Ahoy Matey!

Here are some priceless kodak moments from a summer afternoon during Ben's first experience at Pirate Camp. A local church offered this experience- and I am so glad we took advantage of it. Ben is just loving it and Maddie gets to tag along on Tuesdays and Thursdays- thus the long awaited blog entry! Summer is going by fast, but we are enjoying every moment. Our mantra this summer is..."If we're not at the pool, we're at the lake, and if we're not at the lake, we're at the pool!" So far it has proven true. So, get your swimsuit on, or you walk the plank!
Aaaaarrrgggghhhh!

Cookin' Cousins

Ben and Carly are having such a fun time playing together this summer. Here they are making homeade pizzas. We picked fresh basil from the garden- of course I am the only one that ate any- they just wouldn't touch the yukky green stuff- but it was fun to pick!

Sweet!

Maddie's Birthday

Here is the sign of a guilt ridden mom- documenting their child's birthday, even though it was one month ago! Better late than never, I say, and besides her baby book is still in the wrapper- and I have not lost hope for that!

If you ask Maddie what kind of party she had, she would say a Pink Party. It was indeed, complete with a pink butterfly cake. Her friends made it very special and fun.

To the Strawberry Patch

Fewer things are more precious to me than watching my children experience new experiences. This is a local farm that offers LOTS of strawberries to pick. They also have an awesome pumpkin patch in the Fall, so we were familiar with the farm. Ben invited his buddy, Jeffrey, so they were in little boy heaven. Maddie was just thrilled to pick and get really dirty. I now have a fridge full of the most beautiful berries, and my camera is full of beautiful shots. The grandparents (Dee Dee and Paw Paw) are getting settled in to their new home which is very close by so we are doubly blessed to have shared this exprience with them.

Now for the show!

Action Sports International - www.asiorders.com

Action Sports International - www.asiorders.com

Here's a post where I must admit that I am two things. Cheap, and crazy. Cheap, because I don't want to fork out the $$ for these candids(click the title link above)- from the Country Music 1/2 marathon I recently completed. First they are not that great- I really should have been looking up to heaven when I crossed the finish line. Thankfulness and meeting my maker were two things on my mind, so I really should have looked up. Secondly, I am crazy for doing this run- and for the record, my time was 2:27!! Not the 3:10 in the photo- that difference is the time it took me to cross the START line. yes, really...anyway, I only trained for 4 weeks-that was crazy. There were approximately 32,000 folks that ran the race, so there, I am not alone in my craziness! This officially makes two and 1/2 marathons I have completed. I would do it all over again too, because the group of women I went with were AWESOME! and they made it uber-fun.

Now, if you think I continued my wonderful training schedule.....I wish I could say I had, but alas, I did not. but it has only been two weeks, so I really hope to jump back on the wagon again.

Hopefully someone can read this and get motivated!- like me!

Action Sports International - www.asiorders.com

Action Sports International - www.asiorders.com

It's About Time You Updated the Blog!

Easter!

Hello to all three of my blog readers! I am sorry I have gotten behind- but Life just happens. Thanks to Public TV and a late sleeping 2 yr. old, I am going to try to slip in some Life-happenings. First of all now that it is May, I thought I had better document Easter!! It came very early this year(Mar. 23)- so, wearing white shoes was a little beyond me, but Maddie did. We were lucky enough to get to visit my Grandparents at their home of MANY years during the Easter holiday. What a blessing this was. The kids enjoyed a breezy day on the farm, and Ben enjoyed exploring the old barn.

We started a family tradition this Easter. I am choosing to record it here, because I will likely forget it before next year. As a mother in her 40's I feel it is prudent to do this.

The night before easter we dyed and decorated eggs and leftthem for the easter bunny. On the eve of Easter, he visited us and hid all our eggs- this year he hid them outside, and an animal enjoyed one of them-(note to self). On the morning of Easter, we found treats left where our eggs were, and then we went outside to find all the hidden eggs. He is a very creative bunny.

My Little Girl is Growing Up!

Maddie will be turning 2 next week, and I thought some of these photos captured her well. She is changing every day. Here are some noteworthy things she is coming up with:

She can sound just like a donkey- "eee-awww" and when asked who taught her that, she said, Miss Pam (her sunday school teacher)
She tells me all the time, "Sit Down" which I might already be doing- i think it is code for "play with me" But, this is something we say to her VERY often, so who knows!

She will scratch my back now - unsolicited! And then give me a kiss.

She is amazing.

The Paci Fairy is on Her Way!

As many of my closest friends know, I am a real entrepreneur wannabe. They have spent years putting up with my "ideas" and waiting until I actually pursue one. Well, here is one that I have decided to pursue. Yes, for real. You can check out the origin of the idea here. But for now check it out and PLEASE pass it on to a friend if you can! www.ThePaciFairy.net Many well wishes to all.

Cousin Time in Cozy Corner

I have to record a benchmark this week. For the first time Ben and Maddie actually played together in the playroom for a sustained amount of time, and with no screaming, crying or major injury! And I got some glorious vaccum/laundry/pickup time to myself!! It was glorious! Here is another great milestone!! Ben, Maddie and Cousin Carly got to spend some quality time in the cozy corner reading. Ok, this was staged, but i really did catch them all reading - it just all changed when i entered withe the camera- Carly was actually reading to them! how sweet.

Art Time

This past Sunday, we had some glorious 70 degree weather. March is in like a Lamb! Mommy decided that art could be fun and productive. Actually, Ben just wanted to paint this board! Then we got out paper, then limbs started flying and the rest is laundry challenges. Maddie just loved eating the paint, but she was quite the artist too with stamps. Ben decided after painting the board that he would make a "nose print".

the nose print!

YeeeeHaaaaa!

Does the peanut butter sound like the Corn?

Why my son loves to play in my pantry so much is out of my control. I simply have to let my OCD go and let them play. This was a fun kodak moment that i just couldn't pass up. It was quite a musical experience.

In addition to Gardening...

In addition to gardening, Ben's favorite new pastime is looking for golf balls. As you may have read, the garden is a "co-op" of sorts that our friends Dan and Carolyn let us share. Dan, who is retired, likes to use all that land as a pseudo driving range, so as our gift to him, after working in the garden, we go search for golf balls, and there are lots! I think it is great practice for upcoming egg-hunts. So, watch out all you other preschoolers! Another activity we have discovered on the way to our garden (which is about 10 miles away) is the dairy bar that lures us in each time we pass it on our way home. After toiling in the fields, it is a welcome treat! Besides, I am a great rationalizer!