Inebriated Arachnids

This is a little off color, so you might not want to watch it with the kids. However, it made Dave laugh hysterically, so I can't resist posting it.

Karate Kid

Sammy and Ben started karate this week. They teach them all sorts of great things, like respecting your parents, and saying "Yes sir!"

Sammy is Six!

Sammy's 6th birthday - we had the cake a little bit late that night so everyone could be home for it. He's got the Littlekins that Granny sent in front of him.

Watch this space!

Updates are coming soon, I promise. By the way, I use the neat trick of backdating my blog entries, so in the future it will appear that I was perfectly punctual in posting my pictures. So when you see my new pictures, be sure to check April and May.

Breakfast of Champions

After I finished taking the grueling Level II CFA exam, I turned my attention back to home and family. I went on a cooking jag and made everyone chocolate waffles for breakfast this Sunday.

Nutjobs

There's a lot of random junk in my dining room. This is what happens when a bunch of bored teenagers start digging through it. I guess these party hats are one less thing I'll have to sort through later, if I ever get around to tidying up this room.

Campers

Dave accompanied Ben on his first Boyscout overnight camp. It was hot and humid all night, and apparently the guy a few tents over was actually able to outsnore Ben! But it was still loads of fun, and the boys can't wait to camp again. Dave has recurring ideas about our family taking a camping trip, but so far, my idea of roughing it would be staying at a Holiday Inn instead of the Embassy Suites.

Maddie and Wes

Maddie met Wes at the introductory camp for high school marching band next year. They're getting ready to take Serena for a little walk here.

Ellie & Papa & and the day of soccer

Ellie enjoyed hanging out with Papa at the various soccer games on Saturday. We had two games, two parties, plus the boys went to a Dynamos game that night. Papa said he saw more soccer in one day than he'd seen in in total prior to this visit.

Racoon

After their last practice, Maddie's soccer team took a run through the sprinkler park across the street from their field. Her eye makeup got a little runny. Why is she wearing eye liner to soccer practice? She's 14, that's why!

Up Up and Away

Ben takes a flying leap off the diving board on our first day at the neighborhood pool.

Kindergarten Celebration

This was my last kindergarten mother's day breakfast at school. They sang a cute song and served all the moms muffins and juice.

Eight is Great!

Ellie requested a visit to the Rain Forest Cafe for her 8th birthday, where we got a volcano cake to share. It was much bigger than we expected - we had a bunch of leftovers to take home. She also got a new bike and helmet.

All Dressed Up and Someplace to Go

Maddie and her best friend Victoria, on their way into the 8th Grade dance. This is the only dance their Junior High has, to celebrate the end of their time there. All of the girls were dressed up for the dance, while most of the boys were wearing jeans and button down shirts, with a few in khakis, so the group pictures were pretty funny.

Earlier that day . . .

The morning of the 8th grade dance, Maddie was giving it her all on her soccer team.