Goodbye Whitney!!!

Whitney, Whitney, Whitney...we are SO going to miss you! You have been a treasure to our lives, and a complete joy to spend time with. You always make me laugh no matter if the subject is funny or not. You have such jubilation in your heart, and I can't help but smile every single time you walk into a room. I still can't believe you are leaving, it does not seem real, I guess when you are gone it will hit me. I loved going to dinner with the ladies tonight, oh and I LOVE THE HAT!!!

Every time Carrie, and I go out for Mexican food there will always be a void that only you can fill. We have laughed so hard over your stories we have cried!! You are a great person Whitney, and don't ever forget we are here if you need us.

Always remember the power of the "Rita"

P.S. David is a STUD!!!!

SIBLINGS???

Ok, so this is the 5th day of summer, and my question is how many days until school starts?

Evan has been sick for a couple of days, and Madison now has strep throat so we are home bound until they are better. I have been slammed with these kinds of questions...Can I go jump on the trampoline? NO... Can I go out and blow bubbles? NO... Can I go out and write with sidewalk chalk? NO... Can I? NO... Now when they walk into the room I just say NO before they even begin...LOL

Since there is nothing they can really do these two kids of mine have been fighting like crazy. You see I am an only child so I don't get it, and it is driving me CRAZY!!! So today Madison was sitting in Daddy's special chair, and Evan kept making the leg part come up so she could recline. Well of course she did not want to, and words started flying (clean ones). It is only 3:15, and it feels like 8:00 and bed time to me!!

So I started saying the most shallow prayer I have ever said, Lord, please let the antibiotics work quickly, please let Evan's viral infection move on so that we can get out of the house to survive. Amen!!

Evan is completely making Madison MAD, and he's loving it... While

Madison ran and hid in my shower! It took forever for me to find her...

Life at my house with two precious kiddos is challenging, and sometimes funny at the same time. Come on Aug. 8th!!!

Speedy

Our Memorial day was very low key since Evan is sick. I spent most of the morning getting him to the Dr., and to the lab for tests... Madison, and Travis spent most of their day playing Carnival Games on the Wii, it was just a lazy day all in all.

As we sat down for dinner (classic cheeseburgers on Memorial day) Madison saw a turtle crawling in the street. She could not help asking the age old question...Why did the turtle cross the road? and as we all laughed we answered her...to get to the other side!! Trav went out turtle hunting after our entertaining joke from Maddie, and this is what he found.

I caught turtles in my younger years, and I must say none of them were as aggressive as this little guy. When you moved your hand to where he could see it, that mouth of his would open like he was just daring you to get your finger close enough. After visiting with him, and making him pose for a few pics. Travis took him across the road where he wanted to be, and off he went.

Even though Evan is sick we could not deny him turtle privileges!

Memorial Day Weekend...

As we celebrate those who have, or are serving in our military (thank you Trav) we always "use" this 3 day weekend to have some fun, grill out, be with loved ones...

Saturday was the kick off to our fun weekend. Madison had her usual private cheer lesson early Sat. am. When that was done we joined Travis at the church where the Mud Olympics was taking place. Trav is helping out with the youth group so he dedicated some of his time to join in on some icky fun. Madison, Evan, and I sat on the sidelines with all of the sane people who did not believe in getting dirty! It was sunny, and HOT... Needless to say it was a great day to start my base tan.

Trav showing the kids how the wheel barrow is done!!!

But wait there is more!!! Sunday was a wonderful busy day. We started our day going to church, then we met some friends at the Bayou to spend the afternoon on their boat!!! Well I must say it was fun, relaxing, and yes more SUN.

Can you tell that my shoulders are purple?

Travis, and I finished our Sunday evening by going to see Indiana Jones without the kids!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! However when we got home, and checked on Evan he seemed extremely hot, so we took his temp. and yes he had a 102 degree fever. I have no idea what on earth is wrong with him, he has no symptoms, but those of you with kids know that they don't have to have symptoms to run those dang fevers. So, we will spend our Memorial Day taking Evan to the Dr. and not going out to the pool, I don't think my shoulders could have taken it anyway.

Nobody freak out, his cup has water in it because he was so hot!

Everyone have a SAFE, and Happy Memorial Day!!!

Goodbye 1st Grade!!

Today was Madison's end of the year party for first grade. She only has a 1/2 day left, and really that is just to get her report card. Mrs. Pellerin has done a fantastic job with Madison this year!! Madison is reading, doing math, spelling, etc... We are just plain shocked at how far Madison has come in such a short time...

This is Madison's class plus Evan...

Mrs. Pellerin gave the kids' a pizza party today, I brought the cupcakes, and awards were handed out!! (Madison got the Deep Thinker Award) It was a very nice way to softly say goodbye...


Being room Mom I arrived early while the class was discussing next year. Most of the kiddos are very upset to be leaving Mrs. Pellerin, and quite scared to move on to second grade! You see Mrs. Pellerin is one of those unique teachers who not only uses love, and smarts to teach, but a TON of FUN... The kids know there will never be another Mrs. Pellerin, or as Madison called her on the first day of school Mrs. Pellican!! And Evan always called her "Pellerin". They have seen the second grade teachers around the school, and know that next year will be different, they will be expected to do more things, be more mature, and act better than they acted this year. I never thought I would be sad to say goodbye to Mrs. Pellerin, and to first grade, but I am.

So long first grade, so long Mrs. Pellerin we are forever in your debt for making Madison a better person, and a better student!!! Thank You!!!!!

From Nervous to Confident!!

Madison had her very first violin concert last week. Woodlake Elementary offers free violin lessons all year long, so of course we jumped on the opportunity. From the first lesson she loved it, and did as well as a 1st grader would be expected to do. Her class started out with 4 kids, then as time went by 3 kids, then 2 kids, then just Madison. She puts on concerts for her stuffed animals in her room all the time. Our dog Tiffi sits outside of her room and howls to the wonderful sounds. As the end of the year was approaching her teacher told us that she is doing unusually well for her age, and has learned to play over 20 songs!!!!

Every morning at school they have what they call "Morning Meeting". The whole school gathers for announcements, they sing the school song, etc... So last week it was the violinists turn to entertain the other kids, teachers, and parents. Madison was very nervous, and told me she could not go through with it. What Madison does not realize is that she is very strong, and can do it......so she did, and did it well. The violin teacher will offer lessons through the summer to keep her brushed up on her music, and get her ready for next year.

GREAT JOB MADISON!!!!!