Hailey's Birthday PartIES

Jona is in Mexico for a conference and he took the laptop...turd. So I am stuck with our desktop which moves at the speed of molasses going uphill in the winter. Lucky for you, that means I can post pics from Hailey's multiple birthday celebrations...

Sean, Shawna and Hayden were here for New Year's and Hailey's birthday. We had a great visit and Hailey loved playing with her cousin! On New Year's Eve we headed to the Phoenix Zoo.

We love our zoo and invested in a membership. We've been at least twice a month since then!

Hailey and Hayden rode a camel. Oh the thrill.

On New Year's Eve, Shawna's parents (who winter in Phoenix) came over for a BBQ and s'more fest!

Parker was determined to light himself on fire. Mommy was very nervous.

Hailey had her first fire grilled s'more and she is hooked ladies and gentlemen.

January 1st, 2006 little miss Hailey Beth made her debut.

Can it be that she is actually FOUR?

Luckily she is not at all spoiled.

And she definitely didn't start the day by licking the beaters I was using to make her cake. That would be unhealthy.

She is officially a big girl in her BIG GIRL bed. This has lead to me falling asleep with her almost nightly when I tuck her in. I think I love it as much as she does.

Her birthday outing lead us to the Arizona Science Center. Very cool, interactive, educational. Got a membership there too!

They learned how to build damn and, well, get wet and dirty inside.

Parker went to space.

And then that weekend we had yet ANOTHER party at Chuck E Cheese.

Again, not at all spoiled.

(Bianca, Hailey, Ella)

Another cake. This one brought to you by Spongebob Squarepants.

Chuck E. even sang and danced with her. He was a little lame but I'm pretty sure she didn't mind.

(Hailey, Ella, Bianca, Alexa, Emily, Lisa, Zoe, Me)

Hailey and Chuck E...BFF

There you go. Life is a party around here.

Crazy Kiddos

2010 has started with a bang! Its really so fun to start every new year celebrating my daughter's birthday. Hailey Elizabeth is now officially 4 years old...HOW DID THAT HAPPEN?!?! She is 4, she is fabulous, she is smart, she is funny, she is beautiful, she is way too verbal, she has awesome attitude, and she is in all too many ways my daughter. And I'm lucky, and we have fun, and we fight, and I often don't win. I would post pictures from her multiple birthday celebrations, but they are all on the other computer and I can't handle how hideously slow the desktop is so just trust me, every party and happy birthday singing was super fun and exciting and worthy of my gorgeous girl.

Moving on...Hailey and I had a garage sale in January. She worked really hard, helped me decide what to sell, what to keep, which of Parker's toys were disposable, and stayed outside with me all morning while we sold off our clutter. This was her snack break in the front yard while we cleaned out the garage.

Parker has changed so much just in the past few months. He has fluffy, frizzy, curly, bleached blonde hair, and plenty of it. He sings with Hailey, dances with Hailey, follows Hailey every.where.she.goes. He really, really wants to be Hailey. See...
This time of year has shown us why people live in Phoenix. Clear skies, and I mean not a single cloud to be found, 70 degrees, gorgeous. We are outside daily, and the backyard toys that felt so much love in Nashville are finally feeling it again!

Parker, following Hailey's lead, has really taken to the Maupin family love of books. He reads all day, or begs to be read to, or carries around books, or sits with Hailey on the steps, in his rocking chair, on the couch, on the floor, wherever they stop moving and sit still, and read together.

So we've been busy. And, of course, LOUD-

Our Crazy Christmas Chaos

Travelling for Christmas is a challenge. Especially with two small children and a million presents. But as difficult as it occasionally seemed, it was definitely worth it! Miami was awesome and busy and exciting and exhausting and all together terrific. My entire family was there...all 23 of us!

We played in the Renfroe's new backyard.

Got some fresh air and family time.

We were able to visit with Malinda and Katie and meet Michael for the very first time!

The kids ALL looked gorgeous on Christmas Eve! What a fantastic crew they are.

(Left to Right- Parker, Shelby, Bryce, Carly, Marshall, Chloe, Payton, Hailey, Laney)

The Maupins didn't look too shabby :)

The Big Man was as handsome as ever, looking more and more like his daddy.

We woke up Christmas morning at Grammy and Grampy's house with Mom and Dad, Chris, Sarah, Carly and Laney. Santa had visited over night and left some rather fabulous goodies! He and I had chatted before the big day and arranged things so that Hailey's brand new bike would be left in Arizona but Chloe's bike would be on hand in Miami for practice riding. Little Miss Thing was overjoyed!

All of these pictures are blurry, which I don't fully understand, but I feel like they really capture the excitement of the morning!

Mr. Clean got his very own cart to cruise the house with. Why doesn't my house seem cleaner??

Spoiled, spoiled, spoiled.

Hailey is a fantastic bike rider...and Parker is a fantastic big sister follower!

I just love this picture. They look so proud and happy, and they are staring at my kids...love it!

That afternoon we all headed up to Boyton Beach, to Rick and Mef's house, for more presents, lots of food, and a sleepover. Soon after our arrival, Hailey and Jade claimed their spot in front of the tree.

Did I mention there were 23 of us??

Seriously. 23 people and 6 dogs. Good lord.

How cute is he?

This was a gift from the Renfroe's. Parker would happily spend all his time on the caterpillar, despite the fact that his feet don't touch the ground.

The girls all got matching dresses and looked so beautiful. And I love Hailey's lips in this shot. Hoochie.

This was taken the next morning after very little sleep. Don't they look happy? What you don't see is the MASSIVE tantrum that followed this joyous moment when I tried to get Hailey into jeans for our family portrait. It wasn't pretty. It all started over a wedgie and got completely out of hand from there. In all of the family pictures, you can either see the top of Hailey's head as she tries to kick and flail her way out of my arms, or her naked legs as I never actually got the jeans on her. Such a proud moment for me.

On Sunday, Grammy and Payton organized a Perrin Family Fishing Tournament. Those of you who know the Perrins, know that this is one of the things we do best! It was great- matching shirts and all!

Parker's shirt was more like a dress, but he didn't seem to mind.

Auntie Kimmie was on hand to help him reel in the big one.

Hailey fell in love with one poor shiner, and actually cried when it fell lifeless in her hands. I tried repeatedly to explain that it needed water, but she thought it really enjoyed her attention.

We were quite a crew.

Both Hailey and Parker almost passed out on the golf cart ride home.

Uncle Keith, aka Captain Fishing Rod.

And yes, of course there was swimming! Thank goodness for the heated Keys Gate pool, it was actually quite chilly while we were there.

All in all, it was busy and fun filled and fabulous. Don't worry, birthday pictures to follow! Yep, that's right, she is FOUR!

Hmmm...

With a wink of her eye and a swagger in her step, Hailey just offered me $20 if I would let her eat her cupcake before she finished her lunch. Is it poor parenting that after my initial thought that it certainly isn't good that my 3 year old is attempting bribery, I found myself wondering if she really does have $20 and where she might be hiding it?? I mean, I REALLY need a pedicure.

Recap...

Yes, I know I am a slacker. Yes, I know I haven't posted anything new since the beginning of November. So sue me. What follows will be a picture filled extravaganza with minimal narration on my part. I know you come here for the pictures and not the quick witted, always entertaining commentary anyway. Let us begin...

While Grammy's trip out west did start off a little crazy...

there was a rainbow at the end of our path.

We eventually made it to beautiful Sedona. And when I say beautiful, I don't mean "oh how pretty" beautiful, I mean "HOLY CRAP IS THAT REAL?!?" beautiful. It really is just like the postcards.

Hailey made some friends that- much to her liking- didn't even try to talk, which is good cause that meant she never had to stop.

And although it was seriously chilly, we even hiked around a little.

Hailey was a tad bummed that we didn't do the whole trail, but it started to sprinkle, and 5 miles seemed a bit beyond what we could handle.

Having Mom here was awesome, and then terrible to have her leave. But soon after our good-byes and our welcome home to daddy, we headed to Idaho for Thanksgiving. We arrived on Saturday and on Sunday we had a mega snowfall. Monday, Hailey and Jona made a tiny snowman complete with raisin eyes and mini carrot nose.

Hailey, ever searching for her next career move, tackled the role of make-up artist leaving Jona and I lookin' good.

We had a great time hanging out with the family, and I was even able to capture the elusive Gabe shot.

There was plenty of Grandma snuggles,

and an absurd amount of Wii playing (man that thing is addictive!).

Our Turkey Day feast was divine...the food was great and so was the company!

Gorging ourselves was followed with the delicate task of constructing gingerbread houses. Jona, Hailey, and Matthew made the house...really Jona made the house while Hailey decorated and Matthew ate the candy :)

While Miranda, Hayden and I made the gingerbread train. There was icing everywhere and I do believe that Hayden's tongue might still be green!

As promised, we finished the trip with a girls day out for Hailey. Little Miss Princess got her first ever professional manicure that included flowers painted on four of her nails. She didn't use her hands properly for two days because she was so worried she would mess it up, and we JUST took the polish off three weeks later!

And now Christmas is upon us. As soon as we came home from Idaho, I worked two night shifts and then Jona left for a conference in Philly. Chaos. But we finally got our tree up last week and decorated it with all of the ornaments we have collected throughout the years...

adding our Arizona 2009 chili pepper Santa last.

So that sums it up. Lots going on, lots to come. We head to M-I-A-M-I on Tuesday and I CANNOT WAIT! Santa has been informed that he will need to find us at Grammy and Grampy's house and we will ALL- and I do mean all 23 members of the Perrin clan- spend Christmas day and night at Rick's in Boyton Beach. Should be crazy...and fabulous!!

Happy Holidays everybody...I'll blog again in 2010! XOXOXO

May be a trick...sure ain't no treat

Is it wrong for me to wish that my kids had H1N1? That might seem cruel and cold hearted, but really I'm just trying to give us all a break. If you refer to my three previous blog entries you will be entertained with tales of our fun filled Halloween adventures. Consider this the prologue...

Every single family that we celebrated with has at least one sick child. By Tuesday, they were all sick. Ahh the power of the mighty germ. I think Alexa (aka Pirate Princess) was the first to go down, but I don't have her mom's e-mail address so I cannot be sure of the situation. Ella (aka Cinderella) was taken down next by the evil swine. Zoe fell prey to the same dark master. but not my kids. Hailey and Parker like to march to the beat of their own drummer. Sing their own tune. Follow the path less taken. Blah, blah, blah, blah...sometimes there is something to be said for going with the flow. Moving with the pack. Following the leader. Instead of just a fever and a headache (and yes I know it can be WAY worse than that, but Zoe had a fever, a high fever, but only a fever) my little unique individuals have a snot filled extravaganza. We went to the doctor today- they both have ear infections, they both are wheezing, they both were running low grade temps, the are BOTH now on antibiotics, breathing treatments, and if that doesn't work Hailey gets the added bonus of oral steroids. Rock on! Neither of them sound like they can breathe, you can hear the wheezing from across the room, and nebulizing a 14 month old is like some terrible form of torture...for both of us. Screw waterboarding. Oh, and did I forget to mention that Jona is in Guatemala for two weeks?! Thank the dear lord that Grammy is here to save the day. And we all know Grammy rocks the casbah. But she is totally getting the shaft being here for the sickos again. We WILL go to Sedona next week.

So yes, I may be a bad mother, but I wish my kids had the swine flu...and were sleeping through the night...and there wasn't a trail of snot down the cushions of my couch, and my shirt, and my pants, and a little on the floor.

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And because I know a blog post without pictures might as well not be a blog post, I leave you with this. Go ahead and tell me I don't deserve a drink at the end of the day...