Guess what's on the menu

Pico de gallo...my favorite. I'm marinating steak and shrimp for
fajitas. We're even going to attempt homemade tortillas. It's my
first try, so there are storebought ones in the fridge...you know,
just in case.

Cool kids in 3D

Going to our new theater tonight!!!

It's a big deal in our little town!!! We stopped at McDonald's
first..now we're all going to see Shrek in 3D.

MK shops...T. Willy waits.

Holiday definition

T. Willy was talking about the holiday and what it means. His
definition of Memorial Day: we are going to sit around and talk about
dead people. I assured him that wasn't exactly it. He was glad to
hear that.

Fun day!!!

We had such a fun day. School started with the "Senior Walk." The
graduating seniors walked the halls of the school dressed in caps and
gowns. We lined the halls to watch and cheer. It was such a neat
things to see some of my students taking the walk.

My neighbor took T. Willy to pick peaches. He had such a fun time. I
know he's worn out tonight. Then my neighbor came over later, and we
talked till dark on the glider. MK joined us and had a blast. It was
a good day. It would have been great if the Big Man could have joined
us instead of working.

Today's picture is just one that I took in my classroom.

Spring football

The Big Man took me for a date tonight. We went out to eat while MK
watched T. Willy, and we all had fun nights! It was an exhibition
game, and we didn't win, but we still had a great time. Due to some
changes in the county, our summer is going to be short, and I don't
mind. This game has me ready for football season again!!!

Thumbs up for safety!

What a band!

We had band orientation tonight for next year. MK sat with her
friends, so T. Willy was stuck with us. He started out well, but it
went longer than he could handle.

Each year the band takes a trip. This year it was the cruise. Next
year they're going to Disney World to be in the Disney Christmas
Parade. Pretty exciting!!!

Shakes

Tonight we went to Sonic to get buy one get one free milkshakes. We
drove there with the windows down and 80s music playing. It was a
blast! Here is a picture of our windblown kids!

Thank you, Big Man!!!!

One of my favorite childhood memories is of my grandparents' farm.
They lived on 50+ acres in West Virginia, and I am blessed and
thankful to have had that place to visit every year. My uncle still
lives there. I get especially nostalgic for it at Easter and in early
August because my uncle hosts the family, and I'm rarely able to go.
We last went when T. Willy was 1. T

There are two places that I loved to play when I was there. One was a
group of enormous rocks. They were big enough for us to climb on and
jump from rock to rock. In the spring, hundreds of tadpoles would
fill one of the craters, and I remember playing with them and my
cousins. The second was a piece of antique machinery. I think it was
a rake. I loved (love) that thing. I was a big watcher of Little
House on the Prairie, and I'd climb on the rake and pretend I was
farming. Silly I guess, but I have great memories of it.

Sooooo....a couple of weeks ago the kids and I were eating at the Big
Man's restaurant, and we saw an item in the gift shop. It had a seat
like the seat I remember on that rake at the farm. And last night,
the Big Man asked me to look in the back of his truck. He had gotten
it for me!!!! I love it, and here it is.

Random picture today

We had a lot of fun today. We worked in the morning and played in the
afternoon. We saw a movie and T. Willy got to swim with MK and some
of her friends. They were very sweet to him. I'm sure most teenagers
aren't thrilled to spend time with a 6 year old, but they were really
nice to let him. So now the Big Man and I are watching a movie. Hope
your day was just as good.

I'm posting this picture from December 2009. We had a really hot day
today. I remember how excited we were to see snow over the Christmas
break. MK is wearing the aqua shirt today that she has on under a few
layers in the picture. It was definitely warm enough today to go
without the layers.

Band awards

We went to the band awards at school tonight. It was great. They
honored each senior individually. That took awhile, but the director
said something meaningful to and about each senior. T. Willy tried
very hard to pay attention, but he was hot and bored. Thankfully the
Big Man was able to stop by and take T. home. Thanks so much, Big
Man. Now we're home, and it's time to sleep. Good night.

The way back machine

Here is a picture of MK and the Big Man in the early days that we
lived in Florida. I think she's 3 here.

T. Willy playing with Pap's IPad

I didn't get to see it tonight, but I hope to get a turn with it
tomorrow!

Smores

Here's a picture of T. Willy making smores at MK's birthday party. He
picked out his own super cool outfit.

So much for that

The Big Man was looking forward to a quiet day alone. Instead he had
two sick kids. It just seems to be allergies, and MK was worse than
TW, but they both stayed home. Thankfully they're both well enough to
go to school tomorrow.

If only there were "aroma-blogging"

Because it's gardenia season, and they smell amazing!

The day after...

Last night was a ball. We have tons of food left, so our neighbors are going to come over tonight to help us finish it. The party never ends! But the Big Man has the day off again today, so we're going to enjoy it.

My dear friend, Darlene, stayed with us at the party and took pictures. She has given me permission to share them!

The Big Man...the chef!













Playing Ninja.



















There was a bit of a hammock mishap. Fortunately, no teenagers were injured.

Party in the FLA!

We had a busy day. We had fun picking strawberries with T. Willy and
his class. They sell the most delicious homemade frozen yogurt made
with their own strawberries, and we all had a cup. Then we went to a
park where the kids were able to play and eat lunch. Then we came
home and readied everything for the party.

I think the party was a success. All afternoon MK kept getting texts
from people saying that they couldn't make it, and she was getting
very upset, but she still had a good turnout. There was a lot of
giggling...that's usually a good sign. Now it's time for sleep. A
couple of girls are spending the night, so they're in the living room
talking. I think I'll head to bed.

It's Friday!!!*

Okay, it isn't Friday until tomorrow. But I am taking the day off
tomorrow to go with T. Willy on a field trip! I'm so excited. It's
my first field trip this year. We are going to a strawberry patch to
pick strawberries. I cannot wait! I also get to put him on the
school bus. As silly as it may sound, I've never gotten to do that,
so I'm looking forward to it.

Tomorrow night we are having MK's birthday party. Due to "Seussical,"
we were unable to do it closer to her birthday. We don't have
anything too special planned, but we are looking forward to having a
house full of teens, and we hope they have a great time.

Yes, I skipped a day

Second this year, not including the cruise, in case you're counting.
Sorry. Sometimes there just isn't anything to say.

MK started dissecting today in Biology. She took pictures, so here's
one.

He makes us laugh

Happy Mother's Day!

It was a quiet day here. MK went to her last performance of
Seussical. I'm so excited that she'll actually come home with me
tomorrow! T. Willy and I played outside. We gardened and played in
the pool. The Big Man worked, but we had dinner together and spent
time outside with the kids.

My dear neighbor had been conspiring with the kids all week on a
project. Today I found out what it was. She had them make this
apron. I love it! I love the handprints, and I'll really treasure it.

And, while I was celebrating and able to talk to my mom today, I was
reminded how many of my close friends my age and younger that did not
have their moms to call or visit with today. I'm praying for them
tonight and thanking the Lord that my mom is here and healthy and such
a wonderful example to my family. I love you, Mom! Thank you for
everything!

Ty tried too.

Seussical...again.

Here we are waiting to see it again...this time with the Big Man.

Thank you!!!

These were delivered to me at school! Thank you, Big Man, MK and T.
Willy! They're beautiful!

Oh, the thinks you can think

The spring play opened tonight. MK was on the lighting crew, and it
was a wonderful night! T. Willy and I went, then the Big Man will
join us Saturday for it. T. Willy really liked it. He came home
singing one of the songs. Now we're all exhausted, and it's time for
bed! Good night!

More birthday fun!

Poor Maddie. When your mom works at your school, there is much more
opportunity to get embarrassed. I bought some leis and had her
friends deliver them to her at lunch. She had a big bunch by the end,
and a red face. I really hope in time that she'll appreciate it.

Thank you, MK

15 years ago tonight...

I was in labor! Woo! And tonight, I'm not! Double woo! I confess
I'm missing my baby just a little tonight. She has been having late
practices for a week, so I've seen very little of her lately.
"Seussical" opens Thursday, so tomorrow is going to be long, but we're
planning dinner out after the practice.

And here is one last picture of my beautiful 14 year old girl! Happy
birthday, tomorrow, MK!!!

Random pic tonight

Kind of a blah day, so here area couple of randomly selected pictures.

Another Maddiepalooza

Maddiepalooza has begun! MK's birthday is Wednesday. She won't be
able to have her party until the 14th, so I guess we'll just celebrate
until then.

She has a new "friend." She does not like for me to call him her
"friend," so, yes, he is her boyfriend. He seems like a really nice
guy. Today he gave her birthday presents to her. His mom made her a
necklace (pink with a dragonfly: her total favorites,) and he gave her
a teddy bear sprayed with his cologne. So here is a picture of it.
(She also absconded with his hat.)