The magic of Lightning bugs

Tonight the kids ran around the yard for about half an hour catching them and putting them in a jar we got from one of the neighbors. They caught about 30 of them at least. We took them into the house only to realize that they could get out through the holes. Not good. But they had a blast catching them. GG used her hands and Monkey used his net. Catching those bugs in the summer were some of my favorite memories as a child.

Trip down memory lane...

This afternoon Becky came over to see the kids and give them gifts, of course. But she brought a fake book that when you open it there is nothing in the middle, of mine from high school. Inside was a bunch of notes from my first serious boyfriend. Those notes made me laugh so hard...what a joke they were. Quite entertaining. Anyways, we had a very fun day. GG had gymnastics and afterwards we took the kids to Panera to redeem their free lunches. Then we walked around downtown and played at a park for a bit before we went over to the department so J could sign up for a DUI enforcement detail. After Becky left we took a long family bike ride around our neighborhood. Very relaxing. Oh yeah, yesterday J and I went to Linens 'N Things and bought a comforter, new quality sheets, and pillows for our bed. Last night getting into bed was pure joy! I've always liked our bed but now we have really soft sheets:) We have talked about getting nice bedding for some time now but we finally put those words into action. I'm really trying to follow through on more things we talk about doing like going to visit his brother and now the bedding! Last night when our babysitter came over she came bearing gifts for the kids. She went to Guatemala on a missions trip last week and she got something for GG and Monkey. GG got a little necklace with a Guatemalian doll inside it and Monkey got a really cool sling shot. They were both pretty excited about it. I don't know if we will ever get to go to Guatemala so this might be the only thing they ever get from there! It was really sweet of her to think of the kids. They just love her so much. That's it for now because I'm wanting to go snuggle into my bed even though it's not time yet...hehehe.

I love SUMMER!

We had playgroup at our house today. There was 10 kids and 6 moms. It was a lot of fun and totally crazy!!! This afternoon we are going to Bed Bath and Beyond to get a new bed spread I am really excited about that for some reason :) Then tonight we are having a couple over for dinner and then going to Bible study with them, that is how we met them. The girl's name is Tanya so that is funny to say my name when talking to her but I think GlamorGirl will get a kick out of meeting her because she has the same name as me! That is all for now. I think the posts will probably be pretty short this summer as we are having a fun time being outside and going places!

In the words of Jack...

What a day, what a day! That is exactly how I felt yesterday. We got up and headed to the Mall, have you ever been to the mall on a Saturday?!?! I really don't know what we were thinking. But V.S. was having a sale and I wanted to get some stuff from there. Plus, GG had won a $25 gift card to the Mall from the Race for Education. GG got some really cute stuff from Claire's they had a buy 2 get 1 free sale on earrings she got hoops, butterfly's and purple ballerina earrings. She also got a necklace and bracelet...and she still has money left on the card :) By the time we checked out from Claire's it was after 12 so we stopped at Jimmy John's and got some sandwiches. After J left for work I packed the kids in the car and we went to another gymnastics birthday party. This is the 3rd in a matter of 6 weeks, but they are really fun so we aren't complaining!!! That got done just in time for us to come home and grab our swimsuits and go to another birthday party at the local pool. They had pizza so that took care of dinner for me. When we got home we were all over exhausted and the kids were asking to go to bed ;) It was a good day but super busy. Today we had church like normal and a family reunion but it was rainy and I had already decided that we weren't going to go but today set it in stone. That's about it...

Yay it's Friday

Today was extremely busy for some reason. The kids had their sports classes but that was the only thing on the schedule. This evening we took a walk over to the old Dominic's parking lot and walked around looking at the cool vintage/old cars. Then we went to a park that had a band playing. Now we are finally home and I am burnt out. Oh yea, I signed the kids up for the summer reading program through the library. For every 2 1/2 hours you read they get a prize up to 10 hours. The first prize is sandwiches from Panera Bread. So we have been reading more in the Laura Ingalls Wilder series. I love it too because I know GG is really listening because she tries to guess what will happen next in the story and she has gone it right a few times. Very cool to see her do that just from listening to the story! Well time to get the little ones tucked in because they have their jammies on...

Our First Family Road Trip!

Our Billy Bob Teeth!

Me holding Isaac

GlamorGirl and Daddy on the lawn mower :)

Daddy and Red riding!

Monkey and Daddy cutting the grass!!!!

We just got back from North Carolina. The kids did great on the 15 hour van ride there and 14 hours on the way back. They only watched 2 movies, too! We took out one of the middle bucket seats so that way we had room for food and other stuff. And each of the kids had a bag full of fun things to do! On the way there we stopped at a gas station and we brushed our teeth. Monkey was with J in the men's bathroom and this guy said to Monkey, "Are you truckin with daddy?" J said no that we were on our way to N.C. and the man said, "Ain't nothing wrong with North Carolina." So that was our catch phrase the whole trip. It was pretty funny! We stayed with J's brother and his wife, Virginia, and their baby, Isaac. They have two cats and Red *was* freaked out by cats and dogs but I believe he is good now. The first two days he cried anytime they came near him and would fuss until someone came over a picked him up. But by the end of our trip he was crawling after the cats, hitting at them and pulling their tails. GG really got attached to Dora (the orange cat) and Monkey pretty much stayed clear of them all which was probably a good thing since when he got allergy tested they said he has a sensitivity to cats. The first night we were there GG and Monkey went outside to play in the sand box and after 10 minutes of being outside Monkey had a misquote bite on his forehead and one of each of his ankles. This kid is highly allergic to them and so the bite on his head swelled to about the size of a golf ball and each of his ankles did too. He had CANKLES! Poor kid, I've never seen someone's body react like his does. Each of the kids got to ride on the riding lawn mower. J drove and was driving it like it was a 4-wheeler. Virginia and I couldn't tell who was having more fun! The kids were squealing with joy and J had a huge grin on his face while making them squeal. One night we went to a pot luck for their church and we had a good time. J and I played badminton...haven't done that since college. Of course, GG made a friend that she was so sad to say good bye too at the end of the night. Monkey made some friends to but he didn't really care when it was time to go. The difference between boys and girls, I guess! It was a good vacation but like all vacations it was so nice to be home and in our own bed :)

Red got a Hair Cut

My little baby doesn't look like a baby anymore. So sad but he looks super duper cute! Here are some pictures of the process!




The kids have been enjoying the summer and being home from school. GG started her summer session of gymnastics today and Friday Monkey starts his golf and soccer and GG does golf. GlamorGirl has already tricked the ice cream man once by running to him. He stopped and then she stopped turned and ran to me asking for money. I didn't have any cash so I had to wave him on. What a little stinker! Monkey is just ALL boy and has gotten hurt several times while outside playing. Red is getting so big. He is always wanting to stand...he pulls himself up on everything including my legs wherever I am standing. He has also started walking along furniture. I was thinking he wouldn't walk for a least a couple more month (at least I was hoping that!) Guess we'll have to buy him shoes now...

Disappointed

A few of you thought that my email was going to heed news to us expecting another baby. Sorry that is not the case. I AM NOT PREGNANT!! I am however disappointed in the new movie Cars we took the kids to see it this morning and twice it used the word Hell, not in the biblical sense either. Totally inappropriate for a rated G movie. Red got bored about 30 minutes into the movie...he isn't ready for the big screen yet. I think the other two liked it but they really didn't say much about it so I suspect they didn't love it. Well that is it for now J and I are going to play Sequences...love that game.

Family Fun day at the ZOO!!!

We have started our summer off right and we have also started building the kids strength for our trip to Disney. Wednesday we walked to the Library and back it took us 20 minutes each way. They did a great job. Then yesterday we went to the zoo and walked for over 3 hours. We had a lot of fun seeing the animals Red was just amazed by everything he saw. The only animal that wasn't there was the Elephants because they are working on their exhibit. Here are some pictures from our day.

Slackers...

I don't know if it is just the nice weather or what but J and I have been slacking as parents. Let me explain...GG was suppose to bring a paper bag to school on Friday, we forgot so Mrs. S told us to bring it on Monday. Well you guessed it we forgot again today. We have this really cute picture of GG with her teacher and the plan was to get it made into a mug for the end of the school year. We put it off so long that it isn't going to be ready in time. It just means that we are going to have to crash summer school one morning to give it to her! I am just so glad that school is almost done for the summer. The homework and reading were great but *I* need a break...we will still do work with the kids but it won't be due the next day. It's nice to go outside at 1pm and stay out until dinner time and then go back out. The house stays cleaner that way ;) I need to go get some beauty sleep so that I am completely awake to watch Monkey graduate tomorrow. He is really excited about their program.

Life Happens!

It has been awhile since I have updated this page. We have done so many fun things. One day we took the kids to The Living Sea Aquarium and they got to feed stingray. That was really cool. They loved walking around watching all the fish. They even have a pond with baby sharks in them. It was a very cool outing. Friday we took a trip to the 'port' to meet up with some friends of mine. Corrie just had a baby boy, Finn, and Danielle is getting ready to get married. Corrie was in J and I's wedding! It was great to see those girls. Then we stopped in the town halfway to see our friends that live there. We were planning on spending the night but the kids were so wired that they wouldn't go to sleep. It was 3 hours past their bedtimes and there was no sleep in sight. So I packed them up and headed home. They all were out in a matter of minutes. Saturday GG had a gymnastics birthday party the second of three she has been invited too. We all went and had a blast. The kids made visors with stickers, a very cute idea. Then they got to play in the gym. Monkey was having a blast. It was the first time he had been there but GG was an old pro! Red even wore himself out crawling and walking (with assistance) all over the place. Today we had church which is always great. It was the first time our sunday school class has been together in about 5 weeks. It was nice to see everyone. This afternoon we spent outside hanging out with the neighbors. Alyssa (the 9 yr old that lives across the street) took GlamorGirl and Monkey over to her driveway to fill up water balloons. They ended up getting soaked with the hose. They were having so much fun we could hear their giggles across the street! It was the first time they have done water balloons. Next time they are going to wear their swimming suits. Craig (Alyssa's dad) took Red for a long walk while the other two were playing in water it felt like I had no kids!!! I just got to chill and talk with Jean, Marilyn and Jack. Then I packed a dinner picnic and we met J at a park for dinner. The kids were super excited about getting to have a picnic and then play :) J and I started talking about the activities we want to do with the kids this summer. We are going to have so much fun. Only 3 days of school left...

More starts with Memorial Day!

We were eating dinner and Red wanted more cheese so I asked him "Do you want more?" He shook his head "yes". Monkey says, "More starts with Memorial Day. MMMMMMMMMore and MMMMMMMemorial Day...you see!" It was pretty cute the way he said it. We had a great day today. We got up and went to the parade...which is ALWAYS a treat for the kids. They get **CANDY** the funny part about that is the bag of candy is hanging on the door and neither one of them have mentioned eating any of it. It will hang there for about a week and maybe 3 pieces will get eaten by each of them at the most and then we will toss the rest. But they really did love running after the candy being thrown! GG was so sweet. Some of the people throw one piece of candy at a time to a group of 10 or so kids. Anyways, GG got the one piece thrown and she gave it to Monkey. It was the first candy of the day for her and she gave it to her brother because he didn't get one. I thought that was just the sweetest. I love her heart it is just so caring and loving. Monkey was cracking me up because he ran so fast to get the candy and he ended up with almost twice as GG...not that it mattered because it all went into the same bag. GG, of course loved seeing the cheerleaders, ballet dancers, and dancers. Monkey's favorite part was the karate kids that went past, a little boy about a year older then him, broke a piece of wood. That was big stuff to him. Red loved the bands and each time he heard the music he would start to dance...super cute.

Target Practice!

We didn't end up taking the kids to the zoo because of the weather. But we still had a fun day. Tuesday was super busy crazy!!! We had playgroup at our house and we celebrated Red and Cameron (they are 4 days apart) birthdays. GG had gymnastics that afternoon and then J and I went out on a date. He took me to the department and we shot at targets. I did pretty well. I actually shot more then 2 times. Last time he took me I was pregnant with Red and I was scared the vibration from the gun going off was going to hurt him. Silly, I know, but I still thought it! This time I rocked it, J was almost scared :) Today's excitement was after we picked up the kids from school we went out to eat at Jimmy's. Yummy, food!!! Well that's it for now.

Best dressed Kid!

Today we had Red's birthday party and he got some really cute outfits. He is definitely going to be the best dressed kid around! He really enjoyed eating his very own birthday cake :) He was quite messy. It was a nice party but the best part is that it is over ;)

Friday GlamorGirl's class had a field trip to Lamb's Farm and I went along. We had a blast. J also was on the shift that started a couple hours later then normal so we got to spend time with him before work. Then we met him at a park. The kids always love doing that as do I!!!

I was just sitting thinking about uploading some pictures of the field trip and party but I am just too worn out from all the excitement. Maybe I will tomorrow. Wait we are talking about taking the kids to the zoo tomorrow so maybe in a couple of days...

My BABY is 1 year old!

Birthday BOY!
Me and my Mama. We are quite the pair!
Do I get to keep this number 1?!?!
Upclose and personal with this little cutie.
Our scholar :) He was so serious for this one!
Our bright shining star!

You've got to love that little snicker of Red's. I just can't believe how fast this year went.

A Happy Mother's Day

J made a power point presentation for me as part of my mother's day gift. It was really cute. I am trying to figure out how to get a link to it so you can see it :) Anyways, it had each of the kids birth statics (with pictures of them just born) and about my labor with them and then other pictures of me and them over the years. Very sweet! He gave me 2 dozen red roses...my favorite. Then after church he made me close my eyes and he drove me to this really yummy restaurant where we ate lunch. Then we hung out with his parents and now we are home and after dinner the kids are going to rub my feet and play with my hair while J rubs my back. Oh yeah I also got two tickets for an hour body message, rock on. I just have to call and make my appointment. So that is everything that J did. The kids each made me something at school. GlamorGirl made a jewelry box, very pretty. Monkey made a hanging basket with his handprints on it. During sunday school Monkey made me a necklace with his picture on it and GG made me some flowers made out of dryer sheets with a vase! Then while we were at the church service they each made me a card. Seeing their faces light up when giving me their gifts was the best. I love those kids with all my heart. I definitely feel blessed to be called their mom :)

Crazy Day

Yesterday after school I took Monkey on a date to pizza hut to redeem his book it award. Then we went to the movie store and got two movies one for the kids and one for J and I. When we got home I put Red down for a nap and we played a few games then put on the kids movie. At one point during the movie all 5 of us were on the couch snuggled up on the blankets. Most of the time it was J, I and one or two of the kids. It was such a lazy and rainy day. I had a ton of fun just being with everyone watching a movie. Now today on the other hand is a CRAZY day. GG has a birthday party to attend at 2pm at a gymnastic center. Then Monkey has a birthday party at 5pm. Red's friend from playgroup is turning 1 today (after getting the 2 other parties for today) I talked to the mom and she is only doing a family party. I am thankful for that because I think I would of gone insane trying to get to 3 different parties!!! It kind of works out though because J wants to do a project with the kids as part of my mother's day present. I am taking GG to her party and staying with her and J will do the project with Monkey then I am taking Monkey to his party and it will be GG's turn to make one. I can't wait to see what tomorrow brings :)

Update

The garage sale went well and so did the kids lemonade stand...they made $12 :) Today we normally would have gone to playgroup but instead Red and I went on GG field trip to the Library. We walked and it was a really good time. After we got back Red and I went to the office to see grandma and she gave Red a chocolate cookie. He really liked it! After school we went to GG gymnastics class and it was teddy bear day. She thought that was pretty exciting. This evening we met J at a park which is always nice to have a change of pace. We are almost done with the second book in the Laura Ingalls Wilder's Little House on the Prairie series. GG really loves it and Monkey is interested in it some of the time. Well the two oldest are in bed time to get the baby there too. Then it is mommy relaxation time. I get a bowl of ice cream and sit back and watch some good ol' television!

Garage Sale

Today was the first day of the garage sale. We spent the last week getting ready for it. If you know me and I talk about having a garage sale again, remind me kindly, that I *really* don't want too. The kids had a lemonade stand and in a 3 hour period of time they made $6.75 with a cup costing 25 cents. They were pretty tickled about that. I think they are going to want to have a stand ALL the time :) As far as the actual garage sale we have gotten rid of many "treasures" and have made a little cash. We priced things to sell not much was more then $1.00 with many things being 10 cents! That's about it for now...

It's been awhile...

Today Red and I went to playgroup then we headed over to school to walk/run for the Race for Education. It went pretty good Monkey and GlamorGirl both did 7 laps on the track...one short of walking/running 2 miles. I was pretty impressed :) This afternoon GG had gymnastics when that was over we came home and played outside and I started going through stuff for the garage sale on Friday and Saturday. But I got unmotivated real fast and just talked with the neighbors. The kids just got done eating dinner and are getting ready for bed. I am going to read to them before bed...so I'm outta here.