friends.

Great season, boys!