Easter & My Birthday

Coming back from spring break on Saturday we hit the road running.  We shopped for groceries, and I made the broccoli casserole that evening.  I made a pan of brownies and washed two packages of strawberries.  I covered them and put them back in the fridge. I made a pasta salad using bowtie pasta, strawberries, mandarin oranges, mixed with a dressing of Poppy Seed dressing & mayonnaise.  Sunday morning, Easter day, we melted the chocolate and Clyde dipped the berries while I finished dressing.  I iced the brownies......Jason came and we walked to church.  Great service, home again, to get it all together and on the road to Vernon & Sue's house in Stamping Ground.  The weather was great and we enjoyed a very quiet afternoon together.  They open their home and are so hospitable.  The guys (and Erin) went out to target practice, some played corn hole while most of us just sat and chatted.  We missed Becky's family that stopped at the Biltmore on their way home from Spring Break.

Me and my favorite son.  Love him so much!

Sweet Erin and her dad, Harley.  Youngest brother of the family.

Granny (MIL) was able to join us after being in the hospital recently.  She is loved and respected so much by her children, grandchildren and family.

Erin is in nursing school at UK.  I watched her start school at Clays Mill and loved having her in Computer Lab.  She came each day after school to help me before she walked down to after school program.  Love her still!

We eat out on Tuesdays at El Chico most weeks.  For my birthday, I chose there for the family.  It is low keyed, not busy, good, plentiful food and I love the service we get from Victor:)  Missing is both Jason's....both working.  So glad Martha, mom & Kent joined us.  That made my day!

Mom, my sister, Martha, me & Becky.

Ma maw and Maggie (85 & 4)

This was the night before my birthday. Clyde and I went to the movies on Wed. (actual BD) and tomorrow night, Friday, we are going to Outback with BFF's. 

There is nothing better than going to school on your birthday.  My co-worker, Beth, had bus duty.  As the kiddos were coming in to school, she would tell them it was my BD.  They came in droves to say "happy birthday Mrs. Baker!"  I kept wondering "how do they know?"....ha!  She's a sly one.

Alyssa, made me muffins (thanks friend), Erica, Beth & April all got me a couple of funny cards.  They are the best!  My friend, Joyce, got me a UK bracelet. 

Spring Break 2012

This is Monday night of spring break week.  I actually make it through each school year, knowing I have spring break coming! I save my personal day (1 of them) to use the Friday before our week off.  Then as soon as we can get away on Thursday, we hit the road. 
I really love the school kids and really love my co-workers, so school is cool.  However, I sure do love New Smyrna Beach.  The Islander Resort is great.  We truly love this place and thank God that the Waggoners introduced us years ago.  They unselfishly brought us along and we shared their condo.  Then a few years back, we bought our own unit.  There are so many activities for the kids that it makes this a family friendly place.
It is near enough Daytona that we can go over for Bubba Gumps and our long time favorite, Aunt Catfish'.  We love Aunt Catfish'!  They have an awesome hot bar that includes baked beans, cornbread squares, cheesy grits, fried apples, and coleslaw.  A HUGE salad bar that comes with all meals and to end the meal, a sweet roll!  Yummo.
Here are a few pics:

Check out Matthew's newest lost tooth!  Front and center.  This is our first bingo of the week.  We played again today.  Our table has not been lucky:(

Coming back the first day out on the beach.

There is a small play area but honestly the kids love it....and what a view!

Coming back from supper this is a view from our condo.

Becky's family was out having Stavro's (another favorite) at our condo when we got back from our supper.  We ate at New Smyrna Steak House....another place on our agenda.  Good food.

Teacher Gifts

Sitting here watching the Kentucky/Indiana game on the road to the final four.  It's a late game on a Friday night, so we will watch it until the end!  We had a good meal with the Giles at Copper River Grill earlier, and separated for the game....in case we doze! Go Cats! 

Thought I would post a few pics of the clipboards I decorated to give Matthew & Austin's school teachers.  They are an early "teacher appreciation" gift.  I will be on a trip with mom & Martha when teacher week rolls around, so I feel OK about sending these early.  They were not expensive by any means, but they are useful.  Even if you have one, as most teachers do, having another is handy! 

These were the first ones....T is for Matthew's teacher, Mrs. Tipton.  S is for Ms. Sagan, Austin's reading teacher.

This S was for the boys para.  We all know how much she does for the teacher, student's and classroom in general.  I believe she is Ms. Smith.  The J is for Austin's math teacher and the M is for a special teacher that helps Matthew. 

This is for Ms. Poer, Austin's 1st grade teacher.  To each of these ladies, I personally thank them for their service to the boys.  The patience, love, wisdom to teach 6-7 year olds is a gift.  They have learned so very much.  I believe they have had a good year and grown up a lot.  Wellington has been good for them.  I hate that I have not been able to be involved in their classrooms, but I have tired to let the teachers know they are appreciated.

Mother

Well, mom is 85 and in good health for her age.  She has problems with her back (pain) and walks slowly these days.  She just ordered her first walker, dad had one but after he passed they didn't have it any longer.  So, she knew she was getting more wobbly and not wanting to fall, she got one.  I haven't seen her use it, and don't believe she has, but the time is coming quickly.  Her mind is sharp....she beat Kent and I in Rummy today:)  Her hearing is good, getting some vision problems, as far as reading is concerned, but still seems to see fairly well (at least at cards:)

Saying all that to say this....she has been giving "things" or her possessions away since daddy died (1 1/2 years ago).  Money, her precious books:), pictures, Precious Moments (she has given more than a few away), and today she told me to pick out a basket for myself and one for Becky.  There were many, most Martha has given her and a few she has bought at craft fairs (handwoven).  There were two really BIG ones......she had purchased these, so I opted for a couple Martha wove.  I will include a photo. 

She also gave me a print that we gave to her some years back.  It is a Doug Prather one that we have and Becky has, so this one she wanted Jason to have.  I wish she had waited until she passed, but she insisted I take it today.  She had Kent take it from the wall.....the wall looked blank, but she put up another picture in it's place....a smaller one. 

It's late tonight and my back is screaming, but I wanted to get these thoughts down.  Mom, we love you, thank you, and you are our example of love.

p.s.  I just checked out the pics Kent took with my iphone and they are blurry.  I will add a pic later of the baskets.

At this point, I will write about keeping the boys.  Becky is at a conference in Louisville, and Jason is working out of town all week.  So MJ is in London, boys here.  After school today, pap took them for haircuts, then met me at Shillitos.  Tricia called to ask if we wanted to meet she & Kelli (with boys) there.  We did and my boys played for a good hour or more.  They played tag with a friend from Matthew's class and a couple of girls from CME.  They had a BLAST.  They were so good to leave, although they wanted to stay.  So proud of them.

Came home and they had time to play bball with pap while I fixed supper.  They ate well, started spelling homework & reading.  Bathtime, teeth brush, & in bed with a book.  Love them so much.  Tomorrow is a field trip. 

Austin got a little teary when he talked to his mom (just like his mom does when she talks to us when she is away:) but he cleared up nicely.  Matthew said tonight "I am happy here"....funny!  So glad!

Sporting their new haircuts.

Looked cute when they were playing tag....loved this shot, but sun made it too bright. 

Big boy!

Sweet Cameron!  He is such a good boy.  What a doll.  I didn't get a photo of Colby.  Not easy getting these four boys in one spot at one time!

Snow Day Photos & a Trip Down Memory Lane

It is March 5, 2012, and our first of this year snow day!  It is beautiful outside and from all the pics on Facebook the kids are having a blast.  Getting to use those sleds for the first time.  Making snow angels, snowmen, so fun.  Hope their moms have lots of hot chocolate for them when they go in. 

As I see pictures from Becky of my grandbabies, I can't help but remember days long gone.  When I bundled up my two for a few hours of snow play.  We had a driveway that went down a slope (not too steep) and around to the grassy area of the backyard.  As young kids, they started in the back where the driveway was ending...a nice slope.  Then gradually they got braver (or I did) and they rode a little longer down the hill.  Many snow angels & snowmen.  I tried to warm towels or blankets for them and met them at the backdoor.  Off with all the wet clothes!  Warm chocolate to follow.  Yum!  Memories.

Then we moved on to a one story ranch, but they were older and able to go play with neighbors.  Also, many a time their dad (and me:) would take them to Stonewall hill.  We, also, went through the years taking them snowskiing at Paoli Peaks or a few times at General Butler when the slopes were opened there.  Not many trips, but enough we had our own skis and enjoyed it a lot.

Today, it is very quiet here and I love looking out back....going out to take a few photos and feed the birds.  Much different than then, but I love it still.  I remember a time I felt sorry for people who's children had grown up....I still love having them here.  But I do love this time of my life as well.  I'm sure later today, I will be bundling up to go to moms to play rummy!  I go on M, W, and F when I can and she would not like it if I missed today!

This was taken today (of course, there's snow!)

Snow is heavy on the branches, but so pretty.

Love using the backyard for playing, riding bikes, croquet, entertaining, but today it is nice untouched!

Good Weekend

This has been a productive, fun weekend. On Friday, we were let out of school early, teachers got home between 1 and 1:30. Without sounding morose, I actually teared up a bit putting my kids on the bus. I don't "dwell" on disasters or death, but I do think from time to time of "what ifs"....what if this is the last time I see my loved ones. What if a tornado touches down in Lexington and we lose our home/possessions. I think of daddy in Heaven. I think of those here that are not ready to meet Jesus and pray they have time to get back into a right relationship with Him. Again, these are not thoughts I "dwell" on, but from time to time. Whew, just meant to say that because of the pending bad, severe weather, we stayed in. I prepared the home as best I could. After the storm passed, we met up with our friends at Pucinni's. Good fellowship, good pizza!

Saturday, Clyde and Jason Allen worked together, so I took the kids to Fayette Mall. It was a celebration of Dr. Seuss' birthday "Read Across America". They listened to readers, got pretzels, got a Cat in the Hat, hat, and enjoyed our time together. That evening, Clyde and I saw "Joyful Noise" at Lex. Green and liked it a lot. Cute movie, with lots of singing.

Sunday, very good service, good preaching, video & music. Larry W. taught ABF and it was, again, a great time in our new class. Loved the fellowship. Then out to Cheddars for BIG food, and BIG company. We ate with our regulars, Michelle & Fred, as well as Kathy & David C. We sat in the bar area where we watched the first half of the game. Now we are home, in front of a warm fire, finishing up the game....Ky. versus Florida, in Florida. This is our last season game, UK number one in the nation, no losses. Great season! It's been so fun being a CAT fan!

I would think MJ had heard Green Eggs and Ham, but she LOL at this man reading it each time he said "green eggs and ham".....

We saw Matthew's teacher, Mrs. Tipton, here and she said Matthew was cute as Thing One (or Two?) but he got embarrassed.  I asked him why and he said b/c he was in his red p.j.'s (they were one piece all red).

Matthew's 7th Birthday

Dear Matthew, Today you are turning 7!  We had a party for you yesterday at your house.  Guests included, Kimmie, Christopher, Daddy Daniel, Nana & Nanny (Kimmie's mom & grandma), Aunt Lori, Britni & James.  Then there was granny & granddaddy Keith, Aunt Amy & Aprile, cousins Anna & Caleb.  Me (Nana), pap, mamaw and grandpa (Kent).  Uncle Jason sent a gift (x-box game!)  Of course your mom, dad, Austin & Maggie were all there.  You got lots of neat things.  Your big gift from mom & dad, granny & granddad, nana & pap was an X-box 360, Kinect.  You have had a big time playing it already.  You got a skateboard from Kimmie (plus lots more).  Aunt Lori brought a filled pinata and lots of other things.  You got money from mamaw & grandpa (Kent).  Mamaw actually also brought you a Precious Moments from her personal collection.  It is one on the farm, because you like Uncle Jessie's farm.

On Friday night, you had two friends from school stay the night (one left late around 11:00), Caleb & Austin and you made five.  Mom said you all did well.  This was your first sleepover, other than cousins!  Here are some pictures for you to remember this birthday.

Mamaw with Matthew, Maggie & Austin (85, 7, 4, and 6)

This is Matthew's first Precious Moments from mamaw.  It is one of a little farm boy!

Caleb & Austin playing x-box

Granny Keith, Aunt Aprile, Anna and Aunt Amy

Thanks granny for making me an Angry Birds cake!

Opening presents!  Matthew read every card:)

Take your best swing Matthew!

Everyone got a baggie full!