The self- inflicted “Blah’s”. . .

One of my babies has been gone for waaaaaaay too long. I got the “blah’s” about it too. We were supposed to pick her up yesterday, but plans changed. Now here I sit…missing her, feeling sad and blah.

Almost every day I get a little picture sent to my phone of all the fun she is having without  us on her fabulous vacation.

Oh look! She is having some yummy ice cream with her wonderful cousin. I bet she loved that.

My parents took Avery to Alabama to visit her cousins. She wanted her cousins ALL to herself…and she got it. Alex had so much planned for them. I bet Avery was on cloud nine. Here she is with Alex ice skating.

She then took her to the “Alabama Shakespeare Festival” for a picnic. Perrier in a champagne glass anyone?

Feeding the ducks at the park.

The next day they went down to LA (lower Alabama) to visit my little sister and her fam.

Holly had a plan to take them to “Alligator Alley”. Apparently that is a “park” that has oodles and oodles of alligators residing there….like 200. I am sure Avery thought this was the coolest thing ever.

Awww…she looks so cute holding that nasty little reptile.

The following morning Uncle Shaun took her, Madden and Grandad fishing in his boat. This photo was taken at 5 in the morning as they were about to leave.

I love this next shot! I am so happy she was able to catch a fish! Doesn’t she look adorable in that hat?

  Showing off her catch to everyone once home.

Why don’t my arms look like that? I could lift weights for months and still not have those “guns”. Lucky her.

Once back in Memphis, Nene and Grandad gave her a special gift. Her own little sewing machine. She was super excited! She just happen to put on her “Sew in Love” shirt that morning (which she picked out in the store because it reminded her of Nene).

Nene also took her to one of those pottery painting studios where she picked out this jewelry box. From this phone picture, it looks like she did a great job!

Here she is this very afternoon at a waterpark.

I get to see her again on Monday when I drive to Memphis for our last hoorah of the summer. That day will mark TWO weeks since I saw her last. What were we thinking? Brent and I were going crazy after ONE week. Sigh. Live and learn.

Our scaredy-cat. . .

Move over Savannah, there is a new blonde swimmer in the house.

I see this photo with the “Jaws” theme playing in the background. She appears to be swimming for her life.

Just love the tongue thing she has going on.

She seems to love it yet be terrified of it at the same time.

Taking a temporary breather.

It is like she is being chased by a ghost!

“Mommy!”

Yet she does it over and over again….

What have we come to??

This add was in a mailer that came to my mailbox yesterday.

WHAT THE HECK?

Questions….

1) How does said management differentiate between “kids who try, but get C’s” and the slackers who did not do their homework or study for tests?

2) Why 2 C’s? What if you tried hard but got only ONE  C, can you still have a free cupcake? What if you got all A’s or B’s? Can you still get a free cupcake? Or is it only for kids with 2 C’s OR MORE?

3) Is this where our country is going? Celebrating mediocrity? If so…very sad. This reminds me of sports teams. The kids who win last place get the same size trophy as the ones who win first. It is a joke! Life is a competition no matter if you like it or not. You compete to get into college, sports, for jobs, for promotions, etc. To make our young kids think a C is just as good as an A is pitiful. Kids are smart. If they see their parents are satisfied with them getting  C’s, that is exactly what they will strive for… even if they are capable of better. That is why communism does not work. If you get the same “result” (salary for instance) with just a little effort as you do with great effort,  why on earth would you put forth great effort? Human nature is human nature. It is what it is. Let’s stop pretending and move forward. Let’s stop focusing so much on the kid’s self-esteem and start working on their manners and kindness. Because our “self-esteem” driven societies are creating a bunch of ego centric people with inflated self images. We are grooming little Kanye’s and little Paris’s….we should be so proud.

 

A Closer Look. . .

Though the backyard is not completely finished (it is too hot to landscape), we are still able to enjoy swimming in the pool. The kids are in heaven!

Especially Nana who has taught herself to swim this summer. She has turned into a little fish.

Whooops!

It is too hot in Texas NOT to be in a pool.

Savannah became frightened of any Polaris in a pool after swimming at a friend’s house. What with the fact they swoop along the floor of the pool, brushing up against your legs as you mind your own business.  I was pleasantly surprised seeing her pick up and actually play with our Polaris which we affectionately call “Flobert.” This has been the summer Savannah conquers all of her fears!

If you are wondering where my Gracie Poo is, she is on hiatus with my parents. My mom was in town watching the kids while Brent and I were out of town. She wanted to give Avery some one on one time so she took her back with her to Memphis. I miss her. :-(  I don’t like it when my babies leave the nest.

Here she is about to leave with Nene.

She looks excited too, doesn’t she?

Whatever.

The Grand Opening. . .

Time to celebrate. . .

. . .celebrate the good ol’ US of A that is. The land of the free, home of the brave. Makes me all warm and fuzzy inside.

I know I am not the only one to dress my kids up like coordinating “Old Glory’s”, right?

Nonetheless, they look precious to their doting mama.

We spent this day of celebration with our friends the Walden’s. Yes, those same ones that reside in Walleyworld.

Awww…look at the two Russian princesses.

Kinda takes me back to 2009…

What BIG girls!

Well….compared to the old days. Walleyworld ALWAYS has yummy food!

 

 

However this time was different. THIS time we decided to venture out on the lake. Here are the kiddos. Happy as clams!

And the big kids….

Kellie and I holding down the fort while the men “floated”.

Or so we thought. Lol!

Good times!

These 2 are 2 peas in a pod. So much alike.

Parker…the middle Walden child.

Avery Grace…also in the middle.

Jackson. The oldest of all.

Nana…another middle child.

Connor…the oldest of his clan.

  Inner tubing.

The babies ready to rock and roll!

Sunset on the lake.

My better half looking as hunky as always!

Our wonderful boat hosts’…Kellie and Vince.

The girls waiting for the fireworks to start.

What a wonderful day.

God Bless America, land that I love.