hot days

The hot weather is slowly moving in and that means sprinkler fun!  Until we are able to actually go swimming the kids enjoy running through the sprinkler and playing in the resulting mud.

 Hannah really had a blast playing while Samuel stood and watched from afar.  He cried every time the water sprayed him - it's time to toughen him up!! 

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While trimming my miniature rose plant I found a caterpillar.  Hannah loves it, has named it Flutter and created a home (look to her right) for it so she can keep it "forever'. 

my girl

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I set out with a goal yesterday.  To get some pictures of Hannah because she's so beautiful and sweet (plus I just want a lot of pictures of my kids.  my parents don't have a lot of pics of me when I was younger.)  She just wouldn't cooperate.  She's at this stage where she makes a crazy face any time I point the camera at her!  The only decent shot I got was the very first one!  Oh well, at least she gave us a good laugh!!

{The third shot is my favorite!}

Remembering When...

...Hannah was only a few hours old...

...and 20 months old...

and now she's 4 years old!  it's hard to believe she was ever so tiny!

a birthday party

Today Hannah's little girlfriend, Hannah A*, turned 4.  She celebrated with a Caillou party, which made my Hannah very happy because she loves Caillou.

Hannah & Samuel had so much fun.  Hannah A* had a ton of toys for everyone to play with - as well as a trampoline and a sandbox.  They did "Caillou's Marching Band" where all the kids selected a musical instrument then lined up to march around the house.  After that it was time for the slip 'n slide {Hannah loved it but Samuel did not.}

Most of Hannah's friends from gymnastics and playgroup were there so she was thrilled.  She's missed all of her little friends b/c they attend the local preschool and she doesn't + our playgroup doesn't meet during the school year.

...here are some pictures I snapped during the party...

 {Caillou's Marching Band}

 {Snack Time}

 

{Cupcakes} 

 

{Sandbox Fun.  I think Hannah was made b/c Anna had a toy she wanted.} 

 

{Slip 'n Slide Fun.  Don't you love Hannah's polka dot bathing suit?}

This picture is totally unrelated to the party but it's so cute I wanted to add it.  Bob & Tommy took us to Burger King for lunch on Thurs. and I snapped this as one of my Project 365 pics.  I didn't use it for that day's picture but I still wanted to share... 

 

Grandma Rocket {our van}

Today we woke up, ate our breakfast, got dressed and drove to Anderson to get Grandma Rocket!!  After one week at the Honda repair shop she was ready!  She was at Ray's Garage for 6 (SIX) weeks and they barely did any work on the van.  Ray's didn't charge us for the "work" they did but it cost us more than we expected (or wanted) at the Honda dealership.  After six weeks I didn't care - I just wanted to get my van back.

It was so weird driving the van again.  I've spent 4 of the last 7 weeks driving my Dad's Chevy truck.  It was an adjustment for sure!  Hannah was very excited to be back in her seat - away from my right elbow and Samuel's left leg.  I was happy to have space, AC, and a cd player again.  Sammy was happy because we were all happy.  But mainly, we're all thrilled to have our trusty, spacious Grandma Rocket back...

As soon as we got home we rushed through lunch and ran back outside -{like we were afraid the van had disappeared in the hour we were inside!}  We gave Grandma a spa treatment ... vacuumed the inside, cleaned every where we could reach and then I steam cleaned the carpet.  She was in need of it for sure.  She smelled musty from not being used for 7 weeks and there was also a lingering scent of oil (from the car parts that were thrown in the back when she was towed to the Honda place.)

After we cleaned the van we headed to my parents for supper.  After we ate my Dad took the kids fishing and then for a ride on the tractor.  They both agreed that today was perfect ... 

 {Hannah & Samuel took turns wearing her totally cool heart glasses}

 {Hannah actually hugged the van! / How fast can we all get inside?}

{Samuel is looking to see if Papa has the tractor ready. / Hannah & Samuel return from fishing.

Sammy goes first on the tractor / then it's Hannah's turn.

*Samuel was actually afraid to get on the tractor @ first but then they each took a second turn!}

Just a side note:  we don't personify anything else around our house.  Hannah named the van Grandma Rocket and Bobby's car is Rocket.  G'ma Rocket is obviously special to us - we got her when Hannah was about 8 months old, we drove her when we brought Sam home from the hospital, and she's taken us to FL, IN, and even to NH!  She's been good to us :-)

April Ponderings

I loved the book 'The Lovely Bones' by Alice Sebold

(though I don't agree with her depiction of heaven)

I absolutely hated the movie.

Peter Jackson focused too much on the "heaven" scenes.

I expected it to be so much better.

 

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I'm excited that warm weather is moving in.
I don't want the sweltering summer temps -
but I like spring.
The fresh sweet smelling air that's still a tad bit cool
but warm enough to play outside.
Park weather...
Open window weather...

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  On days that it's actually been warm the kids have played outside all day.

They both have a little farmer's tan.
It's too cute.

 

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The other day I took the kids to the park
(even though it was really chilly)
and then to Burger King.
I'd forgotten how good their burgers are.
And Hannah & Samuel actually ate their chicken tenders and apple fries.
Not the healthiest place to eat... but delicious.

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We still don't have the van back.
Though we have moved it from Ray's to the Honda dealership in Anderson.
Bobby spent one Fri. at Ray's helping the mechanics work on the van.
Until they told him he was in their way.
Then their was a verbal confrontation and Bobby made the decision to have the van moved.
It's going to cost us triple what we had saved to pay Ray's!
We've filed a complaint with the Better Business Bureau and we're looking into other options.
Finally an Honest Mechanic"...
I want to rip that sign down every time I see it.

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Tri-County Tech is offering culinary classes!
Can you believe it?
I want to sign up for a few.
Especially the 'Pastries & Desserts' class.
And 'Cake Making' + 'Cake Decorating'.
I think it would be awesome to make a wedding cake and decorate it.
Do you know how much wedding cakes sell for?!

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And last (but not least) I finished 'Anna Karenina'!!
I started in November of last year and finally finished it this month.
Some parts were really slow and boring & I actually put it down a few times.
But I made it through.
It was very well written and easy to understand (I feared 'ye old English but it wasn't like that at all.)
The only beef I have with Tolstoy is that he digresses. A lot.
If you can get past that and keep your characters straight you're good to go.
Who's up for borrowing it?

 

welcome ....

to the newest members of the Clark Clan.  Ellie & Milo.

 

These little kittens are so cute and cuddly.  They've taken right up with Hannah & Samuel.  They follow the kids everywhere they go.  We haven't had any problems with the eating or using their "potty" (with the exception of Ellie peeing in my shoe.  once.)