Ready for "Ba-cation"

I have had a rough last two days of school. The students are ready for summer, intermediate school, and some freedom. I am counting the moments until Paul and I and the kids head south for some fun in the sun. We leave Friday evening, cross your fingers that my babies sleep while Paul and I drive.
Erica is also ready for "ba-cation." She is having a difficult time trying to decide which baby to take with her. Currently, "water baby" is the front-runner. Ethan asked the other night if he could get "throwed rolls." There is a restaurant that my brother introduced us to two years ago. The food is fantastic, and they throw the rolls to you from across the room. Of course, Ethan thinks that is the coolest thing. How he remembers that, I am not sure. But, he is looking forward to it.

Happy Birthday Ellie Bugs!

Today my baby girl turned one! It began like all first birthdays in our family--a breakfast date with Daddy. No Mommies allowed! Paul enjoys one on one time with the kids, and today was no different. He has been planning their date for a long time.
We celebrated Ellie's birthday with family on Saturday. So tonight was low-key but memorable. Ethan had a soccer game this evening. (The girls and I stayed home due to the rain--we don't want anyone to be sick before our big trip.)

Your very first year's been

a wonderful one . . .

You've brought grins and giggles

and oodles of fun!

You've grown every day

since you made your debut--

You've explored the wide world

and learned so much that's new.

And now it's your birthday--

time's gone by so fast!

You've brightened each day

with more smiles than the last.

So make any wish in your sweet little heart,

Blow out that candle,

and let the fun start!

A Day of Celebration

Today was a great day; busy, but great! The morning started off a little crazy. I left my phone at school. Paul was working. Ellie is teething. Erica was tired because she fights sleep, and Ethan had a soccer game. What a great day to plan a party, but it all came to gather nicely thanks to our family.

Ethan has really been wanting a race car birthday party for sometime now. We decided that this year he could celebrate his birthday with his friends. He chose to have his party at Rascal's Fun Zone. He loved it! The kids were able to ride go karts, play games, eat pizza and ice cream, and just have fun. Ethan loved being able to drive the go kart himself. He kept telling the operator to make the cars go faster.

Ethan was getting ready to pass his dear friend Ruthie. She was a little timid at first, but did very well the next chance she had behind the wheel.

Ethan, Jake, Luke, Addie, and Genna enjoying their pizza and ice cream.

After Ethan's party, we hurried home to meet our family to celebrate Ellie's first birthday. I think that it was a good thing that I was so busy that I didn't have much of an opportunity to dwell over the fact that my baby is turning one.

Ethan had many gifts for his birthday, Ellie had lots of gifts for her birthday, and Erica even received a few gifts for being a great sister. She was so happy to receive presents also.

My Ellie Bugs' birthday cake. Didn't B'maw do a great job icing the cake? It still looks good after Erica fell into the cake!

Ellie and her Daddy opening presents. He enjoyed being able to help her on her big day!

My sweet little Bugs . . . you can tell that she it not feeling well. Those teeth are really bothering her.

Opening presents with Mommy and Daddy

And now the best part . . .

before

and after!

Ellie LOVED her cake! She was so excited that she forgot about her teeth bothering her. She had cake and icing EVERYWHERE! I think she is still blowing red and black snot out of her nose. Paul and I both had to change shirts after getting Ellie into the bathtub. We had to drain the water and refill the tub because it was so dirty, and we took her high chair outside and hosed it down. Erica helped me, so I even was hosed down!

What a great day! Ethan wasn't ready for the day to end. Our neighbor is sleeping over at our house.

Thank you everyone for the wonderful gifts. That was very generous of you. Thank you for taking the time to help celebrate with us. We are very blessed to have such a loving family.

The Best Dinner Ever

Tonight we went to dinner to celebrate the fact that Erica will not need eye surgery. We first had to stop and get Ellie a new outfit. She wet through her diaper and clothes. Shortly after sitting down, Paul and I were regretting the decision. However, they were much better once we got some food in their bellies. Ethan even stopped the waiter to tell him that it was the best food that he has ever eaten. He then asked Paul if we could eat there every night. The hostesses got a kick out of his 20 questions before we sat down. "What is this red button for? Why do the lobsters have rubber bands on their claws? What is that drain for? Can I stick my hand in the lobster tank?"

Game 3

Ethan played in his third soccer game Saturday morning. It went much better than the previous games. He wanted to play, only fell down a few times, and did NOT cry--it was a good day.

Get back in there!

Another good throw in!

We never know the final score of the game, but that doesn't matter. The teamwork and enjoyment of the sport are much more important. The snacks after the game are also very important (at least to the 5 year olds).

Southern Indiana with 88 4th Graders

I just returned home from an overnight field trip with 88 fourth graders. I was excited about the trip, but not for leaving my children. Even one night away makes me anxious.

At the George Rogers Clark Memorial Park a "pioneer woman" demonstrated the firing of a rifle.

Models of George Rogers Clark, a french fur trader, a Native American, and a British solider


Angel Mounds


Sunset on the Banks of the Ohio River


A limestone mural on the facade of the Lincoln Boyhood Memorial.


Preparing for the cave tour at Squire Boone Caverns




Looking straight up so the stalactites. I was 9 stories underground. Did you know that the stalactites grow about 1 inch every 100 years? Some of the stalactites and stalagmites that we saw were 12 inches and more.


The dam inside cave--of course I have forgotten the name already. But, it was 16 feet across and 4 feet high. It was amazing!





panning for gold

and candle making

It was an amazing trip. I learned a lot. Did you know that George Rogers Clark and William Clark (of Lewis and Clark) were brothers? Did you know that a squirrel skin was worth approximately 50 cents, a bear skin about $5, and a deer skin was worth a buck? Get it? A buck's skin was worth a buck. I also learned that it is exhausting to take 88 students to a buffet dinner and a hotel. We only had a few minor incidents.

It is always great to be welcomed home by the ones you love, even if you have to drag them off of the swing set.

Game 2

Ethan was not feeling well the day of his soccer game. He didn't have it in his heart to play. The only thing that motivated him to get out there and play was Addie, one of his best buds. Addie is on the opposing team, and after the game they couldn't wait to talk to one another.

Ethan rested on the sideline with Coach Bart.
What a great throw in!

Ethan and Addie going after the soccer ball.
Ethan and Addie

Go Rapids!

Happy Birthday Buddy!

Yesterday, my baby boy celebrated his 5th birthday! I can't believe that my baby is already five. He often reminds me that he is NOT a baby, to which I remind him that he was my first baby. I tear up just thinking how big he is getting. We celebrated his birthday with our parents and my brother, Todd.

To My Son on His Birthday

Oh how the years go by,

Oh how time can certainly fly.

From once just a thought in far away dreams,

now into my arms and in my eyes gleam

the presence of you.

Your laughter and smiles

which go on for miles,

warms my heart and soul.

You're growing up so fast,

as I wish each moment with you to last forever.

My little boy will someday be a man

and right by your side I will forever stand.

I will pick up the pieces when you fall,

I will hold your hand and help you stand tall.

And when the day comes when you are on your own,

never feel that you are alone.

No matter how near or far apart

I am always right there in your heart.

Always remember whatever you go through

that no matter what, I will always love you.

Opening Day

Today was opening day for the spring soccer season. It was a great day to be outside. Ethan is on the Rapids (the light blue team), and Paul is coaching with a friend.

The only tears came after he was hit in the face with the soccer ball.

Ellie enjoyed the being outside when we returned home.

I turned Ellie's car seat around in the big truck. She was so excited!

Too Much of a Good Thing?

Erica love love loves Backpack and Boots (Dora the Explorer and her sidekick Boots). Friday evening Paul and I took the girls to the toy store to pick out a present for Ethan's birthday (Ethan was with Gammaw and Pappaw). Erica also wanted to pick something out for herself.
Before we even arrived at the store, Erica said she was going to find Ethan a "Spider Man thing" because he likes him.
We first had to find just the right thing for Erica--a Backpack book and Backpack panties. Then we could go pick something out for Ethan. It only took her a few moments to pick just the right toy and a get a bloody nose. Erica was looking over her shoulder eyeing the Backpack sunglasses, when she ran smack into a center aisle display. I was just not quick enough to stop her. A few tears later, she was okay because she had her Backpack book and panties.
As we were preparing for bedtime, Erica decided that she wanted to wear her new panties--all 7 pairs! I couldn't resist seeing the shear joy in her face as she put on another pair. She danced around for a few moments, then took the extra pairs off, placed them in her laundry basket, and then dressed herself in her "jammies."