Was that a ghost?

Yes friends, I was that mom.  I saw Macy opening the refrigerator and didn't stop her.  I had the dishwasher three-fourths full and instantly weighed the pros & cons. Pros: whatever she was after in the frig would keep her occupied until I finished the dishes, no unnecessary stress on my ears.  Cons: While I am cleaning up one mess, she would be creating another. Question: Is this a pivotal point in establishing parental boundaries?  Quick prayer: Please Lord let this not be the moment of my parental demise. I chose the dishwasher.  All my women friends realize this conversation happened in less than 10 seconds in my brain.  With the dishwasher humming, I went to investigate.  She is truly flesh of my flesh.  Cookie dough before bed...

After church and getting the kids in bed, Tony & I made the snack for tonight's den meeting.  They were a big hit!  But then again, kids will eat anything!

Is it really October?

Parker on the first day of school!  Last year, he didn't want a new backpack which really surprised his school supply loving mom.  He did need a new one this year though! I figured this may be my one and only year to get his backpack personalized.  You know, second graders may just not recognize the coolness of it all.



Macy didn't quite understand what all the excitement was about on the first day of school, but she was happy to pose in her nightshirt aka Parker's old VBS shirt.  She has really missed being with Parker during the day. I have to give honor where honor is due...Tony is balancing working from home and taking care of Macy.  If you need a laugh, ask him about Adventures in Daddy Daycare!

 Parker with his teacher, Miss Moses.  Was I this young once?

 We had a list of summer fun we wanted to do with the kids and we hadn't quite made it through before school started.  But why should school starting stop all the fun?  We talked the Coles into joining us for Tony's, Parker's, and Macy's first trip to the Arch. Yes, after 12 years in St. Louis, we finally made it.  When we first moved here, we wanted to go but we thought for sure we would be taking a million trips with all our friends and family who visited us.  Has anyone wanted to go? Nope!  But now our whole family can say with pride that we survived the ride!

 Are my two favorite first graders tired of posing?  Imagine that!

Whenever Parker and Macy fall asleep in the car, they always sleep with their heads together.  I love it!

 Before you start worrying, Macy is drinking root beer!  But this just goes right along with her personality.  She is just like her Daddy...drinking problem and all!

Parker has been dieing to join Boy Scouts and even took Tony to a meeting last year.  He didn't realize that you had to be in first grade.  Parker has a steel trap memory so I have to be careful about what I say.  He'll hold me to it.  Nevertheless, he had not forgotten that this was the year that he could join.  Tony walked into the second meeting as a den assistant and walked out as the den leader.  He said the church could learn from their recruitment skills.  The mums were a surprise from my sweet husband on the first day of fall.  He knows I am all about seasonal decorating.

We are so excited that Jillian is one of our prayer buddies this year!  We went to her soccer game a couple of Saturdays ago.  She played goalie for a little while and did an awesome job!  If I was the coach, I would make her the team goalie!  She was that good!

Tony and I are still teaching King's Kids on Sunday mornings.  We laugh every Sunday.  Macy though doesn't always find the situation so funny.

Happy Birthday, Jillian!

Seven years ago, I listened to a very happy pregnant lady thanking everyone for coming to her baby shower.  I was just 2 months pregnant at the time and I only knew this lady in passing.  Little did I know that baby she was carrying would become my baby's "first friend".  Whenever someone questions his friendship with Jillian (the neighborhood boys are astounded that he is friends with a girl), Parker always tells the story that Jillian was the first baby to visit him in the hospital.  Poor Christy gets left out of the story everytime.  I wonder if he thinks Jillian came on her own.  Nevertheless, Parker is convinced of first friend power and lays claim to it every chance he gets.  As I was watching all the church friends at Jillian's party, I was having flashbacks to all the birthdays they have celebrated together and couldn't believe how time was passing by no matter how tight the grip I keep.  Every stage brings its own delights and horrors, but I could comfortably stay at this stage for a while.....Time, are you listening?  I didn't think so.

Favorite Pastimes

Since we have moved, we can't keep Parker inside (which is the total opposite at our old home)!  The new, smooth sidewalks call to Parker everyday.  If he isn't on his bike, then he is on his scooter.  All of the other boys are able to ride without training wheels.  Every now and then, I hear one of them ask Parker if he is ready to take off his training wheels.  Parker then always answers "Not yet."  Maybe next summer....

Macy's newest thing is getting on the laptop.  She saw everyone using it but her and that was not going to fly!  No, she is not checking her email after church on Sunday.  She is on her favorite website -  sprout online!  Using the laptop is teaching her alot about taking turns!  Macy was quite excited to take her baby doll to church in a matching dress.  She showed off her baby doll to anyone who would look her way. 

Summer....Slip sliding away

The school building opens tomorrow so teachers can come unpack the rooms. Although the first contracted day back is not till the 10th, the opening of the building signals that the end is near.  After the unpacking blitz and trip to Hot Springs, we tried to squeeze in some fun!  Here is what we have been up to that makes summer days so sweet!

Pancake Breakfast with the Haynes and even some blackberry picking

Grant's Farm (where Macy insisted on riding the tram like a big girl)

Magic House fun with Jillian

Celebrated Grandmaw's Birthday

Girls' Lunch Out while Mr. John hosted cupcake decorating with Parker and Macy

Multiple trips to the subdivision pool ~ Parker is getting to be more like a fish and Macy loves adult swim aka snack time

Martha West!

Martha,
When we switched to our laptop, I lost your blog address!  I've searched the world wide web over and cannot find you!  I hope you are still checking in because I miss keeping up with the West family!  We miss you much!
Love,
Jennifer

Hot Springs, AR

We just returned from visiting Tony's side of the family in Hot Springs.  On the long way down, we were excited to stop and see our "adopted son", Steve.  Knowing us like he does, he knew we are all about the food and suggested a great BBQ joint in Memphis.

One of the highlights of the trip was seeing Uncle Van and Aunt Carla's dream home.  They had bought the land shortly after Tony and I were married.  The dream house is almost completed and absolutely the most beautiful home I have ever been in.  I am not just saying that!  Uncle Van owns his own cabinetry business and is using the home as a showroom for his business.  I took a ton of pictures, but am having to honor his request and not publish them.  But if your in the market for custom cabinetry, I'll hook you up!  Parker would say one of his highlights was lots of rides on the six wheeler.  That was a picture of our grand tour.

Uncle Van and Aunt Carla have 3 dogs, 3 cats, and 2 horses on their property.  While Parker and I enjoyed meeting Callie and Doc from the 6 wheeler, Macy wanted an upclose introduction!  Aunt Carla hosted a lunch for the whole family Saturday afternoon - 50+ and not everyone was there!  I was so busy keeping track of Macy and Parker between visiting that I didn't get any pictures taken.  What was I thinking? 

On Sunday, we did a little sightseeing in Hot Springs.  But first we stopped by Great Grandmother's to see her new digs and meet Aunt Voneta's dog, Yogi.  We always love visiting with Great Grandmother and Yogi was very cute! 

Gamma and Uncle Richard acted as our tour guides.  Gamma grew up in Hot Springs and shared some of her memories.  We went to the top of the mountain where her daddy used to bring all the kids (eight of them) for a watermelon picnic on a hot evening.  The view was incredible!  Thanks to all the Hot Springs clan for a great visit!