Hello Summer Break!!!!

The sun is finally shining, the temperatures are finally warm and we are out for summer break!! For the past 2 years I have surprised the boys with a "Welcome to Summer" field day. Yesterday we continued this tradition. As the boys woke up, they were surprised with buckets I had filled with summer essentials, water guns, bubbles, sand toys and pool toys. I made a special breakfast too...watermelon waffles. Are these not the cutest! All you do is add food coloring to your waffle batter and then add some mini chocolate chips for the seeds. Easy and cute! The boys loved them too! But as they do with real watermelon slices, they did not eat the rhine. Crazy boys!

Holden and Rylan peaked out the window to see... the decorated play set. They both rush upstairs and changed into their swim suits. Once outside we started our field day. We played the fish bean bag toss, horseshoes, ring toss, Pin the tail on the Shark, sack races, water guns, bubbles, and water balloons!! Do you think we have enough?! They tossed them at the balloon toss, each other, and at me!

We collectively planned our activities for the summer and there are sure to be some great memories made this summer. Some of the boys ideas include, camping out, fishing, a horsey ride, a rodeo, and nature hikes, just to name a few. Can you see that my boys are all boys. Geez, camping and fishing...I guess I really have turned into a nature girl. We finished off our day with beach ball ice cream sandwiches. Now, we can officially start our Summer Break!

Post Graduation fun in Mississippi

Allie received scholarship offers from Rhodes College, Millsaps College, and my Alma mater, University of Mississippi (Ole Miss). But in the end, Allie decided that in the fall she will be attending Millsaps College. Since Millsaps just happens to be located in Jackson, Allie took us on a tour Sunday afternoon. After walking through campus, I can see why she chose Millsaps. It suits her perfectly. She will excel and have a wonderful college experience.

Now, we did not spend all our time at graduation we had a little fun too. Especially in the pool! Holden and Rylan turned into little fish, and dare devils too!! Look at these two jumping into the pool!
Our time in Mississippi went by so quickly! The boys did not want to come back to Ohio. In fact, Holden made us all pray in the car that we could move to Mississippi! Can you tell he had a great time. His reason for wanting to move, the weather is better, "Mom, it never rains.", his cousins are there, "Mom, we could have sleepovers all the time.", and lastly, "They have a pool." Hmm this little guy is quick to trade me in! Hopefully, we can get back down south really soon otherwise I will continue to hear this prayer each night!!

A Milestone Birthday

Saturday, May 28th, not only was Allie's graduation, it was also my dear Memaw's 80th Birthday! We surprised her with her own table decorated with old pictures and her favorite...coconut cake! For those of you who are lucky enough to know her, know that she has the kindest heart and is always thinking of others, doing for others and caring for others. She truly is an angel! But she is also quick to put you in your place, if need be, if you know what I mean! Which is why we all love her to pieces and appreciate all the sacrifices she has made for all of us throughout the years! Words truly can not express the love, appreciation and gratitude we have for "Our Memaw!" There is a saying that says, "God gave us the gift of 86,400 seconds in a day. Have you used one to say "Thank You?" Well, "Thank You" Memaw for all that you do for everyone, it has not gone unnoticed or unappreciated! We love you!!! Hope you have a wonderful 80 more years! Happy Birthday!!!

Allie Graduates!!!!

It seems just like yesterday I was receiving a phone call that my niece Allie had been born. I was a freshman in high school at the time and man has time flown by! Now my own little munchkin is entering kindergarten while my niece is entering college. Both are setting out on new journeys and both are venturing into a little unknown but I know the future holds wonderful things ahead for both of them. It is just hard to believe this time has come!

Saturday was the commencement ceremony and it was held at the Mississippi Coliseum. After several speeches, Allie along with 400+ classmates crossed the stage to receive their diplomas. We are so proud of Allie, she graduated with Distinction, which is what the blue tassel represents, and also received several scholarship offers to various colleges. Congratulations to the Class of 2011!!! After the ceremony, we all posed for several pictures with our new 2011 graduate! As we all know, every graduate needs a party to celebrate this huge accomplishment and immediately following our millions of pictures we gathered once again to celebrate. There was tons of food, lots of pictures...and a couple of outtakes of the "sorority girl pose", yes, I am still learning! That night Allie met her classmates at 6:00 and boarded a bus for "A Night to Remember." They were taken to secret places throughout the night, which sounded so exciting and fun. The stories and memories from the day and night truly made Allie's graduation a memorable one shared by us all!