Focus Friday

Ellen over at Thrifty & Chic Mom has this great weekly challenge. Focus Friday is where you list a couple of small and/or large projects that you want to focus on for the week and then the next week you tell how you did at getting those projects done.

Last weeks goals...

1.) That playroom WILL get done! We worked on the playroom on Wed. and will finish it today. We also talked about what we will be doing when we do our playroom makeover this summer.
2.) Work on getting in a routine for the summer of exercising every morning and doing a few chores before we head out for the day. I have exercised every morning this week but have not done so good about doing a few chores before heading out for the day...we are staying home today to work on this!
3.) Finish the sign for my garden. Done!

This weeks goals...

1.) Continue to work on getting the summer morning routine down. I want to make a chore chart for the girls and I to help get things done in the morning.

2.) Make Lexy's "silly monster" that we bought material for.

3.) Straighten the front porch and figure out a way to store the summer toys so we can get to them better.

Park Fun

Yesterday we discovered a new park in a town about 45 minutes away. It has a great pool that we'll be going to next week and several play areas with some great toys. I love summer, it's all about discovering new things and having fun with the girls!

Memorial weekend fun

We had a lot of family fun this Memorial weekend! Saturday we did a little shopping and then went to a family fun center called Power Play. We played mini golf and arcade games and then ate at their pizza buffet for dinner.


On Sunday we had a picnic at the lake with Mammaw and Grandpa Tom. Lexy got to go fishing for the first time and she was SO excited when she caught a fish! But she was quick to tell us that we would just look at the fish and then put him back in the water...because he was her friend!






Sunday evening Brooke and I joined Robin, Molly, Shilah, Sierra and Sahara at the drive-in to watch Hannah Montana and Race to Witch Mountain. Brooke and I didn't get home until almost 1 am and I forgot how cold it gets after dark! Mike and Lexy stayed home and watched Tinker Bell and played :-)

Monday we spent the day in our jammies just being together.

Focus Friday

Ellen over at Thrifty & Chic Mom has this great weekly challenge. Focus Friday is where you list a couple of small and/or large projects that you want to focus on for the week and then the next week you tell how you did at getting those projects done.

Last weeks goals...
1.) Clean up the very disorganized and cluttered playroom! It's even worse now! I haven't tackled this one yet...I guess I'm hoping that the playroom fairy will come and rescue me :-)
2.) Plant my flower garden out front and get new frog pretties for it. Done, well I am still working on a sign and we need to get a little more mulch but otherwise done!
3.) Help Brooke and Lexy make a list of fun places we want to go this summer and things we want to do. Thursday is their last day of school! We've talked about this but we'll put it in writing today.

This weeks goals...
1.) That playroom WILL get done!

2.) Work on getting in a routine for the summer of exercising every morning and doing a few chores before we head out for the day.

3.) Finish the sign for my garden.

School's Out, School's Out!!

Both girls had their last day of school today.

Lexy had a field day at preschool that her teacher asked me to help with. We did face painting, shot water guns at balls, bowling, bean bag toss, moonwalk, balloon animals and slush and popcorn for snack. And even though Lexy loved it all she was exhausted! Oh she also fell down again and hurt her knee so now she has boo boos on both knees and one elbow. Plus she must be allergic to the bandage adhesive because she has a rash where the bandaids were/are...ugh!

Brooke's class was told after their World's of Fun trip yesterday that they didn't have to go to school today...it was their choice...since when do 13 year olds get to make that choice???? Brooke and her friends wanted to go anyway so off they went this morning to do nothing but goof around until 1pm when they got out. I met up with them at Sonic after leaving Lexy's school...one of Brooke's teachers was buying drinks for all of the kids that got a high grade in a special math thing they did (Brooke tied for first place!). They then headed back to the school for a pizza party.

After Brooke got home (Cassie came with her) we set up the slip 'n slide in the front yard for a little School's Out Celebration. Lexy was scared to run and slide this time so she'll need a little practice!

The girls have already asked what we're doing tomorrow...summer has begun!!

Way Back When-esday and Wordful Wednesday

March 2008

Brooke (11) & Lexy (4)

This was taken during our 2008 spring break trip to St. Louis. We were at The Magic House, in the "static room". This was just one of MANY great family fun things that we did. We took the trip with my best friend Robin and her family and had a GREAT time!

Here's a few more pics of the trip...

All the kids (Kenzie, Brooke, Lexy, Ryan & Molly)

Lexy

Brooke and "Puddin" (our foster baby at the time)

To check out who else is playing along join Cheryl for Way Back When-esday and Angie at Wordful Wednesday !

Not Me Monday

MckMama hosts the wonderful Not Me carnival to allow us to admit our shortcomings in a highly theraputic way...without really admitting to them :0) Join in, you'll feel better!

I did NOT offer to go in to the dance ahead of Brooke and her friends to find them dates to walk them in, nope NOT me! I also did NOT witness them tripping over each other in their rush to get out of the van before I actually did go in :-)

I did NOT make my 13 yo feel guilty a few times over the weekend about not wanting me to go on her field trip with her this week, nope NOT me!

I did NOT threaten my sweet little 5 yo that she wouldn't be able to go to her friends birthday party if she didn't stop whining and let me do her hair the way I wanted it, nope NOT me!

I did NOT just rip the bandaids off of Lexy's boo boos for a bath last night after an hour of her crying and whining that it would hurt, that would be mean, nope NOT me!

I did NOT bribe my oldest into brushing my hair in exchange for getting a snack last night before bed, nope NOT me!

I did NOT talk my youngest into getting up to go to school today by telling her what a fun day it would be since it's the last week of school. And I certainly did NOT lie and say "oh no there won't be any work just playing", nope NOT me!!

I did NOT do ANY of these things, nope NOT ME because I am the perfect person in EVERY way, right???!!! Now you can go over to MckMama's to see who else is playing along in Not Me Monday.

Promotion Dance

On Friday night Brooke (7th grade) and her friends got to attend the Promotion and Promotion Dance for the 8th graders. They were all SO excited to get to buy their first semi formal dresses and get all fancied up :-) Brooke and the other cheerleaders handed out the promotion programs before and then sang with the choir at promotion and then the dance was from 9:30 - 11:30 pm. Brooke's growing up WAY too fast!!!!

Focus Friday

Ellen over at Thrifty & Chic Mom has this great weekly challenge. Focus Friday is where you list a couple of small and/or large projects that you want to focus on for the week and then the next week you tell how you did at getting those projects done.

I was too busy getting things done for Brooke's party to post last week so these are from the week before!
Last weeks goals...
1.) Get things ready for Brooke's party on Friday. Buy stuff, decorate, make cake Got everything done...check it out here.
2.) Clean the playroom for Brooke's party...this is a BIG job! This one did not get done because we had guys working out in the playroom (and messing it up horribly) until after Brooke's party started...I was NOT a happy camper!
3.) Go with Lexy to her preschool field trip on Wed. (remember to pack lunch!). We had a great time! You can see pics here.

Now, This weeks goals...
1.) Clean up the very disorganized and cluttered playroom! It's even worse now!
2.) Plant my flower garden out front and get new frog pretties for it.
3.) Help Brooke and Lexy make a list of fun places we want to go this summer and things we want to do. Thursday is their last day of school!

Way Back When-esday and Wordful Wednesday

Brooke (11) and Lexy (3)

May 2007

When I found this picture this morning I absolutely loved it! I love that the girls are holding hands, I love that they are looking at each other, I love that they are wearing the same thing...I just big puffy red heart it!!! It was taken during a visit to Papa & Grammy's house.

To check out who else is playing along join Cheryl for Way Back When-esday and Angie at Wordful Wednesday !

Mother's Day

I hope everyone had a wonderful Mother's Day! Mine was great even after starting out not so great...we were to leave at 8 am to meet everyone for breakfast at 9 am...problem was I didn't wake up until 8 am! After a very hurried session of getting myself and Lexy ready (Daddy and Brooke got themselves ready) we were out the door at 8:20!

We met Mammaw (my mom) and Grandpa Tom and Grammy and Papa (my dad) for breakfast at Golden Corral.

Brooke with Mammaw and G-pa Tom

Lexy with Grammy & Papa
Brooke & Lexy with Grammy

Brooke & Lexy with Mammaw

Brooke & Lexy with Mommy (me!)

I got a "mom" bracelet and a candy bar from Brooke, a painted brick for my garden from Lexy and a shirt, purse and a promise for a new backyard swing from Mike! What a wonderful day!

Brooke's b-day cont.

On Sunday we met Papa & Grammy and Mammaw and Grandpa Tom (for Mother's Day) at Golden Corral and Brooke got her birthday presents from them.

That girl is SO spoiled!!

A 13th birthday letter to Brooke

Dear Brooke,

Wow, 13 years have passed since the day you were born and laid in my arms by the doctor. It is so amazing to me how fast that time has flown by! Back then I couldn't have even dreamed what pure joy you would bring into my (and daddy's) life.

I think it scares all moms when we think of our child becoming a teenager but so far you have calmed all my fears. I think this age is actually one of my favorites. I love seeing you assert your independence and make some of your own decisions (and good ones at that!). I love that you still like to talk with me, share secrets with me and cuddle on the couch. I have enjoyed getting a glimpse in the last year of what an independent, loving, caring, confident and wonderful person you are growing into. I love that you are a leader and you're not afraid to voice your opinion!

I have enjoyed watching you grow as a cheerleader and take your responsibility as a positive role model very seriously. I was so proud as you stepped out of your comfort zone this year to be an actress in your school play. You are such a good student, you're always thinking ahead and putting your schoolwork first. You dislike drama of any kind in your life and you choose to only surround yourself with positive, loyal and supportive friends.

I hope you continue to follow your dreams of being a fashion designer. You really showed your skills when you designed your bedroom makeover this year! I love that you have something that you are so passionate about and you will be great!

Thank you for being my daughter. I love you so much!

Love, Mom

Brooke's 13th B-Day Fashion Show Party

Brooke's 13th birthday was so fun! I started of by taking a balloon tied to a bag of Reese's PB cups to school for Brooke (she *hinted* that that would be great!). Mike and I spent all day setting up for the party, we decorated the house and made the cake. Brooke and her friends walked home after school and started right in. Brooke is a very organized person (and she didn't want time for any drama) so she had everything planned out. The agenda for the night included...

*Snacks

*Decorating the front of a design notebook

*Designing and decorating a canvas bag (with ribbon, fabric markers, buttons, etc.)

*Dinner (pizza, fruit, veggies)

*Makeovers (the girls did each others hair, nails and makeup for the fashion show)

*Fashion Show (Brooke had dresses and shoes set out and the girls all chose two outfits to do a fashion show that I taped)

*Cake and presents

*Pin the Cell Phone game

*Design an outfit from a trashbag and duct tape

*Truth or Dare (with lots of giggling)

*Movie and bed
*Breakfast of blueberry cheesecake muffins and bacon (the girls when thru 24 muffins and two lbs. of bacon!!!)