Happy Birthday Wilson!

It's hard to believe

that this little guy ....

is already four years old.

Happy Birthday Sweet Wilson!

You have brought so much joy to our world.

I love you to Heaven and back again!

Beef and Blue Cheese Salad

My children have been gone all weekend and haven't given me much to blog about of late so I thought I would post one of my favorite recipes. Beef and Blue Cheese Salad is one of my most favorite recipes of all time. Another plus is that it is SUPER easy to make. Well, I've never actually made it. Ben is the one who always throws it together, but I watch him so I can say for a fact that it is indeed easy. He found this recipe in Men's Health Magazine a few years ago and we (he) make it all the time. Anyway here it is: Beef and Blue Cheese Salad

Recipe Notes: The recipe calls for plum tomatoes, but we use cherry tomatoes when they aren't in season. Also we use Newman's Own Lite Balsamic Vinaigrette and like it just fine. You don't necessarily have to use flank steak either, and I can't say for sure that we ever have. I think we usually use New York strip. Anyway, enjoy!

Mississippi Children's Museum

A few months ago Jackson, MS opened up a children's museum, so I decided to take the boys during spring break. I took lots of pictures, but they really aren't too good because the boys wouldn't stay still long enough. One of the museum employees said it was one of their busiest days since their opening, which also complicated my picture taking since there were other children constantly running in front of my camera.

Water fun!

Digging up dinosaur bones

They never stopped moving.

I would like a convo with the engineer of this contraption. The boys would climb in on one level and come out on another level, while I raced frantically through the museum to find the stairs on the opposite end, knocking down other kids to get to mine, before they started panicking when they couldn't find me or God forbid someone kidnapped them.

Did I mention the museum employee saying it was their busiest day since opening?

Loading rocks

Barge captains

What a cute little turtle!

I think this picture speaks for itself.

Lots of costumes for dress up

Davis, looking for the letters to spell his name on the giant Scrabble board

Climbing through an intestine

Wilson: "I'm a bad guy stealing food!"

Me: "Now Wilson, it isn't right to steal."

Wilson: "I'm just pertendin, Mom."

I'm so glad our boy is practicing such high morals at such a young age.

Seriously, look at this face. Does it really look like he could steal anything?

Teamwork!

Driving a combine

Working hard!

Give Bessie Give! The baby's gotta live!

This was about the twentieth time Wilson slid down this slide. Davis was a little more cautious and decided not to try it for fear he would get stuck.

Look Daddy, Cotton!

More fun with water....they each built their own boat and raced them down the river.

Making music

And even more fun with water! And no we didn't stay dry...just look at his shirt.

We got in trouble for hanging on this guy.

Note to Children's Museum staff:

Don't put anything in the Children's Museum that you don't want the children to play on.

It was a fun and exhausting day, but they got to sleep it off on the ride home.

A+ Children's Museum!

We will definitely be back another day!

Mardi Gras Parade

Last Saturday we went with the Watsons to the Natchez Mardi Gras parade.

We hung out at Fat Mama's Tamales while we waited for the parade to start which was conveniently at the beginning of the parade route. I enjoyed this parade much better than the one in Monroe because we didn't have to hang out there all day to get a spot. Also, the parade was shorter so it was perfect for the kids.

The boys had lot of fun.

Throw me something, mister!

I love the tractor pulling the float. I bet there aren't too many of those on the New Orleans parade routes.

Wilson whined about not catching a teddy bear. Luckily right at the end I snagged one for him. He didn't care that it was pink, but it's not a girl he said.

Laissez le bon temps rouler!

I have no idea what these three are doing.

After the parade we went under the hill to eat at Magnolia Grill.

Beautiful view of the Mississippi River!

Week 2 and 3 Weigh-In

I guess it's obvious that I've lost the last two weigh-ins. But I thought I would post just to be fair and give Ben his props since I embarrassed him the first week. I knew once he got motivated he would be a force to be reckoned with. So alas, I've had coffee week for two consecutive weeks and it stinks. Practically every morning he steps on the scale ,"Hmph, I lost another pound." Through gritted teeth I say, "That's awesome. I'm so happy for you. Now, drink your damn coffee." No really I am proud of him, I just wish my body would respond in the same fashion. We've changed our weigh day to Friday, so only two more days until I find out I have to make coffee for another week.

Week 1 Weigh-In

Ben and I weighed in this morning after our first week of competition. Let's just say I won't be making coffee this week. I'm not bragging, just stating a fact. Heart-shaped Valentine's sugar cookies with icing might have had something to do with it. They just happen to be his favorite. Whoops, my bad!

We have decided on a deadline of July 4th, but still haven't decided on a prize. May the best woman win!

Fun on the Mississippi

After being cooped up for the past month because of cold weather and illnesses, we were finally able to enjoy being outdoors this weekend. Ben had this great idea to go hang out by the Mississippi river. So that is what we did.

The boys were just so happy to be outside.

They didn't even whine about not having any toys to play with. But who needs toys when you have.... sticks

and logs

and a daddy who will take you fishing.

Trying to get plenty of QT with this guy before planting starts.

Time to go fishing

Waiting

and waiting

Had enough of that...let's eat!

Smores make Wilson dance

What a good day....hated to see it end.