Ear piercing!!!

Last night after eating dinner, we headed over to the mall. I decided it was time to get Chloe's ears pierced and since Jennifer was with me it seemed like a good time to do it. (I did not want to hold her while it was being done.) In Claire's, we shopped around and checked out everything. Then, we went to the chair to get it done. She was BIG girl and barely even cried. I was amazed because I expected her to scream her head off. The lady gave her a lollipop afterwards and Chloe happily took it and was fine. So, she is officially pierced now!!

Recap of last week or so

So it is summer and there is no school, but it seems we are busier than before. Here are soem highlights of the last couple of weeks. Be prepared; we have lots to share. . .

• So we have been working with Chloe on potty training for the last 2 weeks and she has done AMAZING!! She tells us when she needs to potty and even poops on the potty. Today, she wore big girl panties all day and did fine. We are all very excited about this. Size 5 diapers anyone????
• Cody and Keegan attended Power Camp last week. This is an FCA event where the kids learn about a particular sport, but more importantly about being a follower of Christ. Cody choose soccer and was in a huddle with Spencer, a very good friend. Keegan choose baseball and was coached by a friend of ours. Each day begins with great music and a speaker who is well known. Kale, Chloe, and myself stayed and listened to this part each day. Then the kids all go to practices, huddles, and such. At the end of the day, we would return and hear the music and a local pastor. On Wednesday night, there is an event at Camille's, a local restaurant, where the band plays and everyone hangs out. This year, Melvin Adams spoke that night and the next morning at Power Camp. The boys had a great, but tiring week. They cannot wait for next year and Kale is still trying to figure out what sport to choose.
• Baseball for Keegan is underway. He has improved quite a bit and lives to play each time. He can always remember when he has practice and games. His coach is really good and very patient with him. He has a few more games left.
• Last weekend, after Lakeside Church everyone stayed and we all cooked out. It was fun and we had really good food.
• Friday night was the Pillar Men and Boys Camping Trip. They went camping in Prince William Forest and had fun. While they were camping, Jennifer, Ruthe, Chloe, and myself has a girls night out. We ate at Olive Garden and then headed to the mall for a special event. That's the next post, so check it out!! After the special event, we ate ice cream at Jennifer's and then painted fingers and toes. The girls enjoyed having the girls night.
• This is too funny not to mention. Each day at camp, Chloe would have to go potty. So I get her on the toliet and then go to the next one to use it. One day I sat her down and I did not have to go so I was just waiting for her. She looked and me and said, "Mommy, go potty." Of course I did not go, but it was cute. The next day same situation except I had to go. When she heard me pee, she hollered out, "Good job Mommy!!" She is quite the comedian:)
• We have ben to KD twice in the past weeks. The first time, we all went with friends and then this week Chloe, Kale, and I joined some more friends and went to the waterpark. It was fun and we all look forward to heading back soon.
• Last Sunday night after church, another family and ours headed over the lake. They wanted to see it and we figured the kids could get it for a little while. Chloe hits the sand and starts stripping everything off including her panties. Yep, she went skinny dipping!! Apparently, she thinks having panties on means she can strip these off whenevery she'd like. We'll have to watch that!!

Anyway, that's lots of catching up. I also have lots of pictures for the last several posts that I hope to get up by the beginning of next week for all to see.

More Scrapping

I am hoping to do lots of digi scrapping this summer while home. I uploaded four different layouts to Costco and had these printed on 12x12 paper. The pages turned out really well and look nice in the albums. The price was good too. I also uploaded a page to an online company that will send you a sample pack for the shipping charges. I should get those next week so I can compare. The price is very comparable to Costco except I'll need to add in shipping charges. And, since I don't have a Costco membership, I'll need to factor that in. Anyway, here's a couple of pages I've scrapped recently.

Potty Training & Nail Polish

So, I decided that as soon as school was out I would attempt to get Chloe in panties. It is a slow process, but I can see the light at the end of the tunnel (at least for tonight). She is wet when she wakes up in the morning and then does not go again until near dinner time. Then when she goes, she goes, and goes, and goes. . . You get the picture here?? So tonight, while she was sitting on the potty, not too happy, I decided I'd paint her toe nails. She choose purple polish at Target and was quite content to have her nails painting. Oh, the joys of a girl:)) I'll keep you up to date on the potty training.

Pastor Wives

Ok, so I know this is really cheesy, but I could not even resist. It does not even apply to me (yet), but it applies ot many of my friends:)) Enjoy!!

Cherry Point Air Show

Growing up, my dad often took us to the air show at Cherry Point. It was always lots of fun and exciting to see the machines and equipment up close. We were always allowed to try everything out. Well, I thought it would be great to go with dad and the kids to check it out. I was sure it would be completely different than it had been. I prepared myself for this so I would not be disappointed. Boy was I WRONG!!! It was just like it was when I was little. The only thing that was different was it was EXTREMELY hot and in our pictures from the past, we wore coats to it. Even with the heat, the kids had fun seeing everything and climbing in tanks, planes, helicopters, and such. The Blue Angels were the highlight at the end. The boys thought it was really neat to see the performance. Chloe was not a fan of this as it was very loud and she just wanted to sit back in the car. Next time, we will have to bring head phones for her. Of course, we hope they change dates so it is not so hot. The kids also enjoyed riding the ferry to and front eh air show. Jonathan and I enjoyed eating real barbecue--wow, it was good. And of course, dad fixed his wonderful shrimp. The boys and Chloe washed my car on Saturday morning while Jonathan and I slept. They also picked squash, raddish, zucchini, and other veggies. That evening, they dug potatoes. They have such fun at Papa's house:)

Keegan and baseball

Keegan is a HUGE fan of any sport, but his favorite is baseball. He began practicing with his team in May and missed the first game last Saturday, but played his FIRST ever baseball game today. He did an AMAZING job!! He went up to bat three times and hit all three times. He made it to base twice, but was tagged out on the third. However, that hit still batted in 2 runs! He played third, outfield, pitcher (beside the adult), and first base. His coach is really good and lets the kids play everywhere even if they cannot really handle that position. He seems to be really big on building the skills and having fun--not being competitive. He has been very patient with Keegan and works with him one on one every time. I think we'll have to request him every year:))

School's Out for Summer

I could just leave it at that, but I won't. . .

This year has come to an end even though it does not seem like that yet. Kale finished his first grade year off and is very excited to head to 2nd grade. AR is a huge reading program at our school, and he finished 4th in points for his grade level!! Way to go, Kale!! He received a medal for this a a bear for reaching his grade level goal. He has decided he'd like to get this bear every year. We'll have to see if he can do that. Keegan had a much better year in first. His teacher, Mrs. Carey is a wonderful teacher and friend. She worked with him extra hard and he has made lots of progress this year. He is excited because he was able to bring his laptop home over the summer to practice using a particular program that is helpful for him. He loves technology and is very talented at it. Cody enjoyed his 4th grade year and is ready for 5th. He also placed 4th in points for his grade level and received a medal. He also met his grade level goal and received a teddy bear. This is his 3rd bear!!! All 3 boys were awarded Character Honor Roll certificates and we are VERY proud of that. We are now ready to enjoy summer and all that comes with that. I will still be at Riverview next year as a Title I teacher, but most likely some changes. Many of my very good friends have moved to other schools this year and it will be somewhat different next year. All the moves were for the best, but they will all be missed!!

Double Digit Cody

Cody hit the double digits on Friday when he turned 10!! He recieved his first gift a book, The Diary of a Wimpy Kid that morning and had fiinished it before we ate supper. He brought Little Debbie brownies to share at school. Next we were off to Dumfries to celebrate his birthday with friends. He chose Pizza Hut and of course Jo Jo's since it is right next door. After eating ice cream, he opened his presents which included some Skeecher croc shoes, the next book in the series (which he finished before supper on Saturday), a Wii pack with games and controller (more on this later) and running shoes. He had a great day and was excited about a trip to the zoo the next day.

It is really hard to believe my baby is 10 already. It seems like yesterday that he was born. He was a whooping 9 lbs and 21 inches long!! Today, he is a very skinny boy with long lanky legs (and toes). He is such a gentleman with a huge heart for not only his family and friends, but the lost souls of the world. He is constantly researching different countries where he could be a missionary when he is old enough. Currently, Taiwan and Libya are at the top of his list. We'll see what the future holds. . . We love you, Cody and happy birthday!!!