Lower Allen Open House

After I picked up Baylor from COF we headed to the elementary school for Open House.  We were the first parents there and I was able to talk to Mrs Murray for a bit. Baylor called a schoolmate a Ding Dong the week before and he came home with a note and frowny face on his homework sheet. I asked him why he said it, he said he thought it would be funny.  I had to send a note back to Mrs Murray telling her why he said he said that, that we talked about it not being funny, and that at home we do call each other silly names, but never to belittle.  On Wednesday I was leaving COF and heard one of the older boys call another boy a ding-dong while they were playing. I asked him if that is where he heard that word. He said maybe!  I told her about that at the Open House and that I had also told Baylor that even adults try to be funny at times and fail.  She had the kids writing books from October and from April so we can compare how far they kids have improved in the last six months.  For the kids it was like Old Home Week, they waited excitedly in the hall jumping up and down when they spied a classmate coming in.  You would never had guessed they were all there together a few hours ago.  

Molly is Baylor's new girlfriend, though I am not sure Molly knows that.  I told her parents about it and they were unaware of the situation.  See Max in the hallway on the lookout for more kids?  

Baylor showed me his strawberry which he had made into a ninja turtle, which Mrs Murray said was one of the more creative as most of the kids just glued on foam shapes and googly eyes.  

There was more work in the hallway as well.  The kids also walked us down to the music room but the music teacher was not in there, just the art teacher who shares the room with her.  

What he really wanted to do was play and thankfully some of the other kids did as well and the parents obliged.  I think I was out there almost as long as I was inside at the Open House.  Until the lightening started and then we left!  I cannot believe they have only six weeks left!  

Before and After: My Hair

Yes, I know, I should smile in selfies.  

I Hate Raspberry Pruning Day

I love my gardens, but as I get older, I don't love the Spring clean up.  I especially pruning all the thorny vines I have everywhere.  Like the black raspberries, the red raspberries, and the yellow raspberries.  But they need trimmed back so I just plow ahead.  

Halfway done.  

And then look like I got into a fight with a kitten. 

Return of the Smoker and A Few Others

My niece is growing so fast and I still have not met her.  The family was in FL for the weekend for a memorial for Laura's grandma who died a few years ago.  Presley had her first dip in a pool and in the ocean. They said she loved it.  

Saturday I smoked a brisket and a pork shoulder for our lunch on Sunday.  They were on the smoker for about five hours and then in the oven for about four more.  

And I think I nailed it this time!  Even Bob was impressed when I showed him the pictures and gave him some to eat.  I think finishing off in the oven is the key for me, I can let it braise a bit and the meat does not dry out.  

My mom is a champion dish stacker and I learned well from her.  If there was an Olympic event in dish stacking, I would totally medal.  And no, I did not let the dishes pile up for a week:  I bought new picnic plates and bowls and had to wash them all. 

For later that day we had guests arriving.  The McGraws and most of the Dwyer-Allen family come over for a visit.  Baylor requested churros, his favorite snack.  He really just likes anything covered in cinnamon sugar but these are certainly a favorite.  

I did not take a lot of photos, but I did get one of Tara watercolor painting an apple blossom picture and Lucas working on his flowers in acrylics. The boys had fun working on a dinosaur dig that Tara had brought up for them.  Cullen was the most determined to release the dinosaur and in the end we sunk the clay block in a bowl of water and freed the bones.  I had wanted to make treasure stones for their visit but never made it to anywhere to pick up items to hide inside.  Now I know I need to work on that as I think they would enjoy those as well.   

Mad Chop Stick Skills!

At night Baylor has to ready all of his friends and he often wants a photo shoot of his collection for the night.  I guess I raised him with a camera always in his face so that is what he expects. 

After work Wednesday Gloria said to meet them at Tokyo Diner for some hibachi dinner. I have wanted to take Baylor there for a long time but did not want to go without Gloria.  I thought he would love the dinner show and he did!  He also loved the cheater chopsticks, the salad, and the soup.  

I love the fire show and made sure the was paying attention during the flaming flattop.  

And the onion volcano. 

He loved the fried rice and some of the veggies.  He ate most of the beef as well as that is his favorite meat right now.  He even fed me some of the lesser liked veggies using the chopsticks.  He struggled with the rice and had to resort to the fork for that.  I cannot wait to go there again with him!  

And he got a new mountain lion when he was out with Mama at Bass Pro buying new fishing gear.  We did not have a mountain lion and he convinced her he needed one.  He fits right into the group.  

Happy 2nd Birthday Adam

Meme and Pap arrived Friday night to stay the night.  They do not come down unless there is a party or appointment and this time it was a party on Saturday. But after Gloria came home, we had a little party for Pap to celebrate his birthday that was earlier in the week.  Baylor of course helped with the candles.  

Happy Birthday Pap!! We are glad we were able to celebrate it with  you!  

Saturday morning was the last day of swimming lessons for this session.  After swimming class we were heading to Adam's second birthday party, the real reason Meme and Pap were down.  We were going to arrive a half hour late to the party but I was not going the change his swimming class again.  He was excited to go to class and exited to have more spectators in the hallway who were excited to see him swim!  

Mr Nate was putting the boys through their paces today as he was assessing them to decide whether they passed or had to take the class again.  He swam all the way across the pool without the kick board.  He would not do the diving board but would jump off the starting blocks.  I went over to see if he would do the board and told him I jumped off the diving board the first time when I was three.  It is one of the memories burned in my brain, I can see still the teacher in the water below me.  

Amazingly he passed the class in one session!  I asked if he was sure and Mr Nate it was my discretion.  I said he was the teacher and I respect his decision, I was just in shock as he has never passed a level in one session!  Way to go my little fish.  

We headed straight over to the birthday party in time for pizza and snackies.  Baylor, who used to be on the fence on pizza and would never touch a pepperoni, has changed his tune on both.  He ate three pieces and a ton of veggies.  And while he is not much into trains anymore, he was happy to color Emily.  

Adam was partially interested in the cake, but mainly just for the Thomas on top.  

Two of Adam's great Grandmas.

One great Grandpa and his daddy.  

Adam is only two so he would get wrapped up in one gift and not interested in the next. His mom ended up opening everything for him, which is what I did at Baylor's second birthday as well.  It was a very Thomas birthday and we bought him a small travel set.  

 And as usual, the other kids just wanted to balloon fight.  Thankfully there was a partial wall between the room and doorway and they kept the balloons mostly out there.   Baylor was right in the thick of it.  

I had been working on bringing out Baylor's summer clothes and hung them out to dry in the sun while we were out partying the day away.  While I love hanging clothes out, I don't always love having to bring them in!! I don't know why, but the unhanging is not as much fun as the hanging up.