Playdough Fun

Jillian made a craft at Sonshine School that had playdough at the bottom to hold a flower on a plate. It was to remind her that God gives us all the pretty flowers. She thought the flower smelled great (they sprayed perfume on it), but she was really more interested in playing with the playdough! So when we got home from School, I got out all their playdough stuff and let her and Abby create for a while. I have to say I was pretty impressed with all they came up with. Abby made good use of the flower and even used the "french fry maker" to make grass around the flower. Jillian realized that if she stepped on the playdough that she could see the bottom of her shoe on the playdough. Needless to say, she had to find something else to do with the playdough or mommy was going to end her turn with it! The girls went to Mitch Park to an animal planet "fair" on Saturday while I was at an all day choregraphy rehearsal. I hear they had a great time! I'll let Steve blog about it, tell about his favorite parts, and put some pictures up! We are going to a ballgame tonight with people from our church. Someone gave the church 60 tickets to the ballgame and the first 60 to sign up got tickets for free. Since we are always looking for good/free family fun, we signed up right away! I'll try to get some pictures of the girls and the game to post later on! Hope you all are having a fun weekend!

Wet Weekend

We had a fun weekend. We bought a new Slip and slide on Saturday (the old one had a hole in it). We have decided that a slip and slide is the way to go verses a kiddie pool. Here are our reasons: 1) it doesn't matter if grass gets on it. 2) you don't have to clean the dead bugs out of it...just simply slide them off. 3) It has a dual purpose..you can also water your yard at the same time, just move it around periodically. 4) Keeps kids busy alot longer! 5) Mom and Dad can use it too!
The girls played with some neighbors in the front yard on the slip and slide on Saturday. On Sunday, we moved it to the back yard so that the neighbors wouldn't be offended when I got into my bathing suit. I have to say I like having the 2 sides on it so that we can race each other. Steve and I raced a couple of times then we each raced the girls. Then we decided that since it was brand new, we should probably not break it on the first weekend we have it! :) We did have a lot of fun though! Josh, Camdyn, and Carter came over on Sunday before evening church and we played with them. Unfortunatly Steve caught me on camera and some how was lucky enough not to be caught himself. I guess I should work on my spy techniques! On another note. My Physical Therapy is going well. He has given me some exercises to do and although they hurt, I do them. I'm determined to get my muscles under control again. Instead of the stabbing and burning pain that I normally have I just have muscle soreness which he says is a good thing. I go on Wednesday and Friday and then see how many more times he thinks I will need. Steve and I have started walking at night (he pulls the girls in the wagon). It started out as a leisurly thing and has become some what of a nightly ritual. We walked about 2-2 1/2 miles last night before it got dark. It was a beautiful night! Maybe once my back feels good all the time I'll get back in to working out regularly. That's all for now! Love to you all!

Sleeping Style

I've always known that Jillian likes to sleep with her head covered up. When she was a baby and I would swaddle her she would wiggle down in the blanket until her face was covered up. We always laughed because my mom sleeps the same way. Just like my Mom, Jillian loves to have covers all the time! She loves my mom's house because there is always an afgahn on the back of the couch (year round). Abby, on the other hand is just like Steve's mom. She is always hot and would prefer summer jammies year 'round. She will either sleep on top of her covers or with just a sheet. Sound familiar, Cecily? Abby also has to hold something when she sleeps. Since she was little it has always been this little white blanket. It is so neat to have 2 little girls and see just how different they are in so many aspects. I took these pictures this morning of Jillian sleeping on the floor in my room with her head under my dust ruffle and Abby on the couch. I did get scared this morning when Abby wasn't on the other side of my bed or in her own (usually she wakes up early and comes in my room while Steve is getting ready for work). I found her in Jillian's bed this morning. I believe we played musical beds last night and I was just too tired to notice. I was trying to get them up and dressed for the exterminator to come. Looks like he is going to be an hour late now. I got Abby dressed and out of bed just for her to go to the living room and fall asleep watching TV. I have my 2nd visit with the physical Therapist today. He thinks that I should be better in about 6-8 visits. I hope so! I'm so ready not to have back pain! I hope you all are having a great day!

Sun and Fun and A LOT of Water

Yesterday we (our children and the next door neighbors) had a wonderful time playing outside on the slip and slide. After pulling it out of the attic I realized that there was a big hole at the bottom and it kept letting all the water out so we had to improvise and just go with the old hose it down method. None the less, the kids loved it. Abby, Jillian, Miller, Me, Jason, and Monica all had a fun time watching the kids get all wet.

Mississippi Home

Well, here it is, my parents new home in Pearl Mississippi. My dad did a good job picking this one! The new address is 123 Oak Leaf Way, Pearl MS 39208. It is just down the highway between the central Mississippi mental hospital and the state correctional facility. Finally they they will be in their element. They told me that it feels like home already! The move is planned for June 19th, the movers said it will take them three days to pack us up so we will start their drive down from Michigan on June 21st. They close on the new house on June 30th and hope to have the movers deliver their stuff to the new house on July 3rd. They will need help unpacking so if the class wants to make a trip down to Mississs, ......ah too many sssssss's, they would greatly appreciate it !!

Jillian's New Room

Just thought I would share a couple of pictures of Jillian's new bed and covers. She is so excited. Thanks Mom and Dad for re-decorating and needing someone to take my old trundle beds off of your hands. Thanks to Craig, Laura, Camdyn, and Carter for helping us move the beds from my parents house to ours! As you can see we are still sticking with the Monkey theme. Unfortunatly I didn't have the time or the energy to make this quilt, but I think that Target did a pretty good job. We start back to Sonshine School this week. I'm pretty sure that Leann and I are all set to have a fun summer with these kids! I'm glad we are teaching older kids since I threw out my back last Wednesday! Since this is the 3rd or 4th time in a year I've had trouble with my back, the Dr. has referred me to Physical Therapy. I will be starting it this week. Hopefully it will help me get my back in shape! Hope you all have a great week!

View from my office

You know they say that a lack of sunlight can dig a hole in your mental attitude. I for one know this is a fact. For those of you that know me you know that I have been job hopping now for the past two years and have not been satisfied with any of these jobs except for one. The one job that I was satisfied with was Bogardus Medical Systems. The reason for this was the type of environment that I worked in (a small development team) and an incredible view from the 8th floor of a building on the NW expressway. The only reason that I left was the lack of potential promotion and salary increase. After that I got stuck with a job that was supposed to be a wonderful place to work (Actually, in the top ten for IT....according to .....ahhh some magazine). Yeah right.......I got shoved into a cubicle that was as grey as my dead aunt Velma's blouse (I really don't have an aunt Velma....I think?) The only sunlight I received came from a fluorescent light that came from a yellow tinted filter in the ceiling light cover. So the light was… to put it lightly (no pun intended) very drab! Long story....even longer.....Above is the picture of my new view from my new office. When I need a break I turn my chair and stare at the bums sleeping in the park, spy on the corner pharmacies (if you know what I mean), and occasionally watch the storms come in. So.....for those that are stuck in a cube that has no access to sunlight....I feel for you. Do whatever you can to get into an office with a view of the outside world. It makes all the difference in the world.