Mardi Gras in July??

Ever since my boys saw this, they have been asking - no begging - to go to the Mardi Gras Museum. I told them, "we'll do it this summer." I looked over my calendar about a week ago and realized that I was running out of time. A trip was in order!

We gathered GranGran and Dee and headed downtown to check it out!

(Note: if you look closely, Chris just pointed out that Philip's sandals are on the wrong feet. Yes, I put them on. I need help with that...)

It was great! The boys weren't too interested in the numerous pictures and trains on display, but they loved the "den." In it, there were tons of costumes to choose from and a float that they could climb aboard.

We had a great time dressing up and pretending to ride. Here's some shots to share!

Sweet Daniel

Sweet Daniel, here's how I found you after "the incident"

You had fallen asleep. Long day I suppose.

It began this morning when I made the declaration that Sheep Baa-Baa needed a bath. (For those of you that do not know Sheep Baa-Baa, he is Daniel's new friend. We adopted him after the original Baa-Baa was lost in February. He had a chip inside of him that said a prayer. I haven't washed him five months due to this chip...hence he was filthy.)

You consented but refused to watch. You gave Sheep Baa-Baa a hug and kiss and I took him to my sewing table. Philip assisted me as I cut him open and removed his prayers. Philip reported back to you that "surgery was successful, Mom's sewing him up right now." When the stitches were done, Philip returned him to you for another hug and kiss. Then he was taken to the washing machine. He looks great, but I think the whole thing was a little much for you.

Then, this afternoon..."the incident" occurred. You and I were happily coloring a picture. I answered a phone call...stepped away for a minute to check on something...got off the phone...came back to color...only to discover that you decided to color on the couch...my nice one.

I was furious but kept my cool. I didn't yell...simply put you in time out. I cleaned and reminded you that you are big enough to know what surfaces are appropriate to color on. You didn't cry...listened well. I then told you that when Daddy got home he and I would discuss an appropriate punishment for you. Here's where you got me...

Tears streamed out of your precious eyes. You looked up at me and said in the most serious voice, "Mama, I don't wanna go to the lion's den." I wasn't really listening...I made you repeat it.

I was thinking a little less serious than that, son. Maybe no cartoons...no treats... Maybe no more Bible stories for a little while?? Sweet Daniel, no lion's den for you no matter the severity of the crime.

Exile

We have been living in exile...first the lake, then the beach, then a trip to Birmingham. Some planned...some not. I say exile because all were a nice break from the window renovation going on at our house!

When the boys and I returned from the lake, Chris and I decided that it would be best if we got lost again due to the mess caused by the windows. So, Mom graciously offered to travel with me and the boys to the beach.

We had a great time. Mom was a big help in that she would stay in the condo with a napping William while I took the big boys to the pool. Chris and I generally argue over who gets that quiet time when we are on vacation, but knowing that wasn't an option, I really enjoyed my time at the pool and on the beach with Philip and Daniel.


They both loved the pool. Philip is swimming all over the place and Daniel loves floating on his noodle. We were able to stay down there for hours which was nice.


Philip loved playing on the beach. The waves had created a bit of a bluff and he loved sliding down those.

Daniel did not enjoy playing on the beach. He was very concerned about the oil. The sun reflecting off the sand also seems to bother his eyes. He would play for a short time, but it was then back to the pool.

Speaking of the oil, if you didn't know about the spill, I think you could have remained clueless. It was no where to be seen or smelt. I did come across quite a bit when the boys and I began digging deep tunnels, but other than that, it wasn't around.

Wednesday brought us home and we regrouped for our trip to Birmingham. On Saturday, we headed up for Mary Frances' baptism. We made a stop at Barcley's where she entertained us with rabbit hunts, balance beam walking, and fort building in her dining room!

Then it was dinner with the Trimms. So much fun to see them and their brood. The boys all had a blast playing with their toys!


Sunday morning we headed to Church of the Advent for Mary Frances' baptism. It was a beautiful service...very powerful to watch an almost five year old respond to those difficult questions in our baptism liturgy. She did great!!


We then headed to lunch at the Springfields. I didn't take too many pictures...too many little people to watch. I wish I had one of all the children there playing baseball in their church clothes!

A great weekend spent with great friends! To say we are tired is an understatement!!

Lake Livin'

The boys and I headed to Lake Martin earlier this week to have a girls' weekend. Yes, I realize that there were more boys than girls, but the point was for Caroline, Barcley, and I to have some time together to visit.

First, you must realize that I haven't traveled alone with children since Philip was 15 months old!! I missed having Chris load the car, drive the car, etc. I was a little anxious before leaving, but we had an uneventful drive both ways.

So, what did we do?? We swam...a lot!

We played in the sandbox.

We threw rocks.

We tried to feed the ducks...they weren't too interested.

We did the slip-n-slide.

We played out on the porch. You name it, we did it...puzzles, blocks, coloring, reading books, etc. I laughed to Chris that the Springfield's taught us how to play school. We taught them how to play hunting camp...including turning markers and blocks into guns. What good influences we are!

We went for a boat ride. William's first!

We fixed a lot of meals and washed a lot of dishes!

It was a great getaway for the boys and me. It was tons of fun for me to be with old friends and even more fun to see our friendships develop among the next generation.

I loved watching Mary Frances and Philip play together. Their imaginations were big and they seldom needed much from their mothers.

My other favorite part was spending the day in our bathing suits. In fact, I think I exchanged my bathing suit for pajamas and vice versa every day!

Very relaxing...very fun! Thanks Caroline for the invite. We had a blast!!

Happy Fourth of July

Here the boys before church on the fourth...


I relaxed the church dress code so that everyone could sport their red, white, and blue!

After church and naps (for some), the Weekleys joined us for a cookout. The boys loved having the Weekley girls join them in the pool!


We grilled hamburgers and sweet potatoes and had corn pudding...cheesecake with blueberries and strawberries for dessert.

No fireworks for us...they simply start too late for this crowd. We did have a fun day with good friends.


The rest of the weekend was good too. Chris and I took the big boys to see their first movie in the theater...Toy Story 3. They were so well behaved...didn't say a word through the whole thing. We treated them to pizza afterwards.

We are off on an adventure later this week. Can't wait to give a report!