Tball Time!

This is James' second tball game... He had two solid hits and even tagged a runner out when he played first baseman. He's loving it! 

Maiden Voyage

Introducing the Wagaboo... My new boat! Brannon and the kids bought me jewelry for Mothers Day, but I decided I'd much rather have a small boat I can take the kids fishing in so I took the jewelry back and went boat shopping. We launched her for the first time this afternoon. And on my inaugural fishing trip, I caught 9 sunfish and 3 bass. The kids are looking forward to going fishing tomorrow! 

Last Day of Swim Lessons

This past Monday was the last day of swim lessons for the kids. They've been taking lessons since January and have made a lot of progress...Madeleine and James can both swim across the pool with a freestyle stroke and Charlotte is great at kicking and jumping in all by herself. Charlotte was very sad that swim lessons were ending, but all three are excited that the community pool opens this weekend. I am sure we will be visiting it frequently this summer. 

Pool Party

Saturday afternoon Madeleine attended a birthday party for three girls in her class. They had a pool party at a grandparent's house with a DJ and cute flip flops as party favors. They girls had a ton of fun swimming, dancing, and jumping off the rocks into the water. The backyard was a fabulous place to have a party - we are so lucky to have such great friends in our class!

Mini Beach Vacation

Yesterday we spent the afternoon at the Bass Pro World on Lake Ray Hubbard. 

The main purpose of the trip was to buy me a little boat to take to the lake so I could take the kids fishing. The kids loved looking at all the animals and fish aquariums while we were there and had lots of fun playing in the boats. I think their favorite thing, though, was playing on the little sand beach outside the restaurant. They probably spent at least an hour digging and building sand castles while Brannon and I sat on a bench enjoying the view of the lake. It was a fun little mini vacation for the afternoon. 

Jim & Christie Long Reception Pictures

Here are a few pictures from my cousin's wedding reception this past weekend...

Aunt Peggy, Dad and Mom

my cousins Colleen and Jim with the two flower girls from their wedding

the Gormley/Stanley clan in attendance

Aunt Peggy with six of her seven kids

Mama's New Shoes

Brannon bought me a new pair of running shoes (no, they are not Mother's Day Present, thank goodness). He says he was going for subtle. :-P

Strict Mommy

I found this on Brannon's side of the bed this evening... I guess she did not like being disciplined for fighting with her brother and then for slamming her door when she was sent to her room. I find it rather amusing that she thinks her Daddy could make me less strict. Baby, I was born this way! :-)

American Girl Party

Madeleine and Charlotte attended their first party at the American Girl store this weekend. Both girls brought their dolls dressed in matching dresses and had dinner with their friends and dolls. Charlotte was so excited to be included with the "big girls"! And by dumb luck, I left my wallet at home and so we managed to get out of the store without buying a bunch of new stuff! :-)

Thursday Tennis

JeanMarie and I took a tennis lesson together this morning (before it rained, thankfully!).  We ended the lesson with a little match and she is somehow under the impression that she won.  Of course, I would hate to have to bust her bubble and let her know I intentionally lost so she wouldn't feel bad...  We both laughed when the coach asked: "Y'all aren't very competitive, are you?"  :-)

Our Little Artist

Yesterday the girls in Madeleine's class had a painting party at the Zhen Music and Arts Institute (where Madeleine takes piano). Zhen had 16 girls creating Jackson Pollock style splatter paintings. Needless to say, it was messy! But the girls had a blast. Madeleine can't wait to take an art camp there this summer

Slumber Party

The girls are having a slumber party in Madeleine's room tonight. Madeleine has enough stuffed animals to make a decent bed for the both of them. And who knew an easel would be so fun to sleep under?

Worms!

We went to visit Grandmother and Granddad Stanley on Tuesday afternoon and discovered that Granddad has started a worm farm. Madeleine dug around a bit in the dirt until she found one - Granddad has some really big worms growing on his farm! James finally mustered up enough courage to at least touch the worm. Charlotte, on the other hand, had no desire whatsoever to even get near it. We will have to work on her and her aversion to crawly things.