Wet Wednesday

It's raining (or has been raining) cats and dogs here in Tallahassee today. If I had been able to stay inside (instead we've been running all over the place and now have to head out again), I just might have gotten through February's posts. But, I do have March completed ... so check it out when you get a moment. Just click on the "March" heading to the right. Also, what do you think of the pretty pink background? Thought I'd try something new for summer! Have a great day all!

The Wizard of Oz

Is there anyone else out there who is addicted to the wisdom of Dr. Oz? And I'm talking about the Dr. Oz of TV show fame. My grandmother (Nanny) thinks he is just wonderful ... in fact, she admits a slight obsession! She watches his program daily; never misses it! And, most of what Dr. Oz suggests - Nanny will try! In fact, I'm sure if she knew how to comment on these blog posts, Nanny would enlighten us about all of the many pieces of advice the good doctor has doled out in recent months. But since I'm pretty sure she only knows how to read this blog (not comment), I'll tell you what Nanny did this weekend.


She put mayonnaise, yes MAYONNAISE, on her hair! Now, I've heard of this ... it's supposed to be a good moisturizer ... but I've never known anyone who has tried it. Nanny did so on Sunday morning, and when I spoke to her around lunchtime, she said she couldn't detect a difference. I'll keep you updated. Maybe it takes a day or so to kick in. But here's my question: what's wrong with good 'old fashioned conditioner? It's always worked for me! But, then again, it's not half as exciting. And, if you take the mayo route, you can multi-task ... making up some chicken salad for lunch while your hair is being "conditioned!"

Smart or Sassy?

You be the judge ... is this smart or sassy? There's no denying, crafty is one word to describe her (and that can be interpreted two different ways as well). It seems Abby is always asking for ribbon, markers, scissors, tape, glue, etc., to put together her latest invention or creation (like "Box City," made entirely out of discarded boxes from our recent trip to Sam's Club!) So, I didn't think anything of it when she asked for tape the other day. Next thing I know, she has called me into her room for a peek at the project she had been working on. I said, "What? Why do you have that paper on your head?"
And, Abby flips it up to reveal the words, saying something like "This will be great for the next time one of my project requires parent involvment." "Get it?" she says. "I'm UNDER adult supervision!"Then she laughed like crazy! What a stinker. But she's clever ... I'll give her that. And she thought of it all on her own. But, I admit, she got her love of "punnies" from me. I'm wondering if I need to cut down on the riddles I pack in her lunch each day?

Dad-a-palooza

I don't know why I'm a week late in posting these Father's Day pictures. You'd think I'd want to STAY up-to-date since I'm working so hard to get caught up! Anyway, we had a really fun Father's Day with Dennis last week. Tyler had just returned from his week with Grammy, Grandan and Uncle Aaron ... so we were glad to have both kids together again. And, they were more than happy to help me "surprise" Dennis on Sunday morning with the paper and coffee in bed. No, we didn't make him drink flowers. The coffee is (wisely) on the bedside table, and Dennis is (again, wisely!) holding the vase of flowers that were on his tray. A little math lesson: 2 children + loads of morning energy + a king-sized bed = chaos! Once we moved to the kitchen for our blueberry waffle breakfast, we showered Dennis with gifts. Abby and Tyler were thrilled to give him this one - "tickets" to Toy Story 3 with the promise of taking him to the new movie that day!

The favorite gift by far was this canvas, painted by Abby. Whenever we can manage to find the time to prepare them (usually at Christmas ... like we did HERE and HERE), we love this sort of gift. It's obvious Dennis did too ... A closer look at the newest piece of artwork that will grace Daddy's office walls.

Twisted Sister (and Brother too!)

We were so excited to have Tyler home after his trip to Orlando and Tampa! Usually on Game Night (which is pretty much every night!) we veto Twister. Tyler asks for it nearly every night! But, since he had been out of the mix for several days, we gave in. Ugh! Twister is tough!

And Dennis can get downright nasty when you don't spin fast enough! It's not my fault that he's almost 40 (!) and doesn't like hanging out in the shape of a pretzel, right?!?

We always know it's time to call it a game, when the game "board" becomes a tent.

One Busy Blogger!

I've been blogging my little fingers to the bone this weekend, and am happy to report that all of April AND May are on the blog now ... so check those months out. March to come soon! Hope you all had a GREAT weekend. As you can see by the pictures below ... we had a wonderful time with our friends the Parks and Auntie Jenn. Today, Abby starts Petite Players camp. I better get caught up, because there are sure to be some cute photo opportunities at her "show" this Friday. Oh ... forgot to mention, the theme at Petite Players this week is: Mary Poppins. I mean, who doesn't love that musical!?! :)

Steph & Crew Hit SouthWood

We are so fortunate to have good friends like Stephanie and Jinsue Park. During their trips down to the Tallahassee/Thomasville area, they make time to hang out with us ... and we always have a great time. The kids hit it off great this year. Tyler is just a tad older than Connor and Avery (they turn four in just a couple weeks), and all three of them think Abby is WAY cool ... so it was one big party yesterday in the SouthWood pool.

Remember last year's attempt to get a group shot of the three of us (Jenn, Steph and I) and the kids? Well this year, we didn't fare much better. Avery is behind Connor ... Wait, they are almost looking at the camera ... Oh well. So, we tried to take a shot of the three of us without kids, but then one popped back in the frame, right before Dennis snapped the picture. Oh well! I guess this is how our reunion photographs will look for awhile! Maybe we should have tried to take the picture while Dennis was launching children off the side of the pool! Why they find this fun is beyond me ...

Sure, that's D.Q. ... with a curl on top!

Aaron and Grammy will appreciate the title of this post. But in this case, the "D.Q." doesn't stand for Dairy Queen, it's "Drama Queen." And, I would be talking about our performer, Abby. Someday she'll be mortified that I posted this first video clip. It was taken by, and heartily laughed at during the making of, Auntie Jenn. But it's SO funny (click on the play button on the clip below to view).

So we did a second take. Thanks Jenn for capturing our little Dra. Ma. Queen. in action!

Last Day of School!

At first Tyler, Abby, and her friend, Anabelle, were just excited to see the sign (which I asked them to pose by when we drove in from the last day of school - June 4th). But they got really pumped once I told them there were presents waiting for them on the patio table ...The "Welcome to Summer" banner is now a tradition, I guess. I made one last year for the kids, and gave them their summer "passports" and listing of Mommy Camp theme weeks. Well, this year, I had Tyler's help on the banner (he got out of school a week earlier than Abby), and I'm sorry to say we're not planning specific theme weeks. Bummer, I know! Furthermore, "summer" did not wrap her gifts; she (me) simply threw some new pool toys, a few books ... and some regifted craft projects in a big 'ole basket! Hey, it was a busy week! But, seriously, these children have toys more than they could ever want ... and there are craft projects galore waiting on the playroom shelves. So, this summer will be spent working on things like our crystal growing kit, color-your-own t-shirts, a wall-applique family tree, a couple mosaic stepping stones, writing a book, and more! We are also working our way through the "Which Way USA" workbooks, given to Abby by Grandma and Grandpa (she LOVES these, but doesn't find as much time to do them during the school year). And, we're planning a couple days on the history, myths and foods of Ireland, since we recently purchased a new Magic Treehouse Book and accompanying Research Guide about leprechauns. Can't wait to spend a bunch of time with my two favorite munchkins!

Ty "the guy!"

What a GUY! Ty has taken to lounging around the house with his shirt off on the weekends. One day (a couple weekends ago), he went for quite awhile. Abby kept saying, "Why does Tyler have his shirt off!?!" Your guess is as good as mine Abby ... and same goes for why anyone would think it is fun to stick their head up in the air conditioning vent!

Apparently whatever is up there makes you loopy. What a "special" kid!

Spring Petite Players Performance

This spring, Abby's Petite Players show was "Camp Cantata" ... so cute! It was a mystery, which means the girls learn a new clue each week in class, and they learn the dialogue and songs for the show each week too. So, by May, they are ready to perform. Here's Abby singing "Let's Get Together" (you know, the one from Parent Trap). For those of you who know Abby's friends well, it's so cool to see them maturing too. From L-R: Mary Leah, Abby, Lucy, Anabelle, Britton, and Molly. In the picture above, Alex and Shelby are on the far right. We've known most of these girls since they were babies or toddlers, so it's crazy to see them so grown up! The camp theme was adorable ... especially the "Hello Mother, Hello Father" song. See Abby in the teal nightgown (with Starla tucked under her arm)? Of course, Tyler loved the show. He's now brave enough to sit in the audience with all of the other siblings (including his little buddy, Avery). Afterwards, Ty helped us present Abby with flowers. Here she is with Anabelle and some other buddies.

"Word" from the Father!

He actually didn't know he was doing it (I've become a JibJab junkie ... I like "volunteering" my family members to star in thise e-cards!) ... but Dennis gave all of us (and now you!) a Father's Day gift, by appearing in this JibJab rap. Just click on the play button on the video clip below. Bet you didn't think Dennis had it in him! Enjoy (and sorry about the poor picture quality. If you prefer, it looks a lot better when viewed directly from the site).

Our Week with Abby

I mentioned that Tyler "vacationed" in Tampa and Orlando last week, which means Dennis and I only had one child here with us. What a difference! Now, don't get me wrong, we missed Tyler so much. But, it was a nice break ... and a nice chance to focus on Abby. She enjoyed a golf-tennis-swim camp during the mornings last week, but in the evenings we played games, went to dinner, and watched big girl shows (i.e. some shows from Disney Channel - iCarly, the Suite Life ... ones I just haven't thought "we" were ready for yet). Actually, we had several big-girl conversations on the way home from dropping Tyler with Uncle Aaron, then again when we went to meet Grammy in Gainesville to retrieve Tyler. Let's just say, Abby knows a lot about nature now ... the birds and the bees (!), and beautiful sunsets, like this one from last Sunday night. The week alone with Abby will be memorable for sure, but I think the two car rides we shared will stand out in my mind for a long, long time. We had such fun conversations. She's growing up so fast! Well, unless I stunt her growth with candy first! Hey! It was 3 boxes for $1 and we couldn't decide what snacks were best for our drive.

Beth's "Mom Bunco" Shower

These pictures are for my mom ... who wanted to see the oh-so-cute decorations from Beth Corum's Baby Shower, held last week at our house. Tyler was in Tampa and Orlando "vacationing" for the week, so Abby and I had tons of fun getting things ready. I borrowed the adorable tissue paper flowers from a friend, but I did make that "Oh Baby!" banner myself. And what's a party without Cake Shop cake or cupcakes!?!Beth and her husband, Chris, are adopting a baby (she's expected to be born this week!), so our Bunco group gathered to wish them well ... and shower Beth with a few gifts! Beth and Chris are one of the most giving couples I've ever met. They are so deserving, and will be WONDERFUL parents. Every year Beth hosts our "Mom Bunco" gathering, but since she'll be knee deep in diapers by the point, we thought a gathering of good friends would be the ultimate way to celebrate Mom Bunco this summer. So, you might ask ... if the house was so clean that night, where was my clutter!? In the office, of course. I DO plan to work on that mess sometime soon!
Beth seemed to have a great time. And the "Knock Your Baby Booties Off" Punch I made added to the celebration. I know alcohol is usually a no, no at baby showers, but since we didn't have any pregnant folks ... we figured, why not!

Feeling BLUE!

Our annual blueberry picking mission ... down in Crawfordville at Saladino's Red Berry Farms. Boy! It was HOT out there yesterday, but we had a good time. Abby hadn't visited with her friend Kyndall Macey for awhile, so we brought her along. Aren't they cute?Well, that last one was cute. Here, she's displaying a bit of the seven-year "sass" she has recently developed!Oh well, love her anyway...Now we have to decide what to make with the 3-4 pounds of fresh blueberries in our refrigerator!