It's been a good first week of summer break.
I'll be honest, sometimes that first week is quite rocky. Usually the kids can't figure out what to do with themselves and I threaten to drop them off at school... I don't care if anyone is there.
But not this time. This time they've done quite well entertaining themselves.
Yeah... it's really been a good week.
We are still going strong with Badminton without a net. Except Naomi read in one of her American Girl books that it was once called Battledore and Shuttlecock , so that is what we are calling it now. And that helps Zoe's confusion in calling the birdie a butterfly.
(I knew about the shuttlecocks, not the rest though)
The book reads-
"Felicity might have said this rhyme as she played. Say a line with each swing, and keep repeating it until the shuttlecock falls.
One, two three, four,
Mary at the cottage door,
Eating cherries off a plate,
Five, six, seven, eight."
Speaking of Battledore and Shuttlecock- We've been doing some serious battling.
(with deep voice)
The Battle of Battledore and Shuttlecock- Rae versus Mom. The Battle of Battledore and Shuttlecock- Nolan versus Rae.
And so on and so on.
And today as the Battle of Battledore and Shuttlecock- Rae and Mom versus Wesley... he texted while he played and still beat us.
Hmpf!
And today the sprinklers came on-
(need...... new...... camera)
They called this 'dunking'.
And once they started 'dunking', Rae wanted a part of that action.
And then without being told-
Naomi stayed outside to dry off in the sun.
But not Zoe-
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We've also played a lot of card games.
Mostly Old Maid (and Zoe is HILARIOUS when she has the Old Maid), Go Fish, Phase 10 and War.
And today Nolan taught me Bologna Sandwich, which actually the real title has a bad word, but this is what is used instead. That is a real fun one.
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The wasps have been out today, like bad. Real bad. And while Nolan, Rae and I played the Bologna Sandwhich game in the dining room with the big windows to watch the girls playing in the sprinklers - I saw Naomi get the can of wasp spray and she was attempting to spray the heck out of a wasp. It quickly ran out of spray and I watched her throw the can at the wasp.
So funny.
What wasn't funny was the it was on my new basil plant.
Yesterday my boys left to spend some time with their Aunt Elayna. My kids know a good time is to come when they get to go play with her.
The girls and I played what Zoe called tennis. But it was really badminton without a net. She also called the birdie a butterfly.
Then we had watermelon.
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While you are here, can anyone tell me what to do about a tired, wore-out, forgetful tooth fairy who seems to of retired before her time?
Today....
As I type, my oldest is at work and my other four are playing Go Fish. As they play they are using some extreme southern accents. Rae asked Nolan if he had a starfish and Nolan did a fake laugh and said, "Ms. Rae, you better go on fishin'." Later Nolan asked Rae if she had some other card, and when she didn't he said, "Aw geez, well curses upon ya, Ms. Rae."
There is a feeling in the air... at first I thought it was just me but I think the kids feel it too. I believe they can sense the big change that's about to happen in our family. I think they know that this summer is our last summer all together. That it'll never be the same again. Not necessarily in a bad way, just different and kinda sad way. Good but sad. Ah... the mixed emotions!
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And today I am putting these out of sight-
Ugh!
School uniforms just stink. No way around it!
I am packing these lifeless duds up and putting them away for the summer.
And this summer I am going to enjoy my children's colorful apparel! I will appreciate their efforts in putting together an outfit! Their freedoms!
Color and patterns are GOOD!!
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Gotta run, now they are starting up a game of kickball!
What in tarnation does Wes think he's doing?
Why is he on that stage?
What is the Principal handing him?
Don't take it Wes! Don't do it!
You give that back!!
He took it anyway!
That boy done went and got graduated!
He done went and got all growed up!
The High School Graduate and family.
High School Grad and little sisters.
High School Grad with brother and ohmygoodness, he's being sweet with his sister!
Wes and his best friend since 6th grade, Devin.
Wes and his art mentor, Brandon.
Friends...
Friends.....
And more friends.
Today I feel very proud of my son. He not only graduated high school but he's also graduated early morning seminary. Ever since he started high school he started waking up extra early in the morning to go to a seminary class to study the Scriptures. So he not only completed high school, but he's also completed that and I think that's super awesome!
And the question he's been asked time and time again, "So now what are you going to do?"
Wes has things in the works to serve a two year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
There are no words to explain how I feel when I hear him tell everyone that!
Wes- I LOVE YOU!!! And I am very well pleased!!
Imagine our surprise to find Wes had played football undercover the past 4 years. We never would have known if he never got the yearbook.
(He said he'd take the mistake over this other dude's.... who's said he was a cheerleader. Not that there is anything wrong with that.)
Today Naomi came home with her school pictures-
And this award
And Zoe's school picture-
And she recieved an award too-
Check out what this 'good citizen' did-
She left her father a love note on the window sill right by his chair that he reads with the curtains open for good natural light.... she left it in ink.... and she flipped the d the first go round but got it right two letter's later.
?
At least it was a love note.
Nolan explains how he wants his 'last-day-of-school-hair'
'Like this!'
The hair expert to the rescue.
I mean, checking your hair in the mirror 101 times a day makes one an expert, right?
She has an arsenal of products and knows how to use them.
And she's a wizard with the straightener.
I think Nolan and his hair are in good hands.
Babies and First Birthday Cakes
A couple of months ago I had the pleasure (and by pleasure I mean I was totally freaked out because I had just attempted to make a cake for my daughter and it was a disaster and I was coming to terms with the fact that this was NOT a talent of mine and yet I wanted this to be fabulous) of making my nephew's first birthday cake.
As I wondered what B's reaction to his cake would be I remembered all of my children's first birthday cakes and enjoyed reminiscing about that important day and moment.
Wesley
Wesley's first birthday cake was my first birthday cake as a momma. In other words, I didn't know what I was doing. I didn't have the confidence to make it myself and yet I didn't know what I was doing when I ordered the darn thing. They said, "Whole sheet or half sheet?" and I didn't know what that meant so he got a cake that was bigger than his highchair tray and it was just he and his parents eating it.
I remember he started by picking off the sprinkles on the cake but it didn't take long for him to go for a fist full.
When Nolan turned 1, I had gained some confidence and made his cake. This is sadly the only picture that turned out. I was having flash problems. I remember he pretty much had confidence in eating the cake too and a mess was made by him and his brother.
Rae
On Rae's 1st birthday I made her cake too.
I have many pictures of the birthday party, but not of her devouring this bad boy.
I recall her picking off pieces one at a time, just like her big bubba did with his sprinkles.
Naomi
When Naomi turned one I heard about this local grocer's bakery that had free birthday cakes for 1st birthdays. I checked it out and found this cute little cake that fit perfect, or so I thought. Her birthday is in October and it was a little Jack-O'lantern cake that was cute and smiley.
She was not so sure about it.
And she wanted out!
So her big brothers and sister showed her how to do it, and that's it's okay.
And mom gave her a spoon so she wouldn't have to touch a scary cake with her hands.
And that was that. She hardly left a crumb.
Zoe
Zoe had a dainty little cake with a pretty little flower on top. Just right for her...
...For her to dig in. Zoe's never been afraid of sugar.
My wittle baby sister reminded me on her blog that So You Think You Can Dance is coming this Thursday!!
(YAY!!!)
And reminded me of how awesome the show is with this very best dance from the very favorite-ist season of mine.
I CAN'T WAIT!
I am still waiting for more guesses on the Two Truths and One Lie game....
And... remember when I mentioned boiled peanuts a bit ago? Check out this picture I found-
Little Naomi, joining Uncle Clyde for some boiled peanuts at a family reunion. I remember her escaping my watchful eye and finding her outside with Uncle Clyde, who was helping her open them. It was very sweet.
I also stumbled upon these pictures of Naomi. I felt like this was one of my best "photo shoots." Of course, I had an adorable model.
Look at that face!
And that blonde hair!
It was so weird for me, with my dark hair and eyes to have a baby girl who was so blonde and so blue eyed.
It truly intrigued me that she could come from me.
Oh.... and my friend from Sizzler (the one I mentioned who was married the a TV fella) was visiting with her baby.
They were little buddies
I think they were telling secrets right here, in baby language.
Like... "When my daddy worked with your mommy, he used to secretly tape notes to her back that said- Ask me about our rump roast- and your mommy couldn't keep up with his shenanigans."
And Naomi would reply, "True that! Cause your daddy is bad to the bone. My mommy is too sweet to retaliate."
All the while I was talking to his mommy about how I didn't know how she could put up with his daddy.
Two Truths and One Lie
Anyone wanna play? You say you don't know how? Oh, it's easy and fun. All you do is take turns sharing three things with each other and two of the things need to be true and one should be a lie and everyone has to guess which are true and which one is the lie.
Get it?
Okay, let's play and I'll go first.
#1
My oldest sister dated Steve Young. Something unfortunate happened between the two though and they broke up after about a year.
#2
I dated a guy named Allan who now owns a funeral home. I still run into him every so often, it's totally awkward. He was actually my very first 'love'. Our song was Suddenly by Lionel Richie (or was it Stuck On You?) and we were so sure we would marry one day. May 18th, 1987 is when we planned to marry. Tomorrow would have been our anniversary!!
#3
As I fell more and more and more 'in love' with Allan everyday, looking forward to May 18th 1987 to be his wife he was.....
dun dun DUUUUuuuuuunnnnn!!!!
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Cheating on me with my sister?!?!?!
Imagine my shock to catch the two in this embrace! She had Steve Young. Why did she need my guy too?!
Truth be told, I still haven't completely forgiven her. She comments occasionally on this blog as 'DarDar'.... you may have noticed the tension between us.
Why Darla?
WHYYYY?!?!
Okay everyone, which one is the lie?
