The end of April and the first half of May have been FUN and NUTS! I have been meaning to get on here and update but things keep happening so fast. So, here it is, one of those annoying all in one updates.
At the end of April, my mom and I took the kids to the cabin while the "guys" (my dad and Phil) took customers to Brigadoon to fly fish. We had a blast in the beautiful weather, touring the apple blossoms at Mercier's and shopping downtown. It was a relaxing getaway.
The following week, my parents kept the kids for a few nights so I could head to Sea Palms with Phil for a work convention. Again, wonderful to get away, relax by the pool alone for a day and get completely sunburnt! What a treat!!!!!
The first week of May we celebrated Mother's Day at home and at school. Unfortunately I missed Cooper's Mother's Day tea, while out of town but Dede was able to "stand in". Samantha's was adorable, including a list of things she said about me. She says I am 6 years old, love salad, enjoy heading to Starbucks and like it when she does her chores. On Mother's Day the kids gave me a dress and a large pot! Sounds funny but I actually wanted the pot!!! Seem to have lost my soup pot in the move.
Dede and Papa have lots of contruction around them, meaning big open areas of land. Papa decided to devote part of that open land to a garden for the kids. Together they planted a GREAT veggie garden which they check on and water daily (with Papa's help!). What a treat to have grandparents close by.
I got tired of staring at all my teaching stuff in BIG tubs in the garage and decided one day to competely clean our 1000 square foot unfurnished basement, take the teaching stuff down there, organize and unload. The kids love playing in their new space and I love being able to use all of the books, puzzles, music, charts, etc. I acquired over the years. I said "too bad we do not have a floor and walls down here!" and Cooper said "we do, see!". I guess the "unfurnished" part does not bother them!!!
Our last soccer games of the season were in May. It was a FUN but busy season being the coach and team mom for BOTH teams. Cooper and Samantha loved making friends, scoring goals and receiving trophies!!!! Phil was an amazing coach, so much so all the parents requested he do it again in the Fall. Oh geez!
Last Friday, since I was off work, I was able to bring cake to Samantha's school to celebrate her upcoming 4th birthday. She was soooooo excited for "my friends to gather around me and sing." She has such a special class and we will miss them!!!! (Ms. Heather pictured above)
Last weekend we had Samantha's birthday party at the local pottery place in town. 8 kids came and painted ice cream bowls which once fired, will actually be fine to use. They enoyed themselves and it was a great way to celebrate without going overboard!!!!
We are in week 10 of our Financial Peace University class. It has been such a learning experience and came at the perfect time. We are in the final (we hope) stages of our Jacksonville house situation and Dave Ramsey's lessons have taught us how to budget, live today to live better tomorrow and be smart with our financial choices. Once we can get past the house situation in Jacksonville, we will be in a great place to begin building a great future for our children. We have learned about investments, retirement, college planning, insurance, saving, budgeting, buying cars, buying homes and more!
Next week Grandma and Grandpa come for a visit and we are thrilled. The kids miss them so much and we cannot wait to spend some nice time in the nice weather with some of our favorite people!!! They are coming in time to attend Cooper's preK graduation AND the opening of the pool (two of Grandma's favorite things!!!).
Samantha has spent every Tuesday and Thursday (8-5) with Ms. Heather (our nanny) since October (Cooper was in school til 12:30). I met Heather's mom at the chiropractor when I was in the middle of my job search. Heather had recently graduated high school and wanted to nanny. Heather is a really sweet girl with a good family and Christian values. It was a perfect fit. Over time, she became Samantha's buddy...running errands, eating lunch out, going to the park and riding around town in Heather's F150. 
Loading in the truck.
Being silly girls!
Airplane!
Cooper and Samantha will miss Heather a lot but we know she will have a wonderful summer working at a camp in the Highlands! Thanks for everything Ms. Heather!!!!!
