If a tree falls. . .

. . . in my Momma's front yard while we are all at Cracker Barrel, and no one is here to hear it, does it make a sound??"

So we went to Cracker Barrel (we have gone there a lot lately. . .) for supper. Nikki loves Cracker Barrel, and they do not have them in Hawaii. Of course, the kids love it, too :>). Mimi and Poppy came to Momma's, and we all went together. We had a lovely supper. We shopped. We headed home close to 2 hours later. We found this:

What?!? Mom knew that the tree was dead, but she had not had a chance to do anything about it. We were SO lucky. If it had fallen a little to the left, it would have crashed into the living room!

The kids were thrilled. I guess they love when Mother Nature places an outdoor play area in their laps.

Jessa loved to balance on it.

Spencer loved to let his newly purchased at Cracker Barrel panda bear balance on it.

Such fun!

I e-mailed a picture of the carnage to Daddy, Lucas, and David. Within minutes, Daddy called. Then Lucas. AND sweet Lucas was planning to come and see Nikki before she leaves this weekend anyway, so he offered to cut it up for us! Yay! Momma is tickled. He admitted that it had more to do with a good excuse to use a chain saw!!

Lemonade, anyone?

Aren't Lemonade Stands like a rite of passage in childhood?

Well, my kiddos decided that Monday was the day for their first attempt.

We are in GA now. We drove all day on Tuesday, so Monday was the big preparation day. I always like to start the trip with a clean and organized car (it only lasts about 10 miles, but I like things to at least start well!). Jessa asked me as we were in the garage working on getting organized if she and Spencer could go to houses and "sell stuff." I think that she got the idea because some of their new neighbor buddies went door to door selling cherries over the weekend. I told her I did not think that was a good idea (I do not want people to cringe when they see my children at their door begging for spare change. . .). I said that maybe they could sell something at the house while I was in the garage. Jessa's face lit up and she said, "Lemonade!"

So we set them up a stand. We got a plastic garage shelf as a "table" and some chairs. They colored some signs. Jessa wanted to charge $1 per glass. I told her that was a little steep, and cousin Nikki made a "Donations Only" sign. I made some Country Time, and they were all set.

Jessa's sign on the left, Spencer's on the right.

Both signs have a line of customers - You've got to admire their optimism.

What serious business people.
The only problem: we live on a circle on the very last straight in the whole housing area. This means there is not a whole lot of traffic. After about 1 minute and 30 seconds, Jessa was already bored!

But they stuck with it. I bought a cup, but I had to pretend to not be their mother. Then Nikki bought a cup:

Nikki enjoying a $2 cup of lemonade.
The first REAL customer was the UPS man! Bless his heart, he gave them a whole dollar! Once some neighborhood kids were outside, Jessa started screaming "FREE LEMONADE!" This drummed up some business. Before long, we had to make a new jug. Our next door neighbor is a Priest, and he stopped by for a cup. We even had a car stop and give them a $5 bill!! I tried to give it back, but they ran to the car and said they wanted to do it! So sweet!

We had a long day with busier times than others. They finally ended up in the backyard playing with some new friends. I heard someone come to the front door and yell, "I want some lemonade." I ran to get the kids, and they found a VERY important customer.

He may be an important Army Officer, but he is just their BAY.
They gave him 2 very full cups to take back to work with him.

They ended up making $14.31 - not bad for an afternoon of "work," huh? I have a feeling this was not our last afternoon of hanging out and selling our wares.

I'll gladly make more lemonade any day for these two sweet faces.

Happy 5th of July!

Boy are we confused! We woke up in the wee hours of the morning on July 4th to the sounds of thunder. It was one heck of a storm!! The whole rest of the day was rainy and dreary and windy and sticky. And it rained and rained. And then later, it rained some more. The yard was wet and muddy. Our fun grilling out afternoon was nearly impossible. And the biggest tragedy was that the fireworks display that we were looking forward to was postponed! Now, we were lucky that the stormy, rainy 4th of July was a Saturday. This made it easy to shift the fireworks fun to Sunday night.

So we celebrated a Happy 5th of July instead.

I love the 4th of July: parties, great food, fireworks, and family. And I love any holiday that encourages patriotism and flag waving!! The past several years, my cousin Nikki has been visiting the mainland from Hawaii. It is always fun to celebrate with her. We also are usually in GA. Daddy ran his 29th consecutive Peachtree Road Race, and many times, David runs with him. (For those of you not from Atlanta, this is the world's largest 10K that is run each year on Peachtree through the streets of Atlanta.) Daddy is the founder of the Overseas Peachtree Road Races; he started one in Kuwait when he was there (he did not want to break his streak!). And since then, the race has grown to several in Kuwait, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Daddy ran 2 races in Kuwait, and then he has been on the starting line on Peachtree Street at Lenox Square each year to start the overseas races via cell phone. We have gone with him several years.

Our first trip to watch him start the Overseas Races: 2006.

Trip number 2, 2007.

Last year, 2008. Haven't they grown? Holy Cow!
This year Daddy started 5! And it should be noted that the Atlanta Track Club donates all the T-shirts and race gear and has it shipped to the loaction of the race. The runners get the same shirt as the 55, 000 in Atlanta. What an awesome way to support our troops!

We were sorry we were not able to be with him this year, but we sure are proud that he is such a devoted Peachtree Runner and race starter!!

So Sunday, we woke up to another overcast day, but no precipitation - whew!
The craziest part of all of this whole postponing the 4th thing, Daddy was in Atlanta to start races, run a race, and celebrate with Momma. BUT he also had time to drive 9 hours back to Scott AFB in time to celebrate the 5th of July with us! He must have felt like it was Groundhog's Day!

We had a delicious supper of kabobs, potatoes, and salad. And while I got dressed, David churned a freezer of homemade vanilla ice cream. We got the ice cream all fixed in to-go cups and headed to the fireworks.

Look at those rednecks jammed in there to see the fireworks!
It was very laid back and easy. We just went to the town where the show was scheduled and found a spot on the side of the road. We all crammed into the back of the van to see the awesome fireworks! Yay family fun and togetherness!

The only thing missing was a soundtrack. David searched for something on the radio, but he could not find anything suitable. So we all sang various patriotic songs. Jessa sang her own made up song, too. It was a disturbing and graphic sort of cautionary tale about getting too close to fireworks. I will not share it with you. You should thank me.

Spencer could not choose his favorite kind. He finally said that they were all his favorite! And he was so worn out, he fell asleep on the way home, bless him!

I took the picture after we were home -

Don't call DFACS, he was safely strapped in until we were home.
Happy 4th of July and also, Happy 5th of July!

God Bless America!

God Bless all the soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines!

And God Bless all the families who support them!

Birthday Party

Last Tuesday was my D's birthday.
I am so glad he was born!

(and until November, we are the same age. . .)

The kids and I had lots of fun making decorations for him.

He wanted Red Robin (yum!) for his special birthday supper. We were not allowed to tell the waitress. . .

After supper we all gathered at our house to open presents and eat cake. We had lots of fun. I wrapped up some new socks and undershirts for him. He wanted a new I-Pod since his screen is busted on his. Of course, we got him one, but I wanted him to sweat a little! I cracked myself up!

It was more socks! I bought him like 12 pairs!

I even wrapped some in a small box then wrapped that box in a bigger box.

He was totally confused and SO sick of socks!
Here are the party guests:

May and my cousin (aka the sister I never had) Nikki.

Me and Bay

Spencer, who asked if it was time for cake at least 10 times before it was time.

*Note Bay in the background stealing icing. . .

I also did pretty well baking David's favorite cake using his Granny Key's special recipe.

He said it looked and tasted like Granny's! Way to go, me!

I could not resist sharing a few videos.

Jessa and Spencer are in love with sound cards right now. Jessa picked out the "Hamster Dance" song (go figure!), and they danced it up:

Jessa was in rare form partying it up with her Daddy. When we lit the candles, Jessa insisted on singing her own song for her Daddy. It was so cute and funny and sweet all at the same time. Seriously, I was laughing and crying. Bless her little heart!

I love that she included lyrics about the I-Pod!

Company

I love having company. And we have a full house right now! YAY!

Mimi and Poppy got here last Saturday for their first visit to the new new house. I was hoping to have it more unpacked, but you know. . . And frankly, Mimi is only watching the kiddos anyway, she wouldn't notice a marching band coming through.

THEN on Wednesday May and my cousin Nikki arrived. We LOVE when Nikki comes to visit. She is my 16 year old cousin who lives in Hawaii, and Jessa thinks they are the same age!! They are really cute together, and Nikki is SO patient with her little cousins who think she hung the moon.

We were sad because our dear friends Roy and Peggy were unable to come. They were also supposed to arrive on Wednesday, but they had a family emergency. They did ask for a rain check, and we granted it without hesitation.

Anyway, there is not too much time for blogging, but I will have many funny stories to share when they are headed back home.

Until then, think of us all together, eating and laughing - 'cause that is what we are doing.

David, Mimi, Dana, Poppy, Spencer, May, Bay, Jessa, Nikki

Why I am not unpacked.

I can simplify this whole post and my problem in two words:

Jessa.

Spencer.

They are so over this thing. We have our beds set up, our clothes unpacked, the bathrooms are pretty much set, the kitchen is unpacked. The TVs and computers work. They are happy. They think I should be happy. Who cares that there are still random boxes everywhere. They think it is time for the playground or the zoo. They are over the "boring" unpacking process. And let's face it, we have all been in the various stages and packing and unpacking for almost a year now. . .

If I am working away organizing a room, there is a constant barrage of needs, wants, desires. I want a cookie. I need to go to the bathroom. I desire your undivided attention. If these do not work, they resort to mortal combat. Surely, if they are about to hurt each other, I will have to focus on them, right? Yep. They own me!

There are games to be played, and I hate to always tell them "not right now." So I stop and, I play. From Spencer's new Thomas game

to made up games like "beauty parlor with tools"

Spence may be playing beauty parlor, but at least it is with manly tools!

Polishing nails this way is less messy. . .

Sorry, David. We fixed them back, I promise.

or tea party

and even taking the time to check out a new playground

or ride the carousel during a quick errand.

See?? I am not unreasonable, just VERY anxious to be finished!

So last week, I needed to pick up some things and so we spent a whole day OUT. Some errands were not fun for them, but we spent lots of time in a toy store that had dollhouses and train tables to play with. And they were not surrounded by boxes. They played. They had fun. I even let them BOTH pick out TWO new things! Fun times, right?

Then I took them both to their favorite place, Chuck E. Cheese!

We ate pizza, we played games, we had fun.

I love these cups that make them look like Chuck E!
So I thought, now, I have given them almost an entire day.

Surely now they will be more willing to entertain themselves while I actually accomplish something.

Nope.

As we were walking in the door from our big, fun day, Jessa was already asking if I would take them to a playground.

I give up!

Is it OK to throw a blanket or table cloth over boxes instead of unpacking them?

Then we could just hit the zoo.

I would make sure the tablecloth matched the room decor, I promise.

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day!

I am a daddy's girl! Someone commented to me the other day that they thought it was cute that I still call my father "Daddy." That's Southern, right? All I know is that he is my Daddy! And Lucas has always complained that he does more for me than he ever did for him because I always ask him in my best whiny Daddy voice. That is crazy, though, Daddy definitely does not play favorites (at least I do not think so. . .). Whatever the case, I am a Daddy's girl and proud of it!

And now I am loving watching my Daddy be an awesome Bay to Jessa and Spencer. If I have Daddy wrapped around my finger, Jessa has him around her whole arm!

What a good BAY!

And then there is David, the father of my babies. I am so happy that he is their Daddy! He is a great father to them, and they love him very much. Of course, with all his traveling, they sometimes want me. BUT when the chips are down, they love hanging out with their silly Daddy. I think that it has something to do with the fact that he is about as grown up as they are! Toot jokes crack him up just as much as they crack up Jessa and Spencer. . .

I am also lucky enough this father's day to have not only My Daddy, and the Daddy of my Babies, but my Poppy ALL here with me! How cool is that?! Poppy is an extra special grandfather, too. He is the only one David and I have left. . . AND he is an expert at fixing things and tools, so he very handy to have around! And he is an Engineer, so it is always done right.


We are all going to church this morning to see the VBS kids sing their little hearts out. Then we will be having a special brunch at the Scott Club. I am so excited! How lucky am I?!

Anyway, Happy Father's Day to all the Fathers and all the Daddys!