Happy Leap Year/Day

The only reason that I care anything at all about February 29th is that it is my grandpa's birthday. My grandpa, Emory Beeson, has been gone for quite a few years now, but since he only got a birthday every four years I would still like to wish him a "Happy Birthday". He and my oldest sister celebrated their 16th birthdays the same year. My memories of him are a mixture of my own recollection and stories I have heard. Whenever I hear his siblings or children talk about him, I find a little bit more of myself. I see him in my dad and my brother. They love baseball. They love to argue. They are proud to carry the name Beeson. My grandpa divvied out all his change to his grandkids each year for Christmas and I thought it was a goldmine. My grandpa's speech was a little hard to understand, due to a cleft lip, but I can still hear his voice clearly. This isn't the only day I remember you, Grandpa.

Leaving the Cave

On Saturday it was in the low 40s so we ventured outside for a little sunlight. It was nice, but muddy. I hope by the time real spring comes Moses is walking because I am not about to carry that boy all over the outside world. Well it was nice while it lasted--of course it snowed on Monday.

After we came in I let Ava watch a movie while I fixed a snack, but I guess all that fresh air just did her in.

The Darlings

The other day we were at a store where they have a lego table for the kids to play with. Ava was the youngest one playing and one of the other girls started taking Ava's legos, to which Ava responded, "Hey, I need those." The oldest girl snaps, "Don't you dare talk to my sister like that. You are rude!" Of course I want to go over and smack the little wench, but I decided to let Ava deal with it. Ava gives that girl the dirtiest look, puts her hands on her hips, and says, "I AM ANGRY." She totally stared her down and that girl never said another word. Don't mess with my little chick.

Yesterday we were at the doctor and Ava told the doctor (like she tells everyone she meets), "That's my Mosey brother." The doctor asked her name and she said, "I Ava and my daddy is Matt. Yep, Matt is my daddy." And at the mention of daddy Moses pipes up with a round of "da-da da-da da-da" and starts clapping his hands. Yes, I'm glad they like their daddy, but where is the love for me?

Ava really likes to make houses with all the couch pillows. A few days ago she built one and told me to come look at it. I checked it out and said that it was really nice. Ava says, "Uhh, maybe it's perfect." My mistake.

Long Awaited and Much Anticipated

Here they are--some birthday pictures of the big 3-year-old. The theme was "Love Bugs" since she is close to being a Valentine baby. The party was wicked fun, of course, although I almost drove myself mad trying to pull it all together the day before. It was my first time making any kind of cake other than the standard and I stayed up til 2:30 am working on them. They didn't turn out perfect, but I only had to impress my daughter and she loved them!

Food and decorations--Lisa was the decoration master and Carissa made the cute sign

Here they are--all the little love bugs.

Kaydee's got skills in the bug dropping game.

Tape the dot on the ladybug.

Moses making friends.

Presents.

Butterfly cake.

Ladybug cake.

Make a wish.

And I Could Not Ask For More

Well I thought that this Valentine's was a bust. Both of my kids are sick and between the two of them waking each other up with their coughing and then Ava throwing up half the night and into the day--no one in the house got any sleep. We made it through the morning and finally Ava fell asleep watching a movie. As I was carrying her to her bed, with her eyes still closed, she whispered, "I love you. I love you, Mama." And in that moment she made my whole Valentine's Day, just like she makes my everyday.

My Man Tag

-What is his full name? Matthew Craig Stephenson
-How long have you been married? 5 years and 1 month
-How long did you date? Hard to say. I think we officially "dated" for about 10 months, but we were "friends" for about 7 months before that.
-Who eats more sweets? That is all me. Matt is into salty junk food.
-Who said I love you first? I said something to the effect of, "I think I am falling in love." I don't know who said I love you first.
-How old is he? 27

-Who is taller? He is of course. I am too superficial to have a short guy.

-Who is smarter? Me. All me. No, I couldn't do dental school, I'll give him that--but I still say me.
-Who can sing better? Sorry sweet cheeks, you ain't got skills in the music department. He's actually not bad, and he makes up some interesting things when he doesn't know the lyrics.
-Who does the laundry? Ooohh, sore subject. Matty probably does more. All I know is even with the both of us we can't stay on top of it.
-Who pays the bills? It goes like this every month--Matt says, "WE need to pay this, and this, and this....", which means, "Lisa, pay this, and this, and this." But I spend the rest of the money too so it's okay.
-Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? Me. Matt sleeps in the middle.
-Who mows the lawn? The village green maintence man. Matt says he will enjoy mowing the lawn when we have a house. I will enjoy having a house when we have a house.
-Who cooks dinner? I do because I like to eat things besides Ramen and party pizzas.
-Who drives? Matt drives. It makes him feel manly.
-Who is more stubborn? Oh mercy. Depends on the situation. I am probably more stubborn on most occassions, but Matt is very stubborn with Ava--they like to have their power struggles.
-Who kissed who first? This question always starts an arguement. I maintain my stance that it was Matt who kissed me.
-Who asked who out? I don't know. When we were friends I asked him to go to the circus with me. When we became "more than friends" he did all the asking. We have a confusing story, obviously.
-Who proposed? Matt, behind a waterfall with flower petals all over the ground--very Robin Hood and Maid Marion (you know the cartoon one).
-Who has more siblings? Matt-5 bros, 1 sis, I have 2 sisters and 1 bro
-Who wears the pants? Me. He is just supposed to make the money, but he's currently not doing that very well.

Thank you, Janel, for the insanely sexy legs.