Do I have to?

It all started with a phone call today at 8:35am.  I glance at caller ID as I am answering the phone, it is "Trinity Presby".  I felt that sinking feeling coming on...what now!?  I think this because last night Lyndsey threw up all over my car.  I am only hoping Tyler is not calling home because he is sick.

"Hi.  My name is ***** and I am the guidance counselor at Trinity."  Ok.  At this point, I started to relax!

She was calling concerning a mailing that had been returned to the school, and she thought we would want to know about the information ASAP.  Tyler has been named to the Duke TiP list.  I said ok, and I will come get the info.

What does this prove?  Tyler has been blessed with his Dad's test taking skills, and his Uncle Michael's attitude for school work (it is a waste of my time)!  There is hope for the school work since Michael decided to get serious when he went to college!!

Reward for such an honor:  Tyler GETS to take the SAT/ACT in a few months!  Whoo-who!!

We told Tyler about the "opportunity"  at dinner tonight.  His response:  "Do I have to do it?  I don't want to take a test that is designed for 11th & 12th graders."  JM tried to explain the benefits and future possiblities it will open up for National Merit Scholarships.  Tyler:  "Are any of my friends going to do this?"  Me:  I have no clue, and that is not important since the test is on a Saturday.  You will not miss any school.  I promise.

Montgomery Dragon Boat Races

Baptist Health participated in the 1st Montgomery Dragon Boat Race.  It was great, family-friendly fun down on the river!  

Their team did not do very good.  They lost each of their 3 races, but it was still fun to watch.  JM is in the blue hat in the middle of the boat!

Between races, the girls enjoyed the splash pad and inflatables.

It was so hot that we HAD to get a cold treat!

Happy 5 month birthday, Colleen!

Our sweet baby is getting bigger!  I cannot believe it has already been 5 months.  Time flies!  Colleen is such a great baby.  She is typically a VERY serious baby, but she does know how to smile and laugh.  She is still a tiny baby.  People always think she is just a few months old, and they commonly ask if she is a premie.  She is still in 0-3 month clothes!  This little outfit is 3-6 and the shorts are pinned in the waist to take them up over an inch!!  If you look at the last pic, it looks as if she is going to crawl right out of the shirt!  She loves for Lyndsey to "zubert" her tummy!  She loves to talk with the big kids.  She really likes to spend quality time with Mom, and Mom is enjoying having a baby who is so easy to nurse.  Colleen can roll over from tummy to back and back to tummy.  She reaches for toys, and she loves to gum on Daddy's arm!  She does not do well when it is quiet around her.  She is peaceful when it is loud!  Hmmmm!!  I just love this little girl!!!!!  Thank you, God, for blessing me with another sweet little girl!

Family fun---on a school night?!

After dropping the big kids off at school, Lyndsey asked for the hundredth time "you going to take me to school now Mommy".  When we got home today, I cut up 23 strips and taught her how to make a "bracelet" chain.  She made it all by herself!  She did stop a few times and tell me she did not want to add anymore, but I told her she had to make them all!!

Now we have a countdown until her 1st day of preschool.  Little does she know that it is also a countdown til her birthday!  Her school starts the Wednesday after Labor Day which is September 8th, her birthday!  We are not sharing the birthday part with her because we are not having a party until mid October.   SHE WOULD NOT UNDERSTAND THAT AT ALL!!!!!!

The kids wanted to go swimming this evening, and I am all for bringing back the summer fun!!  We decided to let Colleen try the pool for the 1st time.  We have never even tried putting her in the pool because she SCREAMS when we give her baths!  

Colleen enjoyed her short dip in the pool.  Sorry--I didn't put on her swim suit because I really didn't think she would like it enough to justify the effort!!!

The kids were so excited to have her in the pool.  It was really a little overwhelming!!!

She likes it! She likes it!!!

Corynne's ears

I took Corynne for a visit to the ENT in Birmingham today.  We were a little uneasy with her lack of hearing given her history!  She did ok on her hearing tests--only fell below normal on one frequency of the test!  Yea!  She does have a lot of fuild/gunk behind her ears.  We are trying allergy meds to see if that will clear it up, and we will go back in 3 months to see if it has helped.

Lazy Saturdays do not happen very often around here.  There is usually something to do or somewhere to go!  The girls have been asking for me to give them manicures, pedicures and fascials for at least a week now.  This all started back in February.  I gave Corynne a "spa" birthday party.  I did all this for her and 2 of her BFF!  I is a lot of fun for them, but it is A LOT of WORK for me!!!  Anyway, the girls enjoyed their morning of pampering while Colleen took a nap!  JM and Tyler were in Auburn at a tennis tournament.
After we finished, Colleen got her weekly bath (no joke)!  We tried the baby bath again, and she liked it.  We had stopped using it because she just screamed.  I was just sitting her in the sink, holding on tight and bathing her fast!  Colleen actually enjoyed her bath today--no tears!!

School Days

Today was the first day of school for the big kids.  They were all excited to get back to school!  I was the one who didn't want to go (and still doesn't)!!  We dropped Tyler off first.  He is a big 7th grader this year at Trinity.  Mom was not allowed to get out and take pictures, but I still snapped a few from my car!!  Tyler is growing up to fast.  I am so proud of him.  He is a great kid!!

Next, we went across the street to the girls school.  We all went in for opening ceremonies.  Corynne is in 5th grade and Lauren is in 2nd grade. 

After the girls were off to their classes, I looked down at my sweet babies.

Time goes by too fast.  I know that it will not be long before Lyndsey and Colleen will be in school. 

Just-a-playing!

I finally got the exersaucer down, washed, and put back together.  Colleen is having so much fun.  Of course, this toy keeps her in her favorite position......STANDING UP!!!

She is growing up so fast.  She grabs for toys and takes them straight to her mouth!  She does smile and laugh, but she is mostly SERIOUS!!!  After playing so hard, it was time to relax....

Kids in the Kitchen

The girls love to help me in the kitchen.  I really try to let them help as often as possible even though it REALLY slows the process down!!!  They were begging to cook today, but I really had no plans to cook today!  JM is out-of-town, and we have plenty of leftovers to feed everyone for a few days!!!  I had some leftover cookie dough from something, so I let them bake cookies.