Mind

Yoda, "My mind is shaking"
Me, "your mind is shaking?"
Yoda, "Yes, sometimes my mind shakes."

Plants and something awesome

Me, "I bought snap dragons, but I neglected them so they died"
My sister Tina, "You're a dragon slayer!"

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[video]

Yoda, "I'm gonna do something awesome!"  *Bam!*  *Squeak!*
Me, *giggle*

Summer eggs

We have fun with egg recipes, here's one we're trying this summer...

Shirred Eggs with Toast Soldiers (recipe here)

Me, "I can't remember what the eggs are called but the toast is called 'toast soldiers.'"
Parker, "Why is the toast called 'soldiers'?"
Me, "Because they are little lines like soldiers."
Parker, "Well maybe we should call these 'Army eggs' then."

 

S'mores

 Yoda posed like this

 Look at the concentration on that face!  

Last Day 2016

Parker, last day of 7th grade 2016

 I actually got up early to get this photo of Parker before he got on the bus--6:35 am!

I never got a good photo of Parker at the beginning of the school year, but I did snag this photo of him leaving super early on his first day. 

 I was feeling so victorious about Parker's photo, I totally spaced it and didn't get photos of Mimi or Yoda in the morning of their last day!  doh!  

So here's Mimi on the day after the last day of 4th grade, 2016.

 And Mimi on the first day of 4th grade, 2015

 And Yoda just after school (he gets home at 10:55 from 1/2 day kindergarten). 

Last of Kindergarten, 2016

And Yoda just before the first day of Kindergarten, 2015.  

And here he is on the second to last day safely crossing the street after getting the all-clear from Miss Cindy, the bus driver. 

 We invited some of our buddies over for some summer fun.  

Side Story: We had to cut things short because Mimi had a therapy appointment.  (She's doing vision therapy to improve her reading skills.)  It's about a 25 minute drive, we got there on time, but then waited and waited.  I finally asked about the delay.  When the receptionist did a little investigating she found out that the therapist was in a car accident and we'd have to cancel the appointment!  Ouch!  I'm glad I was kind about our delay, you never know what someone else is going through!   She's fine, though, thank goodness.  

 Light sabers and blasters at the ready...

So long 4th grade! 

Star

 Parker received his Star rank in Boy Scouts, he's already pretty well along for his Life rank.

 One morning I came down and couldn't find Yoda, then he popped his head up from behind all the breakfast stuff! 

 Mimi made a cute play-dough cake and Yoda needed to photo bomb. 

May so far...

May... it's hard to keep up, but it's nice to be busy!

 Spring soccer for Yoda--he's the one up front by the ball without a Mohawk.

 Mother's Day

Spring concerts

(video)

Parker is one of two boys in the 7th grade choir, that's bold if you ask me.  His teacher is out on maternity leave--she often has them sing traditional folk songs and very cool and complicated foreign songs.  Her substitute had them sing some modern pop songs.  Although it may just be a thing they usually do for the Spring concert.  

(I'll try to get the orchestra concert to load sometime...probably after May)

 Field hockey in the off season is indoors to keep up their skills

 A hike with Sonya, a perfect birthday day

 Yummy cake! 

The House Button

Yoda had a great idea.  What if you could press a button and a robot would build you a new house. Awesome, right?

Yesterday morning Yoda gave Valerie the first step.  The button.

 

He took this picture. He told me to put it in a word document that said "Press this Button." He then demanded that I laminate it.

So Valerie got a laminated picture of the button that will tell the robot to build her a new house.

Complicated? Check.
Convoluted? Check.
Adorable? Check.

Family Room After

This is the view from the eating area...

If you step in and look left you see my dedicated crafiness area...

Take a seat on our new comfy couches! 

The fireplace surround that Greg and I put together. 

And looking back into the (messy) kitchen from the fireplace...


Here's the SHORT story:

• Wall Color: Benjamin Moore -- Polar Ice
• The Fireplace: built shelves and surround
• New blinds
• New couches
• Craft Corner: it has grown a little
• Toys: all toys are located in the family room now--no more toys in the living room
• Rug: brought the rug in from the living room to save cash
• Popcorn Ceiling: I tore it down! 
• Elliptical: We use that elliptical almost everyday
• Ceiling Fan: Updated the fan a few years ago
• TV: oh, yeah and a new tv
• New flooring--goodbye old dusty carpet! 

We could use more art on the walls, that will come someday...


Family Room Before, way before...

 

Back in 2010 -- See that baby Yoda? 

 

 Inspiration photos on the wall

Here's the LONG story...

• Wall Color: I like blue walls, they are soothing and remind me of a clear sky.  I LOVE Buxton Blue from Benjamin Moore, but wanted something a little different in this room.  

• The Fireplace: When we moved in there was a mantle that we didn't think much about.  Then one day we realized it wasn't attached to anything.  I screwed in some 'L' brackets and waited for inspiration.  Some years later I found I couldn't stand to look at the holes that a previous owner had drilled into the brick.  I tried to fill them in with caulking, but it still bugged me.  Then one day I told Greg I was going to paint the brick to hide the ridiculous holes.  He has very few opinions when it comes to what I want to do in the house, and this was one.  He did not want to paint the brick.  Although I don't agree, I can respect that, so I compromised and said we must figure out how to hide the holes in the brick somehow.  We came up with a solution that didn't involve drilling anymore holes in the bricks and I got book shelves in the family room as a bonus!   

• New Blinds: There were curtains when we moved in, I put up huge blue ones to change things up, but ultimately decided that I didn't want curtains anymore.  We hired a guy to put up these blinds and we've liked them mostly, but I think I may change them to some of those encased blinds that don't collect dust.  

• New Couches: If you know me, you know I move slowly with big purchases.  It has to be the right thing.  We looked for years for something just right.  On a whim and a little desperation, we walked into a store that I thought I'd never see anything I like and these felt just right.  Not too pricey -- if we trash them in a few years I won't feel too bad.  But not so cheap -- we won't totally trash them before their time (not sure if that makes sense to anyone but me)

• The Craft Corner: I need this space.  Some things I could probably do without, but I find peace in this space.  Somehow the kiddos leave my stuff alone if it's here, it's like a miracle.  We did a bunch of changes in the computer area, so we had the old computer cabinet up for grabs.  I almost thought about giving it away, but decided it would be perfect for the craft area.  I can hide most of the clutter and stay mostly organized.  I still love my sewing table, it was a victory purchase from the Habitat for Humanity ReStore.  I don't always find success there, but this was a win!  

• Toys: it's a family room, it needs toys, but they needed a better location.  We got that cool red cabinet from IKEA.  I think it's called a linen cupboard, but I've seen it used as a tv stand.  We use it for games and toys.  I love having games ready at a moment's notice.  And it fits most of the Legos and toys.  We also have the 9-cube-bin-shelf thing in the back corner.  That's more for messy toys like play dough, paints, crafts and toys with lots of pieces.  I like to have it on hand and easy to put away without it being a drag either way.  

• Rug: Buying a new rug was giving me a headache, then I thought to put off the decision and just bring the rug in from the family room.  It's not perfect, it kinda just blends in with the couches, but it's soft and the right size and it will do for now.  

• Popcorn Ceiling: After tearing out the carpet and while waiting for the new flooring to be installed I realized that I had time to take down the popcorn.  I've learned a lot since I've tried it in other rooms and this room was a success.  I don't regret the sore muscles at all!  

• Elliptical:  Perhaps it's an eyesore, but we use it all the time.  I looked for a while to find something that would fit our budget and the space we had, success.  

• Ceiling Fan: Perhaps it is also an eyesore, but we're so happy to have it on warm days.  I'm also glad I updated it a while back.  

• TV: We've entered the 00's a little late.  The best was when Parker brought a friend home and he immediately said, "uh, your TV is like, so old".  Again, a purchase as big as a TV was tough for me.  I don't like the look of HD and it often makes me motion sick--no joke.  Plus we have crazy kids and I fear they will knock that TV over any moment they are awake.  The TV stand is from our favorite unfinished wood store that was going out of business, I was sad to see it go.  

• New Flooring:  This is the longest story of the room.  I'm slowing pulling up carpet in the house.  The family room has been the hardest to decide what to put down since it's on a concrete slab. It's either laminate or carpet.  Since I don't like either, I couldn't buy something I didn't like.  --Some people dress up the concrete and it looks nice, but I'm not that bold.  Then one day I was at a store and they had laminate that looked almost like the hardwood floor in our living room, although the rooms don't connect I thought it would be nice have a little continuity between flooring the house.  (I still like the vinyl floor in the kitchen and front hallway.)  I ended up buying some at a store after months of indecisively looking at several stores, then some would be out of stock and I had to rethink everything again....  One day I took the plunge, bought the materials and went home thinking, "I can do this!"   Then I started looking at how-to videos and decided I could not do this.  I hired a guy and waited my turn for when he could come and do the install.  I had a dream that he would tell me that the flooring wouldn't work--it came true.  He asked me quietly from the other room why I had bought this particular flooring.  "because I liked the way it looked", his response was to look again.  The pieces wouldn't stay connected no matter what he did to them.  He helped me return that bad stuff and I went back to several stores to find a better flooring.  A job I thought would cost under $800 ended up costing way more.  Since then I have seen our flooring on many blogs and people love it.  I don't love it, but it's a quality flooring that work just fine.  

Mimi's dress

I'm working on finishing the family room, but it's too messy for photos just yet... fingers crossed for next Monday! 

I think she gets compliments or jokes every time she wears this dress, it's fun and cute.
This day was especially fun since she paired the dress with a bright orange jacket. 

 One day Yoda seemed a little off, so he curled up on the couch and fell asleep.  This does NOT happen for my kiddos unless they are totally sick.  I worried, but he woke up much happier. 

Then a few days later the same thing happened to Mimi, so weird!  But again, no sickness, just super tired from life's events I guess. 

It was all too cute! 

School Stuff

Yoda ran off the bus with a large roll of yellow paper sticking out if his backpack.  

Me, "What's that?"

Yoda, "It's my body!"

Me, "What?"

Yoda, "I'll show you...

 ...see, the kidneys are in the back."

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Mimi's April book report was Biography, with the suggestion that the student choose a person who is from Ohio and not alive anymore.  So we looked at Wikipedia and found a list.  I made an additional suggestion that Mimi pick someone who is also female.  (Although I've loved learning about the Wright brothers, and 8 presidents from Ohio, I felt we could branch out beyond the obvious.)  

We narrowed it down to three ladies but settled on Victoria Woodhull.  I'd never heard of her, but according to one of her biographers, she was well known in her day and pretty much forgotten until recently.  She was also the first woman to run for president, before women even got the vote!  

The teachers made an additional suggestion that the students could dress up like their person.  Mimi assured me that she did not want to dress up.  But the night before her presentation she changed her mind and totally assumed I would love taking care of a costume.  We searched our brains for anyone who had Victorian looking dress, but we were stumped!  So I set off for Goodwill and found this little number that worked well enough.  Her hair was a little tricky.  Neither Mimi, nor I like to do her hair, and we struggled with this little up-do.  But she ended up being pretty proud of it. Go, Mimi!

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How's Parker?  I'd like to know that too!  

He's gone so much with school, I miss him at home.  He did try his hand at stage crew this weekend for the school's talent show.  And although it might have been fun for some people, this parent had NO FUN AT ALL!  My child was happy to be a part of things, but I didn't get to see him in action, really, because he was backstage.  

So here's a photo of my giant child in his little brother's Kindergarten classroom a few weeks ago...

Our Trip to Birmingham

Starting out the photo montage. Deep fried Oreos.
Also at MELT.  We met Greg's friend from High School friend who just got married in one of the coolest ways.

Candy as a condiment option.

 They suggested our next stop.  Here's Mimi with a mini Vulcan statue--he'll show again later...

Playing at the Railroad park in Downtown.

 

16th street Baptist Church

 Can you see the Gibby's at the bottom of the stairs? 

Mimi and Yoda at Kelly Ingram Park where they pretended to be imprisoned for opposing Bull Connor.

The VHHS wrestling room.
Completed during Greg's Senior year to aid in learning how to "put him in a pretzel."

 (I circled Greg and his coaches in this photo, the same coaches from one photo up)
 

 

Greg's picture on the wall! 

(I wish we had pushed harder too see of the Math Team stuff around the school, but the school day was about to end and there was going to be a flood of high-schoolers, so we took off)

My dinner with Andre. Old wrestlers and their coach.  Later that same day. 

(Somewhere among all these days we also had dinner with another of Greg's wrestling friends, I'm bummed we didn't take more photos!)

 

We saw the May Family and left a gummy fish on the light switch. She bought the gummys specially for Greg!
She also gave Mimi a 'fairy house', so sweet. 

 

Tongue Tacos from a Truck. Awesome food and awesome name.

Steel City Pops and Teresa Kelly, Hi Teresa!



Saw's BBQ in Homewood

 

A boat launch on the Cahaba river similar to where Greg did his Eagle project. 

Robbie Norris and Greg hanging out in Vestavia.  They just did an amazing redo of their house.  Down to the studs, all that was left was wood floor!  (I was drooling)

Parker had biscuits and gravy every morning.  Continuing his fearlessness in food choices. 

 

The first house in Vestavia.

 

The second house in Vestavia.  Greg is inspecting his use of the nail gun after 22 years.

The Goat reading the animals stories in the fountain at "five points."

Yoda is silly around fountains all the time.

The Temple of Vesta on her hills.

The Zoo.

We get spoiled with our Zoo in Columbus, but their aviary was so amazing! 

 

A hippo!!!  Can you see it? 

 We don't have those in Ohio!  

 It was interesting to see all the old-school public works projects that are still around and looking great! 

 

Backyard burger. Erstwhile home to Cameron Mathews.
Greg laughed out loud when he saw this place, he was so excited, so I had to turn the car around and eat there.  It was super yummy, and they had sweet potato fries, enough said.  

  

 Someone put Easter Candy in the Hotel room.

  David Chung's resting place.

The map of Birmingham at the base of Vulcan Park.

Posing like the Statue
(I had to lay on the ground to get this photo and still couldn't get the top of the statue in the frame)

 

  Liberty Park south of Birmingham has a replica Statue of Liberty.

Posing like the Statue. 

(again it was hard to get the top of the statue!)  

 

The wall of Eagle Scouts from Birmingham, AL.
(This was a total bonus. We went here on a whim, thinking it was just the statue of liberty replica.  But NO!  It has a list of all the Eagle scouts from Alabama, so yeah!  Greg's name is on the wall!)  

This one is for you, Dad! 

 

 The plan was to hit Mammoth Cave on the drive home.  We kept seeing signs that said "road ends in water"  What?  Well, here's where the road ends. 

We were ferried across the river.

Into Mammoth cave.

Parker wanted to go to the River Styx.

Missed seeing Abraham Lincolns birthplace. By like 10 minutes.
We weren't alone, there were a few other families that missed it too.  We posed for this photo and the other families thought it was awesome :) 

Also, on the way home we drove through Nashville.  We chickened out and didn't take a photo of Greg's parent's old house, but we wanted to see the little temple. 

Back to Ohio!