This week

Rain landed us at home Saturday morning! Hooray!  It's like a snow day.  It's all things wonderful...until we are making up these games in July.  Yikes.  What I need to say is that Fred and I stayed in bed until 8:00 am.  I don't think we've done that since 2003.  It was all things wonderful.

I headed to a prayer shower around 10:00am and then Fred performed a wedding and I attended.  Hello spring.  Hello weddings.

Jack and his buddy conspired signed up for an OPTIONAL science fair project.  Please note the word optional.  I really think they just wanted to get together and hang out, but whatever.  They worked on the project Friday afternoon and then Jack spent the evening with L to finish it out.

These are the instructions they typed out.  I love the last sentence...just watch YouTube.  Classic. 

 After finishing the project they were able to go to the zoo.  They love spending time together. 

I had a bridal tea and a going away party to attend Sunday afternoon.  Then we had a choir favorites program that night.  Mimi, Mun and Janice attended and then my boys convinced them to go to Sonic.  Mawmaw, Pawpaw and the Moulders joined us.  I have no pictures of this event, which ai blame on all the activities going on.

Monday morning Clayton wanted scrambled eggs with his peanut butter bar.  He told me, "I want them to be not gooey and not stuck to the pan."  I really have no idea what that meant, but I know I was never so nervous as I was when making those eggs.  Goodness.  It was such a tricky order I took a picture of the final product. 

Monday night soccer practice was canceled.  Yahoo!  I did have a meeting though, so no rest for the weary.
Andrew came down with this shirt on one day this week.  Fred and I found it very ironic since he is not competitive.  It said, "If you're in second place you're last."  When we asked him about it he said, "I know.  Second place is first loser."  That boy.  I think he's been listening to his brothers.  Ha!

This sweet fourth grader came in third place in a 24 math contest at his school.  What's a 24 contest?  I'm so glad you asked.  You have to come up with as many ways to get to 24 by using four numbers.
1 x 2 x 3 x 4=24
12 x 1 x 2 x 1=24
8 + 5 + 5 + 6 = 24
But you have to do it in a competition format.  He got third place out of his entire grade (10 or so classes) and we were thrilled for him.  

 He asked me to come to lunch with him, so I did.  Sweet boy.  He just talked my ear off.

Friday Clayton and Fred left for a choir trip in St. Louis.  Clayton was gone until Sunday, but Fred came back late Saturday night.  I think they had lots of fun and Clayton's choir did great.

Jack was at a friend's house and Andrew had a birthday party.  I was all set to have a few hours to myself, but I forgot kindergarten parents stay at birthday parties.  Andrew asked me what I was going to do while everyone was away and he said, "I feel bad for you.  You are going to be alone."  Bless his heart.  He doesn't know me at all. 

Saturday Andrew had soccer. After soccer Jack went home with Mr. Fred to help in his yard.  Since Fred and Clayton were gone it was just me and Andrew, so I decided we needed to go to the Greek Festival.  When you are the only child you get to have lots of fun at a festival...even if you are not sure what a festival is.

Dash was very stressed with everyone being gone.  So he ate my shoe and an entire loaf of sweet bread that I bought at the Greek festival.  An entire loaf...I would have a picture of that, but he ate it all.  Every bit of it...even the plastic bag.  Yes, he did. 

This is Dash trying to say he was sorry.  It didn't work.  

On Mother's day we had to divide and conquer.  We went to Jackson to see my mom and Fred stayed in Memphis with his mom and to pick up Clayton from his trip. 

Jack had a baseball game and Mimi and Tee came to watch.  Jack was the catcher and he did a great job.  The score was tied and Jack had a great hit, which ran in two runs.  He was thrilled.  Thrilled to win.  Thrilled that he hit in the winning runs.  And thrilled that Tee was there to watch.  It was a good night. 

 Clayton had field day on Thursday.  They got it in before the rain hit.  I was hoping to get by to see field day, but because of the rain they finished up early.  I did get to eat lunch with Clayton...which was a first. 

 As part of my mother's day present I have 24 hours to myself.  I got a hotel room and a bag of Goldfish.  It was epic. 

This week

Saturday morning we were at the soccer fields again.  My friend and I took a selfie.  You have never heard grown ups yell more enthusiastically from the sideline.  We have a great time each Saturday at the soccer fields.

 While I was with Andrew at the soccer fields, Fred took Jack to our final Saturday of Bible drill.

After lunch it was Clayton's turn for Bible drill.  Fred, me, Janice, Mun, and Renee went to cheer him on.

Pawpaw took Jack to baseball practice.  As soon as the drill was over Fred and I left for a wedding, a nice dinner, and quiet evening at home.  Thank goodness for our village that kept up with the crew.
While we were at the wedding, we had a blast.  I'm not sure I've ever had more fun visiting with a table during a reception.  Then later we enjoyed an evening a nice dinner at Fleming's and a quiet evening at home. 

Sunday night the boys participated in a program at church.  It was about the battle of Jericho.  It was too precious.  Andrew kept us laughing the entire time with his facial expressions, entrances at the wrong time, and costume malfunctions.  Clayton had a speaking part and Jack had a small solo.  It was just precious.  I'm still smiling this morning as I think about it.

 Mawmaw, Pawpaw, Mimi and Tee came to see the production.  Mawmaw and Pawpaw had a previous commitment after the play, but Mimi and Tee were more than willing to take this crew to Sonic.  Milkshakes for everyone!

Tuesday night Mun, Janice, Mimi, Tee, and Fred and Renee all came to cheer on Jack at his baseball game.  His team lost and he didn't get to pitch.  It was not Jack's favorite night, but he did enjoy his fan club!

At some point during the week I made these Double Chocolate Peanut Butter Cheesecake Brownies (Her brownies are made with a gluten free mix, but you don't have to do that unless it's necessary for your health.  I just used a plain ole brownie mix...and added a handful of chocolate chips.  How could that hurt?!?) by Maebells.  Do yourself a favor and make them tonight! 

Thursday night Jack had a double header.  Mimi and Tee came back and got to see Jack pitch.  His team lost both games...again.  Jack was really bummed, but he was happy that Mimi and Tee were there. 

 

Since the end of school is approaching...not quickly enough...the teachers at Clayton's school are getting a little extra from the PTO Chair of Inspiration.  We provided an Iced Coffee Bar for them on Friday.  It was super easy and very much appreciated.  

 

 And then Friday night the party continued as I met a friend at Costco to do our monthly shopping trip.  Then while we were there we ran into another friend.  So fun!  Since we didn't take kids we were able to linger at the VitaMix display.  Have you seen that thing?  Man, I love it!  My friend even left with one. 

This week

Saturday the big boys had Bible drill.  Jack had it in the morning and Clayton had it in the afternoon.

Andrew had soccer, but Jack's game was canceled because of rain.  After all of the morning festivities I took Jack to a friends house for a few hours and then everyone had a birthday party.  Fred went to the hospital to make some visits.  I came home and crashed.  I actually slept for about 2 hours, which is very unlike me.  I woke up in time for a dinner meeting and then hit the bed again that night.

Monday I switched the boys closet.  Don't tell me I don't lead an exciting life!  While I was cleaning out I found Andrew's glasses that have been lost for a week.  Amazing!

I may have been so excited that I screamed!  Yahoo!


Tuesday I was at home so Fred and I went to lunch.  While we were out I got an email from Jack's teacher about Andrew.  Yes, Jack's teacher about Andrew.  This is what it said...

So I found out at lunch something that will make you laugh out loud!!! Andrew is spreading the love of this hilarious joke.
Have you ever seen the movie constipated?
No
That's because it hasn't come out yet!
Thought you'd love that!  Jack did!

Yes, that note came from Jack's teacher about Andrew.   Please let that sink in.  Andrew's joke traveled the school so much that it reached Jack's teacher.  We keep it classy.  I honestly have no words.  Mercy.

When I walked out of the house on Tuesday morning this, was my view.

Not too bad, right?  Even if baseball was canceled. 

Because of rain, baseball practice was canceled so we actually had a night at home.  It was all things glorious.  At home.  Ahhh.  I could really get used to this arrangement.  Jack was not feeling well.  He took his temperature around 7 pm and it was 101.  Boo.  On the up side, he did get to stay home with me on Wednesday.
Here are Dash's feelings on Tuesday and baseball being rained out.

Thursday Fred and I put on our grown up pants and met with our brother in law for a little financial planning pow wow.  It was exciting....if you're a grown up.  Good times.  The meeting did involve Lenny's, which was wonderful.  As a bonus no one had any homework that night, so that's awesome.

Clayton's choir did sing at a preview night for the sixth grade.  He looked too cute standing in the hall in his little suit.  You can see by the look on his face that he was thrilled with me taking his photo.  Ha!  Middle school is wonderful!

Friday afternoon I got a special treat as I had lunch with these sweet girls.  We ate at a Mexican restaurant where they think very highly of their food.  I'm not even going to say what I spent on my lunch. Despite the sticker shock I received from the menu prices, he food and company were both marvelous!

Friday night we had a parent's night out at church. We fed the boys pizza and sent them on their way.  We then played dominoes with some friends until we had to pick everyone up.  It was a great night.  I have no pictures of this night.  I mean, how rowdy are we?!? Did I mention we played dominoes?!?

This Week

Saturday morning found us at the ball park again.  Andrew had soccer and Jack had baseball.  Fred took Andrew so I have no pictures from that event.  I do have a few from Jack.  Jack was the pitcher is a very noncompetitive league.  He grinned from ear to ear the entire time.  He would throw a ball and smile.  He would catch the ball and smile.  He would wait for the ball to be thrown back to him and he would smile.  In the end his team won.  Guess what he did?!?  Smiled.  Loves a sport.

Andrew did come to the half the game.  It was freezing and he was in shorts and a tshirt...even though I told him it would be cold.  We snuggled up.  

After the games we headed to Jackson for my grandmother's 90th birthday party.  Apparently playing baseball and smiling wears a fella out. 

We headed to the party that my Aunt Janice so beautifully planned.  I mean really.  She can plan a party!  We all had opportunities throughout the party.  I got to restock tables, serve cake, and stand by the guest registry.  After the party we ate at Logan's. Here's our family all ready to party.

Sunday morning we were just eating breakfast as usual.  Jack broke out his Memphis car salesman pitch.  The car commercials here in Memphis are something.  They seem to yell.  Actually, they do it just like this...



We have not laughed like that in a while.  He is a funny guy!

On Wednesday I volunteered at Clayton's school, but he didn't know it.  You know what middle schoolers love?!?  Turning around and seeing their mother standing in their school waiting to take a picture.  Ha!  Not really...

They had an honor roll party and my friend snapped this picture.  Such a cutie.  

 Grandma Beulah gave Renee a shirt of Fred's (my father in law, not my husband...very confusing) to give to my boys.  Clayton tried it on and loved it.  I think that's so sweet. 

 Friday I pressure washed our patio and gave it a little/much needed makeover.  I love to pressure wash.  I've got my eye on our driveway and fence.  But for now, this will have to do. 

Clayton is going to study at a friend's house tonight.  Jack has gone to practice baseball, but for the most part we were just at home Friday night.  Glorious. 

This week

Saturday and Sunday we had a house full of boys.  I was responsible for breakfast and lunch.  They cleaned me out for breakfast, but at lunch they didn't really eat too much.  Here's breakfast...

We loved having all these boys in our home and can't wait to do it again!
Sunday afternoon I decided I might be in need of a little relaxation with some yoga.  I grabbed some friends and we headed to class.  Little did we know that we would be doing handstands.  It's been a while since I've done a handstand, but I did it.  Of course, I was against the wall, but who cares. 

Andrew brought this paper home from school.  I was impressed with his handwriting and sentence writing skills.  He said his teacher helped him spell own and their and he did the rest.  Then he said, "Did I do okay?"  Yep.  Yep, you did.  

Thursday afternoon Jack got in the car and told me it was Cici's Pizza night for the fourth graders at his school.  I already had spaghetti made, but we went to kindergarten night so I figured we should go to fourth grade night as well.  I just threw caution to the wind.  

Thursday evening Clayton and Jack had Bible Drill at church.  I'm not sure who was more nervous, me or them.  About a week before the drill I discovered one of our children participating did not know what he had been communicating to me that he knew.  So yeah, I was a little nervous.  In the end it didn't really matter.  He memorized lots of verses of scripture that he will remember throughout his life and that's what this process if for after all. Mun, Janice and Mimi came for the big night. 

Friday morning I went to Jackson to meet Christy for yoga and lunch. Then I headed to church to help decorate for my grandmother's party.  

Friday night we had dinner with a sweet family from church.  They made tacos and our children played together for hours.  It was delightful.  We will be doing it again soon! We have no pictures because between the two families there were 8 children.  It was so fun and so wild!