Lacey's "Big Girl" Room

I've been trying for months basically to get Lacey's "big girl" room finished. It's done for the most part, I still have a few little things to do here and there but the majority of it is finally finished. On the back wall I painted three huge flowers...of course they took more time than I anticipated. Here are a few pictures of what it looks like.

A Girls' Day Out

Today has been another busy day for the girls as well as for me. This morning I took them to Jumping Jellybeans for a play date with friends from school. The girls had an absolute blast jumping, sliding and climbing on all the inflatables. I don't know who is more worn out - them or me?

Lela played with some of her friends from school - Katharine, Ruthie, Mackie, and Mckaley. And even a couple of Lacey's little friends were there too. She would run over to me every time she saw them and tell me "Mommy, that's my friend, " or "Mommy, there's Jack." It was so sweet. You could tell that she thought she was as big as Lela, since her friends were there.

After Jumping Jellybeans, we all headed to Chick-fil-a for more playing and lunch. I couldn't believe that after lunch on our way back home...yes...they fell asleep in the car. YEAH!!! That has not happen in a very long time. I wonder if all our days could be like today? Just a thought....

Our New Library

We made our first visit to the new library near our house today. We went with the intentions of signing the girls up for their Summer Reading Program they have each year. Last year, Lela participated and really enjoyed going and getting new books each week. This year Lacey is participating as well. I can remember as a kid going and doing the same that they are doing. I think that's why I'm such a big believer in the program and because reading is something I love to do (when I get the time.)

I let them each pick out three books a piece. And what an interesting assortment they chose. Lela picked out books on Tennis and Gymnastics whereas Lacey picked out books on the feet and something regarding water. Hum? (I'll let you know what we think.) Probably the most exciting thing was Lela got to get her very first library card. (I know I'm excited for her - it's just a mom thing, uh?)

I'm signing off now because I have to go read "I Love Gymnastics," I'll let you know what we think about it later......

Memorial Day

Today is Memorial Day and we didn't really have any exciting plans. Kevin went up to the Cumming office to work for part of the day. So, the girls and I took it easy. Our pool has been open for only three days and somehow the girls have been there two out of the three days. (Can we say obsessed?)It's not even June and all they can think about is going swimming. (Let's not burn ourselves out, now.)

I was hoping to plant some new pots for our front porch but when we went to the nursery, come to find out it was closed. Oh well, maybe tomorrow.

I have been working on a pillowcase dress for Lacey which I just finished today. I'm so excited about it! I will post a picture with her in it. It's pink with lime green ribbon for the straps. I am also planning on making her a red/black Georgia one. We are planning on taking the girls to their first Georgia football game in the fall for tailgating, so I'm hoping that Lacey will wear it. I'd like to think she would anyways.

For dinner tonight, I cooked ribs, BBQ green beans, corn and garlic bread. We even ate on the deck which is something of a treat for the girls. (There always seems to be to many distractions for their taste.) I even splurged and got us dessert - Key Lime Pie (one of our favorites - YUM!!)

Gigi's and Cookouts

I think the girls' first week of summer is starting off on the right foot. We're staying busy for the most part, which keeps us out of trouble. Last night they went to their Gigi's to spend the night and then this evening our pool opened, so we had a neighborhood cookout. They were so excited about going swimming. In fact neither one really ate because they "had to get in the pool." Lacey basically stayed in her float and rode around. Lela was jumping off the side of the pool to me or to her daddy. Last summer she took swimming lessons and was doing really good until she had to go in the deep end. From that moment on she has become somewhat scared. I am hoping that by the end of the summer we will make some progress and she won't be scared anymore. Maybe by going to the pool a lot she will overcome her fear.

I know everyone is just exhausted because it has been a busy day. In fact Kevin came in here earlier to tell me that while he was tucking Lela in, she told him that she needed to buckle her seat belt and say her nite nite prayers....how cute is that? Can we say we're just a little tired?

A Day With Daddy

Yesterday was a fun day for the girls - they got to spend the majority of it with daddy. They always seem to enjoy their time with him. I guess because he always seems to do things with them I wouldn't normally do. He took them both to the Center for Puppetry Arts with some of our friends and their daughters. (They saw Cinderella.) Lacey was so excited about it. She keep telling me how much she liked it and and how her baby got scared, etc. It was just so cute to see her expressions. I still can't believe that she is going to be three in August. Where has the time gone?

Afterwards I met them and we all had lunch at one my favorite places - The Silver Skillet (it's on 14th Street.)The girls got vegetables to eat. I did something I normally don't do is order dessert - Lemon Mergerine Pie. Yum!!! When we sat down the man in the booth next to us was eating corn. I actually thought Lacey would jump over the booth to get to it. She was having a fit for it. She kept telling us "I want corns" and pointing at the man. That man was probably thinking we never feed that child.

After lunch, we all went our separate ways. The girls went with daddy to work and out for yet another surprise (mini golf) while I went to teach Jazzercise for the evening. When everyone returned home they seemed pretty worn out. Lela informed me that Lacey just kept dropping the ball in the hole (which didn't surprise me at all.)Kevin told me to ask Lacey about her boo-boos she had on her knee and elbow. I asked and well she told me she was running and her daddy told her not to and she fell down. That's so Lacey - running, I have discovered that she doesn't know how to walk only run. :)

Plastic Grocery Bags, Crunchers and Monkey Munch

I am about totally exhausted at the moment. This morning I had a 9:30 class to teach with two girls in tow. They seemed to have a good time, playing with the other kids. As soon as class was over, they jumped on the stage to dance for whoever was left. Poor kids it's in their blood. Lacey cracks me up because whatever Lela is doing she tries and mimics it whether she can do it or not. After class we made a trip to pick up Lela's makeup and sewing supplies for her costume. Lacey decided that while we were crossing the street to the parking lot to stick her hand out like a police officer stopping traffic. I about cracked up laughing because she was serious about that car stopping.

We got home and to keep them occupied,we made their favorite snack - "Monkey Munch." "Monkey Munch" is basically a Chex cereal mix that we saw on Jon & Kate plus 8. They think it's so cool that we can have the same thing they have on the show. That kept them busy for a little bit and then it was on to "crunchers." The girls get my yard stick, brooms, umbrellas, etc. and pretend that they are crutches. They tell me that they are going to the doctor to have surgery and they have to have "crunchers" in order to walk. What vivid little imaginations. I'm just trying to figure out where in the world they heard about surgeries. I have a feeling it might be from me and "my show" - Grey's Anatomy.

Plastic grocery bags....have become a popular play toy these days. The girls will go into their rooms and put whatever they can find into plastic bags and tell me they have gone shopping. They then proceed to carry them around the house all day even wanting to sleep with them????The problem is there is no telling what I find in these bags. Just the other day I found Lacey's milk cup. Needless to say I just chucked it.

Here's the link for our "Monkey Munch" snack mix:
http://www.chex.com/Recipes/RecipeView.aspx?RecipeId=19919&CategoryId=342

First Day of Summer

Well, true to my word. We did not leave the house until it was time for us to go to Lela's dance class. What a great feeling!!! I truly can not believe that the girls are out for the summer. I'm still having a hard time accepting it. The girls have played well together today with only a few minor disagreements, so that has been pleasant not having to stop every few minutes to settle an argument. I'm still having to work with them on picking up before dragging out more stuff, but at least we are making some progress. Time will tell how the rest of the summer goes, let's keep our fingers crossed......

Lela's Graduation

Well, this morning Lela Kaye graduated from preschool. I can't believe that she is actually going to be in Kindergarten in the fall, where has the time gone? I can remember when we first started preschool when she was 2 years old. Now she is five and going to be in Kindergarten in the fall.

Wow! Talk about time flying.....

For their graduation, they did a little program with some singing and then afterwards their names were called and they got their diplomas. Daddy, Mommy, Lacey & Gigi were all in attendance for the big day. I will say that Lela is excited about being in Kindergarten because that is all she talks about.

I guess we now can say summer is officially here, I can only pray that I can keep them busy and happy.

Longest Week Ever

What day is it today? Talk about a long week, well this has to be it or at least feels that way. It's the girls last week of school and every single day we have had "stuff" to do. I have already prepared Lela that when Monday morning rolls around we are staying home until it's time for her dance class, so don't ask me what are we doing! Here is a look at our week:

• Monday: School - Lela , Dance - Lela (we're only 3 weeks from her recital she is a 4th of July girl)
• Tuesday: School - Lela & Lacey, Jazzercise - Mommy (I teach one class in the am), Doctor's Appt - Mommy, Lunch/play at Katharine & Lily's House - Mommy, Lela & Lacey, Vacation Bible School Mtg - Mommy (it's my 2nd year teaching VBS and I really enjoy it, I just found out that I'm teaching one of the Kindergarten class, which is always interesting)
• Wednesday: School - Lela, Bible Study - Mommy, Doctor's Appt - Lacey (this just came up), Lunch Bunch Party - Lela
• Thursday: School - Lela & Lacey, Jazzercise - Mommy (I teach two classes in the afternoon/evening)
• Friday: Graduation - Lela, Tennis - Lela (she just started this and really enjoys it a lot, the teacher has made the comment that she does really well to be only 5 years old)
• Saturday: Yoga - Mommy (this has become my Saturday morning ritual, I absolutely love it!!!), Birthday Party - Lela & Lacey
• Sunday: Church & Sunday School - Kevin, Julie, Lela & Lacey, Family Reunion - Kevin & Lacey, Birthday Party - Mommy & Lela

Now you can understand why I said it's been a long week!!!

Mother's Day

Well, today is Mother's Day and what an enjoyable day it has been for me. Lela has been gone most of the day (she went to the movies with her cousins) and Lacey pretty much kept herself entertained, standing at the door looking out the sidelights waiting for her sister to return. Since it has been so quiet it has been a good day to just relax and unwind. (We are all pretty tired due to the bad storms we experienced last night and the fact we had to get up early for church - I know for a fact our weather radio went off at least 3 or 4 times during the night.)

It's been a perfect Mother's Day - LOW KEY!! We got up, went to church and then out to lunch. The rest of the afternoon was spent at home just hanging out.

My two precious girls and dear husband got me a gift certificate to a local day spa - now I just need to figure out when I can go.....maybe, tomorrow?? Ha, ha, ha. Don't I wish????

Muffins With Mom

Well, it's finally Friday and only one week to go before the girls get out of school. Wow! Where did the school year go? Today Lela's class had "Muffins with Mom." I really enjoy going to it because it's always such a treat to see what they are doing. My favorite thing is every year the kids do a survey regarding their moms and I always enjoy seeing what is written. Here is Lela's survey regarding me:

- I know my mom loves me when.....she helps me.
- My mom Looks pretty when.....she wears her white dress. (I don't own a white dress except my wedding dress?)
- My mom is happy when.....she smiles. (I guess if I'm not smiling then I'm not happy?)
- What makes my mom mad is.....when we make a mess. (BINGO!!! She hit the nail on the head!)
- My mom's favorite place to go....Target. (Correct, again. It's definitely one of the many. Daddy can vouch for this, just look in the checkbook.)
- Mom's favorite food.....spaghetti and macaroni! (OK????)
- If my mom could buy anything she would buy.....toys for us! (Yeah, right?)
- Her height....she is short/Daddy is tall.
- Weight.....32 lbs. (I will take that.)
And my all time favorite........
- Age.....26 years old. (Good Girl!!!!)

Late Night

Boy am I tired this morning, we had a late night. Last night around 12:30am Lela woke up with a stomach bug. I wish I could say that I was not expecting it but Lacey had one two days ago, so I was hoping that it had moved on.....oh, how wrong I was. Poor thing, I feel so sorry for her because she wants so badly to go to school. Today is her last day of gymnastics and this is her last time as snack person/line leader in her class. You know these are the important things in life at 5 years old? So, today will probably be a long day. I'm just hoping that I don't get it now.

Losing My Mind

Tuesday, May 6
I think I have lost my mind. I have decided to try and start a blog. I had tried this before but as life would have it I wasn't sure what the heck I was doing, so I just forgot it. With summer fast approaching I thought I might step up to the plate again and see if I could figure this out. It can't be that hard, at one point in my life I did design web pages. We'll, see how this works and hopefully it will be a breeze. Keep checking back.....