This week

Saturday morning found us at the basketball court.  Three courts to be exact.  Since Clayton got his cast off we are now back to three games every Saturday morning.  Clayton and Andrew don't mind playing basketball.  Clayton is a very good fundamental player...meaning...he will do whatever he is told to the letter.  He is teachable and he listens.  I love that about him.  Andrew plays basketball to talk to the "friends" on the court.  He could care less.  He is always smiling and having fun.  Jack is in it to win it.  He takes the game very seriously.  He scored 16 points (of the 32), had 10 rebounds and countless assists.  He grins the entire time...as long as they are winning. He is coachable and a delight to watch.
After basketball was over Renee took Andrew to Zachary's birthday party.  He got to spend the afternoon at a trampoline place, eating cake, and cruising the aisles at Dollar Tree.  That Zachary knows how to throw a party.

The boys and I headed to Fred and Renee's a little later.  Fred and I had a dinner so they were going to spend the night.  On the way there I got a call from Melody telling me they were passing through and stopped at Shelby Farms.  She wanted to know if we could stop.  As it happened we had about 45 minutes worked into our schedule so it worked perfectly for us to stop.  I told the boys we were going to cut through Shelby Farms because of traffic.  Boy were they surprised when we stopped at Shelby Farms and the Cains were standing there.  Jack's face almost cracked from his smile.

Sunday afternoon Andrew went home with Fred and Renee to go on his birthday date with Zachary.  Fred and Renee take each grandchild out for a date on their birthday.  They went to McDonalds for lunch, then to the mall at the Disney store, and then "played" the machines at the mall.  A good time was had by all.

Monday night Jack's choir sang the National Anthem at the Grizzlies game.  Jack was pretty excited!  He also had quite the fan club there cheering him on.

Thursday this letter was returned to our mailbox. We have a good friend that is the Chief Postal Inspector here in Memphis (who knew there was such a title/position?!?).  I sent the following text to him and Fred: I am appalled at the USPS and would like to file a formal complaint.  I do not know why this was returned to me!  His response was:  A true mystery.  I will launch an investigation immediately.  Friends in high places are the best.  I hope he is able to crack this one.  Ha!

Thursday was horrible hair day at school.  I think Andrew and I nailed it!

I had a long to do list on Thursday afternoon, but I decided to paint a wall in our kitchen with chalkboard paint and make a chocolate cake.  Sometimes life is hard. (In other news, I'm also learning how to edit photos...as you can see with this picture of the chocolate cake.)

Friday morning the boys did not have school.  We ate breakfast, I cleaned up the kitchen, I steam mopped the floors with bleach, I sipped coffee out of my new mug, and I lit this candle from Anthropology.  I declared this morning to be the perfect morning.  

I made a breakfast of little sausage links (I think they are called Little Smokies) wrapped in a strip of crescent rolls.  I had 7 for each boy.  When we sat down there were only 5 left for Andrew.  Clayton had 7 and Jack had 7.  I told them there were enough for each boy to have 7.  When I started questioning them Jack could not hold it together.  He was grinning from ear to ear.  I then said, "Each boy gets 7 counting what he already has in his stomach."  Bingo.  Jack put back two, grinning from ear to ear.  That boy.  

I put a new collage wall up in our guest bedroom this week.  I'm really pleased at how it turned out.  I might be going a little overboard with all the collages, but they make me smile.  It's my house.  I'll hang collages if I want to.  ;-)

Once the chalkboard paint dried the boys had fun drawing all over it.  Clayton told me he was going to draw me a flower since he couldn't buy me any for Valentine's day.  Be still my heart.

We celebrated Valentines a little early with the boys by going to OEC...our favorite restaurant in Bartlett.  They were thrilled!

 Then I came home and painted a desk...

And hung another collage.  Ha!

Later that night Fred and I went to Braden Station with our senior adults at church for Valentines while the two youngest boys went to church for a party.  Clayton stayed with a friend and played video games.  Everyone enjoyed their evening.  I even took a selfie with two of our sweet ladies. (It was their first selfie. Ha!)