Number Seven.

I say this all the time, and I really, really mean it. I don't know where time goes. I swear to you that it feels like just yesterday I had a newborn baby boy laying on my chest breathing sweet baby breath on my skin while we snuggled on the couch. But the reality is that it was not just yesterday, but rather five years. Wow. My baby boy is five and a half. Don't leave that half out either, its very important to him. He's my little boy now. And I am so, so proud of him.

He is playing in first organized sports this year, tball. And he LOVES it. He is doing great at it too! He's had several practices over the past few weeks and this weekend was his first game. He got his uniform at least weeks practice. I don't know who was more excited, me or him. Haha! As soon as we got home we ripped open our bag to see what number he got.

Meet my handsome boy, number 7!

Saturday, when he woke up he was so excited for the game. As Dyl would say "so excited my head is gonna 'splode!" Again, not sure who was more excited, me or him. We were both like kids going to Disney. haha! I whipped up some baseball pancakes to make breakfast special. Dylan love them, but I didn't even think to get a picture.

When it was time to get ready, I asked him to please let Mommy help him. I just wanted to help dress my baby boy for his first ball game. He didn't need help, but still humored me. I couldn't help but get a little teary thinking as I dressed him. I thought to myself "One day, he'll be a big teenage baseball player and driving himself to his games." Maybe he wont play in highschool, but I kind of hope he does. I love baseball. And who knows, maybe one day he could even be a Pro Baseball player! haha! And if he is, I'll be sitting at his games and remembering his very first tball game and how excited he and I were as we got him dressed in his first uniform. :) I'll keep that memory with me forever, no matter what he really is when he grows up.

When we got to the fields, Coach was starting warm ups for the kids. It was so cute to see them getting pumped for the game. I got so tickled putting Dylan's ball bag in the dug out. I know, I am so so sappy. Its gross. I just can't help it. I love my two so much and am realizing how fast they grow up. I just want to soak up every single moment of their childhoods.

Dylan did a great job playing. He hit the ball really, really well. It so funny, but he does not want to drop the bat after he hits the ball. Everyone is yelling "Drop the bat, Dylan!" as he is running to first base. Oh well! In tball its not an out to bring the bat to first base.

(my very favorite picture of the whole game)

I really thought that while he was in the field, he would be in la-la land or pretending, but he surprised me and was SO focused the whole game! He stayed in his little "T-ball ready" stance the whole time he was supposed to. He even got to stop, catch, and throw the ball once.

And London was the best little cheerleader for her big brother.

I think the cutest moment of the game was when Dylan looked up and saw that my mom was there. He was next up to bat, and when he saw her he game the biggest smile and starting waving like crazy and said "HEY GRAMMY!" He was so excited to see her and so proud of himself too. There was a big "awww" let out by the moms around us. hahah! It was really cute!

After the game, the team had a little huddle. Coach told everyone how great they did and all the kids got a snack and juice. This might have been Dyl's favorite part. haha! I'll tell ya what, seeing him all dressed up and playing so well, I was just so so so proud, I thought my heart would explode!

Here's to an amazing Tball season! Go Number Seven!!!!!!!

Happy Monday!

Hope everyone had a great weekend! Ours was a cold, but good one!

Friday was a BEAUTIFUL day, with temperature getting into the 70s. The kids and hit the park, yet again! We went to the park almost everyday last week!

This time, we took some bread and tried to feed the ducks that are in the park's lake, but they were not at all interested in us or our bread! It was still fun to run around the lake. The kids kept making duck noises (probably why the ducks didn't come near us!). They had a blast though, and it was super cute.

I really enjoyed having Dylan home all last week. He only goes to school two days a week, but London and I miss him lots while he is there. I'm looking forward to this Summer. Its just so nice to be able to have both babes with me all day. I don't know WHAT I'm going to do when he starts 5 day Kindy next year! Yikes! Good news is that he loves school, so that makes it easier on this Mommy's heart. I'll just soak up Summer even more, I guess! And this summer, I have some fun things planned!

Saturday it was COOOLD. And then around 5pm, it started snowing. We got about 3 inches. I'm telling you, this has been a crazy winter here in Dallas. I'm glad Spring is here! The funny thing is that even though we had a cold weekend, today the high is 64! hahah! That doesn't even make since to me! I welcome the warm weather regardless though!

With it being so cold, we didn't even leave the house Saturday. We have all been busy bees this past week anyways, and the lazy day was a very welcomed break. It was cold and gloomy outside but warm and beautiful inside!

Sunday, we went to church, even with snow on the ground (if you live in the deep south, you know how people don't snow if there is an inch of it out!). By the time Sunday school and church were over, the snow was mostly melted. I was a little sad for Dylan, because he never did get to go out and play in it. He was only sad for a second though and then perked back up. We decided to do lunch at this little Mexican market near by. The people who work there speak very little English, and it always stresses me out trying to order, but we're getting better at it and the food SOOO worth it. Seriously, the best Mexican food I'v had in a LOOOONG time, and the prices are great! The rest of the day, we just relaxed around the house and enjoyed each other.

Its was a wonderfully lazy weekend here at the Hilburn house!

Spring has Sprung!

I don't want to jinx it, but I think that Spring might just have sprung!!!

And today we had a perfectly beautiful Spring kind of day! We had a lazy morning (my favorite!) and then we spent the afternoon doing a little shopping and then the park.

I got some awesome deals at Old Navy on some basics, like denim and khaki shorts.

Then we headed to hobby lobby to pick up some Easter crafts to do over the next couple of weeks. Dylan loves crafts and I love having them to decorate around the house with. London likes to sit with us and doodle while we craft. I'm glad she'll take part in it with us. Dylan was never into crafts of any kind, even though I tried so hard to get him to be, until he was about 4. And with out wishing away any of these years, I can't wait for her to be old enough to really be able to do arts and crafts with us.

The park was super crowded again today. I guess its due to spring break. I can't wait until next week when its less crowded! Thats a little selfish of me, because Dylan really loves having so many kids to play with. Its just that I worry so much when I don't have direct sight of him, especially with so many people around.

The kids were so cute at the park today. London looked up at me and said "swing!" so, we walked over to swing and Dylan offered to push London. It was so sweet watching them. Dylan was so gentle and didn't push her too hard at all. When she was done, Dylan hopped into the swing and London and I pushed him. I'm so thankful that my kids love each other so much!

When we got home we had dinner and played outside until it was bedtime. London went straight down with out single fuss! And Dyl is reading comic books before he conks out. Hope everyone else had a beautiful day to!

Happy St. Patty's Day!!!

So, I will admit that I don't have any significant Irish roots (that I know of anyways), but I still love me some St Patrick's day! Okay, let's be even more honest... I love any day that can be completely themed. I'm a sucker for a theme. But I do love St. Patty's day for its richness too! :)

I had all kinds of fun St Patty's themed stuff to do with the kids today. I planned to do some SP arts and crafts, have three themed out meals, read some SP books, and end with a movie night (a favorite of Dylan's!). I was prepared to make this day all kinds of green.

Then I woke up with a bit of a stomach bug. Not fun. I was pretty knocked off my feet all morning. And I was SO sad that I felt so crummy and couldn't muster up the umph to do all of the fabulously planned activities.

But the kids didn't know any difference. I've learned not to unload lots of great plans and ideas to Dylan until they actually about to happen. This if for two reason, number one being that I hate to disappoint him if plans fall through (like this morning), and number two being that I know he'll ask a million and two question about said plan and drive himself and me crazy trying to get every single detail laid out in his little brain.

So, we opted for an easy morning. We played around in the floor. Dylan and I plaid some Guess Who, and we watched cartoons. And I tried to not die. Then, London went down for a nap and I was able to sit Dylan beside me and entertain him while I cat napped. Praise the Lord, I felt much better when I woke up. And by the time the kids had lunch, I was ready to get our St Patty's on!!

So I dressed my two cuties up in their SP shirts (thanks Mom, for making them!) and got ready to head out for a fun filled day!! We had to run two quick errands first and then we headed to the park! We had a little impromptu picnic with some cookies th London asked for (meaning she pointed to them, said COOKIE! and smiled) and our drinks from Sonic. Dylan loves picnic, so it was a fun thing to throw in.

Once our picnic was over, the kids went to town playing in the park. I was a bit nervous to let them just run about because there were SOOOO many people there. I ended up keeping them together and climbing all through the play area with them. Dylan loved that London and I were on "a quest" with him, London loved being part of Dylan's play time, and I loved being able to keep them together and with me! It was great fun for all of us.

Dylan amazed me by going down the pole all on his own. I didn't prompt him to try or anything. And he did a great job! I did make him go back and do it again so I could get a picture though! hahaha! He's use to my crazy picture taking by now!

It was just the perfect day to be outside. I guess thats why there were a thousand people all dressed in green there with us! When we first pulled up, I thought maybe there some sort of SP party going on that I didn't know about! But there wasn't they were just all there to have fun in the sun! I kept thinking "Enjoy this now because you know the summer is way to hot for this." Here in Texas, the summers are SO hot that I don't think there is any way I will have the kids at the park in the middle of the day. But we will go in the morning and maybe some in the evenings.

London did a great job climbing all over the play place too! She is getting good at it and is fast! Also, when I was doing her hair this morning, I couldn't believe how long it is getting! She is looking like a big girl these days! She wanted to several things that she just isn't big enough to physically do yet while playing today. I kept telling her "Not yet, Baby Girl! Maybe you'll be big enough next year!" That made me remember how it was to have her at the park this time last year. It was a whole other ball game. I can only imagine what it will be like to take the kids the park next year!

After the park, we headed over to the library. I thought I would grab a few SP books for the kids, but there wasn't a single one to be found. And then I realized I didn't have my library card, so we didn't even take home a single book. That okay though, because the kids had a big ole time playing in the kids area!

I didn't get to do a themed breakfast, but I did manage to shape the kid's sandwiches with a four leaf clover cookie cutter for lunch. And I pulled off my planned Irish super tonight. We had a shepherds pie because I am not a fan of corn beef and cabbage. Yuck. It was my first time to make this, but it was so easy and I big hit, so it wont be the last time!

Tonight, my handsome hubby put London to bed and then we curled up on the couch with Dylan for movie night. I always have snacks and a fun drink ready for movie night, so in honor of Sp, we had green cool aid and green frosted cookis. And popcorn, of course! Dylan drank like half a gallon of cool aid. He acted as if he had never had it! I usually wouldn't have let him have so much, but it was a fun and special night, so what the hey!

Even though I didn't get to do everything that I had planned, we did have a great day. Dylan told me it was "the best day ever!", which is what he always says about a day that her really enjoyed, and London went to sleep with out any fuss tonight (meaning she was worn out!), so I say the day was a great success! I'll try to get in all my crafts next year! hahah!

Happy St Patty's day, ya'll!

Dallas Art Museum

Since Dylan is out of school for a whole week for Spring Break, I decided to plan some extra fun things for us to do. Today, we went to the Museum of Art in downtown Dallas. They are having special Spring Break activities for the kids and I knew Dylan would really enjoy that.

One of the crafts for today was that the kids could make their own hat. The museum had all kids of cool supplies on hand to use to make and decorate, and several examples. I couldn't believe how easy it was to whip up a little crown and how cute they turned out. I will for sure be recycling this idea for a class party or two! Maybe even a birthday party! :)

Dylan wanted to make a hat decorated with super heroes. So, I had him draw the faces of his favorites and then I helped him build the crown, cut the super heroes out and put them on the crown. He wanted me to write, HIS super hero name on the crown, "The Prenteder!". haha! We make up bed time stories for him sometimes and in them Dylan is a super hero that can turn into any other super hero that he wants, and his super hero name is The Pretender!

Once we were darn with arts and crafts, we took a walk around the museum. Dylan amazed me with how interested he was in learning about the different time periods of the paintings. I wish I could have taken more time to explain thing to him, and read the plaques myself, but London Lou was not excited about sitting still for too long. That okay though, one day she'll be old enough to really enjoy this too. The picture above, Dylan asked if he could take a picture of it so that he could show his Daddy when he got home. I thought it was so sweet, cute, and perfectly Dylan to want to do something like that.
There are seats all through out the museum, and every now and then Dylan would ask if he could sit. Of course if Dylan is doing it, London wants to.

A few times, Dylan would really just sit and study a painting. And London would just sit and stare because thats what Dylan did. My heart melts looking at this picture.

I knew that Dylan would have a great time with the kids hour, but I wasn't sure what he would think about the museum itself. I was very please to see how much he enjoyed it. He even asked if we could go back. And also a pleasant surprise was how much London enjoyed trying to do the crafts. She did try to eat glue a few times, but over all she did great!

It was so beautiful to look out and see the "big city" out the window. I love being in down town, but I do NOT love driving down there. Its too stressful of a job for this small town girl! haha!

And, you might notice... Dyl finally got a hair cut! He really wanted to grow it out (no clue why) but it was too hard to deal with and his hair is just too frizzy. He looks like a big boy with the new do!