Howdy, Partners!

If you've been around my two for any length of time, you know two things about them: they love Toy Story 2, and they love fruit snacks! So, you can imagine how much they love these....


Well, they love most of them. When they are eating these fruit snacks, Kathryn always has to give the Woody snacks in her package to Walker, and in return, Walker gives Kathryn all of the Buzz snacks in his package. Neither of them like "Mr. Zurg" (as they call him), so they normally give those to Matt. They always kindly give me Jessie.

You can imagine my surprise when I picked up the kids from school today, and they gave me these...

Kathryn had saved the Jessie snacks (red) and Walker had saved "Mr. Zurg" (purple)from their lunch. Needless to say, they were all hot and stuck together (and a little dirty, I might add), but the kids were so proud of their gift.

I am sure at this point their teacher is just a bit perturbed with me. Walker came home last Thursday telling me he cried for me at school. Kathryn later told me the full story that Walker cried because I sent him Spiderman fruit snacks instead of the Toy Story fruit snacks I sent Kathryn. Did I mention I tried to get them in separate rooms???

I am thinking this Thursday, we may just leave the fruit snacks at home!

Wow! What a Weekend!

We have had so much fun this Labor Day weekend starting with swim lessons Friday morning. Walker and Kathryn love the water, and Ms. Julie is very patient to tackle these two at once!

Right after swim lessons, we headed to the zoo to catch up with Walker and Kathryn's new friends, Worthy and Claire. The kids kept us on the move, so I didn't get very good pictures. My two loved the petting zoo portion and especially the goats!

Nana and Papa came into town for the holiday. We met up with them at Ross Bridge where the kids were able to practice some of their new swimming techniques (the pool had a FUN slide that was located in the deep end so we were back to wearing our life jackets!).

After we had a good, long nap from all that swimming, we headed to Uncle Daniel and Aunt Cori's to watch the game. Here's Walker in his "basketball" jersey as he calls it. He kept wanting to know if we were going to watch the basketball game too:) Wrong season and wrong state, Little Buddy!

Sunday, we were back to the pool. Walker honestly could have gone down the slide one thousand times which is why I don't have a picture of him from last night. We couldn't keep him out of the water!

Kathryn and Daniel had fun showing off their balloon creations. If you are in the B'ham area and would like a fun party idea, the ladies at Bama Balloons are fabulous and their balloons are amazing! I am sure it will not surprise any of you that Kathryn chose an Ariel balloon!

We did drag Walker out of the pool to get a picture taken with the bagpiper! Kathryn LOVED him and followed him around and danced with the music.

Aunt Cori and Little D! We still have Monday ahead of us. But, wow, what a weekend!

Rise and Shine

Remember my son, the one that wants to wake up early to play computer??? Well, he was up at 5:45 a.m. this morning. He must not have received the memo that it is the weekend and people normally sleep in on those days! As a result, by 8:30 a.m., we had exhausted everything two kids could possibly do inside on a rainy morning.

So, we were in need of a reason to get out of the house. Quite frankly, I can't think of a better reason to get out of the house on a rainy Saturday morning than this....

That's right, Krispy Kreme doughnuts! Definitely worth getting out in all of the yuckiness!

Rise and Shine

So, why did my son want to wake up at 5:00 a.m. this morning? This is why....

Can you say like father like son? In a matter of one week, Walker has turned into a computer wiz! Notice the envelope in front of the keyboard. This is where I wrote out the password, so he can practice logging onto the computer. He has mastered the mouse and tons of games on the Nick Jr. website.

We even went to the library yesterday to check out some more games. I love his interest in computers, but I have to admit the early hours are killing me! I'm kind of hoping the newness will wear off soon:)

And what is Kathryn interested in these days? Oh, the usual--princesses and flowers--but she also has a new love...

This is Kathryn standing beside the frog at the library. She LOVES this frog. Well, I have to admit he's a close second to Sam the tarantula. Sam has molted, however, and has been put away for a few weeks. So, move over Sam and hello to the frog!

I guess a frog is appropriate for this little princess:)

On a different note, here's hoping everyone has a relaxing Labor Day weekend!!

Back to School

I though it would never get here, but Walker and Kathryn finally started school on Tuesday! You would think as excited as I was for them to start that I would have been a bit more organized. But in true "first day of school" fashion, we left the house without their backpacks. Thankfully, we were only a few minutes down the road!

I was obviously more interested in taking pictures than putting bags in the car. And Kathryn was more interested in bringing the entire house with her. This was all of the stuff we had to empty out of her backpack so she could fit her lunchbox and change of clothes!

In true school spirit, she wanted to wear her "Aubie bow."

Walker was all smiles. What a big boy!

Kathryn's instructions for this picture were for her to stand by one tire and Walker to stand by the other (notice I very nonchalantly replaced the Auburn bow for one that matched!).

This was my first and last day to walk them into school. The 3 and 4 year olds use the carpool line, so from now on, they'll walk in like big boys and girls without mommy!

We are looking forward to a fun-filled year!

Calling All Mommies!

(Photo courtesy of Sugar and Spice Mommy)

Hello, to all you mommies out there! Have I got great news for you! My most favorite "minister to mommies", Jean Stockdale, is beginning a new Bible study this fall on the book of Ephesians. For those of you who had the privilege of studying through Phillipians with Jean in the Spring, I know you are as excited as I am to embark on this new study with her!

If you are in the Memphis area, this semester's study begins Thursday, September 17. I encourage you to be a part of this wonderful ministry! You can go here for more information and for registration.

What's GREAT news for those of you like me, who are unable to attend the study in person, is the opportunity that Jean will now be offering for online Bible studies. This provides you the luxury of hearing Jean's messages, studying through the workbook and communicating with other mommas from the comfort of your own home!

Sounds great, doesn't it? I know I'm excited about this new online opportunity. If you would like to join me in this semester's study online, please leave a comment with your email address, and I will be in touch with more information. Or, as always, you can find out more by visiting Jean's blog.

But let me rewind and provide some background information for my non-Memphis friends. Jean is a faboulous wife, mother and grandmother, but even more importantly than all of those things, she is a devoted student of God's word, constantly seeking the Lord, His word, and His will. She mines precious nuggets of truth from the Bible which she in turn uses to encourage mommas in the everyday, ordinary things of life as well as the most important thing--raising our children up in the ways of the Lord.

At Bellevue, I had the privilege of sitting under Jean for three years and truly soaking up the wisdom and the truth of God's word. I do not over exaggerate when I say, I don't know where I would be today (as a wife or a mother), if not for the challenge of spending time in God's word and learning through these studies. The Lord truly had me in this fabulous ministry "for such a time as this."

For those of you in the Birmingham area, who perhaps have never had the privilege of hearing Jean speak, she will be at Hunter Street Baptist Church on Tuesday, September 15. If anyone is interested in attending, please again leave a comment and your email and we'll make it a date!

On the Road Again

Yesterday, we met Pops half way between Birmingham and Mobile to pick up Tula who's coming to hang out with us through the weekend, allowing me a bit of a rest and providing a helping hand as we get ready for the school year to start next week!

It just so happens we arrived just in time for breakfast at Cracker Barrel. The kiddos had fun trying out all of the rocking chairs and playing checkers!

After breakfast, we turned around and headed back to the 'Ham. It was a beautiful day for a drive, and Mom and I couldn't help but stop off at the Alabama Furniture Market on the way back. It was definitely worth the drive!