Good Monday morning... and Hello, Summer!
OOPS! OOPS! OOPS!
I accidentally posted Wednesday's Seasonal Tradition today (Monday). I should have posted a Party/Event! What can I say? I made a teeny, tiny mistake. So, look for a Party/Event Wednesday, and we'll call it even!
No one has to be anywhere today. Well, except for Josh and some friends who are going to see Up this evening. No homework. No projects. No deadlines. No dance rehearsals. No football practices. No last minute graduation "things" to deal with. I don't think I've ever liked a Monday this much in my whole, entire life.
Roxie's Dance Recital went off without a hitch. She said, and I wholeheartedly agreed, it was the most "relaxed" recital we have ever been a part of. Costume changes went smoothly... hair-do changes went smoothly... she danced GREAT! All in all, a very enjoyable event... unlike years past when the word "BUN" paralyzed me with fear.
(REMINDER: I am a "boy mom" blessed with a girl. The hair thing has always been a challenge for me. Putting hair into any kind of "different" hairstyle in two minutes or less with people screaming "Seniors On Stage," and Roxie screaming, "I'm going to miss my dance," is enough to put any "boy mom" over the edge.)
Fortunately, all three hair changes were fairly simple, and other than applying a few bobby pins here and there, Roxie did her hair by herself. My main objective it seemed during this recital was to supply her with Pepsi and chips (her favorite food), and sip on a Pina Colada Banana Smoothie they were selling upstairs in the concession area. (I'm assuming it had no alcohol because kids were buying them left and right. I didn't think to ask until after the recital, and by then it was too late. NOTE: Perhaps another reason I was so relaxed... Hmmm.)
I do have a few of things to share with you today.
1. Click on "I'm Just Telling My Story" under my Blog List. Monique has posted a Rave Motion Picture list of their free movies for the summer. I was going to post it this coming Thursday, but you'll miss one of the movies if you wait for my post. Same movies, just different locations for people who live on the Vestavia/Hoover side of town.
2. If you want to see New York City through the eyes of a family who live on a ranch out west, click on "Confessions of a Pioneer Woman." I am living vicariously through Ree, her husband and her two girls as they see the sights in that great city. She's been posting once or twice a day for the past week, and it is very, very good. (I've never been to New York City.)
3. My good blog friend, Jennifer, left a comment a couple of posts back with two websites. I'll share them with you now in case you didn't see the comment. You can check every few days on http://blog.al.com/bargain-mom/ for some different inexpensive or free things to do with your family this summer. (For example, this past weekend a few of the activities listed were Pepper Place Saturday Market, "Cool" Life of Reptiles and Amphibians at Oak Mountain State Park and the 26th Sunrise Community Hot Air Balloon Race in Tuscaloosa.) Each event has specific details (time, place, price, etc.) listed, as well as the description of the event.
You can also go to www.basspro.com and click on Bass Pro Shop Family Summer Camp for info regarding FREE Casting Pond, Workshops, Laser Shooting Gallery, S'mores Cookout, Shooting Range, etc. They have the Summer Camp every Saturday and Sunday from noon until 6:00 p.m. (May 30 through July 5). You can specifically click on any of the activities mentioned above for more details. (Mikie and Roxie will be taking advantage of this one. Next to Rue 21, Bass Pro Shop is her favorite store right now.)
4. If you are a scrapbooker, do NOT forget to go to www.peachycheap.com every morning. They have the most amazing deals on scrapbook products. (So far, always 70% or more off the original price.) It is always $4.99 for shipping. I've ordered one thing so far. I received it in less than a week. I paid $3.99 for three different packages of chipboard diecuts (a total of 127 different designs), plus the $4.99 shipping, and still saved over 60%. It's a good thing, as Miss Martha would say.
Austin finally picked the destination of his Senior Trip. He's going to Washington, D.C. Or San Antonio, Texas. No... It's definitely Washington. Or maybe explore the whole State of Tennessee. (We should have just told him where he was going!) Wherever he goes, he's leaving June 26. We gave him the choice of picking anyone he wanted to go with him, and he picked his Dad. (I didn't even have to put the idea into his head.) It will be a very special trip for both of them. They'll be gone a week, and I hope they make memories to last a life time. I also hope Washington, San Antonio or the State of Tennessee survive the two of them.
CONTEST, CONTEST, CONTEST!!!
Now, I'd like to pose a question. Keep in mind, I receive several comments a day at my e-mail address listed above, so if you only spot one or two comments in the Comment Section below, do not feel sorry for me. I'm chatting away with several people through that source of contact. Now, here is the question...
What does a typical summer week consist of in your household?
This week, I'll be posting "A Typical Week in the Life of the Faulkner Five During the Summer!"
We have no church services on Sunday nights during the summer. Pastor Kevin encourages us to spend time with our family... which I try to make sure we do! So last night we camped out in our den watching a movie for Faulkner Family Movie Night. We watched Sahara (which was already showing on TV last night anyway, so I didn't have to rent anything. After the movie, Mike and I retired to our bedroom for much needed SLEEP, and the kids stayed up watching TV (America's Funniest Home Videos. etc.), and reading in their rooms until very, very late... just because they CAN! And then they slept in this morning.
I know I'm only on #157 of my posts, and I was going to wait until post #200, but I feel summer deserves a contest. You have ALL week to answer the question posed above. I will randomly pick a winner Friday, June 5 at midnight and post it Saturday morning.
There are only two rules. You have to post your answer to the question in the Comment Section or E-Mail me. If you tell me in the hallway at church, it doesn't count. Not because I'm mean, but because I won't remember. It's that bad, folks. I have to have it in writing!
Tonya won the "100th Post Contest," and she'll tell you I promptly delivered her gift card to her husband. The prize for this contest is a little different. I will give you a $10 gift card from your favorite movie rental store. (I know, I know. That's approximately 2 1/2 movies. But, it's better than nothin'!) If you live out of state, I will send you a $10 VISA card to be used at your local movie rental store.
Summer Memory Book
Starting at the beginning of summer (TODAY would be a good day), record dates of special outings, family activities, unusual events, etc. Paste or tape into the notebook ticket stubs, programs, place cards or other souvenirs that fit.
Record the height and weight of each member of the family (except for Mom).
At the end of the season, look back on the activities of the summer and enjoy the memories you have created. Do this each summer and you and your family will enjoy looking through these memory books during the cold, winter months.
Taken from Let's Make a Memory.
NOTE: This does NOT have to be a scrapbook. It can be a plain hard-covered notebook. You can even have each family member write in the back of the notebook their favorite summer activity (or they can draw a picture if they cannot write yet). If you have a child who wants to be in charge of the notebook (like a 12 year-old girl), turn it over to them. Don't make it complicated. Make it FUN!
Have a wonderful, lazy Monday. Tune in tomorrow for a cool summer recipe. (Mikie loves this one.)
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Weekend Happenings
Good Friday morning!
NOTE TO JENNIFER: Thanks for the websites. I'll check them out in detail this weekend, and I'll post them next Thursday under Weekend Family Fun. I appreciate your prayers!
NOTE TO MELANEY: Roxie and I would love to see one of the free movies with you and the girls. There are several we haven't seen yet... plus, we usually don't mind seeing them twice! We'll check the schedule the first of next week, and see which ones we're all interested in!
Graduation was amazing. Austin did such a good job with his commencement address. I was so proud. The reception afterward in our Fellowship Hall was fun, and we had 19 family members attend the graduation and/or reception. It was a sweet time of fellowship and celebration. The Gallery is FULL of pictures from the reception. (All pictures taken during the graduation ceremony were taken with the "good" camera.) It all seems very surreal. I'm sure it hasn't hit me yet. I'll probably get the full effect closer to August when he prepares to leave for college. But that's another subject for another day on another post. Tonight... WE PARTY!
The Showcase Pic is of Josh conversing with some horses at The Wildhorse Saloon... our last activity before we left Nashville. I've also put the last of our Nashville pictures in the Gallery. We finished our City Adventure by eating a late lunch at The Wildhorse Saloon, owned and operated by Reba McEntire. On Sunday afternoons, it is strictly a family place. Mike and Roxie took line dancing lessons on the huge dance floor while we waited for our meal of ribs, sandwiches and some of the best French fries I've ever had. The Saloon is in a three-story warehouse and each floor offers a view of a big stage below. They host concerts there on weekends, too. After lunch, we went to the third floor and played pool and darts for about an hour before calling it quits and heading home.
All in all, the kids declared this our best City Adventure to date. My favorite part of our City Adventures is we can still go back and do an entirely different set of activities in each city (Atlanta, Memphis and Nashville). We didn't even touch the surface. (NOTE: Our main goal was to go to the Grand Ol' Opry, but as the date got closer and closer, there were not any performers we all wanted to pay the money to see. Our next trip to Nashville will probably revolve around dates that feature entertainers we want to hear.)
Our Weekend Happenings are mentioned toward the end of the post today. I just like to keep you on your toes, you know!
TV REVIEW
Jon & Kate - This was quite possibly the most depressing show I've ever seen. The picture of both of them sitting on the couch saying, "I'm here for the kids," but not saying anything about being there for each other or the marriage was heartbreaking. I'm praying they can save their marriage and their family. Roxie doesn't really want to watch it again. It was just too sad. I haven't made up my mind. If I think things are working toward getting better, I'll probably keep up my Monday night ritual. If things stay as tense as they were Monday, I'll probably let this show go.
Book
This is quite possibly the book that started it all for me and my way of thinking. It is 15 Minute Family Traditions & Memories by Emilie Barnes. While I have read many books on family traditions and how to make memories with your children, this was the first, and thus, the most memorable to me.
I want to share a little of the foreword with you. It is called Measure Your Moments... Treasure Your Memories.
"As we live in this hectic world that says, 'Faster, faster, you must go faster,' our souls cry out, 'Slower, slower, I must go slower.' What a conflict between what we hear and what we want to do!
"In Romans 12:2, Paul writes, 'Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is -- his good, pleasing and perfect will.'
"When we take time in our hurried lives to create memories through the things we do, we are in essence saying, 'Lord, what is important for me and my family's life? Show me what is important for everyday living. How can I beat the system?'"
And let me tell you, guys... The system is hard to beat, and getting harder and harder every day. Between school and church and just ONE extracurricular activity per child, it is a daily struggle to carve out the time we so desperately NEED with our family.
But it's worth the struggle. It's worth the fight to spend precious quantity AND quality time with these very important people in our lives... our family.
As I finish writing this, my oldest son just graduated from high school, and he will be starting college in a few weeks an hour and 15 minutes away. My mind is going a million miles an hour. Am I going to make him come home EVERY weekend? Am I going to insist he be a Mama's Boy and call me three times a day? Am I going to smother him? No... even though I want to very much. But am I going to think, think, think and pray, pray, pray and work harder than I've ever worked before on thinking of new ways for us to stay connected as the The Fabulous Faulkner Five. Uh, yeah!
Our family is changing. It's not finished. Big difference. And while change is not something I've ever done very well, The Faulkner Five is definitely worth fighting for.
Back to the book. I lovingly recommend it. It is, and will always be, one of my most favorite books. Why? Because it has taught me so much, and confirmed what I think I already knew in my "heart of hearts." Having a family is an honor and a privilege and hard work and blood, sweat and tears... and so much more. I honestly think you'll enjoy having this book in your own library.
Well, I'm emotionally spent. Lucky for me there's nothing happening this weekend. WHAT? Roxie has a Dance Recital Saturday and dress rehearsal tonight? And three costume changes and three hair-do changes? And I have to buy body glitter and more film and more tapes for the video recorder?
Someone take a nap for me sometime this weekend, will you?
Take care, and I'll talk to you on Monday.
NOTE TO JENNIFER: Thanks for the websites. I'll check them out in detail this weekend, and I'll post them next Thursday under Weekend Family Fun. I appreciate your prayers!
NOTE TO MELANEY: Roxie and I would love to see one of the free movies with you and the girls. There are several we haven't seen yet... plus, we usually don't mind seeing them twice! We'll check the schedule the first of next week, and see which ones we're all interested in!
Graduation was amazing. Austin did such a good job with his commencement address. I was so proud. The reception afterward in our Fellowship Hall was fun, and we had 19 family members attend the graduation and/or reception. It was a sweet time of fellowship and celebration. The Gallery is FULL of pictures from the reception. (All pictures taken during the graduation ceremony were taken with the "good" camera.) It all seems very surreal. I'm sure it hasn't hit me yet. I'll probably get the full effect closer to August when he prepares to leave for college. But that's another subject for another day on another post. Tonight... WE PARTY!
The Showcase Pic is of Josh conversing with some horses at The Wildhorse Saloon... our last activity before we left Nashville. I've also put the last of our Nashville pictures in the Gallery. We finished our City Adventure by eating a late lunch at The Wildhorse Saloon, owned and operated by Reba McEntire. On Sunday afternoons, it is strictly a family place. Mike and Roxie took line dancing lessons on the huge dance floor while we waited for our meal of ribs, sandwiches and some of the best French fries I've ever had. The Saloon is in a three-story warehouse and each floor offers a view of a big stage below. They host concerts there on weekends, too. After lunch, we went to the third floor and played pool and darts for about an hour before calling it quits and heading home.
All in all, the kids declared this our best City Adventure to date. My favorite part of our City Adventures is we can still go back and do an entirely different set of activities in each city (Atlanta, Memphis and Nashville). We didn't even touch the surface. (NOTE: Our main goal was to go to the Grand Ol' Opry, but as the date got closer and closer, there were not any performers we all wanted to pay the money to see. Our next trip to Nashville will probably revolve around dates that feature entertainers we want to hear.)
Our Weekend Happenings are mentioned toward the end of the post today. I just like to keep you on your toes, you know!
TV REVIEW
Jon & Kate - This was quite possibly the most depressing show I've ever seen. The picture of both of them sitting on the couch saying, "I'm here for the kids," but not saying anything about being there for each other or the marriage was heartbreaking. I'm praying they can save their marriage and their family. Roxie doesn't really want to watch it again. It was just too sad. I haven't made up my mind. If I think things are working toward getting better, I'll probably keep up my Monday night ritual. If things stay as tense as they were Monday, I'll probably let this show go.
Book
This is quite possibly the book that started it all for me and my way of thinking. It is 15 Minute Family Traditions & Memories by Emilie Barnes. While I have read many books on family traditions and how to make memories with your children, this was the first, and thus, the most memorable to me.
I want to share a little of the foreword with you. It is called Measure Your Moments... Treasure Your Memories.
"As we live in this hectic world that says, 'Faster, faster, you must go faster,' our souls cry out, 'Slower, slower, I must go slower.' What a conflict between what we hear and what we want to do!
"In Romans 12:2, Paul writes, 'Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is -- his good, pleasing and perfect will.'
"When we take time in our hurried lives to create memories through the things we do, we are in essence saying, 'Lord, what is important for me and my family's life? Show me what is important for everyday living. How can I beat the system?'"
And let me tell you, guys... The system is hard to beat, and getting harder and harder every day. Between school and church and just ONE extracurricular activity per child, it is a daily struggle to carve out the time we so desperately NEED with our family.
But it's worth the struggle. It's worth the fight to spend precious quantity AND quality time with these very important people in our lives... our family.
As I finish writing this, my oldest son just graduated from high school, and he will be starting college in a few weeks an hour and 15 minutes away. My mind is going a million miles an hour. Am I going to make him come home EVERY weekend? Am I going to insist he be a Mama's Boy and call me three times a day? Am I going to smother him? No... even though I want to very much. But am I going to think, think, think and pray, pray, pray and work harder than I've ever worked before on thinking of new ways for us to stay connected as the The Fabulous Faulkner Five. Uh, yeah!
Our family is changing. It's not finished. Big difference. And while change is not something I've ever done very well, The Faulkner Five is definitely worth fighting for.
Back to the book. I lovingly recommend it. It is, and will always be, one of my most favorite books. Why? Because it has taught me so much, and confirmed what I think I already knew in my "heart of hearts." Having a family is an honor and a privilege and hard work and blood, sweat and tears... and so much more. I honestly think you'll enjoy having this book in your own library.
Well, I'm emotionally spent. Lucky for me there's nothing happening this weekend. WHAT? Roxie has a Dance Recital Saturday and dress rehearsal tonight? And three costume changes and three hair-do changes? And I have to buy body glitter and more film and more tapes for the video recorder?
Someone take a nap for me sometime this weekend, will you?
Take care, and I'll talk to you on Monday.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
BAM Date
Good Thursday morning!
NOTE at 3:45 P.M. - Complete and utter basket-case. I've made Austin say his speech to me three more times. I continue to weep each and every time. I cannot help but think tonight isn't going to be much better. I know I'm being "negative." (I need large amounts of chocolate. Diabetes makes this impossible. Rice cakes are not hitting the spot!)
NOTE at 5:03 P.M. - Breathing much better now. I have taken massive amounts of drugs. If I am able to stay awake, everything should be very enjoyable. (Roxie is having a bad hair day. I considered giving her drugs, too. Just kidding. She's going to have to make it on her own!)
Well, last night was going great... until Jamin, the Student Minister, called all the seniors to the front of the church at the end of the service, and invited all parents to come down to the altar to pray with them. It was hard getting to Austin since he was standing in the middle, and we had to go through the multitudes. When we finally made it to him, he hugged me and Mike tightly and close while Pastor Kevin prayed. I don't think he's hugged me that tightly and for that long since he was a little, little guy. It was sweet and wonderful and sad, and I cried on his robe and National Honor Society Sash... a lot. (There are now water spots on his robe and sash which I have to get out by tomorrow night. It always comes back to laundry... which, by the way, also makes me cry!)
I took a ton of video and pictures, but I only used my good camera. Tomorrow night at the real ceremony, I will be using ALL the camera equipment I own, so I'll be able to post Austin in all his Senior Glory!
The Showcase Pic today is of Roxie wearing a cowboy hat. The new pictures in the Gallery are of more hat pictures as we walked in Downtown Nashville. I'm telling you, there's something about Nashville that makes you want to wear a hat and try on boots. Maybe because there are hat and boot stores galore on the main drag. The boys were determined to find the right hat, and they did. Roxie loved trying them on, but being ever practical, she decided to purchase something she would get a lot of wear out of... a pretty orange Nashville T-shirt and an equally pretty little ring with a black note on the top. She wore her T-shirt today as a matter of fact.
Josh has always said he loves walking through a new city. Whether it's Atlanta, Memphis or now, Nashville, they all love to window shop, explore, and "get the feel" of the city we're visiting. And Nashville is great for that because there's so much music everywhere. And if there's one thing the Faulkner Five love more than Barry Manilow, it's good country music.
Which brings me to the final pictures of our trip. We visited The Wildhorse Saloon, owned and operated by one Reba McEntire. More on that fun adventure tomorrow.
Weekend Family Fun
I know this isn't really "weekend" because these movies are shown on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 10:00 a.m. during the summer. However, they are FREE. It is first come-first serve as far as seating is concerned, and the movies are held at the Trussville Stadium 16 Theater. Call 661-9994 before you head out (just to be sure everything is on schedule), and then mark your calendars for the FREE movies you and your guys might be interested in this summer.
06/02/2009-06/03/2009 Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium (G)
Alvin And The Chipmunks (PG)
06/09/2009-06/10/2009 Space Chimps (G)
Firehouse Dog (PG)
06/16/2009-06/17/2009 Horton Hears A Who (G)
Flicka (PG)
06/23/2009-06/24/2009 Rugrats: The Movie (G)
06/30/2009-07/01/2009 Wallace And Gromit (G)
Bee Movie (PG)
07/07/2009-07/08/2009 The Tale Of Despereaux (G)
Igor (PG)
07/14/2009-07/15/2009 Mr. Bean's Holiday (G)
Shrek The Third (PG)
07/21/2009-07/22/2009 Doogal (G)
Hoodwinked (PG)
07/28/2009-07/29/2009 Pirates Who Don't Do Anything: Veggie Tale Movie (G)
Evan Almighty (PG)
BAM Date
I categorized this date for teenager or spouse because, in our family, that is who enjoys this date the most. Mikie and I usually end up an evening date with some time spent in a local Books-A-Million or Barnes and Noble. We love book stores. I look in the Travel Section and Children's Book and Magazines, while he looks in the Civil War area. We meet somewhere in the middle where he buys me a ridiculously expensive coffee drink (and a plain black coffee for himself), and we sit around and talk and look at the magazines and talk some more.
Not much of a date, you may say. But if you and yours love books, it's a wonderful date. If you're able to take your teenager and pick out a paperback together they enjoy and then enjoy a snack, that's great. Just seeing different articles in magazines or books on the Top Ten Best Seller's List make for great conversation starters you might not otherwise have.
Not only does it give you an opportunity to talk, talk, talk... you might learn something you didn't know about your date. Mikie was surprised the first time he saw me hanging out in the Travel Section. (I, on the other hand, being married to a "plaque reader," was not surprised to find him in the Civil War Section. I would have been shocked if he hadn't gone there!) I also have started enjoying the Cooking Section of the bookstore. It's really a place to learn and grow and cultivate new interests.
It may not be your longest date, but it is an enjoyable way to pass an hour or two. Try it. You might really like it!
Have a fabulous Thursday. Tomorrow I'll post a book for women I've loved for over a decade. I'll try to have a little TV Review, too.
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
NOTE at 3:45 P.M. - Complete and utter basket-case. I've made Austin say his speech to me three more times. I continue to weep each and every time. I cannot help but think tonight isn't going to be much better. I know I'm being "negative." (I need large amounts of chocolate. Diabetes makes this impossible. Rice cakes are not hitting the spot!)
NOTE at 5:03 P.M. - Breathing much better now. I have taken massive amounts of drugs. If I am able to stay awake, everything should be very enjoyable. (Roxie is having a bad hair day. I considered giving her drugs, too. Just kidding. She's going to have to make it on her own!)
Well, last night was going great... until Jamin, the Student Minister, called all the seniors to the front of the church at the end of the service, and invited all parents to come down to the altar to pray with them. It was hard getting to Austin since he was standing in the middle, and we had to go through the multitudes. When we finally made it to him, he hugged me and Mike tightly and close while Pastor Kevin prayed. I don't think he's hugged me that tightly and for that long since he was a little, little guy. It was sweet and wonderful and sad, and I cried on his robe and National Honor Society Sash... a lot. (There are now water spots on his robe and sash which I have to get out by tomorrow night. It always comes back to laundry... which, by the way, also makes me cry!)
I took a ton of video and pictures, but I only used my good camera. Tomorrow night at the real ceremony, I will be using ALL the camera equipment I own, so I'll be able to post Austin in all his Senior Glory!
The Showcase Pic today is of Roxie wearing a cowboy hat. The new pictures in the Gallery are of more hat pictures as we walked in Downtown Nashville. I'm telling you, there's something about Nashville that makes you want to wear a hat and try on boots. Maybe because there are hat and boot stores galore on the main drag. The boys were determined to find the right hat, and they did. Roxie loved trying them on, but being ever practical, she decided to purchase something she would get a lot of wear out of... a pretty orange Nashville T-shirt and an equally pretty little ring with a black note on the top. She wore her T-shirt today as a matter of fact.
Josh has always said he loves walking through a new city. Whether it's Atlanta, Memphis or now, Nashville, they all love to window shop, explore, and "get the feel" of the city we're visiting. And Nashville is great for that because there's so much music everywhere. And if there's one thing the Faulkner Five love more than Barry Manilow, it's good country music.
Which brings me to the final pictures of our trip. We visited The Wildhorse Saloon, owned and operated by one Reba McEntire. More on that fun adventure tomorrow.
Weekend Family Fun
I know this isn't really "weekend" because these movies are shown on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 10:00 a.m. during the summer. However, they are FREE. It is first come-first serve as far as seating is concerned, and the movies are held at the Trussville Stadium 16 Theater. Call 661-9994 before you head out (just to be sure everything is on schedule), and then mark your calendars for the FREE movies you and your guys might be interested in this summer.
06/02/2009-06/03/2009 Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium (G)
Alvin And The Chipmunks (PG)
06/09/2009-06/10/2009 Space Chimps (G)
Firehouse Dog (PG)
06/16/2009-06/17/2009 Horton Hears A Who (G)
Flicka (PG)
06/23/2009-06/24/2009 Rugrats: The Movie (G)
06/30/2009-07/01/2009 Wallace And Gromit (G)
Bee Movie (PG)
07/07/2009-07/08/2009 The Tale Of Despereaux (G)
Igor (PG)
07/14/2009-07/15/2009 Mr. Bean's Holiday (G)
Shrek The Third (PG)
07/21/2009-07/22/2009 Doogal (G)
Hoodwinked (PG)
07/28/2009-07/29/2009 Pirates Who Don't Do Anything: Veggie Tale Movie (G)
Evan Almighty (PG)
BAM Date
I categorized this date for teenager or spouse because, in our family, that is who enjoys this date the most. Mikie and I usually end up an evening date with some time spent in a local Books-A-Million or Barnes and Noble. We love book stores. I look in the Travel Section and Children's Book and Magazines, while he looks in the Civil War area. We meet somewhere in the middle where he buys me a ridiculously expensive coffee drink (and a plain black coffee for himself), and we sit around and talk and look at the magazines and talk some more.
Not much of a date, you may say. But if you and yours love books, it's a wonderful date. If you're able to take your teenager and pick out a paperback together they enjoy and then enjoy a snack, that's great. Just seeing different articles in magazines or books on the Top Ten Best Seller's List make for great conversation starters you might not otherwise have.
Not only does it give you an opportunity to talk, talk, talk... you might learn something you didn't know about your date. Mikie was surprised the first time he saw me hanging out in the Travel Section. (I, on the other hand, being married to a "plaque reader," was not surprised to find him in the Civil War Section. I would have been shocked if he hadn't gone there!) I also have started enjoying the Cooking Section of the bookstore. It's really a place to learn and grow and cultivate new interests.
It may not be your longest date, but it is an enjoyable way to pass an hour or two. Try it. You might really like it!
Have a fabulous Thursday. Tomorrow I'll post a book for women I've loved for over a decade. I'll try to have a little TV Review, too.
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Family Water Party
Good Wednesday morning!
I'm having more and more difficulty breathing as Thursday night inches closer and closer. Tonight, all the graduates dress in cap and gown and walk to the front of the church and sit with their classmates during the service. It will be good practice for me, I think. I will be sitting in the balcony with the video camera as Austin and friends walk down the aisle. Mikie will be on the floor taking pictures as he stands in front of the church with Pastor Kevin. I will have an extra battery, an extra tape and an extra box of tissue. Perhaps I will cry myself dry. That would be nice. I could work on eye puffiness all day Thursday, and look good for the pictures of me and Austin Thursday night.
Who are we kidding? I'm going to be blubbering Wednesday AND Thursday. Austin is giving one of the two commencement addresses. I've read it several times so there will be no emotional surprises. I've heard him actually say it several times, also. Hopefully, this will desensitize me to the fact it's my little green-eyed, freckled face boy standing in front of hundreds of people reminiscing and saying good-bye to the Class of 2009. Just shoot me now!
I've added yet another Showcase Pic from our Nashville City Adventure. This one is from our third activity... Miss Marples Comedy/Murder Mystery Dinner Theater. It was declared one of the top two favorites of all the things we planned. It was a very small group. Only six tables of eight (48 people total). We dined on prime rib, mushroom chicken, green beans (the crunchy kind... I love those) and mashed potatoes and hard roles. The meal was finished off with homemade pecan pie and ice cream (which I couldn't eat, but was assured by Mikie and Austin was very, very good).
After we finished our main course, we were entertained by the Gimme Award Show featuring Dolly Darton, Sonny and Share and Garth Rivers. The impersonators were all nominated and then we, as the audience had to vote for Entertainer of the Year. Well, of course, Dolly Darton won. Then she was murdered before she could accept her award. All of the people who worked at the award ceremony, as well as the other nominees, were suspects. It was our job, as a table, to figure out "whodunit" and turn in our correct guess before anyone else. (Unfortunately, we lost. However, the only prize was a plastic badge. Except for Roxie, we were able to let go of the loss and the prize pretty easily.)
In between the "show" and the meal, we were also serenaded by some very talented waiters and waitresses. Beautifully performed country music.
It was so much fun. We had our pictures taken with Dolly, Garth, etc. We've never done anything like this as a family before, so it was our something "new" on this trip.
At the beginning of dinner, the hostess stood up and recognized several different people. One table was made up of a dad, his grown daughters and his wife. He had just gone through chemo, and this week he was going to have open-heart surgery for a different illness. His daughters had surprised him with the dinner as a celebration for finishing chemo, but also to spend some special time with their dad before he underwent another major medical procedure. After the show was over, his wife came over to me and told me how wonderful, and how important it was to spend this time with family. I totally agreed. I'm sure she would have loved to have gone back in time when her daughters were younger and her husband was healthy. It was another "moment" to take in... remember... hold tightly. For her family, it was a break from sadness and worry and wondering what the future holds. Thankfully, for my family it was just some time to spend together. I did not take her advice lightly.
Family Water Party
Plan a backyard water party for YOUR family. Put hot dogs in the crock pot for three to four hours on low for dinner. At the end of your water fun, you'll have a quick, simple meal ready and waiting for a picnic on the back deck. Here are a few easy games you can play (year after year) with your family:
Water Balloon Batting Practice - You'll need lots of water balloons, a baseball bat and at least two players. Have one player pitch the water balloons to the batter, who takes his or her best swing. There are no home runs, but smack the balloon and you'll be rewarded with a nice, cool blast of water.
Water Balloon Toss - You'll need water balloons, some water and at least two players for this old favorite. Fill and tie lots of balloons. You'll go through them quickly. Stand a few feet apart and gently toss the balloon back and forth. If it doesn't pop, everyone gets to take a step back. Keep playing until everyone is drenched.
Pinaqua - You'll need some plastic grocery or trash bags, water, rope, a bandanna or scarf, a broom or baseball bat and a tree limb or some other sturdy spot. Fill the bag with water and tie a knot at the top. Tie one end of the rope just below the knot and have a parent throw the other end of the rope over the tree limb. Tie the rope securely around the limb. Each child gets a turn to be blindfolded and spun around three times before taking three swings at the pinaqua with the bat or broom. (NOTE: We've done this a couple of times. It is a lot of fun. Especially for the kid who finally knocks a hole in the garbage bag. It is like a river of water falling on top of them.)
Splat - You'll need more water balloons, markers, a bed sheet and several players. Have each player write his or her name on a water balloon. Put the balloons in the middle of the sheet and have everyone grab an edge. The object of the game is to shake the sheet and bounce the other players' balloons off. If the balloon falls off, but doesn't break, toss it back on the sheet. Once your balloon goes splat, you're out!
Game ideas from The Birmingham News, Saturday, July 15, 2000.
NOTE: I know this is a party, but having a party the same time each year (Memorial Day Weekend, for example), having the same games, having the same menu... that's a tradition. It's something to look forward to each and every year at this time. If your family is small, invite some cousins over to participate. While some things may change over the years as the kids get older, you could keep one or two of the games just because they are funny or silly, and add new ones (horseshoes, water balloon/gun wars, etc.). If you don't have a Memorial Day Weekend tradition, think about adding this fun and simple party/cookout to your annual list. You will NOT regret it!
Have a glorious Wednesday. "They" say it will stop raining in Alabama one day. I'm not sure I believe them, but everything here is lush and green... and the grass is high. When the boys gets a dry day, they're cutting two yards at a time trying to play catch up. Tomorrow I'll have the date I promised you LAST WEEK for a teenager or a spouse, so check in for a VERY SHORT post. I'll also have the pics from our Day in Downtown Nashville. And don't forget... Graduation Day! (Code for WE'LL BE SKIPPING "WEEKEND FAMILY FUN" THIS WEEK... OR WILL WE?)
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
I'm having more and more difficulty breathing as Thursday night inches closer and closer. Tonight, all the graduates dress in cap and gown and walk to the front of the church and sit with their classmates during the service. It will be good practice for me, I think. I will be sitting in the balcony with the video camera as Austin and friends walk down the aisle. Mikie will be on the floor taking pictures as he stands in front of the church with Pastor Kevin. I will have an extra battery, an extra tape and an extra box of tissue. Perhaps I will cry myself dry. That would be nice. I could work on eye puffiness all day Thursday, and look good for the pictures of me and Austin Thursday night.
Who are we kidding? I'm going to be blubbering Wednesday AND Thursday. Austin is giving one of the two commencement addresses. I've read it several times so there will be no emotional surprises. I've heard him actually say it several times, also. Hopefully, this will desensitize me to the fact it's my little green-eyed, freckled face boy standing in front of hundreds of people reminiscing and saying good-bye to the Class of 2009. Just shoot me now!
I've added yet another Showcase Pic from our Nashville City Adventure. This one is from our third activity... Miss Marples Comedy/Murder Mystery Dinner Theater. It was declared one of the top two favorites of all the things we planned. It was a very small group. Only six tables of eight (48 people total). We dined on prime rib, mushroom chicken, green beans (the crunchy kind... I love those) and mashed potatoes and hard roles. The meal was finished off with homemade pecan pie and ice cream (which I couldn't eat, but was assured by Mikie and Austin was very, very good).
After we finished our main course, we were entertained by the Gimme Award Show featuring Dolly Darton, Sonny and Share and Garth Rivers. The impersonators were all nominated and then we, as the audience had to vote for Entertainer of the Year. Well, of course, Dolly Darton won. Then she was murdered before she could accept her award. All of the people who worked at the award ceremony, as well as the other nominees, were suspects. It was our job, as a table, to figure out "whodunit" and turn in our correct guess before anyone else. (Unfortunately, we lost. However, the only prize was a plastic badge. Except for Roxie, we were able to let go of the loss and the prize pretty easily.)
In between the "show" and the meal, we were also serenaded by some very talented waiters and waitresses. Beautifully performed country music.
It was so much fun. We had our pictures taken with Dolly, Garth, etc. We've never done anything like this as a family before, so it was our something "new" on this trip.
At the beginning of dinner, the hostess stood up and recognized several different people. One table was made up of a dad, his grown daughters and his wife. He had just gone through chemo, and this week he was going to have open-heart surgery for a different illness. His daughters had surprised him with the dinner as a celebration for finishing chemo, but also to spend some special time with their dad before he underwent another major medical procedure. After the show was over, his wife came over to me and told me how wonderful, and how important it was to spend this time with family. I totally agreed. I'm sure she would have loved to have gone back in time when her daughters were younger and her husband was healthy. It was another "moment" to take in... remember... hold tightly. For her family, it was a break from sadness and worry and wondering what the future holds. Thankfully, for my family it was just some time to spend together. I did not take her advice lightly.
Family Water Party
Plan a backyard water party for YOUR family. Put hot dogs in the crock pot for three to four hours on low for dinner. At the end of your water fun, you'll have a quick, simple meal ready and waiting for a picnic on the back deck. Here are a few easy games you can play (year after year) with your family:
Water Balloon Batting Practice - You'll need lots of water balloons, a baseball bat and at least two players. Have one player pitch the water balloons to the batter, who takes his or her best swing. There are no home runs, but smack the balloon and you'll be rewarded with a nice, cool blast of water.
Water Balloon Toss - You'll need water balloons, some water and at least two players for this old favorite. Fill and tie lots of balloons. You'll go through them quickly. Stand a few feet apart and gently toss the balloon back and forth. If it doesn't pop, everyone gets to take a step back. Keep playing until everyone is drenched.
Pinaqua - You'll need some plastic grocery or trash bags, water, rope, a bandanna or scarf, a broom or baseball bat and a tree limb or some other sturdy spot. Fill the bag with water and tie a knot at the top. Tie one end of the rope just below the knot and have a parent throw the other end of the rope over the tree limb. Tie the rope securely around the limb. Each child gets a turn to be blindfolded and spun around three times before taking three swings at the pinaqua with the bat or broom. (NOTE: We've done this a couple of times. It is a lot of fun. Especially for the kid who finally knocks a hole in the garbage bag. It is like a river of water falling on top of them.)
Splat - You'll need more water balloons, markers, a bed sheet and several players. Have each player write his or her name on a water balloon. Put the balloons in the middle of the sheet and have everyone grab an edge. The object of the game is to shake the sheet and bounce the other players' balloons off. If the balloon falls off, but doesn't break, toss it back on the sheet. Once your balloon goes splat, you're out!
Game ideas from The Birmingham News, Saturday, July 15, 2000.
NOTE: I know this is a party, but having a party the same time each year (Memorial Day Weekend, for example), having the same games, having the same menu... that's a tradition. It's something to look forward to each and every year at this time. If your family is small, invite some cousins over to participate. While some things may change over the years as the kids get older, you could keep one or two of the games just because they are funny or silly, and add new ones (horseshoes, water balloon/gun wars, etc.). If you don't have a Memorial Day Weekend tradition, think about adding this fun and simple party/cookout to your annual list. You will NOT regret it!
Have a glorious Wednesday. "They" say it will stop raining in Alabama one day. I'm not sure I believe them, but everything here is lush and green... and the grass is high. When the boys gets a dry day, they're cutting two yards at a time trying to play catch up. Tomorrow I'll have the date I promised you LAST WEEK for a teenager or a spouse, so check in for a VERY SHORT post. I'll also have the pics from our Day in Downtown Nashville. And don't forget... Graduation Day! (Code for WE'LL BE SKIPPING "WEEKEND FAMILY FUN" THIS WEEK... OR WILL WE?)
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Monday, May 25, 2009
Baked Apples and Ice Cream
Good Tuesday morning!
As I mentioned yesterday, this week will be a "picture blog," with just a little narrative about the goings-on of The Faulkner Five. Also, I have a correction from last week's blog. The TV Review has not ended. Jon & Kate's show started up again last night. I'm not sure if Roxie and I will continue watching the show. It will depend on what the show becomes. We have enjoyed watching the kids grow up, playing, etc., but I'm not sure it's going to be "that" show any longer. We'll have to see. That being said, there will be a TV Review for the last episode of LOST (A MONTH LATE!!) and Jon & Kate on Friday.
I've added another Showcase Pic today. It shows Mike and Roxie with wenches, Myrtle and Pearl, from the Nashville Renaissance Festival. We went to their show first, and it was a good way to start the Festival.
As you can see from the new pics in the Gallery, a Renaissance Festival is full of characters, shows, jousting, etc. My guys enjoyed knife throwing, axe throwing and archery. Austin even got a certificate in archery. But one of their favorite things (and this was a recurring theme during the weekend) was trying on the many "hats" available for purchase. The pictures I've shown are just a sampling. (They were like teenage girls in Claire's... you just couldn't pull them away.) We enjoyed the jousting games, and we picked up a new word... "Huzzah!" (Obviously, they said that a lot in medieval times. Way TOO much!)
The weather was good for our day in the forest. And even though it was incredibly crowded, the cloud coverage and the tree-lined paths made everything shady and not too hot. The people I really felt sorry for were the festival folk in full medieval garb (metal hats included). Oh, and the ogres. Ogres wear an enormous amount of clothing and wigs and green make-up and giant fake ogre feet. I don't see how they stand being involved in the Renaissance Festival in the summer months.
If you don't know about Renaissance Festivals, they are like a traveling carnival in a way. Atlanta has one each May, as does Nashville. (They last the entire month and are open on the weekends.) The individual acts (comedy, juggling, magic, knife throwing, medieval singing, etc.) always remind you this is the way they make their living and they stand in the back of the audience in case you want to leave tips. (Don't worry. This is not the "You're not leaving unless you leave me a tip" kind of request. Very low key.)
There are "characters" everywhere. Kings, queens, ogres, fairies, knights, ladies in waiting, trolls, etc. Anything you might have read about in medieval books is walking around the Festival. Except dragons. I've been to two, and I've never spotted a dragon. It's different and interesting and fun.
Oh, and in case you're wondering, they have a lot of "medieval" food, too. You see moms walking around gnawing on giant turkey legs and roasted ears of corn. I'm not sure about the hot dogs and candied apples and frozen bananas dipped in chocolate. Maybe the medieval folk ate better than we thought. Maybe it wasn't just mutton and ale all the time as portrayed in movies and books.
Baked Apples and Ice Cream
Josh and Roxie asked for this last night for dessert. Since we were having ham quiche and cantaloupe (very simple supper), I agreed to make an equally simple dessert. I got this recipe off a website called www.simplyrecipes.com.
You will need the following:
4 baking apples (Rome or Golden Delicious)
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 cup chopped pecans
1/4 cup chopped raisins
1 tablespoon butter
3/4 cup boiling water
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Wash apples. Remove cores to 1/2 inch of the bottom of the apples. It helps if you have an apple corer, but if not, you can use a paring knife to cut out first the stem area, and then the core. Use a spoon to dig out the seeds. Make the holes about 3/4" to an inch wide.
2. In a small bowl, combine the sugar, cinnamon, raisins, and pecans. Place apples in a 8" x 8" square baking pan. Stuff each apple with this mixture. Top with a dot of butter (1/4 of the tablespoon).
3. Add boiling water to the baking pan. Bake 30-40 minutes, until tender, but not mushy. Remove from the oven and baste the apples several times with the pan juices.
Serve warm with vanilla ice cream on the side.
Have a fun Tuesday. Josh is the only one who has to go to school today. He has two more tests (one today and one tomorrow) before he is completely finished. Poor baby. But we can actually SEE summer right around the corner. It's there. We just have to make it across the finish line.
I'll have the last Spring Seasonal Tradition tomorrow, plus pictures from Miss Marples Comedy/Murder Mystery Dinner Theater. Stop by if you get a chance.
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
As I mentioned yesterday, this week will be a "picture blog," with just a little narrative about the goings-on of The Faulkner Five. Also, I have a correction from last week's blog. The TV Review has not ended. Jon & Kate's show started up again last night. I'm not sure if Roxie and I will continue watching the show. It will depend on what the show becomes. We have enjoyed watching the kids grow up, playing, etc., but I'm not sure it's going to be "that" show any longer. We'll have to see. That being said, there will be a TV Review for the last episode of LOST (A MONTH LATE!!) and Jon & Kate on Friday.
I've added another Showcase Pic today. It shows Mike and Roxie with wenches, Myrtle and Pearl, from the Nashville Renaissance Festival. We went to their show first, and it was a good way to start the Festival.
As you can see from the new pics in the Gallery, a Renaissance Festival is full of characters, shows, jousting, etc. My guys enjoyed knife throwing, axe throwing and archery. Austin even got a certificate in archery. But one of their favorite things (and this was a recurring theme during the weekend) was trying on the many "hats" available for purchase. The pictures I've shown are just a sampling. (They were like teenage girls in Claire's... you just couldn't pull them away.) We enjoyed the jousting games, and we picked up a new word... "Huzzah!" (Obviously, they said that a lot in medieval times. Way TOO much!)
The weather was good for our day in the forest. And even though it was incredibly crowded, the cloud coverage and the tree-lined paths made everything shady and not too hot. The people I really felt sorry for were the festival folk in full medieval garb (metal hats included). Oh, and the ogres. Ogres wear an enormous amount of clothing and wigs and green make-up and giant fake ogre feet. I don't see how they stand being involved in the Renaissance Festival in the summer months.
If you don't know about Renaissance Festivals, they are like a traveling carnival in a way. Atlanta has one each May, as does Nashville. (They last the entire month and are open on the weekends.) The individual acts (comedy, juggling, magic, knife throwing, medieval singing, etc.) always remind you this is the way they make their living and they stand in the back of the audience in case you want to leave tips. (Don't worry. This is not the "You're not leaving unless you leave me a tip" kind of request. Very low key.)
There are "characters" everywhere. Kings, queens, ogres, fairies, knights, ladies in waiting, trolls, etc. Anything you might have read about in medieval books is walking around the Festival. Except dragons. I've been to two, and I've never spotted a dragon. It's different and interesting and fun.
Oh, and in case you're wondering, they have a lot of "medieval" food, too. You see moms walking around gnawing on giant turkey legs and roasted ears of corn. I'm not sure about the hot dogs and candied apples and frozen bananas dipped in chocolate. Maybe the medieval folk ate better than we thought. Maybe it wasn't just mutton and ale all the time as portrayed in movies and books.
Baked Apples and Ice Cream
Josh and Roxie asked for this last night for dessert. Since we were having ham quiche and cantaloupe (very simple supper), I agreed to make an equally simple dessert. I got this recipe off a website called www.simplyrecipes.com.
You will need the following:
4 baking apples (Rome or Golden Delicious)
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 cup chopped pecans
1/4 cup chopped raisins
1 tablespoon butter
3/4 cup boiling water
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Wash apples. Remove cores to 1/2 inch of the bottom of the apples. It helps if you have an apple corer, but if not, you can use a paring knife to cut out first the stem area, and then the core. Use a spoon to dig out the seeds. Make the holes about 3/4" to an inch wide.
2. In a small bowl, combine the sugar, cinnamon, raisins, and pecans. Place apples in a 8" x 8" square baking pan. Stuff each apple with this mixture. Top with a dot of butter (1/4 of the tablespoon).
3. Add boiling water to the baking pan. Bake 30-40 minutes, until tender, but not mushy. Remove from the oven and baste the apples several times with the pan juices.
Serve warm with vanilla ice cream on the side.
Have a fun Tuesday. Josh is the only one who has to go to school today. He has two more tests (one today and one tomorrow) before he is completely finished. Poor baby. But we can actually SEE summer right around the corner. It's there. We just have to make it across the finish line.
I'll have the last Spring Seasonal Tradition tomorrow, plus pictures from Miss Marples Comedy/Murder Mystery Dinner Theater. Stop by if you get a chance.
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Picnic and Picture Party
Good Monday morning!
NOTE TO BANDOFBROTHERS - I never noticed what was hanging in the background of Austin's hat picture. I only had eyes for my boy. However, since this blog is rated G (For Everyone), I've removed the pic. Just kidding. It was time for it to go anyway! (For anyone wondering, it was a variety of bathing suits... bikinis to be exact.) I need to talk to you this week about the trip and other important "stuff." I'll call you before graduation.
NOTE TO MELANEY - I couldn't mention Taylor without a "shout out" to Miss Tori. I'm proud of both your girls. And Tori, you looked absolutely beautiful in that dress Friday morning receiving your awards. Congratulations!
I hope everyone is having a great long weekend. We left Friday after school and headed to Nashville (only a three-hour trip). We went straight to the Gaylord Hotel. Mike and I stayed there about 19 years ago at one of his conferences, so we wanted the kids to at least get to see it (even if we didn't stay there). We ate at Paesano's Pizza overlooking the Delta inside the hotel.
According to the website, there were supposed to be water shows at 6:00 and 8:00. (You know... colored water fountains going up and down to the music. The Faulkner Five are easily amused.) We sat down to eat at 7:30 in the best seats EVER, and waited and waited and waited. "Why isn't there a big crowd? Why did we get the best seats EVER for the 8:00 water show? Am I the only person in the whole Gaylord Hotel who researches such things?"
Uh-oh. At 8:15, I sent Mikie to check with "someone in the know." They changed the schedule THAT VERY DAY (FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2009), and the water shows are no more (for now). That was fine. First rule... FLEXIBILITY! We ate our pizza, calzones, lasagna, etc. and just walked around and enjoyed the grandeur of the Gaylord. It is so beautiful.
The Golden Cowboy (pictured above) made Josh jump three feet in the air. He was the only one who fell for it. I guess when you're 47 years-old, you kind of assume statues are real people unless proven otherwise... instead of the other way around.
The line dancing lessons were fun and free and spontaneous. Roxie did very well, and we found yet another career choice to be researched. "I would love doing this every day!" she exclaimed. Somehow, I can't imagine Roxie line dancing in the lobby of the Gaylord Hotel day after day, month after month, year after year. Not that there's anything wrong with that career choice. It's just not Roxie, if you know what I mean!
You'll notice the Showcase Pic is from Friday night (as well as the rest of the pictures in the Gallery). I will be posting pictures from the Renaissance Festival on Tuesday (our Saturday outing), Miss Marples Comedy/Mystery Dinner Theater on Wednesday (our Saturday night outing), The Faulkners Explore Downtown Nashville (our Sunday morning/early afternoon outing) and lunch at the world famous Wildhorse Saloon (our Sunday afternoon outing). (Don't worry... the Wildhorse Saloon is family-friendly on Sundays for lunch. And delicious!)
Friday's pictures will, of course, be of Austin's graduation which is Thursday night. This week will probably be more of a "picture blog," instead of the usual ramblings. However, I will include the norm... Party, Recipe, Seasonal Tradition, Date and Book for the week.
That being said, let's get to the party, shall we?
Picnic and Picture Party
Okay. The girls are a little bit older. We've solved mysteries, uncovered buried treasure and ridden around our fair city (WAY too fast) solving clues and trying to beat the other van to the finish line. Now what? We're so mature. We're not little girls anymore.
The party plan is beyond simple. Depending on how many chicks can attend, we have two OR three cars available. We're meeting around 10:30 one day this week, going through the drive-thru at Guthrie's (chicken) and ordering everyone an individual chicken box. (I will have a cooler full of drink selections in the back of the big gold van so we don't have to worry about spilling eight drinks in each van... or worse yet, drinking them all before we arrive at our destination!)
We're driving to Aldridge Gardens in Hoover for a picnic in one of their lovely picnic areas. After we eat, we're taking dozens and dozens of pre-teen pictures in and around the gardens. There's a mile long walking path around the lake, so we'll take our time and walk around that. (No dressing up. Just casual, fun clothes they are comfortable wearing.)
After we've taken pictures galore, we're loading up and heading to the Galleria for a couple of hours of walking around the mall... their favorite thing to do at this time in their lives. Before we come home, we will enjoy cookies from the Great American Cookie Company or some other snack.
"Is this really a party?" you may ask. Yes. Yes, it is. There will be laughter, talking, more laughter, memories made (and recorded), and time spent with some of their favorite people in the world (and I'm not necessarily talking about their moms).
VARIATIONS FOR PRE-TEEN BOYS: There is NO variation of this party for pre-teen boys. They would love the chicken, but pictures around the lake and then two hours at the Galleria looking at earrings and T-shirts would be sheer torture. So, in honor of all the pre-teen boys out there, next week I'll be giving not one, but TWO, end-of-the-year parties/outings for the guys. And yes... they will involve chicken!
Have a wonderful Monday. Make today count. Spend time with your family. Get in touch with someone you haven't talked to in a while. And last, but never least, remember what Memorial Day is all about.
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow!
NOTE TO BANDOFBROTHERS - I never noticed what was hanging in the background of Austin's hat picture. I only had eyes for my boy. However, since this blog is rated G (For Everyone), I've removed the pic. Just kidding. It was time for it to go anyway! (For anyone wondering, it was a variety of bathing suits... bikinis to be exact.) I need to talk to you this week about the trip and other important "stuff." I'll call you before graduation.
NOTE TO MELANEY - I couldn't mention Taylor without a "shout out" to Miss Tori. I'm proud of both your girls. And Tori, you looked absolutely beautiful in that dress Friday morning receiving your awards. Congratulations!
I hope everyone is having a great long weekend. We left Friday after school and headed to Nashville (only a three-hour trip). We went straight to the Gaylord Hotel. Mike and I stayed there about 19 years ago at one of his conferences, so we wanted the kids to at least get to see it (even if we didn't stay there). We ate at Paesano's Pizza overlooking the Delta inside the hotel.
According to the website, there were supposed to be water shows at 6:00 and 8:00. (You know... colored water fountains going up and down to the music. The Faulkner Five are easily amused.) We sat down to eat at 7:30 in the best seats EVER, and waited and waited and waited. "Why isn't there a big crowd? Why did we get the best seats EVER for the 8:00 water show? Am I the only person in the whole Gaylord Hotel who researches such things?"
Uh-oh. At 8:15, I sent Mikie to check with "someone in the know." They changed the schedule THAT VERY DAY (FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2009), and the water shows are no more (for now). That was fine. First rule... FLEXIBILITY! We ate our pizza, calzones, lasagna, etc. and just walked around and enjoyed the grandeur of the Gaylord. It is so beautiful.
The Golden Cowboy (pictured above) made Josh jump three feet in the air. He was the only one who fell for it. I guess when you're 47 years-old, you kind of assume statues are real people unless proven otherwise... instead of the other way around.
The line dancing lessons were fun and free and spontaneous. Roxie did very well, and we found yet another career choice to be researched. "I would love doing this every day!" she exclaimed. Somehow, I can't imagine Roxie line dancing in the lobby of the Gaylord Hotel day after day, month after month, year after year. Not that there's anything wrong with that career choice. It's just not Roxie, if you know what I mean!
You'll notice the Showcase Pic is from Friday night (as well as the rest of the pictures in the Gallery). I will be posting pictures from the Renaissance Festival on Tuesday (our Saturday outing), Miss Marples Comedy/Mystery Dinner Theater on Wednesday (our Saturday night outing), The Faulkners Explore Downtown Nashville (our Sunday morning/early afternoon outing) and lunch at the world famous Wildhorse Saloon (our Sunday afternoon outing). (Don't worry... the Wildhorse Saloon is family-friendly on Sundays for lunch. And delicious!)
Friday's pictures will, of course, be of Austin's graduation which is Thursday night. This week will probably be more of a "picture blog," instead of the usual ramblings. However, I will include the norm... Party, Recipe, Seasonal Tradition, Date and Book for the week.
That being said, let's get to the party, shall we?
Picnic and Picture Party
Okay. The girls are a little bit older. We've solved mysteries, uncovered buried treasure and ridden around our fair city (WAY too fast) solving clues and trying to beat the other van to the finish line. Now what? We're so mature. We're not little girls anymore.
The party plan is beyond simple. Depending on how many chicks can attend, we have two OR three cars available. We're meeting around 10:30 one day this week, going through the drive-thru at Guthrie's (chicken) and ordering everyone an individual chicken box. (I will have a cooler full of drink selections in the back of the big gold van so we don't have to worry about spilling eight drinks in each van... or worse yet, drinking them all before we arrive at our destination!)
We're driving to Aldridge Gardens in Hoover for a picnic in one of their lovely picnic areas. After we eat, we're taking dozens and dozens of pre-teen pictures in and around the gardens. There's a mile long walking path around the lake, so we'll take our time and walk around that. (No dressing up. Just casual, fun clothes they are comfortable wearing.)
After we've taken pictures galore, we're loading up and heading to the Galleria for a couple of hours of walking around the mall... their favorite thing to do at this time in their lives. Before we come home, we will enjoy cookies from the Great American Cookie Company or some other snack.
"Is this really a party?" you may ask. Yes. Yes, it is. There will be laughter, talking, more laughter, memories made (and recorded), and time spent with some of their favorite people in the world (and I'm not necessarily talking about their moms).
VARIATIONS FOR PRE-TEEN BOYS: There is NO variation of this party for pre-teen boys. They would love the chicken, but pictures around the lake and then two hours at the Galleria looking at earrings and T-shirts would be sheer torture. So, in honor of all the pre-teen boys out there, next week I'll be giving not one, but TWO, end-of-the-year parties/outings for the guys. And yes... they will involve chicken!
Have a wonderful Monday. Make today count. Spend time with your family. Get in touch with someone you haven't talked to in a while. And last, but never least, remember what Memorial Day is all about.
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow!
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Weekend Happenings
Good Friday morning!
The Faulkner Five are taking a little time out of this CRAZY MAY and heading for Nashville today for the weekend. I've planned a City Adventure for the five of us which I hope will be fun and exciting and a real bonding experience. (We'll see.)
Our original plan was to go to the Grand Ol' Opry, but they didn't have any singers we were willing to pay $250 to go see, so that money has gone elsewhere. So far, the itinerary looks like this:
Friday - We're eating at the Gaylord Hotel at a place called Paisano's Pizzeria in an island in the middle of the Delta. If all goes well, in the middle of our meal, the fountains will start "dancing" to music all around us. That should be memorable, shouldn't it?
Saturday - We're going to the Renaissance Festival. We took Austin to one when he was ten, and it was a lot of fun. We'll stay there most of the day (mainly for the jousting competition), and then we're heading to Miss Marples Dinner Theater. (They are doing a murder mystery/comedy... while we eat prime rib.) Again, I checked about "family friendly," and was assured we were safe.
Sunday - We have plans to go to Belle Meade Plantation for a tour and lunch. This is a working plantation and the lunch menu is made up of items raised and grown on the grounds. On the way home, we'll go down Music Row and take our time looking around.
I'll let you know how everything goes. Some of it may be fantastic, and some of it may be so-so. But we won't know until we try. Therein lies the "adventure."
As soon as we get home, we will be in Graduation Mode for the rest of the week. I imagine posts will be a little shorter and perhaps a lot sadder. I hope to make up for it by having tons of pictures.
TV Reviews
Survivor - I was right! J.T. won and it was unanimous. Now I'm hearing he's moved to Mobile. That's about five hours from here, so we're talking overnight accommodations... and maybe a list of fun things to do in Mobile after I have my picture taken with Mr. J.T. He played a great game, and other than a bit of profanity here and there, he made our state proud. And then he won another $100,000 because he was the most popular player of the season. (I think once he sees me in my "I Love J.T." T-shirt, he'll probably want to take me and my gang to lunch... or call the police. It could go either way!)
24 - Well, Kim is definitely Jack's daughter. She even went after a terrorist without a gun. Tough girl. And, of course, the cliffhanger this year was Kim having the procedure done to save Jack's life. (Not much of a cliffhanger really, especially since he's already signed a contract for Season 8.) One more year until he comes back and saves the world once again. I can't wait!
LOST - Believe it or not, we taped over LOST and Josh and I have yet to watch the last episode on the computer. Luckily for you (that's a joke, folks), that means we'll have one last TV Review next Friday. I know you're thrilled. (I could probably write the review right now... "What????" But wanting to be thorough, I will actually watch the show before I write the review.)
Books
I have three books to recommend for the graduates in your life. However, I've only read one, but the reviews and authors of the other two are very "safe."
1. Life Principles for the Graduate by Charles F. Stanley - This book provides nine Biblical truths for living God's way in the real world. It is written specifically for the high school and/or college graduate in your life.
2. God's Promises for Graduates: Class of 2009 - This book gives insightful wisdom and God's direction as your graduate tackles life's new challenges. The book deals with issues such as character, integrity, loyalty and having a servant's heart.
3. The Dateable Rules by Justin Lookadoo and Hayley DiMarco - This book is an interactive guide which takes up where Dateable left off (another great book). It walks teens and young adults through the Bible's insights about men and women. Guys will learn the difference between a spiritual and physical adventure. They'll also learn the rules regarding being a gentleman... even in today's world. Girls will learn that beauty is defined by God, not by the world. It's a great book to make sure your graduate (guy or girl) has read or is reading before they leave home. You want them to date with a Christian perspective and not the world's perspective.
Have a fantastic weekend. Do something memorable on Memorial Day Weekend! Next week we'll finish up any and all "spring things," so we can get right to the "summer things" (which, by the way, are too numerous to count).
Take care, and I'll talk to you on Monday.
The Faulkner Five are taking a little time out of this CRAZY MAY and heading for Nashville today for the weekend. I've planned a City Adventure for the five of us which I hope will be fun and exciting and a real bonding experience. (We'll see.)
Our original plan was to go to the Grand Ol' Opry, but they didn't have any singers we were willing to pay $250 to go see, so that money has gone elsewhere. So far, the itinerary looks like this:
Friday - We're eating at the Gaylord Hotel at a place called Paisano's Pizzeria in an island in the middle of the Delta. If all goes well, in the middle of our meal, the fountains will start "dancing" to music all around us. That should be memorable, shouldn't it?
Saturday - We're going to the Renaissance Festival. We took Austin to one when he was ten, and it was a lot of fun. We'll stay there most of the day (mainly for the jousting competition), and then we're heading to Miss Marples Dinner Theater. (They are doing a murder mystery/comedy... while we eat prime rib.) Again, I checked about "family friendly," and was assured we were safe.
Sunday - We have plans to go to Belle Meade Plantation for a tour and lunch. This is a working plantation and the lunch menu is made up of items raised and grown on the grounds. On the way home, we'll go down Music Row and take our time looking around.
I'll let you know how everything goes. Some of it may be fantastic, and some of it may be so-so. But we won't know until we try. Therein lies the "adventure."
As soon as we get home, we will be in Graduation Mode for the rest of the week. I imagine posts will be a little shorter and perhaps a lot sadder. I hope to make up for it by having tons of pictures.
TV Reviews
Survivor - I was right! J.T. won and it was unanimous. Now I'm hearing he's moved to Mobile. That's about five hours from here, so we're talking overnight accommodations... and maybe a list of fun things to do in Mobile after I have my picture taken with Mr. J.T. He played a great game, and other than a bit of profanity here and there, he made our state proud. And then he won another $100,000 because he was the most popular player of the season. (I think once he sees me in my "I Love J.T." T-shirt, he'll probably want to take me and my gang to lunch... or call the police. It could go either way!)
24 - Well, Kim is definitely Jack's daughter. She even went after a terrorist without a gun. Tough girl. And, of course, the cliffhanger this year was Kim having the procedure done to save Jack's life. (Not much of a cliffhanger really, especially since he's already signed a contract for Season 8.) One more year until he comes back and saves the world once again. I can't wait!
LOST - Believe it or not, we taped over LOST and Josh and I have yet to watch the last episode on the computer. Luckily for you (that's a joke, folks), that means we'll have one last TV Review next Friday. I know you're thrilled. (I could probably write the review right now... "What????" But wanting to be thorough, I will actually watch the show before I write the review.)
Books
I have three books to recommend for the graduates in your life. However, I've only read one, but the reviews and authors of the other two are very "safe."
1. Life Principles for the Graduate by Charles F. Stanley - This book provides nine Biblical truths for living God's way in the real world. It is written specifically for the high school and/or college graduate in your life.
2. God's Promises for Graduates: Class of 2009 - This book gives insightful wisdom and God's direction as your graduate tackles life's new challenges. The book deals with issues such as character, integrity, loyalty and having a servant's heart.
3. The Dateable Rules by Justin Lookadoo and Hayley DiMarco - This book is an interactive guide which takes up where Dateable left off (another great book). It walks teens and young adults through the Bible's insights about men and women. Guys will learn the difference between a spiritual and physical adventure. They'll also learn the rules regarding being a gentleman... even in today's world. Girls will learn that beauty is defined by God, not by the world. It's a great book to make sure your graduate (guy or girl) has read or is reading before they leave home. You want them to date with a Christian perspective and not the world's perspective.
Have a fantastic weekend. Do something memorable on Memorial Day Weekend! Next week we'll finish up any and all "spring things," so we can get right to the "summer things" (which, by the way, are too numerous to count).
Take care, and I'll talk to you on Monday.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Night at the Museum Date
Good Thursday morning!
If you want some good ideas for teachers' gifts, hop over to "WelcometoHeidiswapp" under my Blog List. She has some suggestions I have never thought of before. Useful AND fun. The suggestions are in today's post.
I've added yet another picture from Austin's trip in the Gallery. The next two weeks, the Gallery will be full of pictures from our City Adventure to Nashville and graduation festivities. We're going to Tennessee this weekend. (More about that tomorrow!)
I tried the Strawberry Muffins from www.noblepig.com. Mikie loved them. Austin liked them. The other two haven't tried them yet. I didn't use coarse sugar on top of the muffins like she suggested. I used granulated. The closest thing I could find to coarse sugar in our grocery store was the Sugar in the Raw brand. I'm going to try this next time. (They are very good. They are not too sweet, and you could even microwave them for 10 seconds and eat them with a little strawberry jam or butter.) All in all, a keeper.
Weekend Family Fun
Alabama Jubilee - The Alabama Jubilee is a hot air balloon festival held at Point Mallard Park in Decatur, Alabama each year on Memorial Day Weekend (Saturday and Sunday). We have been twice. It is a fun place to picnic. You go to a huge field, and you watch as trucks arrive and start blowing up the hot air balloons late afternoon. Two of the balloon owners even tethered their balloons to their trucks and gave free hot air balloon "rides" for a while. ("Rides" meaning the balloons went straight up a little way and then they brought them right back down.) The kids loved it.
The Jubilee has grown over the years, and on their website (www.alabamajubilee.net) they have a list of activities we didn't have the two years we went. There is an Antique Car Show, Antique Tractor Show, Art Show and Kite Festival. There may be food vendors there now, but we always went the picnic route.
At dusk, you will hear many people talking about "The Illumination." The Illumination is when all the balloons fire up and light up the sky at the same time. While it is very beautiful, I will warn you it lasts mere seconds. Do not sneeze, blink or go to the bathroom or you will miss it.
When we last attended, we used the campground bathrooms across the field. I don't know if they have other facilities now. You can check the website for more information.
It is a very unique, fun thing to do with the kids. We took camp chairs, blankets, food, Frisbees, footballs, etc. and just hung out until the balloons started arriving. Sunday they will have a balloon race. We always went on Saturday, so we've never seen the actual race, but there were people we talked to who camped there during the weekend so they could experience the entire two days of the Jubilee.
Dollar Movie - The Dollar Movie in Hoover will be showing Race to Witch Mountain (starring Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson), Hotel for Dogs and Mall Cop. (NOTE: The Drive-In is still showing the same two movies, so when it changes, I'll let you know.)
Gift of Austin
Ah... The Gift of Austin. Our very first gift. Our most anticipated gift. The gift we stared at for hours at a time. The gift we held for days on end (even though everyone told us it would spoil the gift). The gift we ran to whenever he made a sigh, whimper, sneeze, cough or coo. The gift we (I) blinded with the camera because every second of every minute of every day was worth recording for posterity. The gift we read to, sang to, played with, dropped everything we might be doing to fulfill whatever he wanted RIGHT THAT SECOND. The gift that never skipped a bath. The gift that never had a dirty face or nose or hands or outfit. The gift we practiced all of our new parenting skills on... and yet the gift survived and thrived.
I remember sitting at a band concert two years ago, and hearing Austin's name announced as the new Drum Major for our high school band. Mike and I were stunned (as was Austin). He was only a junior. He had no conducting experience. Mike and I did not know how to teach him this skill. What were we going to do? How was my little freckle-faced, green-eyed boy going to take on such a huge responsibility?
A short three and a half months later, Mike and I were sitting in the bleachers as a 6'3" young man in a white Drum Major uniform walked into the football stadium with the band following close behind. We watched him step onto his podium, call the band to attention and then direct the band. Was it a "perfect" first time? No. He had a little help from the band director's wife. Was it amazing to realize that my little freckle-faced, green-eyed boy was showing traits I had never imagined him having before? Yes, indeed. Who was this young man... so tall and self-assured (on the outside)? I had no idea, but I wanted to know him. Just like I had known the little boy before him.
The Gift of Austin has been talkative, self-absorbed (at times) and does not like to multi-task. The Gift of Austin has also been giving, trustworthy, hardworking, loving and a true homebody. He has taken his role of big brother seriously. (We found out how seriously when Josh became ill.) Does that mean I never get angry with him? No. Does that mean he takes out the trash without being told? NO! (When is that going to happen?) Does that mean he is a perfect teenager? Sorry... No such thing.
For a woman who lives for the "firsts" in life, I have loved sharing the majority of those with Austin. The "firsts" coming up in the next few days, months and even years are a little scary for both of us, I think. But Austin is up for the challenge (even though I may not be).
He is, has always been, and will always be, my joy.
Night at the Museum Date
I know I said today's date would be perfect for a parent and teenager OR spouse, but this came to my attention today. Night at the Museum is coming out this Friday night.
On May 30 and June 6 at the McWane Center, they are having a Night at the Museum Camp-In. It's a little pricey ($40 for children and $35 for adults), but it would be one of those dates your guy (or girl) would NEVER forget! I know I wouldn't.
Included in the price is dinner, late night snacks, activities in the McWane Center, watching the movie on the IMAX screen and breakfast the next morning. After the planned activities for the evening are over, you and your date grab sleeping bags and pillows and find a place to settle in for the night.
McWane had this same Camp-In for the first movie, too. I'm glad they are continuing such a great activity. You'll need to call soon to get your reservations. I bet they fill up pretty fast. Call 714-8300.
Next week, I'll get to the other date... I promise.
I'm sorry I yelled at you yesterday. You do not have to do any of the stuff I mention on the blog. This should be a stress-free zone if you happen to come by. You shouldn't have to worry about me calling you... or coming by your house... or blog yelling.
That being said, you HAVE to try this date! It would be so much fun.
Have a great Thursday. Tomorrow is the LAST TV Review for a while, and I will have a a list of books which would make great graduation gifts.
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
If you want some good ideas for teachers' gifts, hop over to "WelcometoHeidiswapp" under my Blog List. She has some suggestions I have never thought of before. Useful AND fun. The suggestions are in today's post.
I've added yet another picture from Austin's trip in the Gallery. The next two weeks, the Gallery will be full of pictures from our City Adventure to Nashville and graduation festivities. We're going to Tennessee this weekend. (More about that tomorrow!)
I tried the Strawberry Muffins from www.noblepig.com. Mikie loved them. Austin liked them. The other two haven't tried them yet. I didn't use coarse sugar on top of the muffins like she suggested. I used granulated. The closest thing I could find to coarse sugar in our grocery store was the Sugar in the Raw brand. I'm going to try this next time. (They are very good. They are not too sweet, and you could even microwave them for 10 seconds and eat them with a little strawberry jam or butter.) All in all, a keeper.
Weekend Family Fun
Alabama Jubilee - The Alabama Jubilee is a hot air balloon festival held at Point Mallard Park in Decatur, Alabama each year on Memorial Day Weekend (Saturday and Sunday). We have been twice. It is a fun place to picnic. You go to a huge field, and you watch as trucks arrive and start blowing up the hot air balloons late afternoon. Two of the balloon owners even tethered their balloons to their trucks and gave free hot air balloon "rides" for a while. ("Rides" meaning the balloons went straight up a little way and then they brought them right back down.) The kids loved it.
The Jubilee has grown over the years, and on their website (www.alabamajubilee.net) they have a list of activities we didn't have the two years we went. There is an Antique Car Show, Antique Tractor Show, Art Show and Kite Festival. There may be food vendors there now, but we always went the picnic route.
At dusk, you will hear many people talking about "The Illumination." The Illumination is when all the balloons fire up and light up the sky at the same time. While it is very beautiful, I will warn you it lasts mere seconds. Do not sneeze, blink or go to the bathroom or you will miss it.
When we last attended, we used the campground bathrooms across the field. I don't know if they have other facilities now. You can check the website for more information.
It is a very unique, fun thing to do with the kids. We took camp chairs, blankets, food, Frisbees, footballs, etc. and just hung out until the balloons started arriving. Sunday they will have a balloon race. We always went on Saturday, so we've never seen the actual race, but there were people we talked to who camped there during the weekend so they could experience the entire two days of the Jubilee.
Dollar Movie - The Dollar Movie in Hoover will be showing Race to Witch Mountain (starring Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson), Hotel for Dogs and Mall Cop. (NOTE: The Drive-In is still showing the same two movies, so when it changes, I'll let you know.)
Gift of Austin
Ah... The Gift of Austin. Our very first gift. Our most anticipated gift. The gift we stared at for hours at a time. The gift we held for days on end (even though everyone told us it would spoil the gift). The gift we ran to whenever he made a sigh, whimper, sneeze, cough or coo. The gift we (I) blinded with the camera because every second of every minute of every day was worth recording for posterity. The gift we read to, sang to, played with, dropped everything we might be doing to fulfill whatever he wanted RIGHT THAT SECOND. The gift that never skipped a bath. The gift that never had a dirty face or nose or hands or outfit. The gift we practiced all of our new parenting skills on... and yet the gift survived and thrived.
I remember sitting at a band concert two years ago, and hearing Austin's name announced as the new Drum Major for our high school band. Mike and I were stunned (as was Austin). He was only a junior. He had no conducting experience. Mike and I did not know how to teach him this skill. What were we going to do? How was my little freckle-faced, green-eyed boy going to take on such a huge responsibility?
A short three and a half months later, Mike and I were sitting in the bleachers as a 6'3" young man in a white Drum Major uniform walked into the football stadium with the band following close behind. We watched him step onto his podium, call the band to attention and then direct the band. Was it a "perfect" first time? No. He had a little help from the band director's wife. Was it amazing to realize that my little freckle-faced, green-eyed boy was showing traits I had never imagined him having before? Yes, indeed. Who was this young man... so tall and self-assured (on the outside)? I had no idea, but I wanted to know him. Just like I had known the little boy before him.
The Gift of Austin has been talkative, self-absorbed (at times) and does not like to multi-task. The Gift of Austin has also been giving, trustworthy, hardworking, loving and a true homebody. He has taken his role of big brother seriously. (We found out how seriously when Josh became ill.) Does that mean I never get angry with him? No. Does that mean he takes out the trash without being told? NO! (When is that going to happen?) Does that mean he is a perfect teenager? Sorry... No such thing.
For a woman who lives for the "firsts" in life, I have loved sharing the majority of those with Austin. The "firsts" coming up in the next few days, months and even years are a little scary for both of us, I think. But Austin is up for the challenge (even though I may not be).
He is, has always been, and will always be, my joy.
Night at the Museum Date
I know I said today's date would be perfect for a parent and teenager OR spouse, but this came to my attention today. Night at the Museum is coming out this Friday night.
On May 30 and June 6 at the McWane Center, they are having a Night at the Museum Camp-In. It's a little pricey ($40 for children and $35 for adults), but it would be one of those dates your guy (or girl) would NEVER forget! I know I wouldn't.
Included in the price is dinner, late night snacks, activities in the McWane Center, watching the movie on the IMAX screen and breakfast the next morning. After the planned activities for the evening are over, you and your date grab sleeping bags and pillows and find a place to settle in for the night.
McWane had this same Camp-In for the first movie, too. I'm glad they are continuing such a great activity. You'll need to call soon to get your reservations. I bet they fill up pretty fast. Call 714-8300.
Next week, I'll get to the other date... I promise.
I'm sorry I yelled at you yesterday. You do not have to do any of the stuff I mention on the blog. This should be a stress-free zone if you happen to come by. You shouldn't have to worry about me calling you... or coming by your house... or blog yelling.
That being said, you HAVE to try this date! It would be so much fun.
Have a great Thursday. Tomorrow is the LAST TV Review for a while, and I will have a a list of books which would make great graduation gifts.
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Huntsville Day Trip
Good Wednesday morning!
If you get a chance today, click on "Nitty.Gritty" under my Blog List and read Jody's post about joy. It will make you think... and be thankful... and look for the joy in this day.
Yet another pic in the Gallery from the Virginia Beach trip for your perusal. It's still the talk of the household, but real life is starting to kick in, and the conversation around the dinner table is slowly, but surely, starting to include other things.
The topic for today continues. It is Josh's turn. The gift that keeps on giving! I've enjoyed thinking about the kids in terms of being a "gift." It brings gratitude and thankfulness to the forefront, and helps put the little things that can drive a Mom CRAZY in perspective.
Gift of Joshua
I've said before, Austin was (and is) my total obsession as my first child. Roxie was (and is) my heart's desire. But Joshua, my Josh, was (and is) my heart. I knew him in a way I didn't know Austin and Roxie... meaning I understood the workings of his little mind very early on. Don't misunderstand. I totally LOVE and ADORE all three of these kids. But Josh and I think alike... bless his heart.
Josh was born the "surprise" way, and weighed in at 9'12" in the wee hours of October 4, 1993. (Again, I will share his "birth" day story in October.) I had complications with each pregnancy, but even before he was born, Josh gave me my first migraine... not my last, but my very first. I also had gestational diabetes with Josh. (NOTE: When I asked the doctor if having gestational diabetes in pregnancy meant I would have diabetes later in life, he said it was a possibility, but it would be much later in life. Since when was 45 considered "later in life" I want to know? I was counting on at least being 80!)
Josh was good and sweet and loved his brother, who in turn, loved him back with a passion. I always say Josh didn't have a personality until he was almost three. He loved EVERYTHING Austin loved.
"What's your favorite color, Josh?"
"Orange," the reply... Austin's favorite color.
"What's your favorite toy, Josh?"
"Dinosaurs," the reply... Austin's favorite toy.
"What's your favorite animal, Josh?"
"Tiger," the reply... Austin's favorite animal.
"What's your favorite food, Josh?"
"Pizza," the reply... Austin's favorite food.
One day while we were coloring, I pulled out two orange crayons for the boys to color two tiger pictures. Josh sat very still, and then slowly pushed the color back to me. "I want black, please," he requested quietly.
"What do you mean you want black?" Austin asked, dumbstruck.
"Black is my favorite color today," he responded. And after that, Josh became his own little person.
Josh has never been the "middle" child. He has always been our second son... Austin's younger brother... Roxie's big brother. And he's very good at all three of these roles. Does he get on our nerves sometimes? Yep. Does he know what button to push on each of the remaining Faulkner Four? Yep. Does he know exactly when to stop pushing the button? Uh, no. He is a member of the male species, you know.
Although he has a fairly impatient personality, he also has an uncanny ability to quietly wait his turn. When we started dating the kids when they were very young, he would ask where Austin was going, look me in the eyes and ask when his turn would be, and he would wait until that time. However, if dinner was five minutes late, he would lay face down on the floor moaning until the food hit the table. (See... Just like his Mom. An enigma.)
I think part of what makes his illness so devastating to me is the memory of looking into his eyes and not being able to see "Josh" anywhere. The thought of having "lost" who Josh was for a time is still too overwhelming for me to think about... even now.
The Gift of Joshua is tenacious, stubborn and argumentative. The Gift of Joshua is also courage personified, unwilling to give up when others would have thrown in the towel years ago, fun-loving and desperately trying to be who he knows he still is... somewhere under the OCD.
If I had known 15 years ago what I know now, would I have so willingly accepted the Gift of Joshua? Oh, yes. Definitely, most assuredly, yes. Mike and I believe we were chosen by God especially to be Josh's parents, to help bear his burdens and hurts with him, and to walk beside him during this difficult part of his life's journey. We feel honored to have been given such a special gift those many years ago, and we wouldn't trade it for anything in the world... ever.
He's my heart, you know. I am honored to have been entrusted with him... OCD and all.
Huntsville Day Trip
Huntsville... It's not just for field trips anymore. After doing a little research, I found several things that sounded fun for a Day Trip to Huntsville.
1. U.S. Space and Rocket Center - Although this is a field trip for most schools, I've taken the kids on individual dates to the Rocket Center, and we have thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Along with the exhibits in the museum, they now have rides (G-Force, Space Shot, etc.) and an IMAX theater which shows footage of astronauts (my favorite!) aboard a space shuttle. It is open from 9:00 to 5:00 daily. It is a little pricey, so if you go, make sure your guys will enjoy themselves in this type of setting. (If you have a four year-old princess who doesn't like space, this is not a Huntsville attraction for you!) Adults - $24.95; children (6-12) - $19.95. (1-800-533-7281)
NOTE: We always like to buy space food in the gift shop for our souvenir. It's fun and different.
2. Sci-Quest - This is a hands-on science museum. The description says you can "take a ride in a tornado, experience an earthquake, or travel through the human body." The main attraction is a giant 3-D theater. You can use touch screen monitors and ask questions, learn facts, and take little quizzes. It is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 to 5:00; Saturday from 10:00 to 6:00; and Sunday from 1:00 to 5:00. Admission is a little less expensive than the Rocket Center. Adults - $9; children - $8. (256-837-0606)
3. North Alabama Railroad Museum - This sounds great. You can climb aboard a restored antique train and go on a ten-mile trip through the countryside. There is also a museum. They advise you to make reservations. Visiting the museum is free. Train Ride - Adult - $12; children (12 and under) - $8. (256-851-6276)
4. Harmony Safari Park - This is one of only 19 drive-through zoos in the country. (We've been to the one near Callaway Gardens two times and thoroughly loved it.) As you drive slowly through the two-mile strip, you will see zebra, a camel, a kangaroo, deer, ostriches, buffalo, etc. They also have a reptile collection (in enclosures, thank goodness). They are open from 10:00 to sunset daily. Adult - $6; children (under 2) - free. (877-726-4625)
5. Green Mountain Nature Trail - This park is FREE and open all year long. It has more than just walking paths. There are picnic tables scattered everywhere. You can fish in the lake. There is a covered bridge and you will be able to see turtles, woodpeckers, herons and the state's oldest and largest elm tree. There is a 2.25 mile walking trail. (256-883-9501)
6. Cathedral Caverns State Park - If you and your family are not afraid of very deep, dark places, this might be fun for you. The caverns have one of the largest entrances in the world, and it also has the world's largest stalagmite (named Goliath). They have cave tours from 9:00 to sunset. Adults - $10; children (6-12) - $5; children (5 and under) - FREE. (256-728-8193)
As always, pick and choose the activity or activities which would fit your family's likes and dislikes. Because of the cost of several of these excursions, a picnic at Green Mountain Nature Trail might fit the bill. If not, research restaurants in the area and try to go to a local (not a chain) restaurant for one of your meals that day.
And, as always when trying something new, be flexible! If Mom or Dad get uptight, everyone gets tight. (I speak from experience!)
Have a wonderful Wednesday. Josh and Roxie only have three more "official" days of school left, and boy are we counting them down! Tomorrow I have a nice little date for you and your teenager OR you and your spouse. You decide. Decide and then DO IT! (Sorry, I didn't mean to yell. But I'm going to check with each and every one of you next week to see if you are actually doing any of this stuff. Expect my call.)
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
If you get a chance today, click on "Nitty.Gritty" under my Blog List and read Jody's post about joy. It will make you think... and be thankful... and look for the joy in this day.
Yet another pic in the Gallery from the Virginia Beach trip for your perusal. It's still the talk of the household, but real life is starting to kick in, and the conversation around the dinner table is slowly, but surely, starting to include other things.
The topic for today continues. It is Josh's turn. The gift that keeps on giving! I've enjoyed thinking about the kids in terms of being a "gift." It brings gratitude and thankfulness to the forefront, and helps put the little things that can drive a Mom CRAZY in perspective.
Gift of Joshua
I've said before, Austin was (and is) my total obsession as my first child. Roxie was (and is) my heart's desire. But Joshua, my Josh, was (and is) my heart. I knew him in a way I didn't know Austin and Roxie... meaning I understood the workings of his little mind very early on. Don't misunderstand. I totally LOVE and ADORE all three of these kids. But Josh and I think alike... bless his heart.
Josh was born the "surprise" way, and weighed in at 9'12" in the wee hours of October 4, 1993. (Again, I will share his "birth" day story in October.) I had complications with each pregnancy, but even before he was born, Josh gave me my first migraine... not my last, but my very first. I also had gestational diabetes with Josh. (NOTE: When I asked the doctor if having gestational diabetes in pregnancy meant I would have diabetes later in life, he said it was a possibility, but it would be much later in life. Since when was 45 considered "later in life" I want to know? I was counting on at least being 80!)
Josh was good and sweet and loved his brother, who in turn, loved him back with a passion. I always say Josh didn't have a personality until he was almost three. He loved EVERYTHING Austin loved.
"What's your favorite color, Josh?"
"Orange," the reply... Austin's favorite color.
"What's your favorite toy, Josh?"
"Dinosaurs," the reply... Austin's favorite toy.
"What's your favorite animal, Josh?"
"Tiger," the reply... Austin's favorite animal.
"What's your favorite food, Josh?"
"Pizza," the reply... Austin's favorite food.
One day while we were coloring, I pulled out two orange crayons for the boys to color two tiger pictures. Josh sat very still, and then slowly pushed the color back to me. "I want black, please," he requested quietly.
"What do you mean you want black?" Austin asked, dumbstruck.
"Black is my favorite color today," he responded. And after that, Josh became his own little person.
Josh has never been the "middle" child. He has always been our second son... Austin's younger brother... Roxie's big brother. And he's very good at all three of these roles. Does he get on our nerves sometimes? Yep. Does he know what button to push on each of the remaining Faulkner Four? Yep. Does he know exactly when to stop pushing the button? Uh, no. He is a member of the male species, you know.
Although he has a fairly impatient personality, he also has an uncanny ability to quietly wait his turn. When we started dating the kids when they were very young, he would ask where Austin was going, look me in the eyes and ask when his turn would be, and he would wait until that time. However, if dinner was five minutes late, he would lay face down on the floor moaning until the food hit the table. (See... Just like his Mom. An enigma.)
I think part of what makes his illness so devastating to me is the memory of looking into his eyes and not being able to see "Josh" anywhere. The thought of having "lost" who Josh was for a time is still too overwhelming for me to think about... even now.
The Gift of Joshua is tenacious, stubborn and argumentative. The Gift of Joshua is also courage personified, unwilling to give up when others would have thrown in the towel years ago, fun-loving and desperately trying to be who he knows he still is... somewhere under the OCD.
If I had known 15 years ago what I know now, would I have so willingly accepted the Gift of Joshua? Oh, yes. Definitely, most assuredly, yes. Mike and I believe we were chosen by God especially to be Josh's parents, to help bear his burdens and hurts with him, and to walk beside him during this difficult part of his life's journey. We feel honored to have been given such a special gift those many years ago, and we wouldn't trade it for anything in the world... ever.
He's my heart, you know. I am honored to have been entrusted with him... OCD and all.
Huntsville Day Trip
Huntsville... It's not just for field trips anymore. After doing a little research, I found several things that sounded fun for a Day Trip to Huntsville.
1. U.S. Space and Rocket Center - Although this is a field trip for most schools, I've taken the kids on individual dates to the Rocket Center, and we have thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Along with the exhibits in the museum, they now have rides (G-Force, Space Shot, etc.) and an IMAX theater which shows footage of astronauts (my favorite!) aboard a space shuttle. It is open from 9:00 to 5:00 daily. It is a little pricey, so if you go, make sure your guys will enjoy themselves in this type of setting. (If you have a four year-old princess who doesn't like space, this is not a Huntsville attraction for you!) Adults - $24.95; children (6-12) - $19.95. (1-800-533-7281)
NOTE: We always like to buy space food in the gift shop for our souvenir. It's fun and different.
2. Sci-Quest - This is a hands-on science museum. The description says you can "take a ride in a tornado, experience an earthquake, or travel through the human body." The main attraction is a giant 3-D theater. You can use touch screen monitors and ask questions, learn facts, and take little quizzes. It is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 to 5:00; Saturday from 10:00 to 6:00; and Sunday from 1:00 to 5:00. Admission is a little less expensive than the Rocket Center. Adults - $9; children - $8. (256-837-0606)
3. North Alabama Railroad Museum - This sounds great. You can climb aboard a restored antique train and go on a ten-mile trip through the countryside. There is also a museum. They advise you to make reservations. Visiting the museum is free. Train Ride - Adult - $12; children (12 and under) - $8. (256-851-6276)
4. Harmony Safari Park - This is one of only 19 drive-through zoos in the country. (We've been to the one near Callaway Gardens two times and thoroughly loved it.) As you drive slowly through the two-mile strip, you will see zebra, a camel, a kangaroo, deer, ostriches, buffalo, etc. They also have a reptile collection (in enclosures, thank goodness). They are open from 10:00 to sunset daily. Adult - $6; children (under 2) - free. (877-726-4625)
5. Green Mountain Nature Trail - This park is FREE and open all year long. It has more than just walking paths. There are picnic tables scattered everywhere. You can fish in the lake. There is a covered bridge and you will be able to see turtles, woodpeckers, herons and the state's oldest and largest elm tree. There is a 2.25 mile walking trail. (256-883-9501)
6. Cathedral Caverns State Park - If you and your family are not afraid of very deep, dark places, this might be fun for you. The caverns have one of the largest entrances in the world, and it also has the world's largest stalagmite (named Goliath). They have cave tours from 9:00 to sunset. Adults - $10; children (6-12) - $5; children (5 and under) - FREE. (256-728-8193)
As always, pick and choose the activity or activities which would fit your family's likes and dislikes. Because of the cost of several of these excursions, a picnic at Green Mountain Nature Trail might fit the bill. If not, research restaurants in the area and try to go to a local (not a chain) restaurant for one of your meals that day.
And, as always when trying something new, be flexible! If Mom or Dad get uptight, everyone gets tight. (I speak from experience!)
Have a wonderful Wednesday. Josh and Roxie only have three more "official" days of school left, and boy are we counting them down! Tomorrow I have a nice little date for you and your teenager OR you and your spouse. You decide. Decide and then DO IT! (Sorry, I didn't mean to yell. But I'm going to check with each and every one of you next week to see if you are actually doing any of this stuff. Expect my call.)
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Monday, May 18, 2009
Crock Pot Parmesan Chicken
Good Tuesday morning!
Note to Ann: Thanks for the kind words regarding Austin. He had the best time on his last high school band trip. He thinks the world of your two band members, and he's going to miss them very much. (I don't know if Amy and Morgan are going to miss the "slamming of the lockers," but Austin certainly will.) Your guys made it very easy for him to enjoy being Drum Major.
Note to LeAnna: How proud are we of Alex? He did an excellent job opening the Awards Ceremony last night. And I was proud of his awards. (And he looked good, too! He's a very handsome young man.)
Note to Tonya: Go, Seth, go! I loved it when the Vice-Principal had to offer to hold some of his awards for him. I'm so very proud of him, also. Those "Brown Boys" are a force to be reckoned with, aren't they? (Oh, and he was exceedingly handsome, too.)
Note to Evelyn: I know you're about to burst with pride. Andrew is going to make a great Drum Major. I'll be at his first game, and since Josh will be playing football, when the band plays I can concentrate totally on watching your son. Congratulations!
Note to Melaney: We were very proud of Miss Taylor last night. She looked beautiful, too. We have much to be thankful for, don't we?
Last night, Roxie attended her Awards Night. She received a trophy for All As, so I've added a picture or two in the Gallery of her and her brothers celebrating with an order of chili cheese fries. She's worked hard this first year of middle school, and I'm very proud of her.
As promised, I've also added another picture from Austin's trip. Why Peyton is wearing a sweatshirt and Austin is getting ready to go swimming (that's why he's shirtless) doesn't make a lot of sense to me. It was pretty cool in Virginia, but from what I can tell, swimming translated into hours of beach football. Thus, the lack of a sweatshirt for my guy. I'll add another one tomorrow.
If you love strawberry muffins (which I do), go to this website and try her recipe. I am making them tonight for tomorrow's breakfast. I love muffins... I love strawberries... I love crunchy sugar on top of anything. That being said, I can no longer eat any of those things (but I am going to take a bite). It doesn't look like a difficult recipe, so I'm going to let you know how it turns out. The website is www.noblepig.com.
The topic this week is going to be about gifts. And not just any ol' gift, but gifts disguised as children. Psalms 127:3-5, "Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one's youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them."
Since Austin will soon be starting a new chapter in his life, and since I've had an almost urgent need to spend as much time with the kids and Mikie as I possibly can since my cancer scares 11 years back, I don't want to take these gifts for granted... ever.
Today, I'll be talking about the Gift of Roxie. Tomorrow, the Gift of Joshua. Thursday, the Gift of Austin. Are these gifts perfect? Nope. Have there been times when I sometimes wanted to return these gifts for newer models? (Code for I MISS THE BABY YEARS!!!) To be honest, there have been moments! Are these gifts 100% totally mine and Mikie's? Nope. They are on loan for a short while, and what we do with these gifts while they are in our care is what is important.
The Gift of Roxie
Mike and I had always wanted three children. (I later changed the number to four, but with age and new and different complications each and every pregnancy, we prayerfully decided to close that door.)
Roxie's was a very trying pregnancy. From the time I found out I was expecting (I was told I would probably have a miscarriage within 48 hours after being told I was pregnant), to the time she was finally born (with four other complications from conception to birth -- minor and major), she was a challenge. One good thing about having complications is scheduled C-Sections. We knew when she was coming up to the very minute. Control freaks like myself like knowing the very minute a baby is going to be born. The joy of surprise is completely lost on people like me.
As hard as it was to finally have Roxie, she was (and still is) a beautiful gift... All wrapped up in a warm, white blanket with nothing showing but rosy cheeks, a tiny mouth and an even smaller little nose. "What have you decided to name her?" a nurse leaned down and whispered in my ear.
"Roxie," I replied. "After her great-great-grandmother."
"Perfect," the nurse responded, and then they whisked her away for tests for a problem they had been anticipating upon her arrival. (I will tell Roxie's "birth" day story in September.)
From that moment on, we enjoyed having a girl. The boys were overly attentive, giving in to her every whim and request, but she was sweet and pleasant, and the spoiling didn't seem to have an adverse affect on her in her younger years.
Her first week in 4-K, I knew things would be different for her. Children other than her brothers were not going to give her everything she asked for immediately when she asked. I was wrong. "Johnny got in trouble today," she told me.
"Why?" I asked.
"He took my seat, so I had to tell the teacher on him," was the reply.
"Was it really your seat, or did you just want to sit in it the same time Johnny was sitting in it?" I asked, cautiously.
"I got up to play, and when I came back, he was in MY seat," she responded.
So things were the same at school as they were at the house.
In the 12 years since she was given to our family, she has been a perfect mixture of girly-girl and tomboy. Although she's going to be the smallest one in our family by far (her brothers are 6'4" and 6'0"... so far), she is more than capable of taking care of herself in a sometimes male-dominated house. And she can do so wearing a dress with wedge heels and lip gloss.
She can be sassy, independent and bossy, but she can also be tender, compassionate and empathetic. When she sets her mind to do something, I feel sorry for the person who stands in her way.
The gift that is Roxie is exhilarating, exasperating and sometimes exhausting, but always, always entertaining. She is by far one of the greatest gifts Mike and I have ever received, and we are thankful for each and every day she is in our lives. She is a constant reminder to us of God's goodness. Roxie was, and continues to be, my heart's desire.
Crock Pot Parmesan Chicken
You will need:
8 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves (about 2 pounds)
1/2 cup water
1 cup fat-free or light mayonnaise
1/2 cup grated fat-free Parmesan cheese
2 teaspoons dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon paprika
1. Place chicken and water in crock pot.
2. Cover. Cook on high 2 hours.
3. Mix remaining ingredients. Spread over chicken.
4. Cover. Cook on high 2 to 2 1/2 hours.
You can substitute the fat-free for regular mayonnaise and Parmesan cheese. I copied this recipe from the Fix-It and Forget-It Lightly cookbook by Phyllis Pellman Good. You can add a salad, serve it over noodles and add mushrooms the last two hours in the crock pot, and you will have a complete and easy summer meal.
Thanks for stopping by today. Have a great Tuesday, and check back tomorrow for another Spring Day Trip. We're quickly running out of spring, but there's still time to explore a town near you!
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow!
Note to Ann: Thanks for the kind words regarding Austin. He had the best time on his last high school band trip. He thinks the world of your two band members, and he's going to miss them very much. (I don't know if Amy and Morgan are going to miss the "slamming of the lockers," but Austin certainly will.) Your guys made it very easy for him to enjoy being Drum Major.
Note to LeAnna: How proud are we of Alex? He did an excellent job opening the Awards Ceremony last night. And I was proud of his awards. (And he looked good, too! He's a very handsome young man.)
Note to Tonya: Go, Seth, go! I loved it when the Vice-Principal had to offer to hold some of his awards for him. I'm so very proud of him, also. Those "Brown Boys" are a force to be reckoned with, aren't they? (Oh, and he was exceedingly handsome, too.)
Note to Evelyn: I know you're about to burst with pride. Andrew is going to make a great Drum Major. I'll be at his first game, and since Josh will be playing football, when the band plays I can concentrate totally on watching your son. Congratulations!
Note to Melaney: We were very proud of Miss Taylor last night. She looked beautiful, too. We have much to be thankful for, don't we?
Last night, Roxie attended her Awards Night. She received a trophy for All As, so I've added a picture or two in the Gallery of her and her brothers celebrating with an order of chili cheese fries. She's worked hard this first year of middle school, and I'm very proud of her.
As promised, I've also added another picture from Austin's trip. Why Peyton is wearing a sweatshirt and Austin is getting ready to go swimming (that's why he's shirtless) doesn't make a lot of sense to me. It was pretty cool in Virginia, but from what I can tell, swimming translated into hours of beach football. Thus, the lack of a sweatshirt for my guy. I'll add another one tomorrow.
If you love strawberry muffins (which I do), go to this website and try her recipe. I am making them tonight for tomorrow's breakfast. I love muffins... I love strawberries... I love crunchy sugar on top of anything. That being said, I can no longer eat any of those things (but I am going to take a bite). It doesn't look like a difficult recipe, so I'm going to let you know how it turns out. The website is www.noblepig.com.
The topic this week is going to be about gifts. And not just any ol' gift, but gifts disguised as children. Psalms 127:3-5, "Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one's youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them."
Since Austin will soon be starting a new chapter in his life, and since I've had an almost urgent need to spend as much time with the kids and Mikie as I possibly can since my cancer scares 11 years back, I don't want to take these gifts for granted... ever.
Today, I'll be talking about the Gift of Roxie. Tomorrow, the Gift of Joshua. Thursday, the Gift of Austin. Are these gifts perfect? Nope. Have there been times when I sometimes wanted to return these gifts for newer models? (Code for I MISS THE BABY YEARS!!!) To be honest, there have been moments! Are these gifts 100% totally mine and Mikie's? Nope. They are on loan for a short while, and what we do with these gifts while they are in our care is what is important.
The Gift of Roxie
Mike and I had always wanted three children. (I later changed the number to four, but with age and new and different complications each and every pregnancy, we prayerfully decided to close that door.)
Roxie's was a very trying pregnancy. From the time I found out I was expecting (I was told I would probably have a miscarriage within 48 hours after being told I was pregnant), to the time she was finally born (with four other complications from conception to birth -- minor and major), she was a challenge. One good thing about having complications is scheduled C-Sections. We knew when she was coming up to the very minute. Control freaks like myself like knowing the very minute a baby is going to be born. The joy of surprise is completely lost on people like me.
As hard as it was to finally have Roxie, she was (and still is) a beautiful gift... All wrapped up in a warm, white blanket with nothing showing but rosy cheeks, a tiny mouth and an even smaller little nose. "What have you decided to name her?" a nurse leaned down and whispered in my ear.
"Roxie," I replied. "After her great-great-grandmother."
"Perfect," the nurse responded, and then they whisked her away for tests for a problem they had been anticipating upon her arrival. (I will tell Roxie's "birth" day story in September.)
From that moment on, we enjoyed having a girl. The boys were overly attentive, giving in to her every whim and request, but she was sweet and pleasant, and the spoiling didn't seem to have an adverse affect on her in her younger years.
Her first week in 4-K, I knew things would be different for her. Children other than her brothers were not going to give her everything she asked for immediately when she asked. I was wrong. "Johnny got in trouble today," she told me.
"Why?" I asked.
"He took my seat, so I had to tell the teacher on him," was the reply.
"Was it really your seat, or did you just want to sit in it the same time Johnny was sitting in it?" I asked, cautiously.
"I got up to play, and when I came back, he was in MY seat," she responded.
So things were the same at school as they were at the house.
In the 12 years since she was given to our family, she has been a perfect mixture of girly-girl and tomboy. Although she's going to be the smallest one in our family by far (her brothers are 6'4" and 6'0"... so far), she is more than capable of taking care of herself in a sometimes male-dominated house. And she can do so wearing a dress with wedge heels and lip gloss.
She can be sassy, independent and bossy, but she can also be tender, compassionate and empathetic. When she sets her mind to do something, I feel sorry for the person who stands in her way.
The gift that is Roxie is exhilarating, exasperating and sometimes exhausting, but always, always entertaining. She is by far one of the greatest gifts Mike and I have ever received, and we are thankful for each and every day she is in our lives. She is a constant reminder to us of God's goodness. Roxie was, and continues to be, my heart's desire.
Crock Pot Parmesan Chicken
You will need:
8 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves (about 2 pounds)
1/2 cup water
1 cup fat-free or light mayonnaise
1/2 cup grated fat-free Parmesan cheese
2 teaspoons dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon paprika
1. Place chicken and water in crock pot.
2. Cover. Cook on high 2 hours.
3. Mix remaining ingredients. Spread over chicken.
4. Cover. Cook on high 2 to 2 1/2 hours.
You can substitute the fat-free for regular mayonnaise and Parmesan cheese. I copied this recipe from the Fix-It and Forget-It Lightly cookbook by Phyllis Pellman Good. You can add a salad, serve it over noodles and add mushrooms the last two hours in the crock pot, and you will have a complete and easy summer meal.
Thanks for stopping by today. Have a great Tuesday, and check back tomorrow for another Spring Day Trip. We're quickly running out of spring, but there's still time to explore a town near you!
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow!
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Digital Camera Race
Good Monday morning!
The Showcase Pic is of me and my guys celebrating Mother's Day yesterday. I've also put a picture of me, Austin and Roxie in the Gallery. More about my Mother's Day below.
The Gallery has three pictures from Virginia Beach. Austin did a great job. (I'll be adding one or two pics each day this week.) He had a great trip. We've never been to Virginia Beach before, and to be honest I've never heard of King's Dominion (an amusement park they went to Saturday), so I'm living vicariously through his pictures and stories. It's just too good to have him home.
Making a declaration about our breakfast date worked this time. We had an hour or so at Cracker Barrel and talked and talked. It was wonderful to be alone with Mikie during this incredibly "busy" time of our lives. Oh, by the way. If you haven't been to Cracker Barrel lately, they have a new breakfast item called the Skillet. They have three different kinds, all of which are topped with eggs and cheese. Two of the three actually have breakfast type food under the eggs and cheese. I, for some unknown reason, decided to order the Vegetable Skillet. Why did I do that? I'll eat broccoli on occasion for dinner, but NEVER have I eaten broccoli for breakfast. There's a reason for that, too. It's wrong. Terribly, terribly wrong. (Having said that, I would recommend the other two Skillets in a heartbeat.)
Saturday night, after working hard on some house projects, Josh and Roxie wanted to go to the movies. Josh and his cousin, Katie, went to see Star Trek (and declared it to be very good). While they were watching Star Trek, Roxie, her friend, Ally, and her cousin, Zac, attended Hannah Montana. (I loved it! Good music. A little corny. A nice, G-rated love story. A very good movie.) Since Mikie had to work late trying to finish up some work projects, it was a nice way to spend a rainy Saturday evening. (Plus, everyone paid their own way.)
My Mother's Day celebration was lovely. We ate at Brio's. I ordered a panini. That's just a fun word to say, plus it tastes very good. I was very, very pleased. Needless to say, I didn't order broccoli!
My gifts are pictured in the Gallery above. I like getting my hanging baskets on Mother's Day. I have three hooks, and I have three children. To me, it's a no-brainer. They did a good job this year. These flowers are called calibrachoa, and they are golden. I've never seen them before, have you?
Amazing Race is over... Celebrity Apprentice is over... LOST is over... (and, if you believe everything you read, Jon and Kate may be over). All that is left this week is Survivor (which ended last night) and 24 (which ends tonight). See... We watch TV in abundance, but only for eight to ten weeks out of 52. Now there is nothing. We may actually have to talk to each other!
Have I thought of a topic for this week? Yes, I have. But you'll have to check in tomorrow to see what the topic will be. (See. I'm trying that blog teaser thing again. I have found it to be very effective in raising my readership numbers... although this time you might be a little disappointed! See. Yet another teaser.)
Until then, let's party!
Digital Camera Race
NOTE: This party works just as well for boys as it does for girls.
This was last year's end-of-the-year party, and it was so much fun... if you were the winning team.
You need two vans, two parents for each van (one to drive and one to take the pictures), and a set of girls in each van. You will need to make clues that match your area. Each team will begin at the same location, and each team will end at the same location. However, as with all of my scavenger/treasure hunts, one team is working clues 1 through 10 while the other team is working the clues backward (10 to 1). The last clue stays the same for both teams.
These are the clues we used for our Race last year:
1. Go to a place where yellow balls bounce. (LET THE GIRLS GUESS WHERE THEY NEED TO GO BEFORE READING FURTHER.) Somewhere inside your van, you will find a ball and a racquet. Each girl must take a turn hitting the ball to an adult (just once). Take a picture with one girl holding the racquet and the other two girls on either side of her. (Tennis Courts)
2. Go to a restaurant where you love to eat chips and salsa. (LET THE GIRLS GUESS WHERE THEY NEED TO GO.) Once there, go inside with an adult and ask for three sombreros. Go outside on the bench and have your picture taken wearing the sombreros. (RETURN THE SOMBREROS BEFORE GETTING BACK IN THE VAN.) (Habaneros)
3. Go to a place where books are EVERYWHERE. (LET THE GIRLS GUESS WHERE THEY NEED TO GO.) Once inside, find one Hardy Boys Book and check it out with an adult’s library card. Take a picture outside the building on the bench holding the book. (Library)
4. Go to the place where Roxie lives. Look under the mat on the front porch and get one envelope. (DO NOT OPEN THE ENVELOPE UNTIL YOU ARE IN THE CAR.) Take a picture on Roxie’s front steps before getting back into the van. (OPEN THE ENVELOPE AND FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS INSIDE.)
NOTE: Inside the envelope was the next task. The girls had to go to the Dollar Store and buy three different kinds of candy to share with everyone at the end of the Race. The envelope also contained $5.
5. Go to a place where you can get a drink out of a lion’s mouth. (LET THE GIRLS GUESS.) Take a picture with all the girls standing around the lion. (Moncrief Park)
6. Go to a place where you’ve spent most of your time this past year. In fact, you were there at 8:00 this morning. (LET THE GIRLS GUESS.) Take a picture of all the girls standing near some playground equipment. (Elementary School)
7. Go to a place where white and black balls are kicked around. (LET THE GIRLS GUESS.) Once there, take a picture of the girls beside the fence with the fields behind them. (Soccer Fields)
8. Go to a place where one of your moms does nails. (LET THE GIRLS GUESS.) Take a picture of the girls in the back of the shop by the big tree. (Nail and Hair Salon)
9. Go to a place where you’ve all played in the gym the past 10 or 11 years. (LET THE GIRLS GUESS.) Take a picture of the girls in the gym. (Church Family Life Center)
10. Go to a place where you can take a dip in the summer when it is very hot outside. (LET THE GIRLS GUESS.) Take a picture of the girls beside the gate and/or the sign. (Community Swimming Pool)
11. LAST STOP!!! YOU’VE WORKED HARD!!! NOW GO TO THE PLACE WHERE A SNO-CONE CAN BE BOUGHT TO REFRESH YOUR TIRED, WORN-OUT LITTLE BODIES!! FIRST ONE THERE WITH ALL THE PICTURES WILL WIN!!!! (Snow-Biz)
Once there, everyone ordered a sno-cone and an adult checked the winner's camera to make sure all the pictures were there (IN ORDER) before we declared the winning team. The losing team (my van) was only a minute or so behind the winners.
What also makes this fun is passing the other van as they go in the opposite direction to complete different tasks. It was very inexpensive (except for gas), and it ended with all the girls together talking about their past year and their plans for the summer. (I liked it because it was a no mess, no fuss kind of party. When it was all over, the house was still in tact. Always a plus.)
Have a wonderful Monday. I have a super easy crock pot dinner you can make tomorrow morning and eat tomorrow evening. Did I say SUPER EASY? YES!
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
The Showcase Pic is of me and my guys celebrating Mother's Day yesterday. I've also put a picture of me, Austin and Roxie in the Gallery. More about my Mother's Day below.
The Gallery has three pictures from Virginia Beach. Austin did a great job. (I'll be adding one or two pics each day this week.) He had a great trip. We've never been to Virginia Beach before, and to be honest I've never heard of King's Dominion (an amusement park they went to Saturday), so I'm living vicariously through his pictures and stories. It's just too good to have him home.
Making a declaration about our breakfast date worked this time. We had an hour or so at Cracker Barrel and talked and talked. It was wonderful to be alone with Mikie during this incredibly "busy" time of our lives. Oh, by the way. If you haven't been to Cracker Barrel lately, they have a new breakfast item called the Skillet. They have three different kinds, all of which are topped with eggs and cheese. Two of the three actually have breakfast type food under the eggs and cheese. I, for some unknown reason, decided to order the Vegetable Skillet. Why did I do that? I'll eat broccoli on occasion for dinner, but NEVER have I eaten broccoli for breakfast. There's a reason for that, too. It's wrong. Terribly, terribly wrong. (Having said that, I would recommend the other two Skillets in a heartbeat.)
Saturday night, after working hard on some house projects, Josh and Roxie wanted to go to the movies. Josh and his cousin, Katie, went to see Star Trek (and declared it to be very good). While they were watching Star Trek, Roxie, her friend, Ally, and her cousin, Zac, attended Hannah Montana. (I loved it! Good music. A little corny. A nice, G-rated love story. A very good movie.) Since Mikie had to work late trying to finish up some work projects, it was a nice way to spend a rainy Saturday evening. (Plus, everyone paid their own way.)
My Mother's Day celebration was lovely. We ate at Brio's. I ordered a panini. That's just a fun word to say, plus it tastes very good. I was very, very pleased. Needless to say, I didn't order broccoli!
My gifts are pictured in the Gallery above. I like getting my hanging baskets on Mother's Day. I have three hooks, and I have three children. To me, it's a no-brainer. They did a good job this year. These flowers are called calibrachoa, and they are golden. I've never seen them before, have you?
Amazing Race is over... Celebrity Apprentice is over... LOST is over... (and, if you believe everything you read, Jon and Kate may be over). All that is left this week is Survivor (which ended last night) and 24 (which ends tonight). See... We watch TV in abundance, but only for eight to ten weeks out of 52. Now there is nothing. We may actually have to talk to each other!
Have I thought of a topic for this week? Yes, I have. But you'll have to check in tomorrow to see what the topic will be. (See. I'm trying that blog teaser thing again. I have found it to be very effective in raising my readership numbers... although this time you might be a little disappointed! See. Yet another teaser.)
Until then, let's party!
Digital Camera Race
NOTE: This party works just as well for boys as it does for girls.
This was last year's end-of-the-year party, and it was so much fun... if you were the winning team.
You need two vans, two parents for each van (one to drive and one to take the pictures), and a set of girls in each van. You will need to make clues that match your area. Each team will begin at the same location, and each team will end at the same location. However, as with all of my scavenger/treasure hunts, one team is working clues 1 through 10 while the other team is working the clues backward (10 to 1). The last clue stays the same for both teams.
These are the clues we used for our Race last year:
1. Go to a place where yellow balls bounce. (LET THE GIRLS GUESS WHERE THEY NEED TO GO BEFORE READING FURTHER.) Somewhere inside your van, you will find a ball and a racquet. Each girl must take a turn hitting the ball to an adult (just once). Take a picture with one girl holding the racquet and the other two girls on either side of her. (Tennis Courts)
2. Go to a restaurant where you love to eat chips and salsa. (LET THE GIRLS GUESS WHERE THEY NEED TO GO.) Once there, go inside with an adult and ask for three sombreros. Go outside on the bench and have your picture taken wearing the sombreros. (RETURN THE SOMBREROS BEFORE GETTING BACK IN THE VAN.) (Habaneros)
3. Go to a place where books are EVERYWHERE. (LET THE GIRLS GUESS WHERE THEY NEED TO GO.) Once inside, find one Hardy Boys Book and check it out with an adult’s library card. Take a picture outside the building on the bench holding the book. (Library)
4. Go to the place where Roxie lives. Look under the mat on the front porch and get one envelope. (DO NOT OPEN THE ENVELOPE UNTIL YOU ARE IN THE CAR.) Take a picture on Roxie’s front steps before getting back into the van. (OPEN THE ENVELOPE AND FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS INSIDE.)
NOTE: Inside the envelope was the next task. The girls had to go to the Dollar Store and buy three different kinds of candy to share with everyone at the end of the Race. The envelope also contained $5.
5. Go to a place where you can get a drink out of a lion’s mouth. (LET THE GIRLS GUESS.) Take a picture with all the girls standing around the lion. (Moncrief Park)
6. Go to a place where you’ve spent most of your time this past year. In fact, you were there at 8:00 this morning. (LET THE GIRLS GUESS.) Take a picture of all the girls standing near some playground equipment. (Elementary School)
7. Go to a place where white and black balls are kicked around. (LET THE GIRLS GUESS.) Once there, take a picture of the girls beside the fence with the fields behind them. (Soccer Fields)
8. Go to a place where one of your moms does nails. (LET THE GIRLS GUESS.) Take a picture of the girls in the back of the shop by the big tree. (Nail and Hair Salon)
9. Go to a place where you’ve all played in the gym the past 10 or 11 years. (LET THE GIRLS GUESS.) Take a picture of the girls in the gym. (Church Family Life Center)
10. Go to a place where you can take a dip in the summer when it is very hot outside. (LET THE GIRLS GUESS.) Take a picture of the girls beside the gate and/or the sign. (Community Swimming Pool)
11. LAST STOP!!! YOU’VE WORKED HARD!!! NOW GO TO THE PLACE WHERE A SNO-CONE CAN BE BOUGHT TO REFRESH YOUR TIRED, WORN-OUT LITTLE BODIES!! FIRST ONE THERE WITH ALL THE PICTURES WILL WIN!!!! (Snow-Biz)
Once there, everyone ordered a sno-cone and an adult checked the winner's camera to make sure all the pictures were there (IN ORDER) before we declared the winning team. The losing team (my van) was only a minute or so behind the winners.
What also makes this fun is passing the other van as they go in the opposite direction to complete different tasks. It was very inexpensive (except for gas), and it ended with all the girls together talking about their past year and their plans for the summer. (I liked it because it was a no mess, no fuss kind of party. When it was all over, the house was still in tact. Always a plus.)
Have a wonderful Monday. I have a super easy crock pot dinner you can make tomorrow morning and eat tomorrow evening. Did I say SUPER EASY? YES!
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Weekend Happenings
Good Friday morning!
NOTE: If you have little ones, check out "sevenchicks" under my Blog List today. They have a lunchbox that is so cute and original. They also have a website link you can click on to check out the price, etc. I wish, I wish, I wish I could order one of these for Austin to take to college... but, we want him to fit in, don't we?
Austin made it to Virginia Beach safe and sound. Yesterday was "beach" day, and today they are performing at Busch Gardens. So far, so good. He's having a good time, and hopefully, getting some rest.
This afternoon, Spring Training will officially be OVER. Josh is tired, but more determined than ever. It will be a little easier this summer when we don't have school and homework to contend with. (I know. I know. In the fall, you also have school and homework. I'm just more than a little ready for school to be out for the summer. Aren't we all?)
Saturday morning, Mike and I are heading out for a breakfast date (NO MATTER WHAT). See what I did? I declared it! Do you know what happens when you declare it? I don't know, but it usually ends with us not going on the date. Very, very risky... and I hope we can really go. (The last four dates have crashed and burned midway or haven't even made it out of the driveway. But you have to keep trying! Wish us luck!)
Roxie's friend Ally will be spending some time with us this weekend since her Mom is chaperoning the band trip. I feel a chick flick coming on.
My Mother's Day lunch destination has not been nailed down as of this post. (I'm thinking Brio's! I love Brio's. But I love trying new places, too. What to do? What to do?) Yeah. Definitely Brio's.
The TV Reviews are all in except for LOST. I'm planning on watching it today while I do my ironing, so I'll be adding it a little later in the day. (It's the finale, so I hope it will answer some questions... and I hope, hope, hope they didn't kill off Sawyer... or Kate... or Hurley... or Jin... Okay! I hope it's Ben. There I said it!)
TV Review
Amazing Race - It's over, and I was RIGHT! The brother/sister team won. It was close the entire time, so it wasn't a very suspenseful ending, but it was the most congenial ending I've ever seen. The "fussy redheaded girl" team was actually nice to the mother/son team at the very end. It was good to see a brother/sister team win.
Roxie is more determined than ever to go on the Race. I can see her doing it, too. There isn't one thing she wouldn't try at this point in her life that they've done. Except eating the scorpions. I don't know if she would have been able to do that. And, as her mother, I hope she wouldn't have run through that really cold place in only her underwear. That would have bothered me a great deal. But, who knows? (If she ever was in the Race, it would be three weeks of my life I would not sleep a wink!)
Celebrity Apprentice - Joan Rivers won. I was right again! Am I good or what? It was a good show, but long. I loved it when Donald Trump asked Clint Black who would he fire... and he said the editors! He was right. They made him look really, really bad. I don't think being on the show helped him sell any CDs.
24 - We're back to old times now. Jack's daughter, Kim, is going to be killed unless Tony is released. Not only do I understand the plot, but they are repeating the same plot from Season Two to make it even easier for the "brain cell deprived."
I was a little worried that Aaron was falling for Olivia's lies, but he redeemed himself. He's actually going to break protocol to spy on her. Gotta love Aaron. I hope when this season ends, he goes to work for Jack in some capacity. I think he would be a very calming influence on Jack, don't you?
LOST - Check in after my ironing is done!
Survivor - Go J.T.! It's time to have a T-shirt made for my road trip to Sampson, Alabama week after next. That's right. I am sooo sure he is going to win, I'm already planning what I am going to wear! It's going to be jungle green, I think. Evelyn, since you're driving me down there, I'm getting one for you to wear, too. I bet you can't wait until I post those pictures, can you!
Book
The Books Series for this week is very well known in the second and third grade world... The Magic Tree House Series by Mary Pope Osborne. There are new books in this series published every year. They now have 42 different stories.
Each story is set in a different time period or in a different location, and while your child is reading about the adventures of Annie and Jack as they look for the answers to their clues, they are also learning facts about a specific time in history or about the customs of a certain nationality, etc. The titles give you a hint of what subject your child will be exploring... Mummies in the Morning; Good Morning, Gorillas; Tonight on the Titanic; etc.
These are great chapter books, and they get better and better with each new addition. Although they are not very lengthy, they definitely pack a lot of information and adventure into a small, well-told story. If you have a first grader who is not able to read the books alone, they are great read-aloud books, too.
The local libraries carry all of these books, and they are also very affordable at Books-A-Million.
Have a wonderful, family-filled weekend. Do something new and different (a new restaurant, Noccalula Falls, etc.), or something old and familiar (movie night at home with popcorn and a hundred pillows and blankets). Do something one-on-one with the kids or your spouse, or do something as a whole family unit. Just do something! Don't let a weekend slip by without spending time with the most precious people in your life.
I'll be back next week, with more spring AND graduation "stuff." I'll have another day trip on Wednesday under Seasonal Traditions, and I'll have a list of several books you may want to give as graduation gifts to the graduates in your life.
Take care, and I'll talk to you on Monday.
NOTE: If you have little ones, check out "sevenchicks" under my Blog List today. They have a lunchbox that is so cute and original. They also have a website link you can click on to check out the price, etc. I wish, I wish, I wish I could order one of these for Austin to take to college... but, we want him to fit in, don't we?
Austin made it to Virginia Beach safe and sound. Yesterday was "beach" day, and today they are performing at Busch Gardens. So far, so good. He's having a good time, and hopefully, getting some rest.
This afternoon, Spring Training will officially be OVER. Josh is tired, but more determined than ever. It will be a little easier this summer when we don't have school and homework to contend with. (I know. I know. In the fall, you also have school and homework. I'm just more than a little ready for school to be out for the summer. Aren't we all?)
Saturday morning, Mike and I are heading out for a breakfast date (NO MATTER WHAT). See what I did? I declared it! Do you know what happens when you declare it? I don't know, but it usually ends with us not going on the date. Very, very risky... and I hope we can really go. (The last four dates have crashed and burned midway or haven't even made it out of the driveway. But you have to keep trying! Wish us luck!)
Roxie's friend Ally will be spending some time with us this weekend since her Mom is chaperoning the band trip. I feel a chick flick coming on.
My Mother's Day lunch destination has not been nailed down as of this post. (I'm thinking Brio's! I love Brio's. But I love trying new places, too. What to do? What to do?) Yeah. Definitely Brio's.
The TV Reviews are all in except for LOST. I'm planning on watching it today while I do my ironing, so I'll be adding it a little later in the day. (It's the finale, so I hope it will answer some questions... and I hope, hope, hope they didn't kill off Sawyer... or Kate... or Hurley... or Jin... Okay! I hope it's Ben. There I said it!)
TV Review
Amazing Race - It's over, and I was RIGHT! The brother/sister team won. It was close the entire time, so it wasn't a very suspenseful ending, but it was the most congenial ending I've ever seen. The "fussy redheaded girl" team was actually nice to the mother/son team at the very end. It was good to see a brother/sister team win.
Roxie is more determined than ever to go on the Race. I can see her doing it, too. There isn't one thing she wouldn't try at this point in her life that they've done. Except eating the scorpions. I don't know if she would have been able to do that. And, as her mother, I hope she wouldn't have run through that really cold place in only her underwear. That would have bothered me a great deal. But, who knows? (If she ever was in the Race, it would be three weeks of my life I would not sleep a wink!)
Celebrity Apprentice - Joan Rivers won. I was right again! Am I good or what? It was a good show, but long. I loved it when Donald Trump asked Clint Black who would he fire... and he said the editors! He was right. They made him look really, really bad. I don't think being on the show helped him sell any CDs.
24 - We're back to old times now. Jack's daughter, Kim, is going to be killed unless Tony is released. Not only do I understand the plot, but they are repeating the same plot from Season Two to make it even easier for the "brain cell deprived."
I was a little worried that Aaron was falling for Olivia's lies, but he redeemed himself. He's actually going to break protocol to spy on her. Gotta love Aaron. I hope when this season ends, he goes to work for Jack in some capacity. I think he would be a very calming influence on Jack, don't you?
LOST - Check in after my ironing is done!
Survivor - Go J.T.! It's time to have a T-shirt made for my road trip to Sampson, Alabama week after next. That's right. I am sooo sure he is going to win, I'm already planning what I am going to wear! It's going to be jungle green, I think. Evelyn, since you're driving me down there, I'm getting one for you to wear, too. I bet you can't wait until I post those pictures, can you!
Book
The Books Series for this week is very well known in the second and third grade world... The Magic Tree House Series by Mary Pope Osborne. There are new books in this series published every year. They now have 42 different stories.
Each story is set in a different time period or in a different location, and while your child is reading about the adventures of Annie and Jack as they look for the answers to their clues, they are also learning facts about a specific time in history or about the customs of a certain nationality, etc. The titles give you a hint of what subject your child will be exploring... Mummies in the Morning; Good Morning, Gorillas; Tonight on the Titanic; etc.
These are great chapter books, and they get better and better with each new addition. Although they are not very lengthy, they definitely pack a lot of information and adventure into a small, well-told story. If you have a first grader who is not able to read the books alone, they are great read-aloud books, too.
The local libraries carry all of these books, and they are also very affordable at Books-A-Million.
Have a wonderful, family-filled weekend. Do something new and different (a new restaurant, Noccalula Falls, etc.), or something old and familiar (movie night at home with popcorn and a hundred pillows and blankets). Do something one-on-one with the kids or your spouse, or do something as a whole family unit. Just do something! Don't let a weekend slip by without spending time with the most precious people in your life.
I'll be back next week, with more spring AND graduation "stuff." I'll have another day trip on Wednesday under Seasonal Traditions, and I'll have a list of several books you may want to give as graduation gifts to the graduates in your life.
Take care, and I'll talk to you on Monday.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Peach Park
Good Thursday morning!
Well, it's very evident to me there will not be a specific "topic" discussed this week. We're still in survival mode around here.
Austin left last night for his Virginia Beach band trip. He was so excited, and I'm happy for him, but I'll miss him... a lot. I keep telling myself it is just for three days, and I'll get to see him again on Sunday.
Last year was the first time Mike or I didn't go on a trip with Austin. The band went to Tampa and Busch Gardens. Well, we had never been to Busch Gardens before, so I HAD to have pictures. I sent the little digital camera with him. But because I know him soooo well, I knew he probably wouldn't take very many pics. That has always been my job, so he hasn't been much of a camera person. I enlisted the help of my friend, Peyton. She is Mr. Jeff's daughter, and if Austin were to have another sister, it would be Peyton. They have that kind of relationship.
I asked Peyton to take at least ONE good picture of Austin each day of the trip. "No problem, Miss Belinda." And she honored her commitment.
When Austin arrived home, I hugged and kissed him and made a grab for the camera. Imagine my surprise and delight when I saw dozens of wonderful pictures... that he had taken himself. He's a very good photographer. But at the beginning of each and every day was a picture of Austin and Peyton... in front of the bus. Both were in different groups, and both were anxious to get into the parks, and both were eager to please me. So I have four beautiful pictures of Peyton and Austin together... in four different T-shirts... on four different days... in front of THE SAME EXACT BUS! They had just made plans to meet as soon as they got off their respective buses and take care of that day's chore! (And on each page of the scrapbook for that trip, the very first picture in the upper left-hand corner is... you guessed it! Peyton and Austin in front of a white bus. Priceless!)
I think I'm going to have to rent an apartment for ME and go to college again. Well, not the classes, but at least every three days I would need to SEE him to make sure he's okay. I know. I know. I am pathetic. And just so you know, he's not attached to my "apron strings." He's more than ready, willing and able to try it on his own this fall. It's all me. Poor, pitiful me. I'm the only mother in the whole world who has ever gone through this before. Heavy, heavy, heavy sigh... tears flowing... baby movies coming out of the drawer under the entertainment center... sad, sad day. I need ice cream. Lots and lots and lots of ice cream, but because of the diabetes thing, I can't have ice cream.
That could be topic for next week... The 40s and why that decade should be totally avoided! I have lots of reasons why I would like to skip the 40s entirely. "But then you would be in your 50s," you correctly point out. Yeah. There aren't a lot of options out there, are there?
I was watching a TV show the other day while ironing and someone asked the guest what her favorite body part was. (She was a supermodel or something.) I didn't hear what she said because I was thinking how I would answer that question if it was posed to me. It took me a few minutes, but then I came up with the perfect answer... my low blood pressure. Does that count as a body part? It should. Of all the things that have gone totally wrong the past few years (body and otherwise), my blood pressure has remained constant. Low! Oh, and I have fairly nice ears, too. (Now I have to shop for new earrings for Sunday because everyone is going to want to look at my fairly nice ears. More stress.)
Nope. That's not going to be the topic next week. I can already tell it would be too depressing. I'll think of something, don't worry. Something light. Something uplifting.
As my buddy, Pooh, would say, "Think, think, think."
Weekend Family Fun
Remember when we talked about Noccalula Falls a few weeks back. This weekend they are having their First Annual Smoke on the Falls Barbeque Festival. It will be held May 15 and 16. The gates open Friday afternoon at 4:00 p.m. and Saturday morning at 10:00 a.m. Admission for children 6 to 12 is $5 and 13 and up is $10.
If you go on Friday night, they have the Foggy Hollow Band, New Delusions and Michael Warren for entertainment. They also have live entertainment Saturday.
Not only do you get the regular fun Noccalula Falls stuff (hiking, miniature golf, petting zoo, the Falls, Pioneer Village, train rides, etc.), but you also get to try great barbeque and hear live bands.
Since it is the "First Annual," I don't have any information about how wonderful it was two or three years ago. If you go to this, have a flexible, adventurous spirit and enjoy.
They haven't put the weekend showtimes on the website for the Dollar Movie yet. I'll keep checking today, and if there are new movies, I will alter the post.
Peach Park
This is a good date for a parent and child because it involves one-on-one time in the car. It's a 45-minute trek to Peach Park from our home. It is our tradition to stop on the way to the beach, and on the way back from the beach. We enjoy homemade ice cream and other goodies.
However, on a date it would be a great time to talk, talk, talk. While most people go to Peach Park for the ice cream and the sweets, they have WONDERFUL barbeque, too. It is a very relaxing place to have dinner, ice cream, swing in the big swings along the path beside the restaurant, or just rock in one of their big ol' rocking chairs and enjoy the breeze.
On the way home, have a CD with some of your favorite songs from when you were growing up. (Elvis and Barry Manilow for me!) Talk about anything and everything your little guy or girl wants to talk about. Listen and enjoy.
Thank goodness it is Thursday! Thursday... such a happy day! Tomorrow I'll have my TV Review. Celebrity Apprentice, LOST and Amazing Race ended this week, so it's all winding down. I'll also have a book suggestion for your little one.
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Well, it's very evident to me there will not be a specific "topic" discussed this week. We're still in survival mode around here.
Austin left last night for his Virginia Beach band trip. He was so excited, and I'm happy for him, but I'll miss him... a lot. I keep telling myself it is just for three days, and I'll get to see him again on Sunday.
Last year was the first time Mike or I didn't go on a trip with Austin. The band went to Tampa and Busch Gardens. Well, we had never been to Busch Gardens before, so I HAD to have pictures. I sent the little digital camera with him. But because I know him soooo well, I knew he probably wouldn't take very many pics. That has always been my job, so he hasn't been much of a camera person. I enlisted the help of my friend, Peyton. She is Mr. Jeff's daughter, and if Austin were to have another sister, it would be Peyton. They have that kind of relationship.
I asked Peyton to take at least ONE good picture of Austin each day of the trip. "No problem, Miss Belinda." And she honored her commitment.
When Austin arrived home, I hugged and kissed him and made a grab for the camera. Imagine my surprise and delight when I saw dozens of wonderful pictures... that he had taken himself. He's a very good photographer. But at the beginning of each and every day was a picture of Austin and Peyton... in front of the bus. Both were in different groups, and both were anxious to get into the parks, and both were eager to please me. So I have four beautiful pictures of Peyton and Austin together... in four different T-shirts... on four different days... in front of THE SAME EXACT BUS! They had just made plans to meet as soon as they got off their respective buses and take care of that day's chore! (And on each page of the scrapbook for that trip, the very first picture in the upper left-hand corner is... you guessed it! Peyton and Austin in front of a white bus. Priceless!)
I think I'm going to have to rent an apartment for ME and go to college again. Well, not the classes, but at least every three days I would need to SEE him to make sure he's okay. I know. I know. I am pathetic. And just so you know, he's not attached to my "apron strings." He's more than ready, willing and able to try it on his own this fall. It's all me. Poor, pitiful me. I'm the only mother in the whole world who has ever gone through this before. Heavy, heavy, heavy sigh... tears flowing... baby movies coming out of the drawer under the entertainment center... sad, sad day. I need ice cream. Lots and lots and lots of ice cream, but because of the diabetes thing, I can't have ice cream.
That could be topic for next week... The 40s and why that decade should be totally avoided! I have lots of reasons why I would like to skip the 40s entirely. "But then you would be in your 50s," you correctly point out. Yeah. There aren't a lot of options out there, are there?
I was watching a TV show the other day while ironing and someone asked the guest what her favorite body part was. (She was a supermodel or something.) I didn't hear what she said because I was thinking how I would answer that question if it was posed to me. It took me a few minutes, but then I came up with the perfect answer... my low blood pressure. Does that count as a body part? It should. Of all the things that have gone totally wrong the past few years (body and otherwise), my blood pressure has remained constant. Low! Oh, and I have fairly nice ears, too. (Now I have to shop for new earrings for Sunday because everyone is going to want to look at my fairly nice ears. More stress.)
Nope. That's not going to be the topic next week. I can already tell it would be too depressing. I'll think of something, don't worry. Something light. Something uplifting.
As my buddy, Pooh, would say, "Think, think, think."
Weekend Family Fun
Remember when we talked about Noccalula Falls a few weeks back. This weekend they are having their First Annual Smoke on the Falls Barbeque Festival. It will be held May 15 and 16. The gates open Friday afternoon at 4:00 p.m. and Saturday morning at 10:00 a.m. Admission for children 6 to 12 is $5 and 13 and up is $10.
If you go on Friday night, they have the Foggy Hollow Band, New Delusions and Michael Warren for entertainment. They also have live entertainment Saturday.
Not only do you get the regular fun Noccalula Falls stuff (hiking, miniature golf, petting zoo, the Falls, Pioneer Village, train rides, etc.), but you also get to try great barbeque and hear live bands.
Since it is the "First Annual," I don't have any information about how wonderful it was two or three years ago. If you go to this, have a flexible, adventurous spirit and enjoy.
They haven't put the weekend showtimes on the website for the Dollar Movie yet. I'll keep checking today, and if there are new movies, I will alter the post.
Peach Park
This is a good date for a parent and child because it involves one-on-one time in the car. It's a 45-minute trek to Peach Park from our home. It is our tradition to stop on the way to the beach, and on the way back from the beach. We enjoy homemade ice cream and other goodies.
However, on a date it would be a great time to talk, talk, talk. While most people go to Peach Park for the ice cream and the sweets, they have WONDERFUL barbeque, too. It is a very relaxing place to have dinner, ice cream, swing in the big swings along the path beside the restaurant, or just rock in one of their big ol' rocking chairs and enjoy the breeze.
On the way home, have a CD with some of your favorite songs from when you were growing up. (Elvis and Barry Manilow for me!) Talk about anything and everything your little guy or girl wants to talk about. Listen and enjoy.
Thank goodness it is Thursday! Thursday... such a happy day! Tomorrow I'll have my TV Review. Celebrity Apprentice, LOST and Amazing Race ended this week, so it's all winding down. I'll also have a book suggestion for your little one.
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Kidnap Dad
Good Wednesday morning!
I have two new pics in the Gallery today. Austin and Josh both attended the Top Twenty Luncheon our school has for the Top Twenty in each class (Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors), so that was a huge honor for both of them. Austin is pictured with our friend, Mr. Jeff, who graduated from Jacksonville State several (many) years ago. He has been a great encouragement to us as our family has researched schools, scholarships, etc. He has two children in college and two still in high school. It was very fitting for Austin to have his picture taken with Mr. Jeff.
The second picture is Josh and his Dad after he received his certificate. There were many times we thought this day would never come over the last few years, and it was definitely a moment to be cherished. If people only knew the sheer strength, determination and stubbornness it takes for Josh to even get out of the car on most days... much less go into the building and stay there... much less take honors classes... much less make all As. Many days he comes home mentally and emotionally exhausted and drained, physically spent, and sometimes horribly sad.
The minute he walks in the door, it's our job (the remaining Faulkner Four) to provide a safe place... a place to "be" without pretending he's okay... a place where it is acceptable to have OCD and overwhelming anxiety he can't always control. It's our job to understand who he is and the illness he has, and to be thankful and celebrate the fact he made it through another day. No need for pretending here. This is home. Josh isn't the only one who "needs" this. I think everyone does. I know I do.
I named this blog A Simple Life because that is really and truly what I want for me and my family. I don't think being "busy" all the time is a good thing. I actually think it can be harmful to a family. I really, really do. And usually, I don't like comparing my "busy" days with other people. Usually, I'm kind of ashamed when my days are too "busy" and the balance in my life is missing, and I don't want other people to know I let "busyness" take away a precious day. But today, I'm going to be honest.
At 10:30 yesterday morning, we attended Josh's Awards Day.
At 11:30, we attended the Top Twenty Luncheon with Austin and Josh.
At 1:30, Josh went to the Top Twenty pool party for one hour.
At 2:45, he went back to school for football spring training.
At 3:00, I met with Roxie's soccer coach for the meeting I had missed the night before because of Senior Awards Night.
At 5:00, I fixed supper.
At 5:30, Roxie and Austin ate and Austin took Roxie with him to get ready for his final Spring Concert and her first Spring Concert.
At 6:30, Mike was supposed to attend a mandatory football meeting for parents. He had to skip this because of the Concerts.
At 6:30, Roxie's Spring Concert began.
At 7:00, Mike ran Roxie to her dance class.
At 8:15, Austin's final Spring Concert began.
At 9:15, we arrived home.
Keep in mind, the only thing our family had scheduled for yesterday was Roxie's dance class. Everything else just kind of happened. (ALL very good. But ALL on the same exact day!)
When I look at a day like yesterday in writing, I always wonder what I can do to keep it from happening again. What could I have done to "simplify" such an unusually "busy" day? I don't know. I'm just so, so thankful these days are rare in our lives.
Was yesterday full of wonderful, special, memorable moments? Yes. Yes, it was. Did I take 331 digital pictures and three rolls of film? Yes. Yes, I did. Would I want to have the same kind of day tomorrow? No. No, I would not.
I'll be honest again. There was no time yesterday to "be still." There was no time yesterday for balance. There was no time yesterday for one-on-one time with anyone in my family. While there was a lot of good packed into the day, there was still a lot of important things missing, too. (I'm actually looking forward to today... and it's a Wednesday!)
You may be thinking I'm a whiner, and you have days that could make the above look like a walk in the park. Maybe I am, but today I'm working on achieving balance in my life again. God, Family, Others. God, Family, Others. (I have got to get that tattooed somewhere... but it would probably take too much time.)
NOTE: Yesterday, "momofboys" left a comment saying May was the new December. I wholeheartedly agree. I'm going to go a step further and say after barely surviving yesterday, 47 FEELS like the new 74. (Code for I FELT MUCH, MUCH OLDER LAST NIGHT THAN I DID YESTERDAY MORNING!)
Kidnap Dad
Since Mother's Day is over, you can do this for Dad on Father's Day.
Create a plan for kidnapping your Dad from his Saturday chores to have lunch together the day BEFORE Father's Day (so it will be a real surprise). You can let the kids pack a picnic lunch to eat at a nearby park, or go to Dad's favorite barbecue joint. You can take him bowling or fishing or biking or to a movie. Plan something you know he will enjoy doing with the kids.
It's more about giving the "gift of time" instead of buying a gift. As parents and children get older, the gift most moms and dads want is time with their kids... whether it is one-on-one time or time spent together as a family. If you ask for this kind of gift now, as the children become teens and young adults, they can continue planning ways to spend TIME with Dad (or Mom) on his/her special day.
VARIATION: If the kids are preschool or elementary age, they can use water pistols and masks to "kidnap Dad." You can have the car running and waiting as the children bring their very surprised Dad out the door. (As long as you have a Dad that doesn't get carsick, you could even blindfold him to make it a little more suspenseful.)
NOTE: We started doing this with Mikie three years ago. The kids pick the restaurant destination and the activity each year, and although we don't physically kidnap Mikie, we do surprise him with a "gift of time." He loves it.
Have a very un-busy Wednesday. Tomorrow, I'll share a fun date, and I'll have the list of Weekend Family Fun. Last week's list was very eclectic (good word). I'm not sure I can deliver such an array of activities this week, but we'll see.
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
I have two new pics in the Gallery today. Austin and Josh both attended the Top Twenty Luncheon our school has for the Top Twenty in each class (Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors), so that was a huge honor for both of them. Austin is pictured with our friend, Mr. Jeff, who graduated from Jacksonville State several (many) years ago. He has been a great encouragement to us as our family has researched schools, scholarships, etc. He has two children in college and two still in high school. It was very fitting for Austin to have his picture taken with Mr. Jeff.
The second picture is Josh and his Dad after he received his certificate. There were many times we thought this day would never come over the last few years, and it was definitely a moment to be cherished. If people only knew the sheer strength, determination and stubbornness it takes for Josh to even get out of the car on most days... much less go into the building and stay there... much less take honors classes... much less make all As. Many days he comes home mentally and emotionally exhausted and drained, physically spent, and sometimes horribly sad.
The minute he walks in the door, it's our job (the remaining Faulkner Four) to provide a safe place... a place to "be" without pretending he's okay... a place where it is acceptable to have OCD and overwhelming anxiety he can't always control. It's our job to understand who he is and the illness he has, and to be thankful and celebrate the fact he made it through another day. No need for pretending here. This is home. Josh isn't the only one who "needs" this. I think everyone does. I know I do.
I named this blog A Simple Life because that is really and truly what I want for me and my family. I don't think being "busy" all the time is a good thing. I actually think it can be harmful to a family. I really, really do. And usually, I don't like comparing my "busy" days with other people. Usually, I'm kind of ashamed when my days are too "busy" and the balance in my life is missing, and I don't want other people to know I let "busyness" take away a precious day. But today, I'm going to be honest.
At 10:30 yesterday morning, we attended Josh's Awards Day.
At 11:30, we attended the Top Twenty Luncheon with Austin and Josh.
At 1:30, Josh went to the Top Twenty pool party for one hour.
At 2:45, he went back to school for football spring training.
At 3:00, I met with Roxie's soccer coach for the meeting I had missed the night before because of Senior Awards Night.
At 5:00, I fixed supper.
At 5:30, Roxie and Austin ate and Austin took Roxie with him to get ready for his final Spring Concert and her first Spring Concert.
At 6:30, Mike was supposed to attend a mandatory football meeting for parents. He had to skip this because of the Concerts.
At 6:30, Roxie's Spring Concert began.
At 7:00, Mike ran Roxie to her dance class.
At 8:15, Austin's final Spring Concert began.
At 9:15, we arrived home.
Keep in mind, the only thing our family had scheduled for yesterday was Roxie's dance class. Everything else just kind of happened. (ALL very good. But ALL on the same exact day!)
When I look at a day like yesterday in writing, I always wonder what I can do to keep it from happening again. What could I have done to "simplify" such an unusually "busy" day? I don't know. I'm just so, so thankful these days are rare in our lives.
Was yesterday full of wonderful, special, memorable moments? Yes. Yes, it was. Did I take 331 digital pictures and three rolls of film? Yes. Yes, I did. Would I want to have the same kind of day tomorrow? No. No, I would not.
I'll be honest again. There was no time yesterday to "be still." There was no time yesterday for balance. There was no time yesterday for one-on-one time with anyone in my family. While there was a lot of good packed into the day, there was still a lot of important things missing, too. (I'm actually looking forward to today... and it's a Wednesday!)
You may be thinking I'm a whiner, and you have days that could make the above look like a walk in the park. Maybe I am, but today I'm working on achieving balance in my life again. God, Family, Others. God, Family, Others. (I have got to get that tattooed somewhere... but it would probably take too much time.)
NOTE: Yesterday, "momofboys" left a comment saying May was the new December. I wholeheartedly agree. I'm going to go a step further and say after barely surviving yesterday, 47 FEELS like the new 74. (Code for I FELT MUCH, MUCH OLDER LAST NIGHT THAN I DID YESTERDAY MORNING!)
Kidnap Dad
Since Mother's Day is over, you can do this for Dad on Father's Day.
Create a plan for kidnapping your Dad from his Saturday chores to have lunch together the day BEFORE Father's Day (so it will be a real surprise). You can let the kids pack a picnic lunch to eat at a nearby park, or go to Dad's favorite barbecue joint. You can take him bowling or fishing or biking or to a movie. Plan something you know he will enjoy doing with the kids.
It's more about giving the "gift of time" instead of buying a gift. As parents and children get older, the gift most moms and dads want is time with their kids... whether it is one-on-one time or time spent together as a family. If you ask for this kind of gift now, as the children become teens and young adults, they can continue planning ways to spend TIME with Dad (or Mom) on his/her special day.
VARIATION: If the kids are preschool or elementary age, they can use water pistols and masks to "kidnap Dad." You can have the car running and waiting as the children bring their very surprised Dad out the door. (As long as you have a Dad that doesn't get carsick, you could even blindfold him to make it a little more suspenseful.)
NOTE: We started doing this with Mikie three years ago. The kids pick the restaurant destination and the activity each year, and although we don't physically kidnap Mikie, we do surprise him with a "gift of time." He loves it.
Have a very un-busy Wednesday. Tomorrow, I'll share a fun date, and I'll have the list of Weekend Family Fun. Last week's list was very eclectic (good word). I'm not sure I can deliver such an array of activities this week, but we'll see.
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Monday, May 11, 2009
Coconut-Banana Cups
Good Tuesday morning!
Ahh! It feels good to have an up and running computer! It was very frustrating this weekend. I feel the same way about phone service and power when it is interrupted, too. I am so spoiled. I need to plan a Little House on the Prairie Night around here, and we'll do everything the old-fashioned way without power, phones, computers, etc. Or not. I don't think even I could make that fun!
I've added a picture from my camera from Mother's Day wearing my corsage. Mom, Bev and I took pictures at Miss Rosemarie's on Saturday, but there wasn't one where all three of us looked gorgeous at the same time, so you won't be seeing those.
I've also added Roxie's face picture I talked about yesterday. See how happy she is for her older brother? See how thrilled she is that he has received such a nice graduation gift? NOT!
Austin had an interview after school yesterday for a scholarship. The interview was downtown, and after multiple instructions, off he went. I had a bad feeling about his arriving at the right place at the right time... and that bad feeling came true. At 3:30, I called him to see if he was walking in the door. Nope. Very, very lost. I called the wonderful lady giving the interview, and she assured me it was not an unusual occurrence for high school seniors to have a little trouble in the downtown area, and she said she would see him when he arrived. It would not affect his scholarship chances at all. (Like I said... nice lady.)
Okay. Back on the phone with Austin. By this time, he is lost as in LOST the TV show. (LOST beyond hope!) He doesn't know where he is. I can't figure out where he is. He's calling out buildings, streets, etc. and finally he says something I recognize. "Okay! Get on that street!" From there, it was just a hop, skip, jump, detour and 20 minutes before he made it to the final destination.
I told him as he was getting out of the truck to go in... "Everyone gets lost downtown at one time or another. It's how you learn." He didn't sound too convinced, but we're hoping for the best. (Last night, after the Awards Ceremony, I told him tale after tale after tale of my "lost in Birmingham" stories... until he begged me to stop. And then I told him just one more... You know. To get the point across!) He's feeling much better about himself right about now! When you realize you have a directionally-challenged mother who has managed to arrive at specific destinations all her life (albeit, not always on time), it gives you hope. (That, and he's planning on buying a GPS with some of his graduation money!)
Senior Awards Night was a lot of fun. Austin did very well in the "Award Department," so it made it well worth the two hour program. (Halfway through, I gave Josh and Roxie cash and they went to the break room to get drinks and snacks, and to watch the TV for a little while. They are proud of their brother, but two hours is enough time for sibling resentment to set in if you're not careful!)
Tomorrow is Josh's turn. His Awards Day will begin at 10:30. We're especially looking forward to this ceremony. He's had to miss the last three years because of his illness, and he's worked so hard this year. In our family, tomorrow will be a monumental moment... one I hope to keep in my mind and heart forever and ever.
I don't have a specific topic today. I absolutely didn't have time to think of anything but the busy days we had planned for yesterday and today. Maybe tomorrow something will come to mind, but if not, I will still have a Seasonal Tradition. Some things will never change!
Coconut-Banana Cups
I had said in an earlier post, I had made two recipes from the Sandra Lee magazine. That was my intent. However, I only made one (a ham and potato casserole), but this week I AM GOING TO MAKE THE FOLLOWING... (and it will be my family's favorite!)...
You will need the following:
4 cups sweetened flaked coconut
3 egg whites
2 cups whole milk
1 (3.4 ounce) box instant banana cream-flavored pudding mix
3 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup frozen nondairy whipped topping
2 bananas, sliced 1/4 inch thick
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spray 16 muffin cups with cooking spray. Cut 16 small circles of parchment paper, and place in bottom of prepared muffin cups.
2. In a large bowl, combine coconut and egg whites, mixing well. Scoop 1/4 cup of mixture into prepared muffin cups, pressing firmly in bottom and up sides. Bake for 10 minutes. Remove to wire racks, and cool completely.
3. In a large bowl, whisk together milk and pudding mix. Chill until set, about 15 minutes. Stir in vanilla extract and whipped topping. Spoon into coconut cups, and top with sliced bananas. Serve immediately.
Does this not sound wonderful to you? The pictures are beautiful, too. I know, I know. You have to like coconut AND bananas for this to be a go for you and your family. I happen to love coconut AND bananas! I'll let you know in a day or so how good they are... or if you try them before me, you can let me know.
Again, the name of the magazine is Sandra Lee Semi-Homemade, and it is great.
Have a great Tuesday. We have Josh's Awards Day, Austin and Josh's Awards Luncheon and two band concerts tonight. Is that a "simple" day, or what? You've gotta love May.
I'll have more pics for the Gallery tomorrow, as well as the aforementioned tradition. Check back in if you get a chance.
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Ahh! It feels good to have an up and running computer! It was very frustrating this weekend. I feel the same way about phone service and power when it is interrupted, too. I am so spoiled. I need to plan a Little House on the Prairie Night around here, and we'll do everything the old-fashioned way without power, phones, computers, etc. Or not. I don't think even I could make that fun!
I've added a picture from my camera from Mother's Day wearing my corsage. Mom, Bev and I took pictures at Miss Rosemarie's on Saturday, but there wasn't one where all three of us looked gorgeous at the same time, so you won't be seeing those.
I've also added Roxie's face picture I talked about yesterday. See how happy she is for her older brother? See how thrilled she is that he has received such a nice graduation gift? NOT!
Austin had an interview after school yesterday for a scholarship. The interview was downtown, and after multiple instructions, off he went. I had a bad feeling about his arriving at the right place at the right time... and that bad feeling came true. At 3:30, I called him to see if he was walking in the door. Nope. Very, very lost. I called the wonderful lady giving the interview, and she assured me it was not an unusual occurrence for high school seniors to have a little trouble in the downtown area, and she said she would see him when he arrived. It would not affect his scholarship chances at all. (Like I said... nice lady.)
Okay. Back on the phone with Austin. By this time, he is lost as in LOST the TV show. (LOST beyond hope!) He doesn't know where he is. I can't figure out where he is. He's calling out buildings, streets, etc. and finally he says something I recognize. "Okay! Get on that street!" From there, it was just a hop, skip, jump, detour and 20 minutes before he made it to the final destination.
I told him as he was getting out of the truck to go in... "Everyone gets lost downtown at one time or another. It's how you learn." He didn't sound too convinced, but we're hoping for the best. (Last night, after the Awards Ceremony, I told him tale after tale after tale of my "lost in Birmingham" stories... until he begged me to stop. And then I told him just one more... You know. To get the point across!) He's feeling much better about himself right about now! When you realize you have a directionally-challenged mother who has managed to arrive at specific destinations all her life (albeit, not always on time), it gives you hope. (That, and he's planning on buying a GPS with some of his graduation money!)
Senior Awards Night was a lot of fun. Austin did very well in the "Award Department," so it made it well worth the two hour program. (Halfway through, I gave Josh and Roxie cash and they went to the break room to get drinks and snacks, and to watch the TV for a little while. They are proud of their brother, but two hours is enough time for sibling resentment to set in if you're not careful!)
Tomorrow is Josh's turn. His Awards Day will begin at 10:30. We're especially looking forward to this ceremony. He's had to miss the last three years because of his illness, and he's worked so hard this year. In our family, tomorrow will be a monumental moment... one I hope to keep in my mind and heart forever and ever.
I don't have a specific topic today. I absolutely didn't have time to think of anything but the busy days we had planned for yesterday and today. Maybe tomorrow something will come to mind, but if not, I will still have a Seasonal Tradition. Some things will never change!
Coconut-Banana Cups
I had said in an earlier post, I had made two recipes from the Sandra Lee magazine. That was my intent. However, I only made one (a ham and potato casserole), but this week I AM GOING TO MAKE THE FOLLOWING... (and it will be my family's favorite!)...
You will need the following:
4 cups sweetened flaked coconut
3 egg whites
2 cups whole milk
1 (3.4 ounce) box instant banana cream-flavored pudding mix
3 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup frozen nondairy whipped topping
2 bananas, sliced 1/4 inch thick
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spray 16 muffin cups with cooking spray. Cut 16 small circles of parchment paper, and place in bottom of prepared muffin cups.
2. In a large bowl, combine coconut and egg whites, mixing well. Scoop 1/4 cup of mixture into prepared muffin cups, pressing firmly in bottom and up sides. Bake for 10 minutes. Remove to wire racks, and cool completely.
3. In a large bowl, whisk together milk and pudding mix. Chill until set, about 15 minutes. Stir in vanilla extract and whipped topping. Spoon into coconut cups, and top with sliced bananas. Serve immediately.
Does this not sound wonderful to you? The pictures are beautiful, too. I know, I know. You have to like coconut AND bananas for this to be a go for you and your family. I happen to love coconut AND bananas! I'll let you know in a day or so how good they are... or if you try them before me, you can let me know.
Again, the name of the magazine is Sandra Lee Semi-Homemade, and it is great.
Have a great Tuesday. We have Josh's Awards Day, Austin and Josh's Awards Luncheon and two band concerts tonight. Is that a "simple" day, or what? You've gotta love May.
I'll have more pics for the Gallery tomorrow, as well as the aforementioned tradition. Check back in if you get a chance.
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
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Friday...
Finally, some new basketball action shots.
The JV team had two 40-minute games Friday, so I thought I would just go ahead and start filming now!
And here's the obligatory Bryant Tuggle pic. He's a HUGE supporter of our baskeball team. Always has been... always will be. Well, until he gets his own driver's license!
Saturday...
We spent the day with the cousins Saturday. Monica, Amy, Roxie and I shopped at Brookwood, ate at Yolo's and went to the movies (Pirates 4). It was a great day, but the best part was our celebrity sighting...
That's right! Will Ferrell! (Please feel free to use your imagination. I know we did!)
Sunday...
Mikie's 50th Family Birthday Celebration! Everyone knows 50 year-old men LOVE the Green Lantern...and their wives really like Ryan Reynolds! (How cool would it be to have your picture on a birthday party plate package? Another goal, perhaps?)
What do you give a 50 year-old guys for his birthday? Cards... filled with money, Ricky Skaggs' concert tickets, a True Grit DVD and a Red Devil's Food Cake with Divinity Icing (from his Mom). It was a very good day!
Lovely Melia gave him the True Grit DVD. (I LOVE that movie!)
And it wouldn't be a birthday without a hug from Roxie!