Everybody Was Kung Fu Fighting

We took the boys to see Kung Fu Panda Friday night and they absolutely loved it. What you can't see in this video is that they have Po the Panda, 2 Shi Fus, and Master Monkey under the laundry basket. That's why Aidan's saying they have 2 dads because he thinks Shi Fu is Po's dad. :) I'll let the rest speak for itself except to say Avery gets his rhythm and dance moves from his daddy! Skedoooosh!!

Turn Me In!

Seriously, somebody make the call. Maybe I should just turn myself in. Which one is better, What Not To Wear or How do You Like Me Now (at least I think that's the name of it)? Maybe I'm in such dire straits I need Extreme Makeover(I know they do the house show but do they do the other still?). I'm not sure when style went out the window for me. If I had to guess, it was about 7 years ago with the birth of my first child. I think I pulled myself back together for a short time after that and then went downhill again when the second one came along. (But you know if it was a choice between being fashionable and my sweet boys- I'd pick my boys every time) But I know it doesn't have to be a choice!
Do you know I can count on one hand how many times I've worn a skirt in the past year! I never really think to buy them. I am a stay at home mom to two boys and most of the activities we do just don't lend themselves well to wearing a skirt. The church we attend is very casual add that to the fact that Jim and I teach in a preschool class every other month and its all cropped pants and capris.
I also opt for comfort. I want to be fashionable and stylish but I'm just not willing to sacrifice comfort for that. There has to be a happy medium with style and comfort.
Little boys ages 7 and 3 don't like to shop. :) I just don't have a lot of time to shop for myself. I do most of my shopping online and while I enjoy doing it that way, I just don't think anything can take the place of actually being able to try it on and see yourself in it.
I'm conservative- I'm talking most of my closet is black, navy or brown conservative. :) I just don't have great fashion sense. I'm not a woman who can pick up a piece of clothing and walk around matching it with several other pieces. I'm a visual person and can't really see how things will look unless they are put together on a mannequin or a model in a catalog.
Maybe what I need is a personal shopper. That might be it exactly. I'm thinking I probably can't afford that- ha!
Ok- go ahead call the What Not To Wear People. I can see myself on video from their hidden footage where they follow people and tape what they are wearing. I'd be on film wearing my cotton gray shorts two sizes too big with my old washed out snoopy shirt. :) I can face the 360 degree mirror- I'm not a crier but somehow I think that might be my moment. :) I'm working on getting back in style so if you see me shopping walk on over and offer some assistance and if what I have in my hand is black, brown, or navy take it away from me!!!

Down on the Farm

Yesterday we visited Chaney's Dairy Barn in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Thanks for the information and recommendation, Mandy! It was so much fun. My friend Dani and her son Walt were coming in from Atlanta for a visit with her parents so they decided to go with us. We met Saundra and her kiddos and everyone had a good time. We took the 'Moo Wagon" to the barn where Mr Chaney gave us a cow milking demonstration. The kiddos got to pet Ms Glimmer the cow and a month old baby calf. They also got to see some rabbits and goats. After that, we headed back to the Dairy Barn which is the gift shop/restaurant part of the farm and also where they have their cool little playground area.
The tour is $5 per person and you get a free scoop of Chaney's homemade ice cream at the end. Our tour was at 11am so we decided to eat lunch there. Let me just tell you, Chaneys is a hopping little place around lunch time. It took us a while to get through the line to order and a really long time to get our food but when we did, it was very yummy. After lunch, the boys went down to get their free ice cream. Avery got Wow Now Brownie Cow- chocolate ice cream with fudge and brownie pieces in it. Aidan picked out a flavor called Blue Moon undoubtedly because it was blue. I ended up finishing Blue Moon for Aidan and while it was yummy, can't quite say what it tasted like.
We finished our trip with some time on the playground. If you're looking for a fun little field trip, Chaney's Dairy Barn is it. On Saturday nights they offer free kids movies (they show them on the side of the barn). You bring lawn chairs, blankets, etc. I think its starts around 8:15pm. The coolest thing to me about Chaney's is that the whole family works there. They all pitch in. Mr Chaney drove the Moo Wagon and gave the demonstration. His daughter helped out on the wagon. And all of the Chaneys helped out at the restaurant. It truly is a family run business and it was refreshing to see a family working together so well.

I'm having a 2 Corinthians 12:9 kind of week

But He said to me. "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."
2 Corinthians 12:9
In verse 10 it goes on to say...
Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.
2 Corinthians 12:10
Sometimes I need to be reminded that I am only strong in Christ. This week has been a huge reminder. I struggle with giving it all over to Him. I've probably mentioned that before. I keep pounding my head against the wall so sure I can do it myself and inevitably I end up frustrated and no better off than when I started. Then I get on my knees. I'm working on hitting my knees in the beginning and resting in His power in my weakness.

Cocoa Beach, FL

We just got back from a week of family fun in sunny Florida. I have to say we LOVED every minute of it. We packed a lot into our week. We stopped off in Orlando on our way down and made a visit to Downtown Disney. We decided not to do Disneyworld this year but to do a few things in Orlando that we maybe wouldn't have time to squeeze in with all that is Disneyworld. The boys were excited beyond words to see the huge Lego store. The statues that the boys are standing in front of are made completely of legos. Avery had some birthday money and both boys had allowance money that they have been saving for quite some time so we made a few purchases at the lego store.



We visited Once Upon a Toy where the boys competed in an intense Star Wars Mr Potato Head race. Aidan won with his Princess Leia Potato Head. We had to make a quick detour because in the center of this store, there was a section where you could assemble your very own light saber (and that was not cheap).


Sea World was our next stop. I don't really know what I was expecting from Sea World. I knew it would be fun but I have to say it may very well have been my favorite thing. The boys loved it Well all except for the Journey To Atlantis ride. The hill was a little too extreme.




We had some fun time at the beach and at the pool. Cocoa Beach was a nice place to stay. It wasn't very touristy but still had enough for us to do. We had a little excitement with our hotel and ended up not staying at the hotel we had booked online.



Our trip to Kennedy Space Center was fun too. The boys were a little hesitant about the space center because we had been to the Space Center in Huntsville. They liked the Huntsville one but I think thought it was going to be the same thing. It was definitely not. If you go any where near Cape Canaveral I think the Kennedy Space Center is a must see. It was amazing.




We made a trip back to Orlando to do the Sea World water park (it was its first year open) Aquatica. Lots of slides and fun things to do for all ages. We all got a little toasted in the sun even though we lathered on the sunscreen over and over. Avery said this was his favorite part of the trip.





We stopped off at City Walk which is Universal Studios equivalent of Downtown Disney. They had the moving walkways coming from the parking structure to City Walk and Aidan says that those are his favorite part of the vacation (go figure!).


We are home now and unpacking. Jim and I are feeling a little like we need a vacation from our vacation. :) We were wondering if this is how most parents of little kids feel after vacation. We always play hard on our vacations and try to pack it all in but that's the way we like it for now with the kiddos. What about you guys? Do you play hard on vacation or do you try to make it relaxing?

Free Family Fun

This is a great FREE summer activity. Even if you have small children and don't think they will sit through the entire movie, its worth giving it a shot. On Tuesdays and Wednesdays throughout the summer, Regal Cinemas offer free G and PG movies starting at 10am. You can check out their website, click on the drop down box and find your state. A listing of all the Regal theaters in your state will appear with a listing of the movies showing.

Its All Coming Back To Me Now

I'm not going to be here next week so I'm posting as many entries as I can today. Just kidding. Just so happens that both of my kiddos are at summer programs today so I have some extra time in between loads of laundry. :) I have to tell you what just happened.
I'm at home alone. I've been cleaning and doing laundry. I so enjoy being able to do that alone because it means I can dock my IPod in the little speaker system we have, turn it all the way up and sing along as loud as I want. There is quite an eclectic collection on my IPod. Anything from Rush's Tom Sawyer to Blondie's Call Me to Casting Crowns' LifeSong. I have this one Celine Dion song. You may remember it. It's All Coming Back To Me Now. Ok- so I have a voice that only God can love. :) I know that- that's why I sing in the privacy of my own home and not on a nationally televised audition of American Idol.
So, here I am in the kitchen cleaning. The Celine Dion song is blaring and I'm singing along really loud and dancing around from time to time. We have a large window in the kitchen and you can look right out in to the back yard. As I'm screaming these lyrics at the top of my lungs, unloading the dishwasher, and dancing around as I put the dishes up I look out and there's the spring green lawn guy looking at me. Not like staring in, creepy looking at me but looking in as he's walking around doing the fertilizer.
Who wants to wager on whether or not I have a different spring green lawn guy next time. He won't want to come back to the crazy lady's house!! :)
Just some summer humor for you!

And the Winner is...

Now if you're saying to yourself, "I don't remember that one on the post." You're right. I so appreciated everyone's input and the truth is I really liked all of the ones I put on that post. I just didn't like the price. Many of you said good things about Lands End and how well their swimsuits hold up. I had tried one of their's own before so honestly I had decided to go with that one- it was the very last picture on the post (the red one). I kept putting off purchasing it online because and again, honestly I was having a difficult time with the price. I do agree that if it holds up well and you can wear it for years, then its worth that price; however, I know me and I know I always like to have a new swimsuit each summer. So, I was having a difficult time justifying spending that much on a suit (that and well I'm just cheap- ok lets say frugal that sounds better).
As I sat down at the computer that morning to order the lands end, I was looking through my e-mail and had one from Kohls about a huge swimwear sale. I opened it, went to the site and found this suit for 1/2 off. I couldn't pass that deal up. So, this is the one I ended up with. Thanks again for all your comments and suggestions.

Did you say Bonnaroo?

Jim HATES Bonnaroo and you know I think he has the right. A couple of years ago, he was heading to Atlanta for a friends wedding. This was the first year of the Bonnaroo festival. Anyway, thankfully Avery and I had stayed behind (you'll see why I'm so thankful in a minute) because my mom broke her arm and needed some assistance. Poor Jim, not knowing a thing about Bonnaroo because you know that first year no one did until it actually started and then the traffic nightmare hit.
He sat on I-24 all night that first night. Missed his golf outing with his friends and all the other pre-wedding activities. His truck overheated. He had to leave it on the interstate (its not like traffic was moving), catch a ride with this woman (ok women- DO NOT pick people up and give them a ride, especially MEN! I mean my husband is a good man and I'm thankful that lady did but oh my goodness!) in to Manchester, and have his truck towed in.
He did make it in time for the wedding- thankfully. Since that year, he cringes whenever he hears the word Bonnaroo.

Yesterday it was 94 degrees- the hottest day of the year and...

... we were camping in a tent. I hear all of you guys out there. I know what you're saying. "Are you crazy?" All I can say is that when we made the reservations for the campsite a month or so ago, we didn't think it would already be 94 degrees the first week of June. What is up with this heat- its gets hotter earlier every summer.
Despite the heat, Jim, the boys and I had a really good time. We went to Defeated Creek, a federal park a little past Carthage, TN. It was a nice park with several cool playgrounds for the kids, some sandy beach spots and roped off areas of the lake for swimming, and hiking trails. Our campsite had electricity hook up and water.
Now let me set the scene for you. We got there about 7pm Friday evening. Jim set up our four person tent except that to me, our tent should really be called a two person tent because the four of us were crammed in there like sardines. The boys played around and we went to bed. The public restrooms were a good walk away and Avery had to go to the potty twice in the middle of the night. I didn't feel good about walking alone with Avery to the potty so that meant at 12:30am, we woke Aidan up and all four of us trekked to the potty. At 3am I feel Avery poking me in the arm, "Mommy, I need to potty." This time, we just found a nearby tree and let him take care of business.
5am- the sun is peaking through the tent and our boys pop up. We were at the lake to swim at 7am! Jim and I had a running joke throughout the day. Because we had been up since 5am, I would periodically look over and ask him for the time. I would be certain it was noon and he'd say something like, "Susan, its 8am." If you know me, you know that I am very much a chlorinated, concrete, must be able to see what is touching my legs kind of girl when it comes to swimming. The thought of getting in the lake was a little frightening to me; however, when its already 85 degrees at 7:30am, the lake doesn't seem so bad. So, we spent a lot of time at the sandy beach swimming spot.
After spending all day in 90 plus degree heat with no escape, I threw in the towel. I told Jim that I just could not spend the night in that tent. So, we roasted some hot dogs and marshmallows, made our smores and headed out about 4:30pm(yes, that's a bit early for supper but when you've been up since 5am you go with it). At first the boys were upset and begged us to stay. Then, we found a tick on Avery's head and well, that pretty much did it for him- he was ready to hit the comforts of home. Aidan was asleep in his carseat before we even made it out of the park.
So, here we are this morning in our house with the air cranked up and lovin' it!! Thank the Lord for air conditioning!!!
Jim and I decided that we could NEVER do anything like the Survivor reality show. We'd be asking to be voted off about two hours after they dropped us in the remote location. We will probably give camping another try but I guarantee you it will be in the Fall!! :)

It Just Doesn't Get Any Better Than This

Avery accepted Jesus as his Lord and savior yesterday. I could write a million things but I think the first statement says it all. Jim and I are so proud of him and are just praising God!

Never-ending

I hope if you read this post that you'll leave me a response. I'm curious to see how often other people do it. Laundry! It is never ending in my house. I do at least (and that's the very least) two loads of laundry a day. I do laundry every day. And of course, its not just the washing and drying but the folding and putting away. I have to admit that I'm not one of those people who will fold or hang their laundry right out of the dryer. I wish I was- I just never seem to have the time right that minute. I have just a regular washer and dryer and to dry a load of clothes I have to run the load at least two times. Some of my friends have the fancy front load washer and dryers and have been telling me that would cut my drying time in half. I know they are nice and I'm certain they work better than my basic set but I have a hard time letting go of that kind of money for a washer and dryer.
So, here are my questions...

1. How often do you do laundry?
2. Do you fold or hang your laundry right out of the dryer?
3. If you have the fancy front load washer and dryer- what do you love about it compared to the basic set?
   

Our Version of the Hallmark Music Card Take 2

Happy Birthday, Lori!! I posted this a day early because I knew you'd be busy with VBS. I'm glad we were at the end of the birthday song when the doorbell rang or I would have lost my performers. :) We hope you have an awesome day tomorrow. Keep an eye out for something fun in the mail. We love ya! Oh- you may have to go to the column on the right and turn off the music to hear this. :)