Soooie!

K5 field trip #2 in 5 days was to the Seward Farms' corn maze. It was a lot like the field trips I went on as a child growing up in Arkansas. There was cotton, corn, and a hay ride. But there was a twist in this field trip that I did NOT see coming.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you ... Pig Racing.

We hold our hogs in higher esteem where I come from. But I must admit, this was belly- laughing fun. Those pigs squealed. I'm just sorry there isn't audio. I would blame this one on living in Alabama, but Seward Farms is just past State Line Road, in Mississippi. Can't say as I'm surprised. Altogether now... "Thank God for Mississippi!"

A Rabbit, Hannah Montana and Thomas the Train, Walk Into A Bar...

Barclay, Madison and Mac all received their costumes in the mail this week. We all tried them on and looked at ourselves in the mirror, a lot. Barclay had already decided that she did not want this bunny costume (she was going for sweet bunny, not creepy magician's hat bunny), but she still insisted on trying it on, just to be sure (she's sure). Madison is Hannah Montana - I'm going to work on getting over that one. And Mac is ... well, that one was an easy choice.

Barclay's Kindergarten class went to the fire station today. I am getting to be a regular at the fire stations around town - I have been on many such field trips with the kids and their various classes, but I must say, this was the best "tour" thus far. The cutest young firemen you have ever seen in your life (I whistled a George Strait tune the whole time), a tour of the living quarters and the inside of the truck, topped off with an actual emergency, calling the firemen off at the end of our tour. Super cool.

So neat to climb up into the cab! Too bad little brothers can't go on UMS field trips - he would have been beside himself. They even let the kids take a turn spraying the hose!

This station is on Lafayette, just past Dauphin St. It is the most authentic fire house I have ever seen. I really want to have my own fireman's pole. Just a thought for Santa one of these days.

Hillary Was Right ...

... It DOES Take a Village! (a big one)

While Mac and I went to Little Rock last week, Rob kept the girls (with significant help from his family and the mother of Barclay's friend, Leigh). I went to help Ashley with George and Henry. Of course, that meant that Susu had to keep Mac at her house.

We went to dinner one night and passed around babies. Susu and Mac, Lisa and David with their three kids, Mimi and Murphy, Becka and Brian, Ashley and me, George and Henry.

Brian held Murphy...

Then handed him off to Mimi and Ashley ...

So Brian grabbed Mac, while David entertained Henry (or was it George?)...

And Becka held onto George (or is that Henry?)...

It was all pretty comical.

At least that's what toothless Teddy thought. We even ran into the Metrailers at dinner and they passed Henry around for a bit.

The next day, we dressed George and Henry in matching sweaters that Aunt Becka hand-knitted for them (no lie).

Susu needed some help with Mac, so she arranged some play dates. One with Beth and Andrew, the other with the Freelings, who had Guy while his parents were watching the Hogs beat up on Auburn.

Mr. Free taught Mac to play the "drums" on their pots and pans.

And all of that is why George is sooo happy! Wow, I'm exhausted after just writing that post!!!

Old Things, New Again

Mac and I are on our way to Little Rock today. We are going to visit George and Henry, our favorite babies in the whole wide world (we think that other babies are wonderful too, but they are our favorites because they are ours - these are just the facts - also they are perfect, but I digress).

Last night, the kids and I went through the playroom and pulled out all of our old baby toys. They did a great job of parting with lots of fun things that make lots of noise (you're welcome, Aunt Ashley). These toys have not been played with, glanced at, or given a second thought in months, even years. Suddenly, the heavens opened up and light shone upon these old toys. Boy, did they suddenly look good, new and exciting! We played with them all night. Isn't that always the way? I think that's going around a lot these days. I'm feeling good about what's coming around the corner for all of my favorite babies and their Mommies!

... and now for the seven hour drive with a 2 year old!!!!

Shin Guards and Tutus

September is always a month of transition for us. We spend the month getting into our new school year routines, homework, after school activities and juggling nap schedules (or lack thereof).

The girls are both playing soccer - Madison intramural at UMS, Barclay on the YMCA team. They both enjoy it - and soccer games beat ballet recitals, hands down.

Madison started the year at a new ballet studio - Mobile Ballet. This is pretty serious stuff, as it entails a uniform based on level and will culminate with an appearance as a mouse in the Nutcracker. (No recital - hollah!)

Barclay, upon visiting Madison's first ballet class, decided that she might like to take ballet after all. Her level wears this lovely pink uniform - which she loves. On the first day, however, we were a bit scared, so, in typical fashion, I bribed her to stick it out. Here she is post-ballet class, collecting the goods. I will point out that she has since gone to ballet every day with a smile on her face and a hitch in her giddyup.

... Mac is not taking ballet. He still wanted to say "cheese."

Barclay's soccer uniform is more of a tunic/shirt dress on her. She is showing some promise as a soccer player - and even endured a double header last Saturday in the sweltering heat!

She is so cool.

Mac dresses out for Barclay's soccer games as well. He has is own ball, cleats and shin guards - also shorts that we roll down 6 times. He is so very proud.

I took this picture on the day of the Alabama-Arkansas game. Mac and Martha agreed to disagree on the subject. After all, he is her baby-Daddy. (Unfortunately, the football game did not go so well for the Hogs, but we'll get 'em next year.)

I am aware that this picture has nothing to do with this post - but poor Bear. Oh, the hours I spent dressing up Cinnamon and Kittle Lou when I was a kid. Bear has the exact same look of humiliation. The girls were so proud, they insisted that I snap a picture.

W&L Florabama 2009

This weekend we had our second annual W&L reunion at the beach. This year brought 12 adults and 13 1/2 kids! What a wonderful weekend! I can't believe that we actually managed to get everyone together for a picture. I will add more to this post later - but wanted to get this one up.

These are my college roommates, Michelle, Jenni and Beth. They know entirely too much about me, and still pretend to like me, which fact I count among my greatest blessings. Among the four of us, we have 10 children ages 9 months to 7 years (... and counting). And they are particularly precious children, I might add. Not bad work, ladies.

Waterville

We took Madison, four of her friends, Barclay and her friend Mae to the beach Friday night, then off to Waterville on Saturday (for 6 hours). The girls all had a blast and Kelly, Rob and I earned our keep with 7 very excited 6 and 7 year old little girls - but it really was a lot of fun. We are virtually worthless the next day!

We have NO IDEA who that random guy is in the back of that photo - but he seemed to sum up the genre of the Waterville, USA crowd, quite nicely, so I chose to include him in the blog.

Happy two month belated 7th birthday, Madison!

Sweet Caroline - Farewell to Summer Charms

We spent our last weekend of the summer at the beach with our cousins, the Michaels. We were fortunate enough to witness baby Caroline's first beach steps in the sand. She is such a happy baby, I could watch her all day long!

Mary, Chris and Caroline are very happy to be at the beach (and out of the car from Little Rock)!

Aunt Mary took the girls out to the ice cream boat to get some cool treats on a hot day!

All five cousins got into burying Madison in the sand. (And whacking her on the head with a body board as she was a particularly immobile target).

But ultimately Mac gave Madison some sweet, sandy love.

Beautiful sisters - covered in sand and sunscreen!

... and the moment's gone. Mac decided to dig up Barclay, much to her dismay.

Simple solution: bury the evildoer!

My boys.

Madison and Susu had a happy time.

I swear, I will have a picture of him that looks just like this in 16 years. I could literally gobble him up. He's such a little man.

FYI - I am planning to start a new, ongoing series on "Macisms". Mac is constantly coming up with the darnedest little words and phrases. This weekend, he met a little boy at the pool who asked him if he had been to the Battleship (he had not). Mac, of course, said "yes". The boy then asked him when he went. Without missing a beat, Mac responded, "Tuesday". The little boy then started talking about his recent trip. Again, Mac was having none of it and tells the kid, "I've been two times, I've been on one day AND on Tuesday." Can't make this stuff up, people.

MTV Cribs - McGinley Edition

When I came in to wake Mac up from his nap the other day, this is what I found. That would be diaper cream covering his face, neck and torso. You will notice that we had to take off the sheet, the bumpers and anything remotely comfortable, days prior. He tossed his Bacon, Monkey and Whale Pillow voluntarily. This child will be the death of me.

Yesterday, I gave in and removed the side of Mac's crib, replacing it with the toddler bed conversion panel that I have somehow managed to keep for over 7 years (as we have never used it before). So far, so good. He isn't crawling out without permission (yet) and feels pretty awesome in his new "big boy bed." Rainy day projects - Love 'em like Lizards!!

Summer Fun and Dive Meet UPDATE!!

Well, technically, the "dive meet update" part will come first. As it turns out, Madison actually WON the dive meet on Saturday! She won the 1 meter and the three meter and was the high point winner - which meant a medal. Pretty good stuff. She is quite the proud child!

As for the rest of our summer, we have been involved in a lot of potty training and a good bit of spontaneous dancing. Sometimes those two events collide in a most unusual way.

(please note, Mac's underwear atop Barclay's head)

We also made a trip up to school to take care of some general business. All three kids had to hop on top of the bulldog in the office and insisted on having their picture taken!

This week, the girls are going to gymnastics camp - and got some new (to them) duds to wear. After they got home, all three of them put on a "show" for us. It was mostly a very LOUD screaming rock and roll performance (all three were lead singer and on lead guitar). Also, please note Mac's "microphone".

I have been promising Ashley a picture of one of the new beds we planted around our back patio this summer - so here's a teaser!

Dive Meet

Today, Madison participated in her first dive meet. I am completely impressed. She had never (to my knowledge) been off a high dive before, due to the fact that our club doesn't have one, but when they asked her if she wanted to compete in the high dive division also - she (literally) jumped right in. She did a front dive and a front dive with a half twist (the later without even so much as an attempt during warm ups). Man, am I impressed. She is braver than I am!

I will have to admit to some bribery here ... Mac was pretty bored after the first hour of warm ups and low board - so I resorted to ice cream.

Pretty cool back dive too (yet another dive that is not in my bag). It seems that 7 is a big year for Madison.

What form!