Harper's first t-ball game

Harper played in her first t-ball game this morning.  As an added bonus Daddy is her coach, and her cousin Clayton is on the team too!   She did a great job of listening and was most enthusiastic about her new shirt!  Oh and she was the snack helper this morning.....it's all about the snacks!!   

7th layer of he$$

The worst place on earth that anyone can ever go in my opinion is the DMV.  Last week Cameron told me he was ready to take his drivers test.   I went to the bank and pulled the necessary papers.   Except I didn't pull all of the needed papers.  We had to leave without taking the test.  Two days later I gathered more paper and took Cameron back.   This time I had asked all the proper questions and was armed with a load of paperwork....nothing could possibly go wrong.  Except that the bills I brought in had Jim's name on them and not mine so according to the DMV they are not my bills.  However, the lady took mercy on me and said if I would run to the post office and get some piece of paper stamped she could use that.  The post office guy frowned and told me that is illegal.  I must have looked like I was going to cry because he said 'if you tell them at the DMV not to send anyone else up here I will do this one time!'  And so with my paper in hand we ventured back to the DMV and then Cameron took the test.....aaannnnndddd he failed. 

Today, he was SURE he had studied enough.  Colin offered to let him use his truck for the driving part of the test.  We arrived at the DMV at 2:55.  There was a sign on the door that read 'no drive tests will be given today after 3:00 pm.'  We decided to wait in line in order to at least get the written test out of the way.  Cameron then failed....but missed few enough that he could retake it today.  So we waited through the line again and he failed it again.  He was extremely sad and upset.  He can try one more time and then he will have to wait 6 months.   He better read the book again!!!   

Lil slugger

I finally got a chance to watch Quincy's team play this evening.  She did an awesome job playing short and left center field.  She also got hit in the helmet by a wild pitch but they called it a foul ball.  She was a little disgruntled by that!   She did a great job overall.  I think this team is going to be fun to watch this summer!  

Worth it all

This weekend was a nice, relaxing one spent together as a family.   I got a kick out of Mallory trying to photograph Flashy Mike.  I enjoyed watching Jim and the boys work together to figure out the pool equipment.   

I watched Cameron work diligently on a treehouse that all the kids have been wanting for quite a number of years.  

I saw my husband and children burn yet another pile of brush that the previous owner had piled up but never burned.   This might cause stress to some people, but to my husband the pyro, it is a joy and a guilty pleasure.  

And last but not least I witnessed one if the strangest things I have ever seen.  Quincy and Preston went out to do chores.  About 3 minutes later Quincy came back to the house hysterically screaming that a black snake had ahold of one of her chickens.   Colin bolted out the door with a bat.  I got there in time to see him jump over the fence and the snake dropped the chicken and literally sprang through the fence.  Colin then tossed the bat to Preston who finished the snake.   Now I have never been one to kill a black snake, but this one had killed Claudine.  There is nothing around who should be allowed to kill Claudine.  Preston was quick in action to defend his sister's chickens.  Unfortunately for Claudine we were minutes too late. I was amused at the way my kids are quick in action to defend each other. 

Which is more likely to protect the house??

My money is on Adolf!   

Quincy's first game

Quincy had her first game on Wednesday evening.   I did not get to watch her play but I heard that she did really good.   Quincy is playing with some girls who are older due to them not having enough girls her age who wanted to play.   She seems fine with it but that may be because her fellow stinkpot best friend is also on the team!  Thank you for the photos Mallory!  

I missed Quincy's game because Madison and I ran to Wichita to watch my Godson Stanley graduate from the 8th grade.  I am once again having camera remorse as I did not think to take photos of him while I was there.  Suffice it to say I am extremely proud of him. He is growing into a very nice, respectful young man.  I have no doubts that God has great plans for him.

Dog days

One of the things we told the kids we would do 'when we move to the country' was allow them to get a dog.  We have been sort of looking for a bigger breed that could serve as a bit of protection for the family, any animals we may have, as well as being a great friend for the kids.   We hit the jackpot when a friend of my mom started advertising for her great pyreneese, lab mix puppies.  She was just looking for good homes for them, so the price was definitely right!  And so tonight, we are happy to announce the newest baby of the family.  He has been named  Flashy Mike.   Don't ask Cameron though, as he wants to name the dog Mayo!   I said no to that because Cameron doesn't even like mayo!

Preston's season is underway

Preston's team played their first game tonight.   They looked pretty good considering several of their practices were cancelled due to weather.  Preston got to play second base, pitcher, right and left field.  We thought he did a great job and their team won!   

Chickens and such

After last weeks fencing catastrophe, we finally had success in finishing the chicken pen.  When I say we, I mean Jim and the boys finished it.   It took quite a while before the ladies were brave enough to come outside!  It always amazes me how fast baby chickens grow up!

And speaking of growing up, Preston's calf, Ryan MOOler is growing too!   We had a conversation about what happens to steers when they grow up.   Preston is pretty convinced nobody makes steak out of a calf this cute!

So what do you do on the first night of summer?

Summer is not summer unless you hang out at the ballpark!   Colin's team had it's last jv game last night.  He is suiting up next week for the varsity team and state playoffs.  Plenty of ball for the whole summer!   I sure hope it warms up though.  I do find ball games more enjoyable if I am not freezing!   

Last day!!

There are no words to describe the happiness that comes from knowing the school year is over.  At least if your name is Quincy!!   

I asked Preston if he was sad.  He actually looked at me and said 'mom they say that there is no such thing as a dumb question, but you just proved that wrong!'  He went on about how nobody is ever sad to see summer break get here!   Sweet freedom!!!

Wednesday randomness

Harper and Saige had their final story time this morning.   They are planning to participate in the summer reading program.   They had a wonderful year and absolutely loved going with grandma this school year.   Today to celebrate the last day, they learned about ponies and had pony rides!  Thank you grandma for taking them!  

The little girls have had plenty of Tv time this week as I was hurt worse than originally thought by a fence post.   Jim and the kids have taken care of everything.  I am finally able to walk again today.   I am still in pain but it is much better than it was!  

And last but not least, we are very proud of our girls for all of the scholarships that they have received, but I was exceptionally proud of Madison for having the honor of receiving the Knights of Columbus Gamba Scholarship through our church.  It is given out for outstanding leadership and service to a senior.   Mallory was a finalist for it as well.  

How's that for a whole lot of random?

An update without a grad in it

Preston got a little orphan calf from my parent's farm.  He is going to use it for his bucket calf project in 4-H.   He has been doing a good job of bottle feeding him! 

For Mother's Day Jim was going to help me build a chicken pen and fix up the kids old playhouse into a hen house.  Jim carried through on the project however about 10 minutes in I suffered from a tragic fencce post accident and am now laid up.  I like to think I am not a pain wimp but I can barely get around.  I even relented and let Jim take me to the doctor today.   They gave me antibiotics because it is a deep puncture hole, and a tetanus shot!  The poor baby chickens who can now fly because they have feathers will have to spend another night or 2 in the garage!