Dorks Unite!!!

I must admit our eleven year old daughter rocks!  Too bad her parents are DORKS! 

MJK's teacher calls earlier in the week to let us know MJK is receiving the Rotary Student of the Quarter award at the school-wide morning meeting on Friday.  This is a surprise to MJK.  So...her dad and I concoct a plan...

Today is THE day.  Dad drops her off in the circle at school and secretly parks by the dumpster.  I follow in my car at a safe distance and meet Dad at the appointed rendezvous spot.   We exit our vehicles and stroll into the gymnasium with smug smiles on our faces like proud Secret Service agents.  This would be the point when her teacher looks at us and says, "They already presented MJK with the award!" 

Thanks goodness the teacher and principal took pity on us and graciously re-enacted the presentation of MJK's special award.  While I am sure MJK was a bit mortified by the whole situation, I had to get the photo for the scrapbook.  Am I right?

Family Game Night

A few nights ago our oldest son brought his girlfriend over for supper and family game night.  His dad worked tirelessly for an hour and a half before their arrival making an impressive "Breakfast for Supper" spread.  After a filling meal of pancakes, sausage, bacon, scrambled eggs, bisquits and hashbrowns I volunteered to clean up the kitchen while everyone else kicked off game night with SCRABBLE. 

Dad deemed himself "official judge" as the kids picked their letter tiles and settled in.  Big brother and girlfriend (Jerremy and Erica) are 21, little brother (Jarrod) is 15 and little sister (Mary Jae) is 9. While Erica has never played Scrabble.  Jerremy and Mary Jae are both incredibly articulate. Jarrod is very laid back and just goes with the flow.

The game started slow and easy.   As play progressed Jarrod and Mary Jae occasionally found themselves stuck.  So...I would sneak around my sink full of dishes and lend my assistance.  On one such occasion I suggested Jarrod add H-O-E-S to a blank tile Mary Jae previously designated as "S".   From his seat at the kitchen table he looked up at me in confusion and whispered in my ear, "Uh, I thought that was a bad word."

I LOVE that my 15 year old is still innocent enough to care...I LOVE that we had a family game night...I LOVE that my kids want to spend time together...I Love that this still makes me laugh days later.

KIDS AND SUMMER

We had an amazing week at vacation bible school. I am a HUGE proponent of VBS, because it really pumps the kids up and reminds them that YES---JESUS LOVES ME. After four strong days of bible school our eight-year-old kept singing the VBS songs during big-brother's baseball game. Finally she looks at me and says, "I just can't get these songs out of my head! Is that the idea?" She gets it!...and so does every other child that will hum their VBS songs all summer long. I LOVE THAT ABOUT KIDS AND SUMMER.

MAKING MEMORIES AT THE ZOO II

On a recent trip to the zoo five-year-old Carter stopped to admire the lions. The large cats were sunning themselves on a slab of rock supported by two tall columns of rocks. Carter turns to his mom and says, "Look! The lions are sleeping on a bunk bed!"

Tune in tomorrow to find out what sound two-year-old Max thinks EVERY animal at the zoo makes!

MAKING MEMORIES AT THE ZOO

We pull up to the entrance of the zoo on a bright, crisp spring morning. The mommies are friends. The kids have been friends for life. It is sure to be a day full of making warm memories. My eight year old says in a sweet sentimental voice, "Know what my favorite memory from the zoo is?" One of the mommies responds, "No, what?" Jae's BEST memory: "The zebras peeing."

That was the first blog worthy moment of the day. Obviously this will be my first installment of MAKING MEMORIES AT THE ZOO. Check back tomorrow to find out what Carter thinks the lions sleep on.

FOODS 101

My 14-year-old son Jarrod had to make dinner for the family as a project in his FOODS class. He made macaroni & cheese, hot dogs, and smoothies. Sent him to the utensil drawer to get out the tongs...came back with the mellon baller. Sent him to get the table spoon measuring spoon...came back with a teaspoon utensil. Tried to put water in the macaroni and cheese AFTER he boiled and drained it. BUT....he really did a fantastic job. It was nice just hanging out in the kitchen cooking together. His big brother, Jerremy, and I use to cook together. Forgot how much fun it is cooking with my kids.

Quote of the night. When smoothies were made to drink Jae tasted hers and said, "I think we made LUMPIES."

BONDING

Say a little prayer for my Brownie troop, everyone. We will be going on our very first camping trip tomorrow. The weather today is a gorgeous and sunny 66 degrees. The forecast for tomorrow is wet and rainy with a chance of SNOW...temperatures in the 40s.

My Brownie: "Who is riding to the camp grounds with us?"
Me: "Well, Denise and Madelyn might as well ride with us."
My Brownie: "It will be a good bonding experience."
Me: "Oh, you mean with you and Madelyn or Me and Denise?"
My Brownie: "No,Mom... me and you."

My little toes may be cold, but my heart is warmed!

PLAYIN' HOOKY

As a former teacher, I don't usually endorse skippin' school. But...my youngest daughter skipped school today and took off with me and Grandma to spend the day in our state capitol. We had a fabulously stress fee day just being with each other. I would highly recommend PLAYIN' HOOKY every once and a while with the ones you love. Even if you have to just PLAY HOOKY from your chores. You won't regret all the warm memories(and future scrapbook pages)made.