Ahhh! This blog is on vacation!!

I'll tell you all about it when I get home!!

Freakout Friday! Brownies, Ringpops, and wadding pools!

Well, I'm at that point in the packing where I can't do anything else until my sweet Loverbrains comes home from work....so I thought I'd do a final blog before vacation. Today was the last day of VBS...and yes, I'm tired but if I lie down now I'll just have to get back up...cuz the Sweet Boobahs will be up soon!

Anyhew, at VBS they told Emma that she had brownies in her bag...so she lugged it out to the van...We sang songs all the way home. We got home and I asked what she wanted for lunch...she hugged the bag and said, "I wants my brownies!" Ohhh...

...oops....yup...they are like these but in a bag!
Ha ha ha! She was one majorly annoyed three year old! She did get a ring pop though....ooooooo...and so that helped! She gets it as soon as she gets up from her nap! It'll be a sticky mess but....they get baths tonight anyhew!

They love the wading pool! I'm happy...it doesn't take up my whole yard...I use the leftover icky water to water my plants....win win win!

Isn't she the fairest little princess? She loves this suit with the two little skirts. They float in the water!! Oooooo!

Lubby loves not having a diaper on... We'll be starting potty training when we get home from vacation I think. He is very interested... He fills these jugs with water and carts them all about the yard watering plants. Such a helpful little dude!

I've got a lot of relaxing planned in the next few weeks...phew...and I'm excited! Don't miss me too much sweet pigeons! I'll be back soon...

Tube Tuesday- You Don't Bring Me Flowers!

EXTREME, Man!

Our church is having VBS this week. As you can see, the theme is Polar Extremes. This always cracks me up in the major heat of summer! Before AC I'm sure this was really really funny! The church looks awesome. The foyer is decked out to look like a ski lodge...The puppet stage is an igloo...and the one side wall has sheets stretched across to look like ski slopes with little people skiing, etc. The Plunging Purple Penguins and The Blazing Blue Blizzards are giddily earning points with verses, visitors, bibles, etc.

Technically, my kids are too little for VBS...but because I'm a helper in 2-3 grades...they get to go! Emmy loves the puppets! She made a little caribou today...She only colored his nostrils...go figure? The little man was zonked after playing in the nursery...he was barely keeping his eyes open when we got home! It's going to be an EXTREMELY long week!

AND...

...to prove why I'm EXTREMELY CRAZY....

...we're headed out on vacation Saturday morning for two weeks. We'd like to be on the road by 3 AM...so all laundry, cleaning, packing, etc. must be done in the evenings.

But God is good...and I was pleased to see this VBS runs super smoothly...phew! Hopefully, God will show Himself EXTREMELY in the lives of these kids and teachers. The theme couldn't be more appropriate....

...ALL of me, ALL-out for God!

Father's Day Lovin'

Here are the cards the kids made for all the Father's in our family! My sweet girl diligently made every tie to order for each special guy! Papa's is extra special...cuz he wears bow ties!

We also included a special hug card...

It says,"We love you this much...hug kisses!"

Happy Father's Day!

Uncle CJ stops in for a visit!

My Uncle CJ stopped in for a visit yesterday afternoon. He and his family live in GA...and he's only in town for a convention. Thankfully, he made a bit of time to stop in a say hello! It was a business trip...and he had to "put out minor fires" on his phone. The kids didn't seem to mind on bit! He's always been great with kids. I remember many good times as a little girl with my Uncle CJ! My Mom has some cute pics of us hanging out together when I was little.

It occurred to me after he left that he is actually their GREAT Uncle...hehehe... Of course, now my brother will be asking, "Wait, aren't all uncles great?" HA! He was about 13 when my parents got married...so I'm guessing there's like 14 years between us...that is similar to the split between my Emmy and her Uncle Dave.

Great Uncle CJ taught her how to thumb wrestle. This is very cool...and we've been doing it ever since. She tries to get her brother to do it...but he just laughs at her and runs! She screeches, "I want your thumb...I want your thumb!"

He also sang several choruses of "Oh, I wish I was a little...." with the kids. I wish I'd gotten a pic of Sweet Boy's face...cuz he loved it! For those not familiar....

"Oh, I wish I was a little speedy car.

Oh, I wish I was a little speedy car.

I'd go speedy, speedy, speedy...over everybody's feeties.

Oh, I wish I was a little speedy car."

There are many verses...Oh, I wish I was a little bar of soap (my favorite)...a little can of coke...etc.

The final verse is,

"Oh, I wish I was a little radio.

Oh, I wish I was a little radio...

I'd go CLICK."

I have a feeling it will soon be my favorite verse!

I'm glad he stopped by. He had a business dinner at St. Elmo's...with big steaks! Woohoo! We told him he was welcome to stay...we were having sloppy joe calzone's...hahaha! He couldn't stay...but I'm sure glad he stopped by!

Tube Tuesday---Change my Heart...a lullaby...

This is one of the songs I've been singing to Sweet Boy as a lullaby. I sang it at summer camp as a teenager...a very powerful song in my life! It's interesting that it still chokes me up as I sing it to my sweet son...and desire his salvation and heart change in Christ. Thought you might enjoy hearing it too!

Peaceful Summer Evenings...

I was enjoying the peace of our evening the other night...and thought to grab my camera to share it with ya'll. Loverbrains and I were drinking our evening coffee and reading.

The kids were playing with a freebie deck of cards I got at the library. Yet another summer reading prize out does itself. Sweet Boy was counting his cards. Yes, he actually counts...to about four...and then it's just the counting sound/rhythm. Very cute!

Curious Georgette was amazing me with her matching skills...she does quite well until she gets to the end of her cards and decides she needs her brother's cards to finish off the matching.

I was thinking what an intense joy it will be to me when they can read! There are worlds to share...like Narnia and Avonlea. There are mysteries...like Nancy Drew, Hardy Boys, and the Boxcar children. We enjoy reading now...and some she almost has memorized...Dr. Suess, etc. ...but it will be so neat to see them delve into books personally! I can't wait...but I will...and in the meantime I'll gladly model my love for it...and will read book after book after book to them!

The Friday Fairy!

Ohhh! Isn't she the cutest thing??? We've been really jumping into the summer reading program at the library...and she got to pick her free book for her first 20 hrs. She picked a Barbie Princess Fairytopia book (personally....eww yuck) and has been pouring over it all day. She picked the wand as a free gift too. She scrambled through her jumbled mess of a room and got her dress, her wings, and voila...she is a blue fairy...or so she says! She says that her sweet brother is the dragon! He just smiles at her and yells, "ROAR!" Good times ya'll, good times!

Just for Fun Friday!

26. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH? Football
27. HAIR COLOR? chemically enhanced blond
28. EYE COLOR? blue
29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? yes
30. FAVORITE FOOD? Just one? Um...Steak, Chinese food, authentic Mexican, fresh tomatoes.
31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? Happy endings
32. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
33. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? yellow
34. SUMMER OR WINTER? Fall
35. HUGS OR KISSES? Yes, please!
36. FAVORITE DESSERT? Pecan Pie
37. STRENGTH TRAINING OR CARDIO? Yoga
38. COMPUTER OR TELEVISION? Both
39. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW? The Janissary Tree
40. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? Bright polka dots
42. FAVORITE SOUND? silence....ahhhhh...sigh
43. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? Beatles
44. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME? Spain, England, Scotland, Germany...which is farthest from US?
45. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT? I sing pretty well...
46. WHERE WERE YOU BORN? Wisconsin
47. WHERE ARE YOU LIVING NOW? Indiana
48. WHAT COLOR IS YOUR HOUSE? Gray with white shutters and red doors.
49. WHAT COLOR IS YOUR CAR? Maroon and Gray
50. DO YOU LIKE ANSWERING 50 QUESTIONS? Why would I have answered them all if I didn't? Ooooo...a question with a question...

Wordless Wednesday....Reading Time!

She's a winner...oh, oh, oh...she's a winner...

I tried to get into the giveaway circuit...and let me tell you it's a full time job. I was easily discouraged...until recently.
I won my very first giveaway ever about a month ago...and thought that'd probably be it for my lifetime. I'm just not lucky...and I've decided I have better things to do than go around to a badillion sites, telling people how awesome they are or adding them to my already busy twitter, blog, etc.

Then, I won this Bipron over at Infarrantly Creative. What makes it really exciting is that I actually know Beckie...in real life ya'll! She even brought me a bunch and let me pick which one I liked best! How cool is that! Obviously, I'm going to be making another so that they don't have to share...cuz sharing is not my sweet boobah's strong suit. In fact, while trying to take this picture...he was trying to rip it off of her for his turn! HA HA HA!
Then, wonder of wonders, I won an adorable vintage dish from Like Mother, Like Daughter. I really enjoy this blog...the pictures of her home make me wish I could step into them and come for a visit! Seeing as that's actually in MA, it is highly unlikely...but a girl can dream, right?

I filled it with Hershey's kisses and put it by the TV! Amazingly, my kids don't like them...so the hubs and I are free to have them in the open. Oh, the joy!

Leila did send some wonderful Andes baking crumbles for the top. The package sat on my porch for a bit...and they were sort of melty. Don't worry...my Loverbrains is a total mint lover and they are NOT going to waste. About half the bag is already gone! HE he he!

I'm a true sucker for a well packaged package too. She used lots of bubble wrap and tissue paper...and a vintage piece of fabric and ribbon. She even included a little handmade graphy notebook...with a hand written note! Look for the fabric in a coming project...just to let you know...I already have ideas!

So, thank you thank you...many many times over. It has made my week a bit brighter. I have to say that I'm so pleased to have won from blogs that I actually follow regularly...rather than those $$$ giveaways...where I don't know the crazy people anyway. Seriously, I'm curious where they get this stuff. I guess, most of it is donations but Sheesh! I did put a comment in for a laptop the other day. How cool would that be?....but I bet they won't wrap it in pretty fabric or let me pick my own!!

MomE Moments...WHY?

My sweet girl is seriously into WHY? I know, it is probably the question that has plagued mothers for generations.

WHY is it so irritating?

Well, maybe because it is so persistent and continuous and whiny.

Yes, but WHY?

Well, it is likely that they continue asking in the hopes of obtaining an answer they find more pleasing.

But, but WHY?

Well, because they're three...and curious, and bright...and no ones' dummy. Yes, and mischievous...Maybe they even like seeing if your eyes will bug out...and your face turns red...

Why am I having such a MomE Moment on this point?

Okay, don't get me wrong...I know there comes a time where the answer is...

"because I told you so, that's why."

..but I'm trying to survive this summer without undo amounts of angry outbursts.

I did ask for these children...and they are my reward...a gift from God.

I don't want to just be exasperated...and give no answers at all except the demand of obedience. I'm going to attempt to have it both ways...to answer and require obedience. It will take more time...and definitely more patience but...well, I prayed for it and God gave me children! HA HA HA!

Just for Fun Friday!

1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? Nope, I'm just me!
2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED? This morning
3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? Yes
4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? liverwurst
5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS? 2
6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON, WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? Uh, Yes
7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT? Are you kidding? Nope...never...HA!
8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? Yes
9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? No... not unless I was pushed! And of course, I'd hope I was connected to a bungee securely if that ever happened.
10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? granola (homemade)
11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? No...and I should cuz it wears the shoes out and you have to untie them before you can get them back on...argh!
12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? No
13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM? Coffee
14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE? body language
15. RED OR PINK? red
16. WHAT IS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? My anger
17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? My hubs when he's at work...and it's the end of the day...
18. WHAT IS THE PAUL MCKENNA TECHNIQUE THAT YOU NEED TO WORK ON THE MOST? who?
19. WHAT COLOR SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? purple and aqua flip flops
20. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE? almond joy snack bar
21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? Nothing...ahhhhh, the sweet peace of naptime!
22. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? This is weird...I hate it when they ask these in interviews. I don't know...blue...cuz it's my favorite color.
23. FAVORITE SMELLS? Fresh brewed coffee, hot cinnamon buns, Happy perfume
24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? Krystal regarding strawberry picking
25. MOUNTAIN HIDEAWAY OR BEACH HOUSE? Mountain hideaway

There are 25 more...to be continued next Friday!

Surprise...Mother's Day Reveal...

If you are here in the middle of last JUNE...I sure hope you are NOT Grandma W or D, Nana or Grams...okay?...or you just spoiled your surprise...







Here are our lovely "handy" cards...
And our homemade paper seed flowers. I got the idea here. It was really fun. I'm planting all the scraps...to see if it works. HA!

TT- Bojangles and Temple on stairs

One of my favorites!!

Monday aMusing...

Emma was telling her Grandpa Denny that her favorite animal at the zoo is the zebra. When asked what color it was...she was sort of stumped. Here she is visiting them last Friday!

When we got home she said to me, "MomE, we had fun seeings the animals today. I likes the zebras. They're black and white. *whisper* And their bottoms is pink." HA HA HA!

As you are reading this I'm on my way to visit my folks with the kids. Its a long trip and I'd sure appreciate your prayers of safety and sanity!