Who Could Blame Him...

Well, it's a big day here at Chez Billingsley. My oldest daughter received her first marriage proposal!

When I picked her up from school, she did what any good daughter does...she gave me all the juicy details of her exciting day.

A boy, whose name escaped her, asked her to marry him at recess. He was "a blonde boy with brown eyes and smooth skin." He wore shorts that were unsavory because they looked like "a picnic blanket."

Her best friend at school, Cassandra, quickly jumped in and told Abbie she had better say no because married people have to "kiss on the lips." Disgusted at the thought, Abbie told the disappointed young man she was unable to accept his offer.

Just another day of breakin' hearts and Being Billingsley...

Happy Three Month Birthday, Lila!

That's right! This gorgeous girl is three months old!


Lila, you are such a joy! Here are just a few new things you are up to from the last month:

• At your last doc appointment you were 11lb 5oz and 22 5/8" long. Putting you in the 50th percentile.
  
• You still sleep all night long. Your bedtime is around 9:30. When you wake up in the morning, you are CHATTY!!
  
• You often put yourself to sleep. You don't always require me or your Dad to rock you to sleep.
  
• You LOVE to be with your Daddy. He has to sneak in the house after work so that he'll have enough time to change his clothes before you start asking to be picked up by him. You are usually in his arms all evening.
  
• You officially can hold your GIANT head up all by yourself. You are very proud of that ability and take the opportunity to show off whenever possible.
  
• You think your Granna and your Pops are pretty funny! They have gotten the greatest belly laughs from you. You also think it is hilarious when other people laugh. You will join right in.
  
• Your nickname is James Jr. because you look identical to your father!
  
• You've found your hands and like to grab your dress, blankets, and your pacifier. It is really cute.

Just another day Being Billingsley...

Cousins and Cupcakes

My favorite four-year-old niece came over to make some delicious Halloween cupcakes. She's adorable, and she makes one mean cupcake!

According to her, all frosting needed to be "tested" before it was applied to the cupcake. Additionally, if a candy decoration fell off the cupcake, it needed to be eaten immediately. She's my kind of girl!

Abbie is a firm believer that cream cheese frosting need not be spread on the cupcake. It simply needs to be dropped on by huge spoonfulls. I love it!

Here the little pastry chefs are showing off their creations. They were lovely.

Just another Halloween sprinkles ALL OVER THE FLOOR day Being Billingsley...

Halloween Pictures

Look how well our first attempt at getting cute Halloween pics went with my two girls...

Lila seems happy.

Super neck support here.

I think we'll just have to try again....in 30 years.

Just another day Being Billingsley...

First Girlfriends' Lunch

Look who got all kinds of dressed up to see a friend for lunch...

Lila couldn't wait to meet Anna, one of her Mom's favorite people. So, she rocked her best tutu. Afterall, she's pretty sure that's what they mean when they say "dress to impress."

Just another adorable day Being Billingsley...

School Pictures 2009

I just love official school year pictures.

There is just something about posing a gorgeous child on the corner of a stool...sitting at an angle, of course. Then, the "photographer" asks the adorable child to flash the fakest of all smiles possible. Sometimes the kid will have a stunning plastic sunflower prop to hold, but you can always bet on fake ivy in the background. The photo always, always, always boasts a cloud scene or sunset style backdrop.

Somehow that "photographer" manages to make all the kids look like they just woke up from a 47 hour nap.

Since I first took Abs to preschool, I have lived for those hilarious pictures. They have never disappointed.

Taken in 2007, it does the best job of explaining the "47 hour nap" reference, and wow how did they get that photo in front of such a beautiful sunset...

Taken in 2008, notice the angled approach and the ivy in the background...

As for 2009, the school hired a new photographer. Click here to see her work. Abs is in that #6 group.

I'm so disappointed. Those rocks...they're real. Those flowers and plants...they're real. The smiles...they're real, too. Those kids are REALLY outside, and there isn't a single nap interrupted.

Seriously, Cutie Pie Photography is phenomenal!! They specialize in child photography and the women are dedicated to spending time with each of their little customers to make sure they get to know them before snapping away. They really try to capture YOUR child and not get a bizarre expression in the photo that you don't even recognize as your kid. Check them out for any photography you may have planned in your future. You won't be disappointed....unless you are a fan of the fake sunflower.

Just another day Being Billingsley...

Oh, How I Love Halloween

Anyone who knows me knows how deep my love is for Halloween. Costumes are GREAT, but my true love is candy. Honestly, the thought of going out to retrieve a seemingly endless supply of free candy is enough to bring me to tears of joy!

My husband is the WORLD'S GREATEST person to have at your Halloween party. His costumes are the things legends are made of. He spends weeks thinking about and working on his costumes. I could do a month of posts with his photos, but I think I'll stay focused on the babies today. (Although, I may have to post the Blades of Glory costumes....or maybe the authentic Hulk Hogan costume. That one was fantastic!)

Our first year with a baby, we had a bunny that wasn't convinced that Halloween was such a great time...

Our second year, we had a very rare purse toting peacock...

Our third year, Tinkerbell visited us on that magical All Hallows Eve...

And last year, it was a very sassy Cinderella...

This year I'm going to employ a Sleeping Beauty and a very sweet flower to retrieve my candy.

Just another great great day preparing for Halloween while very much Being Billingsley...