When I Grow Up

The girls have been studying community helpers for the past few weeks at school.  Each week they have had a guest speaker to talk to them about their career and their focus for that week has typically been around the guest speaker.  This past week they wrapped up that unit and the kids were all to dress as what they wanted to be when they grow up.  The girls decided what they wanted to be and never wavered.

Hollyn wants to be a chef and Aidyn wants to be a ballet teacher.  I thought one would change their mind so they could dress alike, but it didn't bother either one that they were totally different.  Hugh and I have been studying about identity in Christ in our small group the past couple of weeks.  We always try to bring what we're learning onto a level that we can share with the girls.  We don't want them to be identified as "twins" or have their identity with the world.  They are great girls and it is such a blessing to  be with them each day.  I hope you do become a chef so you can cook for us and a ballet teacher so you can help us stay limber and toned in our old age!

Houston wants to be a handsome and Godly man like his Daddy!

(notice the cell phone in his hand--like Daddy already)

 The girls wanted to practice dancing one day in front of an audience....I don't know if the real audience will be this large!

Our sweet girls love to play.  They typically watch no TV during the week and they don't own any video games.  They know how to entertain themselves.  One thing they have never had a huge interest in playing with is baby dolls.  I have never understood this because I loved to play with my babies when I was little.  Anyway, Mama Ann & Papa gave them these beautiful porcelain dolls several years ago and the girls have really started playing with them lately.  They decided to dress them as "old ladies" the other night.

Aidyn with baby Aidyn.

Hollyn and baby Hollyn.

Now back to the subject of growing up.  We had the privilege of visiting with the kids' great great Aunt Hazel this weekend.  She is 94, lives independently, and still occasionally drives!  She never had children of her own, but has loved on so many children in her life.  She is a wonderful example of who we all should aspire to be when we grow up.  She still attends church every Sunday and is a Godly woman who can still be counted on to help others at 94.  We had a wonderful visit!  Did I mention she is 94 and was pulling weeds from her yard?  

More Soccer and Minooka

I failed to take my camera to our first two soccer games--I know it's hard for me to admit that I could do that--but I remembered it this past week!

I love this action shot of Aidyn.

Hollyn is very focused.

The girls really enjoy competing with each other.

Hollyn and a teammate were great cheerleaders while they were resting.

Until they got bored with our game and turned to watch another game during our game!

Just something else to remind everyone that Spring is finally here--even if it doesn't feel like it!

Houston wanted to be Mr. Independent while we were fishing at Minooka Park.

This was our big catch for the day!

He was really having fun--seriously!

This little cutie always has fun!

Houston enjoyed playing with his sweet friend, Kate, and pushed her on the swing.

Spring Break 2011

Where do I start?  We had a wonderful break from school that has made us all anxious for our Summer break from school.  I told the girls they only had a few weeks left in Kindergarten and Hollyn said it was okay with her because she is ready to be a First Grader!  

We decided to stay in town for our break.  We knew we could come up with enough fun in town to keep us entertained.  Here is how our week played out....

We started with a soccer game.  The following day, the kids stayed with Gram & GrandBobby after church and Mom & Dad went to The Melting Pot.  Fun was had by all!  The next day we went to a playground and played outside at our house.  We have enjoyed our yard so much this year.  The following day we had a play date with the girls' dearest friend and swam at the pool at our gym.  Later that same day we went to see Tangled at the $1 theatre.  The next day was spent shopping and visiting with a couple of our aunts and cousins.  The next day we spent a day in the country at Mama Ann & Papa's, again playing outside most of our time there.  This gets us all the way to Friday when we had decided to go to the zoo.  It was a great idea and about 5000 other people had our exact thought!

We had to park at the very back of the parking lot.  We were grateful we found a place to park.

(the line waiting to pay)

Finally, in the zoo and having fun!

We visited the Lorikeets.

Hollyn was not afraid to feed them.

Hugh tried to take one home.

We all got a little nervous at times but it was fun.

Aidyn discovered these giant eggs behind her.  What a grand discovery.

All aboard!

We even got to see one of the new elephants from the train.  It's not a "new" elephant because it is 30 years old, but it is new to our zoo.

The zoo has added a new playground since our last visit.  Hollyn conquered it....

as did Aidyn.

looks real but it isn't....it is cool

Houston wearing smocked zebras in front of the real zebras.

We tried to feed the giraffes but they had too many people interested--imagine that--so we got to enjoy watching them eat and play.

I just love this picture.  I know Hugh feels loved!

A little less "choke hold" pose.

Where are you Aidyn?

In a tent in our back yard.  We put this up and the kids played in it during the week.  No actual camping in it as of yet.

On Saturday we went with friends to Minooka Park in Calera.  We had never been, but I'm sure we'll be returning.  They have a campground, picnic areas, fishing and ATV trails.  We took advantage of everything except the camping.

Houston showed how much fun he had by the end of the day.  Not sure what all he had gotten into, but he was definitely wearing it.

The girls had a riverdance performance before they finished the day.  We grilled burgers and made s'mores to make the day even more special.  

We did clean ourselves before leaving.

We had an extra day out of school for a teacher work day.  The girls have been wanting to paint the interior walls of their playhouse (in the background) which we have strongly discouraged.  This was their great grandmothers house when she was a little girl.  The walls, doors & windows are all original.  We just put in new flooring and roofing.  I love the character and would hate to paint pink walls over the old wood.  As a compromise, we decided they could paint some artwork and we would decorate the walls with their art.

Aidyn painted a zoo theme complete with a lion, pig, bird, tree, butterfly & ladybug.

Hollyn chose to go with a sea theme.  She painted a beautiful mermaid & fish.

Houston went abstract on us with this masterpiece.    

That completed our Spring Break.  We were so thankful to have such wonderful weather and the time to enjoy it!

Soccer!

We've already had two soccer games and we haven't posted any updates!  Very busy month with lots of fun going on.  Spring break update will be coming soon.  Here are some pictures of all of the soccer fun that has been happening......

Our first game was cold and wet!  The girls didn't mind so much (until the last 10 minutes or so) and they played liked champs.  They both scored goals.

After the game, officially soaked with a sweet teammate.

Game #2 a sunny and warmer day!  Great weather and great play.  The girls are scoring machines!

Go alligators!