I'm hungry...

for an Ashlyn Snack!Who, me?

Some fun sites in Gainesville

The Bat House and Lake Alice.



Waiting for the bats to come out.

Still waiting....

And waiting. They finally came out by the thousands! We were too in the moment to catch any pictures. True, I used to think that this whole bat house thing was a little dumb, but I have changed my opinion. The best part of the "show" were the 2 hawks waiting for a yummy bat and watching the bat try to escape.

Seeing real alligators up close and personal.

Don't get too close or you might become GATOR BAIT!!!

Thanks, Aunt Melissa!

They can't stop wearing them - it is the first thing they want to put on in the morning. And they LOVED getting package in the mail. Thanks for letting us benefit from your talents! Love you!

Roomba Robotic Vacuum Cleaner

Have you ever heard of one of these?
They are awesome. Here is a little description:

What is it?
Robotic Intelligent Automatic Vacuum Cleaner PRO is a fully automatic and smart cleaner for all floor surfaces. It will sweep and vacuum from carpet to hardwood to tile automatically. New "flat" design body can go under the furnitures and beds that other vacuums can't.




We just recently discovered that we have one:

VPK Graduate

I am a sucker for stuff like this. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to see my children perform in anything. She loves to sing LOUD and knows all the words to the songs. I thought she might get nervous in front of everyone receiving her 'diploma', but didn't at all.





Her good friend, Catherine. I love this picture. They really were great friends throughout the year. And her mom and I both teach at the YMCA. How awesome!




Kylie's wonderful teachers - Mrs. Harrison and Mrs. Walker. Of course, Catherine could not be left out.

Happy Birthday to David, Daddy, Dada, Honey, Husband and Best Friend! He plays a lot of different roles and does them all so well. He is a hardworker and so, so talented. He is fabulous with our children. They are always excited to see him and love on him. He is an active listener even when I ramble. He is patient, kind, gentle and humble. Yet, oh so tough and strong. He is a great example to me for which I am grateful. Love you!



Celebrating part of his day with our new preschool graduate (more on that later).






Permanant helpers' handprints, so he can remember them when he works.





A new favorite - a 12-layer-cake (from scratch - I didn't even cheat this time and really it ended up being 10, but who knows the difference)

Battlewounds

Not really battlewounds caused by another, but rather by himself. I began watching an infant full-time and Spencer is not a big fan. The first day of watching the baby, Spencer was screaming louder that I have ever heard him do before (and he already screams LOUD) when I was feeding the baby a bottle, which set off the baby and they BOTH were screaming. I could not get either one to calm down - Spencer did not want anything else but Mommy. I went outside to ask for David's assistance, not thinking that Spencer would literally sprint-crawl for me. He was stopping at NOTHING to get to me - barrelling through toys, couches, Ashlyn - and fell right out into the garage on to a pile of wood. I am pretty sure Spencer blamed the baby for his 'owie'. He wanted it to be even, so he frequently tried to attack. Things are calming down bit, Spencer still does not like the idea of a baby in the house, but at least seems more curious than belligerent.

Time for Lunch with Mommy

This is one of the reasons why I do not want to homeschool next year. I love going to the school, meeting her friends, eating lunch with her and taking silly pictures, just her and I. I will miss the fun artwork she brings home for me, the class picture, the class programs and bringing treats in for her class. Why is this such a hard decision?

Man, I love this little girl!

I thought she was inside playing. Am I a bad mom or is she a mischievous little Ashlyn?



Two of the many funny, cute things she said/says:
1. I asked her today if she was my "little love". She looked at me with her big, brown eyes that contrasts starkly with the whites of her eyes and says, "pickle". Apparently she remembered that I have called her my little love pickle a few days earlier and today she did not want to be just my little love.

2. She always says "Hank you" whenever we help her, give her something, hug her etc. The best is when she pats or back at the same time. I love those chubby, brown fingers. Yum, yum!

A few confessions

1. I think other people's lives are more intriguing than mine, so I never get around to my own blog.
2. I would rather hit reload on my email hoping someone emailed me than blog.
3. I am really into couponing now and let that take up the other times I am on the computer and don't hit reload on my email.
4. I can't write eloquently nor am I creative, so I don't blog often.
5. I don't want to bore anyone with my life that consists of: children, exercise, husband, exercise, tutoring, exercise, house work, exercise, yardwork, exercise (you get the picture - I am crazy). Have I bored you yet?
6. I finally cut my hair today after a 6 month hiatus - next will be a highlight.