LEARN BABIES, LEARN

Look at these studious little boys!

Aren't they just precious in their bestest

school attire?!

They look like they are studying so hard, but not always. Some days I want to pull my hair out and theirs too.

But then I think, I would have to fix it . . . and I don't. I just think of how it will be when I'm old and grayer . . . they will have to take care of me and buy me things and take me to dinner and clean my bottom . . . and I laugh!!! Pay back is . . . hello!

READY . . . SET . . . HIKE!

Football!

After getting the father out of the decision process and letting Jarett make up his own mind, Jarett picked football over fall scoocer.

After making sure a million times, he was NOT going to get HIT, Kyle decided he would play football.

And although it is flag football, the boys are having a good, safe time. Kyle has even said he would like to play again. Getting that boy to want to play anything is a task. Hope he sticks with it.

Jarett will play any sport and is doing gymnastics now 3 days a week, 2 1/2 hours per day. He is talking about being an athlete when he grows up. He will still have to go to college, but okay. His mother can live with that.

Snaggle Tooth Baby

Jarett finally loss a tooth naturally!! He got the joy of playing
with the tooth until it was loss and then we pulled it out.

The Tooth Fairy came and left $5. And know what, he didn't even offer to pay for lunch. What is up with that?

Doesn't he make a beautiful snaggle tooth?

Chuck E Cheese After Testing

We went to Chuck E. Cheese
after our end of year test on
5/5. (I've figured out how to
get these pictures online.)

Don't they look stress free?

We had a great day out and
about! We had lunch at the
Sushi restaurant and went
to the mall, and then, CEC.

What a Good Day.

Golf Tournament

Way to go Kyle!!

Kyle had his golf tournament today. He received a trophy for participation and won the trophy for "Most Improved". He was so surprised and excited.

There was a cookout after the tournament and the award ceremony. Jarett ate cake. He wants to play golf, but he has to get better at listening, and has to become more trustworthy to be left alone with other people.

Mother's Day With Meema

The boys and I went to Meema's and had Mother's Day with her on Thursday night. Meema picked the Chinese restaurant for dinner. So, Meema, Peepa, Uncle KC, Aunt Beth, Uncle John and Kyle, Jarett and I went out and had dinner. What a nice time.

Then, back to Meema's and gave her, her present. She got 'shoe' money and other odds and ends to help her read her bible and mark passages.

After a long day that started with Kyle golfing, Jarett and I running errands and then driving 2 1/2 hours, and all the other festivities, I passed out!!!! But of course, not sleeping in your own bed is not as restful as you would hope.

Today started off with the boys and I, taking a walk on the river walk with Peepa. As we walked along, Peepa spotted a red belly water moccasin with a small fish in it's mouth. The boys were enthralled. Thank God it was off to the side below the river walk. It slithered out of the water and watched us watch him. After we walked away for a while and returned, it had eaten the fish and began to slither back to the water's edge. We continued our walk and when returned again, the boys had to watch the snake for another 30 minutes, or so, before we could leave. It was a pleasant outing. The boys enjoyed the adventure and time to walk and run before getting back into the car to head home.

This was Jarett's first trip with his new booster seat. His Mother, finally purchased him the booster seat without the back that allows him to use the seat belt. He really likes his new seat. The thing I don't like about it is when they nap and their head lays against the side of the car. I pray that I never had to slam on brakes, because it would choke them. But the other seat was starting to hurt his hips and he would complain on long trips. I'm going to have to remember to bring a pillow when we travel. Email me if anyone has any tips about the problem.


I wish I could post pictures with this post, but I forgot my camera at home. Sorry. (figured out to download from my cell)

Now, I'm off to bed and then work all weekend. I will have Mother's Day with the boys on Monday. Last year it worked out well and I look forward to it again this year. I did get a Mother's Day present from Aunt Beth last night. It was a pretty spoon rest. I came home today and washed it and used it while cooking dinner. Thanks Aunt Beth!! Love You.

I wish all you Mothers a . . .

VERY HAPPY, SPECIAL MOTHER'S DAY!
GOD BLESS YOU EVERY ONE.

Testing Out Of The Way . . . Love WJ

We completed our Woodcock-Johnston testing on Tuesday. Loved the process. The boys enjoyed to testing style. When the lady told us there would be no bubbling in . . . Kyle shouted . . ."Thank God". It took only 2 hours. He left the test feeling really good about it and without any stress. That was the greatest joy of all.

Jarett did really well for his first test. He tested third/fourth grade in about 1/2 the areas. Every thing else was right on target. I was really worried and had no clue where he would be. So, I'm thrilled.

We are still going to continue with schooling. Kinda thinking about year round school. There are subjects I want to focus on those the summer.

Shhhhhhhhhhhhh! Don't tell the boys.

Green Grass + Red Go-Kart = Ruts!

With all the rain we have had, the

yard is nice and green . . . .

then, here comes Jarett. Can't

make him understand that a nice

steady acceleration would not put ruts in the yard so bad.

I know he's doing it on purpose!

Farmer Jarett, Lady Chicken

I walk out the back

door and see this.

Good Lord, help this

boy!!

Zoo Trip

We went to the zoo!

It was suppose to be cool,

but was 91 degrees! But we had fun

with the our Friends.
Jarett rides a beetle with
it's pooh.

It was a fun, exhausting
trip!

Another 2nd Thursday

Today I used my 2 hours differently.

1st, I went to a furniture store and walked around looking for, hopefully soon, new furniture. I never made eye contact with the sales person and explained I wanted to look.

2nd, I went to lunch by myself. I went to our sushi restaurant and had lunch. I have not had a restaurant meal by myself in a very long time. It was quite and I was upset when the lunch crowd started coming in and sitting at tables near me. I had thought that maybe I was being selfish, going to lunch by myself, but they were having Easter party lunch and I overcame that feeling.

Then I went to pick up the boys and felt the 'LOVE' again. I actually had a moment to miss them - a little.

I think that this was the last day this school season, so my 2 hours alone are over. I can't wait until Sept. :0)

Well, I did sign Jarett up for summer camp 3 days a week. That will be 4 hours, 3 times a week soon!!! :) :) :) Now I just have to find one for Kyle.

Aunt Lydia Update

Thanks for prayers . . .

Aunt Lydia came out of surgery sore but okay. Dr's took lots of lymph nodes and sent to pathology. Jill states looks good. She got into a room late last night and will be coming home today.

Jarett Strikes Again!

Jarett has a Dr's appt today. I told him to take a bath. He had already been outside and in the chicken pen this morning.

I don't know how those of you with boys decide if yours are clean, but I smell my boys. Ha! Ha! Yes, I smell their hair, hands and stomachs. (that enough to know)

Well, I told Jarett again to take a bath.

He calls back, "I DID!"

I never heard the water, usually Jarett fills the tub with a lake three times and had bubbles to the ceiling. So, he had to present himself for the 'smelling'. His hair smelled like shampoo, his stomach was neutral, so I said, "lift your arms". Jarett gives me this funny look.

So, I stood, gave him a stare and said, "Jarett, you had a 'hit and miss' bath, didn't you?"

Jarett puts his arms down and walks away saying, "they are not going to look at or smell my pits!"

God Help Us!!

Aunt Lydia

Aunt Lydia is having a thyroidectomy today at Duke. She was diagnosed with thyroid cancer and it has scared me. I stopped taking my medicine (RN, bad patient!), but will be making Dr appt.

Please keep Aunt Lydia in your prayers.

Thanks!!

Uncle John is Another Year Older Today

The boys and I just left . . .

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

. . . messages for UNCLE JOHN.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO UNCLE JOHN!!!

Salmon Hash

The boys and I have a new recipe to share. We call it Salmon Hash.

Saute . . .
-chopped garlic
-chopped red onion
-chopped fresh spinach
-chopped carrot
. . . in olive oil

Open canned salmon and drain. (enough for equal amount veggies/salmon)
Add Tones salmon and seafood seasoning to taste.

When veggies sauteed, add flaked canned salmon and heat.
Prepare couscous as directed. Serve hash over couscous.

Kyle said that God would enjoy our salmon hash!

Do I Really Need That . . . . . . .?

Over the past few months, I have made some unusual purchases. I ventured to Ebay and won three bids for buttons. My thought was to use them in projects. Do you think I have any projects lined up? NO! But now I have a large pickle jar of buttons.

Today, the boys and I drove to Union County and purchased an incubator from 4H. Well, you know we have those chickens and guineas, and we don't need more. But it was a good deal and now we are set to hatch eggs. Kyle thinks that this will be a GREAT science project. Wonder if I want to add a little health class in there? . . . . . . NO!

Jarett Is So FUNNY!

The boys and I went to visit Meema and Peepa.

When we travel, Jarett has two jobs.
1st, he has to watch for gas prices.
2nd, he has to watch for speed limits.

Driving along, Jarett says, "$1.96!"
So, I tell him that we're looking for $1.90 or less.
Jarett then said, "Mom, you know you have to pay Uncle George!" (in that duh kinda way)
I asked, "who is Uncle George?"
Jarett seriously states, "You know . . . . taxes!"

Dinner Out With the Moms

I organized a dinner out with a few home school moms/friends last night. It was so nice. We had wonderful company and great conversation. We shared sadness and joy, worries and triumphs. One mom said a heart lifting prayer and we laughed, drank (non alcoholic, of course), ate and were merry. What fun.

Next month, we are going bowling. Some of us did gather for a bowling birthday party this past week. I will download pictures later.

Jarett, Santa, the Easter Bunny and . . . the TURKEY?

Jarett wanted to see the Easter Bunny yesterday at the mall. I told Jarett to go ahead and sit with him but I wasn't going to buy a picture. Well, Jarett insisted that we buy a picture. His argument was that he had a picture with Santa and needed a picture with the Easter Bunny.

At this point, Kyle had walked ahead and left the Bunny area. I called him back and told him to get in the picture. He falls apart and pitifully said, "MOM, I am too old to have my picture taken with the EASTER BUNNY!! Please don't make me, I'll be embarrassed".

So, Jarett had his picture taken with the Easter Bunny.

This morning we were talking about Jarett's argument of having a picture with Santa and now the Easter Bunny. So, Jarett says, "at Thanksgiving I'm going to have my picture taken with the Turkey!"

Of course, I can't stop laughing and asked, "with the Turkey?"

"Yes, I'll have a picture with Santa, the Easter Bunny and the Turkey."

You know me, I then ask, "are you taking this picture before or after we cook the turkey?"

Jarett yells, "BEFORE!"

So, don't be surprised if you see a picture of Jarett and a raw Turkey around Thanksgiving.