They're Home!!

And apparently worn slick out.

The Last Day of School

How in the world are we already at the last day of school?  I promise you this year just started.  I think next year will be easier though.  This year with a new high schooler and a new middle schooler, it was rough.  But my baby is still in elementary.  But nest year she'll be upstairs.

Last year at the end of school I was talking to a friend who was teary when talking about her twins moving to the second story.  I of course was nice about it but was a little giggly later because it's only upstairs.  You know what?  As I was waiting for Reagan to come out to the car is really hit me....my baby will be upstairs next year. 

And I have to say, I got a little teary.

Get A Clue

When we have family game night we usually stick with Farkle or a shortened version of Phase 10.  Every once in a while we play Life.  But really, when you're investing time in playing your Life, it needs a lot of time.  My two least favorites are Monopoly and Clue.  I would rather watch sumo wrestling than play Monopoly.  It makes me incredibly grumpy.  But it's one of Shawn's favorites, so I bite my tongue and enjoy the time with my family.  Now as for Clue...I just don't get it.  I'm pretty sure it's a fairly easy game to understand, but I just don't get it.  Shawn again explained it to me and I gave it a try.  I of course didn't win but probably won an award for asking which character I was too many times.  But the high point of the evening came when we saw this.

We're not sure when they wrote all of these things, but they were a wonderful walk down memory lane! 

I am happy to report that Mommy & Daddy are still together.  Gogo & Grampa are still together.  Reagan still loved Evan.  But the other two....they were so offended when they read what they'd written!

My trio!

Our church partnered with Swaziland several years ago and started fund raising and sending mission teams.  A new fund raiser was started this year, an auction and dinner.  It was $75 a plate and since I'm cheap, and we're busy, we didn't plan on going.  But then we got a call. 

A few years ago on a mission trip our music minister went with a mission of his own.  He had songs that he taught to the locals.  He then recorded them.  A few months later at church our choir, who had learned the same songs, sang with the Swazi recording.  It was amazing. 

For the dinner and auction they wanted to do a few of those songs.  Instead of getting a children's choir together and teaching them one of the songs, they called and asked if my girls would do it.  I of course said yes, for them, and took them to the first practice.  There wasn't music written for the three part harmony yet so our director just gave them the chord and off they went.  I know they're mine, but they are pretty stinking talented.  The director said they did beautifully but he'd still get the music written and send it to us. 

After I'd printed the music out I called the girls around the piano, figured out the sharps and flats, and started playing for them.  They kept getting ahead of me though!  They seemed to get annoyed with my long pauses and picking out notes with the Every-Good-Boy-Does-Fine method.  So I just hit the notes that I could.  And they carried on just fine.

When we got there that night for their sound check I thought I'd go ahead and video it since I knew I'd be nervous.  Oh, and them, too!  I took some pictures during the first practice and whipped out the video camera I don't know how to use for the second run through.  I was feeling pretty good about my video skills when a friend and her daughter walked in front of me.  They noticed about halfway through and kind of ducked down.  But then the husband and dad came through and didn't feel the need to duck.  He sort of apologized later when I brought it up.  So I recorded the real performance when they sang.  From really far back in the back at the 'free dinner' table:)  And I was shaking a bit out of sheer nervousness of my girls singing in front of over 400 people.  And I might have been tearing up a bit.  Maybe. 

So here's the first video.  Even with the heads, it's still the best of the two.  And no matter what, I am one proud mom.  And that's the most important thing:c)

Yep!

Hope you guessed it!  Seussical the Musical!!!

I had never seen this one.  Which is weird because I am a huge musical fan.  I was feeling kind of disappointed in myself until I realized this has only been on Broadway and touring.  It hasn't been made into a movie or shown on tv.  My girls went online and found some clips of it to prepare for auditions, but I never did.  I wanted to be surprised:)

Neither of my girls got the parts they wanted....and we all had to come to terms with that.  They of course ended up happy to be in it and with their friends, so we all moved on. 

So I had 2 Whos, 1 Circus Folk, 1 Fish, and 1 Hunch.  That's between the 2 of them.  Practices started in January and I didn't go to a practice until last night.  I'm so glad I waited!  I was completely drawn in from the moment it started and kept forgetting to take pictures....which is why I was there. 

But I did catch some good shots.

There are my two Whos. Kennedy has the highest hair and McKinley is on the far left end.

There's my Fish.  Well, she's one of them.  I promise.  The black light has made a wonderful addition to our musicals! 

There's my hula hooping Circus Folk on the right.

And there's our elementary principal.  Four performances.  That's a lot of green.

And finally, my Hunch.  She's the one with the lines under the eyes. 

And our high school principal!  He was my Algebra 1 & 2 teacher and I heart him.  He's retiring in December.  Or at least he thinks he is, I'm not going to let him.

And not to be outdone, our Superentendant and middle school pricipal.  I love that our school system is so small that they are able to do this.  And I love that our director always makes a place for them.  And I love that they're just nice guys.

And not to ruin the ending for you all who plan on seeing it...but here's the Elephant Bird. It was so cute! I need to find where they got it and get some for the girls. What a fun memory that would be.

So the musical was a huge success and my girls had a wonderful time.  And we've already found out what next years will be....Annie Get Your Gun!!  Not only one of my absolute favorites, but one that I was in when I went to the same school.  I.  Am.  Thrilled!

Need Another Tip?

It's That Hair Raising Time of Year!

Know what musical we're doing this year????

A Day Off!

Do you remember that excitement when you had a day off of school?  You stayed up late the night before and slept in the next day, just because you could?  Well my girls were planning a late night last Thursday.  They were just waiting for Shawn and I to leave the den and the remote to them. 

But they didn't quite make it.

My Little Chefs

My aunt was a public school music teacher for over 30 years. She was amazing. Well, she still is as a private voice teacher. I gave birth to three of her students.

She had an annual tradition for many years called the Kidnap Breakfast. A team of parents would have a list of addresses and they'd go pick the students up at some unholy hour on a Saturday morning. The students could grab one item besides what they slept in before they were rushed out the door. Soon there would be a cafeteria full of half asleep students. My grandparents, my mom, me, and more devoted parents would be the cooking team. We'd have to arrive at the school at 4 in the a of m to start biscuits, scrambled eggs, gravy, and bacon. Tons. We'd be cracking eggs for hours. Hours I tell you.

My grandpa Vernon was the biscuit master. I ate them every Sunday of my life with grandmas gravy and other fixings. After several years of being the chefs of the Kidnap Breakfast my aunt bought chef hats for everyone. When my mom passed away I of course got hers, but I was blessed to get grandpas also when he passed away.

McKinley pulled it out a few days ago to make omelets for everyone. She looked so cute I had to take a picture. And then Reagan pulled my moms out. But she had a few problems getting it to stay up. No worries. Kennedy stepped in to help.I love that these amazing people are being remembered in such a fun way:c)

We Came, We Saw, We Balled

My feet beg to differ, but the Ball was a blast and a huge success. Since it was put on by a Foundation board that I'm a member of, as a fundraiser, it was all hands on deck. I volunteered to be in charge of posed and candid pictures. So I took a leap of faith and started my own website. Then I asked a friend who is an incredible photographer to handle all the dance floor candids. Then I asked a friend and neighbor and incredible photographer if I could borrow his lighting and backdrop so I could take the posed pictures. And then I prayed, crossed my fingers and toes, lit some candles, and stopped breathing deeply.

You know what? I survived. The pictures all turned out, and I will rejoin life in about a month and a half when I have them all identified and edited and delivered.

In about 2 months the Foundation pulled off a very financially successful event that was a hit. The dads and daughters ate, danced, laughed, and bonded. It was precious to watch. And the moms that couldn't stay away sat in the back and teared up and took pictures.

I was so busy taking pictures that I missed most of the dance floor action. But I did take these before we left.Boy howdy they're cute!

The Ball

I had to leave my house today.

I had to peel myself out of bed today.

I had to shower today.

I had to put makeup on today.

I had to fix my hair today.

I had to take the 4 x 4 car from Shawn today.

I had to find my Cuddl Duds, coat, and gloves today.

Why you ask??

My girls are going to The Ball.

Not just any ball though, the Daddy Daughter Ball.

And two need a dress and new shoes.

And one needs to come home from her extended stay with another family.

Oh, and I need to finish designing a website, buy an adapter for my camera, and pray I don't break any of the expensive lighting I've borrowed for the posed pictures.

And maybe shave my legs.

But that one is debatable.

Memories....like the corners...sorry

It's gone.Sniff sniff.

We're growing up around here.

We bought it when I was pregnant with Kennedy. I went to get all the lumber and hardware and accessories in my Grandpa's little pick-up truck. When they saw how pregnant I was they loaded it all for me.

Shawn spent a few days assembling every single piece with absolutely no help from me.

When he attached the slide and told me the weight limit was 500 pounds, I got excited and climbed up into the playhouse.

Sadly they didn't mention that your tushie had to be mere inches across or you wouldn't fit no matter how much you weighed.

All the girls learned to swing on it.

All the girls learned to jump out of the swing and stick their landing.

Sand castles were built and destroyed in the sand box.

Secrets were shared in the playhouse.

Access to the garage roof was achieved from that playhouse.

Meals were eaten and dishes were left in the playhouse. Along with pool towels and stray light weight furniture.

But we're growing up.

Another family now owns it and 5 children will wake up Christmas morning to start their own memories.

Yes, I'm sad.

But the 200 bucks is helping me through it:c)

Thanks for the memories.

Dear Mr President

We are not overly political at our house. I know, I know, we name our children after presidents and then don't get involved. Shawn does vote, and we've had yard signs, but in 16 years I have never really heard him get in a big discussion.

I don't vote.

Don't get me started.

Living where we do, Bible Belt Oklahoma, we...are...not...Democrats. Neither of our families are. There might be a few here and there, but we're most definitely Republicans. Republican enough that when we announced we were naming our second baby Kennedy my sweet Great Uncle Clyde pulled me aside and said, "Now you know Kennedy was a Democrat. Right?"

We don't say bad things about elected officials around our house, but they girls have picked up that the current president was not the choice of our family or most of our friends.

How the discussion about the current president came up at dinner tonight...I have no earthly idea. But the laughter and snorting that was involved made for a wonderful time around our table.

Here are the girls letters to the current president.


Dear President Obama,

I think Ronald Reagan was a better president than you. And William McKinley and John F Kennedy even though he was a dem-o-crat like you. I'm sorry to say this but I think you are a stinker (in capital letters).

From Reagan-9

P.S. I hate you.



Dear President Obama,

I think that Lewis McClain would have been a better president than you. Wait, that is a person from church. I meant to say John McCain. He is very old but very bold. (Notice how I rhyme.)

Although you are doing a very good job of being president of these United States of America.

Thank you for taking care of our country.

Sinseriously,

Kennedy-11

P.S. Notice how I am named after John F. Kennedy, a democrat like yourself.


Dear President-a B.O.,

You stink. Hahahahahahahaha. :)

Sincerely,

McKinley Chicken Bieber-14


If you are a fan of his please don't be offended. We certainly aren't complaining and of course none of us want his job, we were just having fun.

And laughing our heads off!

My Three Beauties

Another part of our traditional Christmas tree cutting trip is to take new head shots of the girls for three frames I have in my entry way. I started it three years ago when I had my point and shoot camera and lucked out and got beautiful pictures of each girl. No one was more surprised then me. This year with my new fancy schmancy camera and Nifty Fifty lens I was excited. I anticipated three gorgeous outcomes.

But remember the wind I mentioned? And the miserable cold I mentioned? We had the hardest time finding a spot in the shade, but not dappled shade, that was out of the wind, and then tried to shoot quickly because I made them take their coats off. I didn't want their coats in the picture. Such a good mom, don't you think?

I feel like if I'd been able to put them any where I wanted I would have gotten better shots...but with three such beautiful girls, I don't think I could get a really bad picture:D

And yes, I might be a bit biased.

Reagan-My little blond haired, blue eyed beauty. She is the peacemaker in the family. The most compassionate. She has her first big part in a school presentation this Thursday. She wanted the lead but was put in a duet because she's the only third grade girl who the teacher knew could sing in harmony. She's in a committed relationship and has been for the last seven years. She still gives me hugs without me having to ask for them. Kennedy-My middle school beauty. She has her Gogo's beautiful smooth, dark skin and Gogo's silky hair. My Green Kangaroo. (Anyone remember that children's book?) The one who is going to grow up, become famous, and give her parents lots of money. She lives for performing. She plays piano, viola, guitar, soccer, and basketball. She's willing to try anything. She is nothing like me. McKinley-My 9th grader who always says, "I prefer freshman." She's counting down the days until she can get her license. She's obsessed with chicken. Not so much the actual food, but the word. Ask what she wants for dinner and you'll always hear, "Chicken." Sneak up behind her and startle her and she'll say, "Chicken." Ask what she wants for Christmas and you're told, "Chicken." Head over heels in love with Justin Bieber and an amazing pianist, she sees them as a match made in heaven. She is most like me in a lot of ways....so basically we don't always get along. They keep me on my toes and on my knees in prayer. I love them more than I ever imagined I could.

This Is A Joke...Right??

My amazing in-laws are in town to celebrate Shawn's birthday and stay with the girls while I went to join him at camp and take yearbook pictures.

Wow, that was a long sentence. Should it have been broken up? Check back in a few days after I've had some sleep and see if it's been changed.

Anyway. I don't want my amazing in-laws to find themselves in a compromising situation and have to try to look under my bathroom sink to find another roll of toilet paper. It's not easy to get your body in the right position to look. So when I noticed the roll was almost out I put the new one on the lid. I'm all about quality service.

After the girls and Shawn came home from a football game someone used that bathroom. When I went in later I found this.
Seriously?? They moved the new roll out of their way, used the rest of the old roll, and replaced the new one right where it had been. My word!! If I find out who it is....they're in trouble!

I'm currently interviewing each one of them separately about their whereabouts around 10:10-10:17 Friday evening.

Stay tuned for the results.

As for a punishment...I'm thinking they'll give me a foot massage and pedicure.

Who says the punishment has to fit the crime?

Important Note

When one is roasting marshmallows, it is completely and absolutely necessary to eat as much gooey goodness as possible.

Let me show you what I mean.Does that help?

Secrets and Surprise!

I've been keeping a secret for 2 months.

I've been hiding my cell phone and erasing texts.

The Funk's always spend the 4th of July with us. Each year Ashley is disappointed that she can't join them. This year she caught her grandpa at a good time and got permission to come! She wanted so badly to surprise the girls. I was willing to keep the secret. It was hard, but as these pictures show, it was so worth it.