Watch Out Tiger

We were headed out the door on Friday night and Spencer wanted to wear a hat. I had just bought him a plaid newsboy hat that he really liked, so we took that one. He decided he didn't want to get into the van, he darted straight for the outdoor toys. The following pictures were not planned in anyway - this was ALL him.

Inflation

We all know it is a bad economy right now and inflation is everywhere. Well it has also hit babysitters. Yep, when I was a kid, I would HAPPY to get $2.00 an hour to make some summer cash. Those days are gone, long gone! I approached one of our teenage girls at daycare to find out if she babysat on the weekends. Yes, for $7.00 an hour. YEP, minimum wage.
So, our dream of finding a sitter that we can rely on and Spencer already knows, was shattered. It is back to enie meenie miny moe to see who gets to go with Madison to the movies.

Sissy and Little Man

It's hard to watch Spencer and Madison and pay attention to all of the details that make them who they are. I thought I would share some of those details.

First there is Spencer. My nickname for him has been Little Man, but lately it has been "turd". Yes, I said it, TURD. It usually comes out as "turdy wurd." Justin's nickname for him has always been "boy." Spencer is just over 22 months and he is constantly moving; he literally never stops. His play time involves throwing everything and the word "no" to him, means to do it again, but throw it farther and faster. UUHHGGG. His new fascination is his new basketball goal and color wonder makers.
He has has learned to whisper. He only says one word when he whispers, "hi," but it is hilarious. When he sits in his car seat or booster seat, he always crosses his ankles, always. He has quiet time with Justin sitting watching baseball before it is bed time. He is fascinated by his big sister. He calls her Madison or Sissy. He likes to help "dead head" my flowers, but tends to pick off all the pretty blooms and not the dead ones. He likes to shake it, move it, bust a move, raise the roof and any other combination of dancing.
Next is my oldest, Miss Madison. Oh where to start with her. She is smart, but common sense seems to elude her lately. She is sweet, but can be a smartass like no other. She is funny and I love her sense of humor. I am amazed at how well she can draw and sing (two things I really cannot do). She sleeps late (I suppose just like any other preteen) and doesn't like to get up early. She loves her computer game Wizard 101 and she teaches me how to play. She reads A LOT and loves to visit a book store. She likes jewelry, but doesn't have her ears pierced. She isn't caught up in brand names (yet anyways) wears what is comfortable. She doesn't like to mess with her hair; it usually hangs straight. She honestly doesn't know how to pull her hair in a ponytail. She loves shoes and purses (she gets the purse addiction from me). She loves her little brother, but loves to pull his pants down and laugh so hard when he can't pull them back up. Gotta love her.

Grandma Colleen

My Grandma Colleen was a very special lady. I have many memories of her, but there are some more dear to my heart than others. She finally has peace in her heart and no more pain, may she breath easier in heaven.
Before Justin and I had children, we had two mini schnauzers, Doc and Katie. I swear Katie was Grandma's dog in another life. The first time Grandma Colleen visited us, Katie was so excited that she peed. The trend continued throughout Katie's life, she literally couldn't contain herself around Grandma. Katie bonded with my Grandma and they always found comfort in another. Grandma always allowed Katie to crawl up and lay on her lap and Katie was always very gentle.

When Madison came along she was colicky. I had a rough time with her, but Grandma Colleen had a magic touch. She could always calm and sooth her with the special pat on the butt. I owe a lot to Grandma Colleen. When I was in my hardest semester in college (21 hard science classes), Justin got deployed to England. Madison was 18 months old. Grandma Colleen came to live with me for over a month. She took care of Madison, cooked, cleaned and took care of me. She even helped me study for my microbiology final. During this time she also taught me how to cook "old school." I would have been lost without her help and I was always very grateful to her.

Unfortunately it took us awhile to have another baby, so when Spencer came along, Grandma Colleen was much older and slower. He still loved to smile at her. This is the only picture I have of her and Spencer together. So, when I take a gazillion pictures of those dearest to my heart, please don't get upset when I ask for "just one more picture."

Grown Up, Really?

Tomorrow is the last day that Madison will be in elementary school. Time has sure flown by. She is still so young, but really grown up all at the same time. Justin and I are so proud of her. Not just academically, but as a person as well. She sets goals and works hard to achieve them. She is hard on herself if she doesn't succeed. Junior high is right around the corner; it is so hard to believe.
This year the SEARCH (gifted and talented) class consisting of nine 6th graders participated in Destinations Imaginations. This was a competition with the other SEARCH classes from different schools. The competition included a structure built only with paper and glue. The structure had to be built to withstand the maximum amount of weight, but itself weigh less than 75 grams. They also had to perform a skit based on the structure. The interesting concept behind these two projects was that NO adult could help. All the parents had to sign a contract stating that we would not talk or ask or help with the project. It was a giant mystery to us.
Madison was chosen to be the skit writer. They competed two weeks ago and came in 2nd place in the skit and 4th overall (out of 11 schools). All the kids did such a great job! It was such a great team effort.

Tonight was 6th grade graduation. Madison did very well academically this year. She received the following awards:

• Certificate of Achievement in Science
• Certificate of Achievement in Reading
• Certificate of Participation in Honor Choir
• Principal's Gold Award (straight A's)
• Medal of Academical Excellence in Reading (highest reading grade)
• 1st Quarter Citizenship Award (leadership and attitude)
• Reading Plaque for 654.5 AR points (highest AR points in 6th grade)

Madison's goal this year was to break the school record of 525 AR points. She not only did this, she blew it out of the water! We helped her set goals and made frequent trips to Borders and the library.

Convocation and Zoo

Last week Justin attended Convocation at the University of Oklahoma. This was for the Fall and Spring graduates. It was a nice ceremony, but it was very long. I still don't understand how and why guest speakers think they need to talk for 45 minutes. Justin's dad was able to come from Indiana to attend the special event.
We all the love the zoo, so on Sunday we headed out. It was only cloudy in the morning and it wasn't supposed to get too hot. So far, it had been the only day without rain.

Spencer lapped up all the zoo had to offer. He was finally big enough to ride the train and carousel. He LOVED the carousel and couldn't decide about the train. Big sis Madi was sweet enough to take him on the train.

We checked out the new Children's Zoo that opened up in March and I have to say WOW! How fun. Spencer played in the splash pool, the mini forest, watched the lorakeets, petted goats, saw the horses, pigs and rabbits. Great times!

Madison played "I am King of the World" on top of some large climbing rocks. Overall, it was a good day until the sky became very dark. We headed home and within an hour, there was baseball size hail smashing out windows. Timing is everything.

Indiana Trip Part 1

Traveling to Indiana with Spencer was a bit overwhelming. The flight out was good, he fell asleep and we didn't have to change planes in St. Louis. With the help of some very nice passengers, we got through just fine to find Grandma Doris and Grandpa Dan waiting for us. I took WAY too many pictures as usual, so here is the summary of what we did. I had to put this into two posts, so make sure you read both! Fun times.

Sunday: Grandma and I went shopping at one of the best outlet malls I have ever seen. I splurged and bought a Coach purse. Madison has since ooohhhh and ahhhh and tried to steal it (not gonna happen). Spencer checked out the place with looking into cupboards and navigating his way through the deck with Sam and Dylan (grandma and grandpa's two golden retrievers).

Monday: Spencer and I headed south about 20 minutes to Grandpa Willie's house. We ate at Buffalo Wild Wings and Spencer flirted his way through lunch, very cute. We headed back to the house and checked out the pond on the four wheeler cart. Spencer had an absolute blast and grinned ear to ear as we made our way around the pond.

He took a nice long nap. I had to of course get the picture with his butt sticking straight up in the air while he snoozed away.

After the much needed nap, Spencer played some golf. Grandpa Willie showed him out to swing and putt and he giggled with glee each time.

We enjoyed our walk around the pond watching the geese with the babies.

Late in the afternoon, the neighbors were out with their new motorized jeep and Spencer got to go for a ride. He wasn't too sure about that.

During dinner, I was kept in the loop of the tornadoes that were on the ground in Oklahoma. For those that know me, I literally have panic attacks with storms and especially tornadoes. Justin said, I was very luck NOT to be in Oklahoma. We all watched the weather channel and more and more I realized how very lucky that things were not worse.

Continued on Post #2.