Mother's Day

On Mother's Day, or as I like to call it - early Labor Day - I have a list of things that need to get done around the house that I can't do on my own.

Michael braved the climb up the ladder with the help of Teresa to change the battery in my water sprinkler sensor. Who would have thought that might come up on a To Do list?

All of us pitched in and put a couple of rock borders around the back side of my house where the sod was pulling away from the foundation. I still need to put out my yard art to liven this area up a bit.

Teresa stepped in and did the grilling while I was inside preparing the side dishes.

The bad part about doing all this work is I looked like a homeless person in my Mother's Day photo. If that's what it takes to get a picture, then I'll take what I can. Once again I forgot to take a picture of me with Michael and Melissa. I'm going to have to start making a better list. I certainly can't rely on my memory and I fear it's only going to get worse. (That's remembering to take pictures....geesh!)

Hazel's Last Day of Pre-K

Even though Hazel had her Pre-K graduation a week ago, she still had another week of school.

She's officially heading off to kindergarten next year.

She stopped by a few days ago so we could plant a flower as a going away present for her teacher.

Hazel attended SonShine preschool, so what's more appropriate than a blooming flower to give her teacher to show how much she has blossomed in Pre-K. Underneath that shy exterior I do believe is a budding genius!

Yearly Landscape Flowers & Yard Art

Teresa and I headed to Lowry City on Thursday where my friend from high school has a daughter who owns a greenhouse.

Most of these flowers are mine but Teresa did purchase a few.

It's not hard putting out flowers when you just stick them in your favorite pieces of yard art.

There's my flowering bird bath which this year I decided instead of filling the bowl with water which gets a little murky during the hot summer days, I would put in a flowering plant. Also my bicycle, chairs and stone bench with a small watering can.

Let's not forget the back yard where I hang my hummingbird feeder. I actually saw a hummingbird right after I hung the feeder but hummingbirds are way too fast to try and grab a picture.

My newest piece this year is Fiona the flamingo. As soon as those grassy plants get a little bigger, she won't look so bad standing in front of the transformer.

Food Truck Fund Raiser and Pre-K Graduation

What a hectic evening.

It started with a food truck fund raiser for Violet and Lincoln's school. Violet's 5th grade class had a booth selling snacks which she had to work for the first half hour. While Violet was working, I stood in line at the food truck to get her some dinner which took over a hour to get. Then I had to get Lincoln in to the book fair so he could spend his money. All the while I'm trying to get out of there to make it to Hazel's graduation. Hurrying Lincoln is not the easiest thing to do. He couldn't make up his mind and finally decided I needed to loan him a few dollars! Typical Lincoln.

Then we rushed off to the SonShine Preschool barely making it into the door before Melissa had a heart attack. As usual, they were running a bit behind so we were in our seats before the procession starteds. There were 4 Pre-K classes and each class sang a song.

As each child walked across the stage, they said what they wanted to be when they grew up and took a flower to the teacher. Hazel wanted to be a doctor. They also received an award. Hazel won the award for being the Ray of Sunshine at school. It wasn't easy getting pictures of the kids in their caps and gowns because right after the program the teachers took the kids back to their classrooms to change.

Melissa is always prepared to get a picture of almost every aspect of an event.

Even a quick one of me in the parking lot while walking to my car.

Congratulations Hazel! Now you're off to kindergarten.

Another Birthday Party

To round off the month of April birthdays, I went to my uncle's 90th birthday party.

While Uncle Mickey said he knew who I was (he has memory issues) but then he said he knew who everyone was.

But I did get to see my cousins from my Mom's sister's side of the family. It was great catching up. 

Lincoln Plays at Arrowhead

I didn't know flag football was such an up and coming spectator sport.

Lincoln's team played a scrimmage game at Arrowhead Stadium. Now that's a classy place to play a flag football game.

Violet Volleyball and Lincoln Flag Football

I thought my days of attending multiple sporting events was done when my kids graduated from high school.

Violet is following in her mother's footsteps and plays volleyball. She's actually really good at it.

After the second day of her tournament, we hurried off to the football fields to watch Lincoln's flag football game. He mostly plays defense but also plays a little offense and is the center. Look out Jason Kelce!

Then it was back to the volleyball courts to finish the tournament. Violet's team didn't win and it was a long 3 day tournament. If she keeps up with the sport, I'm pretty sure she'll be even better than her mother. Sorry Mis!

Teresa's Birthday

We had a little Cains chicken dinner with the Taylors for Teresa's birthday but what she really wanted was to go to Ameristar Casino and have their prime rib Wednesday special.

The prime rib wasn't the best (sure is a good thing the casino paid for it) and we didn't have much luck at the slot machines. But Teresa got to celebrate her birthday the way she wanted. Happy Birthday Teresa! 

Orchid Recovery

I have lots of plants and do very well with them but I've never been able to keep an orchid alive. I think it was last Mother's Day, Michael gave me a beautiful orchid.

After a few weeks with me, the orchid began to die off. The leaves were still green but the vines had turned a very light green. I was tempted to just throw it away. Then my nail tech told me I needed to water it from the bottom. Soon dark green vines began to grow and the orchid started budding.

Now it looks like this. Either the orchid likes the way I water it and sitting in the office window (which faces south) or I've finally figured out orchids.

Easter

I've never been one to be too traditional about food for holidays. This year we spent Easter at Teresa's. She's almost done with the remodel of the interior of her entire house. Our dinner was not the traditional ham and potato salad but fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, and fried green beans. We still had the deviled eggs or Michael wouldn't have come.

Hazel wasn't feeling the picture taking time, so this is the best I got. Still a very good Easter being with my family.

Michele's Visit and Pre-Easter Prep

Michele made the long trek from Denver to Kansas City to catch up on birthdays and celebrate an early Easter.

I always try to fill up her days while she's here to make her trip special. Her first surprise was an early Easter gift. Dr Pepper is Michele's favorite drink and I just couldn't pass up these Peeps when I saw them in the store. They mostly tasted like marshmallows but the sugary coating might have had a bit of Dr Pepper flavoring.

Then it was off to visit Hazel for her birthday. Michele wrote a story about Ruby the dragon who saves Jellybean Junction from the googlins by launching marshmallows at them with a catapult. That was my favorite part, launching the marshmallows at each other until things started to get out of hand. There was also something about programming Ruby to do different things...go forward, spin around, etc. A lot of artificial intelligence stuff that I'm not that familiar with.

Teresa and I have spent most Fridays during Lent searching for the best fish and chips. With Friday being Good Friday, we wanted to take Michele to the best one we could find. Turns out none of the places we went were that great so we took her to Culver's. Not only was the fish and chips great tasting, we also had fried shrimp. Culver's was also passing out small samples of their frozen custard so that saved me a trip to Andy's for Michele's birthday treat.

At the Taylors, the kids were busy dying Easter eggs.

Each kid has their own version of the best way to dye eggs. I'm glad I didn't have that mess to clean up.

Saturday was the Easter parade in downtown Lee's Summit. Michele was wanting to head back to Colorado so we went to the parade just long enough to get a picture.

But the kids stayed, walked the parade and took a picture with the Easter bunny. Goldie wasn't too happy about that and Hazel sat as far away from the bunny as she possibly could. At least she's not hiding her head...she's getting better at taking pictures.

Meanwhile, Jamie and Lincoln were in St Louis at the motocross races.

Busy couple of days but well worth it. Happy Easter Michele!

Hazel Turns 5

While Violet prefers spending her birthday with friends, Hazel still wants the themed party.

This year a princess party!

The party was held on March 24th so we celebrated again on her actual birthday at no other place than Chick-Fil-A. I swear these kids could live off Chick-Fil-A every day. Except Lincoln. He and I like Taco Bell!

Violet's Birthday

Eleven years ago, actually 10 years and 11 months ago, Melissa started posting pics of Violet's birthdays with a number on the shirt.

Today the tradition continues as Violet celebrates her 11th birthday. Some things are just too special to change. Happy Birthday Violet!

The Chiefs Win the Super Bowl!

I love following the Chiefs play football and noticed the Super Bowl was going to be in Las Vegas this year. Price of tickets to the Super Bowl is extremely costly so last November I asked Teresa if she wanted to go to Las Vegas for the Super Bowl. I figured we'd just watch it on TV in a bar.

Little did I know the Chiefs would actually be in the Super Bowl so that made our trip extra special.

As I expected, Vegas was a zoo but my casino host was able to get us tickets to a Super Bowl party. Just like going to the Super Bowl only no ticket cost. We got to see the game on a giant TVscreen. Food was provided all through the game as well as drinks.

To top it all off, the Chiefs won the Super Bowl. This is the new Sphere constructed in Vegas. It's actually a concert venue in a circle shape. This continually rotates with changing advertisements.

The crowd going back to our room was huge and we actually had to stand in line to get on the elevator to go to our room. But what an experience. Teresa and I are thinking of making plans for next year's Super Bowl. This time in New Orleans. We're hoping for a Chiefs three-pete!

Melissa - Another Year Older

As we age, birthdays don't hold the same excitement as when we were children.

That time has come for Melissa. Pizza from Fun House and bundt cakes from Nothing Bundt cakes was plenty for her. Inwardly I believe we all want to be recognized but mostly it's just another day. Maybe for some. I want the party! 

Violet Still Working the Fast Food Joints

A little over 10 years ago I snapped this picture of Violet. At the time Melissa and Jamie were building a new house and I mentioned Violet may need to get a job to help pay for it.

Now Violet's at it again. This time serving food at Culver's for a school fund raiser. Hopefully in another 10 years she's still not in the food industry unless it's a franchise she owns!

Violet's Volleyball Tournament

Violet had her first volleyball tournament with her new traveling team. After pool play, her team landed in the bronze division. The last set was a nail biter. Violet's team won the first game. The opposing team won the second game.

In the last game, Violet's team was behind about 5-10 (I can't remember the exact score). Violet came up to serve and scored 8 consecutive points putting her team ahead. Being a rally score game, the opposing team lost the ball and Violet's team mate then scored the winning point putting them 1st in the bronze division.

Oh how I remember the hours sitting in the bleachers when Melissa played traveling ball. Like mother, like daughter! 

2 Year Old Goldie Celine

Our little baby is growing up....too fast!

Goldie is now 2 years old and got her first 4 wheeler.

If that's not enough, she absolutely killed it on the skating floor. It never stops amazing me how much these little bitty kids can do. Later we had a family birthday party and she was scooting around the floor on a new scooter.

Happy Birthday Goldie Celine! No more baby stuff for you!