Happy Easter!

Hope everyone had a fabulous Easter this year! Things were crazy as usual over here but we had a great time. The girls woke up and found their Easter baskets chock full o' goodies, mostly toys because the Easter Bunny said Mommy might eat too much of their candy! After checking out their baskets, the girls headed out to the porch for a Easter Egg hunt!! They searched high and low and Brianna was able to find her fair share of eggs... such a big girl. After that, we loaded up and went to church for yet another Easter Egg hunt! Mommy forgot her camera though. Woops. We had a very yummy Easter dinner with Nana and Aunt Kimmy who helped me TREMENDOUSLY in the kitchen, as usual! Couldn't have done it without you guys! Happy Easter everyone!!

Dying eggs! I accidentally deleted the picture of Brianna helping but she was there!

Whose idea were eggs covered in glitter??

The Easter Bunny sent the girls out on the porch for a mini egg hunt! Go Brianna!

Yeah Addison!!

Notice the blue lips on Brianna? Darn blue Ring Pop!!

What a difference a year makes

At the beginning of the school year I signed up to help with the Easter party in Addison's class. I was room mother last year so I thought, how hard could it be? and didn't give it a second thought. Well, let me tell you, there is a big difference in the activities between 3 and 4 year olds! I helped the kids dye their Easter eggs...wow! I have a new found appreciation for Addison's teachers. Mrs. Crutchfield, in the red sweater, is amazing. Addison refers to her as 'Crutchfield' as much as I try to tell her to add the Mrs., she won't. She promised me that all the kids did it but when I asked the teacher, she said, "Nope, just Addison, but I don't mind!" Geesh. Mrs. Joan, in the pink, has been Addison's helper teacher for the last two years. Mrs. Joan is great and keeps the 'organized' in organized chaos. Those kids don't get away with anything with Mrs. Joan keeping a watch on them! 

In the past few days, Addison has started showing me her reading skills! It's so amazing to see how far she has come since she started at her school. From recognizing letters, to writing them, to now putting the sounds together to READ! Last year, she didn't participate in circle time and didn't want much to do with anyone besides her teacher. This year, she has come right out of that shell! She rode the pony when the petting zoo came to school. Last year, she wouldn't even stand next to it to take a picture! Which leads me to these pictures... if you skipped ahead, you would see Addison standing with the Easter Bunny! This is the first time she has ever gotten close to the Easter Bunny/Santa!! I guess I've gone on long enough... here are some pictures from my experience in Addison's class.

The organized chaos that is a preschool class!

Brianna enjoying a special treat she made with Addison

Whose scared of the Easter Bunny? Not me!

I found one! I found one!

I wouldn't believe it if I hadn't seen it myself!

Firehouse Playdate

First off, I want to apologize for not keeping more up-to-date with this blog. I went on a blogging spree recently to catch up a few months and got lots of "Thank You's"! I didn't know we had so many fans!! I will try to be more diligent about posting pictures up here as often as possible. I can't promise much once Baby Girl Irish #3 makes her debut though! Speaking of, I decided to change the title of this blog (again!) for the final time. This covers all my bases although you can rest assure we will be at maximum capacity for this house come July!!
Now, on to the pictures...
Last week, I took Brianna to the Altamonte Springs Fire Department with our playgroup. I thought she would be a bit timid but to my surprise, she pushed through the hesitating older kids with me running behind her to be the first kid up in the truck! Not scared in the least to talk to the firemen and hop up in their chairs! It was great to see her so excited!! Of course, the afternoon was topped off with a grilled cheese at Firehouse Subs!

Ok, she looks scared but trust me, she wasn't!! She was so happy to be up in the fireman's seat!!



Hopped right up to get her stickers and hat from the fireman



Loving her hat!

Happy Birthday, Brianna!

Wow, my baby is two years old. I can't believe it. I also can't believe that she will be a big sister in just a few months! We had her Dora birthday party this weekend and she had a GREAT time!! She got lots of Dora babies and loves each and every one of them.

The traditional Birthday banner... doing my part to keep all Etsy shops in business!

Cupcakes provided by Winter Haven Grandma and Backpack goody bags

Big girl blowing her candle out

Cupcake time FINALLY!

Dig in!!

Happy Birthday, Brianna! cont'd

Kid's Table

The Birthday Girl!

All Brianna's Party People!

Ohhhhh..... D-d-d-d-dora!!

Mommy and her baby

Just Because...

the girls were being cute....

Congrats Mr. & Mrs. Armstrong

Just a few weeks ago, Bryan and I hopped a flight all the way to the bright lights of Vegas to see my very dear friend Jenny Owens (now Armstrong!!) tie the knot. Bryan and I stayed away from the blackjack tables (thankfully) and made ONE bet for my Noles to beat Notre Dame in the NCAA tourney. They did and we made a whopping $18. Wow, we are High Rollers!!

The ceremony was just gorgeous and the bride and groom even wrote their own vows. It was so sweet to hear their personal vows to each other. I wish I was able to get more pictures of the ceremony but they would have been of someone's head!

the waterfall behind Jenny and Aaron as they took the plunge!

The gorgeous bride dancing with her new fabulous hubby!

And what Vegas wedding isn't complete without an Elvis Impersonator??

Thanks for a great time Jenny and Aaron! We are so happy we were able to be there with you.

Catching up... Syberts Come to Town!

In March, we were SO lucky to have a visit from Kelly, Michaela, Mattox, and baby Maverick. What can I say, it was NON STOP excitement trying to figure out how to manage six kids and keep everyone fed and happy! I'm going a little out of order but here is a picture of everyone at Mattox's birthday party. I think it was the only time we got the kids lined up, sort of facing the same direction, and smiling for the most part!

Cheese! Happy Birthday Mattox!

Nana Jo was able to get enough tickets to Gatorland Zoo for all of us to go so we loaded up and headed out. Poor Brianna stayed at home with Daddy because of a double ear infection. Everyone couldn't be healthy, right?

Don't fall in!

The older kids ready to see some gators

Look at that precious baby boy! And that adorable blankie his Aunt Kara made for him.

The troops taking a break on the nature walk

Catching up... Syberts Come to Town! Cont'd

This snake was just slithering around... look at those brave girls!!

The gator got Addison!! Oh no!!

You HAVE to get your face painted!

Mattox's Birthday Party Craft table

Compliments of Nana Jo... Brianna loved showing her pearly whites for this!

Unfortunately, I wasn't able to get near as many pictures as I would have liked but guess that's par for the course when kids out number the adults! We are looking forward to seeing the Syberts again at Christmas time. Don't expect too many pictures... the kid count will be up to seven at that point!

Catching up... Orlando Science Center

And mommy guilt has set in yet again! Doesn't it always?? I wanted to take Brianna to somewhere fun before Baby C makes HER debut (yes, it's ANOTHER girl!). Our playgroup was going to the Science Center so I thought Brianna might just be old enough to enjoy an exhibit or two... and she loved it!

Busy working...

A house just her size in the Curious George exhibit!

Driving around in the planes, trains, and automobiles playroom!

She was amazed by the space ship! Future astronaut??

Catching up... Grandma and Papa Irish come to town

Papa was so sweet to get Grandma a cruise for Christmas so naturally, on their way out to sea, they stopped in to say hi for a few days. We had a great visit with them!! I'm sure they were excited to get on the ship so they could relax because the girls kept them busy, busy!

Brianna and Grandma coloring the day away

Papa and Grandma were way better than the automatic bubble machine!!

Picnic at the park! Yummy!!

Look at that concentration!

Aren't I cute?!

Catching up... Another Visit from the Hoods!

We were lucky this year to get to see our South Carolina cousin Caleb twice in just a few months! The Hood's took a family trip down to see the mouse and we went and hung out with them on their 'off' day at Downtown Disney. Here are a few other pictures from January as well.

Addison hanging out at school at the playground

Do you see why I'm not too upset that Addie will be in uniforms for Kindergarten!

Cheese!!

Aunt Elizabeth, Addison, and Baby Hood (to be making his/her debut in the next few weeks)!!!

If you only knew what went into getting all three to sit and sort of smile you would be really impressed with this picture!