School's out for summer!

Picked KB up from school for the last time until August.  Today was field day.  She was pretty excited.  Friday we're meeting at the park instead of a regular school day.  Should be interesting.

Tee Ball

I'm gonna be honest.  Getting two kiddos up and out of the house complete with all the attachments needed for an early morning tee ball game is not my cup of tea.  However, I can't help but have a good time once we get there.  It really is the most entertaining 60 minutes of our week.  It is hilarious.  And I'm totally proud of our little one.  When she tries hard, she does awesome.  Way better than I could do now, and she's only 4 years old.  Since her uniform, helmet, bat, cleats, etc are all about twice the size of her I think she does very well.  

We're so thankful that so many of our loved ones have made it out to watch her games.  She has loved every minute of it.  She really enjoys her cheering section.  Here's a few videos for those of you who have missed them.

Here she is warming up:

You can see how keeping an eye on what everyone else is doing slows her down.  LOL!  

A little hit and skipping down the base line to Andy:

A great hit:

I'm so thankful that she has clearly inherited Andy's athletic nature because this mama lacks any skill or grace in that area.  The best news is that all the hand eye coordination she's been building at tee ball has greatly improved her tennis abilities.  ;)

Relief

It's been a crazy last month or so for the Bell Family.  Kinley had a cough that started back the week of Sophie's birthday.  8 weeks the poor kid hacked.  She visited the doctor 3 times.  She had a fever of 102-103 for over a week.  We never got any answers beyond allergies.  She missed about 2 weeks of school.  It was pitiful.  In the middle of it all Sophie got an ear infection.  Which cleared up almost immediately once she had an antibiotic.  The very day after Kinley got better, we left the girls with Nana and Papa and headed to North Carolina for a wedding.  Of course as I was dropping them off, I started to break out in a rash.  14 days and 3 different doctors later, I am finally feeling better today.  Still no answer as to what caused this either, but we should hear something back next week.  

Random cuteness updates from the last month:

We made a trip to Yellow River Game Ranch with the Turners.  It was lots of fun.

The Easter Bunny left a sand box:

It's good times.  :)  So is the Rockin' Baby Mullet blowing in the wind.

Sophie is a mess:

She finally decided to start walking!!!

Excuse the messy playroom.  ;)

We broke out the sprinkler.

Which was a reward for trip number eleventeen to the pediatrician office.  Have I mentioned that we're looking for a new pediatrician?  I'm debating switching to McDonough Pediatrics after some recommendations.  I just can't decide.  We've loved our doctors for the last 4 years, but up until this point my kiddos have been healthy.  The way they managed Kinley's care this last month has left me very, very disappointed.  Sophie gets all the germs Kinley brings home already, so I have a feeling we'll be making more sick visits in the near future.  Decisions, decisions.

One final silly photo:

Sophie sporting some of Kinley's shoes.

Passing on some knowledge

1. Boxes are an amazing source of entertainment

This comes as no shock to anyone with children.  Big boxes are amazing.  It lasted from about 6 until bed time.  Pausing only for a few to eat dinner.  This big box came stuffed with 3 boxes of diapers from Amazon.  Whoops.  I messed up my order.  Good thing diapers don't have an expiration date.  :)

2.  Pretend homemade mac and cheese is good.  Pretend as in pretend I made it from scratch not make believe.  It is real.  Here it is.  Good stuff.  As in there are no left overs for Andy when he gets home from tennis, good.  Even Kinley who never finishes anything lately unless it's primary ingredient is sugar asked for seconds.
3.  Sophie will walk for presents.  This was a funny coincidence at Kinley's party.  It was proven true today at one of Kinley's classmate's party.
That sweet baby can walk.  I catch her doing it all the time.  When she sees you looking at her she laughs, smiles, or says "oooohhhh" as she collapses back to the ground.  Silly girlie.
I have lots of photos, but that is all for now.  Good night, friends.

Happy Easter!

One Lucky Little Lady

Kinley Bell certainly is.  This sweet girl got to celebrate her birthday St. Patrick's Day style this year with grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins galore.  Plus her mama, daddy and Sophie too.
Lots of very hot hours of labor went into that swing set behind her.  It was her's and Sophie's big birthday gift this year.  Papa and Kevin helped their daddy to pull it off in just over 24 hours time.

Her Rainbow St. Patrick's Day party included Green, Clovers, Rainbows, and Treasures

(These puffs were supposed to be hanging.  My ceilings are too tall.)

Marshmallows and Skittles, what's not to love?

Goody Boxes full of Rainbow goodness

Fruit Rainbow with Marshmallow Creme Clouds

Rainbows, Clovers and Pots of gold sandwiches, Rainbow Goldfish, and Green applesauce for the kiddos, and the grown ups who weren't adventurous enough to try the Corned beef, Cabbage, and Sheppard's Pie. 

Green Hawaiian Punch.  Oh. Yes. I. Did.  My kid hadn't even had Kool-Aid until last week, but we went all out on sugar today.  Sorry to the Aunts and Uncles.  Kinley didn't crash until 11pm.

Jumpy House Fun

It got pretty crazy in there!

If you're in need of a Jumpy, this place rocks!  We have it from Friday-Monday.

Wee!

More rainbows

Parachute

Lots of presents.

I told you she was lucky

Her sweet Aunt Erin made her the wand and tutu to go with her wings and books.  She also was my official photographer for the day.  She rocks.  :)

The kids hunted for Treasure after gifts while the grown ups ate dinner.

Have I mentioned how lucky Kinley is to have such sweet and patient cousins?

Sweet and patient...and competitive apparently.  :)

A rainbow and pot of gold.

Then on to the cake.

One last rainbow surprise for the Birthday girl.

(P.S. this Rainbow cake is all over the internet.  What no one mentions, this thing is impossible to slice or put in a cake saver!)

Okay, I'll stop with the photos.  It's hard.  There are tons of great ones over here.  We all had a blast!  It was awesome being able to get out and play with all of our loved ones.  And in the perfect example of the sibling rivalry I'm sure we will endure for many years to come, Sophie decided to take her first step trying to get to Kinley's presents.  Had to get herself in the limelight there for a minute.  HA!

I actually think we might be the lucky ones.  Having this precious little girl in our lives is one awesome blessing.  Look at that face!

LOVE HER!

It won't be long...

Before she's off:

Or cracking jokes like her sister and daddy.  This is what I got when I asked her to stand back up, so you guys could get a better photo.

 Rolling around on the floor laughing at me.  Seriously.  She was taunting me.  So you'll just have to live with blurry sideways photos.
She stands up a lot now by herself.  She even gets a kick out of falling on her bottom.  Not at all interested in taking any steps or standing up with you holding her fingers, but she loves this.  :)