Memorial Day

For Memorial Day we were invited over to a friend's house for BBQ.  It was such a nice afternoon.  Our kids played well together, it was delicious food, and very sticky s'mores - perfect!  We had to get home to go to bed on time, because we had a big day at Busch Gardens planned!  You'd think we'd eventually get tired of it - but not yet!  The kids stayed home from school and we practically had the park to ourselves.  We didn't wait in line for anything.  I took Celeste on a ride that was just a bit too much for her, but she handled it very well.   We had fun on the rides, dinner, and then home.  The rest of the week flew by.  We were planning on attending our Stake Conference meetings this weekend but unfortunately Celeste got sick and so we had to split things up.  Mike did make it to his leadership meeting and I took the three oldest to the general session - I thought we went a half hour early so we could park and find seats and go to the bathroom and get settled - we actually went a half hour late.  Oh well.

Playing dress up and eating s'mores with friends on Memorial Day

Before

 During

 After - I asked her if she had fun and she said yes, I asked if she wanted to go again and this is her saying "noooooo"

This is the girls favorite ride.  Madeline did eventually cheer up - she was not happy because she wanted to go on the 'big kid' version of this ride with Anna & Calvin but she was not tall enough.

The family highlight this week is me.  It's been about a year since I got my diagnosis of Psoriatic Arthritis.  It's been a lot of ups and downs as we've tried to figure out the dosing of my medication.  I'm 'off' of one of my prescriptions - which is a good thing.  However, recently the psoriasis has popped up all over my hands, arms, and face and the arthritis has gotten worse and it has spread to my other hand.  So we will most likely be trying injections and hoping that we can get the other prescription figured out and manage the inflammation better.  I've been busy this week working on a redecorating project (I know, me, decorating and project all in the same sentence doesn't sound right) I am hoping to get the rest of my stuff this week and be able to finish all the 'do it yourself' part this weekend!  Hopefully I will have pictures to share!  So far so good and I'm excited!

Testing & Testy

This past week the kids have been testing at school.  It's been very stressful for the kids and for mom.  I don't know if it's the testing, spring fever, the end of the school year approaching or what - but my kids have been very testy - as in grouchy!  More crying, screaming, fighting, whining, and complaining than usual.  I hope it stops soon!

In other news we've had some actual spring weather - rain and mild temperatures.  I love it.  So does my garden.  My second round of seeds sprouted and are growing like crazy.  Unfortunately so is the fat neighborhood bunny that comes and eats my new tender sprouts every morning.  So far he has eaten most of my beans, half my watermelons and pumpkins, all but one of my cantaloupe and all my squash.  He has partially eaten two of my pepper plants as well.  Apparently bunnies don't like tomato plants or corn stalks.  Who knew?  I wish I didn't.  I'm not sure if it's too late to replant but I REALLY wanted to try to grow acorn squash and I REALLY want cantaloupe this year - so I will probably try replanting.  On the bright side  whatever is eating my strawberries has laid off recently and each of my kids have been able to eat a strawberry from the garden - they think it's pretty neat.  I'm hoping the caterpillars leave us a few blueberries this summer as well.   We are also making more progress on our chicken coup.  The gate is finished, now the kids can get into the coup and bother the chickens much more easily.  I actually think the chickens like my kids, even when they are being a bit 'much' - when my kids approach the coup the chickens run to greet them. It's kind of cute.

 I don't have very many pictures this week - just these two princesses!

Our family spot light this week is Mike.  I'm not sure who's turn it is, but Mike has news to share, so I'm making it his turn.  Mike has recently hired a new full time sales person.  Mike took the sales over back in February and after several months of trying to do it all himself has found someone new.  We are both so excited - to see our business growing and to hopefully free up some of Mike's time.  We'll see how it goes, but so far, it's been great!  Mike was also able to go to the temple with his fabulous wife (smile).  That doesn't happen very often.  Mike was also in another accident.  He was hit in a parking lot and while he had his rental car he was in a second accident - unfortunately it was his fault and he was, unbeknownst to us, uninsured at the time (apparently the commercial policy on his work vehicles don't cover rentals when they are for accident repair).  That is not a good.  We have a few other possibilities to explore, so we'll see how it goes.

Happy Mothers Day!

We've had a good week and ened it with a great weekend!  I feel like we've celebrated Mother's Day all weekend.  On Friday the older kids all brought home cards for me from school.  They were so sweet!  Mike took Calvin on the Father's and Son's camp out.  I stayed home with the girls and had a great time.  We went out for pizza, bought some treats and came home and watched Ella Enchanted (such a cute movie).  On Saturday we were busy cleaning the house, setting up the pool, and working on our chicken coop.  For Mother's Day Mike got the coop to the point where we could move the chickens out of my house (hooray), he ordered Chinese food for dinner so I didn't have to cook and then on his way home from his meeting that night he stopped and got me a blizzard.  It was a good day!
On Sunday I got more treats and cards from church and then Mike let me read all afternoon - it was very nice.  I felt very loved.

Other news - my seeds are sprouting!  Not very many, but they are coming!  Yeah!  It turns out that the straw I used to cover everything is hay stalks.  It turns out that the hay seeds can grow in the straw - no dirt
required.  The cardboard I laid down is doing a good job stopping the weeds from under it - but isn't doing anything for the weeds that growing on top of it, in my straw!

Calvin went to his first den meeting for cub scouts.  He LOVES it! Hopefully I can keep up with him!

 Why the chickens needed to be moved outside!

 Celeste pretending to be a chicken and checking out the coop!

 The coop isn't quite done by their running area is completely fenced in and safe now.  

 Tomatoes in the front, then some peppers and basil, the third row is my broccoli and the rest of the garden is seeds - hopefully they will be visible soon!

 The girls eating laffy taffy while watching our movie.

Calvin volunteered to take Celeste in the house and help her get her suit on while we put up the pool

 I was cracking up - he didn't know what was so funny

Here she is after I fixed her suit, much more comfortable and way cuter this way!   It was one of the awesome deals Karen helped me find at the Salvation Army.

Our family highlight this week is Madeline.  Madeline is getting tired of school and can't wait to spend the summer swimming.  She loves the chickens, she holds them and tries to train them, watches out for them, and  is a good little mommy for them.  Now that they are outside they are much easier to play with!  Madeline has decided she wants curly hair.  I try to curl her hair, but it's what I call 'string bean straight' and is very uncooperative.   She doesn't understand how mommy can have curly hair and how Anna Elise's takes to the curling iron so well and holds curls but hers won't.  I tried to cheer her up by telling her she has hair like Aunt Trina's - but because Aunt Trina has brown hair she did not understand!  She is still happy and silly except when she is sad and emotional.  Sometimes growing up is hard!  

Grandma

Grandma flew into Richmond on Friday night to be here for Calvin's baptism.  She stayed to play for the week.  The weather wasn't real cooperative and Mike was busy at work - but we had fun having her with us.  She did lots of dishes and helped around the house, we went out for ice cream, walked to the park, had a picnic (inside since it was cold out), celebrated Celeste's 2nd birthday, visited with my uncle, and we were able to go to lunch and do some shopping one afternoon. I was excited to go buy some things for me!  It was good to have her here to visit with and we were sad to see her go on Friday afternoon.

After she left life quickly resumed it's normal crazy pace.  Mike's work car was hit in a parking lot on Friday.  We had to take the car to the body shop and pick up a rental.  We also ran errands that afternoon.  On Saturday we had Calvin's friend birthday party, worked on the chicken coop, replanted all the seeds in our garden (not a single one sprouted) weeded and reseeded the front lawn, and ran some errands.

At the park with Grandma - she is playing ball with Calvin.

 Celeste's birthday.  She opened that purple book from Grandma and was completely satisfied.  She didn't need or want to open anything else.  It took a lot of coaxing to get her to continue.

 The next day she used her birthday money from Grammy & Pops to buy a purse and a doll.  Getting her to pick out a couple of things at the store was crazy!

Calvin waiting for his friends to come to his party

Mike took the girls to THD during Calvin's party.  He had to run a small booth for NHance and the girls participated in the festivities.

 Celeste in her new birthday dress from Grandma and me in my new dress from my shopping spree!

Our family highlight this week is Celeste.  I know it's not her turn, but it was her birthday.  She is growing up fast and getting to be more '2' every day.  When I asked her to go put her shoes in her closet she replied with "no, mommy do it".  She has started hitting and yelling and generally being ornery.  She has decided that she loves cheese and asks for either sliced cheese or cottage cheese for every meal and snack.  When she is hungry she tells me she wants lunch, if I say no she tries asking for a snack, breakfast, or dinner - whichever word will get me to feed her!  She likes to take her nap and goes to bed very well.  She regressed with her potty training a little while we had company, but is already back on track and doing fabulous. 

Grammy & Pops!

On Sunday evening Grammy and Pops flew into Richmond!  We were so excited to see them.  We had a fabulous week of fun with trips to get ice cream, going to the park, fun at home, some work and some shopping.  On Friday we celebrated Calvin's 8th birthday.  We all went to Busch Gardens, Pizza Hut for dinner, and then ended the day with presents and ice cream cake. It was an exhausting day. That night Grandma flew in.  Saturday was a busy day getting ready for Calvin's baptism.  It was a special day and it was a good program with Grandma giving a prayer, Grammy and Anna Elise speaking, Pops witnessing, and Mike performing the ordinance.  We were so thankful that Calvin made the decision to be baptized and for all the support of our family and friends on that day.  Grammy and Pops had to leave early Sunday morning.  It was sad to see them go.  

 Pops 'helped' Mike start a chicken coop.  'They' made a lot of progress.  Unfortunately Mike was busier working then he wanted to be - so his Dad did a lot of the work with his helpers - Grammy and Lilah.

 We went to Happy Hour at Steak & Shake and got half-price shakes.  We had a great time.  Thanks Grammy & Pops!  Below you can see Lilah doing her 'trick'.  She said to me "Look Mom, I can drink my shake with no hands!"

 At Busch Gardens!

 There was hardly anybody at the park.  It was perfect weather and no lines.  The kids literally sat and rode rides over and over again.  It was a lot of fun!

 Calvin opening presents and blowing out his candles. 

 Calvin's Baptism

Our family highlight this week is Calvin.  He is growing like a weed and has the appetite of a full grown man (a large one at that).  He is always hungry.  Calvin still loves Legos but picked out some Bay Blades with his birthday money and has been enjoying those as well.  He is getting ready for a re-match with his cousin Tucker ;).  Calvin is compassionate and helpful.  He is happy and fun when he gets enough sleep.  I recommend that he always get enough sleep!

Workin'

We had a super busy week which means we don't have any pictures!  Mike went up to the school on Monday to be a Watch Dog Dad and help out.  The kids love having their dad in their classrooms and seeing him around school.

We had some really warm weather - it was in the 80's and almost 90 one day.  That is not spring!  I'm holding out for some REAL spring weather sometime in April - I want some 70 degree temperatures!  It has finally stopped dropping below freezing at night so we decided to actually plant something in our garden.  We got all of our plants in and even started on the seeds - but we aren't done yet.  So far so good!

Mom and Dad have been spending lots of time on spring projects, fixing up the house, food storage, getting one of our rentals ready for tenants, working and doing all kinds of things to be ready for our 2 weeks of company this month.  The kids are so ready to be done working and to have some fun!  Hopefully we can get enough done to do some playing soon!  We can't wait!

Our family highlight this week is Lilah.  I think I say the same thing about Lilah everytime - she is such a good helper!  She has been helping me put in our garden - she takes the good garden soil out of the bag and puts it into my bucket so I have access to it, she keeps my watering can full, she fetches things for me and she plays with Celeste when she isn't helping me.  Who could ask for more?  She had a lot of fun with the kids home for spring break, she was sad this week when they went back to school - but she and Celeste seem to be playing better the older Celeste gets.  She is a tough girl.  The kids were talking about a 4th grader at school who punched a kindergardener - this didn't scare my little 4 year old, she replied with "if somebody hits me I'll just punch them back!"  I'm sure she would!  We may need to work on 'being nice' before she goes to school =).

Spring...

We had spring break this week!  It was a week of fun, creativity, work, play, and relaxing (well, I don't know if I relaxed, but the kids did).  We went to Busch Gardens on Monday (we got our 'fun pass'es so we

can go all summer) and had a blast.  It was beautiful weather and despite the crowds we had a great time.  On Tuesday the kids just relaxed and lazed around.  On Wednesday we made tie dye shirts and it went surprisingly well.  Thursday we played.  On Friday we all worked!  We did garden prep and worked outside. 

Spring also brings new birth - as in baby chicks!  Mike has wanted chickens for YEARS!  We keep saying we'll buy some hens when he builds a coop, but the coop never gets priority and has never been built.  Mike was in the farming supply store on Friday and noticed that they had a deal on chicks - if you buy a giant bag of chicken feed you get 6 free chicks (VA law states you have to buy atleast 6 at a time).  So we now have a large bag of food, a feeder, water dish, pine shavings, heat lamp with bulb and a box with 6 chicks!  The kids are ecstatic!  Mike now has a very real deadline for getting a coop built and we will have fresh eggs soon!  I'm excited, but will be even more excited when they aren't living in my house =). 

Spring brings gardens!  Or it soon will.  We are very behind due to cold weather, busy schedules, and a miscommunication with the neighbor that rotatilled our yard.  But - all the prep work is done and we will be putting plants and seed in the ground this week!  I'm SO excited.  I'm excited to have a much bigger space, to be better prepared and to be trying a new method this year.  We'll see what happens! 

Lots and lots of pictures...

 Celeste, Madeline and Lilah on a 'horsey' ride at Busch Gardens

Tie Dying T-shirts

 Celeste was 'napping' while we did our shirts right outside her window...

Calvin free-handed his

Apparently one of my gloves had two holes in it.  Nice.

Chicks!

 Celeste was a little uncertain, but warmed up quickly

 Now she is in love with them!

Here is their first home.  They've already upgraded to a larger box.  All the kids check on them frequently. 

Our garden spot.  You can see the cardboard and then straw on top.  We've got the whole thing covered now.  You can also see the large stumps we dug up earlier this year.  I'm hoping they are gone soon!

Our family highlight this month is Celeste!  She is turning into such a big girl.  She may have been slow learning how to talk, but she has caught up fast.  It's fun to have conversations with her and to listen to her communicate.  She has learned 'high fives' and has picked up on 'too slow' from the kids.  She holds her hand up and says 'up high' and then quickly drops it and says 'too slow'.  Cutest thing ever!  She is finally getting the potty training - she comes and tells me when she needs to go about half the time.  The other half is very predictable so we have only had 1 accident in the last 4 days.  We are to the point where I will say she is potty trained.  Yeah!  She loves to dress up, dance, play Barbies, swing outside, put shoes on, and do puzzles.  She has also developed opinions about her clothes and it takes a lot longer to get her dressed in the

mornings.  She is still a monster!