Memorial Day

We had a blast this Memorial Day weekend. I will be selfish and start with myself. I truly enjoyed not having to cook, clean or any domesticated duty. Although most of all I was at times thinking I should pinch myself to the fact that I was spending time with family that I have never had the chance to get to know, or more importantly even knew existed. I have cousins wonderful loving cousins, great aunts and uncles. This does not even put into words their extended family of wonderful close knit of friends. It was just absolutely wonderful....MARVELOUS.

Shane spent his time on and off the volleyball court, but nonetheless have a blast. He was overcome himself with the warmth of the family and friends.

Joseph, he enjoyed the other children, swing set, the stick horses, and most of all the real life horses.

Brian, he enjoyed all the food. He was constantly going on a hunt for food, showing his sad eyes and conquering some type of food. He also consumed a fair dose of sand and even some soap while on the trip. His favorite I have to say was water balloon area...naturally water and Brian are always a great combination.

Bralee, loved the art and sand area. She loved going and painting her own pictures, but she also loved playing for great span of time in the sand. It was a great chore trying to get the sand out of her hair of the evenings. She really enjoyed Taylor, her new friend/cousin. I will be glad to see this connection grow, as do all our other great wonderful family ties.

A lot of hours and Preparations

Shane has been working a lot of overtime, about 84 hours a week. I am not complaining and neither is he. The overtime comes and goes, you take it when it is available. Luckily we have been blessed and it has been there for us non-stop just not to this magnitude.

The boys, not Bralee, got into the city's Pre-K program starting this coming school year. They will go daily from 7:30/7:45 to 1:15. That is wonderful for me, that way I can insure they get a proper nap, furthermore they truly do not need all day everyday (well, I don't).

This coming weekend, Memorial Day weekend, we are traveling to Canton,Ga. I am so excited. I am going to reconnect, meet my fathers side of the family. I have someone to take care of the dog and have found us a church for Sunday morning service. I am just super thrilled. The only downside to this, we will be missing our annual reunion taking place on the plateau.

The Zoo and The Horse

We are putting to use a couple of Christmas presents, our zoo membership and we just recently used our Build-A-Bear gift cards.

We have been visiting the zoo about every other week, usually of the afternoons, just as the school trips are winding up and leaving. It is become our mission to watch the baby chimp grow and see what new chaos it is causing amongst the other chimps. Also, my kids love the fact that is has its own toys, much similar to their own and that the chimps as well as the gorillas have and love "blankies" too. As we make our way through the zoo the kids know what animal is coming up next, name it, and make the correct animal sound.

A couple of weekends ago we went to the mall, we rarely go to the mall, just too much of a hassle. Shane would take 2 of them and keep them occupied while I took the other through the Build-A-Bear. Bralee was 1st with this experience, she got a rainbow colored bunny, we named it Floppy. Brian was next, he was torn between a dog and a monkey, in the end we got a monkey, its name is Monkey (how original), but he named it. Finally, it was Joseph's turn, he got a horse, its name is Neigh Neigh. I asked what he wanted to name it and all he would say is Neigh Neigh.

Once we got home and we revealed every ones animal outside of the box, it was a battle. Everyone wanted the horse. The horse became the most important object of all affection that night. It even got a place setting at the table, by Brian. The horse is still a very important fixture to all of them. Monkey and Floppy are still important as well, but nothing holds up to Neigh Neigh!