What I'm Loving!

I am thankful for a visit "back home". If only for a few days, how nice it is to see everyone!

I am certainly loving my kids - they were awesome little travelers with me on Monday; such troopers, indeed!

I'm loving our new house, our new city, and the friends we have made so far!

And I'm lovin' Major's comment yesterday:
Shortly after lunch, I overhear him tell Pop "I'm ready for lunch." to be reminded that, uh-hmm, we've already had lunch little guy!

Eggs, hunts and swim

April 14 swim lessons - the kids were splashing, swimming and really enjoying the class.
Major is kicking hard to reach Ms. Debbie!


Face is underwater!

On Friday, April 15 the kids & I joined the MOPS group for an egg hunt and picnic lunch at a local park/campground. There were lots of kids and it was lots of fun!

What's an egg hunt if you can't ride on a dinosaur?


Or climb a rock wall?
Lining up for the 5 year old egg hunt...


Major lining up for the 3 year old hunt...

Major collected more eggs than he was allotted. I had to break the news to him that he had to return some of them. Rather than trying to re-distribute them across the area, he and Ella Grace took the liberty of just dumping them out in one spot. Oh, well!


Afterward, they had to cool off and enjoy some candy!


On April 18, the kids & I boiled our eggs, got the dye tablets out and put on large shirts over our clothes. It was time we dyed our Easter eggs!

Major was quick about it - in/out and done!

Ella Grace took her time. She was only on her 2nd or 3rd egg when Major finished his 6th!

I love these two!

a quiet little week so far

So far our week has been (slow, maybe)?

We took the kiddos to a UCF baseball game Friday evening...
it was strange root, root, rootin' for a different home team...(and they didn't win, and it was a shame!)

it was smaller than The Joe, too.

Saturday we worked around the house, hanging up pictures and stuff. For dinner we ate out.

Check out my boys!

Do you know where the little one get his sillyness from? What about the big one? ha!
Sunday we tried a different church. Ella Grace didn't want to go in her class (I guess she was missing Mrs. Sandi); Major almost always does fine! We enjoyed our Sunday School class. During worship, though, I started missing Mrs. Sandi and all of our friends at CHBC; and there was no lip gloss getting that morning to stop the tears from flowing. It was a hard service for me.

We had a little playdate this morning with the little girl a few houses down. Tonight we plan to go back to the church the kids and I have been attending. Sunday we will probably try another church.

Five on Friday

• Let me start this one by saying how much I LOVE my husband and how proud I am of him! We've had a cRaZy past 8 months or so and we have made it through! And he finished his first "real" week on the job!!

• I LOVE my new "family room" furniture. It was just delivered yesterday. And I'm thankful for my new neighbors that were available to let them in while I was at swim lessons with the kids!

• AND I love my new dining room table/chairs. I had torn the picture out of a magazine, probably a year ago or so, marched into a store and they had it!! Now, we have it! ha!

• Major and Ella Grace were both SUPER at swim yesterday. Ella Grace said Major started to cry once, but she reminded him he could get some bubble gum if he didn't, so he cleaned his face up real quick-like!

I think this was "the talk".

• I am SO looking forward to a weekend at "home" with my little family. We may go do something fun tonight, and hopefully get a few things done around the new house tomorrow.

And here is your Friday BONUS!!

I asked Ella Grace Tuesday evening what she wanted to wear to Kindergarten registration. She said "Maybe a cute dress." This is what she picked out and wore. We had to get up super early. She rode her bicycle to school and Major and I walked. We were the first there and she was SO excited!

Swim lessons and such

Tuesday was our first swim lesson. I had NO idea how the kids would do. After Ella Grace rocked the swim test and we had to take Major back for a second "contest", it could either go smooth as a milkshake or a little rocky like days without naps...

Major had an allergy appointment Tuesday morning- that went well, re-check in 6 months.

UPS store to ship some things. Check.

Major had a haircut - almost didn't work out, and I think we will be trying someone new next time. It wasn't the high-and-tight I was used to.

Then,...

It was a no-nap kind of swim lesson.




They were both so excited.

Stepping in the pool.




This was the proudest I was during the lesson. The kids were each choosing a diving ring. Ella Grace picked the faded red one, and this little girl just started crying because she wanted that one instead of the yellow one. Ella Grace didn't hesitate and handed over her ring. This Mamma was beaming!




Major cried the entire 30-minute session. "Ma-ma! I want my Ma-ma!" Poor child.

Poor teacher!




Yesterday afternoon Major was trying to shuffle cards like me. He cracked me up when he said:

"I just heard it like Mama does it. That was ah-some!"

My boyfriend's back!

And you're gonna be in trouble...

(at least that's what I have been telling Ella Grace & Major! :) )

He's been gone for such a long time...

(he has graduated)

Now he's back, and things'll be fine...

(have you ever seen such a "who-ge" smile on a grown man's face!)

(we took Granddaddy & Grandmother to the beach and to eat some seafood!)

(baby girl wasn't really excited last night when we told her Daddy had to go to work today. after she realized he should be back home tonight, she was okay with it.)

(and he had to have his picture made on his "first-day" right?)

(Granddaddy, Ella Grace and Major had to wave bye this morning.)

Shortly thereafter, Grandmother & Granddaddy started their journey home. They should be home in three or four more hours. The weather is supposed to get rough this evening. Please pray for safety as they travel!