Big Mama

One of my favorite blogs to read {of people I don’t know in real life}is the Big Mama blog.  She’s just so funny, and her posts are always well-read and entertaining.  Sooooo… she recently wrote a book, and since she’s a Texas gal, was going to be in Katy yesterday signing books.  My cousin, who also reads her blog, and I decided to drive down there to get books signed and meet her.  And we did!

I didn’t take a ton of pictures {like I normally would have}, because when I turned on my camera, the battery light was blinking.  Whoops!

These were the people in line in front of us – the guy who works at Books-a-Million was standing there, waiting to take anyone’s picture who wanted him to.

Christiana had sent Big Mama (her name is actually Melanie Shankle) a Facebook message earlier in the week asking how long she thought she’d be there.  Christiana had a UIL competition in Dayton yesterday morning and was worried she might not make it.

When she introduced herself, Melanie jumped up and was so glad she made it.  Isn’t that sweet?

I spent a few years working in a children’s bookstore, and we had many authors in for signings.  Just about all of them were very sweet, but they were pretty particular about how things were done.  It’s probably partly because she’s such a new author and partly because of her personality, but Melanie talked to everyone individually and gave hugs to everybody and leapt up out of her chair a million times.

Here she’s making sure she knows how to spell Christiana’s name.

Melanie’s daughter was there too, signing the books alongside her mom.  It was sweet.

They’re both lefties.

The guy from Books-a-Million did a great job!  Sometimes when you hand your camera to someone to take a picture, the results are less-than-desirable.  Books-a-Million guy knew what he was doing!  :)

It was a fun little road trip {it’s a whole hour over there you know}.  I’m glad we went!  I started reading the book last night, and it’s very good.  It’s the kind of thing I could finish pretty fast, but I’m going to try and savor it a bit.  :)

Playing with Friends and Emma’s Birthday Party

This is one of the girls’ favorite spots in the house.  I’m bummed that we don’t have windows in more of our “living area” that go down this low.  Maybe I should lay down a couple of thick mats (and some of that unbreakable glass on the window might not be a bad plan).

This makes me think of the first part of The Cat in the Hat.  Except it was warm and sunny outside our house!

Looking at me to tell me part of the story.  Joanna and Natalie LOVE reading books, even though of course they can’t actually read.

I thought it would be cute to take a picture from the outside in, but my window is really disgusting and the light wasn’t right, and there’s that divider in the middle.  Oh well, they’re still cute.  :)

We had our friend Anna over on Friday for a couple of hours.  They only did this for a minute and of course I was telling them to stop as I was taking the picture.  Really.  :)

Best friends!

I don’t know exactly what it is about this picture that I love, but it’s something.

James, in-between clothes:

Terrible picture, but it links the one before and the one after:

And over onto his tummy!

Oh, that smile!!!!!!

I could just get lost in those eyes…

He is JUST SO STINKIN’ CUTE!!!

And back over.  Little by little he moves himself around without actually crawling or really even scooting.  (Totally random, but it made me remember that I’m pretty sure James was rolling around in one of my dreams last night.  The other one was really bizarre, but the point of this tangent is that I think two nights ago I dreamt about grammar.  Who dreams about grammar?)

Anna sure does love her James!

Today we headed over to the Vandenberge’s for Emma’s 3rd birthday party.  I can’t believe she is THREE!!

I didn’t take many pictures, but here are a few.  Natalie enjoying the bounce castle.

I went inside pretty fast.  I’m using James as my excuse.  He was sweating.  :)

Miss Birthday Girl with her cupcake!!

And she blew out the candles!

This is how you eat cupcakes when you are two:

And when you are four:

So thankful it improves with age.  :)

Emma is very into Toy Story right now – we loved the Toy Story party!

I took a few of these, and this was the best of my children even though Anna’s eyes are closed.  She still looks cute.  :)

And James in his alien hat!  He totally matched the party colors!

Happy Birthday our sweet sweet Emma girl.  I remember the morning you were born.  I don’t wake up at 2:00 in the morning for very many people.  :)  We love you!

Natalie

My Natalie has been a hoot and a half recently.  I just want to hug her and snuggle her ALL DAY LONG!  This first one is from her two year check-up back on the 14th.

She was 27lbs, 32 1/2 inches tall, with a head circumference of 19 inches.  As Mary Poppins would put it: “Practically perfect in every way.”  Since the new computer way of doing things at the doctor’s office, I’ve noticed there are more questions.  Which doesn’t bother me, it’s just a noticement.  Anyway, among the barrage of “two year” questions was this one: “can Natalie kick a ball?”  Ummmm… I don’t know.  I’m not sure I’ve ever given her the opportunity.  (Bad Mommy!)  Fortunately I didn’t get into trouble as apparently Dr. Harper feels it’s Matt’s responsibility to make sure she can kick a ball.  :)  Hee hee hee.  It’s now on our list.  Sorry, all my “action/sports/activity” friends.  If it makes you feel any better, I’m pretty sure Natalie will be an early reader.  :)

These next few pictures are from when the fam was still in town.  I can tell because I took them with Renee’s camera.  That, and Kathryn’s in some of them.

Isn’t she simply gorgeous?!

(Notice the difference in quality between the last picture and this one – whoa.  These next ones must have been after the family left!)

Natalie is very into accessories these days.  I remember that phase from Joanna (she still is there somewhat).  I think it must have something to do with what Natalie can put on/take off herself.  She has trouble with clothes, but accessories are something she can be independent about!

This is why you will often find her in a diaper and… something else.

She is also VERY into reading right now.  I look over so many times a day to find her sitting on the floor by the books, just quietly going to through them.  LOVE IT.  LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!

Accessories and books?  What could be better?!!

And even though I don’t like to encourage playing in the baby doll bed, I just had to snap this one.  Oh she is just SO STINKIN’ CUTE!

I love my Natalie so much!  (And lest you worry, posts on the other kids, whom I also love so much, are coming soon. )