Summertime

It's summertime! We actually ended our school year last week and it was a great year! I even created a yearbook for the kids of all the activities and field trips we did through out the year. I can't wait until it arrives. We ended the year with a trip to Pump it Up with other homeschool families . Th kids had a blast and it was a great way to end our year. We've been spending our summer so far swimming and playing. That's what we will do the majority of our summer. Tonight the kids are camping out in the living room. Oh, the joys of summertime!

Baby Hamsters Part Two

Well it's official, all the baby hamsters have homes. We were able to find homes for all of them. They are 5 weeks old. We didn't keep any of them and my son was very upset by that but we just couldn't as these hamsters like to live alone and we already have two. Speaking of the two we have, I have to say that these hamsters have really grown on me. I was a little unsure when my son first starting asking for this type of pet and even had a bit of buyer's remorse after we purchased them. However, they are very sweet and I actually, dare I say, like them. 

10 year anniversary

On this day, 10 years ago, I got married to my wonderful husband. It doesn't seem like it has been that long. Time flies! A lot has changed in 10 years though. We went from the two of us and our two dogs living in a small house in town to adding a baby and the three of us plus the dogs moving to a bigger house. A year later, a tornado came through and destroyed that house but thankfully God kept us all safe. We moved to a rental house and had our second child while living there. Our new house was built back on the lot where we lived previously and the four of us plus the dogs moved. Then 3 years later, we added a third child. Recently, we lost one of our dogs and it was very sad, since she had been there from the beginning of our family starting. Now their is five of us, plus a dog, 2 fish, 2 hamsters and 1 baby hamster who is still waiting on a home. (If you want her, please let us know) I am very blessed to have such a wonderful husband and family. 

Tonight, in celebration of our 10th anniversary, we had date night. This is something we don't get to do very often. My sister came over and watched the kids. The hubby and I went out to eat and hung out by the riverfront. Then we went to our favorite frozen yogurt shop. It was nice to get away without the kids for a change. Happy Anniversary to us!

Gymnastics

Saturday, our little princess participated in something called Cricket Olympics. It's where they get to show off all the things they've been learning and they get a medal when it's over. She did great!

Mother's Day

It’s been a great Mother’s Day Weekend. I hope that everyone who has a mother still living had a chance to go see her, Skype, Facetime, or call her and wish her a Happy Mother’s Day and let her know you love her. 

I am very blessed to have been raised by my mother. I’m a little biased but I believe I have the best mother there is. She raised us in a Christian home and took us to church every time the doors were open. I’m so thankful for her and my dad. I thank God for having been born into my family. They are great parents as well as wonderful grandparents to my children. I talk to my mom every day, sometimes several times a day. I think she gets tired of hearing from me, although I’m sure that’s not true. My family is a very close family and we spend lots of time together. I have never understood how some people can go days or even months without talking to their families. I can’t imagine.

I’m also blessed to have these three adorable children call me Mom. I remember when the doctor first handed my oldest son to me. That’s an awesome and scary feeling all at the same time. I remember crying from excitement that I finally was meeting my son and then reality sank in and I realized this little guy is depending on me to take care of him. That’s a huge responsibility.  With it being your first child, you have no idea what you’re supposed to do. Thank goodness for my mom who was there to help.  Almost 9 years later, and 2 more kids, I have this mother thing down, however, I still call my mom when the baby is sick or when I have a question.

Mothers are very special and so I want to wish all the mothers reading this a Happy Mother’s Day and I hope your day was very special. 

Homeschool Field Day

We had field day today with other homeschoolers in the area. The kids had a blast. They played on the playground, participated in an obstacle course, tug of war, hula hooping contest, three legged race, marshmallow race and kickball. We ended the day with a picnic lunch followed by more play. Here are some pictures from the day. The kids had a blast!

My three ready for Field Day

My little "Ladies Man" loving the girls taking turns to push him

Playing with hula hoops

Getting ready for the race (ages 5 and under)

Next race (ages 6 - 8)

3 legged race

Marshmallow race

Even my little guy participated 

He was so cute doing this

Waiting on big brother to finish the obstacle course

Doing the obstacle course

The Princess and her friend 

Hula hooping contest

Getting ready for tug of war

Clean your room

Saturday, I asked my daughter to please pick up all her toys in her room so that I could vacuum. When I got to her room, here's what I found. I couldn't help but laugh. I guess I should be more specific on what to do with the toys. At least they were off the floor and I was able to vacuum. 

Price Check

Have you ever been to Wal-Mart in the checkout and been stuck behind that person who slows the line down? You know who I’m talking about. Well I hate to admit it but I was that person the other night. But let me explain… I absolutely hate it when a store advertises a price and even has that price listed on the shelf but when it rings up; it rings up a higher price. Wal-Mart is the worlds worst about this. In fact, when I was in college, I had a marketing class and our assignment was to go to two different stores and purchase the exact same products. We didn’t only have to purchase them but we had to carry a notebook in the store and write down the listed price and then compare that price with our receipt once we got home. Wal-Mart had many higher priced receipts than the listed price and our professor said that this was always true of Wal-Mart. So with all that being said, I was at Wal-Mart the other night and I was buying ice cream. My youngest son can’t have milk products, so I spotted a small container of ice cream made with coconut milk. It was listed as $3.00. Now $3.00 is a bit high but seeing as he’s not supposed to have the other kind of ice cream, I decided to buy it for him. When I got to the register, it rang up $4.48. I stopped the cashier and said, “Sir, this is supposed to be $3.00.” He looked at the register tape and said, “No ma’am, it’s $4.48.” So I kindly replied, “it’s SUPPOSED to be $3.00.” He rudely said “well it’s not, do you want it?” (Did I mention, customer service is not their strong suit, anyways, that’s a whole other blog) I said, “Yes I want it, but I want it for the price that it says on the shelf, $3.00.” He said the only way he could give me that price is if he saw if for himself. Now, I know he and the people behind me wanted me to say, don’t worry about it, but I actually said, “Ok, it’s right over there on that first freezer aisle”. He looked at me and said ok and walked away. I know to some people $1.48 may not be worth the trouble, but to me it is. Plus, it drives me crazy that they do this. The lady behind me turned to the man behind her and started saying something about waiting, not exactly sure what she said, but I know it was an ugly statement intended for me. I did hear the man behind her reply “I don’t mind waiting, I’m in no hurry.” She then turned back around and looked completely irritated so I said to her, “Ma’am, I apologize for making him leave, I know that’s very frustrating for you and the people waiting but I simply cannot stand the way Wal-Mart lists a price and then it rings up higher. It drives me crazy, so I’m sorry.” She looked at me and said “Oh it’s ok, at least you’re paying attention.” I wanted to say back to her, well that’s not what you just said to the guy standing behind you, but I didn’t J. Anyways, the cashier comes back and says “You’re right, it is supposed to be $3.00, I’ll change it.” He then said I don’t know why Wal-Mart does that.” Really?! This is a big pet peeve of mine, because I know it’s just $1.48, but let’s say that happens to several things on your list, you could wind up paying much more than you planned. My little rant is over now; check your receipt when you leave there. 

Disclaimer: I'm not saying don't shop there, just pay attention when you check out.