MOM CAN SHAKE IT, TOO

The kids always want a chocolate shake when they see a Sonic. Their food is really not that great so that's usually all we get from there...And the occassional cherry limeade for me. So, I decided that I could make a chocolate shake just as easily. Yes, it's quite simple but geez I used up a whole gallon of ice cream just making 3 shakes. And I had to clean up the mess afterwards instead of pulling out of the Sonic carport and then just dropping the cups in the trash. Hmmm...Convenience or Cleaning??? That is a big conundrum with us...And I don't do cleaning very well. I wish I liked it or at least stayed on top of it, but it's just not my thing (or Nathan's or Cole's or Brooke's). Our house looks good when I am prepared for someone to visit, but I am so embarrassed when someone shows up unexpectedly. You'd think I would have figured it out after 2 apartments, 3 houses, and a decade of marriage. It is definitely a goal of mine to improve on this fall when Cole and Brooke are both in school. Soooo...We shall see.

The kids said that I make good "Mom Shakes".

Nathan has suddenly gotten this kick for chocolate shakes, too. Usually he doesn't eat hardly any sweets at all. We took the kids for ice cream at Maggie Moo's a couple of weeks ago. He got one of their milk shakes and craves them way too often now. Uhhhh...So much for helping each other eat better.

MAY 18th - COLE'S ASSEMBLY

Cole had his awards assembly for the first grade. I didn't think he was at this school long enough to get an award but surprisingly he did. Instead of the awesome straight S for satisfactory status that we had before, he got all A's and one B (grrr...to the teacher for not giving him any leniency on something he never learned before). I won't even go into the ridiculousness of the grading system. Apparently, Texas focuses more on math and science while Tennessee focuses more on reading and writing. Yes, it makes total sense that a child should be able to write perfectly in between useless giant lines instead of knowing how to add and subtract quickly. I'll make sure we complete the one-inch-letter-height-handwriting book over the summer instead of reading or math or thinking or anything else that might benefit my child in the future. Ok, that's all I'm going to say about that. Now for some pretty pictures.

I think Cole got 5 awards in Kindergarten. Honor roll is just about the only award they give out here. I feel so bad that Cole had to miss out on the last part of the year with his wonderful teacher and all his friends in Texas.

It is actually a nice little trophy award thing. I was shocked to see that his actual name was on there, too. Check out the "vintage" desks. They look like they are the original ones from when the school first opened long, long ago.The principal announced at the assembly that we could take our kids home when it was over if we chose to do so. Can you tell Cole was excited about that?In just a couple of short months Brooke will have her back pack on, too....Mommy tears.
Cole ran straight to his video games after lunch and this is what Brooke did. Oh how I wish I could still jump as if my body were weightless the way a child does. I don't even think my feet get an inch off the ground any more.

Cole was suppose to go only three days of school the last week. He went home around noon after the assembly on Monday, went the full day Tuesday and watched movies, and should have had a half day on Wednesday. When I picked him up on Tuesday they asked if he was coming the last day. What? Why wouldn't he? Oh that's right, you don't have to bring them if you don't want to since they already have their report cards and won't be counted absent. Sure, why didn't I think of that all those years ago when I was in school? Right before bed, I decided it would be a waste of time to take him up there for a few hours just to watch movies with a handful of kids. Yes...First week day of sleeping in...Or so I thought.

MOTHER'S DAY

This Mother's Day was something out of the ordinary. It was not at all bad, just very different. Normally, we go to church with my family and then meet at my mom's for a big lunch where everbody eats way too much. There are 15 of us there and lots of noise from all the little cousins squealing and playing together. The sliding back door is open because there always seems to be someone going in and out of the backyard and someone gets annoyed with the sound of it opening and closing over and over again. Multiple conversations are going on at once and the concentration level is quickly lowering. After a couple of hours, the kitchen and the house are in mass chaos from all the cooking and kids. We shower Mom with gifts and love, try to clean up, and head our separate ways...Until the next family birthday or holiday.

Since we now live in the far east, the normal was not possible. However, my mom decided that she wanted to be with her favorite child for Mother's Day. Just kidding Tim and Brent...She loves us all equally...Blah, blah, blah. So, I did get to spend Mother's Day with my mom. I chose a new church to visit. It is so uncomfortable going to a place where no one knows your name. But we went and experienced what they had to offer, whether it was our taste or not, and got through it. The music was not my favorite but the preacher was actually a good speaker even though his sermon made Nathan and I feel badly about some of our parenting choices. Evidently, he was doing a 4 week parenting series but seriously could have planned it around a different day. That was very fitting on Mother's Day to get a long lecture about what we shouldn't be doing and such. Slightly depressing.
Cole actually took this picture. He did pretty good after about 20 takes. For some reason he couldn't keep the camera still and push the button at the same time. He kept insisting that it was right before he pushed it but, for some reason, our heads would be missing on the screen afterwards. He tried so hard though.Brooke was so not in the mood for pictures. I rarely allow anyone to take pictures of me so it was especially nice that she was being such a brat about having her picture taken with me....And on Mother's Day.

The only reason I put this on here is because it is the only picture with me and the kids together...Plus Cole looks really sweet. Nathan was nice enough to take the picture without a 1,2,3 warning. I need every second to prepare to adjust my hair around my fat face, fake my smile, and stick my neck out. He doesn't care to take lots of pictures for selection purposes though. He's more of the one and done type. Thanks...Appreciate it!

What a good picture...That I took I might add. My guys look so handsome.

We took all of these pictures while my mom put my kitchen to use preparing a wonderful lunch. The kids enjoyed getting so much attention from Grandpa playing outside. Without hesitation, he does the things we are too lazy to do sometimes.

While it was very nice to be able to spend Mother's Day with my mom, it was also bitter sweet. I did feel guilty that Nathan's mom was not enjoying the day with her youngest child the same way my mom was. I know that she was so very upset that we weren't there with her this special day or her birthday the week before. Normally, we would have spent the Saturday before at her house and enjoying the day together. Getting a card in the mail just does not compare to being able to hug your child. While we know she understands, it still makes you feel awful when you hear the sadness over the phone. However, the love is and will always be there, and we can all take comfort in knowing that...We just have to remind ourselves of it a little more often now.

OUR FIRST VISITORS

We had our first visitors here in Tennessee. Grandma and Grandpa came...And brought their little dog, too. I think as soon as we found out we were moving, Grandma was already planning to visit on Mother's Day weekend.

The kids were so excited when they saw their car pull up. They were jumping up and down and screaming, "They're here, they're here!"

We set up the guest quarters as best as we could in the office, but Ginger still chose to bed hop every night.

Brooke loved Ginger's attention and was quickly willing to trade in her big dog for a little dog that could sleep in her bed.

We've never really played hosts to guests for more than a night...And when we did, it was a niece or nephew. That's much different when the guests are your parents. While it was so very special for my parents to make the long drive to come and visit us, I have to admit that it was a little strange, too. Mom and Daddy, out of habit, always just do everything for you. It is hard to remember that the roles are supposed to be reversed now that we're all grown up. I forget to do things all day long and usually just get things done randomly, but that isn't very productive when you have guests that don't go about their day the same way. Actually, I'm sure it is down right annoying. It was a new experience for us all, but one that we will have many opportunites to improve on and be better prepared for before long.

MAY 5th - POPE SCHOOL MUSICAL

Cole's school did a little end of the year musical. It was really fancy in the portable gymateria or cafeterium or what ever you call it. All the grades stood there and sang five songs from High School Musical. The verses are a jumbled cluster of forgotten words, but the choruses are loud and clear. Impressive. Check Cole out during the choruses where he suddenly realizes that he knows the words. Obviously, he was told to be still, but I think he really wanted to release his inner Danny Zuko and bust out a wop ba-ba lu-mop a wop bam boom!

Brooke wore her High School Musical shirt to support her brother. Actually, it was a complete coincidence, but it sure looked like I was the thoughtful mom on top of things and perfectly planning everything with no sweat.