Swim, cupcakes, swim

We have had a busy week. I feel like it has been just go, go, go. It has been fun, nonetheless!
After my little accident Tuesday, we did make it to the zoo on Wednesday for story time and a little while in the splash pad, and even made time for the alligators. I then found another barber shop since we didn't make it to see Mr. Kelly when we were back in Alabama! After that we drove by a playground and splash pad someone at the barber shop told us about - I think it is going to be somewhere we visit later this summer!

I also wanted to get a map so we could visualize where Daddy goes on his trips, so we found a little teacher's store here where we snagged that along with some handwriting paper! We have had a sentence each day since then that the kids have had to write! Major really didn't want to do it the first day, but after he finished he said "I KNEW I could do it!" That made me proud!

Thursday we went to MOPS and then to Wal-Mart, home to unload, and back to swim lessons. Ella Grace & Major had a substitute teacher that day. She was nice, but I don't think she held their attention like the other girl typically does.

Ella Grace jumped before I could snap!
I caught Major, though. Teacher looks a little scared! ha!
I invited Amy and little Caitlyn over to ice cupcakes and play. After not getting to spend much time together last week at the park, I thought we could try something inside. Ella Grace had borrowed a book from the library called "Cupcakes", which included a recipe in the back. She was begging me to make it, and I thought it would be a fun play date! The kids had a great time.

Major loved the blue icing!


Ella Grace was so diligent in getting the icing just right!
Caitlyn did a great job, too.

After Caitlyn and Mrs. Amy left, I was successful in getting the attachment on the air compressor. I had tried so hard to get the pool blown up before they got there, but darn, I wasn't made to use big tools! So, after a little help, I got it up and filled. The kids had a blast playing in the pool until time to eat supper!


Today we attended a little "festibul" nearby. There were several different vendors and services available in the community set-up, story time, face painting, balloon animals, etc. I didn't realize how much stuff I would collect - pamphlets, coloring pages, balloon animals (2), crayons, bubbles, balloons, stickers, etc. Luckily, someone offered me a bag and I didn't let that pass me by!

I came home with Butterfly and Batman...

and they liked to swimming & playing in the sprinker in my backyard.

Silly kids, silly hats

I am a little behind on these, but they are still worth sharing.

Ella Grace & Major love watching Sprout. Nina & Star get me sometimes, though. They like to do crafts at bedtime and if we are watching, well, Ella Grace is running around collecting items so she can make the craft with them.

On Tuesday (4/18), we just happened to be watching at that "right time". I was washing the dishes, so Jeremy assisted in making the silly hats.



And these are from the last session of lessons for April.



Here, Ella Grace is swimming underwater and Major is climbing on the wall.

What is a Friday evening without some fun in the backyard? After the recycling bins were dry after we rinsed them, the kids decided to play with them.

Or maybe I should say play in them! So funny!

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!

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!"