Mommy Brain

VBS IS OVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We loved it but it nearly killed me. I did Crafts for 3-6 year olds. I love that age group, I love preschoolers, but there is something about VBS that makes everyone WILD. It was a fun wild, just....wild.

Kind of like the sideways picture. Why Blogger is doing this to my picture I have no idea. It is possessed I think...

Clay's Aunt Barbara came down for the weekend to visit and watch the children's VBS program. She invited us to come home with her and so we spent the last five days in Decatur, AL. The kids and I went to her house on Wednesday, and Clay joined us on Friday after work. It was a spur of the moment trip that turned into a fun, albeit unexpected, vacation.

The children did wonderfully. I am so proud of how well behaved they were. Layton slept all by himself in one of the guest bedrooms and that shocked me! I would read him a few books, tuck him in, pray and then he would say, "Mommy, can you cuddle with me?" After my heart melted, I would cuddle for a few minutes and then leave. He never cried, complained, or got out of bed! I was able to relax and read or watch HGTV (my new obsession) while Barbara and Laura Grace read books together.

Barbara is a retired first grade teacher and has a gift with children. Clay had a blast with her when he was growing up and now my children get to enjoy her fun ideas and sweet personality.

Thursday, we spent the morning shopping. I found some great deals at Target on things for our upcoming beach trip, Father's Day gifts, and then splurged at the Bath and Body Works sale. Pink Grapefruit body spray smells WONDERFUL by the way and you can get a full sized bottle for two dollars right now!

After shopping, we went home for lunch and naps. After naps we went to the Splashpad-I don't know why every city does not have this! It was a free park that had fountains and wading pools for kids to splash and play in. A lifeguard was on duty to ensure that it stayed calm and clean. The kids had a blast.

The Splashpad is right next to a park. It is designed for the kids to be able to play and then run back into the water when they get too hot. Again, why does every city not have this?!? It made me want to move to Decatur!!

Laura Grace and her Aunt Barbara.

GRRRR...the picture did not edit correctly. Oh well, you get the jist. He had a blast and looks adorable in his swimsuit!

Friday, we took the children to the Point Mallard Wildlife Refuge Museum.

This pretty much captures their excitement!

Laura Grace made a friend who told her she was very pretty. I am NOT ready for that. In fact, several little boys told her she was pretty this week. We had to have a long talk about accepting compliments graciously and not getting carried away with them. I hope I am not already getting a taste of how hard it will be to raise a daughter. She is only five and I don't think it is appropriate for her to already be dealing with attention from little boys!!

After the wildlife refuge we ate lunch at Mcdonalds. It was full of old cars and movie paraphernalia that I enjoyed looking at. The kids were disappointed that they couldn't touch any of it, but obeyed so well that I decided they needed a treat. We took them to Books a Million and let them pick out a book each. They then spent an hour or so playing at the train table. Why I am not sure-we have one at home!?!

After lunch, we went to the Cook's Museum. The Cook family owns Cook's Pest Control, and as a service to the community, opened a free wildlife, insect, and science museum. They had exhibits on everything from the different types of spiders to fossils and natural rocks. Each exhibit had scripture verses along with the description. I was thrilled to be able to read them to the kids and discuss each animal's purpose -even down to Black Widows.

Laura Grace was VERY excited about the museums. She really enjoys learning about animals and insects. Snakes fascinate her. I was glad to have a way to teach her about them other than all the snake books she has been checking out from the library-ICK.

Layton LOVED the spider exhibit. He is slightly obsessed with bugs right now. Bugs and "stops" (red lights). All week he has talked about bugs and "stops"... to the point where I am trying to find a transportation museum nearby!

Saturday, Clay was with us. Even after being married for seven years I can't stand spending a night away from him. Two nights was really hard for me and the kids-we were thrilled when Daddy got there! We spent the day in Huntsville, AL at the Earlyworks Children's Museum.

Laura Grace and Layton outside the museum.

Clay and I at the museum...

Laura Grace and Layton churning butter... Laura Grace said she wished she could really do that every day...

My sweet pioneer girl. There is something about those bonnets that are so sweet! For a fleeting instant I wished we were Amish! Then I remembered that means no air conditioning...

Layton enjoyed "milking" a cow.

They had a water play area set up for splashing and "fishing".

Clay thought it would be amusing to dress me up as a deer.

Clay and Laura Grace put on a puppet show.

Layton's favorite part was playing with some wooden boats. They went around on a track and the children could load and unload them with wooden blocks. We about never got him to leave!

Finally, the children tried their hand at construction. Laura Grace very seriously informed me that hard hats are "not her thing".

Laura Grace had Cheer Camp all week. She didn't say much about it, but assured me that she had fun. She told me all about the snacks, the face paintings, and pulling the mascot's tail. When I asked about the dances and cheers she would just shrug and say, "You know...it's cheer."

ooookaaaay.

Anyway, tonight she had her performance. They did two pom dances and a cheer. She looked adorable and did a great job! She stood next to her best friend, Chloe, and made sure that Chloe found her parents while they waited for their music to start. She then found another little girl's family for her. I thought it was very sweet that she wanted them to know their families were watching.

This was last year...