That's a Wrap!

Spring Break has officially wrapped. Play time is over, and now it's back to life, back to reality (as the song says). We had a nice week filled with lots of down time and game playing. With J in Orlando on business and Bethany at the beach, the girls and I had mucho quality time together. We played Zingo until we couldn't see straight. If you've never played it, you must. It's Bingo with a zing, or at least that's the way it's advertised. We also filled our time with plenty of rounds of Old Maid and Memory. Fun times! Friday morning I had to take my car to get serviced in Huntsville. This was less than a desirable outing according to my little princesses, but when I told them we'd spend the afternoon with Chuck E. Cheese they surely didn't mind cooperating. I'm not sure why, other than the fact that the girls love it, that I tend to think that going to Chuck E. Cheese is an inexpensive way to spend an afternoon. I'm quickly reminded once we get there and buy tokens that it's not. Prime example...

It took two hours and over $20 in tokens to earn enough tickets for Fun Dip and temporary tattoos...Tattoos that we had to put on in the bathroom before we left, mind you. As long as this is they only type of body art they ever have, I can handle it.

Saturday morning we went to a birthday party for one of Cate's friends. Buggy took to this car and put at least ten miles on it while we were there...
Her knees would barely fit under the steering wheel, but that didn't stop her. Then it was time to Mallard Farms to set up for our church's big Easter festivities that would take place the next day. The Stephensons are always so generous to offer their farm as a gorgeous backdrop. To say that their place is amazing is an understatement. When we got there, the girls wasted no time making friends with the 'mini horse' as they called it...
Also known as a pony! :)

My friend Amanda came to help, and while we were busy the kids had free reign to rip and romp and do just as they pleased. They had a ball. I'm convinced that if we ever lived on a farm they'd never leave home. Hmm, maybe we should look into that.
Towns, Parker and Cate found a few props which warranted a picture...
Just after that, Cate dropped the ceramic cat and his leg was amputated. She was certain a band-aid would fix it, but I was far more certain it would need super glue. It never fails...we leave our mark wherever we go!

It took several hours Saturday afternoon and a few more Sunday morning, but things came together nicely and we were ready for the crowd...
We kicked off the celebration with a picnic lunch. Food just tastes better when you're sitting on a picnic blanket in the sun, no doubt about it...
That was right about the time J and Bebby showed up, which was the first time we'd seen them in days. It's safe to say we made a scene. I had someone tell me that they loved how we were so excited to see each other. I had to confess that it wasn't because that was our usual greeting, but that it's because we'd been separated for far too long! After lunch, the first thing on the agenda was decorating and scarfing down sugar cookies...
I volunteered to bring the cookies. We originally talked about ordering them from a bakery, but since we were on a budget yours truly thought it would be far more thrifty to buy the bake-and-break kind to bake. After baking 29 dozen of them, I'm perfectly fine with never seeing or smelling another sugar cookie as long as I live!
These two didn't mind it, though...
Bethany had been asked to man the bubble table, and what a fine job she did...
If you ever need a professional bubble blower, she's your girl!
Cate had a blast chasing the bubbles around trying to pop them...
And apparently, you have to get your mouth just the right way when you're trying to catch them...

One thing is a given - there's never a shortage of things to do at Mallard Farms...
Like riding the horse train!
And giving the inflatables a run for their money...
Leave it to J to find a way to throw Towns over the top to make her bounce oh so high when she landed inside the obstacle course...
I was worried that it might start a trend, but thankfully no one else saw their horse playing!
The girls were having a blast, but they couldn't stay away from Bethany for too long. They were just a tad bit excited that she was finally home...
She's hands down the best big sister ever. She brought them both precious stuffed mermaids from the beach that they slept with last night and have yet to put down...
On another note, today is day one of cheer clinic with tryouts Thursday afternoon. This should be an exciting week!

Miss Sara had story time with all the children. She had such a neat way of retelling the Easter story. Why must the McClendon girls be the ones cutting up all the time? See below...
Somehow they got Parker to go along with it. He's the one with the green basket on his head. Goodness! While the little ones were occupied, B had a break from bubbles so she asked J to go with her to get a cookie. He tried to hold her hand which might have been the most embarrassing thing on the planet. I think she would have cut off her arm just to avoid holding his hand...
And I wonder why Towns and Cate were the only clowns with baskets on their heads.
There's my answer!

We couldn't end the afternoon fun without an egg hunt. After all, the name of the event was Hide and Hunt! When Miss Sara said the word, every child there took off as fast as they could in search of eggs...
Cate never has the sense of urgency that the other kids have. She took her dear, sweet time with her basket thrown over her shoulder...
And when she finally put a few eggs in her basket, she sat right down in the grass to count them...
She was perfectly fine that she only had six eggs while everyone else had baskets that were overflowing. It made no difference to her!

We rounded out the festivities by making a few goody bags which was the mission project for the day. Instead of filling the eggs our kids hunted with tons of candy and toys, we decided to spend the money on fun treats to take to a local school for children. Everyone got to fill the bags, drop in an Easter card from FBC, and pray for the child who would receive it...
It was neat to explain it to the girls and see them excited about doing something for other children. It's all a learning process! They were such troopers Saturday and Sunday. Most of the hours in the day were spent setting up, taking down and cleaning up at the farm. I found them a cool spot in the shade and gave them a Sprite to keep them happy while I finished up...

As if the Hide and Hunt wasn't enough fun for one day, the girls couldn't wait to get to the park to help Gray and Copeland celebrate their 6th birthday!
Towns played with her friends while Picaso was hard at work with the sidewalk chalk...
By the time the party was over, I had two bambinos who were ready to crash. I think we were in bed by 7 or so. But all is well because we have everyone under one roof again...
And that's just the way we like it!

Spring Break

Well, we saw Bethany off to the beach for the week on Saturday. Of course, we all miss her but there's one person in particular who hasn't taken to the idea of her spending Spring Break away from home so well...

That's the two of them before we went to drop B off at her friend Molly's house so they could head south. I won't tell you who wanted them to be twins. It's not who you think it would be, though. :) When we got to Molly's house, Towns hung on to Bebby's leg and wouldn't let go. She cried all the way home. They both spent the last few weeks begging us to buy Towns a go phone so they could text and talk to each other while they were apart. When we left B Saturday, a full 15 minutes hadn't passed before she texted me wondering how soon we could make the phone thing happen because she was missing Towns already. The two of them are so close, despite the age difference. It's so sweet! It's now Wednesday and we all agree that it feels like a month since she's been gone. By Saturday afternoon Towns was asking me how much longer Spring Break would last. She's beyond ready to get everything back to normal!

I, on the other hand, am not. I could get used to having nothing to do and nowhere to be!

You can most certainly bet that I've had to kick it into high gear to keep the girls entertained during all of our down time. I put in a phone call to my dad, and he was overly excited to help me out in that department. So for the past couple of days we've spent lots of time bouncing ourselves silly...
I took this next picture two seconds before Cate fell face first to the ground because she was so worried about making sure that huge bunny rabbit was safe...
When I picked her up she had a nose filled with dirt, a mouth full of grass, and a huge goose egg on her head. It was bound to happen eventually. Bless her heart!
We spent some quality time at the baseball field, too...
There's not much more in the world that makes me happier than watching baseball. The little ones passed the time by dancing on the bleachers and drawing pirate treasure maps on napkins...
They're such clowns...
The highlight of the game was Towns singing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" during the 7th inning stretch without her even knowing it was coming. That's thanks to a recording of her singing it when she was 2. My dad's American Legion team was playing in the state championship game, and I desperately wanted to be there but was about 37 weeks pregnant with Cate. It wasn't really an option for us to make the trip. Naturally, my dad was disappointed but understood. The game had literally started already when I got the idea to record her singing the song and email it to the sound guy in the press box to play as a surprise after the 7th inning. The cherry on top was her saying, "I love you, Paw Paw" like it was the last four words of the song. He had no idea we'd collaborated to make it happen, but loved it. He had it put on a CD and plays it at all of his ballgames. Towns didn't know it, and it was priceless when she heard her voice over the sound system. She didn't know whether to laugh or be embarrassed, but it was too cute. The whole crowd stood up and clapped for her after it was over. And I would almost put money on the fact that my dad had a tear or two in his eyes.
We stopped by practice the next day on our way out of town where the girls got front row seats to watch the action...
With this crew there's never a shortage of good stories and belly laughs. Case in point...
My dad has used the same clip board to post line ups and such during baseball games for 22 years. That was until Norman, a JV player, punched it out of frustration during a game and broke it. He knew immediately what was coming. He thought he'd have the worst punishment known to man. No one wanted to be the one who broke that clip board. Instead, my dad made him build a coffin, dig a three ft. hole behind home plate and bury it. He had to officiate a ceremony in front of the entire JV and Varsity teams, and every Monday he has to bring flowers to put on home plate. Hysterical.
Possibly the worst punishment of all was me telling him in front of the whole team that I needed a picture of the person who laid the clip board to rest...
Can you say embarrassment?! He was such a sport about it.
Most of the players also play for American Legion in the summers so it's sort of become one big happy family. They're used to Towns and Cate riding the bus with them to games, making them sing along to "If You're Happy and You Know It" on the microphone on the bus, etc. Honestly, how many 17 and 18 year olds do you know who would so eagerly clap their hands and stomp their feet on cue just to make two little girls happy? Here they are with my girls...My dad requested that picture. He's had most of those players since they were about Towns' age. I think he's a bit sentimental, don't you? Ha!

We couldn't get away without seeing the infamous cows that live behind my dad's house (they're not his)...
It was a good idea in theory. But that big black bull was feeling territorial and let us know it. He walked right up, lowered his head, and started moving his foot as if he was about to charge the barbed wire fence. That's when we bowed out gracefully and made our way back to the house. I tend to think that wimpy fence wouldn't keep him from getting to us, and I'd rather not add "trampled by a bull" to our list of things we did during Spring Break.

We decided to stick to nicer, kinder animals that can't flatten you like a pancake. Like the Easter Bunny at the mall...
I had to laugh when I looked back at this picture. Towns is all smiles and loving life. Cate's got a temporary smile on her face, but has positioned herself so that she can bolt if need be. That's the first time she's ever agreed to a picture with a character (if you will) without J, Bethany or me right there with her. She's always been terrified of them. But she promised that this time she would be a big girl and wouldn't be scared. I'd say she halfway delivered on that promise, wouldn't you?

We're getting J ready to board a plane to Orlando on business this week. That requires making him lots of pictures and notes to hide in his suitcase, naturally. If only it was us tucked away in his suitcase instead. B tells me all the time that Disney has been her favorite vacation and is dying to go back. I say we need to capitalize on that while it lasts...right?!

It's Friday

I can't help but sing the You Tube girl's annoying song. You know the one. But nevertheless, I'm glad it's Friday! It's also the day that kicks off our Spring Break which makes us all happy campers. We started the celebration yesterday with a trip to the Monaco to see Hop...

The little ones left B and me in the dust...They were excited about the movie...and they liked it. Me, not so much. It was cute, but there were definitely some parts that made me tilt my head and think, "really?". It wasn't nearly as kid friendly as I assumed it would be. Namely, when the Easter Bunny lands in Hollywood and seeks out Hugh Hefner's compound because that's where he thinks bunnies belong. Seriously? I'm all for a little adult humor thrown in discretely, but there was nothing about it that was discrete. Thankfully, the girls had no idea what was going on. Mercy. We all had a great time and I suppose that's all that counts! After the big movie outing, we had to hurry home and break out the sewing machine. Not only is today Friday, but it was Captain Consonant and the Letter Pirates day at Towns' school. Cue the excitement! We definitely love any excuse to dive into our costume collection, but unfortunately pirate attire is non-existent around here. I bought half a yard of red and white striped fabric and some elastic and gave Townsy a sewing lesson...
Naturally, she's going to clown around no matter what she's doing!
Precious little hands...After our sewing project was complete, it was time for gymnastics. I'll be the first to admit that it's tough making that 30 minute drive to gymnastics three times a week. But then when one of the girls finally gets something they've been working so hard at, it's worth it...

I was so proud of both Bethany and Towns!

No one was in bed before 10:00 last night. That's the price we pay on Friday mornings after those Thursday night gymnastics classes. But Towns didn't mind getting up early this morning to assume her pirate role. I made her a skull and crossbones shirt, put her hair in braids as I'm sure all girl pirates do, cut up a black t-shirt of J's for a sash, and voila...
The boys in her class are so funny. They were making their best pirate faces, obviously!

Once Towns was busy with her morning work, I went to drop Cate off in her class. Ella and Buggy were the only two in her class today...
Don't let those sweet faces deceive you! Kidding, kidding...

J and I were in charge of one of the pirate phonics games where the kiddos had to walk the plank. Towns loved it because it was like the balance beam...
Here's where it gets funny. After the games, the kids had a few cute songs to perform followed by some pirate commands to teach us parents. J is such a sport, let me tell you.
This is "hit the deck"...
Because "here comes a shark"...
Later they had to curtsy to the captain's wife...
If only the pictures did it justice. Hysterical. I told him that if I ever needed someone to take over Princess Ballerina Camp in the summers for me, he's my new go-to. Today's been bittersweet for me. Back in the fall the kids had Hoe Down in Vowel Town when they'd studied all the vowels. It seemed like the end of the consonant study was forever away. Now we're here, done with all the letters which means the end of school is inevitably near. Bring on the Kleenex!!

Speaking of Kleenex, Coco the cat has taken up with the neighbor and rarely comes back to our house. Cate spends a lot of time on the front porch swing wondering why Coco doesn't like it here, and most times the tears flow freely. I refrained from telling her that it's likely that the poor cat feels much safer at Miss Alicia's house where Cate can't get to her, and instead told her that Coco has to think Miss Alicia's two dogs are fun to play with. Bless her little heart...

She wanted to know if we could tie Coco to one end of a rope and tie the other end to the front porch. I'm thinking that would go over like a lead balloon. We'll have all week to coax her back because we officially have a week of nothing to do and nowhere to be. Glorious! B's headed to the beach for the week. It's taking all I can do not to hop in her suitcase, though. The only thing better than a week at home with no commitments is a week at the beach with no commitments!

We've all seen it before, but this just makes me even happier that it's Friday...it might have a tad bit to do with the fact that Taylor Hicks makes a cameo. Sixty, that's for you!

Happy Friday!

Lucky 7

This past weekend J and I celebrated our 7th anniversary. I don't believe in luck, so 'Lucky 7' isn't exactly the best title for this one. But it beats '7 Year Itch', right?!

We say it all the time, but it just doesn't seem like it's been seven years since we were married on the beach at Seaside...
I still think he's hysterically funny. We still high five at the smallest things. He knows what I'm thinking without me having to say a word. I pick up the phone when he's calling before it ever rings. We're stuck like glue, or so the song says...
He's pretty amazing in every way possible. I'm one blessed lady!
He'd ever so sweetly planned a beach get away for us, but I suggested that we hit the beach together when it's guaranteed to be a little warmer. Although in hindsight I'm sure it would have been a great weekend to be there. It was hot and gorgeous here, so I know it must have been even better at the beach. That just gives us something to look forward to, though!

Early last week we were running an infirmary. Towns stayed out of school for three days with strep and scarlet fever. When J called to get the diagnosis after our doctor visit, he was sure that the child was on her death bed at the sound of scarlet fever. For some reason Little House on the Prairie stuck out in my mind. After I researched it online, I found that it goes hand in hand with strep and isn't serious unless it's left untreated. We definitely had the treatment part under control, so I assured him she'd be fine. The only problem is that she has a phobia when it comes to medicine. She physically can't take it - doesn't matter what shape, form or fashion it is. Flavored or not, it's not going to stay down. Usually it takes us two or three tries before she gets a full dose in her which isn't pretty. But that's what a mama's job is all about. I definitely can't stand to see her sick, but with her independent streak lately it was quite nice to have her need me so much. We gave her lots of TLC, naturally. By Wednesday she was literally all but bouncing off the walls and itching to get back to school. I had originally told her that she probably didn't need to sing in her little program at church that night, but she'd been fever free for well over 24 hours and J thought she'd be just fine. So we all loaded up and headed that way to support little blondie. As soon as we got to church Brock and Cate found each other. They're as thick as thieves, or so their MDO teacher says. She calls him her brother which is just too sweet...

Brock's favorite color is green. I didn't realize this until I noticed that everything Cate has picked out lately has been green...whether it be a new toothbrush or a drink from the 'bass station'. When I finally asked her what was up with her green obsession she quickly told me that it's what her brother Brock likes. As long as we keep that relationship like brother and sister, J and I will roll right along with it. :) Towns had been practicing her songs at home and was glad it was time to take the stage...
This is when a zoom lens would really come in handy!
As usual, Towns was only interested in her biggest fan after it was all said and done...
She loves her Bebby to pieces!

I got a wild hair to take a trip to market in Atlanta Friday. I brought along two sidekicks because everything is always more fun when they're around...
Anna Kate and Tara are always up for an adventure. That's them digging into my bag o' tricks after dinner on Thursday night. They always know there is no telling what they'll find!
I fell in love with Blair while I was at Tara's. She is the cutest little thing, and her laugh is out of this world. I tried to get her to come home with me. Maybe next time! We dropped her off at school bright and early Friday morning before we hit market...
Of course she started laughing just after I snapped that picture. Go figure!
When I got home Friday afternoon, Cate let me in on the first big secret she'd been entrusted with. For as long as I can remember I've wanted a bike. I had one, but J destroyed it trying to do BMX bike tricks on a mint green granny style Schwinn. Needless to say those two things don't mix. The Schwinn bit the dust. I've wanted another one like it...go ahead and laugh. I can take it. I'm a simple girl and don't need fancy things. If I had a souped up bicycle with gears and such, I'd likely kill myself trying to figure out how it works. The girls love to ride their bikes all over the neighborhood, and usually I'm hoofing it behind them trying to keep up. It may seem silly to everyone else but me, but my thoughtful husband gave me this for our anniversary...
It was supposed to wait until Sunday which was our actual anniversary, but Cate told me about it on Friday so there was no point in waiting! I'm not sure who was more excited, me or the girls. We rode all day Saturday, and it was a big day because Towns finally mastered her bike without training wheels...
She got so confident at it that she decided we should try to ride a few blocks over to the park. So that's just what we did! She stuck to her favorite, the monkey bars...
While Cate tended to her baby. We settled in on some stairs in the shade where she informed me that her baby was still so young and hadn't learned to be tough yet. And then she threw her about five feet away and said, "see? She's so not tough" before she felt bad and went to pick her up...
I told her that in the real world someone would probably call DHR on her over that.

A little off the subject, but did I mention we've taken in a kitty? Bethany and Cate are equally smitten with her. Towns likes her, but isn't nearly in to Coco Chanel nearly as much as the other two are. B named her, of course! I'm not sure if she belonged to someone or not, but now she's wearing a hot pink collar which means she's officially ours. The poor cat is a sport. She's been carried all over the place and in every sort of way possible. She usually lets Buggy have her way with her which is why she's got my stamp of approval. Any cat that can be tormented like that and not claw someone's eyes out is a good cat in my book. Case in point...
Cate thinks she loves to be held like that. Maybe it's the horrid sound that she makes when Cate's got her that makes me think otherwise. Either way, she's hung around for over a week so it must not bother her too bad! This has sparked a new found love of pets for Cate. When Coco's nowhere to be found, she pretends this dog is real. She'll take it out on the porch to eat and then take it to the back yard to do its business...
The child has a natural instinct to take care of something/somebody like I've never seen before!

Yesterday afternoon was perfect for more bike riding...
I had to get it on video because Towns wanted the grandparents to see it for themselves...

She's getting better by the day!
There's a long list of things I love about J. One of them is that he cares nothing about what someone might think of him riding a pink and white bicycle down our street...
He's such a good daddy!
And that's precisely why we're seven years into it and I couldn't be happier!