Ford's BRRRRRRR!

So a very long time ago . . . obviously before I actually had a child, I made a really dumb comment.  I said that I would pick my battles and that I would never battle with my kids over their hair.  About a year ago, Ford starting wanting to shave that sweet little head of his . . . dreams of baseball players or Army officers, who knows?  I was adamant.  No way was my sweet baby cutting all his hair off.  No WAY!  During spring break, Brent reminded me of the time I said I would NEVER (remind me, never say never!) battle with my kids over their hair choices.  So . . . . Saturday, Brent took Ford for the big cut.  He loves it and so do I -- although, I long for his sweet little boy hair!  I realized this morning when I said "Go brush your teeth and hair" that we have eliminated a morning check mark -- he no longer has to brush his hair!!!  

Cinderella . . . or is it a fella???

This afternoon I stepped outside for a minute to see Ford's amazing new baseball catching skills (maybe the skills improve based on your hair??? More on that later!).  Anyway, all of a sudden Ford and I hear Jeb screaming "Maaaaaaaaaaamaaaaaaa" as if he is seriously injured.  I ran inside and he looked up at me with those big blue eyes and said, "I need help getting dressed -- we are going to do a BIG show!"  He then proceeded to hand me Virginia's blue Cinderella dress, apparently the BIG show was a formal affair.  I couldn't resist snapping some pictures to torture him with in later years!  He makes an awfully cute princess . . . Ford said, "I am so tired of Virginia treating him like a baby sister!!!"

It is hard work to get up the stairs in a formal gown! :)

My little artists . . .

Lately, it has been so obvious that we no longer have a baby!  A little sad but also a lot of fun!!!  Yesterday, Virginia and Jeb were at their favorite spot (the kitchen table) doing their favorite thing (making a mess with markers, papers, scissors, glue, etc...) and the results of their work were too cute not to share!!!

Virginia is all about spelling things these days.  Here is a family portrait that she drew and labeled.  She had me write brother and sister on a separate sheet of paper so she could copy it but the other words (dad, baby, mom) she spelled herself!  WOW!  I'm not sure whey Brent got big purple hair and I got scrawny messed up hair but I'm sure she had a "vision"!

And now for Jeb's art . . . this is the first time he has EVER drawn anything other than scribble scrabble.  His first little alien man!  Don't you love how the feet and arms come straight out of the head!?  Hopefully he will eventually figure out that arms don't grow out our ears and legs don't extend from our chin but for now, I think it is great work for a brand new three year old!

Beautiful ZOO Weather on St. Patrick's Day!!

On Monday afternoon I decided that I would take Virginia and Jeb to the zoo.  It is their spring break and I felt like they needed a fun activity -- not to mention, it was going to be in the 70's!  So, we headed out at 8:45 and beat the crowds.  We were at the zoo until 1 and it was GREAT!  The weather was fabulous; all our favorite animals were out; and I even agreed to dippin' dots!

Here are some pictures from our day . . . 

Yes, that is a very large bear that they are watching!

I think Virginia could spend all day watching the penguins . . . 
I even gave in and paid for them to ride the carousel -- we missed the free ride time by 3 minutes -- yes THREE minutes!  Ugh!  Virginia loved it and sweet Jeb held on for dear life.  I don't think he is going to be a roller coaster fan! 
This was Jeb's favorite part of the day . . . 
And this was Virginia's favorite part of the day!  Rainbow dippin' dots for her and vanilla for him.

Here comes the sun . . . and a picnic too!

Virginia had a friend over on Monday.  Thankfully, the girls were sweet and included Jeb on their outdoor playtime and picnic!  The weather was in the upper 60's and fabulous!!!

Kool Aid bottles are a real treat . . . 

Pizza, apples, picnics, sidewalk chalk and beautiful weather -- what could be more perfect!

Fun in the sun and movie madness . . .

We are enjoying some beautiful weather in St. Louis!!!  These were taken a few days ago -- it wasn't toasty warm but it was sunny and that was all it took to get the kids outside.  The sidewalk chalk was everywhere!  They even made a "track" to run on and raced around.  It was so nice to have them outside and running!!!

And after the running was over, we headed in for a movie night!  Brent was working late, so we rented Beverly Hills Chihuahua.  What a funny little movie!!

Here we go again -- round 7 . . .

Today was a big day at the Balogh house . . . we conquered round 7 of the ear tube game.  Yes, I said 7 (8 if you count the tubes in Brent's ears!).  Seriously, Ford has had two sets of tubes, Virginia has had two sets of tubes, Brent has a set of tubes and Jeb was just not willing to be outdone.  He wanted to win this contest -- so today, Jeb got his THIRD set of tubes (and see below re: birthday, that is one set of tubes per year of life!!).  We were in the running in Birmingham to pay for the entire cost of the college educations of our ENT's entire clan of 5 children -- especially when you combine our then 5 sets of tubes with the several sets that our Balogh cousins also had.  We have now started adding to the inheritance of our new ENT's kids -- he has covered two sets of tubes for Jeb in less than 13 months.

All joking aside, the tubes are wonderful and certainly help our kids not suffer.  For that, we are very thankful.  Jeb was a little reserved when we first arrived at the surgery center but soon we has hopping around showing everyone his new octopus rain boots and reading them "Can you tell me how to get to Sesame Street?".  He has the entire book memorized and those not in the know, are immediately amazed at his reading skills!!! :)  He was very grumpy when they returned him to me but he perked up quickly, drank his juice and was released to come home.  By the time we picked Virginia up from school at 11:45, he was almost 100% and by the time he woke up from afternoon nap, he was back to his old self!

Thanks for the thoughts and prayers . . .

Jeb in the surgery waiting area pre-surgery!

Happy Birthday Jeb!

WOW!  He is three!  No longer a baby but still mostly a mama's boy!  The past few months have been a crazy time of growth for my sweet baby -- no more diapers, sleeping in a big boy bed and now turning 3.  When I think back to this time 3 years ago, I am amazed at all the change in our life.  Jeb arriving a month early and seeing him in the NICU with a chest tube and ventilator, leaving the hospital without him, spending hour after hour in the NICU, my dad having a heart attack while my newborn was still in the NICU, my dear friend losing her dad and not being able to be there for her.  What a few weeks it was.  And then a move to St. Louis -- somewhere that seemed cool to visit, but did I really want to live there?  God's plans are always so much better than my own!  But I learned a lot during that time and I have a beautiful, healthy little guy that brings me loads of joy each and every day!  He is such a fun, happy boy and we all adore him.

Here are some pictures of his big day!

"Yes, I'm 3!" -- with his new sleeping bag from Mema and Bud.

Maggie Moo's ice cream cupcakes -- YUMMY!  Plus, delicious Cakery Bakery buttercream frosted John Deere tractor cookies at school!  A sugary day!
All ready to go see Mrs. Clark and Mrs. McCandless -- Don't I look big with my cool backpack -- thanks Mimsie!
Bilibos are the best -- wheeeeee
This drill has been a hit for all three kids!
Happy birthday sweet Jeb!  I'm looking forward to watching you grow and grow and grow!

One, two, she can tie her own shoe!!!

Getting ready for kindergarten has us very busy at the Balogh house.  This weeks accomplishment -- Virginia learned to tie her own shoes!  I can't even really say we taught her because those of you who know Virginia know that she is willing to let me teach her very little these days!  But nonetheless, she learned and we are so very proud . . . 

Tying requires lots of concentration . . . 

But, ta da . . . the end result is AMAZING!!

Salem Night at the Magic House

Virginia and Jeb's preschool hosted a night at the local children's museum.  It was only preschool kids, siblings and families and so it was a wonderful chance to explore without the chaos of a normal museum day!!  The kids found lots of exciting new things in the recent addition.   Here are some photos of our night . . . 

Jeb is so happy . . . according to him, Cinderella's glass slipper is a perfect fit! :)  He sat in the floor, shed his shoes and socks, and was so happy to stick his fat little foot into the glass slipper!!

Jeb loves all the cool oversized instruments.  He and his friend Keegan loved watching the balls drop!
Virginia in a moment of skipping!
Repairing shoes in The Elf and the Shoemaker exhibit . . . 
Another exciting ball drop . . .
Prior to heading out to the Magic House, I took the kids to CiCi's Pizza.  It is seriously not on my list of favorite places, but for whatever reason, my normally healthy eater, Ford, loves this nasty pizza buffet.  So . . . we are sitting in CiCi's savoring our pizza and Ford and I have this conversation:

Ford:  Mom, do you see that sign up there?

Me:  What sign, Ford?

Ford:  The one above the buffet -- I can read it.  It says "Taste the Difference".

Me:  Great reading Ford!

Ford:  Mom, I can really "taste the difference", can you?

Needless to say, my 7 year old believes in advertising!!