The Season has Begun!

Soccer season began today and we had great games! Carter and the Cardinals started off the day with an 8 o'clock game and a win! LB and her purple butterflies worked hard only to loose in the last minute of the game. Both kids were just glad to be back in action on the field. We are looking forward to a great season with great friends!

I didn't get as many pictures as I had hoped for but we have a whole season ahead of us!

No, Seriously, Mrs. Dee . . . .

my dog DID eat my homework. We came home from soccer practice the other night to find this left by Chip. Luckily, the spelling words were not part of what was eaten and it was not something that had to be turned in. Never thought we would actually be able to say those famous words in our house!

My Sunflowers

I wanted sunflowers this year in my garden, so Damon went to work! Here they are! They are so pretty and so tall. Just to give you an idea of how tall they are - Damon is about 6'4". Enjoy these beautiful flowers!

Thank you, Damon, for such a wonderful gift! They are beautiful and we enjoyed them so much!

First Edition: "Baseball and Peanuts"

Carter has enjoyed his first week or so of Kindergarten. He loves his teacher and has some of his dearest friends in there with him. One of his friends, Robbie, that is in his class has brittle bone disease. Carter was in preschool with Robbie and has been a good friend to him as Robbie has endured surgeries and sicknesses. He came home from school on Thursday telling me they read a special book about Robbie and his bones. He came home Friday and declared, "I am going to write a book about me to read in school."

Let me take a second to explain why Carter would say this for those of you who don't know about Carter. I have not mentioned it a lot on here because it is something that has been second nature to us for the last 5 years. Carter is DEATHLY allergic to peanuts and peanut products. He is very aware of this and can usually tell you what he can or cannot eat. Starting Kindergarten, we have had quite a few meetings to discuss what is safe and unsafe for Carter and how to handle him should there be an attack. I wrote a note as well as a safe snack list, to all the parents explaining things. It is life threatening and very serious - which not everyone understands.

So, Carter comes home and begins to write his book. This is Carter's first edition of the story. We are working on illustrating it now but hope to have it ready this week for him to take to school this week. I will keep it in his words (and punctuation or lack there of - they have not studied that in Kindergarten yet!!).

Hi My name is Carter

My favorite baseball player is Brian McCann catcher and Albert Pujols fustin base and Matt Holliday leftfield. and thes is about my peanut allery and I have allergy shot and they willy hurt

In baseball favorite position in outfielder

I am a Christian

and my best friend are everyone at my school

and also about my book

I want you to no

I have a dog His name is Chip

He is funny

The English minor in me has helped him edit it and add some more information about his allergy. He helped me complete it and is very proud of his work. Check back later for a glimpse of the future New York Times bestseller!

Super Smoothie!

The kids got a Disney Cookbook last year and we have enjoyed looking throught the recipes. This summer after getting some yummy fresh fruit, we made these smoothies and they were an instant success! We have enjoyed having them for breakfast - lots of fruit and milk!!!

Breakfast Smoothie

1 medium banana

1 1/2 c. fresh fruit, chopped

8 oz. vanilla yogurt

3/4 c. milk

Honey (if desired)

Place in a blender and blend until smooth. Enjoy!

Two Little Monkeys in the Kitchen

We may have started a new tradition last night. Laura Beth had her great friend, Madlyn, over for the night. About 9:00 last night, the girls got in the kitchen to make Monkey Bread. They had a great time rolling the biscuits in the cinnamon and sugar. Each girl got to make their own loaf pan of Monkey Bread. They even had a better time eating it this morning!
This is another great breakfast recipe that you can make and then freeze!

Monkey Bread

4 cans of biscuits cut in 4ths (do NOT use Hungry Jack)

1/2 c. sugar

2 T. cinnamon

Chopped nuts (if desired)

Roll the biscuits in the cinnamon/sugar mixture. Layer in a greased tube pan (or 2 loaf pans) with nuts between each layer.

TOPPING: 1/4 c. evaporated milk

1/4 c. brown sugar

1 c. sugar

3/4 c. oleo

Cook in a sauce pan over medium heat til to begins to boil. Pour over biscuits and bake at 350 for 40-45 minutes. Let cool for 5 minutes then turn out of pan.

I Never Thought I Would See the Day . . .

when a Mets bag would be in my house. Carter, as most of you know, is a major baseball fan. While he has a favorite team, he also just loves the game and has favorites in EACH team. Damon and I kept telling him that Mommy, Daddy and Santa did not buy Mets,
Yankees, or Dodger things. However, when one of his favorite Braves' players was sent to the Mets, he thought we would change the rules. We stood firm to our rule, but Gran Willis went above and beyond to bring this into the house. One of our friends, Erin McCutchen, is in New York and was able to find this for Carter. Big Michael (as Carter calls Erin's brother) went up to see her last week and brought home this treat for Carter.So now, my washer, drier and basically whole home (once he wears it) will be defiled. Thanks, so much, Gran, Erin and Big Michael! You really did make this little boy's day a wonderful one!

My Babies are all Grown Up

Today is the first day of school for BOTH of my kids!! Laura Beth begins her 2nd grade year. Carter begins Kindergarten. Cecily (the little girl I babysit) even begins preschool 3 mornings a week. I can't believe how fast they are all growing. Time is "slipping through my fingers" but I am trying to hold on to what I have got. I can honestly say I have enjoyed every stage of their lives. I am looking forward to the "all in school" stage that begins now. Laura Beth was blessed with Mrs. Dee as a teacher this year. I was blessed to do my student teaching across the hall from Mrs. Dee and we have remained friends since that time. Mrs. Dee will give Laura Beth a lot of love and will motivate her to do and be her very best this year. Laura Beth also has a bunch of friends in her class - Madlyn, Shelby S., Evan, Kate, Eli, John Nic and Lane.

Carter has been blessed to get Mrs. Michelle for his teacher this year. Mrs. Michelle just had a baby girl so she will be out for a few weeks but we look forward to her being back soon. Mrs. Michelle has the biggest smile and will show Carter so much love this year. We know Carter is going to enjoy his classmates as well - friends Lawson, Tucker, Samuel, Gary, Robbie and Jada are in there with him.

We are praying that God blesses the teachers with the wisdom, patience and love they need to make this year go as smoothly as possible. We are also praying that God blesses the students in these classes with the desire and attitude to learn all they can and succeed!

Can't Get Enough Cousins

The kids and I took a quick trip to Nashville to see Dustin, Rebecca and the cousins - Johnathan and Addison. We had a great time and the kids really enjoy each other. We are so blessed to have such a wonderful family. We wish everyone lived closer but we enjoy what we can get!

Thanks for all the fun on Saturday! We can't wait to see you all again!