Happy 9th Birthday Precious Reagan

Thursday, February 28th was our precious Reagan's 9th birthday. It is truly, truly unbelievable that nine years have already passed since the day she graced us with her presence. She has been a pure joy every day of her life.
We started the day off with the door draped in the "birthday curtain" that our girls have come to expect. Reagan literally awakens each day with a smile on her face and a bright "good morning, I love you momma". We surprised Reagan this morning with the news that we would be taking her to a Thrashers game. She is a HUGE fan of Thrashers hockey. She will sit and watch games with Romeo, and she knows all the latest player trades, player names, numbers, etc. I guess in that regard, she's our "boy". So, she was super excited! We went by Chick fil A for breakfast before school. She also got two nice surprises at school. Jason Ray came during her lunch time with chocolate and a gift card, and her Mimi came with her gift and cupcakes for the entire class.

Reagan and Sophie enjoying their chocolate milk in bed.

Today was "Cowboy Day" for the third grade at our school. Our story this week had to do with cowboys, so we had all the kids dress up- us teachers included (yep, that included me.). Also, we served traditional "cowboy" food. In case you don't know what that is...pork and beans, sour dough bread, and black coffee. Anyway...hence, the reason Reagan is dressed like this for school.

This picture positively cracks me up. Let me explain. This is in the parking lot before going in to the hockey game. What is my husband doing you ask? Well, he is stuffing the girls' pockets full of contraband. He doesn't like the price of peanuts in the arena, and adults now get searched before entering, so he fills the girls' pockets with peanuts. Who would search an innocent looking little girl? He would make Clark Howard so proud.

Daddy with his hockey loving girls

We had GREAT seats! "Clark" got them for half price.

Our buddy Richard Bomar, "Uncle Bo", went with us.

Do you think we look alike?

This little jewel is the reason I like hockey. It's the world's greatest pretzel. It's called a Wetzel Pretzel. It's worth an hour drive to Atlanta just for this!

Of course we can't go to Atlanta without coming home with some hot ones. They were so hot we had to let them cool for a few minutes.

The perfect ending to what Reagan called "the best birthday ever"!

American Girl Birthday Celebration

Today the girls had their joint birthday celebration at the American Girl Bistro and Boutique at Northpoint Mall. We struck this deal with them instead of having two big parties this year. They each invited a pal to take along. Riley and Rebecca joined us last night for a sleepover, and we got up bright and early this morning to make our 9:30 brunch appointment.

Anyone who knows the Brinkleys will be amazed to know that we were out the door early even with two extra girls to get ready! It's nothing short of amazing. We decided to wear our finest tea party attire.

The drive there wasn't so bad. We only heard "how much farther" about five times.

We got there early, so the girls had some time to look around. Reagan had already "researched" on line and in the catalog and knew that she wanted Samantha.

Sophie had been looking in the catalog too, but didn't make her decision until this morning. She chose Julie, the 1974 doll. (The year I was born.)

Getting settled in... Notice that each doll has her own special chair that clips on to the table.

Because each girl HAD to sit beside their doll, Romeo and I were stuck in the middle of the table. Does his expression say it all? "Why did I agree to this? How much does this cost? Am I the only man in this estrogen bistro?" Truly, he was such a good sport. I thought surely he would have a coronary when none of the girls were overly keen on their fancy French toast and let the majority of it go to waste. But, nope! He never said a word even though I'm sure the Clark Howard in him was dying to say something. He's a good man. If I could fast forward 20 years, I'm sure I would see a scene similar to
Father of the Bride.

I on the other hand was having a blast living vicariously through my children. Where was this when I was eight?

Sophie and Rebecca showing the menus to their dolls. The waitress brought out tiny menus for each doll. Also, each napkin had a star shaped cookie cutter as a napkin ring. Each one had a word written on it like: strong, friend, true, honest, etc. She had each of us go around the table and make a sentence with our word. The girls did really well.

Riley and Reagan asked for extra plates for their dolls and shared their French toast.

After brunch, we finished our shopping in the boutique. Koodos to Riley and Rebecca's parents - both of the girls thanked us numerous times for the fun outing and were so well behaved! On a side note, it was fun to see everyone looking the girls over in their dresses. I overheard one lady say, "only in the South". I take that as a compliment. Girls should look like girls!

New Bathroom

The girls and I have been home all week for winter break. It's been a good week to catch up on house work, take care of doctor and dentist appointments, and then the boredom sets in. With all the rain, we haven't been able to get out and do a whole lot, so I took on a decorating project. The girls' bathroom is the only room in the house that never really got decorated when we moved in almost three years ago. I got out the pink paint to touch up Sophie's room yesterday, and the bright idea struck me...Polka dots! Add a new shower curtain, rugs, and ribbon....and ta-daaaaaaa! What do you think? It kind of reminds me of a Dr. Seuss book. The girls are smitten, and that's all that matters.

The Circus is in Town!

Last night was the opening night for "The Greatest Show on Earth". We went down to the CNN Center early and met up with the Minichowskis for dinner. If you get there early, you can take your kids down to floor to see the clowns, acrobats, animals, and to try on costumes. This year was a true 3 ring circus complete with Bello the famous clown, and let me tell you...he was awesome. We topped the night off with HOT Krispy Kreme donuts.

Waiting in line to get in...Reagan and Riley occupied their time by playing "rock, paper, scissors".

Cooper and Sophie occupied their time by just being crazy.

Reagan, Mason, Cooper, Riley, and Sophie watching the clowns.

Little Ivy slept through all the noise.

The Chinese contortionists. I could so do that!

I think I have as much if not more fun than my girls.

At one point, giant "cannons" of confetti exploded all around the arena. It was beautiful.

Sophie with a clown before the show.

The kids with "Crusty the Clown". Just kidding. They were all wonderful. Not scary at all. Any of you have clown fear?

Joe, Sharon, and Ivy.

Sophie and Reagan in costumes before the show

Riley the great

Mason and Cooper

Martha Stewart Look Out - Homemade Valentines

For those of you moms who don't subscribe to "Family Fun" magazine, you've got to get it! It is in my opinion, the best magazine out there for families. My mother-in-law got me a subscription two Christmas' ago, and there has not been a month that I haven't found a plethora of fabulous ideas yet. This is one of my favorites.

The girls and I worked for several hours making homemade Valentines to give to their friends this Thursday. We peeled and broke around 150 crayons into small pieces, melted them in a heart shaped mold in the oven (12 at a time mind you), and attached them to pieces of cardstock with messages such as "You make my heart melt, You color my world, and Have a Happy Valentine's Day for 'crayon' out loud." It was a wonderful activity that we all got involved in. One hint: Only use CRAYOLA crayons. The cheap ones just aren't as good.

It took me a while to get a system going. We found that the peeling process was difficult, so I took a sharp knife and scored the wrappers.

The girls really got in to arranging the colors just so.

The hearts after they hardened. We did 55 in all.

Even dear old dad helped us out.

Gymnastics Weekend Again!

We traveled to Tucker this morning at 7:00 for another gymnastics meet. Grandma, Mimi, Poppy, Coach Fears, and his wife Jackie joined us today. Sophie had a much improved floor routine and vault today but didn't quite bring her "A" game on bars and beam. We bribed her today and said if she got a 9 on anything, we'd celebrate with hot Krispy Kreme donuts, a Brinkley family favorite. She didn't pull out a 9, so no donuts. But, the Varsity for lunch was a fun treat instead.

One of the moms from Sophie's team had shirts printed up for everyone. Only with children can you get away with being so dorky!

A little sisterly love--Sophie with her 7th place trophy

She'll always be first in our eyes!--Notice, Teddy made it to this meet. She thought he'd bring her luck.

Happy 50th Birthday Poppy!

Today is my dad's 50th birthday. After church we went to my parent's house for a birthday lunch. My grandparents and Aunt Anita and Uncle Stephen, mom's sister and brother in law, also joined us. Mom made a yummy lunch of ham, scalloped potatoes, broccoli salad, homemade rolls, deviled eggs, and Maw Maw's home grown green beans. She also made two different cakes for dessert, a chocolate fudge cake and a yellow cake with a Swiss Buttercream Meringue frosting that had not one but two sticks of butter in it. YUM! After lunch, the girls decided they would show Paw Paw Cauthen how to bowl on the Wii. That was a hoot. The old man (ie.-my dad) decided he would play too.

These pictures are all out of order, and I just didn't feel like fighting with it today.

My 85 year old Paw Paw takes over the control-bowling on the Wii.

Poppy and his girls

Maw Maw loved Lily.

Poppy trying to bowl a strike

Look at Reagan's face. How funny. I think she was eyeing that chocolate cake.

My precious grandparents-Maw Maw and Paw Paw Cauthen

Uncle Stephen and Aunt Anita-mom's baby sister

Bring on the cake.

Everyone wanted to teach Paw Paw how to bowl.

Maw Maw is most the beautiful 82 year old you've ever seen!

Paw Paw in deep concentration trying to figure out how to release the ball on the bowling game

Sophie spent the entire weekend at my parents' house while Reagan and Romeo have been recovering from a cold. She slept in curlers for church.

Happy Birthday from your girl!

Look at the old man getting some swing action. He'll be sore tomorrow!

This is a hoot. Three people trying to teach Paw Paw how to use the Wii. Can you imagine the changes in technology in his lifetime?

Way to go Paw Paw!