If You're Happy & You Know It...

have some FUN! Oh yes, we love FUN! Here's some fun from the past week.

Mason's daycare class started water play on Monday. He went to daycare in his Nemo swim trunks ready to hit the sprinklers. I felt sorry for the kids because it was a cloudy and cooler morning. I imagine they got cold. I noticed Mason's t-shirt came home wet so at least he got to wear it during water play.

Where are the sprinklers?

Tuesday Anna and I met Katelyn and Holly at the water park. It was another cloudy and below average temp day. The water was freezing to me. But the girls jumped right in and played. Anna would complain of being cold from time to time and sit out to warm up. She would come out of the water shivering. During a break the sun did come out which made the girls have the sun squints in the picture.

We need sunglasses!

Tuesday evening we put up the tent (sheet) in the living room again. This time I let Anna get her sleeping bag and sleep in the tent for the night. She loved it! She can't wait to go real camping now. (This is my kind of camping though...having A/C!)

Conked out camper.

Wednesday Anna and I went to story time at the library. This was our first experience, and we really enjoyed it. Anna wants to go back this week. We actually saw a few people that we know plus Anna ran into another little girl that she met at the 4th of July party last Saturday. We were sitting waiting for it to start when Anna said "There's Jayden!" That got Anna out of her chair next to me and down front with the other kids. They sang songs, read a book, sang more songs and got a treat bag. It was a great experience. After story time Anna picked out new books and movies to check out with her very own library card. She is now an official library card holder! For lunch we went to one of her favorite places, Taco Rio. Then did our weekly Walmart shopping. A couple of weeks ago we started buying a few school supplies each shopping trip. This week we bought her mat for naptime and crayons. (I thought it would be easier to buy the long list of supplies a little at a time rather than in one big purchase. So far it's working well and keeping her excited about Kindergarten.)

Mimi picked Anna up after worship service on Wednesday night for a sleep over. Anna spent the day with her Thursday. It sounds like they had a great time together. Friday Mason stayed home from daycare so the kids and I went to the mall. We did a little shopping and then played on the playground. It was Happy Hour at Sonic when we left the mall so we had to stop for a Dr. Pepper and vanilla ice cream cone. Yummy!

Friday evening Kevin was working outside. He came in carrying something saying "Look what I found." Here it is...

A sweet baby bunny. He found several of them in the pasture and wanted the kids to see one. After showing us he took it back out to its family. You just never know what you'll find in the country!

Saturday we enjoyed playing at home, inside and outside. We played in the shop and listened to the light rain hitting the metal roof. I could have taken a nap if it wasn't for two kiddos keeping me busy! For dinner we BBQ'd some ribs. Unfortunately they turned out horrible! They were so tough that we ended up saving them for our friend's dog! (That bad!!) So if anyone has a good recipe and/or way of BBQing ribs, PLEASE share.

More 4th of July Pictures

Here are some pictures from our evening on the 4th of July. I didn't have my camera so my friend, Angela, emailed her pictures to me.

Anna swimming with Emily's help.

Anna & Allie

Mason considering a swim. He loved that orange noodle.

At the BBQ there were around 25 people. Out of the people there we had 2 Masons, 2 Allies, 2 Ethans and two Angelas. It seemed odd to have so many people with the same name in such a small group. Another ironic thing is how Kevin and several of his friends from Jonesboro have all ended up living so close together. There is Jason, Kevin C., Matt P., and Matt R. that all live within a few miles of us.

July Already?

Last week June finished speeding by and ran into July. Where is the summer going? It needs to slow down just a bit...August is around the corner...I'm not ready for that...

Monday night Anna spent the night with Papaw and Grammy. She had a great time visiting with them. I actually had most of Tuesday by myself since she was at my parents and Mason went to daycare. I cleaned the pool, cleaned some in the shop, did house work and then read a book. I have always loved reading but since the kids came along there just hasn't been time between them, the house and working outside the home. Since I've been at home this summer I've started reading again. To me it is so relaxing and enjoyable.

My mom has been going through all my things that I left at home when I moved out (in 1997!). She has started sending them to me. I don't blame her at all because I left pretty much everything other than clothes and necessities. Tuesday I went out into the shop and went through the stuff she has brought to determine keep or throw away. I ran across so many childhood pictures. It brought back some great memories of time spent with friends.

I'm trying to pass my love of reading along to Anna. Wednesday I took her to the library and helped her check out some books and movies. We were planning to get her own library card but the library is remodeling and only had one computer working. Maybe we can get it next visit. She seemed to enjoy the experience and keeps asking when we can take back the current items and get new ones.

Wednesday evening after worship service we did our annual firework shopping. We don't buy much, just sparklers, snakes, bottle rockets and a few other kids items. We did a couple of fireworks that night. Mason did his first sparkler ever. At one point I seriously thought he was about to catch Anna or Kevin's hair on fire. Lesson learned: never turn loose of a two year old with a sparkler for even one second! Thankfully no one caught on fire.

Thursday Anna and I met Mimi at Dillards for a little shopping. Dillards was having a great sale on kids clothing. Of course Mimi bought Anna and Mason several outfits. Anna even picked out her 1st day of Kindergarten outfit. It is a Hannah Montana shirt and H.M. shorts (surprise!). She is so excited to wear them. After shopping Mimi took us out to lunch. We picked up Mason after nap time and took him for a much needed haircut. Then Mimi took him to her house to play while Anna and I did more shopping and ran errands. Anna ended up at the mall playground and played for about an hour. She amazes me at how fast she makes friends. (She gets that from Kevin. I'm the shy one.) She made two "friends" during the time we were at the playground. We had a great day Thursday.

Friday night we did more fireworks at our house. There were two large displays going off that we could see. So we sat on the tail gate of Kevin's truck and enjoyed other people's fireworks too. Anna said "I bet they are watching our fireworks like we are watching theirs." I didn't say it but I seriously doubt they saw our little bitty fireworks from their viewpoint! ;o)

Saturday was Independence Day. Our family attended two celebrations. We started the day in Piggott at the annual Parade and Picnic. (We originally thought about letting Anna ride her 4-wheeler in the parade but decided against it this year. We had some concerns that one more year of growing and maturing might help. So maybe next year.) We were close to the start of the parade and collected candy like crazy! Anna & Mason (along with the help of several adults nearby) left with a huge bag of candy. Both kids enjoyed the parade. Mason didn't even mind the screaming fire trucks.

Proud American!

A Popsicle to cool off!

After the parade we headed down to the picnic grounds. Anna rode several rides but Mason only rode one. There really weren't any for his size.

Waving at Anna as she rides by.

Anna & Kevin prepare to slide.

By the time the kids finished riding we were dripping with sweat. We headed to the food stands to pick up BBQs, hamburgers and funnel cakes and then headed to Grammy's house to eat in the air conditioning. We got to visit with Aun'tee and Unc too. Poor Papaw had to work. Maybe he will get the day off next year.

We got home mid-afternoon and let the kids take a nap before heading to our next destination. We went to our friends house, The Cooks. They invited several people over for a BBQ and swim. The pool was a little over Anna's head but she had help from Emily and Allie. Mason was soaked with sweat so another lady asked him to get in the pool with her (I didn't go dressed to swim although I later regretted it since the humidity was like 100). Mason said he wanted to swim but by the time I got him changed into his swim trunks he decided against it. He did finally get in briefly and spent some time on the edge dangling his feet into the water. It helped cool him down some.

Once it got dark the kids started doing fireworks (Snap Dragons, Sparklers, Smoke Bombs, etc). Then the good stuff got underway. The fireworks were beautiful, and I don't think Anna will ever forget Bad to the Bone. It was 9:30 by the time we got in our truck. Anna was tired and Mason was beyond tired. During the large fireworks he turned, layed on my shoulder, grabbed my arm and pulled it around him and said "I hold Momma." I think he was tired and scared. We considered heading to Jonesboro for the fireworks there but decided against it since the kids still needed baths and we had church service the next morning. We had an excellent day with family and friends. God Bless the USA!

Wonderful Week Without Work

Week 1 without work has been so enjoyable. Anna is enjoying her time out of Pre-K too. Monday we hung out at home. I did house work, worked on some scrapbooking (still very far behind), Anna played, watched movies and then we went swimming.

Tuesday Anna, Mason and I went to my mom and dad's to visit. I celebrated Father's Day with my daddy. We had a great time visiting with them and Aun'tee. When we got home that afternoon we attempted swimming but it was too hot. The water had warmed so much during the day that it wasn't enjoyable. That swim didn't last long.

Wednesday was more hanging out at home, swimming and worship service that evening.

Thursday we went to town and did our weekly errands. Anna played on the playground at the mall and had a blast with another little girl there. I have to brag on my bargain of the year. JC Penney was having an awesome sale. I found a cute outfit for Mason that was on sale for $1.97 + 20% off that!!! Tax and all it was $1.71!!! I was so excited to get such a great deal!

Friday I actually mowed the yard for the first time since we've lived here (and in all honesty probably the first time in 6 years. I don't think I've mowed since before I was pregnant with Anna. But don't feel too sorry for Kevin because he would rather mow than be in the house watching the kids.) I know it took me twice as long as it takes Kevin, and I ran out of gas right before I finished. I didn't know which gas can was for the mower (there is a can for the mower, one for the chainsaw, one for the weed eater, etc.). I called Kevin and he had taken the mower's gas can to get more gas. So I left the remaining part of the yard for him, plus the weed eating. I don't do weed eating. I know Kevin was nervous about me mowing. At first he told me "no" but finally gave in before he left for work Friday morning. It was cute because he gave me all kinds of advice and tips before leaving (i.e. don't forget to unplug the pool pump and move the cord out of the way). You would think he didn't trust me or something. After mowing Anna and I took another swim, which I needed badly.

Friday evening Anna wanted to pretend she and Mason were camping. I took a sheet and made a "tent" for them. They have had a blast camping in the living room.

My little campers.

Saturday Anna's friend, Brianna, asked her to go to the water park. We met Brianna and her parents for an afternoon of fun. The girls had a great time swimming, splashing and sliding at the water park.

Brianna & Anna

This has been a great week. I've told Kevin that he is going to have a difficult time getting me back to work. I am enjoying life at home

Happy Father's Day!

Father's Day- a day to celebrate all the wonderful fathers in the world. Anna and Mason are blessed to have a dad that loves them, cares for them, and is so hands-on. There isn't one parenting duty that Kevin hasn't done. He does diaper changes, baths, teeth brushing, hair combing, dressing, feeding, doctor appointments, daycare drop off, etc., etc. Kevin loves his children and will do whatever they need. He also takes time to play with them and have fun. Most important of all, he is trying to instill in them a love for God and help them grow to be Christians some day. I'm thankful that I married a man that has that desire for his family!

This year Kevin got his Father's Day gift about three weeks early. He has been wanting a new BBQ grill for some time. I knew I couldn't pick out the perfect one but decided to save money for him to buy one. Everything was going great until Memorial Day weekend when he says "I think I'm going to go buy a grill." So the kids and I gave him the grill money early. He was very surprised and happy. However, after giving it to him early, he still hasn't bought the grill! So we could have waited but I didn't know it at the time.

Early Father's Day gift.

Anna and I baked a cake for Father's Day. She enjoyed doing such a big-girl thing and especially since it was a surprise for daddy.

The cake turned out delicious! We are still enjoying it.

Anna loved the sprinkles.

How about a bite?

I'm also thankful for my daddy, Carl. He is a great man. Growing up he was involved in everything I did. He coached my pee-wee basketball team, attended my ballgames in Jr. High, took me fishing, took us on vacations, took me to church and was just involved in my life. Even at 32 years old, he is still there when I need him. He has watched Anna and Mason for me when needed. I know he is always there if I need him. I love my daddy and will be with him on Tuesday to celebrate Father's Day with him.

I am so thankful to God for a wonderful father for my children and a wonderful father for me! Happy Father's Day!

Life Changes

This week was definitely about change for our family. However change can be a good thing. Thursday was my last day of work. I truly believe losing my job may be a blessing in disguise. I have been miserable in my work environment for a while. I loved my job duties but the negative, dishonest and sometimes unethical environment made it horrible. (Let me clarify that this does not apply to the whole organization. The organization as a whole is wonderful. However it only takes one or two people to make a department less than desirable. But let me also say there are many great people at the organization too! I left having so many supporters and friends. I'm so lucky to have so many people willing to serve as a work reference for me. From this experience I've learned how many people like me and think I did a great job. I'm trying to hang on to the positive instead of the negative.) Kevin says he can already tell a difference in me and how I'm much more relaxed. He can be such a great husband! He told me this past week that he wants me to take the summer off and enjoy it with Anna. Then once she starts to school in August I can begin my job search. Wasn't that sweet??!!! I told him that I'd still have my eyes open this summer for possibilities just in case the right job came along. But in the meantime I'm going to take it easy and enjoy the summer with Anna and Mason. I'm so excited!!!

Another change this week came on Friday. It was Anna's last day at DI. She has been attending DI for three years exactly. (She started in June 2006 after staying with Mrs. Bev after her birth.) She took popsicles to share with her friends, and her teacher brought doughnuts. I guess I hadn't expected leaving to be so hard. When I picked her up early Friday afternoon, her afternoon teacher said "Oh, you're early! I thought I had all day with her!" We gathered her things and left gifts in her closest friends' cubbies. When it came time to hug Zoey good-bye, Zoey started crying. I had tears in my eyes and a lump in my throat. The teacher was tearing up too. She told me that Anna's morning teacher cried when telling Anna good-bye. Anna was just fine and asked me "why are you upset?" When we got outside in the truck, Anna said "I've got on Zoey's flip-flops!" They had switched flip-flops for the day so I had to go back in and trade out with Zoey. I promised her that we would get together some this summer. Later in the afternoon Zoey's mom called and said the teacher had told her what happened when Anna left. She said we would definitely get together this summer.

It's amazing the friendships that Anna and I both made from her attending DI. I know that she is more than prepared for Kindergarten and will enjoy the break before school starts. Her morning teacher had written this note on her daily sheet "I'm so sad it's her last day! She has been a wonderful student! It has been a blessing to have her in my class, and I will miss her a lot! She's got a bright, beautiful future ahead of her and I have no doubt she will do great things in life." Wow, does that ever make Kevin and me proud!

First day at DI- June 2006

Last day at DI- June 2009

Mason will continue to be at DI. He will stay home many days with Anna and me, but we didn't want to lose his spot at DI. If we gave it up, we probably couldn't get him back in once I go back to work. Plus I don't want to go through the adapting to daycare again! We need to keep him in the routine! He still has difficulity when I drop him off. Kevin normally takes him and he does great. When I take him it's usually horrible. Just this week I dropped him off one morning and it was awful. When I opened the door to his room he fell down on his bottom and started crying. I left him screaming with the teacher. She said "he doesn't do this with his dad." When I walked by the director's office she asked "Is that Mason?" I said "yeah, he's doing the 'make mom feel guilty act'!" So he definitely needs to stay familiar with DI.

(Wearing Anna's former Barney houseshoes- given to her by none other than the Schandevels.)

This afternoon we took our first swim of the year. Everyone had a great time. Mason was a little unsure at first but once he got adjusted to the water he didn't want to quit. I finally had to make him get out and go inside for a nap.

Awww, summertime!!

Fun With Family

Last Sunday Kevin's brother (Rick) and his girls (Holly & Lauren) came to visit from Texas. We had a great week with them. Sunday evening after worship service we went to Mimi's house to visit with them. Then Monday afternoon after work and school/daycare, we went to Mimi's house again. Anna spent the night with them and played on Tuesday. On Tuesday they drove to Missouri to visit some family and planned to go fishing. It rained about the time they arrived so they didn't get to fish. The three girls were more than a little disappointed! However when they brought Anna home the fun started.

First they rode 4-wheelers.

Uncle Rick & Lauren (on the left); Anna & Holly (on the right)

To everyone's surprise and delight, Mimi rode with Anna! You could hear her laughing and screeching as Anna took her down a large hill. It was GREAT!

(Something we never expected to see!!!)

Then they fished in our pond.

"Uncle Rick, what's in here?"

"Whoa, I'm not touching that fish!"

Lauren caught two bass and Rick caught one. Poor Holly didn't catch anything. I really wanted her to get a fish.

This was Anna's first fishing experience. She did less fishing and more 4-wheeler riding.

Lauren helping Anna.

Anna loved for Lauren & Holly to put her hair in pig tails. What a cutie!

Thursday morning Kevin, Rick, Holly and Lauren took off to Hardy to go canoeing down Spring River. It was the girls first canoe trip. It sounds like everyone had a great time.

Thursday evening we all went out to eat at Ron's Catfish. (We had to eat fish out since the 3 small bass that they caught weren't enough!) Afterward we visited at Mimi's since Holly, Lauren and Rick were leaving Friday morning.

Anna, Mason, Holly & Lauren

Anna, Mason, Holly, Mimi & Lauren

Anna and Mason enjoyed playing with their cousins so much! Anna wanted them to stay longer and even said that she wished they lived here. She is ready for next summer when they come back again!! Maybe we can go to visit them sometime too.