Big brother

...and I'm not talking about Garrett. (Although it is strange to think he is a big brother to a baby around the world.)  We've officially been fingerprinted.  Big brother has our stamp.  On Monday, we had an appointment at 8am in a city a couple of hours away. We were there and back before 10:30. Now that is efficiency.  This concludes the adoption hoops until we travel.  I wish I had an update; be we continue to wait with little information......it's just the way it is.

We were there rather early in case of traffic. There were about 4 parking spots for "patrons" as the sign said.  The employees of the federal government, however, had several spots right in front of the entrance. I made a comment to hubs, "That's strange, most businesses have their employees park furthest from the door, and let their customers park close to the door."  To which he replied, "That's the federal government for you."  I've got two legs that work, and I'm not a parking space snob, but I did see the truth in his sarcasm.

Speaking of the federal government,  Allie and I took a trip to the Oval Office last week. I've been a busy mamma.

She even sat in the first chair.

Seal on the ceiling

Hand woven seal on the floor. It was woven in France and took 8 months to make.

That's some field trip for second grade. Ok, Ok...so I'm exaggerating...a little.  There is a presidential enthusiast right here in town.  He has a hobby that is a bit over the top. He worked in the white house for 7 presidents and has quite a collection of memorabilia including a chair from Jackie Kennedy's bedroom, a buffet piece that Truman ate from daily, a rocking chair that J.F.K used and several other things.  To display them, he BUILT himself a replica of the oval office. He added it onto his house.  His wife must really love the man who loves his collection.

This is just a random video of a grand idea that Allie had. Oh good gracious.

Spring break

We hit the road last weekend to go to Arkansas for spring break. My parents' house is never dull when we crash their usually now quiet home.  The kids love playing with their cousins, seeing Memaw and Deeda, making smores, going to the park, and eating way too much candy.

We stayed a few days then headed back home, anticipating the arrival of the other White family. My childhood and forever friend, Beth Ann, brought her kids down to spend the rest of spring break with us.  We haven't seen them in a year, so it was quite a treat!

Happy St. Paddy's day

Boys will be boys.

We went to a feeding zoo to see some animals...a perfect day for wild man.

Laynie and Allie were due the same day. Laynie was born one week early and Allie one week late. I can't believe they are 8!

Yep...the poor poor gator. Garrett was practically poking his eyeballs out. 

We took some pics of L and J and gave her blog a makeover. Can't wait until the next time!

Ellis Island Day

Meet Allie Colson...  (the name was assigned to her...Katie I guess you know where the name Colson originated now:)

She is a 19 year old immigrant from Belgium.

Here are her passport and her luggage.  Allie and her class mates studied about Ellis Island, and on the day before spring break, they acted it out.  They had to appear before a judge and answer questions about where they had come from and what their plan was as they entered this country. They were seen by a doctor to make sure they were free of diseases, etc.  They ended the morning with an international brunch that was quite tasty.

We were assigned Belgian waffles...that's ALOT of waffles before 7:45 am my friend.

Shew....we learned alot, and now it's SPRING BREAK!!!!  We took a trip to Arkansas (that's for another post), and now it's time for a nap.

2 peas

I'm having flashbacks of Allie's days as a 2-3 year old here lately. She was ONE STRONG WILLED child, and although Garrett is not nearly as strong willed, he is alot harder than Mary. She was a very very easy 2-3 year old.  I can't believe right as we will be passing out of this stage, we will have another toddler!!! That is scary...no break from the tantrums.  I was hoping for a break from the diapers, but I'm not sure my boy cares.  He just flat out won't do it.

I've had time this week to go through pics on our computer. I only have 33,000 to through which to sort. Poor Allie just doesn't have nearly as many pics as the other two.  I ran across this one of Allie below...

And here is Garrett above!  I think they have the same look about them. Mary really doesn't look like them to me.  

Yee haw....not so much

We've been attending Western Days at the kids' preschool for some years now. This was Garrett's big debut....

This is how it started.... I NOT WEAR BOOTS!

Ok fine...don't wear the boots....and here is some chocolate if you'll wear the chaps....

..and this is how it ended....all out tears on the stage. Oh well!  Mary did great. My video uploading is malfunctioning, but her last western days went well. She doesn't smile on stage, but she participates!

This has been a busy week! Allie on the other hand, doesn't mind the stage, and it would be accurate to say bring on the audience! She competed in a speech meet yesterday in the town next door.  There were probably 5 or 6 other schools there, and she was only competing against her category which was bible memory and against second graders. She received the highest rating!  We'd practiced and practiced, and she'd never done it completely right, but she did when it was her turn!

These are the kids from her school that competed.

Last night, Nana, Emmy, Adam, and Abbott came over for supper, and Allie made place cards for everyone with a surprise message inside. The one above is Nana's; the one below is Allie's....to herself.

No self confidence problem with this one!

I signed up for a 5k this morning. Somehow I have a knack for running on the days when it is raining and 40 degrees!!  Thankfully mamma lion didn't bail on me:)

Oh good grief I look terrible....anyway...this is J. We met at Pine Cove last summer! I was excited to see her, and she reported she'll be back this summer! Ok enough of the forever long post.

Bath robe recitation

About a month ago, all the kids in Allie's class were to present a chosen speech selection to their class, parents, and a panel of judges. Two kids from each category were selected to move on to the speech meet with other schools, and Allie was selected. This competition will be on Friday, so we have been practicing....slow down, don't twitch, don't scratch, don't pick your nose, don't, don't, don't. I have about 15 "cuts" . 


Psalm 100 ..... take 4...

Another random post alert. I haven't had my camera out a whole lot lately, but a friend asked me to take pics of her kids a few days ago.  I went to school to be a pharmacist; wish I had known that photography was my true passion....

Thanks K for letting us use your scenery....I'll be back!