Monday, April 21, 2014

Grant's 6th birthday and Easter weekend

My little man is now 6 years old.  He has been counting down to his birthday since Spring Break.  Grant woke up on his birthday and was yelling, "I'm 6!  I'm 6 today!" and did a little dance around the house.  He later asked, "Does this mean I get to say bad words now?"  Standing there shocked, I said, "No, but like what kind of word?"  He replied, "Stupid".  Phew, I was expecting something much worse.  "Nope, you still can't say stupid!"
He later told me that he is now 6 and could go in the front yard without me being out there or keeping an eye on him.  I have a feeling I will hear this quite often now.  Look how much my man has grown.  Such a handsome guy!

Reagan was very ready to get the day started. 
My family came by for brunch and Easter/birthday festivities.
Reagan and Claire are 2 days apart and couldn't be more different!
 We had an Easter egg hunt and the girls did great!

 It is so hard to get all the kids to look their best.  We had plenty of shots of Reagan's bottom as she tried to run away from the photo shoot.

Later that afternoon, we hit the bowling alley for Grant's birthday party.  














We made it to the 5th frame and had to take a cake and present break!
Jacob, one of the guests, ran his finger across the middle the sample the icing.  That is why 'birthday' is all distorted!

 








 Right after the party, we scurried to Daniel's cousin's rehearsal dinner.
Grant was starving after a long day...haha.
 Reagan was super tired and not in the best of moods.
 The food was wonderful!

The next morning it was time for "party number 3" as Grant said (the first one was his one at school with this classmates).  Grammie and PePaw made steaks on the grill.
 


 Another Batman cake!




Another egg hunt!  





 After a busy morning, came an even busier night! It was wedding time!
While the bride and groom said their vows, Reagan acted like the flower girl understudy.  She sat and played with the rose petals.


 Daniel's sister and cousins.
 Erica and her husband, Adam.
Grant and cousin Braxton enjoyed the "candy bar" as we waited for the bride and groom to arrive.




 Cousin Melanee and her friend showing off the cute mason jars you could write your name on.
 The groom is a big baseball fan and played baseball in college.


 The Easter Bunny showed up with goodies the next morning.
Ready for Easter church services.
Someone was out before we even arrived at church.  She partied too hard.
 After church we visited with Daniel's grandparents.

 Grant found Granny's mobile chair and was driving it better than any person in your local Wal-Mart!

 By the time we packed up the car and left, Grant and Reagan were out and slept the whole way home.  
 What a great weekend with family and friends.

Monday, April 14, 2014

Polio and Ponies

This weekend the Interact Club that Daniel and I sponsor hosted a car wash for EndPolioNow.  Polio is eradicated in the U.S., but still exists in only a handful of countries around the world.  EndPolioNow works with Rotary International to bring vaccines to these countries.

Grant (and Reagan) got into helping.  
I may let Grant wash the car every weekend, he had way too much fun!



We ended up with some good donations and sunburns that we didn't expect.
That evening we went to our church's Easter "Egg"straveganza.






Reagan ended up with more eggs than Grant.  She did very well on her first egg hunt.



Monday, April 7, 2014

Fletcher's 8th

Beauty in the Common Things: I tested students this morning for the ACT prep test.  I had 20 that were as quiet as a mouse.  The room next door must have been the party room.  I loved that they followed directions and acted like they were supposed to.  

Listen In:  The radio.  I recently started listening to the radio again.  Over the past few years, I've only listen to my Sirius Radio, and listened to 'oldies', preferably 80s on 8 and 90s on 9.  So I knew nothing new. 

Dinner Plans:  I discovered this new product from Kraft called Recipe Starters.  I have tried a few flavors and they are pretty good.  I found them on clearance the other day and stocked up!  Tonight is BBQ Brisket.

View from the Kitchen Window:  Just my blinds.  Daniel and I did great on deciding things for our home remodel without hesitation.  Our new curtains, though, have not been so easy.  I like one style, he doesn't.  I tried to be crafty, it didn't work.  I ordered some awesome custom roman shades over a month ago.  I found out today that the order has been canceled because of manufacturing issues.  Now back to square one.  Where is Martha Stewart when you need her?

Grant received the perfect attendance award for the last 9 weeks.  I'm not exactly sure how that happened but it did make me realize that we made it through flu season without being a victim.  
He received a bracelet for his/our efforts!

 My nephew, Fletcher, turned 8 this past weekend. 
We went to see him play in his flag football game.  It was cold and extremely windy, which we were not prepared for.  We scrounged around for things to keep warm.

 My brother and the birthday boy.

 Fletcher had his birthday party at a park.  The winds died down and the rain held off.  
I got in some time with my niece who is 2 days younger than Reagan.

My Mom and Claire.
Reagan is such a smiley girl.  She gave me this happy face when I was singing to her in the car.
 She loves sitting on her PawPaw's arm...food in hand.  Preferably Cheerios or Veggie Sticks.