"I am not Blake"

So the other morning - Lacie was awake with Billy and I while we were getting ready for work. But during the night - Blake has decided to climb into bed with us (he sleeps at the bottom of our bed for some strange reason) and the Grayson came in a few hours later. We don't typically have anyone sleeping with us anymore but I swear they can sense when one has woken up.

Anyhow - I told Lacie to go get Blake up and pointed to him in our bed. So Lacie started yelling and I do mean yelling "Bake" over and over. Well she was over on the side saying "Bake" numerous times but was looking at Grayson. Well we all know that Grayson and Blake look a lot so she was confusing them or just didn't care who she was looking it when she was yelling.

Well Grayson finally grew tired of listening to Lacie so he sat up and said " I am not Blake".

Billy and I were cracking up because cranky pants has zero patience especially when it comes to be called Blake.

I have a backpack like my brothers!

Lacie has a new backpack instead of a diaper bag. Our pottery barn outlet was closing so I was able to get it for a great deal. Lacie decided that she needed to try it on just like her big brothers.

Lacie has a lot of spirit and keeps us busy. She loves to climb chairs, barstools, dressers, and anything dangerous pretty much. I love Lacie Loo but she is busy just trying to keep us. She talks up a storm but is a happy kid. She wakes up and goes to sleep happy. Who could ask for me!

Happy 6th Birthday Blake

Blake turned 6 this year! He finally got the party at Pump it Up and it worked out great. They make the party very easy on the parents and I was able to just enjoy the time with the kids. We had about 20 kids show up which was a great number. Blake has very sweet friends from school, neighborhood, cousins, etc. Lacie loved her first experience at Pump It Up. She is a dare-devil just like her parents.

Blake then went to his favorite restaurant on his actual birthday. Blake loves going to Japanese restaurants (aka - Volcano Place) and he eats a ton. Billy and I took Blake and enjoyed having special time with just him. My parents kept Grayson and Lacie for dinner that night. I would have loved if everyone could have gone but Grayson is scared to death of the fire and just doesn't enjoy the experience at all. So since Grayon refuses to go then it was just easier on everyone if they had dinner with my parents. Very thankful that they are so close to help us out on these type of occasions. It is so easy to take a 6 yr old out to dinner vs having to wrangle busy ladybug and G who screams at the fire.

Happy Birthday Blake! You are a bright shiny star who makes us proud each day. We are so impressed with how much you have matured over the last six months. Grayson and Lacie have the best big brother ever. You are patient, kind, funny, sweet, and loving no matter what.

Love you,

Mom & Dad

Cousins came for a visit

We had a great weekend because Billy's cousin Angie and her daughter (Blair) came for a visit. This is the first time that they have come to VA to see where we live and we had a blast. Of course, Aunt Margaret came with them and she is always a blast.

Everyone came in town for Blake's 6th birthday and we had a house full of fun. The kids had a blast having their cousin Blair at their house. Next time, Braxton and Bailey will need to take the ride with them and come up to visit. We have such great families and everyone loves the kids dearly. I have lots of extra help and I can never thank them enough.

Dianne and Mary are always helping me with meals, laundry, sewing things that I could never do when they are in town. I used to feel bad about them helping me out so much but now I just appreciate it and always say Thank you. Life is busy with 3 little ones so there is no reason to say no. As long as they don't mind folding our underwear then I guess I don't mind the extra help.

Jan 2012

Well it has almost been a year since my last blog entry. I have become a slacker when it comes to blogging but I think I have managed to make more time as we start off 2012. Here are the some of the big things that happened in 2011....

Blake started Kindergarten and is absolutely loving it. He has a fantastic teacher and I get the pleasure of helping with his class every Monday. We have had a great experience at our school and really love all the teachers. Blake is doing well and has matured a lot.

Grayson started preschool at Douglass CC and he is doing fantastic as well. He is the sweetest kid at school and when he is by himself. But watch out - because he has another side which isn't all that pleasant at times. But no matter what - we love you G.

Lacie turned 1 and became a busy little bee. She crawled, walked, climbed, and talked earlier than we ever expected. Sadly I feel like I didn't have a baby for long. Lacie holds her own when it comes to the boys (or at least Grayson). She is funny and will give all of a run for our money.

Billy and I made a tough decision to sell the business. It was a bitter sweet decision to sell our successful franchise of Kids Closet Connection but it was for the best. With working full time and have 3 small children - I was personally tapped out and this was something that had to go. We found a great family that was willing to take the business on and we wish them the best of luck.

There were many great things that happened in 2011 and I will try my best to reflect as I blog in 2012.

Feb. 2010

I just want to share some amazing events with all three kids before I forget about them all. Billy and I are really trying to simplfy our lives and we have had to make some hard decisions. Those announcements will be made later once they are official.

But on a happier lighter note:

Lacie rolls over and is a very active 5 month old. I am not sure who was looking out for us when they decided to bless us with Miss Lacie but she is true angel.

Grayson is offically potty trained!!!!! While we still need to lose the paci I am so thankful that he is out of diapers. With that comes a great story....

G was getting out of bath and was wrapped in a towel when he looked down at his private parts and said "Me - big wee wee"... I couldn't help but laugh because no response would be a good response. But then Grayson repeated it again "Me - big wee wee" but then added "Blake - little wee wee". Only a boy like Grayson would come with that and we laughed because I have a funny feeling that this won't be the last time that Grayson will try to one up Blake.

Blake has his very first mohawk! He has been asking for a mohawk since his buddy Matthew got one a little while ago. I kind of thought we would wait til spring but he was dying to have it. Billy and I actually really like it because he can totally pull it off. But with a mohawk comes a little attitude to carry it off but he is so sweet when he does.

That is the latest Conner stories but we have a lot coming up in the near future. Kids Closet sale is right around the corner.

Major Milestones

Here is a recap of our recent events in the Conner Family. On Jan 25th - Blake turned 5 years old. Where did the time go? I can remember Blake be born just like it was yesterday but doesn't everyone say the same thing. Blake was a peanut at 6lbs 1 oz and gave us a very big scare. While we all know that Blake is a very energetic little boy I feel very blessed for modern medicine and someone watching over us. Without getting into too many details or poor me stories - I do think that it is important to reflect on how our life changed that very second that Blake was born.

Blake was taken straight to the NICU because he was unable to breathe on his own and was completly grey. He took one breath and then stopped which made a very stressful moment for us first timers. Sadly I think Billy and I had seen too much in our law enforcement careers and knew that when they "bagged" him that it was not a good sign. So I never had that time with Blake until the next day. I had my own set of complications to deal with but all I wanted to do was to see my son.

Billy and I were changed the moment that Blake came into our lives. He is very sweet, gentle, caring, funny, live wire, polite, chatty, outgoing 5 year old. Blake threw us a curve ball to parenthood but blessed us in so many ways. I have talked about the complications to close friends / family members but I am not sure how much I ever say how much it changed Billy and I. We were changed in many ways that thankfully only made us stronger.

Blake had a great birthday party at King Pinz Bowling in Leesburg. He invited his friends from school and the kids were super great. I still need to upload the photos from that day but I will. It is amazing how much he has changed in the last five years.

We love you each and every day big boy! You are a great big brother to Grayson and Lacie. You are patient (most of the time) and caring to them. They are lucky to have you as a big brother and you make my heart melt with all of your hugs and kisses.