A New Addition to the Family & VBS 2013

The day after Memorial Day, the kids and I went to my niece's house to pick up our new member of the family.  My niece, Leslie, said she found a kitten at her front door one morning and it wasn't her cat.  He had a cut above her lip and a missing tooth.  This precious little kitty needed a forever home.  I told Leslie that it didn't matter what he looked like, we needed a cat just like he needed a family.  It's been a perfect fit.  The kids fell in love with him immediately and I think he likes us as well.

At first, we didn't know if he was a boy or girl.  We took him straight to the Vet for his first shots and check up.  That is when we found out that our LuLu is really a Louie.  When I told the children, Colton said that he still wanted to call him LuLu.  Katie thought it was silly to call a boy cat "LuLu," a girl name.  She said that she would call him Lou or Louie.

We love our LuLu.  He is such a sweet little boy and loves our attention.  His cut has healed on his lip and we don't worry about his missing baby tooth.  Katie has a new friend to stay outside with her and keep her company.  LuLu loves chasing after Colton's fishing lures.  Colton has a little fishing pole with a rubber fish at the end.  When he cases out the lure, LuLu goes running after it.  I got so tickled at Colton and LuLu the other day.  Colton cased out the lure.  As soon as LuLu jumped after it, Colton went running away, the lure bouncing behind and LuLu at it tail.  Both Colton and LuLu were running all over the yard.  Colton LOVED it, giggling and laughing at LuLu chasing him.  LOL!  I will have to video this event, if it happens again.

Saturday, we were gone to an open house at Doug's work.  When we got back, LuLu had us a reward laid out in our carport.  He caught his first mouse.  It was a baby mouse, but a mouse nonetheless.  I was so thrilled to know that we had a great little mouser in our family.  We all praised him and let him know this was very good.  Oh he was so proud of himself, getting our attention and going to the died mouse and meowing.

VBS 2013 - Colossal Coaster World 

This year was Colton's first year at Vacation Bible School.  The first couple of days was not his favorite because we had to get up so early.  By the end of the week, he had so much fun and couldn't wait to go back.  He still didn't like getting up early, but couldn't wait to go play games.  Because Colton got to be a part of VBS, I volunteered to be Katie's Crew Leader.  We had 8 children in our little group.  They were all 1st and 2nd graders.  I had a great little group and pray God will be with them on their life journey.  

The children love going up on stage with Miss Erica, singing the theme song.

Recess time - the kids loved getting outside and just running around.  We had a few teenage boys outside, getting the kids involved. It was fun watching them. 

 

Colton & Katie with their Children's Director, Erica.  They love her so much.  She is awesome with the kids.  

HAPPY 18TH ANNIVERSARY!!

On this day 18 years ago, Doug and I joined hands and became one  with a covenant with God in matrimony.  Our marriage has been a roller coaster.  Lots of ups and downs, turns and scary moments.  We have survived every moment, good and bad by the grace of God.  Doug is my best friend and my rock.  Some one to hear me, love me and give me good advice.  With age and years under our marriage, God has allowed me to love Doug more today than yesterday.  I ask God to allow us many many more happy years together as one.  

I love you Doug!

 

First week of Summer Break

During the last week of school, Katie had awards and field day at school. Her ballet recital was the following Saturday, while my sister, Sandy, and her husband were in town visiting. We were blessed to spend every day with them as they stayed with my parents. Unfortunately, they left the day after Memorial Day.

 

Wade and Sandy with our parents - The photo with Katie holding something, it is actually a very well beaten orange.  Wade and Sandy played catch with the kids using one of their oranges that they brought on along their trip.  This orange didn't make it.  The kids were loving it because this mama doesn't allow fruit being throwing around.  A lot of giggles went on this day. 

Wade and Sandy played the same tick on Colton as they did on me around this age.  When Wade and Sandy first got married, I was about 5 years old.  They lived across the street from our house at the time and I loved bugging them.  I remember one day, I would follow Wade around as he was mowing the grass.  I thought it was harmless enough.  Didn't understand the danger too much.  Wade and Sandy finally told me that if I made a really big nest out of the fresh grass blades; place a potato in the nest and sat on it for a very long time that a monkey would hatch out of it.  I LOVED monkeys and I think they knew that at the time.  I did it!  I waited and waited for a very long time, it seemed like to me.  I was disappointed when I couldn't hatch the monkey.  

This time with Colton, they told him there were monkeys in the trees and if he would be still and cover his eyes with his hands, the monkeys would come down out of the trees.  Needless to say, this trick didn't last very long.  The kids got a kick out of it though. 

Memorial Day, we all met up at mom and dad's house for a cookout.  Tim and Susan supplied the meat, pork.  Everyone else brought the sides.  Doug and I brought the corn hole game for the entertainment.  

Here is our cheer section - their not too excited.  LOL!  

It's been 4 years since I've seen Sandy and Wade.  I hope our little family will find a way to make it to their house one day.  Hopefully, it won't be 4 more years before we can see each other again.  

DINOSAURS ARE AT THE ZOO

The Birmingham Zoo currently has a limited time exhibit dedicated to just dinosaurs.  All of the life like replicas are animated.  This exhibit will be extinct after July 21st.  The cost is separate from regular zoo admission and is well worth it, if you have a dinosaur fan in the family like ours.  

We made sure to get there a few minutes after the park opened.  It just seems like the animals are a little more active and you get to see them eat and interact more.  

This peacock was acting out and giving everyone with cameras a perfect opportunity for a good shot.  He is so beautiful! 

The same pretty guy was walking around.  I began making some noise.  He instantly began looking around like "what was that crazy noise?  Who is that?"  It gave me another great shot.  Thank you peacock! 

One of Katie's favorite birds is the flamingo.  I think it's because their pink, but she thinks they are so beautiful.  I have to agree.  Unfortunately, I believe this flock just got through eating.  Katie couldn't believe how awful they smelled.  LOL!  Trust me, we didn't stick around too long admiring the flamingos like we would have planned.  

This pretty bird was in a cage full of young Lorikeets.  He was being so good and minding his manners, while all these lunatic Lorikeets were going crazy.  The most important part I forgot to tell you was it was a cage that we could go inside and actually try to hold and feed the birds.  At first, I thought it was a good idea.  I think too many people came in behind us to experience the same thing.  The young Lorikeets began to fight and as I'm taking a photo of one of the birds, another bird came flying past me, nearly knocking my camera out of my hands.  Katie and I couldn't get out of there fast enough.    

Young Lorikeet - They are so pretty, but watch out! 

This anaconda was being still and motionless, while Colton and Katie were trying to figure out where his head was at.  When I pointed it out to them, Colton was right by his head.  Katie saw it instantly when I pointed it out.  Colton it took a little while for him to figure out where the head was exactly.  I thought he would jump because the snake was looking straight at him as if, "yes, lunch is here."  Yuck!  To my surprise, Colton just smiled and looked at me.  I would hate to find this guy in my back yard.  Gives me cold chills! 

Katie playing the bongos in the African Safari area.   They have a nice playground for the kids to play and cool off.  

We waited a while to see the baby orangutan.  The mommy was holding him and hiding her eyes with this small tire.  Right when we were moving to the next exhibit, I noticed the baby moving around.  I yelled for the kids to come back and see.  I'm so glad they got to see him.    

Here is my little monkey

Finally, we get to see the dinosaurs.  Colton and Katie asked us all the way through the park "when are we going to see the dinosaurs?"  I'm glad we chose to explore the Dino Discovery last.  

Watch out for the water spitting dinosaurs!  It actually felt good after a hot day.

Colton gets hit by the spitting dino.  Daddy laughs in the background. 

It's a picture moment at the entrance to the Paleontology center.  The center is a room that shows fossils, tools that Paleontologist use in order to find dinosaur bones.  It was pretty interesting.  

Watch out Colton!  Dinosaur is going to get you. 

Katie and Colton on a dino dig.  They get to find a few dinosaur bones.  What is it with kids and sand? It's like a magnet for my children. 

 

WOW!!!  Colton has waited the whole exhibit to finally meet his most favorite dinosaur in the whole world.  The Tyrannosaurus Rex or T-Rex!  This event was like candy sprinkles on top of a bowl full of ice cream.  It was great that the dinosaurs moved and made their noises.  It was awesome!  Colton wishes we could go back to "Jurassic Park" as he calls it.  If you're interested in visiting this exhibit, don't waste too much time because it's gone after July 21st.  

 

La Bayadere Ballet Recital 2013

Presenting my little Indian girl from India, "La Bayadere" Ballet 

Here a few of her classmates, waiting to be lined up

We are not allowed to take pictures during the recital because the flashes distract the dancers, so I'm only allowed to take pictures of Katie during the final dress rehearsal.  

I've been an emotional basket case for the past few months, so of course I cried just about all through the ballet.  What am I going to do with myself?  I cry because I think she looks so pretty up on the big stage.  I cry because she didn't have to look at her instructor to know what the next step was coming up.  I cry because she is beginning to find her form.  I cry because she is growing up.  Honestly, I don't know where the tears are coming from because I have been so emotion this year.

 

I thought the performance was GREAT!  All the dancers did so good.  I was so happy that Katie had a row of family supporters cheering her on, which makes me cry.  You'll just have to over look the tears. I was glad my sister from Wyoming got to see her dance.  I think she liked the performance as well.    Katie loves her ballet and I think we'll be here for a long time or until she tells me that she's had enough.  For some reason, I don't think I'll hear.  

I wore the ballet company t-shirt because I volunteered to work during the recital

Cousins

Our little princess

Katie and her aunties

My mother would die, if she knew what she looked like in this photo.  Unfortunately, this is the only picture I have of the grandparents.  

 

2013 End of School Year

Well, I have to say that it has been a very emotional end of the year for me. Yes, I said me. I can't for the life of me understand where time has gone. From one mom to another, embrace every moment that you can because one day your children will be gone. They will be out of the house, gone to college, work and starting their own life. I know, I'm getting too far ahead of myself. Katie will only be going into the 3rd grade, but one day I will be out of time.

Again, we had another fabulous year with a great teacher, principal, staff, students and very supportive parents. Right now, I have to thank and applaud our school district parents for being so involved and supportive of their children's lives. Wow! I know when I needed help with getting a party together, it didn't take long for parents to step up and offer an extra hand. A lot of them didn't know me from Eve, but they were there asking "what do you need?" or "can I help in anyway?" It's wonderful and I'm sure that it means a lot to our children's educators. I hope and pray that it will be this great all through elementary, middle and high school. Some of us have begun planting seeds of friendships with other parents. In hopes that we will be there for each other and our kids.  It's awesome!  

I know Katie's got a birthday coming around the corner and I seem to always see just a little bit of her growing up. Whether it be her clothes size, shoe size, her missing teeth finding room for new permanent ones. The way she acts around others and her attitude towards life.  The way she tries to be more independent by making her own lunches or snacks and dressing herself. I've noticed how she tries to match her outfits better. At times, she'll ask me if the clothes that she has on actually match. She makes sure that I see her being a little more responsible, by cleaning up her room and putting away her clothes and shoes. She's not a baby any more. She is a young lady.  She stayed the night with my eldest sister yesterday.  Maryann was intrigued how cautious  she was in a vehicle or if she needs to ask mom's permission before accepting anything from anyone.  They went shopping this morning and Katie asked her if she had a front seat airbag.  Maryann said yes.  Katie told her that her mama can turn it off, but if she can't than she can just sit in the back seat.  Another time was when Maryann offered to give her an old makeup bag that she never used, to store her squinkies.  Katie told her that she would have to ask her mom if it would be alright because I instructed her to keep her squinkies in this ziploc bag.  It's a 2X gallon size bag, I gave it to her because she had so many squinkies.  She was getting so many that I wanted to make sure they all could fit in one bag.  I also didn't want Zayden or the vacuum cleaner to get ahold of them.  Bad news!  That is why I told her not to put them any where else.  When Maryann was telling me all of this a few hours ago.  I laughed because I thought it was cute, but I also told her that it makes me feel good.  I feel good because I know she's listening and taking some of my advice.  Maryann assured me that she couldn't change Katie's mind until she talked to her mama.  "Good girl!"

Katie has worked so hard all year, especially having to hear me lecture and teach her every evening. "Work first, play later!" or "have you read your 2 chapters this afternoon?" How many times, she has begged me to let her go outside and play before doing her homework or let her watch a little television before finishing her math, to hear me say "NO!"  Now, it is the end of the year. Homework began to slack to just reading every afternoon. Recess became longer and longer and science class was no longer. PE was having fun outside playing tug-of-war and water relay with her other classmates from other classes. We went from hard nose study to relaxing and enjoying each other. She's made some terrific memories and I can't wait to document tons more in the future.

Katie and I thought it would be a treat to give the kids in her class a little "Have a Great Summer" type gift.  Nothing spectacular by no means, but some little something.  I wanted to do this last year, but never got around to doing it.  I got the idea and free printables from Eighteen25.

I picked the bottles up from Dollar Tree.  They were $1 each and I bought a box of Kool-aid Singles to attach to each one.  Girls fought over the pink bottles and the boys wanted the green and blue.  Of course! 

Field Day

It was a great day for Field Day at school.  The PE Department put this together.  Of course, it was one of their fundraisers as well.  Parents buy tickets for the kids to play on the bounce house, sports challenge, blow-up slide, candy, food and drinks.  I liked it because families could come and enjoy the festivities as well.  

All 2nd grade classes compete against each other in the water relay and tug-of-war.  Katie's class won the tug-of-war challenge.  It was awesome watching those little kids giving all their might. 

Colton loves Katie's classmates and they really like interacting with him as well.  He had a blast!  

Can you tell from the picture above that Colton was having a good time?  LOL! 

AWARDS

Our new principal, Mr. P, passed out outstanding awards to all 2nd and 3rd grade classes during the morning hours.  All family members were invited to attend.  Doug was able to get away for a few hours.  I picked up my mom and Millard came with Doug and Colton.  I think it means a lot to Katie to know that she has her family supporting her all the way.    

Katie made the "A" Honor roll and I finally have my "my child's an Honor Student" sticker.  Now, I just need my SUV to stick it on.  No rush.  I got chills when all the "A" Honor Roll students were asked to stand up.  Most all 2nd and 3rd graders stood up to receive their certificate.  Wow!  I was completely touched at that moment.  Even my mom said "wow!"  I am just so proud of all these young minds working hard and reaping their reward.  I mean, look at these little smiles. You know that they are proud of what they have accomplished.  

Katie also made the top 5 AR points for the 2nd grade.  She came in #4 with 213 points by the deadline, which was on May 10th.  Of course, if you talk to her about it, she will quickly tell you that she has more than 220 when it came to the last day of school.  Regardless, we are so very proud of her and the hard work she put in to accomplish this great award.  Three out of five top students came from Mrs. M's class (Katie's class).  I thought it amazing!  

Mrs. M called me a couple of days before the awards ceremony and let me know about a surprise award, Katie would be receiving in class.  This awards ceremony was separate from the whole 2nd and 3rd grade class awards.  

Katie was awarded "Outstanding Classmate" for 2013.  She was shocked and I think a little embarrassed.  She was beside herself.  I was very moved by the nice things Mrs. M had to say about Katie. It means a lot to a mom that tries her best to do what is right for the welfare of her children.  I know my children are spoiled brats at times, but when they are recognized and others apparent for who they are, it does make a mom breathe a little easier and might wipe a few tears away from her cheek.  

Here are all of Miss Katie's awards, now hanging on her board in her room.  One thing during the awards ceremony, I thought was nice.  The principal recognized and thanked the students' parents for supporting their kids during the school year.  I thought it was so nice because we work very hard.  We make sure that they get plenty of rest, good meals, help them with their homework, make sure they are on schedule, help them with class projects, field trips, PTA, and anything the teacher or homeroom mom ask of them.  

In my book . . . 

PARENTS ROCK!!!

Doug and I have been trying to get back on our regular daily diet routine.  It has been very hard with all the running around, no time to cook, "let's eat out moments."  Ugh!  It's killing me!  

I was at Target and needed some more almonds.  Doug likes the hot Washabi Almonds, but I usually just get the raw or roasted.  Well to my delight, I came across this bag of Toasted Coconut Almonds.  Oh it sounded so good.  It could have been that I was craving sweets at the time, but I just had to try them.  Oh. my.  They are so good and when you know you can't eat any GOOD stuff, you'll settle for anything.  Honestly, these are really good and my new favorite healthy snack.