Last Day Of School...

This was a fun and long day for me. 4 kids at one school, means lots of parties to jump around to. But it was exciting to celebrate with all of them.



Raegan and her Pre-K teachers Mrs. Graves (right) and assistant teacher, Mrs. Leigh.













Ammon loves to come to school. This is Raegan's favorite center...housekeeping.

Kindergarden Graduation. Here is Tarin up front in her class as the entire Kindergarden classes (3 other classes) all sing.


Tarin wanted to show me her graduation diploma. This is the nicest set up I've seen. Really cool...for kindergarden.

Tarin and her buddies, Sydney May and Kindra.

Tarin and her teacher Mrs. Moen.

Jarom's class put on a short play called the "Pollinators". He was a moth. He had to memorize quite a bit in a short time, because his part got switched around. He never asked for my help, so I was proud that he was able to memorize it perfectly on his own.

Jarom and his buddy Sam.

Jarom and his teacher Mrs. Gossett.

After having a picnic outside Mrs. Gossett made a room-sized banana split for all of the kids. Wow!


Rian had awards a day or so ago and didn't tell me...I guess she is definitely growing up. But I did make it to her last day of school ice cream party. She loves having Ammon around.

Ammon loves it too!

He's A Bobcat!

Jarom and daddy have worked hard to get his first badge...and become a bobcat! Yeah, this scouting stuff, I don't know it. I grew up around it (having 7 brothers and all) but never knew the details...so here goes a trail of new territory for me.

Here is the bobcat tradition to be held upside down while presented with the bobcat badge.

I, being mom, get to have some of the honor by getting a pin too. It was actually kind of exhilarating. I wore it with pride.

Memorial Day

Monday was a fun day. It started out kind of rocky...the plan was to go swimming and festivities, but rain changed all of that. Many events were cancelled. Yep, the kids were mad at us...this is the 3rd weekend in a row that rain prevented swimming fun! I think they are skeptical for any future swimming plans. We did decide to try our luck with the Senoia Memorial Parade. This little town is one of my favorite towns, with its real southern charm and cute homes. We had fun strolling its' main street and looking at all the nick knacks. Without kiddos, I'd be there all day checking it out...but after a little while, it was on to something else. We took the kids to see the new Night at the Museum Movie.


And yes, we did cut his hair. Poor kid was starting to look like a girl...a cute one though. All of those curls are gone. I hope they come back, even a little. He's actually looks older to me. He really does look like his older brother when he was a baby. Such flashbacks! Lots of getting use to.

New Addition...or Victim?

Check back in a few days, there just might be a post about a death in the family...Meet...SWIMMY! Yep, that's the creative name our kids came up with. Trent and I figured it was an easy pet that we don't have to fence in a whole acre for. Cleaning the tank shouldn't be too hard for one fish and feeding him, for now won't be forgotten. They are so excited.

He is our Beta fish, that will keep life interesting. Rotating days of responsiblity is how we are approching it, since (for now) they all want to feed him.

The kids love the tank. It has a light and bubbles. Good think Ammon isn't old enough to climb onto counters, he would be our kitty cat swipping for Swimmy, he if fascinated by him.

Later in the day, we had our grocery shopping to do, and came back with a few more toys for our new little guy. Hope he feels welcomed.

Dry Skin Quiz

Which of these products help excessively dry skin?!





Crisco wasn't my first choice either...but the doctor says some of my kiddos have a condition with extremely sensitive skin; they have dry "rash-like" skin. Also he says it's the cheapest per oz when compared to other products they could use. So after showers I lube them up with Crisco...don't worry I stayed away from the butter flavored kind. The comment, "Let's go fry them up," keeps coming up too.

On top of this whole sensitive skin issue, my poor Jarom had gone through an ordeal last week with poison ivy. I didn't think to get a picture, because the poor guy looked miserable. With all the new growth in our woods and nice weather, the kids have been busy outside. Well, Jarom and Rian were playing in the leaves last Tuesday and it wasn't until Thursday I became aware of anything. Because Jarom will have spontaneous outbreaks of hives, we have Benadryl handy. So Thursday morning he mentioned being itchy on his neck and face and we noticed around his eyes getting red...just though he was rubbing them real hard. Gave him a swig of Benedryl and sent him off to school. I went in to help in the classrooms that day (first stop was Tarin's class). Next thing I know, Jarom comes in with a note from his teacher asking what I thought. Maybe it was the lighting or it just flared up big time, but he looked like he had a red mask around his eyes...his teacher just wanted to make sure it wasn't chicken pox...I guess that's going around...the school nurse and I thought his allergies were manifesting...

To make a long story shorter, I took him to the doctor and I guess he is allergic (drum roll) to poison ivy! Maybe I'm not educated enough on this, but I though everyone would have a reaction to poison ivy, but only those who are allergic will get a reaction. Makes sense, because Rian didn't have any reaction. Poor kid got some in his eyes and is now on steroids to clear up his eyes and rashes. We are using crisco to soften his skin and to help prevent other irritations that could come from this condition, like bug bites...in other words he won't have such a flare up of irritations if we keep his skin healthier. Glad he's doing better this week!

Northgate CheerLeading Camp

Rian had the opportunity to do a few days of cheer leading camp at Northgate High School. She absolutely loved being around the high school girls and learning something new. It was for ages 5-12. Tarin asked to do it next year, along with Raegan.

Can you spot Rian...good luck!

I wasn't able to get any great pictures, because the lights were dim due to a power outage...stormy day. I figured video footage was more important. Here she received her award and treat.

Garden Is Growing

Although we planted later then recommended, we are well underway to having a productive season. The first batch of corn is taking root, and many other plants are starting to thrive after the transplant. All BUT the tomatoes, bell peppers and marigolds were started from seed in seperate containers.



Tomato plants have sweet little flowers for the bees to buzz around.

Bell peppers already have a few buds of produce.

The corn is already being scowered by the kids...they want corn on the cob...NOW! They still have many moons before the fruits of our labors are consumed.

Pumpkin plant is groomed for much space and the vision of jack-o-lanterns are dancing in the heads of the little ones.

Nope, these are not weeds...but little carrot sprouts. If the kids remember NOT to step on them, they just might make it to full growth!

This little cabbage has a legacy that has baffled many of us. It started out as a project from school...some competition that Bonnie plants holds every year...well, if we had planted sooner it would have been nice and snuggly in the ground long time ago. Well, it sat in its' cup and may have been neglected from water a few times...so our daughter kind of just threw it over the deck in the yard, washing her hands of it. Over more then a week and lots of rain later, I spotted the plant on it's side still holding on! I couldn't believe it. The roots were down to nothing, but it still was trying to stay alive...talk about hardy! So I decided to put it in the ground in my daughters portion of the garden and...look at how beautiful it is. Every one of use are just amazed...even my daughter shakes her head now and then when she is out observing. What a neat lesson we should take from this...

Here is just one of the kids sunflower plants. They are so excited!

You can't have a garden without signs of kids around...I'm not sure if they were trying to grow a stick...

Mother's Day Update--Gotta Brag

Okay, who couldn't brag a little about this! I have to give my hubby props for doing this every year! And as the kids get older, they get better at it. I love to be pampered by my kiddos! First they came to me with menu options for breakfast...it was wonderful. Then they gave me a spa treatment. Hopefully they respect me a little bit more after every Mother's Day...because I can see the enthusiasum in their expressions, and it absolutely warms my heart. (I vote for a Mother's Day once a month...) BTW Trent was attempting to use the camera, and I forgot to show him the focus...but he did a good job. :o)

MANICURE

Here we have Rian and Raegan giving me a hand message. I gave them a few pointer..."it's okay to squeeze harder..." I think they were afraid to hurt me...with those little hands, they did a fabulous job!

Next, Raegan paint my fingernails! It was so adorable to see her try. Let's just say a secret meeting of touch up was necessary before church started. She was so sweet attempting to make me beautiful.

FACIAL

Scary, I know. But I had to show I had a facial as well. They all thought I looked like a monster. We will just say there were a few jokes cracked throughout the event.

MASSAGE

Tarin got her turn with Rian to message my legs and arms. Yep, I wore a swim suit for this ordeal. I was a little skeptical when they first ran in with my suit...

PEDICURE

Yep, they even touched my feet! Wow, they loved washing my feet. How sweet is that.

Jarom even exfoliated! He's going to be a great husband some day!

Did I mention that he even painted my toe nails...!

To top it all off I got a bouquet of
"hand" flowers from all of my kids in Primary...4 kids, makes a good size bouquet.

Time Out

I had the opportunity to attend my first Time Out for women. I left Friday afternoon with a friend, Heather Wright, and drove 3 hours to Columbia, South Carolina. We checked into our hotel and headed over to downtown for the gathering of many ladies. We heard from Michael McLean, Kenneth Cope and Mark Mabry. Then we headed out for dinner at the Olive Garden. So nice to enjoy a night out...out of town. The next morning, sleeping in, a good breakfast at the hotel and back to downtown, we heard from Brent Top, DeAnn Flynn, Emily Freeman, Kenneth Cope and a few others. It was a fun environment...! For lunch we walked to a cute Mexican restaurant and loved relaxing the afternoon away. After a few more events, we headed back out on the open road toward Atlanta. After about an hour out of Augusta...well, let's just say we were busy talking and didn't realize I never stopped for that much needed gas fill up like I intended to when we got out of the big city...yep, we ran out of gas! Uhm, this never happens to me. I'm pretty good about being on top of this kind of stuff. As I'm laughing at myself, and ROLLING off to the side of the road, we realized we don't know where, in the middle of nowhere, we were. We had just passed Lake Oconee a few minutes before, but that was all we knew. Good thing it was still daylight, so we set out and started to walk for the next exit to find out where we were, so we could call for help. Of course, two girls walking with truck flashing its' hazard lights...someone stopped. Scary, but we were careful not to get in or offer too much information. Turns out these cute older gentlemen drove 10 miles to Madison went to two stores (because gas cans were a rip off price) and filled up 2 gallons of gas, came all the way back, cut across the grassy median and gave our truck a thirsty gulp. We were able to make it to Madison and fill the tank to a comfortable level to get us back to our final destination : Home Sweet Home. It was a fun adventure and I had a great time. A great start to my Mother's Day weekend.

Thank You!

It was so great to have grandparents in town. Just wanted to let them know that we all had a great time and we will miss you. Looking forward to July!

Thanks for wonderful memories and wonderful support. We love you.

Baptism Day

Jarom Tannar Wardwell was baptised May 2nd, 2009. What a wonderful and beautiful day! Jarom had the pleasure to share that day with Tyler Cotrell and Annika Pulsifer. It was so nice to plan that day with 3 others. It was very refreshing to come together as families and celebrate such a sacred ordinance.

Table with three baptism books to be signed, and programs.

Eating refreshments.

Ammon loves his Gpa Wardwell.

Jarom had gotten scriptures with his name on it from Gma and

Gpa Palmer, a scripture case with accessories from Gma and Gpa Wardwell, and a Faith in God booklet. He also had gotten his scouting book and uniform... I need to put a picture of him wearing his hat...he wears it everywhere! I guess he's excited.

Afterwards, we all went out to Red Robin for dinner. This is the little guy snaking some of my Guacamole burger...he was a bit upset that he didn't get a burger!

Wasn't the last bite...