Twirly Skirts

I saw these really cute twirly skirts online at www.houseonhillroad.com a few weeks ago and I wanted to try them out.  Since I have 3 girls, I have to make 3 skirts, so I finally got enough courage to try it out.  This is the first time I have ever got a pattern off of the internet and attempted anything like this.

I know the picture is crooked, but there is my cutting mat.

My sewing machine.

And my happy girls wearing the final product.

What I learned from this:

* you don't save any money by sewing things on your own

* the kids have NEVER seen me sew anything and they were fascinated by the machine

* it's really not that hard

* you can find some dang cute fabric

* my tastes are not the fabric that is on sale

* the outcome was worth the work I put into it

* I made my girls' day (in the end, I think that is what matters)

Look who we got to see in concert!!!

Are you jealous????  

Starring ZZ Top and Professor Dumbeldorf (or Merlin, whichever one you want it to be) --

Last week, Associated Foods held this concert and PJ invited us to go with him and Nancy, the Throckmortons, and the Hydes.  I only wish I had taken a picture of our seating arrangements.  The concert was held in Abravenel Hall and we were on the 3rd Tier, which is way up high.  Our seats were along the side so we were all sitting in a single file row, not necessarily the most convenient seating arrangement if you want to socialize and talk to your neighbor, but we had a TON of fun - dancing, clapping, lots of head bobbing, and a comedian to start out with.  The best part about the Oak Ridge Boys is the bass singer that can get so eerily low that it doesn't even seem real.  When Jeff and I were engaged, Jeff would put in this tape, I know I really did say TAPE because we are really THAT OLD, and he would sing along with Elvira and Bobby Sue in the bass parts.  I really did LOVE it and I would ask him to do is over and over again, because it made me laugh.  I kept trying to get him to sing along at the concert and he wouldn't, I guess he was a little embarrassed or something.  In the end, I really did enjoy the concert and I have to laugh just thinking about it because they are soooooo country with all the twang and stuff, but they did sing a couple songs the I LOVE -- Thank God for Kids and G.I. Joe and Lilly.

Are you jealous yet???

You should be :-)

Flag Ceremony

With Ryan's 11th Birthday looming ever so close, and WE, not having completed HIS Weblos rank yet, WE still have a few requirements left for HIM to advance.  He as been sure to tell us he does NOT want to be in scouting, so what do GOOD parents do???  Tell him, TOO BAD, SO SAD, You are going to do it.  We may sound a little harsh, but if you knew the REAL reason for not wanting to do it, I think you would make him do exactly what we are making him do.  OK, at least if you wanted him to not hinder himself just because he is shy.

So, here are the flag bearer and the posse (or whatever you want to call this group of hoodlums). Sarah carried the flag, Jeff followed, then Brayden, and bringing up the rear was Tyson.

Ryan conducted the ceremony and he did an awesome job.

Thank you to the Pitts and the Baths who were kind enough to make it to this prestigious event.  But, I do think the only reason they really came is because we bribed them with Strawberry Shortcake.  I think I would do a lot just for a treat.

Jammie Time?

Do you think she is growing out of her pants???  

New Bikes

What comes with summer?

BIKE RIDING

And, with that, comes the chore of finding bikes to fit everyone.

Bella got a new bike

Sarah's new bike

Ali's new, hand-me-down, bike

Ryan's bike is new to him last September

Bella is finally very excited to ride her bike.  She has been so afraid of riding, but with the new bike came a new found excitement.  Now we just need to get Ali excited about learning without training wheels.  I have a feeling she will be content to ride in the bike trailer on our long rides until she is about 16.

Happy End of School Dinner

To celebrate this school year being finished, we decided to use up a couple of the coupons they earned for a free kids meal at Applebee's.  We figured out in the end that all the coupons did was pay for the tip, big whoop-dee-doo!!!  But, we were so proud of all their accomplishments and so we wanted to reward them.

Parker, Ryan's friend

We hardly ever take the kids to a restaurant and every time we go, in the end I am reminded exactly WHY we refrain from doing that.  Two reasons come to mind very quickly, 1- cost; 2- the way the kids act while at the restaurant.  Enough said!!!!!

Great job on an other successful school year!

School Talent Show

The last week of school, they held a talent show for Vista.  Each grade was able to have a "qualifying" talent show where the teachers each chose one student from each class to represent them in the school wide talent show.  Sarah was chosen for her class.

She memorized a book called, "I Like Myself."

She did such a great job.  I was so proud of her.  She was a little embarrassed, and she said she was a really nervous up until she started.  What a great opportunity for her to be able to do this.

Great Job Girl!!!!!

Murder in Dodgy City

A couple weeks ago, we were invited to attend a murder mystery dinner.  Jared and Kristi Smith were the fabulous hosts, and we were able to eat a ton and in the end, solve the mystery everyone was on edge about for the months leading up to the finale.

I knew Grandma Campbell's red coat would come in handy for something.  I was Blaze F. Glory and Jeff was General Custard.  

Those in attendance:

Jared & Kristi Smith

Chase & Paige Smith

Jason & Sam Pitts

Matt & Chris Olsen

Scott & Carma Parks

Legrand Hansen

We had a great evening!!!  Thank You to Jared & Kristi!!!!

It's Official!!!!!

Well, I guess I am jumping the gun by 4 hours, but at that time it will be official -----

SUMMER IS HERE!!!!!

Let's see, what do we have planned???

Pool Pass

Movie Passes

Science Camp

One weekend full of Family Reunions

Reading Clinic

Lunch in the Park

Anything else that is free or extremely inexpensive

Wiener Roasts

Oh Boy!!!  As I look at this list, I am thinking I have a lot of time to fill.  Any ideas???  I just may need some help to keep my kids occupied this summer.  Is anyone hiring  kids?  You don't have to pay them, you just need to keep them WORKING!!!  

Let the LAZINESS begin!!!!

Princess Party

I know I am extremely late with this post, but as I was looking at my pictures, I realized I hadn't blogged about this yet, so, here is goes.

Over a month ago, Bella had her friend birthday party and she told me she wanted to get her hair and nails done, go to McDonald's, and go to Chuck E Cheese.  Hmmmmmmm??????  I think we can do ONE of those things, so I called around to salons and found a Hair School that has a princess package.  The girls got their nails painted, make-up put on, and they each got an up-do.

Bella

Sarah

Ali

Here are the beautiful princesses

Too bad it was RAINING!!!!!  We could have paraded them around somewhere to show off how beautiful they really were.

So, instead, we came home and had cake and Ice Cream

Hope your day was FABULOUS, Bella!!!!

Ali -- What else can I say???

All the kids were outside playing in the sprinklers and Ali came running in the house saying she needed to go pee.  Jeff and I are in the living room looking at something and all we hear from the bathroom is: "Ohhhh, that feels so good.  Ohhhh, that feels so happy."

A little later we overheard her saying: "Doink........PBS Kids."  Do you think she has watched a little too much TV.

That girl is so funny!!!!