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8 mile

Last week, my first baby bird turned eight. I could go on and on about how quickly they grow up, but, you know. I blinked and he is eight. If I blink again, he will be sixteen. Blink a few more times, and he will be throwing me in a home. Except he promised he wouldn’t. He is a good boy.

Not so sure about G. The other day we were discussing the situation over chips and guacamole. (It’s really never too early to guilt trip your kids.)

Me: … just don’t send me to a nursing home.

Wells: I won’t. But you know Graham will.

Graham: What? I’m not gonna wipe your butt.

He saw that I felt deeply betrayed, and threw in that I was welcome to stay if I could wipe my own butt. Not sure how he knows that’s a possibility, but at least I know where we stand.

So anyway, Wells wanted to have a camp out for his party. I thought it was a good idea but after careful consideration decided against it. (Someone would have to stay up all night and police the situation. There were no volunteers.) Instead, we talked him into an outdoor movie party. It was easy, and I think the kids really enjoyed it.

We had hot dogs, chips and cookie cake. And a few extra goodies for the grown ups.

A little Rocket Balloon action while we waited for it to get dark enough to show the movie…

(Thanks Roxanne!)

I borrowed a projector and ordered the screen from Amazon. It was super easy to assemble, but we still haven’t gotten it back into the handy carrying case. Not sure we ever will. We showed the movie 8 mile because I like a good theme.

Not really. They watched The Nut Job. Speaking of, you would think that we’d steer clear of outdoor events given our rain stained marriage certificate. Thankfully, the storms held off and it was a beautiful night.

During the movie, we passed out popcorn and candy bars. And then the kids passed out from high blood sugar.

No really…

Post movie rave…

Annnnd just in case they weren’t sugared up enough, Wells sent them home with a little treat…

Annnd in case you were wondering if we will ever use that screen again…

We did. Perfect for passing the time between rain showers the following day.

It was a fun party for our fun loving little boy. Eight is still considered “little,” right?

RIGHT?

If you need me, I’ll be moping and mopping the floors with my tears. And looking into a long term care policy.

wowie

May 9, 2014

birthdays, Wells
friday five

After all the terrible weather this past week, looks like we are going to have a beautiful weekend. Speaking of, please keep all the good folks in Mississippi who were affected by the storms in your prayers.

1. The Cause

If you would like to help by shopping for a new pair of kicks, Arco Avenue is donating 100% of sales (through tomorrow) to Lousiville tornado victims. You can help others by helping yourself to a new pair of shoes. Win.

2. The Lounge

I mentioned a while back the need to recover the cushions on our screened porch. (Thanks for the input… it was much appreciated!) I am happy to report that I have made zero progress. Can’t. Make. A. Decision.

I did however order these chaise lounge chairs… Wicker Chaise Lounge in Light Brown.

We had a dining table on our patio until we figured out the mosquitos were enjoying their dinner more than we were. We moved the table to the screened porch and the patio was empty last summer. We thought about doing adirondack chairs, but I really wanted a place to stretch out and soak up some sun (under an umbrella and slathered with SPF 50). I had an issue with the first set I ordered, but Amazon replaced them. I couldn’t be happier with the second set. Unless they were sitting next to a grass bordered pool. Or the Gulf of Mexico.

3. The Palms

I picked up this bikini at Target a few weeks ago, and I love it.

Can’t you see it peeking out of my tank top? No? Here’s a better shot…

I really wanted some pillows in this print for the new lounge chairs but that would require much time and effort. This is way easier.

4. The Island

If you need a great book for the beach or pool (or your backyard lounge chairs), I highly recommend On the Island. I read the entire thing in less than 24 hours… it is that good.

5. The Entertainment

It is difficult to keep kids entertained so you can take a few minutes to shop online, lounge, sun, read. I know this. I also know that kids love Rocket Balloons. Seriously… keeps them busy for minutes. Possibly an hour.

Click over and check out all the Five on Friday posts over at A. Liz Adventures. Have a great weekend!

wowie

May 2, 2014

books, decor, just wowie, stylin’
hoppy Easter

While other bloggers are posting recaps of their morning activities and delicious lunches, I am just getting around to Easter. Not that I am a blogger. If you call me that, I will likely curl into the fetal position and chew on my hair. It’s the same reaction I have when someone says kiosk, moist or “do life.” Or when a man says “we’re pregnant.” No WE’RE not. Unless you gain 50 pounds and push a watermelon out your pee hole, in which case I guess you can say it.

Nothing says Easter like fetal positions and pee holes. Let’s get started.

On Good Friday, we loaded up the car and headed down to Jasper County. And I do mean LOADED.

The boys played outside and we had crawfish with the cousins. It was a great day and a wonderful start to the weekend.

The teepee my mama built for the boys…

A little pre-game…

On Saturday, we had our annual Easter picnic and egg dye/hunt. It was also my daddy’s birthday so we celebrated that as well. Lily and Kailey helped me set up for the picnic and it got a little Pinteresting.

This cake was super cute to start with. Then all the icing slid right off. Good thing icing doesn’t have to be cute to taste delicious.

That night we had a shrimp boil and sat outside by the fire. It was such a fun day that G fell asleep in my lap.

My home church has always had Easter sunrise service but this year it was at regular time. It was so strange to be fully awake during the service. And people looked so much happier. At least on our pew.

After church we headed south to visit with the Mawmaws. We had a great lunch, another egg hunt and more Easter baskets. Filled with more Reece’s Eggs. I will gain 7-10 pounds in the next month and a half. No doubt.

I’m sure they said there is an egg over here…

After the egg hunt, Graham drew a picture for Mawmaw J (his great grandmother). She is in her nineties and one of the sweetest people I’ve ever met. When he got done he brought it to me and directed me to write the following:

Dear Mawmaw J,
I love you.
I hope you have a really great time in heaven.

I just about fell out and then told him I couldn’t write that. He said, “What? I hope she has a good time.”

I hope you had a great Easter. And that you have a really great time in heaven.

wowie

April 28, 2014

Easter, family, roadtrips