Breakfast

Next time I tell Tate to get himself

some breakfast, I think

I need to be more specific.

Notes

I love getting notes from my kiddos.

Here's a few recent ones.

Our 'welcome home' sign made by Hope, Hart, Tate

and great-nephew Luke that was waiting for us

when we arrived home from NYC and DC.

 See the reminder for the tooth fairy?

 A note from  Hart that he 'really, really, really, really,

really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really'

wants me to make cookies.

 A get well note from Hart when I had nursed

a headache for the most part of a day.

From my Hope.  I 'heart' her too!

Happy Easter

Minneapolis Track Meet - Part I

We had a memorable time at Paige's

 track meet at Minneapolis.  

Paige high jumped.

Paige triple jumped.

And then we were ushered into the 

gym because of threatening weather.

We ended up in the locker room when

a tornado was sighted in a nearby community.

Hope was the only kiddo who appeared a bit worried.

The danger passed, we loaded up and went home and

we hope that part II of the Minneapolis track meet

goes a little smoother on the make-up date.

S'PEEPS

We tried out a new dessert tonight - s'peeps.

S'mores minus the marshmallow plus a peep.

3 simple ingredients.

10 seconds in the microwave.

As much or as little chocolate as you want.

And enjoy.

Disclaimer: Hope likes her s'peeps with out the peep.

And eventually, without the graham cracker.  

That's my girl!  Chocolate - neat.

Next time - baths AFTER the s'peeps.

Have a napkin within reach.

A yummy way to end my day.

I think my hair even looks tired.  Good night!

Wedding Reception

An adorable young couple used our barns

to host their wedding reception.

Here are a few pictures.

May the Lord bless and keep

this young couple.

Old Table

I love to use old things for new purposes.

Last week I moved an old table in from my 

porch to give me some extra countertop space

to bake and frost some cupcakes.

I was getting ready to shove it back onto the

porch when I realized how much Tate uses

it when he's "helping" me in the kitchen.

Whipping up scrambled eggs for lunch.

I found a sturdy little stool in an antique store

that is perfect for my kitchen.  I was excited to

bring it home and move the little chair that we

had been using for a stool down to our stair

landing.  It had a friend waiting for it and they

were going to look so cute sitting on either 

side of an antique mirror that I bought years 

ago when we lived down by Tulsa.

I'm thinking about painting and adding 

some decorative paper to the top,

but I kind of like the old roosters.

There's just one little problem.

Tate REFUSES to stand on it.

To quote him:

"I don't like it."

"I'm not going to stand on it."

"I'm NEVER going to get used to it!"

All righty then!

The chair it is.

For now.

Gift Card Case

Hope was in the SES high school production of

"Wizard of Oz".  She was a munchkin who was

in need of a munchkin costume.

ie: a Raggedy Ann costume in 

blue and yellow prints.

Did I mention that the play was in the fall and

her costume had to be made in October?

I'm not a great seamstress under the best

of conditions, but there was no way I could

tackle a sewing project during pumpkin patch season.

What to do?  I sent out an S.O.S and a blessed

friend responded to our emergency signal.  A friend who

refused to charge me for the costume.  So we showed

our thanks with a Pizza Hut gift card.  And if you know me,

you know that I couldn't just stick a gift card in an envelope.

So I took a gift card holder that I picked up for (maybe) $.25

after Christmas at Wal-Mart and jazzed it up a bit.

I took off the bow, covered it with some sewing themed

paper and accessories and popped in the gift card.

Hope and I wrote a little thank-you for our

seamstress and we funned up the envelope

with a picture of Munchkin Hope.

Joyful Noise

I was blessed by all the performances I watched

at regional band and vocal contest.

Here is one group that Brett sang with.

Freshman Mixed Madrigal

Track Meet #2

Brett competed in his first high school track meet today.

He did great!  Of course, I may be biased.

Brett placed 4th in the triple jump.

We thought he might place a little higher since

his sister was helping to measure.  But, alas, 

she is an honest and fair girl.

He was in the 4X800 relay 

that placed 3rd.

And he was in the 4X400 relay (the last race of the day)

that placed 2nd.  He's getting ready to hand off to 

our neighbor, Nathan.  What an exciting race to watch!

 Between races, Tate did a little arm wrestling.

And Paige kept Lil' Nae and Tate occupied.

Track Meet #1

Today was the first track meet

of about 17 that we'll be going

to this year because we have

a kiddo in high school and a 

kiddo in junior high.  YAY!

Here's a little of Paige high-jumping

for the first time.  It was raining during

her long jumps and triple jumps, so I

was holding Tate and an umbrella

instead of the camera.  

She also ran hurdles.

Grant got to catch up with his Dad.

And Tate got to catch up with his cousin 

(Lil' Nae, as Tate calls her).