First Football Practice

Clay began his football career today with flag football on the "Sparks" team.  He was so excited to finally be going and he had a great time at practice.  I am sure we will catch on quickly.  They practice every Tuesday from 5:30-6:30 and play on Saturday mornings beginning in September.  Chloe and her rashy self played with some other children.  Her rash that covers most of her body (and is supposed to be viral) doesn't seem to slow her down any!

Poor Pepper

My poor Pepper is currently at the vet's office for neutering in the morning.  Try explaining to two five year olds why their cat has to have surgery :-)  He was so scared when we dropped him off this afternoon.  I do feel sorry for him, but it is something that has to be done to live in this house.  I had thought I wouldn't declaw him, but he has been more and more attracted to the couch lately.  So, the nails are coming off too.  That will probably be the worst part for him.  I know it isn't considered "the thing" to do to cats, but we will all be happier.  Spice is lost without his buddy tonight. I am glad he is little and isn't going to want to play rough when he gets home. I caught them sleeping together this morning all curled up. We can pick him up after 4:30 tomorrow. Clay also has his first flag football practice tomorrow.  Should be an interesting afternoon!!

Kitten named Spice

We have acquired a companion Tonkinese kitten that we named Spice to keep Pepper company while the kids are at school.  Pepper has really been missing them.  He follows me around the house talking to me about how bored he is....well, he isn't bored now!  Pepper follows Spice around the house, tries to play with him and stalks him all day long.  Pepper now requires his nap time with his mommy (me) in the afternoons :-)  Spice is 7 weeks old and should look pretty much like Pepper when she gets older.  Pepper has an appointment to go and be neutered next week....shhh! He doesn't know yet :-)

Clay's Haircut

Today we went and Clay got a haircut with Grandpa.  Clay just likes the gum out of the machine.  The ladies that cut hair give Chloe and Clay a dime if they are good to get bubble gum out of the machine.  Hey - whatever works!  Chloe entertains them with stories from school and looking through the "Fish" magazines :-)  She has been catfishing with her daddy on the weekends lately, so she really enjoyed the fish magazines at the men's barbershop!  I find her so funny.

First Day of School

My babies started school last week......I am missing them already.  We walk to school each morning and walk home each afternoon.  They are in the same class with Mrs. Pendley as their teacher.  They love her. They told Grandpa today that they loved school.  They really are excited to be "big".  She keeps them busy all day I think.  They come home with just a few more hours left in their day!!  One day they went to bed at 6:30!! They did get up the next day very early, so we had a little time together in the morning. It is still hard to imagine that time has gone so fast the past four years.

New Curtains

People (including my siblings) sometimes ask me why I live close to my parents....well, mom can sew!!  She has graciously been making curtains for our house. We found some fabric for Chloe's room and mom added green beads.  They are a big hit.  The people I bought the house from also left some curtains that were donated to her by a friend.  Well, needless to say, mom hemmed them and we put them up.  I still need to get some "things" to hold them back from the window - kind of like tie backs??  It makes our rooms much darker.  It has been awhile since I have had curtains, so it is really nice to have a more finished look.  Be jealous all of you who live far away from mom!! :-)

The Dinosaur Restaurant

When we visited Kansas City, MO to see Aunt Meme and Uncle Ben earlier this year, they took my kids (and the adults) to a restaurant with a dinosaur theme.  At the time, the kids were almost afraid of the moving statues and loud noises that they made.  We were driving along one day this week and Clay wanted to know when we could go to the "dinosaur restaurant" again.  Somehow, he has forgotten the 12 hour drive that takes us to that particular eating establishment!!  On another note, it is one week and a half until school starts for my babies!!! They are very excited and love their new backpacks and lunch boxes.  I can't wait to get those first day of school photos!

Our New Kitten

We have adopted a Tonkinese kitten that is about four months old.  His name is Pepper and he is "ruling the roost" here in Alabama.  Chloe has a fondness for him and totes him around whenever she can find him!  Clay likes cats, but doesn't want the cat in his room messing up his toys :-) Luckily, this cat seems to be perfect - he loves to be petted, doesn't mind his toenails being clipped or going to the vets, tolerates being wagged around like a rag doll - all with grace.  Chloe felt that she had to show our next door neighbors the cat (who is a big cat lover with a huge black cat that answers to a whistle) and he wanted to know if the cat had claws......he was impressed!!  He does like to play more than any other cat I have every owned.  He likes to sit under my bed and attack your feet anytime he sees them.  We are in love!!

Children's History Museum

Today we went to occupational therapy and Mrs. Ruthie tested both of them again to see where they were developmentally.  I can hardly believe it, but they both test two months older than they are!!!  We have come a long way baby.  Two years ago, they were about 9 months to a year behind in speech, fine motor skills and the like.  I really don't know how we have gotten to where we are, but I sure am glad for the help from Huntsville Hospital therapy department!  After therapy, we went to a Children's History Museum.  I found it great fun and the kids did too!  You can see Chloe measuring "beans" out for the people traveling west in the mercantile store.  We also learned how to pack dishes in barrels with straw to protect them.  We "cooked" a meal in the log cabin and played with toys that children would have played with in the olden days.  We also had a blast dressing up in frontier clothes that the women of the time made for their families.  We all enjoyed the hats and long dresses!  

The Birmingham Zoo

Last Tuesday we went to the Birmingham Zoo with some friends.  We had a great time and enjoyed seeing all of the zebras from Africa, sea lions that barked as loud as trumpets, and alligators from the swamps.  They had a new exhibit of kangaroos that the kids enjoyed.  Chloe finally got to see her favorite things - flamingos!  We even found a swan like grandma saw in England when she was there.  While we looked at the butterflies in their "house" the children all sat down and read the map to inform us of where we were and where we should go next.  Chloe was much more interested in posing for pictures!  They also got to pet a camel.  Thankfully, once we saw them, noone wanted to ride one......they had a very, um, distinct odor!

Officially An Aunt!

I am now the proud aunt of an 8 pound, 11 oz baby girl named Gwen Rebekah Barreth.  The only sad thing is that she lives in Kansas City, MO!!  Grandma has been visiting for a week or so and is now helping to care for the baby.  I think Meredith was surprised it was a girl, but I am thrilled.  Chloe and Clay are excited about having a new baby in the family.  I wonder if they realize that they are going to have to share grandma???  Oh-just for the record, I thought that she was going to have my lips....I think I may have gotten the body part wrong as  you can see on the photo of her on the scale.  I am afraid she has my thighs (sorry Meredith!) :-)

On Memorial Day, we went to Point Mallard Water Park here in Decatur, AL. My kids had a great time playing on the "little" slide, children's pool and the wave pool with mommy. We managed not to burn too bad.  I still got some sun even though I used sunscreen and reapplied two times while we were there.  Chloe and Clay both just turn this beautiful brown color. We came home and grilled some hotdogs before the rain started and ate inside. It started raining late that evening and has been raining for two days now.  The kids are ready to play outside and it is a muddy mess!  So much for summer weather.  I am not planning to work much during the week this summer because I want to take the kids to the zoo, some children's museums, the different parks and just basically hang out.  They start kindergarden on August 7th!  I still don't think they are old enough :-(

Graduating from Pre-school

We did it!  Chloe and Clay managed to graduate from pre-school :-) Today was a special ceremony and party for the children that are going to Kindergarden next year.  All of the kids showed us how much they have learned about ABCs, 123s, shapes, pledges and songs.  It really is amazing how much they have picked up over the course of time. Their hats have a small gold tassel on them and say "Class of 2008".  We ate snacks that even Clay approved of after the show.  Chloe and Clay were very proud of themselves and think that they are pretty big stuff.  You really do have to be a special person to work with 3 & 4 year olds all day every day!  Big school, here we come!!!!!

Sunday Musings

Luckily I was not really busy at work and could attend church.  Mom, dad and I  enrolled  in the new members class that was tonight at Decatur Baptist Church.  It was a 4 hour long class with the preacher about what the church believes and what principles it is built on.  Interesting to say the least.  I mean, I have been baptist since before I was born, but I have never had it taught to me quite like this.  I like the church so far and the kids love it.  (Clay is especially fond of the large indoor playground and Chloe likes the loud music). I do find it nice to go to a church and learn something new every Sunday morning.  When we got back from church tonight, Chloe refused to come home with Clay and I, instead opting for the more fun "stay with grandma." Lucky for Chloe that grandma likes real food.  Clay came home and watched boy tv shows before passing out in bed. Chloe likes to lay up in the bed with grandma...wonder if she managed to get her into her own bed :-)