The Surfer Girl and her Long Board

Z has decided that she wants to be a surfer when she grows up, so next month we will be having a surfer girl birthday party. Every year I take pictures of my kids with each one of their friends individually and send the picture with their thank you. I always try to make the pictures go with the party theme when possible. This year, I decided I needed a surfboard for the photo op. My "little" brother, Thomas is quite handy with woodworking so he offered to help me out. He did an awesome job. I just wanted a vintage looking long board but he went above and beyond. He cut, sanded, and curved the corners. He then stained stripes on it to it looked really authentic. We both decided it needed some color, so I came in and painted the pink and white stripes and the flower. I still have to reattach the fin (Z knocked it of while she was surfing a wild wave in the living room) and I'm going to seal the entire then with some poly but I thought I'd show you what I've been working on. Pretty awesome!

Yay for summer! It's almost here!!!

"Where's Perry?"

My kids and Alan love the show Phineas and Ferb. I have to admit it is pretty good. This morning Z created Perry the Platypus with playdo. I thought it was very creative.

The Big Highly Anticipated Ballet Recital

The Sugar Plum Girls that danced to The Tea Party Dance.

Our little ballerina!

She was having so much fun posing and dancing around,
I had to work to get her off the stage.

I know I'm biased.  I think she's pretty on an everyday basis but WOW!
Alan and I were both blown away with how pretty she looked with a little makeup.
She's a knock-out.  Really wish we could stop time because I'm not looking forward
to the days when the boys notice what we notice.

Caution:  Bragging Alert!!!

Last night was the highly anticipated ballet recital for Z.  She was so excited as was I.  We (the parents) hadn't been allowed to see the costume or any part of the dance until she was on stage.  Z was very strict about it too.  I tried on multiple occasions to get her to show me what she was doing in ballet, only to be met with, "Mom-Mom, I can't show you because it's a surprise!" and she stuck to her guns on that one.  She was not only adorable but did an excellent job.  She listened to the music for her cues and remembered her steps.  The song was also perfect for her personality.  We were so proud of her! 

AWANA Awards

"Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power."
Ephesians 6:10
Watch out!  These two are armed with Scripture!

My camera wasn't cooperating but I just had to show you the excitement on  Z's face. 

Best (and least stressful) AWANA awards night ever. For the first time, I was able to just be a mom. Of course I felt like the Mom to every kid that walked across the stage. I was so proud of all of my AWANA kiddos. But I was especially proud of my two babies. Z completed the Cubbies program and received her second book award for memorizing 32 Bible verses. J received the Alpha Award for completing the first book of T&T and memorizing 89 verses plus completing multiple activities and a mission project. It was a great night and the presence of God was truly felt in that room. Made me very thankful to have gotten to be a part of this ministry.

Lesson of the Day:  Sometimes the things we dread (like driving across town every Wednesday night) are the same things that make the biggest difference in our children's lives.  So stop whining (message to self) and remember who you are doing this for! 

We love you, Papa Fred!!!

Graduating Class of 2024...oh my!

Last night was the class of 2024's preschool graduation. Wow! Conundrum of emotions: Happy, Sad, Disbelief, Excitement, Shock, Reminiscent. I've been to a lot of children's programs and this by far was one of the best (especially for preschool). The 4's classes learned sign language to go with almost every song. They did so good. Z was soooooo cute. About half way through the program, Z informed me later in the evening, she decided that maybe I couldn't hear her and decided to sing at the top of her lungs. As one of my friends (and fellow pre-K parent that knows Z well) laughed and said, "I wouldn't expect anything less of Z." To top it off, Z got the entire audience in giggles by making sure she posed just right for the photographer when the MDO director gave her her "diploma". The picture above is from my angle. What a mess but what a gift! She's my little ladybug and I love her to pieces. Tonight are the AWANA awards so more pics tomorrow of both kids.
Lesson of the Day: As parents, you've just got to learn to go with the flow and enjoy the laugh.

Ode to Big Red

You may be cute.

You may be small,

But you are not my friend at all!

You harrass my birds and

Steal me seed.

You scamper up and down my tree.

You think our swingset is your own.

I've got news for you...

It's not your home!

You run around upon my fence.

You stare me down like I will flinch

But here's the word,

You don't scare me!

I'm the one in charge, you see!

Though in my yard you do exist

Mr Red, You are on...my...list!

Crazy week alert!

I don't know what she was doing but it sure made us laugh.

Happy Mother's Day!

Mother's Day 2011

For all of you mother's out there, watch this video of the Mom Song.  One of my favorite kid songs. 

 Very appropriate for mother's day  (don't worry...it's not sappy).

May the fourth be with you!

Happy Star Wars Day!

Squash update...

What was fresh yellow squash is now yummy italian fried squash.

Slice 2 yellow squash (I like to keep my slices a little thicker)
Mix 1 large egg and a little milk to make a egg wash
Mix Italian bread crumbs, a little garlic salt, and shredded parmesan cheese
Heat up about 2 Tbs of Olive Oil

Dip squash in egg wash, coat with bread crumbs, drop in heated oil until they are as brown and crispy as you like, flipping after a minute or two. Drain on a paper towel. Serve with ketchup or ranch.

And we have Squash...

The Corner Garden

First Produce

Cucumbers or shall I say, "Future Pickles."

The Herb Garden

 So I've always said I have a black thumb (rather than green) when it comes to growing anything. I have the desire but I tend to forget to water or over water or something eats my plants or they wilt...you get the picture. Well, this year, in the midst of an incredible drought, my garden is doing really well. In fact, I picked our first produce today...two big yellow squash. I honestly believe my success has less to do with me and more to do with the new sod that we've had to water constantly right next to the garden.

This weekend, my grandfather (aka gardener extraordinaire) asked Z what she was growing in her garden, she said, "Well, we've got some pickles growing." Couldn't help but laugh.

Lesson of the day: Watering plants regularly really does keep them from dying.