Father's Day Weekend

Saturday kicked off Father's Day weekend with a 6:00 AM alarm call to get up and go to the first swim meet of the summer. I offered to take the 4 Fledglings by myself so that Daddy could sleep-in, lounge around, or just spend time on Words with Friends without interruptions. Wouldn't you know it, he opted to get up and wash and wax MY ride. (THANKS Daddy) SO- after the swim meet and photo session at the park (good way to kill time so they are not all up in Daddy's business back at the hacienda) we returned home for hair cuts and cool time in the pool. Daddy decided he needed some cool down time too...and joined us in the pool. (what a FUN Daddy...car washing clothes and all)For dinner Saturday we took Papa (Nana and Aunt Yvonne) to Uncle Dave's (AKA- Mexican in Starke) for dinner. We provided shuttle service to and from their front door so that there only needed to be one DD (Me)! The meal was YUMMY and, apparently, the margaritas were as good as they (father and son) remembered. As dinner was winding up the youngest two took pictures of each other with our cell phones (Braxton took this one of Coly...pretty good)This morning we went to church, ran some errands, and sent everyone to NAP at quiet time! Afterwards was an evening swim. In this picture you'll see Evan running away from Ashlyn Grace (I wish you could hear his screeching too) as she was chasing/taunting him with her handful of... a FROG...and a small frog at that. While running Evan gave up his PVC toy...so here is Little Sister with her HUGE frog and recovered loot.

We ended the evening with gifts and kisses...

Braxton had a side game of tug-of-war going on with Snickers. (both seem to be smiling)
Now let's all get around Daddy and take a picture!

Then Ashyln Grace suggests "let's do one with funny faces!" (Evan doesn't look so funny, Daddy looks like he's experiences severe pain on his toe, Ashlyn Grace is fully participating and Coly and Bdog...well...)

Happy Father's Day Daddy! We are SO blessed to have such a honorable, kind, loving, involved, and patient role-model. Love you Daddy!

The Serpent uses up my packing time

So it's Friday of the Beth Moore conference (in Tampa). I have been running errands all morning and now I'm home, have the kids at the table with their lunch, and look what I find when I go outside to let Snickers back in (I wonder if I passed this treat while taking Snickers OUT?)!!!

Yep- this little serpent was atop our patio table and nearly the length of the table's width! Knowing that the boys were watching Mommy, this inner voice spoke within me, "Don't freak out or act like a girl. Don't even give this snake any attention. Go back inside and figure out WHAT TO DO!" So I calmly go back into the house and do what any fearless mother would do. I took a picture with my phone and emailed Daddy- WHAT DO I DO WITH THIS??? It took him too long to respond...so I took my own action. Not knowing if it was a good snake or a bad snake I decided that it had to DIE. I mean I couldn't have Coly or Braxton run into it in the yard, or better yet, on my porch again. SO- I remembered Daddy's weapon of choice and quickly (but calmly) went to the garage to get the machete. LOL Then I formulated a Non-Freak Out Plan (in my head) and opened the patio door to accomplish some Baby Protection and here's what it ended up looking like...

The serpent fell to the ground and with another quick chop he was in two pieces and I quickly, but every so indiscreetly walked back inside and locked the patio door. As I watched I was amazed at how far the head (far left part) made it away from the body (part next to the pool of blood)! Needless to say, the boys were very curious as to what Mommy was doing on the patio. I kept Braxton in his high chair (occupied with chocolate), but Colson got down and he and Snickers held Guard until Daddy got home- a good 5-10 minutes. (Daddy was coming home at 1:00 anyway so that I could leave to go to Tampa) Colson was most concerned that the snake was still moving and that it might get Snickers. Snickers just wanted his chance to get outside and have his go with the snake!

So when Daddy arrived home, he removed the snake parts and washed down the patio - while Coly and Snick remained at Guard. Then Mommy had time to give Braxton some attention and I noticed that while all the serpent drama was going on, Braxton was REALLY enjoying his one Hershey's Kiss!!

"Hum, will she give me anymore? It sure was finger lickin' good!"

Daddy and Gracie brave the Bat Observatory

Here are three of the four girls which make up the K-4 class (Scout was sick). From left to right are Ciera (whom Ashlyn Grace so lovingly calls "Sara"), Carley and Ashlyn Grace. They have on their name tags and are ready to load up the cars and head out.


Daddy reported that these were the BIGGEST bats that he has EVER seen. He said that their bodies are the size of a cat and then they have these huge wings!




Here they are waiting to go into the theatre to see the Bat Movie.

Overall, Ashlyn Grace was really into the bats and the movie, she was NOT happy, however, that her book buddy wasn't there (her book buddy was sick so she shared Carley's Book Buddy- but it just wasn't the same). What a great idea that the 3rd Grade Book Buddies and then K-4 Explorers joined together for such a great field trip!

Thanks for bringing up Daddy- it was fun- bye bye bats.