VBS 2010

 
Ready for a week of VBS!
 
Laura Ann & Mrs. Kelly
 
Cowboy Daniel

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We spent the week on Saddle Ridge Ranch and had tons of fun! I worked with Melissa, Eve & Janeena in kindergarten crafts, so I got to see Daniel everyday when his class had their craft rotation. He was really excited to have Ms. Misty, his WEE Center teacher, for VBS this year. His class started out the day in the worship rally & that was Daniel's favorite part of everyday. He & Laura Ann both LOVED the VBS music this year & thanks to Nanna, we've had a cd to listen to in the car for the past few weeks. His class rotated through music & recreation, in addition to crafts everyday after they finished the lesson for the day in their room. Laura Ann had my sweet friend, Kelly, for her teacher & had a great week too. She had lots of Sunday School & WEE Center friends in her class, so she was right at home. I couldn't believe it, but on Monday she actually agreed to wear her VBS tshirt, with princess ribbons tied on the shoulder, of course. But that was it, no more tshirt the rest of the week. On Tuesday morning, when it was time to get ready for VBS, she almost had a break down because she didn't have any 'cow girl' clothes. I finally convinced her she would look great in 'cow girl' pigtails. Thanks to Mrs. Kelly for being ready at the door every morning to tie on her bandana (a great cowgirl accessory) and I have noticed in all the pics from Kelly that she has on her bandana, so she wore it the whole time everyday. She was also really excited about getting to wear Mrs. Kelly's boots one day in class. Her class rotated through music, craft & recreation everyday too, making her think she was 'big' stuff this year! She enjoyed having a pet horse, Callie, in her class the entire week too. The highlight of the week (for Daniel anyway) was having Team Impact back as part of our VBS. They visited classes & participated in the Worship Rally skit everyday. On Thursday night, they did another show & Daniel could hardly wait to get there. He has been performing feats of strength for us every afternoon in various 'Team Impact' outfits. We even checked out a 'weight training' book at the library this week. We did day five of VBS this morning in Sunday School & then took the kids to the sanctuary to sing for the parents. I ended up teaching 4 years olds this morning & had to stay with them. I had the camera with me & couldn't see Daniel from where my class was, so I didn't get any pics this morning, but I did get one of him practicing on Thursday. I have no doubt, though, that he did a great job! It truly was a great week for our family & I am so thankful for all of the teachers who contributed to Daniel & Laura Ann's fun week, especially Misty & Kelly. You both are the best! I think I took 4 pictures all week, so a big thanks also to their teachers & friends who provided all the pics in the slideshow!

Looking Back.......

Coming soon......

SIX Years Ago Today........

 
 
 
 

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......my firstborn entered this world & life hasn't been the same since! He is has brought more joy into our lives than we could ever have imagined! As if he hadn't already celebrated enough, we spent the entire day today celebrating some more. He opened his Star Wars Annakin costume from all of us first thing this morning (the mask is really creepy, but he specifically ask for the costume with the mask!). We sang, blew out candles & had cupcakes for breakfast, then it was off to church. After church we celebrated with a pancake lunch at Cracker Barrel (his choice) & lollipops for dessert. Late this afternoon, we headed to Cold Stone Creamery & had ice cream for dinner (we said it was for his birthday, but the truth is, we do that a lot on Sundays in the summer!). We took our ice cream down to Trussville Springs to walk on the paths & play on the BANK of the Cahaba. Well, Daniel spent the evening of his 6th birthday splashing & skipping rocks IN the Cahaba (the BANK part didn't last long before they were both soaking wet!:). We had to strip them down to get back in the car & they had to ride home in their underwear. Daniel was really concerned about that being 'against the law'- could it be that he is starting to have some modesty?? And, I was really pleased that he was concerned with being lawful. I just wish some of that 'lawfulness' or just plain old common sense would've kicked in on Friday when he thought it would be a good idea to raise the window in his bedroom and climb out on our roof!!! Thanks to incidences such as that, I have definitely aged WAY more than the six years he's been with me! I still wouldn't trade him for anything, though! It was a really fun day & Daniel is sooooo excited to be SIX!

Celebrating 11 years!!

 
From our yard
 
From Big Daddy's yard

Eleven years ago yesterday, I married my best friend. It's been a crazy, fun, imperfect & wonderful ride since then & I can't think of a single person I'd rather spend this life with! Hydrangeas are my favorite flower & we had them in our wedding. When they start to bloom, I always know our anniversary is fast approaching (good reminder for Dan, too, huh?:) I love you, Dan & look forward to many more anniversaries!

Happy Birthday Daniel!

 
 
 
 

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The grandparents, Granny, Pop, Sam, Heather & Kate came over today to celebrate Daniel's birthday. He wanted a Toy Story 3 party, so I added some characters to the cupcakes, threw in a Buzz balloon & some Buzz napkins and a family cookout turned into a Toy Story 3 party!:) We cooked out & enjoyed visiting with everyone. Daniel, as always, was in rare form, loving every minute of the attention. He got lots of Star Wars men (his latest interest), a Jedi robe & an Iron Man costume. He then spent the rest of the day occupied by all of them. It was a super fun day! I can hardly believe today was his last day to be five!

Catching Up

 
This is what I found on the porch after we watched something on HGTV- apparently the porch was in need of some repairs
 
The bird nest on our porch ended up having 5 eggs & they hatched today!
 
Daniel's 'roller coaster'- he puts his hot wheel at the top of our sidewalk to gain momentum going into the driveway & street. Can you say dare devil??
 
This is another one of those Little Debbie/Red Jello stories......I told them that they could get a treat at the grocery store if they behaved (yes, I fully admit that I bribe my children). I had in mind candy at the check out counter, but Daniel went nuts when we passed the Lunchables, telling Laura Ann all about them. He, of course, has never had one, but apparently has been surrounded by them at lunch all year at school. He asked if he could get that for his 'treat' & Laura Ann wanted one too. You would've thought we had brought home half of the toy department as excited as they were! So, there you have it, yet another way in which my children are deprived!

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We really were busy the last couple of weeks of school & then we went to the beach. I said multiple times during all of that we were going to stay home in our pjs for a week when things finally slowed down. Well, I wasn't kidding! We spent much of the last week at home. Daniel & Laura Ann got lots of good rest & playtime in & never once asked to go anywhere! We did venture out once for lunch& groceries & once for the kick off of the summer reading program at the library & that was it. It has been a great week & we are now ready for a summer full of fun!

Batman's Blowout

 
Lois Lane & Bruce Wayne
 
Yes, he really did play outside while wearing the blowout costume
 
Daniel & Jeb, our new neighbor
 
Laura Ann & Jeb were the bad guys......love Laura Ann's bad guy face!

Daniel's very first costume was the Batman one & it was a hand me down from our old neighbors. It is a size two & I think he's had it about 3 years. If you follow this blog, then you know that besides being WAY too small, it is totally worn out. I've tried to discard it multiple times without success. Daniel is just unable to part with it! For awhile now, it has had a little hole in the backside (and I think Gran may have done some repairs at some point), but yesterday, it became a full blown blow out! Doesn't matter to Daniel though, he still insisted on keeping it on! Since he wears his costumes outside to play (even in 90 degree temps), he saw no problem with sporting the blowout down the street on his bike! I'm sure the neighbors loved it, at least our bug man, Mr. Cliff did! Oh, how I love his innocence!

While I'm on the subject of Daniel & his costumes, I'll share how I met one of our next door neighbors..... Some of the neighborhood kids were in our backyard playing on the playset (Daniel was in his Superman costume). I stepped out to check on them & noticed my neighbor, Danielle, standing at the fence. I walked over to introduce myself & she laughed & said, I've been meaning to come over to meet you guys, so when I saw Superman running across my backyard just now, I decided it was a good time to head on over! :)

Our sweet neighbors on the other side of us are the Bettis', who we knew before we moved. Daniel & Laura Ann's very first teeth cleaning was from Brett & I used to teach with Ann. Their little boy, Jeb & Daniel have become big buddies & are having so much fun playing. I have to give Jeb credit for befriending the two new neighborhood kids who are either naked, in pjs or in a costume. They tried to get him dressed up yesterday, but only got him to hold a shield. Maybe he'll come around.......:)

More Flowers......

 
 
 

I came home from the beach to find these blooming in my yard! I may just turn into a gardener after all!

Gulf Shores Day Four

 
 
 
 

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We had a lazy morning, but eventually got down to the beach & very much enjoyed the overcast skies & breeze that was blowing. We went for a walk on the beach & Daniel & Laura Ann filled a bucket with shells. Laura Ann was especially excited about what they found & has insisted on bringing them home with us! The water was a little rough, so they didn't spend as much time 'belly flopping' today. Laura Ann spent most of her time snacking, while Daniel played with his construction vehicles in the sand. About the time we decided to come in for lunch there was a rumble of thunder that was followed by an afternoon of rain showers. Theres nothing like napping in the afternoon with it raining outside & yes, even Laura Ann took a nap! We got ready early this evening & headed to The Original Oyster House for dinner. No Gulf Shores trip is complete without at least one meal there & a visit with "Chomp Chomp", the stuffed alligator. Daniel named him Chomp Chomp when he was a baby & couldn't say alligator, so the whole family still refers to The OOH, as the Chomp Chomp Restaurant. To top off a great vacation, Daniel & Laura Ann spent the evening perfecting their swimming skills in the pool. It's back to reality for us tomorrow! I don't know what we'll miss the most......lazy days on the beach, fun in the pool or Gran's yummy breakfasts every morning. It's been a great first visit to Tide Together & we all look forward to many more! :)

Photo Session on the Bay

 
 
 
 

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Gulf Shores Day Three

 
 
 
 

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We were on the beach by 9:30 this morning & Daniel & Laura Ann had a BLAST! They were so sweet & played so well together for a few hours! They ran all over the beach, did lots more belly flops (Papa joined them for awhile again), played in the sand, and ate lots of snacks. The dolphins were very active today & we enjoyed watching them play for awhile. We came in again for lunch & quiet time (I headed back to the beach for quiet time with my book & it was total bliss!). Since we got a little too much sun this morning, we waited until after dinner to head out again & this time went to the pool. Laura Ann is totally fearless swimming & jumping in. She is all over the pool like a little fish. Daniel has it in his head that he can only swim in shallow water & will NOT go into the deep end. This is a problem because to pass the swim test at the YMCA, he has to do in the deep end. Well, after lots of coaxing from all of us this evening & not willing to be out done by his sister, he finally caved & swam in the deep end. Yay, Daniel! Green swim band.....here we come!! While Daniel spent his time shooting all of us with his water gun, Laura Ann & Dan played Prince & Princess crowning each other with the dive rings. They also perfected what Dan called their 'Dirty Dancing' move. Laura Ann is pretty good, but I'm not sure that she's ready for the movies just yet! :) Looking forward to Day Four!

Gulf Shores Day Two

 
Kate, Laura Ann, Daniel, Jackson, Ruby
 
 
 

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Our morning started out with a visit from our cousins, the Darnells & the Sheltons that we don't see nearly often enough. Daniel & Laura Ann had fun playing with Jackson & Ruby. Just as they were leaving, The Boshells, Aunt Shelia & Grandmama came for a visit too. It was great to catch up with some family on both sides! After our visits ended, we headed to the beach. Daniel, Laura Ann & Papa spent the their time doing belly flops in the water. I videoed this on my phone, but haven't figured out yet how to get it to the blog- stay posted for that! We came in for a late lunch & quiet time & then Daniel, Laura Ann, Gran & Papa headed out to the pool. Dan & I took advantage of the grandparents & went out for dinner at one of our favs- The Tin Top on Bon Secour Bay.