Birthday Party

We have scheduled Mikayla's birthday party for tomorrow afternoon - a swim party at Mimi and Poppi's house. Invitations have been issued, and people have RSVPed. The problem?? We think Mikayla may have gotten a bug during her first week at school. Tonight we left the restaurant early because she said pretty pitifully "I'm 'bout to tho up". Sorry to be so graphic, but this is for us to look back on right? I want to remember exactly how she said it! So we got the waitress to bring boxes and our bill and headed home. Sure enough on the way home she got sick. Since I needed to pick up a few things for her party tomorrow (in case she's okay to have it), Craig came home with the kids. While I was gone she got sick again. He got her in the tub and she was asleep by the time I got home. We shall see if we will have a party tomorrow or not...

Friday's Feast # 158

Appetizer: Who is the easiest person for you to talk to?

My husband - wait did I just say that?? I guess for the most part he is easiest for me to talk to. We have a lot in common, but he really doesn't like to hear stories about school all the time! :)

Soup: If you could live in any ancient city during the height of the quality of its society and culture, which one would you choose?

Rome??

Salad:What is the most exciting event you’ve ever witnessed?

I would have to say the birth of both of my children. Not only did I witness this, I was the main participant. 2 of the best days of my life!!!

Main Course: If you were a celebrity, what would you do for a publicity stunt?

I'm thinking I would be trying to keep attention off of me. I do well in my kindergarten class full of 5 and 6 year olds, but I don't normally enjoy being in the spotlight.

Dessert: What do you consider the ideal age to have a first child?

I'm guessing 25 - but I was about to turn 22 when I had Drew and had just turned 24 when I had Mikayla so...

I'm loving every minute of it! I'm young enough to have energy to keep up with them (this will be even better as I lose weight). It was so hard to begin teaching the year I had Drew, but it also had advantages. When he turns 28 I'll be able to retire (I probably won't that early though - especially if I love it as much as I do now). Having both of them as young as I did leaves me the option of adding more to our bunch (which is a great possibility in the next couple of years)!

My First Award!

I have just received my first ever blogging award thanks to Bridget at And Miles to Go...!!! I am so excited! The best part about getting this is being able to pass it on! Several of my friends that I consider "blogging stars" have already received this award, but I'm thinking I'll award them again! You can never have too many awards right?? :)

And the award goes to...

1. Becca (already been awarded, but it wouldn't hurt her to receive it again! She's such a kind, caring person with a great blog!

2. Jennie (my sister, and oh so deserving - she's had to put up with me all these years)

3. Bridget (I'm passing it back because I think she is very deserving! Have you ever checked her blog???)

4. Mama Pajama (She's already received this, but again very deserving!)

5. Nicole (Kind and thoughtful friend who I've found even has the same birthday as my daughter.)

6. Shelby (Wonderful thoughts and pictures on her blog!)

7. The Gal Herself (She always has such sweet things to say!)

8. Trish ("Real life" friend who I met through my sister. She doesn't update her blog much, but I wanted to award her anyway.)

9. Melanie ("Real life" friend who used to teach at the school with me, but recently moved. We still keep in touch through our blogs.)

Go Drew!!

Drew had his first tests for this year on Friday - a reading test and a spelling test. This is new for him (and us) because we don't take tests in kindergarten. When we got his "signed papers" yesterday, we found out that he scored 100 on each test! YAHH Drew - we are so proud of you!! Keep up the great work!!!

Birthdays and Bruises!

While playing at Mimi and Poppi's tonight, Mikayla decided to hide from Poppi when she heard his truck pull in the drive-way. She went running down the hall and into my mom and dad's bedroom. Turning the corner into their bedroom she tripped and fell head first into my dad's dresser. She smacked it so hard that my mom thought she busted her head open (she was in her bedroom at the time). Craig and I jumped up and got to her to find a scratch on her head (I know this isn't really called a scratch, but I'm not sure what to call it when it's "almost busted"). It looks like it started to bust, but only opened a little bit - thank goodness because I am a calm and collected person until something happens to one of my angels! It didn't bleed, but it immediately started to POP out as you can see in the picture. She also hit her right cheek. As soon as Craig and I had her scooped up, my mom was right there with the Vaseline - used to keep bruising and swelling down. My dad came in to hear her screaming and see my mom rubbing the Vaseline on it and asked "what happened?". He got ice for her, while I got her calmed down. I think the ice and the Vaseline helped - it looked a lot better once we got home tonight. We didn't let her go to sleep until 8:30 (2 hours after she fell), and I'm anxious to see how it looks in the morning. I hate that she got a "boo boo" on her birthday!

Happy Birthday Mikayla!

Today is our baby girl's fourth birthday! I can't believe she is already four. I call her my baby girl still, but let's face it I really don't have babies anymore. They are growing so fast, faster than I would like actually! I plan to post her "birth story" as I posted Drew's on his birthday, but I will do this tomorrow night when I have more time! It's interesting I'll assure you - at least it was for us! HAHA
We went to eat at Pizza Inn tonight - Mikayla's choice - for her birthday. Mimi and Jennie went with us. Poppi wanted to go, but he was playing golf and wasn't sure when he would be home.
Drew LOVES salad so Pizza Inn is also one of his favorite places because of the salad bar!
After eating we went to Mimi and Poppi's house to wait for Poppi to get home. The kids would not have gone to sleep tonight without seeing their Poppi! And he wanted to see them just the same! Mikayla also opened her presents from Mimi and Poppi!

We got cupcakes for her to take to school to celebrate her birthday, and she will have her party this Saturday! A swim party at - you guessed it Mimi and Poppi's! We had previously given Mikayla her presents from us - clothes for school and a Leapster and a couple of games. She played the Leapster on our road trips this summer!! I like them because the kids are having fun, but the games teach them as well!! Great all around!!

We hope you had a GREAT birthday baby girl! I can't believe it's been four years already! You make us proud every day!

Mikayla's First Day

Yesterday was Mikayla's first day of "big school". She started 4k this year and she has the same teachers Drew had. She was super excited to be coming to school with mommy, and Drew and I were super excited to have her there! She seemed to have a terrific first day! When I asked her what her favorite part was, she replied "the playground". I can't wait to hear their answers to these questions a little later in the school year. Maybe the same - maybe different?

Heads or Tails??

At Heads or Tails Tuesday over at Skittles Place the theme this week is hobbies. This is an easy one for me because I seem to have more hobbies than I have time! I actually posted some of my hobbies in an earlier post 8 Random Things About Me. So here we go, my hobbies:

1. Taking pictures - if I wasn't a teacher (and if I didn't love teaching like I do) I could see this being a career. It's not that I'm super talented, it's just something I love and I think it's something that improves with time and practice!
2. Scrapbooking - This is my favorite hobby. I wish I had more time to do this - my problem is having so much stuff and not having an "ideal" storage system in place. I usually get some done on weekends after my angels are asleep and during school breaks (again when they are asleep).
3. Reading - I have to read daily of course in my profession and with my little ones, but unfortunately I don't get to read too often for pleasure. This is something else I catch up on during school breaks!
4. Jewelry Making - I tried my hand at this last year as I made bracelets and necklaces to give as Christmas gifts to the "girls" in our families. I made several sets for Mikayla as well.
5. Card Making - I have made birthday invitations for Drew and Mikayla in recent years. This is fun for me and I also like the fact that their invitations are unique! I usually incorporate a picture of them somehow!
6. Making Hair bows - Something I love to do for Mikayla. Craig has never wanted Drew to looked the least little bit "made up" - no smocked, monogrammed clothes, no "Jon-Jon's" as an infant. He didn't even like for him to wear baby blue. So, I have made up for that with Mikayla! I love for her to wear bows and I love for them to match! Many of the bows she has have been bought (again because of too little time), but I have made several to match some of her outfits as well.
7. Blogging - this should probably be a little higher on my list because I seem to "make" time for this more often than the others - with the exception of taking pictures. This is sort of my online scrapbook. I love to include photos and stories so that when I go back to scrap these pictures I can get my journaling straight from here.
I feel like I could go on and on with this list, but I'll stop here to avoid boring you to death! Great theme this week Barb!

Beginnings

You may remember the topic of Beginnings for the first week of Heads or Tails at Skittles Place. I just thought of another I should add:

The beginning of my personal weight loss challenge. I call it a challenge because anyone who has ever tried to lose any amount of weight knows it's a challenge. It is personal because I'm not "joining" one so to speak.

Because of new laws in SC stating how much physical activity students should get in school each week, our principal has brought in his personal trainer. We increased the time our students spend in PE each week last year (and that will continue this year), and we had students demonstrate/lead exercises on our morning news program each morning. This year, the trainer will demonstrate/lead exercises for our students. She will also be available on Tuesdays and Thursdays after school to work with teachers for FREE! I am soooo excited - I plan to MAKE time for myself and participate in this. I will have my fellow teachers aka friends there so we can cheer each other on and encourage each other. I also thought it would be a good idea to post on here so my blogging friends could encourage me, but I also know this way I'm held accountable! Maybe I'll also be inspiration to others out there like myself - it sure does inspire me when I see tickers at the tops of blogs showing how much weight my blogging friends have lost!!

I've been drinking more water and eating less this past week. I will continue with this, and exercise "class" starts Tuesday. I'll try to update on this topic at least once a week...

She's So Dramatic!

Our children respond to things so dramatically. Mikayla's new thing is "eye rolling". She doesn't use this when she's frustrated/mad (like I tend to, complete with shaking of the head - something else to add to my list of things to work on). She does this often times when telling a story - normally with the smile seen on her face in this picture. We think it's cute now - maybe not so cute when/if she starts rolling her eyes for other reasons!

***Side Note - This picture was taken this morning, before getting her hair fixed but after her chocolate pudding breakfast!

Soccer Practice

This year Drew is playing a fall sport for the first time. He has been asking to play football the past two years and we have missed sign-ups. Then, in the spring he started talking about soccer. So, this fall we signed him up for soccer, but we still didn't sign him up for football. We will try soccer this year, and if he doesn't like it will we try football next year. We felt it would be too hard to get him to practices and games of two different sports and get Mikayla to her dance classes when they start. Even though I know very little about soccer, and I've never wanted to watch it (until now) mommy is hoping he likes soccer! Here are some pictures from practice this week:


Mikayla is also glad daddy is not the coach!Drew scores a goal!His favorite thing to do is play goalie! What I like about AYSO is that every child gets a chance to be the goalie, and every child must play in at least 3 of the four quarters at every game! That's what it should be all about - fun, not winning! At least at this age!

Oh yea, did I mention they had Craig listed as head coach for Drew's team??? Craig was terrified - he doesn't know anything about soccer!! When we registered Drew, they asked if he would be willing to help. He replied "sure, I'll help". I don't think he meant that as I'll be the head coach! LOL He called the commissioner and let him know he'd help any way, but he didn't think it would be fair to the boys if he was head coach since he didn't know anything about soccer! They asked the assistant coach and he agreed to be head coach! Craig was very relieved!!

Whew what a week!

Well we have all survived the first week of school! It wasn't officially the first week for Mikayla - she starts 4k on Monday! I can't wait to ask her this same question...

I asked Drew about his favorite part of first grade. His answer: Gym

Does that surprise anyone? It didn't really surprise me - he is ALL boy!!

Craig is surviving as well - he didn't have school of course, but he's putting up with all the changes that a new school year brings!

Friday Feast #157

Appetizer: Say there’s a book written about your life. Who would you want to narrate the audio version? I'll say my sister. She and I are really close, and we are a lot alike! She would do a terrific job!

Soup: Take the letters from your favorite kind of nut and write a sentence. (Example: Perhaps every avenue needs understanding today.) Can anyone see his exciting win?

Salad: If you could go back in time and spend one week in another decade, which decade would you choose? 80's - I was only a kid. I love skating rinks, black Trans Ams, big hair, and parachute pants. Okay so I really don't love all those things, but that's how the song goes isn't it??

Main Course: Name a song that brings back memories for you. HaHa - see above! (You are not going to believe this, but I had not read this question when I answered the salad.)

Dessert: Do you prefer to wash your hands in cold water or warm water? I prefer warm water - to get the germs off better. I often just use cold because I don't have time (don't want to wait) for the water to get warm.

Tagged!!

Barbara from Skittle's Place has tagged me with the Eight Random Things About Me meme. I've never done this one before so it should be fun!!

1. I am a bit (haha) clumsy. My family makes fun of the grace (or lack there of) that I have!
2. I LOVE sweet tea - in fact this was one of the things I craved while pregnant with both children. I keep telling myself I'm going to only drink water, but I can't seem to go without at least one glass a day.
3. The other thing I craved while pregnant was Ranch dressing - salads, french fries - it didn't matter I had to have the Ranch!
4. I have a nasty habit of biting my finger nails! I stopped biting them last year and had let them get really long, but I started biting them again this summer. I may have to go back to acrylics.
5. I have many hobbies - if only I had the time to get to them. I love any kind of craft! I have cross - stitched, made hair bows for Mikayla, decorated flip flops (again for Mikayla - what can I say Craig doesn't really want Drew dressed up all that much) :), tried card making, made jewelry, etc. I also LOVE to take pictures and scrapbook!
6. I have my favorite dishes at most restaurants and that's all I order! My husband wishes I'd try new things.
7. My nickname in high school (well one of them) was Vegas, but it had nothing to do with gambling.
8. I am a lover of animals - well not the creepy, crawly kind or the slimy slithery kind.

Now for the tag - this might be hard because I've seen this on a lot of blogs. I'll attempt to tag 5 anyway - here goes:

Jennie
Trish
Nicole
Mama Pajama
Bridget

Heads or Tails!

This week Skittles called Tails. We are to tell about a time we were lucky.

1. I feel lucky to have the parents I have! I didn't agree with everything they did during my teenage years, but boy am I grateful for all they did/do now!!
2. I was lucky to meet my husband - the man of my dreams! I was in a long distance relationship at the time dating a guy I had met through friends. Craig and I met online, and we became fast friends. I couldn't believe it when I learned he lived only 2 minutes from me! The more I got to know him, the more I realized HE was the one for me. He is the best husband and father I could ask for!
3. I am lucky to have 2 beautiful, healthy (for the most part) children! Drew and Mikayla are my world - as if you couldn't tell! Mikayla has given us a couple of scares (heart rate dropping during labor, hospitalized twice before she turned 1), but we have been very blessed!
4. I am lucky to have a job that I love! I was hired in April 2001, graduated in May, had Drew in July, and started teaching at the beginning of August (when Drew was only 4 weeks old).

I truly believe everything happens for a reason according to God's plan. I am glad He is in control, because I couldn't have planned it any better!

First Day of School

Today was our first day back to school! Mrs. Brooks and I (along with our student teacher) got to know our new students for this year, and Drew started first grade. Drew and Mikayla weren't real thrilled about having to get up early, even though we had been trying to prepare them for awhile.

They look REAL thrilled in this picture, right? haha

I made them take another one - I guess they thought we may as well smile, she's just gonna make us keep takin' them if we don't. :)

Once we got moving though they really were excited! Drew started acting a little quiet once we got to school though. When we were walking in the building he said "mama, can you sign me up to be a car rider?" I explained to him that he would have to attend our after school program. To which he replied "I shoulda just stayed at home" - oh, if it were only that easy!

In kindergarten, Mrs. Brooks, Ms. Smith, and I had lots of fun introducing routines, practicing going to the cafeteria, actually going to the cafeteria for lunch, learning all sorts of new rules, ect. We have a great group of students this year and we are all very excited to see the progress that our little ones make!

When we picked Drew up, we were excited to find out that he had a great day. I saw him and Mrs. Mitchell in the cafeteria and she said he was doing well. He was one of the only students in her class to remember his lunch number - this surprised me because I had forgotten to review it with him last night. He had a smiley face on his planner - we made a big deal about this and told him that's what we expect to see every day! Yah Drew!

I asked Mikayla what she did today when I picked her up. She replied "I don't want to tell you". With more questions I found out that she had a great day as well. We learned what she had for lunch, which students weren't there because they were sick, who she played with, etc. Our silly kids - I guess they think we will just stop asking if they don't give us an answer the first time. You'd think they'd learned by now - mama's gonna find out, one way or another! :)

Another Birthday!

Yesterday was my 28th birthday - at times I don't feel any older, but other times I feel a lot older than that number says. We went out to dinner for my birthday on Saturday night and my mom cooked homemade pizza for us on Sunday. She also made me a Red Velvet cake - mmmm. Since I couldn't decide on anything I really wanted (there are a couple things I've been looking to get for awhile), and I can't think of one thing I need, I got money. In addition, I got this picture from Craig and the kids. I've been wanting a big canvas of the two of them for a long time. It is HUGE and I have the perfect place for it - right over our entertainment center! Isn't it a sweet shot? Thank you Craig, Drew, and Mikayla - I will cherish it forever!!

Last Day of Summer Vacation!

Teachers didn't have to go to school today so Drew, Mikayla, and I enjoyed our last day of summer vacation! We did go to the school just long enough to run a few copies, then we headed for lunch at McDonald's - their favorite. I figured it would be our last weekday lunch outside of school for a while so I let them choose. After lunch we headed to Mimi and Poppi's for a swim! Mikayla is now jumping off the diving board by herself (without someone catching her) and I've been meaning to get a picture. She swims very well in her float, but she will probably be swimming without it next summer!

Drew LOVES practicing new tricks on the diving board - cannon balls, toothpicks, jumping off backwards (scaring me to death), and attempting dives and flips. He is able to flip once he hits the water, but he would love to be able to flip in air - maybe next year. I know, from having a brother, that many things he will attempt in his life will have me gasping. His other favorite game to play is diving for sunken objects - he loves attempting this in the deep end (8 feet). He will keep trying until he gets them!!

I know two little fish (and a mama) who will be sad to see fall come just because it means the closing of the pool until next year.

Friday's Feast #156

Appetizer: Describe your laundry routine. Do you have a certain day when you do it all, or do you just wash whatever you need for the next day?

I'd love to say I did a few loads of laundry each night to keep caught up. Unfortunately, I'm more of a wash whatever we need for the next day kinda gal - especially during the school year.

Soup: In your opinion, what age will you be when you’ll consider yourself to truly be old?

60 - this was a hard one because I know 70+ year olds who I don't consider "old" at all. They do things they did when they were kids!!

Salad: What is one of your goals? Is it short-term, long-term, or both?

To help both of my children have a successful year of school this year. I would say this is a short-term goal that is essential to the long-term goal to help my children be the best they can be!

Main Course: Name something unbelievable you’ve seen or read lately.

That students in our district received over 7 million dollars last year in scholarship money!

Dessert: On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being highest, how happy are you today?

10!!!

Thursday Thirteen #2

For my second Thursday Thirteen I thought I would list 13 activities my children have been involved with in one way or another:

1. Baseball - Drew will begin his 4th year this spring.

2. Tap - Mikayla will begin her 3rd year in September.

3. Ballet - This will be the 3rd year for Mikayla.

4. Gymnastics - Drew participated in gymnastics through daycare for 2 months.(Craig only agreed after everyone else in his entire class began taking, including ALL the boys.)
5. Karate - Drew participated in one year of karate through his after school program.

6. Wrestling - Wrestlers from our high school team came to Drew's after school program to show students some of the basics. Drew did not like this - only participated 2 days.

7. Basketball - Drew will begin his 2nd year in January.
8. Pageants - Mikayla has participated in two ALL natural pageants. She has enjoyed these, and would probably want to do more. I am not willing to participate in these heavily - the only ones we would ever do more than likely would be the natural pageants. And, we won't be participating in many of those!
9. Jazz - Mikayla will begin her 2nd year in September.
10. Golf - 2 weeks of camp this past summer for Drew.
11. Soccer - Drew participates in his first soccer game this Saturday.
12. Clogging - Mikayla will begin her first year in September.
13. Cheer leading - Mikayla will begin her first year in January through Upward - she wanted to this past year but she had to be four. This year she will be old enough.
Boy, they keep us busy! Luckily, several of these activities were offered through their daycare or the after school program. Our goal has always been to provide both our children with as many opportunities we could and let them choose their favorite activities. Eventually, we will be forced to cut back but right now we are having so much fun!!!

Image Meme

I've been tagged by Barbara from Skittles Place with this Image Meme. Here are the rules:1) Go to Google.2) Click on Google images.3) Type in your name and search.4) Re post (w/ a link) the picture of the oddest, craziest, strangest, coolest, oldest, etc. person that shares your name. Post multiples if you find a few you like.5) Pass it on to at least 5 other people.
I'd love to go on a cruise one day, but I've never had any desire to sail - I need something will a little larger area to move around on. What I found interesting is it said this Alison started sailing at age 14 - wow! Now for the tag - which five lucky people shall I choose??
The Gal Herself

Nicole

Bridget

Becca

Mama Pajama

Teachers

Today, we held registration at school for all students. Drew will be in Mrs. Mitchell's class. Some may remember that Mrs. Mitchell's son Bryson was in my class last year. Mikayla will have Mrs. Brown and Mrs. Hayes, just as Drew did in 4K. We couldn't be happier!! More school days posts to come!!

Heads or Tails??

Skittles has started a new Tuesday meme titled Heads or Tails. Each week she provides a different theme and it's up to you as to how you interpret it. This should be fun!! Won't you go and sign up???

This weeks' theme is: Beginnings

This theme is right up my alley as today marked the beginning of a new school year (it was the first day teachers had to report). Drew is beginning first grade this year and Mikayla is beginning 4 year old kindergarten.

I am beginning a new stage as a mommy because both of my kiddos will be at the school with me for the first time! I am looking so forward to this!!

I am also beginning a new stage professionally as it was announced today that I am the 2007-2008 Teacher of the Year for my district!! That means a state application to complete and the state interview. I am still in shock over this as there are SO many wonderfully talented educators in our district.

Lots of beginnings around here - how 'bout you?

New Beds

Drew has a little plastic chair in his room (goes with his Little Tykes desk) that he has been sitting in to watch TV at night. Craig said it looks like the most uncomfortable thing and has been wanting to get him this bed for awhile now. Saturday night we went and got it (an excellent deal at our local Big Lots) and he finished putting it together today! It is a bunk bed with a futon on the bottom. Craig is sure the futon will be more comfortable to sit on and watch TV. It is also beneficial because we now have a place for guests to sleep (if they don't mind sleeping in Drew's room that is). When Mikayla was born we turned our guest bedroom/office into her bedroom leaving no place for guests. Drew seems to be enjoying it a lot!

We were able to put Drew's "old" bed on top of Mikayla's bed to complete her bunk bed. These are the bunk beds my sister and I used when we shared a room as kids and then she used when we moved back here and we each had our own rooms. Mikayla doesn't seem to mind - in fact, she looks very comfortable sleeping here! We are using the top for storage right since Mikayla won't be sleeping there anytime soon! When we get another mattress, we will have another "guest bed".

Friday's Feast #155

Appetizer: What is your favorite kind of pie? My Grandma's Strawberry Pie is the best. We have it every Thanksgiving and Christmas!

Soup: Name something that made you smile this week. My children make me smile every day! It makes me smile the most to see them playing well together or taking care of each other!

Salad: What do you do to cool off when the weather is hot and humid? Go swimming in my mom and dad's pool. The kiddos love it too!

Main Course: You receive $1,000 in the mail with a letter that says you can only use the money to redecorate one room in your home. Which room do you pick, and what do you buy to spruce it up? Living room - we need new carpet, but I think I'd rather have hardwoods/fake hardwoods. The walls also need a new coat of paint!

Dessert: Fill in the blank: My _________ says __________, but I __________. My sister says I act ditsy sometimes, but I know that's not true - ha ha!

Thursday Thirteen (TT#1)

Okay, so I've been reading these for quite some time but never completed one myself. They seem pretty neat, and you can definitely learn a lot about fellow bloggers - so here goes! My first Thursday Thirteen...

Since we are on the verge of a new school year, and since both of my children will be in "big school" this year, I will list 13 (of the many) school supplies needed.

1. 1 clipboard - The only supply we have to purchase for our 4 year old. Next year we won't get off so easy!

2. Book Bag - Drew has been waiting a long time to carry one of these

3. 2 large boxes of kleenex

4. scissors (fiskars only)

5. 4 folders with pockets - Drew only needs 2, but you know Mikayla was not going to leave that store without some of her own.

6. 1 box Ziploc Baggies

7. 3 pkgs. (36) plain yellow pencils

8. 1 large pkg notebook paper (wide - ruled)

9. 4 wide-ruled spiral composition books (70 pages)

10. 3 boxes (24 count) crayons

11. 4 glue sticks

12. 2 large pink erasers

13. 1 pkg black dry erase markers

So there it is - what do you think?

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things.

Funny Kids

Drew and Mikayla keep us laughing all the time with the funny things they say! Mikayla got a little nervous while we were on our way to the mountains. She wasn't the only one - I'm not too fond of those sharp curves either! Drew took her picture in the van. She kept saying "I wanna go back to Mimi and Poppi's house". At one point she said "I gotta go potty, we hafta go back to Mimi and Poppi's". We were in Cherokee at that point so we stopped for a potty break there. One time she asked "are we gonna fall off the mountain mommy?" to which I replied "no" with an "I hope not" under my breath. It was a great time to remind her (and myself) that God is always in control. When we are scared/afraid we should pray and turn it all over to Him! It helped bring peace to me, and I was able to ease the grip I had on the handle in the van!

Gatlinburg: Day Two

Saturday morning we headed back out to "the strip" to see what we had missed the night before (the end at the Aquarium). We didn't actually visit the aquarium because we have been to the one at Myrtle Beach many, many times before and they appeared to be very similar. Craig and Drew found a go cart speed track to try out. This was Drew's first time riding "go carts". He liked it until other drivers started bumping them - HARD!We had dinner at a nice Italian place - does it look like Mikayla enjoyed it?After dinner, Craig took Drew on the Earthquake ride - above you see him hanging onto his daddy's arm during the ride. This is a simulator where you load into a subway car and it simulates the movements during an earthquake. I, again, stayed outside with Mikayla because she was adamant about not riding. As soon as Mikayla and I sat down on a bench outside I heard screaming. Immediately, I knew it was Drew. He screamed for the remainder of the ride and when it stopped I heard him yell "is it over?". When he came off the ride he had a terrified look on his face and he was shaking all over. Now, can you imagine what the scene would have been like if he had gone through with Ripley's Haunted Adventure (see post below)?

Drew and Mikayla enjoyed watching as taffy and candy apples were made in the candy shops.We went back to the hotel early afternoon partly because it was so hot and partly because Drew and Mikayla wanted to swim in the "hot pool" (heated pool at the hotel). Craig laid down for a little, while the kids and I headed down to the pool. First we tried out the lazy river - it was so hot it was not much of a relief in the hot weather. I could see how wonderful it would be in the fall/winter. Then we went to the pool - it was heated, but it wasn't near as hot. It provided some relief from the heat so we remained there until it was time to head up to get ready for supper. For supper, we headed over to Pigeon Forge. It had been a long time since I had been there (my mom and dad took us to Dolly Wood when we were kids) and Craig had never been. We decided to eat at Corky's BBQ while we were there. I had seen Corky's before featured on the food network, and we had passed the one in Gatlinburg that morning. It was DELISH! It was the best place we ate while we were in the mountains, and it was also the BEST BBQ Craig or I have ever eaten in our lives! If you like BBQ I strongly urge you to try Corky's!! I know, sounds like a commercial right? - I only stress this because it is so GOOD!!
I'll be craving these nachos I'm sure -they are that good!
After supper we headed back to Gatlinburg to the mirror maze. Drew and Mikayla decided this was something they wanted to do when they spotted it while playing putt putt the night before. We laughed the whole time we were inside.

These are a couple of pictures I took on our drive home Sunday. Such a beautiful, peaceful, fun mini vacation!!

Gatlinburg: Day 1

Once we arrived in Gatlinburg Friday we went to eat at Lineburgers Seafood. Ronnie, Craig's boss, recommended it and it was fantastic. After that we headed over to Wacky Bear. We have made "friends" at Build-a-Bear before, but we liked Wacky Bear better. Mikayla and "Bree Bree" the duck - named after her best friend Breanna no doubt.
Drew and "Zach" the moose
From there we checked into our hotel, unpacked and then walked "the strip". When we got to Ripley's Haunted Adventure, Drew decides he wants to go in. After talking the to attendant and some people coming out to let Drew hear how intense it is, he still was determined to go. So, Craig bought tickets for he and Drew. I (still a little worried about this) stayed with Mikayla who had no desire to go in. She was scared enough by the workers hanging around outside. I remind Drew that it is all pretend and if he gets too scared he can come out. With a kiss they are off. I wait with camera ready to get a picture as they board the "caged elevator". It was a relief to see Craig and Drew come back out only minutes after going back. Drew changed his mind and decided he didn't want to ride after all. Craig said everybody back there was begging him to ride - I, for one, am glad he didn't. I think it would be better for him to wait until he's older! After more walking we decided to play miniature golf at Circus Golf. This was an indoor, black light putt putt course also in 3D. We had lots of fun.
Mikayla had fun putting, whileDrew rode a rhino in a cage.Craig finds a new "sweetie", and we became the strongest family in America all in the same night! :)

Cherokee, N.C.

Instead of driving straight through, we decided to stop and let Drew and Mikayla see some of Cherokee on our way to Gatlinburg, and again on the way home.There were many people tubing/swimming/playing in the water, just not where this picture was taken.Showin' off some of the "treasures" they found when we stopped to "pan fer gold" on the way up.
On the way home we saw more Native Americans in full costume. Mikayla wouldn't take a picture without daddy.

She was more brave after we explained (with help from Drew) that these people wouldn't hurt her. Where's Drew? He so wanted to get in the teepee, but he didn't. Instead, he took time to look at the Native's rock collection.