GOTCHA!

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Saturday morning, I looked out the window and saw this. (Sorry this isn't a close-up.) I snapped this pic from inside the house. The kittens are very skittish and take off at a slight sound. They were cuddled in the kids' old umbrella stroller. VERY cute!!

Saturday

We went to Liberty, IN yesterday for a day at the farm. We hiked, took rides in the woods, had a grill out, and played in a cornhole tournament. The kids had endless rides on a tractor wagon, mule, four-wheeler and a wild ride in the Tracker with Uncle Jerry. Despite the hot temperatures, fun was had by all. The kids were exhausted!! An easy bedtime is WONDERFUL!!!

Born to ride

The MOMENT Cody arrived at the farm, he had one goal for the entire day. That goal was to ride on a four-wheeler, mule or other off-road vehicle. He charmed almost a dozen different people and he was on a ride during the majority of his time in Indiana yesterday. It was HILARIOUS! The boy doesn't know a stranger and will ride with anyone with a moving vehicle.

My little boy was born to RIDE!

At the beach

The kids enjoyed swimming at the beach. Normally I wouldn't take them this early to the beach but with temps in the upper 80's, it was warm enough! The kids had a BLAST of course and enjoyed swimming for the first time this year. We visited the nature center and enjoyed looking at the animals before heading home.

Our new pool

Carleigh asked my dad for a swimming pool on Friday. And what does this doting Grandfather do? Today, he brought over a brand-new pool that he bought this morning, inflated it at home, and brought it over. Carleigh was squealing when she saw it after church. We also had a few meltdowns since we were going to the beach and could not get in the pool until later today.

The laughter and happy chatter was priceless today! They love their new pool and I love that it will also keep them from being bored this summer.

New pool = New Smiles

The end is drawing near

I have 3.5 days of school left, Carleigh has 2 days left and Cody has 4 days. I won't be officially on vacation mode until June 7th at noon (when my First Aid class is over)!! It's funny how none of us have the exact last day of school. Cody has to go on Thursday morning because of snow days. The AM kindergarten is the only grade level that has to go an extra day. Silly I know?!! What are they thinking? Cody is having a pizza party on that day so not a lot of academics will be involved!

I am in shut down mode as well. Tomorrow is Pillow Reading Day in which students in my class will bring a pillow and sleeping bag/blanket and books for a day of reading. What I would REALLY like to do is take a pillow and sleeping bag and go to sleep!! LOL! But I will be doing report cards and student awards while they are reading.

This weekend, it is supposed to be beautiful so we have plans to spend the day in Liberty on Saturday and hitting the beach on Sunday after church. We may see a Memorial Day parade on Monday.

The end is drawing near and I am finally seeing the light at the end of a very long tunnel.....I didn't think I would ever make it to this point!!

I saw them!

I saw ALL 4 kittens this morning! I heard meowing as I was getting ready for work. I peered out our window and lo and behold, I saw all 4 of them! They are ADORABLE! I ran to get my camera, but by the time I got it my mom arrived and scared the kitties away! Ugh! I can describe them, two are spotted (like the ones I have mentioned) and the other two look exactly like Momma cat: black with white feet and trim. They are so stinkin' cute and I am not a cat lover! I am trying my best to get a pic so I'll have to practice being a papparozzi and steal a pic.

Cat Chronicles

Last night, I bought cat food and set it out for the cats. Momma cat devoured it and one of her kittens came and started to eat as well. I was kind of surprised that the Momma didn't get the rest of her babies to dine on the chow. They were secretly playing under an old semi truck that is parked next to our side/back yard. Afterwards, she plopped herself onto our doorstep and meowed contentedly.

She was at our doorstop this morning with an empty bowl and meowing loudly. As I was pouring cat food out of the bag, she couldn't wait and started to eat out of the bag! Poor thing must be starving!!

We'll see what other adventures abound with the cats!

Saturday at the Park

We went to a park in Fairfield that was a community park. It was created behind a neighborhood and the kids really enjoyed it because they were the only ones there.

Thrill Seekers

Cody has ALWAYS loved riding the four wheeler, but now Carleigh enjoys rides as well. It was quite un-nerving at times since every kid on the street wanted a turn and Cody REALLY doesn't understand the "waiting your turn" concept. *sigh* However, it really did improve his mood this afternoon.

Our New Additions

Here are a few photos I have of Momma cat. The kittens are VERY elusive and I am hoping to get a pic of all FOUR of them sometime soon. I have a plan to get all four near our carport and if it works out, I will snap a pic of them.

Enjoying the day

We finally had a nice day. It seems like we get one nice day a week and weekends are usually NOT one of those days! We went to a park with Matt's family and had a picnic and let the kids play on the playground. Prior to that, the kids enjoyed playing on their swing set. When we arrived home, we visited with my sister and my parents on my sister's porch. The kiddos enjoyed playing in the backyard until dinner and bath time.

The biggest moment of the day was the discovery of a cat. Matt was opening our side door, when he noticed a black and white cat on our doorstep. It was meowing rather loudly so Matt gave it some milk ( I know! I know! I know that we shouldn't feed strays but we felt called to do so.) And boy was it a treat because she left after a few slurps to get her BABIES! Yes, she is a Momma cat and her two little kittens came to drink the milk as well.)

Matt discovered that they are making their home under our blue shed. A ground hog dug a hole underneath it and once it disappeared, the cats have now made it their home as well as exploring the inside of the shed. The kittens are adorable and I did get a pic of the Momma cat. Cody stroked the cat before we had a chance to tell him not to since it was a stray. The momma cat let him pet her so I was so surprised! Cody is such an animal lover and would LOVE to have a pet (we can't have any pets because we rent). Poor boy will have to wait a few more years until we buy a new house. We might compromise with a gerbil or two. It may be a good behavior bargaining chip.

Overall, it was such a nice and a promise of a wonderful summer yet to come!

Second Game

We were highly doubting that Cody's 4th scheduled game would happen because of the gloomy clouds and the drizzle. However, it did not stop the game. The drizzle periodically was a pain, but they got the game in! Yay! I was touched by a little boy on the other team who was blind. When he went up to bat, he had his seeing eye dog attached to him with a leash tied to his waist. After he batted, the dog guided him on the bases. It was so sweet! And of course Cody LOVED that dog and it was my favorite breed of all time: a golden retriever! How awesome that this boy has an opportunity to play the game!!

My girl

I am just amazed sometimes at quickly children grow up. Carleigh has been growing up WAY to fast! She is becoming such a sweet girl and a Daddy's girl. Last night, she and Matt were on the couch and she declared "Daddy, I love you!" Oh what a "melt your heart moment!" And when I was getting her settled for bedtime, she told me that she wanted "her daddy" and looked forlorn. Once Matt came in and gave her a hug and a kiss, she was a happy girl and ready to go to bed.

Today, she went on her first ever field trip without Matt or I attending. She visited Niedermann Farm with her preschool class. That farm should be very familar since we go there a couple of times a year. She told Matt in an excited voice, "I SAW HORSES!"

Oh, sweet Carleigh, what a little treasure you are to us!

Another Milestone

Tonight, Cody and I visited his new elementary school. He will attend his new elementary school for 1st - 4th grades. So, basically, Cody will be there for a LONG time! We had a tour of the school, met with some of the teachers, principals and checked out the school. I LOVE the school layout with a commons area in which they share a kitchen area and lots of tables for pulling children out and book sharing. Cody loved that all the classrooms had guppies and many had turtles. His favorite part was the really nice playground. I still am trying to fathom that Cody will be a first grader. It seems like yesterday he was a 5lb 2 oz premie that we brought home from the hospital. I totally agree with the country song "Don't Blink." That song has been going in my mind all day. *sigh*

Saturday Fun

We enjoyed the beautiful weather on Friday by hanging out in the backyard, cleaning out our van, and enjoying the swing set. Cody also got his new glasses on Saturday. Isn't he handsome?

Computer Troubles

My laptop crashed on Saturday evening. It's so frustrating when technology lets you down!! Ugh! My files were restored as well as all of my photos, but now I have to set up my wireless internet again and start making new internet bookmarks. What a pain!! It's amazing that we are so dependent on it and when it goes down, we are helpless. Sad!! I have been meaning to post but will do this week. I have some cute pics of the kiddos.

Another rain out

Cody's scheduled third game of the season, but his second game attempted was rained out. It rained too much during the day for the outfield to be dry. So, his next game is scheduled a week from tonight.

Another school year is winding down. We have 14.5 school days left for my school and about the same for my children. I cannot WAIT for the laziness of summer and enjoying the outdoors with my kiddos.

This year has been the most challenging year by FAR and I am ready for some r and r.

Happy Mother's Day!

I hope everyone had a wonderful time being honored or honoring your mother. This is always a sensitive day for me. Prior to the last six years, this day was very hard for me. I will always sympathize with ladies who are not mothers or who are still waiting to become mothers. When you go through infertility, you gain a sense of sympathy that no one else can fathom. You also gain sensitivity to the needs of others.

I still have mixed feelings about this day, however, I did have a good day. Listening to my children laugh and squeal on their new swing set was the BEST gift that they could ever give me. I am so incredibly blessed to be their mommy!

Happy Mother's Day!

Mother's Day Tea

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On Friday, I visited Cody's classroom for "Mother's Day Tea." We sat with our children and the kids had cookies and lemonade. Then, the kids sang several songs. We read a book together and then watched a slide show that contained pictures of the entire school year. Yes, I had tears in my eyes seeing Cody on the first day of school and then the last pic was of Cody holding flowers for Mother's Day. Childhood goes alarmingly fast and I think it really hit me at that moment. He is my firstborn and every milestone we hit is exciting yet sad. It was a special time for just Cody and I. And next year, I will do it again when Carleigh is in the same class.

Pure joy

This is just a glimpse of what happened when they saw their much-awaited summer gift! PRICELESS!