Fishing Friday

Anniston's preschool holds an annual Fishing Day each April at the Wildlife Federation. They have an entire catfish pond just for our preschool. It's beautiful and all the kids bring their parents, grandparents, siblings, neighbors- you get the picture, anyone is welcome. And we fish. With hot dogs. Yes, that's right- slices of wienies. And we catch fish. Well, we did last year. Wes and I totally caught the most fish last year and I caught the biggest- not that anyone was keeping track...
So, I went into this years big fish certain I would have no problem whatsoever reeling in a monster catfish on my daughter's Princess pole. Wrong! People all around us were catching fish left and right. We were totally LOSING (again, not that ANYONE was keeping count...)! We were LOSERS! So, we did what anyone else in our shoes would do- we packed up and relocated ourselves closer to the people who were catching fish! Anniston's friend Jerrica was fishing with her parents beside us. They were ahead by like 47 fish (who was counting?). As Jerrica's dad, Jeremy, felt the 48th take his bait and hook himself to the end of his pole, he coyly said, "Hey Wes, you wanna reel him in?"
So, I did what any super competitive mom would do and yanked gently removed the pole from my 5 year olds hands and took matters into my own! We had fish to catch and I couldn't let these people leave before we caught some.
While everyone else was loosing interest and packing up, I was on a mission to catch fish. Did I mention it was catch and release? Well, it was. By this point I think Wes had caught one and shortly thereafter got his 2nd and final fish for the day. Just as Jerrica's family had packed up and were saying their goodbyes and good lucks to us, I felt it. That beloved fish on the hook feeling at the end of my line.
"Oh, no you don't!" I said to them. "You aren't leaving until you see me reel this fish in!"
All in all, it was a great fishing trip! Aside from my crazy ridiculous slight competitive streak- we had a nice, relaxing morning around the water on a beautiful spring day.
Oh, and Anniston caught the last fish of the day all by herself.
She said, "Hey Daddy, I caught you a fish...." totally nonchalantly. She's not a bit competitive!


Waiting patiently...trying not to notice everyone else reeling them in or act bothered by that fact.



"Here Daddy, maybe you should use this bait."

One of Daddy's 2 fish- we were thrilled!

"Hey Anniston, my dad just caught ANOTHER fish!" (Na-na-na-na, boo-boo)


The bobber that just wouldn't bob.


"My mommy is the best fisherwoman!"


Anniston's "prize" fish. She was super proud!

Camp Boring Chandler

Alyssa's 2nd grade class went on a field trip Thursday to a place called Camp Chandler. It's a camp owned by the YMCA and is about 5 or 10 miles north of Wetumpka. It was a blast- if you consider a short nature walk, a discussion on the senses animals use in the woods, a quick archery lesson and a bird walk a blast. Actually, the archery part was pretty fun. So was the cafeteria style lunch we got. Chicken, macaroni and cheese, sweet peas and fruit cocktail on those green plastic trays. Oh, and Kool-Aid. Orange Kool-Aid. The last time I had Kool-Aid, it was probably spiked when I was learning to ride a bike without training wheels.
Oh, well. It was a day away from the classroom for the kids and I got to see my sweet Alyssa interact with her classmates. Very interesting. I learned a lot about her on that field trip. She's even more like me than I knew. She's friendly and likable but still a bit of a loner. She's a little more reserved. I watched as the kids ran wild around in circles in this big open yard. She found a nice quiet little bench and struck up a conversation with the kid next to her. Alyssa is a tough one to figure out at times. Just when I think I have figured her out, she throws me for a loop. But I was so glad to get this small glimpse into her 2nd grade world. I love that girl!


A lesson on onion weed, maybe? And I think the guide is eating it....?



Sweet Alyssa. Don't you just love that big bear cub on her hot maroon field trip shirt? Stylish. Rock on.



Sarah and Alyssa



A very informative and interesting lesson on the difference between "prey" and "predator"



The kids playing a Marco/Polo type game called Bat/Moth. Looked like fun!



Sara Grace, Carley, Sarah and Alyssa waiting to shoot the bow and arrow.



The best part of the trip!

Twas the Night Before Easter...

....and all through the house,
not a creature was stirring (well, except Mommy because she was blogging and waiting on the Easter bunny),
not even a mouse!

The real eggs were all dyed,
the plastic ones: filled and ready to hide!

The dresses were ironed and shoes were bought,
the kids were snoring and no longer faught!

The locks were curled and ready for morn,
to celebrate that Jesus died and rose 33 years after he was born!

Practice Makes Perfect

...and I think she needs a little more practice!



Since softball season has started Alyssa has been practicing pitching. She has never worked so hard on anything. She absolutely loves to pitch in the backyard to her dad. I even took her to a pitching lesson one afternoon and she's dying to go back- it just isn't cheap so for now she's pitching to her dad. Well, and the brick wall. Or she was- until she missed the wall and hit the window. I was sitting in the driveway when it happened. The look on her face said it all. I knew it was a complete accident. She had not intentionally hit the window. So what could I say? Scream? Yell? I laughed. Because guess what? Either way the window was still broken. I didn't want to see her "broken" too. She still pitches to her dad, no longer to the brick wall though.

In The Motherhood

If you missed today's Oprah, it was titled "In the Motherhood" and had moms spilling their "dirty little secrets." As a mom, I found it a relief to see and hear other moms who don't always do everything perfectly! I absolutely LOVE my kids but there are totally moments when you just do what you have to do to survive the day! So, I thought every now and then I'd share a "dirty little secret" of my own. Here goes!

Dirty Little Secret #1-

I have used my daughters dress/shirt to wipe their snotty noses on occasion if I don't have a tissue readily available. Gross, I know. But which is worse- snot running in her mouth or snot on the hem of her (probably already dirty) dress?


Dirty Little Secret #2-

I've let my babies cry it out in their crib...without feeling too guilty.


That's my confessional for now- more to come. In the mean time, please don't call Child Protective Services!

Disney 2009

We recently spent 8 days and nights at Port Orleans resort at Disney World. It was the first vacation just the 5 of us have taken. We celebrated Anniston's 5th birthday there- it was great!






My mom, Nanny, came down on Anniston's actual birthday and spent a couple of nights with us. She got to go to Magic Kingdom for the first time ever! I think we wore her out trying to squeeze all the classic Disney stuff into one day! We had a wonderful time and we'll be ready to go again in about 4 or 5 years when we rest up from this trip!

Alyssa standing outside Planet Hollywood, where we ate after our first day spent at Magic Kingdom.


We had breakfast with the princesses at Epcot on day 2! It was wonderful and Anniston was in awe!



Gotta love Mickey and Minnie!




The family at Epcot!


Ayden Claire hanging out by the pool while her sisters were off swimming.



We had a blast at Hollywood Studios- formerly MGM- where we rode one of my favorites, the Tower of Terror! Anniston rode it with Alyssa and me and Alyssa rode the Aerosmith Rock N Roller Coaster and loved it. That girl is fearless!



We finally found the hair wrap station. Not sure how they are going to look in our Easter pictures!



We found Prince Charming- who needs Prince Charming? We have Daddy!



We had dinner with Cinderella and her stepmother and stepsisters at the Grand Floridian resort. It was delicious and so fun eating with the characters.



Expedition Everest at Animal Kingdom. It was one of our favorite roller coasters!



Some play time in Dino Land.




Back at Magic Kingdom the girls got to design their own "Ears".


"It's A Small World"



The girls flying on Dumbo.



You haven't been to Disney until you've ridden the teacups!



Is she the cutest 5 year old or what?





The fireworks at Disney are the BEST!




Anniston with her birthday Minnie! Today she is the big "5"!



We rode "Pirates of the Carribean" quite a few times- it's one of Daddy's favorites.


Anniston had a birthday dinner at Tony's- the restaraunt from Lady and the Tramp.



Disney World can be very tiring! They fell asleep on the bus headed back to our room for the night.



Goodbye, Disney!

Swiper, No Swiping

Today I had to run into a store to pick up Ayden Claire's Easter dress that was being monogrammed. It's one of those boutiue-y type stores where t-shirts are $30 and kids knit outfits are $60. But they monogram- quickly. And I was low on time. So, Ayden Claire and I get the dress and head out the door. Ayden Claire is ahead of me squeaking right along in her shoes. About 6 or 7 steps out the door I realize she has a shoe in each of her hands! Flip flops to be exact, but not just ANY pair of flip flops. She's got huge, bulky, leather, wedged, EXPENSIVE flip flops and she's excited about having them! Of course, we turned back and took them back in and set them back on the floor where she had swiped them from. What can I say? That girl loves shoes!

Finally Friday

It's been a LONG week and I am past being ready for some sunshine and dry weather! Today's forecast along with tomorrows look promising, thank God. This week couldn't have drug by any slower if it tried. Now that I can get out and about without a boat I've got to finish getting ready for Easter. We have dresses but the Bunny needs to do some work on the baskets.
The highlight of my week was registering Anniston for Kindergarten. We got there extra early to get in line and I was the first person in line for Kindergarten requests. The lady in front of me was requesting for 1st grade. After much thought, I decided to go with Mr. Hodum once again. The man is an amazing teacher and tons of fun. And Alyssa did actually learn to read when she had him despite the condition of his room. I have never seen so much STUFF in a classroom. He is really unique and the kids just love him. Hopefully she will have a good class and enjoy kindergarten as much as Alyssa. I'm excited for her because I know it's time and school will be good for her. I am sure I'll be a little sad sending her off next year. But I know she will be in excellent hands. Alyssa's three years at Coosada have been nothing but wonderful. They have loved her and she has learned so much and has had superb teachers. I can't sing their praises enough- we love CES!
Alyssa had her first softball game last Saturday and played catcher and outfield. She did great! She's really working hard on her pitching- she wants to pitch so bad! She went to a lesson Tuesday after school and worked one on one with a girl who showed her some warm ups and techniques. My neighbor who coaches a high school team said he would work with her, too. She loves practicing pitching with her dad. It's all she does from the time she gets home and finishes homework until supper. So we'll see. I'll let you know when she gets to pitch in an actual game and how it goes.
Ayden Claire is (for the most part) sweet as ever. She talking much more! Hopefully her latest ear infections are gone since we finished the antibiotic. She's no longer on strike from eating, so that's good! She's such a little sweetie. I could just eat her up! I am constantly kissing her chubby cheeks- they are my favorite and since she's still little, she doesn't object to all the smooches!
Well, that's our life for the moment. Living at the ballpark and trying not to drown in all this rain. I still plan to blog about our Disney vacation- soon, I hope!