Joe's Birthday!

I know, I know, it's been forever since I posted regularly! But I've had a crazy, busy week. I left the house every day last week! EVERY DAY. It was awful.

Anyway, our favorite little blonde boy turned 7 yesterday! Grammie and Bobba had given us a gift to give to him on the big day, and Jeff and I had plans for him, too.

Joe's big haul from Grammie and Bobba was Star Wars Legos and clothes, including new church shoes, which he's been asking for forever!

 One gift we gave him was an invitation to his birthday party! He had no idea we were planning one for him, and since it's not for another couple of weeks, we gave him the invitation to surprise him.

The party will have a mad scientist theme, so I used an "invisible ink" trick to fill in the information on when and where. Here, Joe is revealing the answers.

What will it say??

Here's Joe realizing what the invitation means! An actual party, with actual friends!

Now he's opening our present to him - the Stars Wars Legos video game for the Wii.

He loves it!

I planned his cake for when the college people were over on Sunday night. Chocolate with chocolate buttercream icing.

Everyone singing to Joe!

As if it weren't a big enough day already, Joe also lost a tooth on his birthday and got a visit from the tooth fairy last night!

Hospitality

A few years ago, when Jeff and I began to be involved in the college ministry at our church, I wrote a blog post about hospitality. Today it's being featured on a site called Mentoring Moments for Christian Women. The post is called "Gourmet Meals or Ready Hearts?". Enjoy!

Little Chef

It's so hard to believe that Selah is already 18 months old! She's every inch the toddler, though, so it's not so hard to believe after all. She gets in to everything, exploring fearlessly, and screaming when she doesn't get her way. Yesterday, I let her "help" me in the kitchen and she had a blast!

"Would you like an espresso, Mother?"

New Shoes!

Little Selah-Bella has been in desperate need of shoes. She's been getting by on one pair that used to be Kaity's, that I had already glued back together once, and though still cute, baby needed a new pair of shoes! And for a little one who LOVES her some shoes, I felt kind of bad for depriving her of the joy of a new pair. Anyway, she got 'em!

Ack! Aren't they the sweetest things?

I wish you could hear her saying, "Shoes?", entreating me to put them on her adorable little feet.

She wants to wear them all the time. ALL THE TIME. But my favorite time is when she's wearing only a diaper ... and her shoes. It's so  ... toddler!

Water Park!

Last week, Grammie and Bobba surprised us with an invitation to meet them at a water park in Greenville, SC. We were thrilled to join them!

Joe's turn on the waterslide!

Now it's Kaity's turn!

And of course, Bobba had his turn!

Selah loved the water! Kicking and splashing really tuckers a girl out, though!

My sweet baby.

Taking a break from playing to fuel up on sugar!

My silly kids. Bobba is wearing Selah's bloomers on his head!

It was a wonderfully fun trip to the water park, and a nice finale to summer! I don't have a definitive date set yet on when to start back to school, but I think we're all ready to get back to the comfort of our routine.

Drama Camp 2011

Last week, Kaity participated in a Drama Camp sponsored by our local theatre group, The Cold Sassy Players.

Side Note: The group takes its name from a novel called Cold Sassy Tree by Olive Ann Burns, who based her novel on  "Harmony Grove" - our town's name before it was changed to Commerce. Burns was born not far from Commerce, and moved there as a child.

Kaity was a part of the camp last year, and loved it so much she wanted to do it again this year. She invited her friend Katie to come along, and both girls had a ball! The play this year was set in a nursing home. The storyline revolved around an elderly man and those who interacted with him.

Kaity the saleswoman, visiting "Joe".

"Used car?"

"Hm, what else do I have for sale here ..."

The leopard who narrated the tale.

Kaity's friend, Katie, the "money-grubbing sister".

"Here, just sign this piece of paper signing all your money over to me."

Taking a bow!

Half the cast.

Receiving her CD of pictures and a certificate.

We brought her flowers.

Practicing her "Julia" smile.

Thing 1 and Thing 2

A couple of weeks ago, we changed gears a little bit from VW Beetles to VW Kubelwagens/Safaris ... otherwise known as Things. There was a Thing show up in Hiawassee and we thought we'd check it out. The little ones enjoyed some time with Nannie and Papa while our friends Kris and Jacob went along with us for the ride.

Well, to be honest, Jeff and Kris went and let Jacob and me tag along.

This one was my favorite.

This car had a Thing 1 and Thing 2 theme from Cat in the Hat.

Kris, inspecting on of the Things.

One of these Things is not like the other ...

Selah Loves Daisy!

Obviously, Daisy loves her, too! Just look how much she's enjoying herself!

Going in for the hug ...

Coloring with Kaity

One day last week, Kaity sat down with paper and crayons and let Selah color with her.

"Look, Mommy, I'm coloring!"

Goin' to Jackson

Our sister-in-law Jennifer is visiting for a couple of weeks from Colorado and we had the chance to see her and Jackson a few days ago.

I think Jackson looks like his Daddy in this picture!

Selah constantly wanted to give him kisses. He was not so much a fan.

Nannie with the two babies!