We love you, Daddy!!!

Orange - the final chapter for 07

Well the orange are finished for the season. We had to forfeit both of our tournament games due to not enough players. I guess that's what you get when you create a team full of mommy's and the tournament doesn't start before the first day of school! It was a great year and I can't wait for next season!

The family comedian!

Ella is so funny! She says some of the cutest things. This morning, Les came back after taking the kids to school to grab his computer, and he called Ella downstairs to tell her goodbye. She leaned over to give him a kiss and said "Rough". He asked her if his face was rough, and she said "Yes", so he took her hand and rubbed his cheek and she said "Better". We just laughed! She won't be 2 until October and she talks like most 3 year olds! Her favorite trick is when it is time to get her PJ's on for bed, she runs away. Not out of the room, just from her bed to Grace's. She thinks it is soooo funny! Mommy really doesn't !

I' m funny, right Mom!

2nd day of school

It is amazing how fast the newness of something can wear off. This morning I went in to wake Grace up for school and she wasn't as excited as I thought she would be. More like had absolutely no interest at all in getting out of the bed!! I woke her up at 6:30am and at 6:55am I was still trying to get her out of the bed! Then she turned on the tears and the "I don't want to go to school". So I go into "Mommy mode" trying to figure out why the sudden change of heart. I start asking, why, did someone do something, was somebody mean to you, did something happen- you know all those questions that we ask to figure out who wronged our child and so we know who we are going to rip from limb to limb. She looks at me and says "I'm tired! I just want to sleep." I just shake my head! I try my best to assure her that she will be alright and she finally gets moving. After getting dressed, eating breakfast, and getting her hair fixed, she is brushing her teeth and decides that she is awake and has enough energy to go to school. I am very scared to see what puberty brings! What am I saying, puberty nothing, who knows what the 3rd day of school will bring!

ORANGE UPDATE

The Orange was victorious Tuesday in the first round of the tournament. Unfortunately, we will not have enough players and will have to forfeit our next game. I guess we will have to fight our way to the championship through the loser bracket. :)

Our next appearance on the field will be Monday, so to be continued . . .

First day of school - part 2

Here's a few more pictures. Grace getting settled in her class. Hanging up her backpack, and reading books with her new classmates. She is such a big girl and she makes me so proud!! I tried to go and take a picture of Jonathon in his class, but the batteries died in my camera!

First day of school!!!

Today was the first day of school for 2 of my 3 kids. Jonathon started 4th grade and Grace started Kindergarten. I can't believe they are possibly that old! They were both excited and ready to go - not sure I can say the same about Mom.

Time to go. Kindergarten, here I come!!!

Mom, Let's go!!!

Outside the school, ready to go in and start the first day. Don't they look like two great students?

This picture makes me sad. I can't believe my baby girl is "walking on her own". Sorry. I am feeling a little sappy today.

It seems like just yesterday Grace was Ella's age! Here she is, ready to go in class!

Orange lives on . . .

Even though it wasn't for certain, Orange's season is not over!! The tournament starts Tuesday. We play at 6:30, so everyone wear your orange and cheer us on!! I'll let you know how it goes! Go Orange!

Here's a shot of me in action. Don't you love the socks! This is a 630 game because I am wearing a visor, not my orange do-rag! My theory is if I wear enough orange, it will distract the batter. Not sure it works, but anything is worth a try!

Bedtime Blues

My kids really don't like to go to bed. They would much rather stay up. They each have their own ways of stalling, which are pretty comical at times.

Ella is all about routine. She wants things done in the same order every time. Last night she added something new - she wants to sit in a box during her bedtime story. Les and I tried so hard not to laugh as she was moving the box exactly where she wanted and climbing in. I wish I would have had a video camera!

Finally in bed- after the box, a fight to put on PJ's, picking which green blanket she would be covered up with first and finding the right things to sleep with (book, M'house, cup of water, etc.)

Jonathon really hates going to bed because his favorite show -MYTHBUSTERS- comes on at 9pm. Last night he was really bummed because it was a new episode. He looks pitiful, doesn't he? (Notice the nice blue paint, thanks G-Pa!!)

Grace is the best at stalling. She uses things like brushing her teeth for 10 minutes and then needing to floss, or going to the bathroom, or getting a drink or her new favorite "My tummy hurts". As you can tell from the picture, she is NOT asleep. It was well after 9:30 before she went to sleep last night.

What am I going to do with these 3? Kiss them, hug them and send them to bed!!

Beauty Queen

I think God gave me Grace because inside I really want to be a girlie girl, but I just can't pull it off. Grace loves anything to do with beauty! Hair, nails, make-up, jewelry, dresses, she loves it all! Today we were messing around and I curled Grace's hair with hot rollers. The results were way cool!

To quote Grace "I look so cute!!"

We are in sooooo much trouble in a few years!!!

Women pay good money for highlights like these!

I have the most beautiful child, on the inside and out!

The Great Outdoors

Recently, I have been trying to create a play area in the back yard. So far I have a sand box, a climbing slide, and a small table and chairs. As you can tell, the kids think it is a hit!

Their favorite thing to play on the slide is pirate ship. It has a steering wheel, so they can guide the ship. We bought it 2nd hand off a neighbor. We got a good deal, but the real story is how we got it home - just picture it on top of the van with yours truly holding on to it, standing in the open sliding door of the van. Can you say "redneck"? Of course we saw 3 of our neighbors during the 2 minute ride!

Whee! Ella!!

Ella loves the "band box"! She will take the top off by herself if no one will help her!

The sand box is now a boat. Row, row, row your boat, Grace!

So sweet!

Bathing Beauties!

Update:
I removed the pictures off this post because of searches that make me uncomfortable.

The girls usually take a bath together - it save time and my knees! The other night, they were both in a good mood, so out came the camera!

Two of the cutest mermaids I have ever seen!!!

"Hi, Gracie! Don't you just love taking a bath? Don't we have the best mom in the world!" (she really could be saying that! :)

"Do I get to put the bubbles in my hair, Mom?"

Bath time is the best!!!

Our Last Game

Last night was the last game of the season, and unfortunately, we lost. It didn't help that it was 102 when we walked on the field or that we only had 9 players (we could have used you Mrs. Wade!) or that we had to play extra innings. It is bittersweet. I love to play, but am kinda glad when it is over. We still may have a tournament. The AD for the complex where we play left in the middle of the season, and the fate of the tournament is up in the air. No matter our record at the end of the season, the thing I enjoy the most is the ladies on the team. They are great! Until next season, GO ORANGE!!!

Bandanna Day

Today, for reasons unknown, we all wore bandannas. Maybe it is the heat affecting us or the endless amount of children in my house everyday, who knows? So what else do you do when everyone is wearing things on their heads, but take pictures. Here they are!

I am really proud of this shot, because I figured out how to use the timer on my camera and didn't cut any one's head off! :) The whole gang- Charlotte, Jonathon, Grayson, Ella, Me, Grace and Victoria

Ella- if only she would look at the camera!

Can you tell who is the "diva" in the group? Everybody looks too cute !

Orange update

Can you say UGLY? We played so bad our last game I am surprised they will let us back on the field. The amazing part is we only lost 9 to 6. If we would have had a good game, we would have creamed them! Next game is Thursday, so we will try again!

Tagged!

I got tagged on Jen's blog, so here goes!

4 jobs I have had:
1. Director of childcare center
2. Receptionist at home building office (this lasted 1 week! much better with kids!)
3. Wife of Les and mother of Jonathon, Grace and Ella(trust me, this is a FULL time job!)
4. In home preschool operator -aka teacher, owner, nurse, etc. :)

4 places I have lived:
1. Seneca, SC
2. Elgin, SC
3. Fountain Inn, SC
4. Fort Mill, SC

Favorite TV Shows:
1. Lost
2. CSI (any of them)
3. most of HGTV's line up!!
4. The Cosby Show

Favorite Foods:
1. Any type of pasta
2. Cheesecake
3. Oreo cookie blast from Sonic
4. Chips Ahoy cookies
5. Cheeseburgers!

Places I'd rather be:
1. Lying on the beach with a good book
2. In SuperTarget without kids and without a spending limit with a buddy!
3. Hanging out on the deck with my family (we don't have a deck, yet, so this is a friendly reminder to my hubby :)
4. At my grandparents house listening to really cool stories about when they were growing up!

Favorite Movies:
1. A Knights Tale
2. Mr. & Mrs. Smith
3. High School Musical
4. Pearl Harbor
5. Father of the Bride 1 and 2

People I tag to do this:
Anyone who wants! It is kinda of fun to stop and think about these things!

Happenings

I am officially a terrible blogger. I just can't seem to find time or 'want to' to blog. Here's whats been going on around here lately.

Saturday, Les and Jonathon went to Fan Fair at Panther stadium with our friends Chris and Bradley Bott. They had a blast! They got to hang out, see a practice, get their face painted (Jonathon and Bradley, not Chris and Les), and get autographs. Jonathon is now a die hard Panther fan! While the boys were sweating to death in the heat, Grace, Ella and I hit the mall with the other half of the Botts-Laura, Emily and Julianne. It was tax free weekend! I racked up at Gap Kids, getting 8 articles of clothing for only $55. I was very proud of myself! The kids were very good and both the babies fell asleep in the stroller- at least for about 15 minutes!

Over the last couple of weeks, Cindy and I have been exercising in the mornings. We do a walk/run course in our neighborhood. Right now, we do more walking than running, but we are getting there! The other day, I drove it in the van to see how far we go - it is 2.5 miles!!! I know you must be impressed!! I don't get to go every morning because Les goes to the gym, but Cindy goes and gets more running done when I am not there :)

School starts in a little over 2 weeks and I can't believe Grace is going to kindergarten! Now I know what my mom was talking about when she said, 'you blink and they are grown'. It is bittersweet. I am so proud of the big girl she is, but I miss her being little. For example, this morning at church, she came to the door of my SS class (I teach 3rd grade) and said she had lost her earring. Doesn't it seem like she is too young to lose an earring? (We never did find it!)

Ella is growing by leaps and bounds! She can talk so well. Tonight she picked up the phone and had a conversation with no one. She said 'allo Grandy. What you doing? Bye, love you' It was too sweet! (Mom, you can wipe that tear off you cheek now :) She is so independent and set in her ways! Things have to be with who they belong to. One day Les was using my cell phone because he couldn't find his -big surprise :), and she had a fit! Mommy's hello! she screamed until he gave it back. She also has a certain order to do things. Each night, she has to pick which blanket goes on her first. (It really doesn't matter because they are exactly the same!) I wouldn't want her to be any other way!! One day those strong will qualities will come in handy!

In the last week, I have rearranged my bedroom (looks great, a lot more room!) and hung curtains downstairs. Do you think someone is watching too much HGTV? Probably, but whats a girl to do !!

Orange update

After a week off, we played last night and lost something bad (17 to 2). The team we played is a new team this year. They were good. They could hit! We had 2 innings where we played poorly in the field, and it killed us. Oh well, we play again Thursday.

Ella, the fearless!

While I was posting the post before this, I heard Ella calling my name and this is what I found. I got her down but she climbed right back up, so I thought - photo opp!! I have said before that she is going to be the one who gives us the most trouble, so far, so true!

The Kids!

Jonathon, Ella, and Grace smiling pretty for mommy in the mountains

My cousins Hunter and Emily with Ella.

Grace, Ella, and Jonathon outside the house one morning. Mommy never misses a photo opp!

Ella Bella - you are a cutie!!!!

Fishing

A few weekends ago we went to my nephew, Isaac's birthday party. One of his presents was a fishing pole with a "fighting" fish on the end. They were so cute trying to get that thing to work! Here are a few shots of their efforts.

Grace and Isaac trying to convince the fish to be reeled in!

Jonathon is trying to improve the situation!

Grandpa is making sure Ella doesn't lose her balloon! That is a sucker in Ella's mouth :)

Look what I caught!!!!!!!

Watermelon, Eggs and really cute Kids!

A friend of ours was snapping pictures at the Sports Camp

celebration and here are some of the kids.

Grace and Ella enjoying watermelon. Notice that both have ditched their shoes! :)

Ella Bella loving watermelon. Isn't she adorable?

Grace doing a great job in the "egg on a spoon" race. Notice the "model" smile! Always ready to have her picture taken! :)

Jonathon showing off his balancing skills in the "egg on a spoon" race.

Pie, anyone?

Tonight we had a follow up party for Sports Camp. The team or sport with the highest attendance percentage got the privilege of hitting their coach with a pie in the face. The soccer coach really was Chris Bott, but he was conveniently at the beach so the pleasure fell to me! As you can see, my children got the pleasure!

Getting ready!

Totally creamed!!

Take that you little stinkers!!!

Stupid people. . .

Drive me NUTS!!! After tonight's game, (WE WON 11-3), some of the players went to eat a Mexican restaurant to say goodbye to Shanan Stevens (she is moving to Wilmington). Sitting one table away were stupid people! They thought it was cute that the baby in the group (probable 6 or 7 months old) was sucking on the top of a beer bottle!! Now, I know the baby probably liked it because it was cold, but COME ON!!!! Stupid! Stupid! It took everything I had not to go over there and lose it on those people! I just can't stand stupid people!

Catch Up!!!

I know, I know! It has been forever since my last post! It has been a very busy week.

Last Friday, we left to visit family. This is always an adventure - 3 kids and an old dog! On Saturday, we went to my nephew Isaac's 3rd birthday party at Stumphouse Tunnel. This is a really cool place in Walhalla (my home town) that is an actual tunnel that was constructed 150 years ago to try to take the train through the mountain. It is about 300 yard deep and very dark, but really neat. My sister - in- law, Katie, planned a very cool party. The kids went on a scavenger hunt to try to find Thomas the Tank Engine's whistle. Of course we ended up in the tunnel. Unfortunately, she game them all train whistles. Just imagine the sound of 20 whistles being blown in a tunnel - can you say ear splitting!!!. It was really fun!

On Sunday, we went to a yearly family reunion. My dad's family goes to Buck Creek NC every year on the 3rd Sunday in July. We have Sunday school under a large tree at the cemetery where we have what you would call dedication. Well, this year, God was working on me to say something to my family. Needless to say, NERVE WRACKING! It is so hard to talk to family about salvation. I was obedient, and at the end of Sunday school, my grandmother called me up to talk. My family is large. I think there was 50 people there. I started by telling everyone about Victory Sports and I used the bracelet that we use at Victory to present the plan of salvation to my family. I couldn't tell what everyone was thinking and after a little bit I couldn't see them either because of the tears in my eyes. When I finished and sat down, Grace turned to me and said "Mom, that was great!" Have I mentioned that I have wonderful kids!!! God didn't make me wait long to see if anyone was really listening. We all drove to a park for a picnic lunch. While we were eating, my cousin Justin walked up and wanted to know what white meant. I told him and then offered my bracelet to him. His smile was all the answer I needed to have. I followed him back to his table to see what he was doing, and he was telling his aunt, another cousin, every word I had said!!! PTL!!!! I was so excited! Then, as we were cleaning up, another cousin, Kevin, came over to see if I had any more bracelets. His girlfriend, who had came with him, would like to have one. I did have one in the van. While we walked to the van, I got a chance to talk to him. It blows me away that God thinks I am worthy to tell others about him!!

Monday, I started working Palmetto Sports Camp. I am helping with soccer. I have never played soccer in my life, but I am having so much fun that I had to go buy a pink and white soccer ball. It has been very hot, but the kids have had so much fun. Monday we had 96 kids, Tuesday we had 100 kids, Wednesday we had 105 kids and today we had 97 kids!!!! Yesterday, the fire truck came and sprayed us all with the cannon on top. That was awesome!!!! I think the kids had as much fun as the adults!

Monday night the ORANGE played and unfortunately, we lost! We did great at the beginning, scoring 7 runs in the first inning, but we only scored 1 more the rest of the game. Our bats stopped and you can't win if you can't hit the ball! We have a game tonight, so I will let you know how it goes! GO ORANGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just barely!

The ORANGE prevailed victorious last night, but just barely. We won 12 - 11 over Harrison. It was a battle that was created by a HORRIBLE 1st inning. We batted first (we were visitors) and scored 5 runs, so when we hit the field, we were feeling pretty good. It didn't last long. We played awful. We missed balls (I missed a line drive that I should have caught. In my opinion that was the beginning of the ugliness), we had some over throws, I walked a batter, and their clean-up batter hit great. When we finally got 3 outs, Ed was not happy with us. We turned it around, but it took an extra inning to finally get the win. On a personal note, I haven't struggled that much on the mound in a very long time. I think God was trying to humble me. I take my pitching ability for granted and I should remember that it is God's grace that allows us to do any and everything. Lesson learned!

ORANGE Update!

We won tonight! Unfortunately, it was not by our awesome skills, but by a forfeit. :( We ended up using the time to practice and play an impromptu scrimmage. It was fun just to play for fun! We have another game tomorrow night, so hopefully we will get to show off the awesome ORANGE!!

Ice Cream

I think one of the best things about summer is ice cream and I think the kids would agree!

Grace thinks it is YUMMY!!!!

Ella wants more!!

Jonathon and Bradley couldn't get enough!

Charlotte loved it, too!!!

But the worst thing about summer is when the ice cream runs out, right Ella?

Fashion Diva

The other morning, I sent Grace upstairs to get dressed and this is how she came down! To get the full effect, you need to enlarge the picture. I asked her why she chose that and her response was "it matches!". I asked how and she pointed to the lime green stripes in the both the shirt and skirt and said "lime green and lime green match!" I just shook my head! You gotta love her self confidence!! You go Grace!

Summer Fun

It feels like forever since I have had anything to post. I still don't have anything, but I thought you (whoever you are who reads this!) deserved something up to date. The kids and I have spent the week living at the pool. We go every morning at 11 and swim about an hour and a half to 2 hours, then come home for lunch. Ella takes a great nap! She has to be part fish! She jumps in and swims around with her floaties on (water wings that go on her arms). She is fearless! You will be holding her and she will want down, so she just jumps out of your arms and floats away kicking her little legs as hard as she can. I will have to take the camera to the pool tomorrow to get some pictures. Grace loves the pool and has learned how to swim underwater, and now has no fear. She jumps in 5 ft. and swims to the ladder like it is nothing!

We had a good 4th. We went to the pool (surprise, surprise!) and that night the adults went to the Knights game. Les and I went with our friends Chris and Laura Bott. We left all the kids at the Botts' house with the sitter and we hit the ballgame. We sat on the berm which means the grass on a blanket. It really wasn't bad, because we weren't sitting on hard seats, smashed between sweaty people. Laura and I went to get concessions, and were gone so long, Chris came to check on us. We really wanted to get a funnel cake, but the line was LONG. It stretched for 2 sections - which was about 60 people! I like funnel cake, but not that much! After the game, they had great fireworks! The fireworks must have lasted for 20 minutes! We decided to go the the van and watch from the parking lot so we could beat the traffic. Laura and I spread out the blankets on the grass, but this wasn't good enough for Les. He took the seats out of the van and he and Chris sat in them in the parking lot. I called them portable redneck recliners! I am sure the people around us thought we were crazy! Then some woman walked up and tried to ask Les and Chris to help her friend get her Mini Coop off the curb, but she was so drunk that they couldn't understand what she was asking and by the time they figured out what she wanted, some other guy had the car off the curb! Laura and I laughed soooo hard!

I guess I did have something to write about after all! I will post pictures tomorrow, Grandy!

Camp

Jonathon and I left for Camp Kid Jam Thursday. We had a blast! Other than a few glitches, it was a great camp! Some of my favorite moments were during the Jam Sessions (for us old people, that is worship). It was loud and so awesome! It was so cool to see the kids praising God without reservation! Camp was fun, but it was good to come home. I really missed the girls! When we got to the parking lot, Ella saw me and ran across the parking lot to me. She stayed right beside me the rest of the day. I guess camp really wore Jonathon out, because he has slept late for the last 2 mornings. For Jonathon, anything past 7am is sleeping late, and he has been sleeping until 8 or 830!!