Let's Get Together...Yea, Yea, Yea!

Spring has sprung and an opportunity to get together with aunts and cousins. Michael and I took the kids down to my dad and Alice's house for Easter. Saturday, the girls helped me bake and decorate a cake for my sister, Tracy's, birthday, the kids hunted eggs, and my dad grilled hamburgers and hotdogs on the Big Green Egg.


Here are Rachel and Haley's toes after a spring inspired pedicure:


Haley and Rachel made and decorated cupcakes for Easter:

They also decorated some hard boiled eggs:

Rachel and Haley hanging out:


Rachel and Haley help me make fondant decorations for Tracy's birthday cake:
Me coloring some fondant:

Rachel and Haley cut fondant to make decorative spheres:

Here are some fondant flowers drying:

Here is the strawberry and devil's food cake frosted with chocolate:

Here is Tracy's birthday cake:





Michael blows bubbles waiting for the kids to start hunting eggs:

Michael snuggles up to my dad:

Dad, you aren't uncomfortable...are you?


Aaron isn't hunting eggs, so he poses with a plate of chili. Noah, Haley, Rachel, Eve, and Tyler are ready to go:
Aaron gets whacked with a confetti egg:




Haley:




Rachel runs away from Aaron:



Tracy and Tyler with the cake:


Dig in:


Happy, slightly early, Birthday, Tracy! Happy Easter, everyone!

All Hail the Inclined Plane!

My dad built a ramp out of plywood, then used a rope to get their piano onto a trailer by himself. He drove it to our house, which took him another hour. Backed the trailer up our driveway and remade the ramp system to get the piano off the trailer and a ramp up our front stairs. Michael came home during his lunch hour to help dad move it off the trailer and up into the house. He wouldn't even let us buy him lunch. Eve is absolutely thrilled. Dad said he brought it because Eve wanted it so much. When she came home from school she clapped and squealed for joy and sat down to play. We just need to get it tuned because it is flat and find an instructor we can afford.





******Book Review***********



What a fun way to make a classic into something very quirky, while remaining true to the spirit of the characters. This story seems like something that was discussed over several beers and a triple dog dare to be put to paper. I thought it was a hoot.

::::::::::::::Family Camping/Climbing*****

Michael took us all to Sand Rock, Alabama to go camping and rock climbing. I'll post some more photos and tell some stories tomorrow.

What's Up

My love and hugs go out to my stepmother, Alice, who is in the hospital. I was able to speak with her and they aren't sure why her blood pressure is so low. I'm glad Katherine and Tracy are close by to check on her. Also, to my stepdad, Jim, with his tooth/jaw woes.:::::::Service Project


:::::::::::::More Strawberry Farm layouts::::








I've been reading books on critical thinking...Bologna (Baloney)Detectors, so to speak. I really enjoyed these books on the subject:






I like to think I'm getting a little farther along on the road to discerning the information I come in contact with each day.


::::::::::::::::The Movie Tavern---or Fun with my Mom::::

My mother took me out to the Movie Tavern in Tucker for my birthday. Neither of us had been there before. When you walk in you get in line and tell the cashier the movie and time, then order your meal. You are then given a number on a stand and go to your theatre and find a seat. Mom ordered chicken quesadillas and I got the turkey club wrap with side salad. The theatre was clean and the seats were comfy, but if you wear pantyhose and a skirt you may tend to feel like you are going to slide out onto the floor. At least, that is what my mom tells me. (I think pantyhose are products of Satan and his minions...this may run contrary to that whole critical thinking section preceding this review...but run with it.)
Right before the movie started we got our meal. We shared and agreed that both were delicious. So we give the Tavern's food and cleanliness high marks. The restroom was also clean and had those hand dryers that blow so hard that your skin ripples and dries your hands in 5 seconds. Those are the coolest!
Now to the movie. We chose to see "Wolverine". I'm glad the kids were not with us because it really isn't suitable for kids under 13. The chase scenes and explosions are expected, but some scenes are just too much for kids. Hugh Jackman is seen in his altogether (I would like to applaud Mr. Jackman for sticking to those rigourous workouts)but I don't think that is the best thing for kids to see. (The comparisons alone cover that). Kind folks are killed, so a big no for Rachel to see. She would be depressed the rest of the film. Overall, the film was what I expected. Not as cool as Star Trek, but still a cool action flick for the older crowd.

::::::::::::::::Court of Honor:::

I'm off to take Aaron to Court of Honor. He is going to help mow the grass in preparation for the evenings festivities. Then, we get to eat Mexican food. Michael, who is sick, will stay at home and make grilled cheese for the kids. Michael got sick from the nursery kids he watched for me when I went to In-gathering. He has finally passed it to Aaron and me, but Michael is much sicker. Well...I'm outta here.

Smiles

Takin' to Task

*edited after Girl Scouts. :::::::::::LIFE WITH NOAH::::: We, like many people, have a morning routine. Our routine puts us outside about 2 minutes before the school bus arrives. This morning the bus arrived about 7 minutes late. Noah happened to be wearing a long-sleeved white shirt, navy slacks and a tie (he would have you know that it was not clip-on)because his teacher told the students to dress nicely for their field trip to see a play at Georgia Tech. I stood with the kids as they boarded the bus. The bus driver closed the doors, then pulled forward a little and stopped to open the doors. He is an older gentleman and he looked to be laughing. He asked me, "Is the boy dressed up with a tie your kid?" I had to admit it...so I replied, "Yes." Then, he said, "Well he just checked his watch when he got on the bus and asked me why I was late. He looks like a little business man." I asked the driver if he had ever seen the show "Monk"?, and he responded, "Yes". I said, "Well, that is our Monk." We both laughed and off they went. One of the things Noah loves to do is say things really loud. Here is an example:
One other Noah story: We had Pack meeting last Wednesday. Brother Peterson, the Cubmaster, asked the boys, "Do you want to play a game?" To wit,Noah called out, "If it's for being noisy, I'll win." ::::::::::::::::Another Easter Layout:::::::: I'm off to pick up Eve from Daisy Scouts. Take care!

Burnin' Daylight

Hey folks! My dad always says that to tell people that times going by and you need to get to work. Well, I need to go for a walk and do housework, but I wanted to post some of the layouts I have been working on.









I still have to work on more zoo pages and the Easter pictures. We had a great time at my dad and Alice's house with my sisters, Katherine and Tracy. The kids loved the confetti, or cascarones, eggs the best. We think we might just hide the confetti eggs next year and have the candy in the house for them to get afterwards.

Eve got a tick on her neck at an Easter egg hunt the day before. The hunt took place in and near some woods. She asked me what the bump on her neck was and I said, "OHHHH MICHAEL, Eve's got a tick!" She was really brave while Michael grabbed a knife and slide the blade under the mouth part and put his thumb on the tick's head. He pulled and the tick let go after a brief tug. He hopped down and tried to wonder off, but I had Michael kill him. This upset Eve. She thinks that even ticks deserve to live. I, on the other hand, did not feel so inclined. They can play in the woods, but not on my family. From some of the tick pics I could find on line I think it was a male, but I'm not sure of the species. You may find Eve with a shirt, or poster that says, "Be Kind To Ticks Week", but I won't be at the rally.

We dropped by my mom and Jim's on the way home from the Easter festivities at dad's. The kids were refortified with bags of sugary treats. Grannies are the best!

:::::::::::::TESTING, TESTING...1, 2, 3...

Taylor kids 1, 2 and 3 are testing this week. They are taking the Criterion Reference Test. The reading portion was yesterday and I didn't hear any moaning and groaning, so I guess they felt okay about the questions.

:::::::::::::Time to Walk...
Daylights a wastin! Smiles!

Beautiful, Breezy Monday

:::::::::Today::::::
I took my normal route to, around and from the park. It was so beautiful today. There was a bit of a cold breeze, but thanks to my trusty sweatshirt life was fine.

:::::::::Yesterday::
I had a rather calm day with the nursery kids at church. Michael came into help and so did a couple of moms. We have a really nice assistant that held our one that wanted to weep. We also have a resident grandpa that keeps the peace. Michael gave the lesson on The Good Samaritan. After book reading the children colored pictures about loving each other. We ended the day by "Walking in the Forest". A fun pretend way to go on a trip and be different animals. Our potty training kid had to opportunities for success, so all around a great couple of hours.

I called my stepmom, Alice, because we had the day open and she said, "Come on down!" She made some bbq chicken, carrots and steamed rice with veggies. My dad has been working hard and not feeling too well. Michael sat with him and watched NASCAR. Michael also played his new guitar. It's a Breedlove and he loves having the cutout and it resonats better than Aaron's beginner's guitar. The kids were good and it was fun to talk with my sister, Katherine. I helped Alice load some family photos she received and she let us put them on our computer too. Michael has them on his laptop, so when he sends me the files I will post a couple of photos. There were a few of the cutest brown-eyed brother of mine when he was a toddler. There were also a few with my dad as a kid and young adult. Fun stuff!


Another Valentine's Day layout from Noah's Party:


:::::::::::::::Book Review:::::::::

Half Magic by Eagerly was a cute book, but not timeless. The book would probably be more fun to just read out right. The kids and I didn't like the Reader's Theatre concept with the discordant voices. We all decided we prefer a narrarator style. The book is about an adventure undertaken by 4 siblings with an old, magic coin. So, if you like adventure stories with magic you would probably enjoy this one.

Must go now! Take care! :)

Interesting Weekend

::::::::::::::::Congratulations:::::::::
To my brother and sister-in-law on the birth of their second child, a boy, on Halloween. Marcus, another of Michael's brothers, suggested calling the baby "Boo". Benjamin and Missy declined, but I have a sneaking suspicion that this may be a favorite nickname.

::::::::::::::::My Dad Called:::::::::::
This is an unusual occurrence that had both of us laughing. He called to check on us and let me know that his sister, Doris, has terminal lung cancer. My dad is the middle of nine kids and he dearly loves his family and he is very sad. My stepmom, Alice, went to see her. I'll try to find out more information, this week.

::::::::::::::::Busy Friday:::::::::

My day was full on Halloween...along with everyone elses, I guess. Here was my schedule:

Wake kids,
Feed them,
take Rachel and Charles (the neighbor boy) to school early for Christmas Musical practice
Go back home and get Eve and Noah on the bus
Get Aaron on the bus
drive to Walsmart for pipe cleaners (I forgot to buy them earlier)
Ride bike to elementary school
sign in... drop off pipe cleaners
Grab some yearbook checks and process the paperwork
take pictures of 4th grade field day
run in for 30 minutes to help with Book Fair set up
eat a chocolate glazed doughnut
Go back to the field and take photos of 3rd grade field day (Noah's class)
run to Eve's Kindergarten class to help with Halloween crafts for 45 minutes
***Potty Break***
run to the field to take photos of 5th grade field day (Rachel's class)
run back inside to help with Noah's class crafts for 30 minutes
stop by the art room and check on caricatures for the yearbook drawn by the art teacher
found out about a pie throwing contest at 3pm.
stay and take photos
grab purse and more yearbook stuff
jump on my bike and race home to beat the school bus
eat a non-healthy bowl of chocolate ice cream
greet the kids at the bus and yell, "I WON! I Beat the bus!"
Kids think I'm really weird...normal reaction

That was all finished by 3:45pm. Then came Halloween, which was surprisingly relaxed.

Michael left from work to be assistant quartermaster at the scout leader training. He told me he cooked all weekend. He was quite exhausted when he arrived home on Sunday, but he and I took Noah and Eve for a walk to the library and park. The kids only played for a short time because Eve popped the blister on her hand and a little girl puked all over the play area. Michael and I saw this little girl, about 5, go down a slide that some other children had covered in sand. She sputtered, walked to her dad (or grandpa) and puked at his feet. He didn't even get off his cell phone call. He stood up and walked her over to a different slide where she promptly puked again. He walked her over to the swings and asked her if she wanted to get on...still on the cell phone, mind you. As she wandered away from the swing I told Michael, "I bet he lets her puke in the sandbox". DING DING DING, Alex...what do I win?!? She puked in the sandbox. Michael and I called for Noah playing on the other side of the park and said we are going home. The dude finally got off the phone and got the little girl her shoes to take her home. What a blithering twit.

::::::::::::::::



:::::::::::::::Book Review::::::::::::::

I finally finished this book after a few months of off and on reading. I don't completely understand most of the explanations in the book, but I still enjoyed delving into the concepts. Who needs mind expanding drugs...just sit down and try to understand physics for the history major. The concepts of nano technology are mind blowing and relevant to more and more things. Kaku talks about such ideas as Harry Potter's invisibility cloak. Apparently, Harry would have to be melted down first, which, I believe, would be life threatening.
Kaku also explains why the Large Hadron Collider could not destroy the Universe, as some had feared. We don't have the technology to muster the Planck energy needed. "This is truly an unimaginably large number, a quadrillion times larger than the energy attainable with today's most powerful machine, the Large Hadron Collider..." He also discusses the different theories on parallel universes and time travel. Whoa, that is some crazy stuff...but I still think evil Spock with the crazy goatee was quite a cutie.
This book touches on so many fascinating concepts that are written about in science fiction stories and Kaku writes in a way most people can understand...(me, well, I still need a Babel Fish for my brain). Not light reading, but truly cool stuff!

::::::::::::Off to Walk...see ya later!