I Fell For It

Obviously it is feast or famine on this blog. In May I apparently had lots more free time than any other month this year since I posted as many times in May as the whole rest of this year. Now with summer break in full swing, it is famine. I am presently sitting by the pool listening to pure summmer joy and thinking that my neighbors probably curse the day I got a pool, and I felt the need to share this moment. Allie and her friend Marlee are swimming when suddenly the worse argument occurred. "I'm telling your momma!" "You won't be my friend in first grade!" "Why did I even have to come here today?" "I don't even want a best friend!" It was brutal, I'm telling you. I spent a few minutes debating on whether to intervene or not. I'm pretty much one for letting kids solve their own problems. When it got to the point where I thought feelings were about to get hurt, and I could make it a teaching moment, I called both girls over. I asked them what they were fighting over and Marlee looked at Allie and Allie looked at Marlee and they both said, "You tell her." They started to smile and giggle so I told them they could not laugh 'cause they were mad at each other. Of course, that made them laugh harder. Then they both looked at me and one of them said, "We were pretendin'!" and laughed hysterically. I totally fell for it, and I think tomorrow night when Hannah goes to drama, I'm going to cart them along. I believe they could teach the other kids a thing or two.

Thank You Could Never Be Enough

We live in a country that enjoys more freedom and blessings than probably anywhere on earth. It is because of these brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice. There is no way to put a thank you into words for what they've done for us.

Speed Street

Well, while the cats away the mice will play, as the saying goes and today we played alright. Kelly and I took the kids to Speed Street in Charlotte today and it was totally fun. Here is why we went.



I saw where Cars 2 characters were going to be on display and I had to take Jon Tyler. I had to. So I signed my older two out and we headed up. To save having to find a parking place when streets had been blocked off and walking miles and payin to park, we rode the light rail from Pineville. That is my new favorite thing. After us Beverly Hillbillies figured out how to buy tickets, of course, and where to board the train, we loved it. It truly was country come to town. We got off just 2 blocks from where we needed to be and quickly found the Kidzone. Cheerios sponsored that part and there were samples of every thing imagineable, for free at that. We go pictues with Tony the Tiger, the Lucky Charms man and others. The kids scored Hamburger Helper hands and there was free ice cream. Anyway you look at it, that is the bomb. Then we found Lightning McQueen, Mater, and Finn (he's the new guy for you Cars rookies). The kids got their pictures taken with them and got to play on some inflatables. Then we boarded the train and rode back to our car. It was a perfectly fun, spontaneous afternoon, and I'm so glad we did i

Washington, DC Bound

Very early this morning, Donnie and Hannah boarded a bus with 40 something other excited students and parents for Washington, DC. Since I have been sweating the virus all weekend, I am so glad this day is finally here. It is a weird feeling though. This is the farthest distance and longest time apart that I've ever had from either of them. It seems like they are having a wonderful time, and I'm so excited they will have this time together. They have called several times and sent a few pictures. Gotta love technology. I'm sure I'll have plenty of blog worthy material when they get home.

Their afternoon view.

Trying to Stay Well

Donnie is supposed to be at a church men's retreat this weekend but he woke up Friday with an awful (!) stomach virus. He has been sick ever since. Last night Kelly got it, so I am on pins and needles around here. There is NOTHING worse than a stomach virus winding its way through 8 people. Been there done that when there were five of us, and I still have flashbacks. To make it worse, Hannah and Donnie leave for Washington, DC on a field trip Tuesday. We have out the Lysol and the hand sanitizer and are using it in mass amounts. I have Lysol-ed all door knobs, lightswitches, sink fixtures, toilets seats, chairs where the sick sat, the gate at the bottom of the stairs, phones, and remotes. Did I mention I HATE the stomach virus? Hannah came downstairs fully dressed, whereas I usually have to beg them to get dressed on Saturdays. When I asked her why she was dressed, she replied, "This house is full of germs and outside is not. I'm going to ride my bike." Can't argue with that.

Photo Friday

Jon Tyler has been introduced to wrestling by my nephew Rayden. He thinks anytime he's got his shirt off is wrestling time. Here are some of his moves.






Isn't he a cutie?

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