Earth Day

"We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children." Native American Proverb

Come on everyone, pick one more thing you can do today to help sustain our earth. As for me, I'm pushing ahead with my herb/vegetable garden on the side of the house that our charming neighbor claims will "...turn into a weed garden I will have to look at while I make my coffee." He doesn't have kids so I guess he doesn't care.

Simple Skirts GIVEAWAY!!!!

Simple Skirts GIVEAWAY!!!! - These would be nice...some for us and some to give away!!!! Wish us luck.

Doodle Decides to Walk

Daisy woke up today and decided to walk. I was fastening Abbie's sandles this morning on the way to Kyle's soccer game and he says to Daisy, "Daisy, come walk to me." And it was like she just decided, why not?, and she did. She just walked all the way over to Kyle. He and I sat there sort of stunded, not because we didn't think she could do it - quite the opposite - but because with so little fanfare or warning she just did. No tester steps or toddling about, just walked over to him.

We came home from soccer and she was been walking all over the house...like she has been doing it for years. What a turkey.

Court of Honor

We attended Kyle's Court of Honor last night where he was awarded his Tenderfoot, Second Class and three merit badges. Kyle also gave the Faith in God minute and did an outstanding job (none of the usual little boy stammering or giggling we tend to see at these things.

One of Kyle's requirements was to invite a friend to scouts and he invited an in-active kid that lives behind us and just happens to be in his class again this year (they were together in second grade as well). Tim is a cool guy and is really digging scouts. We've been so proud of Kyle that he not only invited someone to go but has really followed up with him and developed a friendship.

Unfortunately, Kyle's mom is having surgery today (remember her in your prayers please) so she was unable to make it. I was honored to be a substitute and receive the "Mom" pins.

On another subject, Kyle's Jog-A-Thon for school is 4/29. He won last year by raising the most money for his school. He really wants to do the same again this year and leave Bartlett (he'll be in middle school next year!) on a positive note with something wonderful to remember him by (instead of all his citations). If you are interested in lending him a hand, call or email me so we can discuss a donation. He tried the hospital last year and they never got back to him but he has some other plans in the works. I love that he tries to get big ones on his own but the fact remains that all the donations from our friends and family is what puts him over the top. So thanks in advance for any help you want to send his way.

Easter in Yuma

Kyle came home Wednesday morning from visiting his mom and we hit the road for Yuma. Tripp and his brothers lived there when they were young and Patrick moved back last year.

We arrived Wednesday afternoon and enjoyed stretching our legs from the long drive. After dinner we headed to their discovery park featuring a huge castle with slides. It was a bit windy but all the kids (little guys included) enjoyed running around for awhile.

On Thursday Tripp took Kyle to see his Nana for a couple of hours. Kyle's Nana, Tata and several aunts, uncles and cousins live in Yuma so it was a wonderful opportunity for him to visit with lots of family on this trip. His grandparents took him and a few other cousins to see Monsters vs. Aliens that evening. While Kyle was gone, we all went to feed the ducks.

Friday morning we took the kids to the Yuma Territorial Jail. Abbie skipped her terrible twos but has decided to try them out at three so I told her that if she didn't stop being a stinker we would have to lock her in jail. She hated the jail but is still a stinker. That night we went bowling and invited Kyle's cousin Hunter to join us. Several cousins, aunts & uncles were invited but it was pretty last minute so only Hunter had a free spot on his calendar. Jenn has those photos so I'll have to post them later.

On Saturday we went to the park again and that afternoon Tripp, Kyle and Patrick met Kyle's uncle Paul & cousin Hunter and uncle Chris for a round of golf.

Sunday was full of checking out Easter baskets, going to church and the drive home. Yuma doesn't have a huge list of must-sees so we spent a lot of time hanging around the house. The kids really loved it. Abbie and Daisy had so much fun playing with Saige and Garrett. Kyle got to hang out both with Thompson Family and his mom's family. And Tripp, well, he ate 8th Street tacos once, Chili Pepper twice (along with a ton that we froze and brought home) and had a straight razor shave at the barber shop (which Kyle informed me smelled like old people). So it was a successful trip.

A huge thanks to Pat & Jenn for having us. They were kind hosts and we really appreciate everything they did to make our stay wonderful. I'm sure their house looks and feels like a tornado slammed through it after five house guests for five days.

Also, Kyle's mom isn't feeling too well so if you could all keep her in your prayers, on the prayer roll or just send good vibes her way it would be appreciated.

Perpetual Princess

Abbie has been dressed like a princess for a few days now. She asked me about 6 months ago if I would buy her a princess dress. We have a pretty strict no toys except on birthdays or at Christmas rule so I told her that if she threw her passies in the trash can I would buy her a princess dress. She wanted a princess dress of her own so badly (she has borrowed Lulu & Ruby's a couple of times now) but just couldn't give up that passie at nap and bedtime. She'd talk about it a lot but could never actually get rid of them.

On Saturday, she asked for a princess dress for the billionth time and I told her what she needed to do and she actually wanted to do it. So Tripp took her to the outside trash can and she threw both of the them in. We went that afternoon to pick out her dress, shoes, necklace, and the two cups I promised her (a princess cup and a Lightning McQueen cup). She's had a couple of tough nights but last night we hung her dress in her bed and she did just fine. She told her daddy that she didn't have to be sad because mommy hung her dress in her bed with her.

We let her wear the dress all day yesterday but told her as of today she could only wear it while we were at home...normal clothes when we leave the house. So is so thrilled with her things and we are glad the passies are history.

They didn't have glass slippers so she picked these out instead. Thank goodness she didn't like those crazy high-heeled slip-on ones!!!!!

The only Thompson left with a passie....

April Fools

We couldn't let April Fools Day go by without playing a trick on someone and with Daddy just getting home, he became the perfect target. Kyle and I decided to tell Daddy that he got a citation at his after school sports activity today and got kicked out. The offense: talking another kid into getting on the roof with him. I asked his fourth grade teacher and the leader of the sports group to give us a hand and write a citation for me.

So, Daddy comes home tonight from England/Scotland and finds Kyle will a citation for getting on the school roof and kicked out of the sports activity that he just started today. Needless to say, he isn't pleased. We let him believe it for awhile then remind him it is April Fools Day. He shed a few tears in his laughter and promised to get us both back pronto. Of course, when he asked which of us had the idea Kyle had no trouble throwing me under the bus which is unusual for him since he likes to take credit for nearly everything.

Kyle says this is payback for last year's Chore Camp prank we pulled on him. So until next year, Happy April Fools Day Everyone!!!!!