March Inn

Why"March Inn?" March Inn was the name of that magic place where I spent my summers growing up. I have alluded to this place before, and I probably will again. March Inn is no longer standing. The waters of Katrina rendered it unlivable so my children will never know that "March Inn." That makes me sad. In fact it brings me to tears whenever I think about it. I want my children to have their own "March Inn," and I want to capture our lives as they are growing and changing. I invite you to "march inn" to our lives. My hope is that you will catch glimpses of the real world. You will see our creations. You will see our chaos. You will see our affection. You will also see our frustrations, fears, and disappointments. Enjoy your march!

Sunday, September 29, 2013

Big Time

Stephen had the opportunity to go to Tuscaloosa with a friend for the Ol' Miss vs. Alabama game.  He probably thought he was big time.  And he was.  The best part was he never acted it.
In fact, he even said I get four special things in a row - hitting at Regions Field, a birthday party, the Alabama game, and my baseball game.  I sure do appreciate that perspective.  I'm glad he didn't expect any of it even the baseball game for the team he is a member.
I know they had a ball and I am curious who he will be cheering for next weekend.  Will he be an Auburn fan or will he be an Alabama fan?  Time will tell and truth be told it just doesn't matter.
There is no question for me - Roll Tide Roll!

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Happy Hump Day

Good Morning from the Pink Room
Confession - these were actually taken Tuesday morning however they are a great mid-week reminder to count our blessings.  When Frank and I arrived home from Bible study around 8:45 Monday evening our big two were still awake.  I'm not going to lie - I was not happy.  They were all exhausted, and we had left specific instructions to go upstairs and go to bed soon after we left.  Seven o'clock at the latest.  Their staying up late on Monday night makes for a long week, and I suffer the brunt of the lingering outcomes.
There was some comfort in the fact that Mary Frances and Stephen slept together in her bed and at some point in the middle of the night Walker joined them.
There it is!  There's Madagascar.

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Mud Paint

We had one of those rare yet glorious, low key weekends.  We had no real plans.  We ate breakfast at the country club.  We all {but for MFS} napped on Saturday.  I almost emptied my ironing basket.  We watched football.  We read.  We played in the yard.  I made my menu and grocery list.  We went to church.  We watched Stephen play baseball.  We just hung out.  We enjoyed unstructured time with each other.  We were a family! 
Deep in my heart I wanted to be in Mobile meeting my new niece, visiting with my grandmothers, and watching my girls play with my double first cousin's little girls.  For a host of reasons that wasn't going to happen, but I made no plans with friends just in case it did.

On Sunday, I just couldn't bring myself to leave my house and my family to make my weekly grocery store run.  Making the menu and the list is typically the hard part, and I know that it makes my week run more smoothly if I knock out this chore.  However this week I just didn't want to leave the comfort of our back porch rocking chair and the voices of my sweet boys.

I'm glad I put it off because if I'd run that errand I would have missed the mud paint that was taking place in my backyard.


Saturday, September 21, 2013

Dog Days

This little boy is growing up!  I have been really impressed by his words and actions over the last month.  4K suits him!  He has great teachers who are kind, loving, and have an enormous amount of experience.  Sure, he still whines and is capable of pitching a gargantuan fit, however he is more likely to say "yes, mam" and go do it.  As he grows in stature, he is growing in responsibility.  That makes this mama smile!
My children have all had Ms. Nan for 4K, and she does a lot of great things.  Her class is fun and developmental, yet she gets those children ready for kindergarten.  More for this mama to smile about!  One of the fun things she does is hide Clifford's bone each day.  Whoever finds the bone gets to take Clifford home and write about his adventures.
Over the years, Clifford has visited our house often.  I can recall many of the adventures that our family has experienced with him.
Nothing that I'm posting these days is real time.  I just can't get it done.  So about two weeks ago, Clifford made his first trip home with Walker.  
He helped us make dog bones for a snack.  A spur of the moment and fun happy memory with my baby boy.
This is just one of the many reasons that I feel blessed to be a stay at home mama.

Monday, September 16, 2013

Snaggle Tooth Stephen

This is old news around our house but not here on the blog.  I just can't seem to make it here.  So sorry!
Stephen lost his first tooth.  Some might say, finally, but not Stephen.  He was super excited that it happened, but he is just the kind of person who was okay being among the last if not the last in his grade.

Wednesday, September 4, 2013

My Boys

No time to write but just want to share my sweet boys loving baseball and each other.

Monday, September 2, 2013

Best Birthday Ever

You know you are a big dork when you have the best birthday ever when you spend a large part of the day doing volunteer work with your daughter.
Then again, when you see that her smile is this big for 4 hours in the heat with no one else she knows then you might understand why it made my day.
 
You see, over the years, my children have seen me leave the house or drop them at preschool early so that I can get to a Junior League meeting or participate in a Junior League event.  They have even spent their share of time at the League office while I was making copies, picking up materials, or attending a meeting.  Mary Frances and Stephen have even been with me to various placements over the years, but it was more out of necessity than that they could actively participate. 
 
Saturday was different...

 Mary Frances helped teach the lesson.
 And she loved it!
 She made a new friend and wants to go back next weekend.
I told her that I would take her to the East Lake Farmers Market but I didn't think the Yummy Truck would be making a second appearance.

And then we went home to eat lunch and prepare for guests to enjoy an evening of eating BBQ and watching football.
Our House Divided
 
I'm worried about these two when they get to Crestline...Mary Frances, who was playing school, kept sending them to the principal's office, and they thought it was the funniest thing that had ever happened to them.
As for these two...  They have gotten to be friends from church, Bible study, soccer, and Crestline.  It seems we might be at an age where football is really fun.  Stephen and Billy played in the backyard for most of the night - back and forth they went.
 Hugs and tackles...
 Running, throwing, kicking, and falling.
Needless to say everyone slept well Saturday night.

A big thank you to everyone who sent birthday wishes my way.  It really was the best birthday that I can ever remember...