He does much better if left to his own devices...

This evening as we were getting ready to go to Bible study, Billy went upstairs to get Vivian dressed. Assuming that he knew to put the dress on her that she wore to services this morning, I just yelled for him to bring down a specific knit dress for Ellen to wear. Next thing I knew, Miss Vivian was downstairs dressed like this:

Ahhh...much better!

A retirement party

My aunt Sandy is retiring this year and her children gave her a lovely reception on Saturday afternoon. She has been an elementary school teacher for 30(?) years. When the kids are "cleaned up," I often try to get a few snapshots. Doesn't always quite work out! I really hate my camera because it is so slow!

I did get one of the girls in their coordinating navy dots!

See what I mean?

They posed like this on their own!

Rebecca--Field Day and Roller Skating

Rebecca's school held Field Day on Friday. I didn't get to be there for much of it since I had the other four children all day (preschool is finished). The morning was full of team events, while the afternoon was just one big carnival. Rebecca had a blast!

Inside one of the bouncies

Rebecca with her friend, Nancy Grace

Finishing off the day with a train ride.

Saturday I took Rebecca to her friend Lillian's birthday party at a skating rink. This was the first time that Rebecca has been on "real" roller skates. She went skating a couple of months after we got home from China, but she used the kiddie skates that go over your shoes at that time. She was pretty wobbly, and enjoyed skating on the carpet at first. She then got brave and got on the rink!

She fell quite a few times, but laughed every time!

Trying to get my balance!

She had so much fun that she did not want to leave. I had to promise her that we would come back again and skate!

Little graduates

I did good--I only cried during the slide show!

My boys...growing up!

Henry with some of his classmates. Henry is at the far right. The little girl next to him is his girlfriend (according to Henry), Sarabeth. Not sure if the feeling is mutual.

My "eldest" son. They announced what they wanted to be when they grow up. Henry wants to be a farmer.

William with his friend Van

My future astronaut

Waiting for the ceremony to begin


The fam

Rebecca--our kindergarten graduate!!

Last day of preschool

It was a day of three parties, the first one being across town at a city park. We made an appearance with Vivian's class for a little over an hour. That was probably long enough for her to play a little and cling to Mommy a little too.

Here she is with one of her teachers, Mrs. Melanie.

And with Mrs. Alecia.

Ellen likes the park too! I have got to remember a sun hat next time!!

This is fun, but the swings are my favorite.

Now at Henry's party back at the preschool. He is showing off the craft they made out of poster board, a styrofoam bowl, and some yarn.

Henry with a few of his buddies.

Henry's teacher, Mrs. Sue.

Both classes had a balloon release to celebrate the last day (not exactly the "green" thing to do). Here is William's class about to release their balloons.

There they go!

William's class (plus one sibling)

William and Mrs. Wanda

Posing in the preschool lobby on our way out.


If I wasn't being pulled in so many directions today, I might have been a little emotional. When I was putting the boys' lunchboxes away on Monday, I almost got a little teary-eyed thinking that was the last time I would pack their lunches for preschool! Tomorrow night is the big graduation. I hope my mascara is waterproof. I can't believe my babies will go to kindergarten in August!!

I hate to brag, but

I have the best husband in the world! For Mother's Day, he made me this photo collage of me and the kids with Proverbs 31:28-31 in the center.

I also got a gift card (which I already spent on a new dress), a lily, and an orchid corsage that I wore to church. The corsage didn't make it through the service, since all three of my girls needed some "mommy" time during church.

And to keep on boasting, here are a couple of photos of my beautiful baby. I just realized that I haven't posted any pictures of her lately! Poor neglected child! :)

A week behind

Last week was so busy that I hardly had time to catch my breath! A few of the highlights:

We went to the McCamy (Billy's paternal grandmother's side of the family) annual Decoration Day. We had lunch, then placed flowers at the family cemetery, and then had dessert at an old log cabin on the family property. There is a gentleman that is using the property as a hunting camp, so there are always interesting things for the kids to see.

Like petting a real raccoon...


On such a soggy Sunday, it wasn't too difficult for the "big" kids to find a puddle to splash in. They all had to ride home in their underwear. :)
Rebecca met her 7th(?) cousin for the first time and they really hit it off.


Last Monday was the preschool's field day. There were sack races, relay races, an inflatable bouncy and slide, a balloon artist, bubbles, hula hoops, and a painting craft. The boys had a blast, but Vivian was feeling a little under the weather. She had a low-grade fever when we got home, and I quickly followed. (No, we didn't have the swine flu!)

Waiting for the next event!


Lots of bubbles to be made.


Vivian taking a stab at the sack races. The two- and three-year-olds weren't too great at this event.


Billy took off from work on Tuesday because I was sick. He got to take Henry, William, and Vivian to the dentist. (All the kids and I took Rebecca the week before. What a disaster that was!)

When you don't feel so great, you'll let your kids play with anything! Seriously, Vivian got two "real" make-up sets for her birthday! Thanks, Nannie and Leah!


I met with Rebecca's teachers to discuss her IEP. It was great to sit and listen to them talk about how much progress she is making. I like to be optimistic, so it is refreshing to hear! Rebecca and Vivian also had their regular check-ups at the pediatrician last week. Rebecca had gained 10 pounds in one year! In 19 months, that child has gone from a size 4 to a size 7!! She's playing catch-up in more ways than one!

Happy Birthday, Vivian!

Tomorrow is Vivian's 3rd birthday, and to think that three years ago, we weren't even expecting this precious angel to enter our lives.

We celebrated with a Care Bear party on Saturday. She opened her gifts from us that morning. In addition to her pierced ears, she got an Elefun game, a Cabbage Patch doll, and a baton. (That's the mystery present that Rebecca is holding.)


Rebecca with some of our guests.


The cake.


A little shy during the birthday song.


Showing off my moves in my new ballerina costume.

Prelude to a party

Somebody is about to be 3 years old! I took Vivian today to get her ears pierced. She has been wanting this for a while. She was so brave but when it came time, you can tell she was having second thoughts. She did not cry at all though.


Sassy again! See my sparkly earrings?


Helping Mommy make cupcakes. When I told her I was making cupcakes for her party tomorrow, she threw her arms around me and said, "Oh, thank you, Mommy!!" Melted my heart. Stay tuned for the Care Bear cake made by Lisa!


I'm ready to go pick up everyone from school!