Fourth of July

I absolutely love the fourth of July.  I think I just love the colors of it.  I love the clothes and the festive food. I love decorating the house and even the kids bikes.  I just can't get enough of red white and blue!  Someday I am going to have a party that will look like this:

I want to have all the fun colorful decorations, creative food, a bunch of friends over, sparklers, corn hole, all the works!  Someday!

I made one craft this year to add to my decor. There were many others I wanted to do but this is all I could get out of me this year.

We went to the Pancake breakfast this morning but it rained the whole time.  We were under a pavilion but we decided to cancel the parade portion.  I know the kids would have still done it but it was more the parents who weren't too excited about it. 

I told the kids we would do our own parade in our neighborhood once the rain stopped.  So here is our small parade.

  

  

 Due to the catastrophe we had with Lacey riding her bike into a tree at last year's parade we opted for a scooter this year.

 What a cutie pie huh?

We went to see Rio at the cheap theater and then did a little shopping afterwards.  We had a really fun afternoon.  Then we met some friends at the park where we would watch fireworks.  Cassidy is terrified of fireworks.  All our kids have gone through this at her age so we were prepared.  We use Ryan's shooting headset that drowns out the noises.  She had to have them on as soon as we were packing up to get in the car to go see the fireworks and I don't think she took them off till she was safe back in her house.  She did fall asleep on the way over to the park.  She had just had a purple popsicle hence the purple lips.  I had to pull over to take the pic because she looked so cute!

The kids had fun playing together while waiting for the fireworks. 

   

The fireworks were pretty good too.  Cassidy didn't cry at all.  She did sit on my lap the whole time though.  She loved the pretty colors and oohed and aahed over them.  One time though when a firework was louder than the others she said, "That one hurt my feelings." 

We had a good day.  We missed our Ryan though.  This was the 11th anniversary of our first kiss.  Aaahhh!

Drive-IN

We took the kids to a drive-in movie tonight.  They were so excited.  I don't think they fully understood what a drive-in entails but they were excited to eat treats and watch Cars 2.  We explained a little of what to expect.  Aidan then said, "I though drive-ins were just for romantic times."  Ummm, what show has he seen to make him think that?  True, they can be snuggley and romantic but honestly most of my memories are with my family or a large group of friends. His comment did make me laugh though. "Romantic times?" So funny.

We had to drive 40 minutes to the drive in.  It was the closest one in the area.  Why have drive-ins died?  It is one of the funnest experiences.  I went to hundreds growing up.  We would pile everyone into the van or truck, put a mattress in the bed of the truck and load up on popcorn and treats.  It was so much fun!  So many memories.

Lacey fell asleep on the way there so she was a little grumpy at first.

Look at that face!  She was lovin' it.

Everyone made it to the end of  the movie except Cassidy.  It was 11:30 by the time it ended.  Aidan was geared up to watch the second movie but I knew Ryan and I weren't not going to make it through it.  We decided to leave after the first show.  It was such a fun night!  The kids are ready to go again.

Rounding

This morning at 9:27 Lacey asked me what time it was. I told her it was 9:30. She adamantly said, no it’s not, it is 9:27. Aidan then piped in and said “She was rounding.” Lacey replied defensively, “No she’s not, she’s pregnant!” So glad she is defending my rounding-ness.

My Lilies

My favorite thing that came with my house is the orange day lilies along the side and also a little patch in front.

The lilies come back every year in full force.  I look forward to their arrival every summer!  I love that they are maintenance free too.  Two years ago I transplanted some onto the hill in my back yard.  They have multiplied and look so pretty.  These flowers are all over Kentucky, just along the roads and in people's yards.  I am so glad I have my very own.

Our Cardinal

We have a cardinal in the neighborhood that comes every morning and sits on the mirror on our car.  He will sit there for a minute and then he will flutter in front of the mirror and then he will peck at the mirror.  I have little peck marks on my mirror from him.  We see him all the time.  He started doing this last year and now has returned again.  All our neighbors know this bird because he does this on every one's car.  Does it mean I have lived here too long if I am now making friends with cardinals?

Letter from Aidan

With it being the last day of school, the kids brought home tons of  papers of projects they have done throughout the year.  Writers notebooks, pictures, math assignments etc.  They wanted me to go through everything but seriously it would have taken me a week to get through all their notebooks.  One letter addressed to me did catch my attention.  It was from Aidan.  Here is what it said:

Dear mom,
I really want a dog because I can have a friend to play with all the time when I am bored.  The two dogs that I want are a golden retriever and a choclet lab.  I know you do not want a golden retriever but I really want a golden retriever you know to get me a golden retriever or choclet lab but you know that every body in the family wants a dog except you.  I hope you think I am responsible enough to get a dog.  If you get me a dog I will be obedient for the rest of that week.  I really want it to be a puppy so I can train it.  Another thing I could do is to help Lacey and Cassidy.  I also will not complain when I have to do my chores.  I do not know if you know this but I want a puppy more than anything in the world. (I still want my family, home, dad's job, and money) but you can get me a dog for Christmas. You can buy a puppy with your allowance.

Love,
 Your mature, financial, lonely, son Aidan.

p.s. write back

Where do I begin with this?  First I love that he is willing to be obedient for the rest of that week when he gets his dog.  I love that he still wants his family, home, dad's job and money and I love that he thinks that I get an allowance.  And how he signed his name, too cute.

I would love to make his dreams come true but just can't right now.  Maybe someday.

Happy Mother's Day.

Both the kids had a card for me that they had made at school. Lacey's was a fill in the blank. Here is what it said.

All about my Mother

She has the prettiest...ring

She always helps me...get redy for school.

She cooks the best ...cake.

She is really excited when I ...have a brtday.

She really gets angry when...I fite with my bruther.

She is really good at ...crafs.

Her favorite thing to do is...to wach tv.

I love it when she...hugs me

I wish she would...buy a pet.

The best word to describe my mother is...gorjis.

Love, Lacey

It is so interesting to see what your kids think of you and yes, I have worked long and hard to make sure GORGEOUS is part of their vocabulary especially when we are talking about how good us girls look *wink wink* It made my day that she said that. Love that girl.

Here is Aidan's card.

It says: Dear mom, I hope you like this card because it is made with love. I love you no matter what. Thank you for making us dinner and thank you for helping me in video games. (in the heart) I love you with all my heart and with all my desire. Love, Aidan.

I have sweet kids!