Even a trip to the grocery store provides a photo op

Sprinklers, cupcakes, a glider and a grill.

That pretty much sums up the evening. The Big Man grilled hamburgers
and sausages; T. Willy played in our sprinkler, and MK had her friend,
Daniel, over to make cupcakes for the drama department at school.

The drama department is doing "Seussical." It opens a week from
tonight. MK is doing "tech." She gets locked in the light cage with
the other tech kids, and she can't wait. They'll be spending most of
the weekend at rehearsal (hence the cupcakes,) but it should be worth
it. I can't wait to see it! And I'll pay more attention to the
lights than ever before!

And me...I mostly observed tonight. It was a blast. I loved watching
MK and her friend. I loved watching T. Willy play outside. I loved
helping the Big Man with dinner. I loved eating it. What a great
night!

Whew!

Ty went to the dentist for the first time today. He did great! They
let him wear glasses so that he wouldn't get splashed. I'm so glad
his first visit was positive. He needs a little work done, but a
different dentist will do that. Hopefully that will keep him thinking
good things about ours.

We were a little late for our appointment because as soon as I pulled
up to the gate to pick him up, it started closing. I didn't
understand why until I got out of the car. They were having a fire
drill. So I was able to stand with his class until we were given the
all clear.

You're so gangster; I'm so thug.

So say the lyrics to one of MK's favorite songs. She applies it to
this picture:

We're so proud. Really, we are.

Farming...or not

Last year I planted some strawberries. They've produced, and here is a
little (I do mean little) sample.

Some pictures from last night

So fun.

The Big Man has been on nights for several days, and we haven't been
able to see each other much at all. So tonight he was off, and we
all headed to Destin. We tried a restaurant that a friend
recommended, and we had a blast. We ate outside right on the bay. It
started to rain as we were finishing, but it didn't disappoint us
at all. T. Willy just played in it, and we watched and MK made us
laugh. It was a wonderful evening.

When we got home, we picked MK's good friend up. Now she's spending
the night, and I'm going to sleep. I hope you had a wonderful night
too!

And tonight's picture is of my new shoes...red and comfortable...and
completely picked out by the Big Man! He surprised me with them via
the UPS man. Thank you, Big Man!!!

Behind the mask

T. Willy was given this super cool mask for his birthday. We all like
it.

Pop the pig

The kids and I played some games today while the Big Man was working.
Here are some pictures:

How T. Willy feels about clowns

My guys

Pictures of our fun weekend

Q and A

T. Willy is in the pool on this beautiful Sunday afternoon. He talks a
mile a minute and asks question after question. My favorite so far:
"Will all the people in the Bible be nice to me when I go to heaven?"
I assured him that they will. He also wanted to know if Mary and
Martha's brother would be there. Then he was walking his fingers
across the top of the water. He said, "Look, I'm God. I can walk on
water."

Party!!

We had a wonderful time at the party today!!! The kids swam and ate
and climbed and swam some more. We didn't plan official games, but
the kids stayed very busy. I met some very nice moms and found a
couple who live right here in our neighborhood. This was good news,
because Ty doesn't have a lot of kids his age around us. So, I'll
post just a couple of pictures from my phone now, then I'll try to
post some more from the camera later. Happy birthday, Ty!!!

Another good-bye...another hello

Good-bye to five...welcome to six tomorrow!

Good-bye, old friend...you served us well.

So here is a picture of our rocking chair. It has graced our front porch pretty much since we moved to this house in 2001. It is about two years beyond "weathered," and it's time to say good-bye.

I have loved this rocking chair. It started out brown...a gift from my in-laws for my baby shower with MK (1995.) She and I rocked for hours on it. I have vivid memories of nights in Hickory, North Carolina, reading a book called "The Sandman." She loved that book, and we read it night after night until the book literally fell apart.

I also rocked T. Willy on it. He didn't read any particular book, but we also spent many hours on it.

I love to sit out front on the rocking chair and watch people come and go, watch the kids play, and wave to neighbors walking with their families or dogs. It is my favorite place to be at my mom's house, and it's my favorite place to be here.

But the rocking chair is literally falling apart. So, the Big Man encouraged me to get something new. And today it arrived: my brand new glider. It appears big enough to fit 3 people. I'm just so happy about it. So, good-bye to the old while we make room for the new!

Ooops...forgot to add the pic.

If you'll look closely...

You'll find T. Willy in a pile of leaves. We had a great time outside
tonight. MK practiced spinning her flag, I raked leaves, and T.
jumped in them. The only thing that sent us inside was the dark (and
a tiring run around the backyard chasing our indoor cat who was really
enjoying her escape outdoors.) All in all a fun night!

Field Trips 1 and 2

Today T. Willy took a field trip to see the play "Click, Clack, Moo." He really enjoyed it, and after the trip, his class was able to go outside and watch the 3rd grade Field Day. T. Willy's is Friday, and his birthday is Saturday. We are planning a splash party in the backyard, so it should be a really fun weekend.

I am taking my classes on a field trip tomorrow of sorts. There is a McDonald's within walking distance of our school. One class in particular has often suggested we just take off and walk there. Ummmm...no...but it did give me some inspiration. When we prepare lesson plans, we align them with state standards. As I was preparing lessons a couple of weeks ago, I found a standard that dealt with workplace documents. So I approached the principal with a plan...and he approved it! We worked on properly filling out job applications and paying attention to the details on them as well as writing good sentences for them. The students seemed to enjoy it, and some of them are looking forward to the field trip.

But, can you believe some of them are complaining about it? "You mean we aren't going in a bus?!?!?!" "You aren't paying?!?!?!?!" These are the same students who complain about being in class; I get them out of class, and it doesn't change. Oh well. I'll enjoy the walk, and I'll enjoy the trip. I will go 3 times tomorrow and then once on Thursday. I'm hoping it is a positive experience for all!

Like I just said to T. Willy....

Good night!

At dinner visiting the Big Man

Oh, Saturday, I wish you'd never leave me

We had a fun and quiet day. MK spent the night with a friend last
night, and they went to the beach today. The Big Man worked, and T.
Willy and I played outside and grocery shopped.

Today's pictures are of T. Willy and the cat bonding since they were
both missing MK, and the other is of MK and her friend with MK's new
bangs.

MK's "after" hair

In her words: "It's not this orange in person." She's right. It looks
beautiful!

Last night

My parents and nephew leave in the morning. They went out to dinner
with MK tonight, and here is a picture! The picture should also serve
as a "before" because MK is getting her hair done tomorrow thanks to
an early birthday present from my parents.

Happy early birthday!

T. Willy's birthday is on the 17th. The family will leave Friday
morning, and they are going to miss his birthday. So we had an early
party tonight. One of his gifts was a Halo Lego set, and he and
Jonathan put it together tonight.

Spring Break

It's Spring Break for my nephew, but MK and I are back to school this
week. However, they've found things to do after school. My mom took
them to the beach today, and here is a picture that MK took.

Dignity? What dignity?

Here is a picture we took yesterday after church.

Happy Easter!

We had a wonderful church service today! We came home for an Easter
egg hunt, and now I'm going to start the ham for dinner tonight. We
hope you had a wonderful day as well!

My mom spoils me!

Cousins