January 2017 Randoms

We got back from Florida on Monday, January 2, and LJ and Evan started back at school on the 3rd (and Ellie on the 4th)! What a fast Christmas vacation!!! 

Here is an excited LJ, ready to go back to school, as he waits for the bus at 6:55 am! 

Since we had been gone for a week, after we got Evan to school, Ellie and I had lots of groceries to get and errands to run! I love mornings with my precious little helper!! And she LOVES shopping! 

First stop- Costco! 

Always being silly! 

HEB- she already has the Buddy Bucks things down!! 

Evan always in interesting attire!!  Barrett couldn't believe how much he looks like Gaga (Grandad's dad) in this picture!! I never met him but definitely can see it! 

He has officially dropped his nap, so he goes with me to get LJ from the bus many afternoons (and some he prefers to wait inside for us!). 

Barrett had to leave town for a CES for a few days, so we had Missy, Rex and Ren over for dinner one night! Always so fun!!

Ellie was busy taking care of all the boys! She made sure they all had waters, and then she got them each a bowl of cereal!! My nurturing little girl!!! 

And since Barrett was out of town, I let LJ come sleep in our bed with me as a special treat (actually to me!)! I LOVED it!!  

If LJ is great all school all day and doesn't get his named moved over on the behavior chart, he gets one skittle from his teacher. Barrett told LJ he would start matching his skittle with one more if he waits to eat it until he gets home so we can see. He brings his skittles home now so he can eat two- and we are proud of how often we see this!!! I took a picture to send to Barrett so I could honor their deal! 

LJ got to go to a playdate at Oliver's house! I got sent these pictures!! 

Such a fun house!! 

Evan gets to go to the library at school every Friday, and this week he brought home a book on potty training! I was so baffled, until I asked him why! His response was that he got it for Ellie, to help her start learning about potty training! OMG! How sweet is that! Way to go Evan!

Evan and his weekly (attempted) playdates with Leo... He loves these so much! Today, I got them to do crafts down stairs with me for a while. They are so cute! 

The boys drinking hot chocolate our of their new mugs (Christmas gifts from their friends Cyrus and Paymon). They love it!!! 

We got to celebrate Cyrus's 6th birthday with him at his Lifetime Gym Swimming Ninago Party! So fun to swim when it's so cold outside! And then lots of fun Ninja stuff! 

Boys making their Ninja names! 

Dinner at the Gold's house! 

Ellie and I got to meet our sweet friend Mina for lunch on her birthday! 

We are truly loving our neighborhood so much! And we are SO grateful that we have made some great, fun friends that love last minute get togethers! Today, we headed to the park down the street for a quick pre-dinner hour of playing! 

 I don't know if we've ever been on a real see-saw... until today! This reminds me so much of visiting my dad in jail growing up! They had a see-saw at that Joe and I loved to get on!!! 

 Enjoying the amazing days of weather and riding bikes around the pocket park! 

 We got a quick visit from this precious little angel, Cora, and loaded her mama (Christine) up with lots of new baby girl toys!!! Love that we are able to pass toys on to this adorable little nugget! 

 Education Go Get It week at LJ's school... he had a theme to dress up every day of the week. One day  was wear a cap... he picked his Longhorns cap! 

Another day was jersey day- easy for LJ! 

 And there was Camo day! 

And the last day of the week was career day. I learned this week, that after LJ and Capi's time hunting iguanas, he now wants to be a hunter when he grows up! Ha!!! I didn't have any more camo for him, so he just went to school in all black (he also got a piece of bubble gum and brought it home to show us hoping for 2 pieces- in case you're wondering what he's putting in his mouth)! 

 Ellie loves walking Bella, and she's getting better at it!! 

 Love this cute kid! And this cute kid LOVES going to school! 

 Shopping with Ellie!!! She found this roller bag at Target and refused to put it back. So we went all the way around the store with it! She did great keeping up with it! Then I spoke to Gigi while shopping and told her what was happening, and she told Ellie should would buy her a Mini-mouse roller bag! That was the only thing that convinced Ellie to put this one away- the promise of a better, Mini- bag! Thanks Gigi!! 

Another play date for Evan with Sweet Leo!!!  

Got my hair did!!! Went to a new friends house, and she did it all there! I needed it!! 

 Now I have to learn to curl my hair like this... we will see! 

Crazy Ellie asked me to take her picture! haha! Love it! 

 Found this guy relaxing upstairs and making recordings! 

Visiting LJ's sweet class! 

 They love being in matching pjs! 

Bella in one of her favorite spots on the couch, always with her long tongue hanging so far out of her mouth!! Love my Binkers! 

This crazy little girl!!! Don't turn your back for a second! She takes her stools all around the house to make getting into mischief more convenient! Today, I looked in the pantry to find her making toast... she put the entire loaf of bread (in the plastic) into the toaster oven and turned it on! She said, "I'm making toast Mama!" and then turned to watch it! OMG! Guess I will start unplugging appliances around here!! 

Spotted this handsome little man at the playground at school. 

And just like that, January is over!!