we're on VACATION

Greetings from the great state of Tennessee!

We are on vacation and taking lots of great pictures. When we get back I'll be sure to post them.

First we headed over the Smoky Mountains and into Pigeon Forge. We spent a day at Dollywood and then did some shopping on our way across TN to Nashville. Yesterday we walked around downtown and took a horse and buggy ride. Today G'ma & G'pa are checking out the Country Music Hall of Fame while the rest of us are going to take a dip in the pool and then head out to explore more of Nashville.

Hope everyone is having a great Memorial Day weekend.

Camera Happy

Grandpa Michael and Grandma Jan bought a dozen donuts from Dunkin' Donuts and the kids enjoyed one for breakfast this morning. Tyler asked for a "bagel" with white sugar on it. (My poor kids are so deprived that they have no idea what a donut is. Until now! Thanks alot G'pa & G'ma.)

the "bagel" was thoroughly enjoyed

This afternoon we had Lea come over to play....and snack.

Then they all had a pony party underneath the kitchen table.

(have I mentioned that Tyler needs some more little BOY friends...to do BOY stuff with?!)

It was CRAZY down there.

After awhile the missed nap/quiet time started to get to Lauren. She became snappy to Lea and also to me. At one point Lea took a toy spoon Lauren was playing with. I told Lauren to just get another one. She stomped off to get another spoon and on her way back she told me… “You just don’t know what life means, Mommy.”

[seriously?! already?!!]

After Lea went home the kids re-grouped and watched an episode of Word World (Lauren's latest fave.)

Tyler made sure to keep Grandma Jan's booster seat warm for her.

Dinner tonight was Pork Chops with Fresh Herb Vinaigrette, sauteed zucchini and mashed potatoes. The pork chops w/ vinaigrette were DELISH and only 5 WW points per serving.
(I tried a "food" setting on the camera and chose a yellowish tint. I'll keep working on it.

After dinner I vaccuumed the carpet and also cleaned the hard floor. Since I have a totally cool new camera I took a picture of my vaccuum cleaners...deep down I know y'all were dying to see them.

this is the one that will sweep up, wash and dry my hard wood floors.

While I vaccuumed and mopped, Matt bathed the kids and then took them outside to play...and to take more pictures.

hey batter batter

where'd the ball go?

he even let them play in my car. I'll try to go somewhere tomorrow and will have to spend 15 min. readjusting all the settings, seats and mirrors after the kids have had their way with them. Oh well.

And finally...check out how cool my camera is. I took a picture of some carrot sticks I peeled and cut up and then I actually wrote Carrot Stixx onto the screen of my camera. How cool is that?!

Matt thinks we should form a band called Carrot Stixx and use this photo as our album cover.

Great News

I'll say it again... GREAT NEWS!

Grandma Jan and Grandpa Michael felt oh-so-sorry for me and my poor-excuse-for-a-camera situation and bought Matt and I A Brand New Camera for our birthdays. They made me promise not to drop it in the toilet or at all for that matter. It's a Nikon Coolpix S230. It's small and simple enough that I'll be able to truly understand and appreciate it.

The battery charged today so tomorrow I'll be taking my first pictures. I can't wait.

Today Grandpa Michael took some great video of Matt jumping his new race car OVER his '92 Honda Civic. If that's not the raddest of the RAD then I don't know what is. Hopefully I'll be able to upload it to the blog tomorrow.

No pictures tonight...just a bunch of Great News.

Recital Pictures and a Plea for a New Camera

Before I get to Lauren's recital hair-do pictures and the blurry pics of her in her dress, I'll catch you up on the sleep-over details.

Lauren made it all night at Emma's sleepover birthday party. I slept with the phone waiting for the call saying my baby just needed her Mama and couldn't stay away any longer. Of course, that didn't happen. In fact I had to DRAG Lauren home at 10am the next morning.

The girls had a blast and word-has-it didn't get to bed until 10:30 at night. Lauren was a trooper the next day though and had a great performance at her first dance recital.

It was requested that all the girls pull their hair back into tight buns. This is as tight and pulled back as I can get Lauren's hair.

Cute eh?

Now check out the cute pic below...

The only way it could be any cuter would be if I Had A Decent CAMERA!!!!!!

Lea and Lauren aka Shirley Temple Dolls up on stage (pre-show.)

The recital was so much fun. Lauren was in one of the opening acts as a "dolly" for the older students. Her, Lea and another dancemate sat as still as they could while the older students danced around them. They were all wonderful Dollys. Lauren yawned once and also wiped her nose (that's my girl!) with the skirt of her dress. Both endearing acts drew some laughter with the audience.

I guess she was encouraged by the crowd's response because when it was her and her class's turn to do their dances (both tap and ballet) she went to town on the facial expressions while performing her moves. This also drew much laughter from the audience. I can't wait to get the video of the recital which I purchased. I know Matt will enjoy it too since the poor guy wasn't able to make it to the recital. He had to work yet another graveyard shift at the mill in Jesup.

After Lauren was done with her tap and ballet dances she came back out to the audience to watch the rest of the recital. I need to give both of my kiddos praise because they behaved and also Enjoyed themselves while watching the rest of the Very Well Choreographed recital. I was very impressed at the talent this studio displayed. I have memories of my own ballet recitals and this was just so much more elaborate and unique and professional and I could go on....

To reward their behavior we went to dinner at La Hacienda with Lea and her parents (Mr. Frederick & Ms Maria.) We promised the kids ice-cream at the recital so of course we had to deliver. Lauren and Tyler both chose strawberry ice-cream.

and they ate it down to the last drop

After the ice-cream was finished and the bowls were licked clean we headed off to the airport to pick up Grandma Jan and Grandpa Michael. They had a 2 hour delay due to some silly engine trouble but finally made it safe and sound into the Hartsfield-Jackson Airport in Atlanta.

It was a LOOOOOONG day for everyone.

Today, Sunday, was also a busy day. Matt FINALLY came home from the mill in Jesup, although, a bit dirty and extremely tired. We also got to meet and hang out with Grandpa Michael's grand-daughter Samantha and her husband Zack. Zack and Samantha previously lived in Columbus, Ohio but have since relocated to (near) the ARMY base in Columbus, Georgia. Go figure, eh? (...get it? Columbus, OH and Columbus, GA? ...COLUMBUS?! [wink])

And to close here is a picture of G'ma Jan and G'pa Michael and the kiddos all snuggling on the love seat....despite the fact that the other full size sofa was completely unoccupied except for ME. (so how do I rate?! ...but that's a potential blog topic all in itself....j/k)

So let me have it...

If you think the picture above is Ridiculously Blurry... then please complain and complain often. I will let my husband know that it is crucial we buy a new (and functioning) camera!!

You Picked a Fine Time to Leave Me...

Man, do I love Kenny Rogers. Can you believe that the best song he ever recorded was back in 1977...the year I was born. He is so RAD. My Dad would let (make) us listen to his cassette tape on every single family vacation drive from Springfield, Oregon to Disneyland, California. (pretty much every year.) Good times!!

But anyway...this past week got me thinking about Kenny's best song. I would, however, change the title a bit to: "You Picked a Fine Time to Leave Me, Mr. Matt."

Not to make Mr. Matt feel bad because honestly I LOVE the fact that he works and that he works hard enough to let me stay home and do what I feel I need to do for my children. But occasionally there comes a week in which I feel a tad bit stressed... as if everything is going on at the same time and I have no time to do anything. Ya know? Well this week was one of those weeks.

It started with a demand from Matt's "wonderful and supportive boss" (wait, does he really read this blog?!!) to immediately make his way to Jesup, GA to finish some projects at the mill. Of course this was A Very Busy Week for the family.

Wednesday was Lauren's End of the School Year Party. It was a party/Art Show and was a lot of fun. The children were so proud of their art work and they took much joy in explaining, describing and bragging about the artwork they've created over the year.

Since this was an "Art Show" us parents brought some sophisticated snacks to enjoy during the party. I brought cheese cubes and crackers.

Tag-a-long Tyler also joined the party. Here he is "smiling" for the camera. Check out Lauren's red sneakers. She wore these everyday for the past 2 months...regardless of what outfit and shade of pink she wore.

Here's a class photo. Lauren is the 2nd blond from the left (in the back row.) You can see just one of her pig tails. Travis is immediately in front of her.

She had such a good day at school that she made a "Happy Plate" for dinner that night. She was so proud she demanded a picture.

Tyler didn't make a "Happy Plate" but he wanted his picture taken anyway. He sure enjoyed his milk though.

And speaking of food...we also had some the next night.

Pinto Bean and PepperJack Burritos (from my new Weight Watchers Cookbook,) Corn on the Cobb and Grapes.

They sure loved the corn on the cobb.

Friday was Lauren's last day of Pre-School. I actually teared up when I dropped her off and also when I picked her up. This was her last day at First Baptist Church. In the Fall (actually Summer...since they start the first of August) she will be in Kindergarten at Cannongate Elementary. At least Tyler will still be at First Baptist...as a 3 yr. old Pre-Schooler for 2 days a week.

Here's Lauren's last day of school outfit...which she chose herself. =)

They can only stand next to each other...and be still...for only so long. Here, we get real.

After school Lauren had her dress rehearsal for her dance class. She is a Shirley Temple Doll. She is just as cute and almost as talented as the original Shirley Temple. (the funkiness of the picture is due to my rotten old camera.)

After her dazzling performance at the rehearsal we hurried home and packed Lauren's overnight bag. She was invited to neighbor Emma's 6th Birthday Sleep-Over Party. She was a bit nervous (totally in tears) at first but Mr. Buddy and Ms. Dana made her feel at home and encouraged her to play with Emma and the other friends at the party. It's after 10pm now and I haven't received a call so I'm assuming that all is going well and she will indeed last the entire sleepover.

With Lauren and Matt out of the house for the night (remember, Matt is still in Jesup doing important pulp and paper shizz,) Tyler and I popped some popcorn, opened some caffeine free sodas and made our way to the basement to watch "The Bee Movie." We've had this movie for awhile but we haven't watched it until tonight. It was pretty funny. My favorite line was when Barry's (Jerry Seinfeld's) mom yelled out, "I hope she's Bee-ish!" (I'm sure all y'all who've seen this movie agree.)While watching the movie Tyler munched on his popcorn, snuggled with his blankie and occasionally took sips of his diet Seven-Up and then my diet Ginger Ale.

After the popcorn and soda were finished Tyler laid down in his sleeping bag to finish the movie. Movie's and Popcorn just don't taste as well if you don't have a sleeping bag to snuggle down in.

Matt called me tonight and told me he is working the graveyard shift at the mill and he will make his way home when he is finished. So he may or may not make it in time for Lauren's dance recital Saturday afternoon. I hope he does because it's awfully cute but I'd rather him drive home safely...especially after working all night long.

Two Birthdays and a lot of Pictures

We sure enjoyed our time with Grammy here. She's been gone for only one day now and the house is so much quieter. The kids are definitely missing their one on one time with Grammy.

But let's reminisce...

Tyler and Grammy built the best castles and Scooby Doo houses you've ever seen.

Matt took advantage of Grammy helping out to watch the kids and he changed the blades on the lawn mower. Take note on how we change them blades down south.... (paint buckets and tie-downs connected to the ceiling to hold up the lawn mower)

It's up and running now...time to mow down some kids. Run Lauren, Run!

Tyler got out there to help too.

For my birthday we went to Frank's Family Restaurant (a total dive) to celebrate. Lauren was so nice to mention to our server that "it's my mommy's birthday and she is 32 today." Gotta love that girl. I did get a special turnover dessert out of it though.

Mommy and Tyler

Daddy and Lauren

Mom and I

Tyler and Matt

Back home we opened my presents.

gift card to Nike Town (at Phipp's Plaza...I can't wait to go.)

Thanks Kevin and Mili!
Grammy gave me a tennis bracelet and Matt gave me the Garmin Forerunner 305. I'm so excited!! I can now wear a bracelet to look absolutely fabulous or wear a watch and run your socks off!! Best Birthday Ever!!

Lauren and I try to figure out my Forerunner.

Oh and there was Birthday Cake.. Weight Watchers recipe of course. One slice was only 4 points and it was DELISH too!

The next day we got our play on...

and our dance on. Lauren and Lea pose for a picture in between rehearsals for the up-and-coming recital.

Matt decided to start his birthday celebration early and bought himself a new toy to celebrate his 36th year of life.

Here they are putting the race car together.

You can't even begin to imagine the fun this race car will inspire. Within 5 minutes of Matt playing with it outside, we had many, many neighborhood boys over wanting to watch and ultimately drive it.

(I have no idea who's sneakers these are.)

Lauren was right there ready to re-fuel since the race car guzzles more gas than my SUV.

In between fill-ups, Lauren and I lounged in our spectator chairs.

When the race car got too close Lauren would run for safety behind the bush out front.

occasionally the race car needed maintenance

is it Tyler's turn to drive it yet?

To take advantage of Grammy...Matt and I left the kiddos with her one night and went to a concert in Peachtree City. This was an open mike night where anyone and everyone gets to audition and ultimately gets a chance to sing. It was a lot of fun...and...I wore a dress.

Hence the picture ...yes, it's a dress.

here we are at the concert

(care of our old camera that just doesn't work quite right...notice the ghostly faces?!)

On Matt's actual birthday (the 11th of May) we went to dinner at the Gridiron Grill in downtown Newnan. We went after Lauren and Lea's dance class. Lea got to join us for the birthday festivities.

I love how we positioned them to flank the Jack Daniel's wall display.

Honestly...they are drinking chocolate milk!

We had fun at dinner and I think my Mom enjoyed walking around downtown Newnan and taking in some good ole' Southern history. We passed by an old confederate hospital during our walk to the restaurant.
Back at home Matt opened up all of his gifts. He received a couple of Home Depot gift cards, a new electric razor, a new preppy outfit (that I really liked) and $5 worth of gifts from each of the kids courtesy of the Dollar Store. This was the best!He received a set of whiffle balls, 2 watches, poker cards, 2 air fresheners for the car, a Strawberry Shortcake puzzle, some antiacid (TUMS,) cotton candy, and 2 other gifts that I can't think of right now.

And now to close... Let's talk about sleeping arrangements. Grammy made Lauren a new valance for her new big girl bedroom set. We put it up and had the kids model it on Lauren's bed.

doesn't it look GREAT?!

since Lauren had been sleeping in Grammy's bed during her visit, Tyler realized that Lauren's bed was unoccupied and so he decided he would like to sleep in her bed.

of course, I said O.K.! Ahhhh, how cute?!

goodnight Lauren!

And Goodnight to You All.