One Lucky Mama

So far every morning since school let out, THIS is what I wake up to: And that's at 9am, mind you.

(now before you start hating on me, I'll have you know that as soon as I make my appearance, its pure crazy havoc, with a million questions and "Mom! Look at this!". They could at least make me coffee;)

Good Bye Second Grade!

Anyone else as ready as we are for Summer vacation?

I am good as long as I don't think about the fall and starting 3rd Grade.

Let the good times roll!

(it could stand to get a little bit warmer too, we want the beach)

A Picnic in the Park

Summer's class picnic was Thursday. They were walking from the school to the park.
But I drove the little kids there so we had some time to play before the hoards of kids arrived.

You know how many times they were confused as twins? At least 3...

Teagen spotted this robin and decided she would get as close as she could to it.

She got closer than I had expected.

And then the kids arrived.

Lots and Lots of kids. They were so excited and CRAZY.

But it was really sweet. Summer instantly went to Grady and Teagen. With all her friends there, she still chose to play with her brother and sister. And a couple of her friends joined in and played like baby sitters.

Summer and her current "bestie". This is the girl that has instigated all the dragon lovin going on here.

The teachers just all stepped back and let the wildness happen. They brought some fun stuff like the bubbles and balls, hula hoops, hockey stuff and more, but it was very much a do whatever you feel like kinda day.

Summer's was so tired and her legs so sore when she got home. All that kid does is run.

Grady tries to run:)

I do love a smile that is just a reaction to extreme joy.

Its the best.

Snack break.

I was amazed at how many little boys showed interest in Grady. This guy gave him a Frisbee lesson(umm, thanks) and others showed him some basketball tricks. One boy in Summer's class even started calling him "Grady-Dog" (again, Thanks) and Grady called him Nate-Dog. Cute.

We left at lunch. Pizza was coming for the school kids and I didn't need my small people begging. They were so tired anyway. Plus, Summer will not let go of her "mother hen" tendencies unless Teagen and Grady are not around. She needs time to be a kid on her own with her friends.

But this look says it all.

Love her.

I love a good challenge

Well, it at least motivates me to create:)
This sketch was provided by the Kenner Road Blog as a challenge last week. The DT there is amazing, so I played along too.

First this one of Summer Jaye:

And then this one of Grady that I did Friday night with Jodi. She was very productive. Me? Not so much...

I have a hard time not following sketches to a "T". They are meant to be a starting point, apparently this is the best I can do with that. Which is fine with me. Every time I do something creative, I learn a bit more.

Now today? I have an urge to do some reorganizing in the studio. Wish me luck...

The Great Sunflower Experiment of 2009

I wish I could tell you how many seed have been planted. I would guess that there were at least 14 packets of different varieties. LOTS of sunflowers. The girls just love them. Jason has had a lot of fun with the girls and the prepping and planting of them all.
The only problem is the lack of SUN on our property. We have had a few grow nicely, but this was going to be a huge undertaking.

Last year we started them way too early and it was still to cold when it was time to plant. And sunflowers cannot grow in a container too well.

This year Jason did some research and hopefully our house will be surrounded with by golden blooms come August.

If all goes well, I am thinking people will come to Lakeside just to drive past the crazy sunflower house.

I will not hold my breath, nor does my street need that kind of traffic.

There are lots planted here...

A few smallish ones here...

and here...

And some big daddies here, our best sunny spot!

and a few more tiny ones here...

And as in the past, right after planting, the squirrel armies swarmed and dug half of em up. Off to the depot for repellent. Things look better now. I went and checked things this morning and there are tiny sprouts all over the place!

What did we plant? Well I still have a few packets laying around. I'll share...

What the..?

ACK!

Sheesh, I can't do anything around here without someone getting in the way!

Well, I tried.

Wish us luck!

Keeping busy

With last week being a rainy loser of a week, Teagen was really into stretching her creative muscles. I was pretty occupied with getting some things together for a yard sale, so I set Tea up in my studio with some fun stuff... Fashion Plates! The barbie version. I loved fashion plates as a little girl.

I love that Teagen can hold a crayon properly at 4 years old. Especially without daycare or any schooling yet. Summer didn't catch onto that until she was 5. Teagen has amazing fine motor skills:)

It kept her busy for 2 hours while Grady napped and I gathered toys and baby stuff for the sale.

Love that kind of entertainment:)

I adore these kind of days...

You the ones where there is something you want to and nothing you have to do. Yeah that was pretty much our entire weekend. I enjoy it, because much of our summer is not going to be that way.
Today, the parade down the street...
our favorite spot.
And my favorite for photos.

I always have to wear sunglasses to this parade because without fail my eyes water at the sight of the Vets and marching bands. I mean the Big Reds are some serious talent, and I never was much of a band girl. Considering the size of our community, it really is a nice parade and a great chance to catch up with neighbors after the horrendous winter.

Grady's second balloon. He had such a fit after the 1st one flew off, that some sweet lady crossed the street just to give him a new one.

And speaking of balloons, Teagen wouldn't take one either time it was offered to her. The thought of losing it was more than she could bear and just decided it wasn't worth it. This simple act really just sums Teagen up. A very cautious girl I've got here.

I find myself really wishing that school just ran from Labor Day to Memorial Day. It seems wrong that Summer has to go back tomorrow.

Just two more weeks, I supose we'll live:)