40th Birthday Party

This past Saturday we went to the lake for  Carmel's best friend's 40th birthday party. We had such a wonderful time. I could definitely see myself living on a lake. It was so beautiful and peaceful. 

As soon as we got there, the first thing the kids did was put on their bathing suit and jump in.

Addi was so cute. She said she was fishing for catfish. When she lifted up her pole she had no hook or bait. Let's just say we weren't  having any catfish for dinner.

Since he was turning 40 and they say you are over the hill at that age( I wouldn't know what that is like because  I am still way to young to understand!). I decided to give him some things I thought he would need.............

A Touch of Gray hair color

Metamucil

Old age pills

If you know of anyone who is turning 40 and need an idea, this is a good one.

I put this together by taking an old bottle and placing a new sticker over the old one. You can put anything that resembles pills( M&Ms, TicTacs, etc). You know those huge Whoppers Robin Eggs that come out at Easter time. That is what I put in his bottle. On the front I wrote: Take 1 twice a day. If to big to swallow insert in the ??????? and let dissolve. I also added every side effect you can imagine on it.

I can't believe we were the only ones who brought him something useful for old age. HE IS GOING TO NEED IT! (from what I hear!)

We also added Visine for  poor eyes, Zantac for all the stuff he can no longer digest properly, Bengay for the aches and pains.......  just from walking, ThermaCare for his neck from watching all the people pass him on the road.

He is so lucky to have friends like us that care so much about his health and wanting him prepared for the beginnings of body shutdown.

Happy 40th Scott!

My Mother's Day

I hope everyone had a wonderful Mother's Day yesterday! Here is how mine went:

*We got dressed, went to church, late, heard half of the lesson.....more positive outlook: What I heard was wonderful!

*Spent 2 1/2 hours at Outback for lunch, forgot the free coupon for an appetizer, that particular restaurant was not giving out the free gift cards ......more positive outlook: We were with friends and the kids were not complaining too much.

*Spent 1 1/2 hours in the car traveling back home listening to loud children.....positive outlook: I managed to block out the screaming and catch a cat nap.

*Arrived home, unpacked, missed church, cleaned......positive outlook: I had ice cream for supper.

*The kids did not get into bed until after 10:00......positive outlook: My hubby gave me the night off from my wifely duties( part of my present).

God has blessed me with a wonderful Christian husband and 3 amazing kids. Since I was with them, I would have to say I had another wonderful Mother's Day!

The only thing that would have made it better was to spend it with my mom.

A few pictures from our lunch at Outback.

Ella and Addi were playing Old Maid while we waited.

This is Carmel's best friend from college ...Scott. 

I joke around and say if  Carmel ever fell off the wagon this is who he would run too.

Remember folks.... we had time to kill. They were trying to get close enough for the picture to look like they were kissing. Did not accomplish that one. 

Ella and Addi eating Scott's birthday ice cream. They gobbled it up! Scott did not even get a chance to taste it.

Our Family

Would have been a great picture if Griffin was looking and Laney was smiling.

Scott's family minus Ella of course.

Homeschool field day

We are members of CGCHE( Central Georgia Christian Home Educators). Anything you think your child may miss out on by not attending school they cover. Yesterday, we had field day. It was stinkin HOT!!!!!!! That did not stop us from having a great time.

3 four year olds trying to figure out what there sign says. The one with the blond piggy tails said, "It says Zoe(her name)". The one with the white shirt said, "It says purple and white." Ella said, "Okay everyone be quiet. I know what it says."  and then silence. The sign said, "God's Team" and had the age group. They were so cute even if they did not know what they were talking about.

I helped out with the younger kids. They had 10 events they could do at their own pace. They received a prize once they completed them all. Ella gave me a thumbs up. I am not sure if it was due to the fact that she finished or the prize in her hand.

Laney's age competed and won ribbons.

Half way through the day one of the girls left so Ella had to step in and fill her spot. 

Ella was so excited when she got a ribbon. You've got to love the age when it does not matter what color the ribbon is as long as they have one.

A few of the other highlights of the day....

a clown

a fire truck

a nice picnic lunch overlooking the pond. What a great way to end the day!

Last day of Co-Op and presentation night

Yesterday, we had our last day of Co-Op. We have had such a wonderful time these past 9 weeks. This was my first time teaching and I loved it! The kids in my class were so sweet and adorable. They made those early 9:00 mornings worth it. For our last day we read Pizza Party. It explains how to make a pizza. Then, of course, we had to make pizza. While we waited on our pizzas to cook, we made chef's hats and practiced our song for the performance that night.

We finished up just in time to enjoy the fruits of our labor.

That night we came back for our end of the 9 weeks dinner and presentation.

I presented the class with their diplomas...a cookbook filled with  all of the recipes from the class.

Ella showed off her headpiece  she made in the pioneers and indians class. She also told everyone her indian name she picked out....singer.

Laney read a poem from her poetry class.

Laney also took a math class and art. We chose those because they were 2 areas she needed help. She amazed me in her art class. Laney has never been the type to work on something for too long. She was always ready to move onto something else after about 5 minutes including fun art/crafts. I was hoping that she would find a love for art or I should say the time for art. I think we accomplished that with this class. She was so proud of all the pieces she created and so was I! I will have to share what she did in another post.....once I find them! YIKES I know! I am pretty sure they are in Carmel's car which is not here at the moment.

We were sad to see Co-Op end!

Atlanta Zoo

We went yesterday to the Atlanta Zoo with our homeschool group. We have never been before so my reviews are it is not huge but it is definitely one of the prettiest zoos I have been to. The weather was beautiful. The smell...... not so great at times.

We were having a great time until towards the end when we lost Ella. It still amazes me how one minute we were watching the otters and the next minute she was gone. We were moving on from the otters to the naked mole rats when I had to get Laney from playing in the bamboo trees. A friend was walking ahead and Ella was following her. There were trees dividing the walkway. It took just  a split second for me to walk a few steps one way and I guess Ella did not see me so she walks the other side of the path.I thought she was still following my friend  to the next exhibit.  I have to tell you by this time of the day there was hardly anyone there. A majority of the schools had left. Once I got Laney and walked around to the rats. I did not see Ella. I asked my friend if Ella was playing on the playground. She tells me she did not see Ella. I have not panicked yet because I  suspected she was on the playground. NOPE! I rush back to the otters... no Ella. By this time I am starting to worry. One of the zoo workers ask me if everything is okay. I proceed to tell him about Ella. He calls it in and so the hunt for a 4 year old girl begins. Within a matter of minutes we get the sigh of relief call. She had walked all the way back to the lion exhibit. When we got to her, she was not hysterical or even crying. I picked her up and poured on the kisses and hugs. Once she has room to breath, she tells me, "Mom I was looking all over for you." Ella had walked until she saw a child she recognized from the playground. The mother said, " Ella walked up to her little girl and said hey, I can't find my mother." Most kids would have been crying at this point. Not my strong willed independent Ella. Ella then tells me, " Mom, you need to get one of those bears that goes on your back that has a rope on it." We all start cracking up! Maybe instead of the bear I should go with Carmel's suggestion of a shock collar. JK!

On to the more enjoyable parts of our day....

Half way through our day we rode the train and then the carousel.

A little later we met up with Carmel.........

Just kidding!

and finally, the place where we called it a day.

.

We will have more exciting adventures to share later this week which will include......

last day of Co-Op and presentation (Boohoo!)

field day

Hopefully, we will not loose anyone before then.