Today has been a very busy day. The kids played at a friend's house for a portion of the day, which allowed me to dust and vacuum the entire house. Then, between trips to the vet to help in the care of a friend's sweet dog, I cleaned the kitchen and dusted all the shelves in the home office (I actually opened glass doors, and removed objects to dust - the tedious stuff that I often ignore!). Then, my friend returned my children and left hers as well so she could go to an appointment childless. In just the last hour of the day, I supervised Rachel and Lindy's cookie baking with the Easy Bake Oven and installed the webcam on the computer. This camera been sitting here in the desk drawer for almost a year.
Yeppie! It's been a glorious day of accomplishments but now my test video is taking too long to upload for me to prove it!
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Monday, June 7, 2010
Tardy post: Last day of kindergarten
Rachel had the best year of kindergarten! I couldn't say enough words to truly explain how much we loved Mrs. Bradley. Rachel made so many wonderful friends - what a great group of kids! Here's some pictures from the end of the year party.
Signing yearbooks:
Rachel and Hendley
Rachel & Mrs. Bradley
First Grade: Here we come!
Signing yearbooks:
Rachel and Hendley
Rachel & Mrs. Bradley
First Grade: Here we come!
Tardy post: Rachel's Dance Recital
She did it! Or, as Rachel says, "I don't have stage fright anymore."
The theme for Rachel's class was Princess and the Frog. The tap routine was dressed as Mama Oney. She really liked wearing the jewels and head wrap. On, and all the mothers did not love the head wrap. What a costume change!
The ballet dance was the theme song to Princess in the Frog - the girls loved dancing in the dresses.
The theme for Rachel's class was Princess and the Frog. The tap routine was dressed as Mama Oney. She really liked wearing the jewels and head wrap. On, and all the mothers did not love the head wrap. What a costume change!
The ballet dance was the theme song to Princess in the Frog - the girls loved dancing in the dresses.
Tardy post: David's last day of school
David ended his first year at preschool. He loved Ms Dorothy and Ms Janice so much. It will be hard to find better teachers ever in the whole wide world. He's very excited to go to MSP next year, 3 days a week! During the end of the year program, David sang about 20 catechism songs and 7 scriptures that he learned throughout the year. It was impressive to hear all the children sing their hearts out while doing all the sign language with the words. "Whoooo made you, who made you? GOD! What else did God make, what else did God make? God made all things, all things."
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Simple Little Joy - a tissue cover!
My latest craft is above and I am eager to share it with you. It's a handmade, fabric cover for your little purse-size package of tissues. What a treasure to pull out something so girly and cute from my purse when I quickly need a kleenex on the go.
I have made several in a variety of fabrics. If you are interested in purchasing one for yourself or a gift, please email me at happywallermom@yahoo.com The cover is $8 - you just slide in your own package of tissues. I recently mailed one in an envelope with a greeting card to surprise a friend. Simple little joy!
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Happy Mother's Day!
At 10:45 last night my brother called to tell us that he is now the proud father of a baby girl. Mae Sierra Anderson was born at 10:00 last night weighing 10lb 1oz and measuring 21.75 inches. All the L&D nurses are bowing down to Nicole who did an awesome job delivering this big, healthy little girl. Todd says Nicole is feeling well and that they may even come home from the hospital today. Congratulations to our growing family! Welcome Baby Mae! (of course I'll post a pic when I have one --- cuz I'm sure she's a cutie!)
This morning I woke up thinking about Mae and how exciting it is to have a new child to love and watch grow. I read the Mother's Day cards that are sitting on my dresser again. It's amazing how fast kids grow.
Rachel's fill-in-the-blank card (that came home from school with a portrait of me that Rachel drew):
My mother is the most wonderful mom in the world! She is as pretty as a rose and smells like a flower. Her favorite food is pumpkin pie. I think Mom looks funny when she makes a funny face. I wish Mom would eat lunch at school with me every day. I wouldn't trade my mother for my bedroom. Happy Mother's Day!
David's fill-in-the-blank card also included a picture of me and said:
My Special Mommy
Her favorite color is pink
Her favorite food is broccoli
She looks beautiful when she goes to MOPS
She is good at teaching Rachel how to do her homework
She always tells me to throw out the garbage - and I do it!
My favorite thing to do with her is play games, especially Trouble
If I could get my mommy anything in the whole world it would be a craft that I made special for her
Love, David
This morning I woke up thinking about Mae and how exciting it is to have a new child to love and watch grow. I read the Mother's Day cards that are sitting on my dresser again. It's amazing how fast kids grow.
Rachel's fill-in-the-blank card (that came home from school with a portrait of me that Rachel drew):
My mother is the most wonderful mom in the world! She is as pretty as a rose and smells like a flower. Her favorite food is pumpkin pie. I think Mom looks funny when she makes a funny face. I wish Mom would eat lunch at school with me every day. I wouldn't trade my mother for my bedroom. Happy Mother's Day!
David's fill-in-the-blank card also included a picture of me and said:
My Special Mommy
Her favorite color is pink
Her favorite food is broccoli
She looks beautiful when she goes to MOPS
She is good at teaching Rachel how to do her homework
She always tells me to throw out the garbage - and I do it!
My favorite thing to do with her is play games, especially Trouble
If I could get my mommy anything in the whole world it would be a craft that I made special for her
Love, David
Monday, May 10, 2010
Last weekend
The end of Rachel's year in kindergarten is almost here. On Friday, they had Field Day. Here's Rachel with her friend Remy.
David had another baseball game on Saturday. He hit the pitches from the coach very well and really had fun running the bases. Lots of "high fives!"
Warm up swings:
"Mommy are you watching?"
It's a hit!
After David's game, it was time for Greg to take care of the damage from the flooding rains. We lost a 20' evergreen; it was uprooted by the heavy rain rushing off the roof and down the slight slope of the yard. Greg used a chainsaw-- now we have firewood!
The beauty of spring and all the rain - roses galore!
David had another baseball game on Saturday. He hit the pitches from the coach very well and really had fun running the bases. Lots of "high fives!"
Warm up swings:
"Mommy are you watching?"
It's a hit!
After David's game, it was time for Greg to take care of the damage from the flooding rains. We lost a 20' evergreen; it was uprooted by the heavy rain rushing off the roof and down the slight slope of the yard. Greg used a chainsaw-- now we have firewood!
The beauty of spring and all the rain - roses galore!
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
The Kentucky Derby
Last weekend we had the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to go to the Kentucky Derby. We drove up to Louisville on Thursday afternoon. We arrived at the historic Brown Hotel just before the police were blocking off the streets for the annual Pegasus Parade that goes down Broadway in front of the hotel.
We were greeted with pewter julep cups, a framed print, and as you'd expect - some bourbon.
We watched some of the parade from the hotel lounge - saw the derby girls waving from their float and then had dinner at Ruth Chris Steakhouse. (interesting side note: the restaurant is located on the top floor of a Christopher Lloyd Wright designed building. We had a wide view of the city from the glass elevator.) We ended the evening at the bar in the hotel...a beautiful, historic spot...and a great place to mingle and people watch.
On Friday the men took a tour of the Woodford Reserve Bourbon distillery. And you may be surprised that the ladies asked go shopping instead. Eli dropped Denise, Pattie and myself off at a nice outdoor shopping area and then continued on with the men to the distillery. Eli's adorable wife Susan met up with us and was a sweet hostess.
Ladies' tapas lunch
One of my best souvenirs is the pair of rain boots I bought. They look just like riding boots!
We all gathered back at the hotel and then went to dinner at Z's Oyster Bar & Steakhouse. Since half of our group went to Church Hill Downs for the running of the Oaks, we didn't get to dinner until after 8pm. I nearly had to be rolled out of the restaurant when we left at almost midnight. (The wellness and eating program I've been on for the last 9 weeks, did not prepare me for eating like this!)
Here's Susan in her hat!
On Saturday - Derby Day - we woke early to leave The Brown at 10am. We took pictures in the hotel lobby. Here we are with Denise & Darrell and Pattie & Mark.
Eli gave us some info about how he would get us to Church Hill Downs with minimum exposure to the rain that was already coming down pretty hard. One of the unfortunate rules at Church Hill Downs is NO Umbrellas!
In route, we changed into our rain shoes - Denise & I bought matching flip flops the day before.
Once we arrived, we starting drinking Mint Juleps, Lillies (a cranberry/vodka type concoction) and placing bets on the 10 some races that were scheduled before the run for the roses.
Here's Denise and Pattie - who's wearing a rain poncho.
I don't know who these men are, but I thought the balloon hats were pretty darn funny!
Here's the first race of the day...and the first of several wagers we lost.
It rained so frequently, that we actually spent most of our day inside near the betting counter watching races on the TVs. Even in our club level this was standing room only. If it wasn't for the people watching and ability to walk around a check out the place, it could have been a long day.
The rain stopped long enough for us to sit in our box and enjoy our box lunches. Thanks to Mark, a Derby veteran, who thought to pre-order these for us! It seems silly to show a picture of our lunch but it was an incredible amount of delicious food and everyone should know about ordering a box lunch when you plan your trip to the Derby! Apparently the CHD chef is quite well respected - and this is an example of why.
Well, keep in mind, now that I think of it.....yes, the lunch was good...but I was probably on my fourth drink by that time of the day....
We walked around after lunch and found ESPN's set up.
Now it's close to Derby time and we're in the box waiting. Notice I have the rain poncho and blanket on for warmth and a Mint Julep in my hand. Yep - this picture sums it up.
Tractors smoothing out the sloppy track.
Singing My Old Kentucky Home...
Terrell Owens and Mario Lopez in the boxes above us.
Bugle and the run for the roses begins!
Super Saver --- our first bet that we can cash in!
The Kentucky Derby comes to an end and we happened to follow Dr. J, Julius Erving, out to the car service pick up area.
We were greeted with pewter julep cups, a framed print, and as you'd expect - some bourbon.
We watched some of the parade from the hotel lounge - saw the derby girls waving from their float and then had dinner at Ruth Chris Steakhouse. (interesting side note: the restaurant is located on the top floor of a Christopher Lloyd Wright designed building. We had a wide view of the city from the glass elevator.) We ended the evening at the bar in the hotel...a beautiful, historic spot...and a great place to mingle and people watch.
On Friday the men took a tour of the Woodford Reserve Bourbon distillery. And you may be surprised that the ladies asked go shopping instead. Eli dropped Denise, Pattie and myself off at a nice outdoor shopping area and then continued on with the men to the distillery. Eli's adorable wife Susan met up with us and was a sweet hostess.
Ladies' tapas lunch
One of my best souvenirs is the pair of rain boots I bought. They look just like riding boots!
We all gathered back at the hotel and then went to dinner at Z's Oyster Bar & Steakhouse. Since half of our group went to Church Hill Downs for the running of the Oaks, we didn't get to dinner until after 8pm. I nearly had to be rolled out of the restaurant when we left at almost midnight. (The wellness and eating program I've been on for the last 9 weeks, did not prepare me for eating like this!)
Here's Susan in her hat!
On Saturday - Derby Day - we woke early to leave The Brown at 10am. We took pictures in the hotel lobby. Here we are with Denise & Darrell and Pattie & Mark.
Eli gave us some info about how he would get us to Church Hill Downs with minimum exposure to the rain that was already coming down pretty hard. One of the unfortunate rules at Church Hill Downs is NO Umbrellas!
In route, we changed into our rain shoes - Denise & I bought matching flip flops the day before.
Once we arrived, we starting drinking Mint Juleps, Lillies (a cranberry/vodka type concoction) and placing bets on the 10 some races that were scheduled before the run for the roses.
Here's Denise and Pattie - who's wearing a rain poncho.
I don't know who these men are, but I thought the balloon hats were pretty darn funny!
Here's the first race of the day...and the first of several wagers we lost.
It rained so frequently, that we actually spent most of our day inside near the betting counter watching races on the TVs. Even in our club level this was standing room only. If it wasn't for the people watching and ability to walk around a check out the place, it could have been a long day.
The rain stopped long enough for us to sit in our box and enjoy our box lunches. Thanks to Mark, a Derby veteran, who thought to pre-order these for us! It seems silly to show a picture of our lunch but it was an incredible amount of delicious food and everyone should know about ordering a box lunch when you plan your trip to the Derby! Apparently the CHD chef is quite well respected - and this is an example of why.
Well, keep in mind, now that I think of it.....yes, the lunch was good...but I was probably on my fourth drink by that time of the day....We walked around after lunch and found ESPN's set up.
Now it's close to Derby time and we're in the box waiting. Notice I have the rain poncho and blanket on for warmth and a Mint Julep in my hand. Yep - this picture sums it up.
Tractors smoothing out the sloppy track.
Singing My Old Kentucky Home...
Terrell Owens and Mario Lopez in the boxes above us.
Bugle and the run for the roses begins!
Super Saver --- our first bet that we can cash in!
The Kentucky Derby comes to an end and we happened to follow Dr. J, Julius Erving, out to the car service pick up area.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Time for Myself
This week I am childless for over 8 hours everyday. Rachel is at school; David in Dallas visiting Granny & Granddad. I've been running errands, reading, and watching a movie or two. I keep telling myself I should tackle that messy junk drawer in the kitchen or re-organize the master closet before we have the new carpet installed. Alas, I just haven't been moving that quickly. It's Wednesday - so I still have a few days for that stuff.
Today I pulled out a few CD's that I hadn't listened to in quite a while. As usual, I'm transplanted to a world of only swaying when I listen to Sara Groves. Her voice is un-matched and her songwriting is pure and heartfelt.
This morning I am particularly drawn to her Fireflies and Songs album. I'm been thinking about all my sweet friends and recounting all the times my girlfriends have been there for me. I'm so lucky....speechless lucky.....so a big thank you to Sara Groves for putting feelings into words and making beautiful music.
When I am down and need to cry till morning - I know just where I am going
When I'm in need of sweet commiseration - to speak out loud
Raise a glass to friendship and to knowing - you don't have to go alone
Chorus:
We'll raise our hearts to share each others' burdens - on this road
With every burden I have carried - with every joy it's understood
Life with you is half as hard and twice as good
With my good news - you're dancing on the table
Babies born to celebration
The joy of life oh what a sweet communion - shared with you
Chorus:
We'll raise our hearts to share each others' burdens - on this road
With every burden I have carried - with every joy it's understood
Life with you is half as hard and twice as good
I know we're growing older - can you imagine what that will bring
It's all a mystery to me now but this thing -
will all be half as hard - and twice as good
Check out Sara Groves & this song she wrote for her girlfriends, Twice as Good at http://www.saragroves.com
Today I pulled out a few CD's that I hadn't listened to in quite a while. As usual, I'm transplanted to a world of only swaying when I listen to Sara Groves. Her voice is un-matched and her songwriting is pure and heartfelt.
This morning I am particularly drawn to her Fireflies and Songs album. I'm been thinking about all my sweet friends and recounting all the times my girlfriends have been there for me. I'm so lucky....speechless lucky.....so a big thank you to Sara Groves for putting feelings into words and making beautiful music.
When I am down and need to cry till morning - I know just where I am going
When I'm in need of sweet commiseration - to speak out loud
Raise a glass to friendship and to knowing - you don't have to go alone
Chorus:
We'll raise our hearts to share each others' burdens - on this road
With every burden I have carried - with every joy it's understood
Life with you is half as hard and twice as good
With my good news - you're dancing on the table
Babies born to celebration
The joy of life oh what a sweet communion - shared with you
Chorus:
We'll raise our hearts to share each others' burdens - on this road
With every burden I have carried - with every joy it's understood
Life with you is half as hard and twice as good
I know we're growing older - can you imagine what that will bring
It's all a mystery to me now but this thing -
will all be half as hard - and twice as good
Check out Sara Groves & this song she wrote for her girlfriends, Twice as Good at http://www.saragroves.com
Friday, April 16, 2010
Start Your Engines!
Today Greg and David flew to Dallas for a visit. Well, mostly they went because of Greg's lifetime seat license at Texas Motor Speedway. Yes, it's a Nascar weekend. Since their flight landed at 6:30pm, they decided to take David to the Friday night race (much less of a big deal than Sunday's race, but Nascar nonetheless) to see if David liked it. SL and Phyllis picked them up at DFW airport and they headed straight to the track. They arrived about half-way through the 100 lap race and David really enjoyed it. It was a busy day for the two boys in my life and I'm glad they had fun and have safely arrived in Texas. Here's a picture Greg took with his phone of David and Grand dad, SL.
He felt like a big man wearing a headset!
For the next week, I'll be home with Rachel. Rachel had 4 sweet kindergarten friends over this evening for a jammie and movie night. Rachel planned the whole thing and really looked forward to it. All the girls had a great time. I couldn't help but be happy all night listening to them giggle and enjoy their time together. As much as Rachel and I miss Greg & David, we are both happy to have time just the 2 of us for the coming week.
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