Let Sleeping Babies Sleep.

Debi asked to see pictures of sleeping babies, and since I am a sucker of sleeping babies, I could not resist.

The pictures above are both Delaney when she was less than a week.

Sean and Owen, still in the hospital

Owen and Sean

5 weeks old

this was their birth announcement

I will have to locate pictures of Chris and Jessica and get them scanned. That was WAY before I had a digital camera.

Elementary School Graduation

I can't believe it! My little girl is done with her last day of elementary school. A rising 6th grader. Going from the big fish in the school to the bottom of the food chain. Friday, she had her graduation at school then a little reception after. Congratulations Jess, I can't tell you how very proud we are of you!

The rising 6th graders singing "Hero"

The lighting inside was HORRIBLE so I have zero good pictures of the actual graduation, but here are a few from the reception, which was outside.

Scott and Jess

Me and Jessica

Jesscia and her teacher, Ms. Olin

Jess and my mom

OK..this post was doing some funky things and I could not get it to format the way I wanted it to. Sorry for the way it looks.

Friendly reminder!

Don't forget to get in touch with Debi or Barbara to place your Discovery Toy order to benefit The Cole Family!

I've placed my order...Have you?

You love me, You really, really love me!

...Well, Debi does, at least! The basic idea is that "love isn't love 'till you give it away" so I must now bestow this big blog-hug to 10 other friends. Not such an easy task to do, for a number of reasons. Here is my problem, This award has been about the blog-a-sphere for so long, I think I just MAY have been the last person to receive it. (I know, that means that I am just a little loved). So, I am going to give it now to a few people who have NOT received it yet, and hold on to my others until I feel someone needs a 'hug'. Here goes...

First, I am going to give it to Amy at A Family Story. I first *met* Amy when she was reading Debi's blog and one of my comments triggered something that she thought we might live close to each other. Just recently, we realized that we live with 5 mins! We have not met in person yet, but I bet we have been at the same place at the same time. I hope we get to meet soon.

Second award it going to Deanna at eight is great. Deanna is the mother of 5 BEAUTIFUL girls and one HANDSOME young man! I have only been reading her blog for a little over a month now, but have become addicted to it! Her family is amazing.

Fawn, from FawnDear, joined a group of us at my other blog, Love is. That is when I started reading her blog and admiring her family. I love the great ideas she has to make some of the more difficult times with a larger family a little more fun than the average! You can read them at Love is..A new additions to the family.

OK...so 3 down, 7 to go. Guess what? You are going to have to wait for the other 7! I am holding on to them for someone who needs a hug!!

Don't let the bed bugs bite!

My Three Bed Bugs

WHEN-esday

I LOVE ME!

Delaney kissing the baby in the mirror!!

Air Guitar, Anyone?

My Montage 6/24/08

Need to buy a child a gift?

If so, check this out! A good friend is doing a virtual Discovery Toy party to benefit The Cole Family. She has two sets of twins and all four children have a rare cranial disorder. One of the children, Carson, is going in for a surgery in the morning (so all prayers are also welcome for her). Debi is not reaping any benefits and the consultant is even giving up part of her commissions to donate to this family. Please do what you can to help out.

I feel the need to go ahead and apologize to my husband. Scott put me on shopping probation, but honey, You know how much I LOVE to shop and this is a win/win situation. We get Christmas presents for the kids and this beautiful family gets gifts for their children. I am asking for your forgiveness now! I love you, Scott!!

Just click on the Discovery Toys button on the right of my blog to make an order.

The last recess!

Jess' school held one last BIG recess for the 5th grade. Hot dogs, hamburgers, chips and fun to be had by all.

The first game was a water/sponge game. The object of the game is to be the first to get water to the line by using a sponge. And the winner is......

Jess' class!! Congrats!

After the wonderful burgers and dogs (cooked by the spouses of the 5th grade teachers) there was a water balloon toss. Jess and I did the first game together.

the balloon popped on Jess

Then of course, Scott wanted to get his hand in it.

and once again, Jess popped the balloon!

Here is a very wet Jessica

The younger 3 had a great time as well.

And my favorite picture of the evening

A Writing Celebration!

Jessica had a writing celebration at school on Friday. Each student in her class got to pick their favorite writing assignment from the year to read. All of the parents were invited. Jessica read a graduation speech that she hoped to read at the graduation next week. However, only one student from each class was chosen to read their speech. Jessica, I thought yours was great!

There was one group of kids who did a little play/skit that was too cute! They wrote it themselves. In this picture, the two boys are in jail for stealing a diamond.

This kid had, what I thought, was the best of the day. The very last line went something like this (I wish I had it on video). "I came into the 5th grade a geeky little boy, but I am leaving with lots of friends and memories" pumping his chest twice and giving the peace sign "peace out"! All of the other students were just cracking up and I think the parents really liked it as well!

Half way through, they had a little intermission where Jessica helped serve cookies and punch.

Delaney LOVED the cookies.

Swim Time

A few days ago, Delaney swam underwater for the first time this year. I say 'this year' because she has done it before. Two years ago, while vacationing in Daytona Beach, Delaney would jump off the side of the pool and swim to us in the pool. She was under the water swimming. Well, since then she has developed a "healthy fear" of the water. I say healthy fear because she would still get in the pool and play, but did not want to go under water. Last year, the last week the pool was open, she finally jumped in, but didn't want to go under. Sunday night, we were showing her pictures of her swimming and she decided she wanted to do it again. She went to the pool and there she was, our little Delaney swimming. But alas, my camera wasn't working.

Last night, we went back to the pool and look at the great shots I got!

Sean and Owen also enjoyed the water!

Smell the rosies!

Had A Bad Day

Warning....this is just me rambling....no big news!!


Wow, what a week this has been. First, Sunday morning I get the call that we can't use water.

Then, when I was looking for the camera to take pictures of Scott opening his fahter's day gifts, I remembered I left the camerea on the back patio while taking pictures of the kids the day before in the pool. And guess what happend Saturday night? That is right, it rained for the first time in like 3 weeks! Not just a drizzle, but a serious rain!! I bring the camera in, and luckily it was taking pictures. The first few were a bit cloudy, but after about 4-5 pictures is cleared up. We decided to go to the pool Sunday evening. Delaney was swimming for the first time this year! She was under the water, kicking her feet swimming to Scott. I pull out the camera and NOTHING!! It wouldn't zoom and it wouldn't take a picture!! UUGGHHH!!! On Monday, I decided to try again, and VOILA!!! It took pictures!! Thank you, Jesus!!That leads us to today!! Today! Do you want to know what I have done today? I WASHED MY CELL PHONE!! That is right folks! My cell phone took a spin through the spin cycle! And needless to say it is not working!!

It can only get better.....right?

I'm just gonna let him sing to me!!

WHEN-esday!

Me and Delaney Sept 05

4 year check up...

...2 months late (are you seeing a trend?)

4 years old!! I can't believe it! I can't believe my little Delaney is 4 years old!

so proud to show off her "karate shirt"

Her check up went really well today. They checked her eyes (20/30), they checked her hearing (perfect), and they got her height and weight.

Weight~34lbs 6oz (55%)

Height~ 41inches (80%)

They also gave me the option of getting the last of her immunizations. Of course, since I was there, I said go ahead and do it. Delaney was none to thrilled about that. But, it is done and she is ready for kindergarted...in 2009!

hiding under the table after I told her she was going to have to get a shot!

Delaney did very well for her shots. Only crying for a second. I did have to hold her down. I can't believe what a big girl she is!

showing off her bandaids!

I did mention to the Dr. that Delaney is a horrible sleeper. That she snores VERY LOUDLY. After one glance at her tonsils, she suggest we see an ENT and that they just may want to remove them. So, I took the picture below for reference!

(ps. my family really hates that I take such odd pictures)

What?

That's right!! No Water! A water main broke in the area that supplies our town with all of it's water. This morning, while taking Delaney to school, I noticed these signs littered our little community! Actually, Sunday morning at 7am I got an automated call (a reverse 911 call) from the town saying, Don't use the water except drinking or cooking. What? No showers? No laundry? No washing dishes? I need to wash clothes, the sink is full! What does the number say when you call it? "You are screwed..pack your crap and leave" Ok..maybe that is not what it says. I actually didn't call, but still!! NO SHOWERS!! It is 98 degrees, IN THE SHADE!!

However, on my way back home from Delaney's 4 year check up (updates in next post), I noticed the signs were changed. And this is what they read!! Praise the Lord!!

When you go to the website, it says that you can do dishes, laundry, shower. We can pretty much do any indoor use, but all outdoor water use is PROHIBITED!! Up to $1000 fine!! Crap, that means I need to go do dishes and laundry!

Wanted to say thanks to Debi, who offered to let me and my children come stay with her for a week until all was fixed. Unfortunately, Jess is in year-round school and still has 2 more weeks of school left!

Quality Time

As a mother of 5 I am often asked how I get enough quality time with each of my children. To me, this is a no brainer. We just make sure we take time out to spend one-on-one time with each of our children. If you watch Jon & Kate Plus Eight, you may have realized that they have also started this. One of the twins wanted her ears pierced, so they took her to the mall then to lunch and dessert. One of the sextuplets likes animals, so they took him to a wild animal park. Whether it be something extravagant, like a concert or sporting event:

Scott was able to take Chris and Jess to "The Swamp" at UF.

I took Jess to see "High School Musical on Ice"

or something as simple as going to Wal-Mart or the mall,

the kids have always enjoyed their one-on-one time.

It doesn't matter if you have 1 child or 10, quality, one-on-on time is very important for each of them. Make sure you take time out and get that time. It also doesn't matter the age. At 19 months, Sean and Owen still enjoy getting that time. And I love the feeling of being able to take just one of them to the grocery store.

Happy Father's day

Happy Father's Day to all the Dad's in my life!

My husband, Scott

my Daddy, Tommy

my FIL, Tom

my Stepbrother, Holly

my BIL Luke

Love you all! Hope you are having a great Day!

We are not have a busy day today. We got up this morning, Jess and Delaney helped me cook breakfast (eggs, bacon,hash browns, toast) for Scott. We have plans to cook burgers and dogs on the grill tonight. Let's hope the rains stay away long enough to make that happen!!

Happy Father's Day to all the Dads out there!!