Hush Little Baby

I had a sonogram today! It went so well. I am 28 weeks and the baby is measuring just over that! I think she said the estimated weight was around 2.5 lbs! Even with number 5 it truly amazes me. God is just awesome. And everyday I just feel more and more blessed! The baby had his/her legs up over his/her head and arms up. It was the funniest thing I had ever seen. She flipped over to the 3d version, but all you could see was nose and mouth. 2 legs were on top of the rest of the face. All very odd:) All of my other 4 would stretch out from finger tip to toe! So watching this little one be all squished is funny. My mom came with me. She enjoyed it as well. Laurel, Anabelle and Corbin were there, too. They actually did so well, thanks to some fast lollipop thinking! Anabelle was able to make out the nose and eyes. It was so cute once she saw that. And Laurel was amazed when she heard the heart beat! I can't believe we are on the last trimester! Just amazing!

Swimmie, our fish

So, Chloe went to a birthday party and the party favor was a beta fish! She named him Swimmie. I have never seen people so excited about a fish! I of course am thinking, great...1 more thing to keep alive in this house:) I'm already down 1 dog! So, Swimmie is officially a Sparks family member. I have never really gotten the idea of a fish or bird or reptile as a pet. If you can't hold it and pet it, I don't get how it is really a pet. But we have a pet fish now. I think Swimmie has been with us for about 4 weeks now. I didn't think he was going to make it that long. Sometimes Anabelle and Laurel get his "cup" and get so excited .... reminds me of the scene from finding Nemo when the little girl is shaking him to death!

We even had to hire a fish sitter to go to Denver.
So realizing Swimmie is around for a while we decided he needed a better home then the cup he came in!

So off we went to the pet store(my kids called it a petting zoo the entire time). We saw lots of animals, including a hairless rat. GROSS! We got what we needed and got home to put Swimmie in his new digs...We got the bowl ready and now it was time for Swimmie. I didn't want to pour him in there bc his water was so nasty! I had the bright idea I would use a 1/4 cup measuring spoon. I mean he is small! Laurel and Chloe are on the counter. Corbin under my feet, and Shelby following Corbin, and his trail of crumbs. Anabelle was in the den doing her own thing. I got him in the cup, and started to pour a little water out. I wanted as little dirty water as possible. That is when he made a break for it, "All drains lead to the ocean!" He flipped out all over the counter! I am screaming, "Oh! Oh!' And Chloe and Laurel are in shock! Chloe is screaming, "He is going to die!" I try to get him with all the various junk on my counter and he flips onto the floor! Luckily his fall is padded by Anabelle's silky! GROSS! So, I get the silky and try to flip him into the bowl that I now have on the floor! He doesn't go! Back onto the floor! Now I am trying to protect him from Shelby who is trying to eat him, and Corbin who is laughing and trying to catch him! All the while I am now screaming, "Shoot!" over and over! I am sure that will be Corbin's next word! We finally got Swimmie back in the bowl! Chloe kept telling me to get him with my hands! I kept tell her, "No!" It was all quite comical. He is now in his new home, and I sure hope he stays a live after all of that! Otherwise I want my $16 dollars back from the pet store for all my supplies:)

Gross public sin....vs Closet sin

This was an article I read that reminded me of the saying, "Would you jump off a cliff if everyone else did?" But more, would that make it right, bc everyone else did? A great little article on the hidden sins in our closets that we don't want the public to see. That most of us don't have a huge public "gross sin" surrounding us, but closet ones. This is a nice reminder that we need to live life each day the same as the day before. Live life genuine in each cirlce of people we encounter. Evaluate what has become acceptible, but deep down in the places that makes us feel joy and pain, is it really a sin.
http://www.childrensministry.com/article.asp?ID=1871

WCF( World Cranial Foundation)

If you have a minute, read the news letter in this link. It is so amazing to see how anyone can help any of these precious children.
As well, one of the Drs who is a part of the WCF was the surgeon who did Corbin's surgery to remove his cyst.

http://www.worldcf.org/documents/newsletters/08SummerNewsletter_email.pdf

Rock in my windshield in Childress, Texas : $200(deductible)
Lost little boy in the mountains while
watching Fire Works: $0 (only bc we found him)
Lost wedding band in gold min: $1500
Ticket in Colorado Springs while admiring
the Air Force Academy : $190
Poop falling out the car door
during diaper change : $0
(Can you put a dollar amount on how funny that really was?)
Extra gas spent while an impromptu
tour of Roy, New Mexico : $50
Brand New sheets flying out of
the car in New Mexico: $80
More poop falling out of the car door
during diaper change: $30
(That is what dinner cost us that caused it!)
One more movie to get us home
from Amarillo at 9 pm: $19.99
(Meet the Robinson's was very entertaining)
Roll of duct tape to tape up the mangled
car top carrier due to the black cloud and
hail that followed us through 3 states: $5
Ticket in Claredon from Officer Duley who
really needs to find a happier place: $170
Crawling into my own bed at 4:30 in
the morning, with a clean house that
smells great......: $You thought I was going to
say priceless... but there was a price
______________________
$2499.99
Holy cow..... let's use this ending instead:
Time spent with my wonderfully large
family celebrating our country while
frolicking through the mountains in
Breckenridge: PRICELESS

3rd Birthday Party

How did this happen? I can't believe my little girls are turing 3! I remember Fred and I talking when they were little babies. I remember him saying, "What do you think it will be like when they can talk and walk?" Wow, I didn't know it would be so busy...and so great. Listening to them is one of the highlites of my days! Listening to Anabelle tell me very matter of factly what she is doing, and listening to Laurel start every morning with , "Hi mommy!" is the way I want to always start my days!

I cried off and on a lot at their party. They just looked so terribly big. And next week, on their real birthday they will get big girl beds....I think it will just do me in. All my babies are getting bigger..I am not ready for that. I know some people say how wonderful it is... but I just want to hold on to each baby a day longer! Is that too much too ask?

sweet messy babies! tunirng 3!

I do my own Stunts!

This is what Corbin's t-shirt says. And is it ever true! That boy has no fear, and is fairly coordinated. Scary though. I never know what he has planned next! The inspiration for this entry comes from that deep hidden place. That place we don't share and we don't let others see. That place the Ezzo's would be terribly disappointed to know existed. But we all have it in our homes! And if you don't, you are just plain lying!
This is ours......we secretly let our 4 children jump from our hope chest(aka coffee table, aka dress up box) to the the leather couch. Oh my goodness. They think it is about the most fun thing in the world. They all line up and hold hands, scream 1 2 3...and off. I know it is dangerous, and it teaches nothing good...but when we sit down on the floor to start changing diapers and into pjs....it gives them unlimited entertainment. I am sure someone is bound to get hurt and we will be in someone's home and have to discipline the kids for doing it, but darn if it doesn't show what being a child is all about!
And for those pointing their fingers and shaking their heads.....we also let them jump on our bed after bath time! So there! :)

New Dr. Seuss Book: Oh the Surprises you Know!

Based on actual events from 6/17/08:

Oh the surprises you know. The surprises you've met..
But how do you know the surprises you'll get?

It starts with an "Ohhhh!" and ends with an "What!"
Some from their mouth, and some their bu&&!

Surprises can be very very loud! Like a jet plane from above!
Surprises can be very very quiet! Like sweet kisses of love!

They can come with beauty, like flowers in vase!
Or they can come stinking...making you green in the face!

Today I'll have a surprise different then you!
Don't ask for the same one...believe me you have no clue!

Mine came in the form of silent and sneaky!
It came from a little red head and it sure was freaky!

Off to our vacation Bible school we go..so excited to wear a pink bow!
The day started off just at fun as could be! But then it was dark..there was no sun to see!

That little red head of mine.. sure had a good time. She got to ride the little train, but it was the look on her face that was the tale tale sign!
It appears she had been "holding out" for days on end... but now it was time...I hope you were not down wind!

I got a little tap, it wasn't too much.. a need for a mommy's special touch...

I arrived in her class wanting to see her look so sweet! But it wasn't the case... not from her neck to her feet!
Apparently it was a soothing little ride that made the final push, and it made it all come out her tiny little tush!

From her sweet little shoulders down to her fat little toes... my little red head had way more then a runny nose!

50 wipes used, the filth was finally defused!
A change of clothes from a sweet little friend... oh but that isn't the end...

A wash of the hair... this mess was every where!
We finally were clean...but the surprise we have seen!
Can such a little person produce such mass....and have to do it during her Bible class!

I imagine she feels 100% more free....but next time I hope she just has a little TT!

So that is the surprise I got today! My surprise has been thrown away!
My surprise giver is still around....But I sure hope her next surprise is never ever found!

The answer is: 104 degrees

The answer is: 104 degrees
What is the question?

At what temperature do the “fat” crayons melt in the car and get all over the car seat?

I’ll come back to how we discovered that, and other interesting facts about crayons later!

Finally our first summer of 2008 vacation! We took the kids to Sea World over the weekend. It was so much fun. My mom and sister and brother in law joined us as well! We left at 5am Friday morning, in order to get there at 10am. 5am slowly turned more into 5:30ish. Anyway, I was busy packing, cleaning(in case the house was to show) and finishing up VBS preparations! Before I knew it, the clock said 4:00 am! I realized then I had missed my opportunity for sleep! So, I just kept moving. I finished loading stuff in the car, took a shower and woke Fred up around 4:45. We finally got all the kids and dog in the car and were at my moms around 5:30 am. We dropped the dog off and all headed to San Antonio. The kids had asked for days when we would see “Shampoo” aka, Shamu! Chloe was very excited! Needless to say, none of the kids fell asleep after the 5am wakeup call! I was shocked. I dosed off a few times, but nothing meaningful. Most of the time I just kept my eyes closed as Fred would say, “Girls, be quiet bc mommy is trying to sleep.” Finally we arrived at Sea World. We had to lather up in sun screen and get everyone inside. It was so exciting. It was warm, but there was a terrific overcast that lasted almost the entire day. It wasn’t too crowded, so that was a plus! The first thing we did was see the dolphins. They were so playful and the kids were in awe. It was just a perfect beginning to the day….

Off to see the Sharks!

Then we headed further to see the Sharks. Again the kids were in awe of them. Anabelle made sure to tell me she didn’t want to pet them! Smart girl! Corbin just loved running in the dark, inside the shark habitat! Easily entertained!

SHAMU!!!!!!!!!!!111

Then Shamu! Yes, Shamu! I think that was about when Corbin fell asleep on Uncle Neal’s lap. We changed the kids into bathing suites for that show. We thought we would take them to the splash park area afterwards. Aunt Ginny picked the perfect “splash zone” area for everyone to sit. Mom kept looking at me, in a very…”Why are we sitting here” way. Corbin was crashed out, so I decided he would probably cry hysterically if he woke up to cold water thanks to Shamu. I took him, still asleep to the top of the area, to sit and watch the show. I have never seen my mom move so fast, as to follow me. Of course only to make sure I was ok, pregnant and caring 30 lbs of boy on my hip. Right!
Once the show was over we met the rest of our group outside. The kids thought it was so “Punny” as Laurel would say, that Shamu got them wet. Of course the little girls didn’t think it was “punny” while it happened!

We took them to the splash area, while Chloe was a big girl and road a ride with GiGi and Uncle Neal. The little ones had a great time and it felt good to have our feet in the water as well!
Finally Chloe showed up, so we let them go back into the splash area. GiGi, Neal and mom took them…I thought they could use the cool down. GiGi came running out with Anabelle and a yellow streak down her leg. Too much junk, she ate! Took care of that issue and we were on to the next event! We saw a lot that one day.
We headed home to the hotel for dinner and swimming and everyone crashed! Hard!

The next morning we had a yummy breakfast and headed back to Sea World. It was crowded and HOT. But we still managed to have a great time! The kids enjoyed the Sea Lion show and seeing the Penguins. We also saw a 4D movie that scared the life out of Laurel and Anabelle. I felt bad for them, but at the same time was laughing pretty hard! Finally we left. Corbin fell asleep, sitting straight up in the gift shop, while Fred got the car! We all piled in and went home. Corbin woke up for about 5 minutes, and crashed again on the bed. He was in the middle of the girls giggling and watching tv. Such a man…slept right though it. Finally we were dressed and ready for dinner. We went to a fun Mexican food place to celebrate Fred’s birthday(a day early). We ended up having about a 2 hours wait! The kids did pretty well, but dinner at 9pm is late for anyone. The food came and they got happy again! Mom had the mariachi band play a few songs for Fred. Corbin went nuts dancing! He loved it! Fred opened his gifts and then they had yet another treat! A dessert and a song! He was embarrassed, but the kids loved every minute of it! We had dessert and headed home again!

Everyone, sound asleep. Corbin got to sleep in the same room with Laurel and Anabelle. All of them in their pack and plays. Fred and I heard him squawking at an early hour. Finally, I went in the room and he was laughing so hard. I think he thought it was so funny to see those crazy girls in cagesJ Laurel told me bubba was awake loud. Anabelle just told me he was loud. Not sure that isn’t the pot calling the kettle black!
We finally got ourselves together and downstairs for breakfast. We surprised daddy with more presents and cards for father’s day! The kids sang happy father’s day and happy birthday to him! It was fun. We checked out, Corbin left with Ninny, GiGi and Uncle Neal. Fred and I took the girls and headed to New Braunsfels to have a day of fun at Schlitterbaugn. We have never been to this one, only the one in Padre. TOTALLY different ball game. Not just the lay out of the place, but the entire thing. Let’s put it this way… This was no “Hawaiian Falls”. I totally forgot this is all based around a river, based around a college town, based around drinking, based around… you get the picture.
Different group of water park goers!
It took me a minute to think of how to answer some of the questions I was going to get… “Why does he have drawings on his back and arms and head and neck”~ Well, he must have gotten into his markers. And they don’t wash off, that is why we don’t draw on ourselves.
“Why does he have earrings on his chesteses?” ~ Well, they must have moved when they were piercing his ears!
“Why does he want his ears pierced?” ~ Well, maybe it was Halloween and he was dressing up like a pirate!

Ahhh, the list goes on! Actually, I was surprised at how little I was asked! I wanted to ask ?s!

So once we got it all figured out, we got in the park. The kids had to walk forever before they got to any water. They were really troopers! And they had so much fun!
We really only road one ride, the Raging Rapids(aka lazy river). They had fun, and watching them be excited with a gush of water was hilarious!

So, with Laurel now passed out from heat and lack of sleep, we head to the car. It is 4:30 and we have about 4.5 hours in front of us to get home! We get to the car and Fred discovers the melting of the crayons! What a mess! He was cleaning it up, which out of his frustration, partially included throwing crayon’s out of the car behind him, when Chloe walked over with a helpful hand of wipes. She about cried bc he didn’t see her and threw a green melted crayon on her. At first all she saw was green on her hand. She just said, “What is this!” Once I told her what it was, she laughed. But it was on her skin, hair and clothing! Got her clean while Fred finished the car… finally everyone in the car and we are headed home!


10:30 arrival at home and Fred puts everyone in bed. I had all the dirty clothing in one bag, so I started the stinky laundry. I wanted to get 1.5 loads done before bed. I unpacked everything and put away stuff while it ran. I cleaned the car and got ready for VBS the next morning. I started to pull stuff out of the wash and discovered 3 crayons! I was so frustrated! I noticed they looked like some from a restaurant on Friday night. I found Anabelle’s shorts and sure enough they were stashed in them! Anabelle! I fell to the floor and wanted to cry, but laughed until I about wet my pants. How else should the 104 degree day end! So, I have to shake everything to get them all out, wipe down the washer and go after that load again. After that finished, I threw it in the dryer… started the next stinky load and sat down to clean up emails! I opened the dryer and some how 1 crayon got in there! It was on everything! So, back to washing that again, after Shouting everything and oxi cleaning it all! Finally I got that one load clean, 3 washings later!
Crawled into bed…..ahhhhhhhh I already hear the alarm!

Ballet Recital

Chloe had her 3rd ballet recital tonight! She has been very excited about it for weeks now! Her grandmother and grandfather from Tulsa came in for her dress rehearsal. She was very excited about that. They brought her flowers and that just made her night! Today she was thrilled bc she not only was going to have her real recital, but she also was getting to have her Ninny there. It doesn't stop....Aunt Gigi and Uncle Neal were coming, too! Then to top it off, her sweet friend Alyssa Rose came to spend the night, so she got to see the show! And she turned 5.5 today! For Chloe, the day doesn't get much better!

Her class danced to Amazing Grace. It was just darling. They did such a great job! We are so proud of our sweet ballerina, Chloe!

We have the outfit.. and if you have the outfit, you must go!

I bought Chloe’s uniforms today. It finally hit me.. not so much where she is going to school, but that she is really starting real school. 5 days a week, all day. I am so not ready. But she is! She is going to be so excited to try on her “school clothes.” As I was picking what pieces I thought she would wear, I kept picturing her in them. Going down a hall with friends I don’t know everything about. Going on a field trip that, oh I hope not, I may not be able to attend. That means she would be in someone else’s car. That means when she isn’t sure if she can eat something it will be someone else to determine it. That means if she has to go to the bathroom, it will be someone else’s job to make sure she safely comes back to the group. That means when another child asks her to do something, it will be her job and someone else’s to make the right choice!
Ok, I am so not ready for this.

“Pour out your heart like water before the face of the Lord. Lift your hands toward Him for the life of your young children.” Lamentation 2:10

Oh Lord… Please be in my child’s life. You can be there all the time, I cannot!

What's in a chair?

What’s in a chair?

Well, a lot! Laurel and Anabelle beg to sit in “big girl chairs”. Those are just any chair that doesn’t have a booster seat in them. We don’t even buckle them into the seat, but they want to be in big girl seats. Corbin has always had the high chair. We never really did high chairs with the girls. We did those clip on chairs to the table. But we were afraid that Corbin would flip our table!
So, every once in a while I will let him sit in a blue booster at the table while the girls are all in “big girl chairs” eating a snack. He loves it!
We decided to retire the high chair…well at least for a few months! So Corbin moved to a blue booster(buckled in of course) and the girls are officially in “big girl chairs!”
This is what I have discovered out of all of this….
I need taller chairs for one. Laurel and Anabelle are so short in those chairs. And did you know you can be sitting perfectly still and fall flat on your face out of a chair. Interesting isn’t it!
I have also learned that Corbin is the comic at the table. Now that he is not in the seating that is over near the “kitchen”, and part of the table…he makes sure everyone can see him and will do anything for a good laugh.
I have also discovered that Laurel and Corbin have the same sense of humor. They both are just goofy until everyone laughs. So once they are competing, we have lost all control and dinner is over!
Anabelle finds it very difficult to stay in her seat. There are just so many things to do around her. I think I say, “Anabelle, please stay seated.” Like a record box, without looking. I refer to those as friendly reminders.
Chloe now has to sit next to Corbin. This may make her thinner then normal, because I have noticed Corbin finishing his food and going for hers. Poor kid!

Well, that is what is in a chair!
PS: Fred and I… we are going to be standing and eating because our table has run out of room. Can you believe that is something we look at first in a house we are considering buying? We have to make sure a long…long table will fit!

What's in a chair?

What’s in a chair?

Well, a lot! Laurel and Anabelle beg to sit in “big girl chairs”. Those are just any chair that doesn’t have a booster seat in them. We don’t even buckle them into the seat, but they want to be in big girl seats. Corbin has always had the high chair. We never really did high chairs with the girls. We did those clip on chairs to the table. But we were afraid that Corbin would flip our table!
So, every once in a while I will let him sit in a blue booster at the table while the girls are all in “big girl chairs” eating a snack. He loves it!
We decided to retire the high chair…well at least for a few months! So Corbin moved to a blue booster(buckled in of course) and the girls are officially in “big girl chairs!”
This is what I have discovered out of all of this….
I need taller chairs for one. Laurel and Anabelle are so short in those chairs. And did you know you can be sitting perfectly still and fall flat on your face out of a chair. Interesting isn’t it!
I have also learned that Corbin is the comic at the table. Now that he is not in the seating that is over near the “kitchen”, and part of the table…he makes sure everyone can see him and will do anything for a good laugh.
I have also discovered that Laurel and Corbin have the same sense of humor. They both are just goofy until everyone laughs. So once they are competing, we have lost all control and dinner is over!
Anabelle finds it very difficult to stay in her seat. There are just so many things to do around her. I think I say, “Anabelle, please stay seated.” Like a record box, without looking. I refer to those as friendly reminders.
Chloe now has to sit next to Corbin. This may make her thinner then normal, because I have noticed Corbin finishing his food and going for hers. Poor kid!

Well, that is what is in a chair!
PS: Fred and I… we are going to be standing and eating because our table has run out of room. Can you believe that is something we look at first in a house we are considering buying? We have to make sure a long…long table will fit!