New Pets

Here are our new pets chilling out in their apartment. I know for sure two have names...Harry and Lloyd, and I am not sure about the rest.

The kids thought they were the best and both fought over who would keep them in their rooms. But then bedtimes came and the bean were ready to party. Neither of them wanted to listen to their jumping all night long. So the beans were sent to the living room to keep the dog company!

I Scream...You Scream...We All Scream for Ice Cream!

I love a girl that can coordinate her outfit to her favorite ice-cream flavor!

Right down to the nail polish.

Yummy!

Not pictured...Gavin who when outside where it was warm and there were no mom's with cameras.

If they ruled the house....

If our Princess were Queen of the castle there would be pancakes for breakfast, pizza for lunch and ice-cream for dinner every day. Underwear would not be necessary. Lopsided ponytails would be the new fad. Every time you asked for a drink you would get a new cup…or new soda, no need to finish what you had left over. Everyone who addressed her would call her Princess and tell her how pretty she is. She would have a new pair of shoes for each day. There would be non-stop singing. Daddy would lay down with her at the end of each day to talk, tickle, bit noses…and then wait for her to go asleep. Jack would have several additional friends. We would have a generator for when the power went out during a thunder storm. That the wishes she made on stars would come true. We would all sleep in bunk beds. Her very worn and loved special blankie would never come unraveled and need to be sewed. Daddy’s Studebaker would be pink. Gavin would wear pink. Mommy and Daddy would never go to work so we could stay home and play with her instead. Jumping, rolling and climbing on furniture would be perfectly acceptable. We would never run out of ketchup. Rainbow day would be a national holiday. We could go to the “ribber” aka river house on the Ohio River anytime we wanted. Mommy would have to paint each of her own fingernails a different color, just like her. She would want to help cook at every meal so she could be the special cooker and get a tip. That every time we go to Crackle Barrel…we would have to buy her Maple Sugar candies.

If Gavin were King of our abode there would be at least one television in every room. Video games could be taken to school. Pickle juice would come in cans to drink. We would have a special refrigerator designated just for pickles, meat and cheese. We would visit Wal-Mart every single day of the year. There would be no showers, no hair brushes, no deodorant, no tooth paste. Jack would be his room-mate. Radios would be played loudly both inside and out. There would be no bed time. Pillows would be replaced with stuffed animals. All of our walls would be covered in maps from around the world. Homework would not be allowed. Shoes would not have to be worn. Money in any amount would always be available to him. All of his friends would have an open invitation to spend the night …any night. Christmas and Birthdays would be celebrated twice a year. A swimming pool would be installed along with a soda fountain. Saturday mornings would be set aside just for shopping garage sales. Camo would be the new black. Chairs would be made with only two back legs just so you could balance yourself and bounce on the backs of the chairs during dinner. Hand sanitizer would replace soap and water.

A Girl Can Never Have To Many Shoes

Everyone needs a pair of Wellies for rainy days!

Papa got Macey these cool Sketchers called Twinkle Toes for her birthday. I am told that they run really fast! They also really light up!

Evening wear slippers.

Shoes I wished fit me!

Hello Kitty!





Shoes that I am glad come with zippers!




Yesterday's newly purchased addition so she can dress like mommy! Supper cute!

Hump Day...

What should be posted tonight is laundry and baths (including Jack)...instead this is an Easter picture of Macey from this year. Do you know where it is taken?

2nd day of school not as exciting to the kids. Doesn't take long for reality to set in.

Last week we were talking about gentic genes. Gavin told Macey she had the same genetic make up as he did. Paul said "no, it is not the Same!" Macey said "you don't wear make-up". Guess that is a lesson for another day...or maybe something they might learn on their third day of school

The First Day of School

What a day! My kids had a blast! They have no idea how lucky they are to live in a country where they get to learn...to better themselves. Along with lunch, recess and friends.

Gavin had a Stellar Day! I don't know that I have ever heard him this excited EVER! He loved all of it! He loved riding the bus! He loved his teacher! He knew some of the kids! (so maybe I did something right when I had him join cub scouts in the school I knew he would eventually go).

But it was hard! It was harder to see the bus pick up Gavin for the first time. I know he is in the 5th grade..and that he is 10. But Macey and I watched...and I got so emotional that I couldn't even snap a quick shot. I shouted to him good luck! Then ducked inside to find a tissue and gather myself!

Then I took Macey to school and while we were waiting for them to open the doors she freaked out because someone else had on the same outfit as she did! I think if the Diva had her way she would have demanded me to drive her home so she could change her outfit. I told her...that the other girl didn't have the cool leggings...nor the cool shoes she did!

Goldilocks...

This picture reminds me of Goldilocks and the three bears and Goldie sitting in Papa bears big chair.

Taken at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington Kentucky.

When Mommy Cooks...

Smack and Cheese from a box...

When Daddy cooks...Cedar Plank Salmon Salade with Poire Vinaigrette (pear garnish).

I think that says it all! And for those who know me well you can stop crying from laughter now.

An End to an Era

This last week I have found myself sad. Sad that summer is coming to an end. Sad that homework will be back. Sad that it is already dark in the morning when I get up, sad that THE last “first day of school” is upon me.



I’ve been so busy getting Macey excited about starting Kindergarten, busy worrying about Gavin going to public school and having to ride a bus for the first time, busy feeling bad for my husband that has been dreading a quiet house in the afternoons on his weekdays home , that I never stopped to think about me.



When Gavin started Kindergarten five years ago, I was still on maternity leave from having Macey. For ten years I have had a baby in the house. Starting Tuesday that will be no longer the case. As crazy as this sounds, I don't want another baby but I am sad that there will be no more for me.

I can see why mothers have more…but having one more will only put me back to this very spot five years and nine months from now.



My husband said “Macey will do fine.” And I agreed with him and told him yes she would…it would be us we had to worry about. As he also said, "I look at it as just a new chapter in her life." A new chapter, yes...but not just in her life, but in ours as well.



Look out class of 2022, here she comes!

Pictures taken at her open house tonight...where she got to meet her new teacher Mrs. Marshall. And Stella is the beautiful girl with Macey who happens to live down the street from us...they are sitting at the same table. I don't know...looks like trouble to me :)

Awh Mom!

I'll let all you mothers fill in the blanks....

Please can I have it? Just one more minute! It can't be bed time, it is still light out. I already took a shower yesterday so I don't need one today. I just need one more dollar. Can my friend stay just a little longer? Read me just one more story. I am not done watching this show. Can I have another cookie? I don't want to try on any more shoes...these are fine. Can I get another refill? My room looks fine! But, I'am almost done with this game. I already took a bite. I already combed my hair. I don't need deodorant. I am almost ready.

I think you mom's know the drill!

A Bark in the Park

This morning Bell and Jack went for a little walk in the park to benefit the Terre Haute Human Society. Even if you don't have a dog to walk, everyone should witness this event at least once. There are so many dogs..and owners. I can't even put what I see in words...and if I wanted to put it in words via pictures then I would attend the even without my dog. It is a serious challenge to take a picture of something when you are with your dog. And I thought just having my kids in toe was hard enough.

Lanie is Back

Macey's biggest want for her birthday was an American Girl doll...Lanie. She got her, and was so happy to have her. They spent maybe 24 hours together before I noticed that Macey had lice. Poor Lanie has been in quarantine for 10 days...but she is back...and Macey couldn't be happier.

Macey has gone on and on all day about how nice it was that Uncle Scottie and Aunt Regina got Lanie for her, because she loves her so much!

The Dog Days of Summer....

Jack will tell you how it feels....

All we managed to do tonight was take Jack for a walk. Good thing Macey had her cool "Twinkle Toe" shoes from Papa to walk her down the street.

"It's too hot to do anything but melt!" As I type this and upload photos I hear thunder rumbling outside, and I so hope it rains!

This is Super Cheese...made by Gavin!

These are left over balloons from Macey's party...I warned you they would be around awhile.

Tonight I took the kids to splash in the fountain at ISU..

Macey sitting on the fountain

Hi Grammy...call me!

We called it a night when Macey's pants were so wet they fell off!

Gavin had way to much fun doing this!


P.S. Tonight we are bug free!