Our First Camping Trip

We are back from our camping trip to Tickfaw State Park. What an experience!! This was the first time the kids have been camping-slept in a tent-or went on a nature walk.

We went to the Nature Center to get a map upon arriving in the park...and there was a ranger showing different animals......the show was almost over but this was the one we got to see......

Kaitlyn was standing with me....and I could feel her start to breath faster as the ranger walked over by us with it...LOL The park ranger had it in her hands (with gloves on)...so we really got close. We learned some interesting facts about tarantulas. The boys were interested in all the other animals in the cages......here is one.... Coby really liked this one....LOL

This was an interesting section of the Nature Center...its called the touch and learn section. You can feel fur, alligator teeth, bones.....all sorts of stuff. The kids really enjoyed this....they loved reading the information about each item to us.

We started the day off on Saturday with some fishing in the catch and release pond!! We didn't catch anything.......it was sooo HOT...and of course the kids didn't want to kept there line in the water for longer than about 5 minutes. We were going to fish in the river....but the piers were all open...and I wasn't going to let the kids near the water without life jackets!!

Next we went on a nature walk. There were several trails around the park. We chose the trail near the edge of the park that you take to launch the canoes to travel down river. It seemed like we walked FOREVER...but all in all probably it was only a mile. These trails have NO vehicle access so it was quiet....and really beautiful. The kids found some animal tracks, some bamboo, and of course LOTS of bugs!!

Then we spent some time at the Water Playground. This was enjoyed the most...(I think). There were these buckets...that filled up with water and once filled dumped out on the kids below....LOL They had sprayers....that the kids ran through.....or just stood under.....LOL After a HOT day...this was a great ending.

We went back to the campsite...and while the kids were playing in the sand.....Keith and I cooked Hot Dogs on the grill......

.......and Keith built a fire in a fire pit. .......(wished I would have remembered the marsh mellows....LOL)

...then when dark came....we put the kids in the tent....to sleep.

Keith and I joined them soon after. It was a great night to camp out. It wasn't hot....or muggy.....we even had to use blankets because it got a little chilly come morning. We all were awake by 8:30.....and we packed up everything......(this was our campsite as we were leaving)

We took the kids by the gift shop to get something to remember their first camping trip. Then we headed home!!!

Scrapbooking for a Cause

I love scrapbooking...everyone that 'knows' me...knows how much I enjoy it. But its so much more than just pretty paper and pictures. Scrapbooking has established friendships....friendships that I wouldnt have encountered......in everyday life.

It also brings together great people who work together for a cause. There is scrap pink...which lots of scrapbooking stores raise money for breast cancer in October. There was a store in California that asked for scrapbook pages to be created and sent in to help a cancer stricken mother of 3 scrap her memories so all she had to worry about was taking care of herself and spending time with her children. (I am sad to say she went to heaven a few weeks ago....all too sudden...but the turn-out for the pages was great.....several hundred were made.....her children will still receive the books....to help her legacy live on). Now I have been asked by another scrapbooking friend to send 'hello' cards to a sweet little girl who is 7 and has a brain tumor. Well I decided to get involved and help out...who wouldnt for child? I decided to let Kaitlyn help too....she is 7...she knows what little girls like...so we picked up a few little things to send to her too. This is a picture of Kaitlyn and her card...that she made all by herself!!

Its times like these that really make me realize what I want for my children to remember about me....and I would have to say....its my selflessness. I have always been a giving person...helping others...giving to others before I could think of myself. (of course its in my genes...thanks mom and dad) I wish that my children experience the same joy of giving. It is such a wonderful feeling. To know that you brightened someone's day with a small act of kindness...is...well......there are no words to describe it!!

Why do kids do this?

I have yet to understand what will possess a child to cut their hair. I worked last night and then had a CPR class this morning....so I didnt get home till about 1130. Well as soon as I walk in....Coby greets me from his room and says...."look mom...I cut my hair".....well I guess it was a good thing that I was past the point of exhaustion to get mad. I just took him to the bathroom...and cut all his hair off to blend the part that 'he' cut. He doesnt even look like the same child. The great part about this..... IT WILL GROW BACK!!! LOL

Our Weekend

Here it is...our documented weekend. I started documented from 5PM on Friday May 16 till Sunday 9PM. I took random shots of the kids or a part of our life for that day. I tried not to focus too much on just taking photos of the kids.....because I do that all the time. I really tried to capture our favorites...in places,food,drinks,TV....ect....those little things that get over look....and those things that easily fade from memory.

So here is my scrapbook layout......I took several more photos...but these were my favorites!!

Here are some stories....behind the pictures!!

1. The kids (Keith and I too) love to eat at Pizza Inn (called Pizza Place now)...they have a great selection...and all five of us can eat for around $25 till we are stuffed....gotta love that!!

2. The alarm clock is what time....ON THE WEEKENDS...the kids wake up. Of course during school days...I can't get them up to save my life.....LOL

3.The computer screen shot is Scrapyland...my virtual home!! I shop there, talk on the message board...and even crop with those ladies online!!

4. Smirnoff....is my new drink of choice....since Zima is fading out. Though I do not recommend this flavor....it was NASTY!!!

5.Thats the bath tub after the kids bathe.....I always have to rinse it out....I think dirt is attracted to them!! LOL

6. Thats me in bed....sleeping during the day....trying to catch up so I can stay up all night at work!!!

7.Hobby Lobby is my ALL TIME favorite place to buy scrap supplies! The kids LOOVE Dollar Tree...cause everything is a dollar. Anytime they have money......they ask to go!!

8.The empty sink....is because KEITH finished the dishes for me. I would have taken a pic of him doing them...if I would have known....but I was scrapping...and he suprised me. He does try...at times!!!

9.Sonic is my all time favorite place to stop in and get a Route 44 sweet tea!!

10. The candle is from when we went to White's Steak and Seafood....the lights went out and we had to eat by candle light.

11. Last but not least.....the pics of the kids sleeping was the last pictures I took of our weekend. They were watching TV....and fell asleep on Sunday!!

Coby's Pre-K Graduation

On Wednesday Coby graduated from Pre-K. He was so cute in that little cap and gown taking pictures. I made felt grad caps for each of the students to wear at their party. They had cake and punch....and then Mrs. Heather handed out there certificates. So that is it....next year is BIG boy school for him. Its hard to believe that all of them will be officially in school!! ....where does the time go?

Kase's Kindergarten Graduation and Kaitlyn's Award Ceremony

Well school is coming to an end. Kase graduated on Monday. He had a small performance and then his teacher handed out awards.....and some special things to each student. She gave him a poem, a folder with art work that he did all year, and a writing journal so he can see how much he has improved!!

Kaitlyn received several awards:

High Honor Roll

Reading Award- for making all a's

Writing Award- for making all a's

Spelling Award- for making all a's

Science/Social Studies Award- for making all a's

Music Award

Computer Lab Award

P.E. Award

All went well.....the kids had a really good year. Next year will be a new challenge for both of them.

A Documented Weekend

I decided to take a challenge that I seen on another blog about documenting a weekend in our life right NOW. Our weekend will start Friday night at 5PM and will end Sunday night! I plan on taking lots of pictures and then documenting where we went, what we did....ect. This is similar to another challenge called Project 365...but on a much smaller scale.

The forecast for this weekend calls for RAIN, RAIN and guess what...RAIN..... so here we are heading to Hammond.....in the rain!! This was my first documented photo for this weekend!!

Check back next week...and I will have added the other pictures that I took along with some little comment about the really important ones that I want to remember!!

Boys Will Be Boys

What EXACTLY...does that phrase mean? Boys will be boys? Does it mean trouble, being hardheaded, not listening....if so...then OK...that is KASE!!

He had detention on Tuesday morning for using the 'middle' finger....he was only repeating what he saw...(the first time). He doesnt know what it means.....only that some kids use it he said!! He lost his recess on Wednesday....but while inside at recess he got mad at his teacher for not letting him play....so he decided to use that gesture again....."because he was mad...and SHE had said not too"! OHHHHHHHHHHHH...what am I going to do with him!!

Then on Tuesday he and another little boy were hitting each other's 'worms' as Kase calls it. ....and the bus driver...Mr Lynn had to write them up. Well he and the other little boy got kicked off the bus for 1 day (TODAY)....because touching someone's private is a BIG NO NO!!

If I havent said this yet....or if I have said it 100 times....I AM READY FOR SCHOOL TO BE OUT!!!!!

Ok....I am off gotta run to work for a unit meeting and to get my check!!! I am trying catch up on laundry, run errands, ect while I am off and the kids are in school...because the kids will be home with me starting next Friday!!

A Lady Bug and LSU

Well I havent posted much about Coby lately....so I decided to share a few pictures of him.

In the first one...he found a lady bug...and just loved it......he said it was his pet...and we couldnt kill it. Well I finally got him to let it go....but it would fly around for a few seconds...and LAND right back on Coby. This happened about 4 times...till finally it flew up to the ceiling and didnt come back down. It was the funniest thing...it was like it was attracted to Coby somehow....LOL

This pic was taken last night once we got home from the Fun Farm. He always takes his clothes off the minute we walk in the door...but the hat thing it something new. He jumped on the couch to watch the movie...and I couldnt help but snap this shot....TOO CUTE!!!

What a Busy Week

Well here we are....sunday again. This has been one busy week...lots going on.

Kase turned 6 on Tuesday and we had his birthday party at The Fun Farm yesterday. He really enjoyed himself. His party captain was Reeve...which Kase loved because he was a guy...and usually he has a girl. Reeve was great...he played games with the kids....and really made Kase feel special. Kase always loves to play the games.....usually its the hunting game where he can shoot the animals...but this year it was the crane machine where you can pick up jewlery...he even won a really nice watch. LOL All and all...it was nice....of course I even enjoyed it...because I didnt have to do anything....:)

On Friday....it was The 1st Grade Fun Day....so I went to spend some time with Kaitlyn at school. They let the whole first grade play outside all day. There were bubbles, hula hoops, footballs, and all kinds of games being played. They ate junk food pretty much all morning...so of course Kaitlyn LOOOVED that. They watched a movie after lunch....and back outside for a snowball!! Kaitlyn had a blast....especially since she got to talk to her friends from other classes. (The second picture is Katilyn and Kaitlyn Peters...they were in pre-K together....and when Kaitlyn came back to Loranger this year....she couldnt wait to see Kaitlyn Peters. These two hang out all the time.)

Today is Mother's Day....didnt start off too nice...but right now...kids are at church...and Keith is gone...so it is a pleasant day FOR ME.....LOL I plan on getting some scrapping done. I have a few things that I need to finish up so they can go into the mail....I am late on one....but better late than never...right??

So between....all the parties, the field day at school...and me working 3 days in a row....it was a pretty busy week. I hope to take it slow today...because tomorrow starts another 3-12 hour days of work for me......

Happy Birthday.....Kase

Kase turned 6 years old today. The morning started off with donuts for breakfast. Then a party at school with cupcakes and rice krispy treats....along with goodie bags filled with MORE sugar!! LOL Kase was asleep when I arrived.....but it didnt take him long to see I was there.....he jumped right up....!! Then tonight.......we had cake down at Ma's and he opened a few 'small' gifts to celebrate his actual birthday.....but the good stuff he will have to wait till this weekend when he has his party!!


Some Tidbits about Kase at 6.....

He has grown so much this last year.....he tries so hard at everything he does. He loves to please everyone.....and makes friends very easy. He still loves for me to rub his back....and the occassional sleep with mom....is still a favorite too. His favorite color is still RED. He likes anything to do with 'action heroes'....whether it be spiderman, superman, batman, transformers, power rangers, iron man.....LOL! This year he chose a transformers birthday party at the Fun Farm. He even got to invite 3 friends from school....so this will be the first year he gets to have school friends at his party. He doesnt really have a FAVORITE movie....he will watch just about anything on TV. He LOVES LOVES LOVES his Gameboy. It has become a great bargaining tool when he starts acting up. His favorite game is Mario Bros. He enjoys playing monster trucks or ATV's on the computer or Playstation.....so 100% boy....HE IS!! LOL He still says the cutest things....here are some:

Weed Weater......is Weedeater
Shorts.....are short pants

His latest sweetness.... "He told me that I was beautiful....I said THANK you...Kase...he told me that when he tells McKenna (at school)...that she is beautiful....she says THANK you too..."

Oh he is growing up wayyyy tooo fast!!

Weekend Wrap-up!

Wow..... this weekend has been busy!! On Friday we had the kids' May Fest performance. They have been working on this program for months....and they had a blast performing. Of course Kase wasnt as EXCITED as Kaitlyn.....but he still did a great job too. At the end...all the students released balloons into the air....it was really pretty!! I got to scrap a little on Friday.....so that was good!! I have the pages posted on my scrap blog...here is the link http://www.southernmadememories.blogspot.com/ Here are a few pics from May Fest......




Then on Saturday.....I put poultry wire on a cage for the kittens until they find new homes. My hands STILL hurt.....LOL! No pain.....No gain.....right? They spent last night out there....but due to the rain....I had to bring them back in......till I can move the cage out of a spot that is holding alot of water!!

Today has been LAZY!! I have accomplished NOTHING!! LOL But thats ok...I have tomorrow and Tuesday to be productive before I have to work again!!





Now I am off to get things ready for the week..........

Saturday Night

Just sitting here drinking a Smirnoff Ice in Passion Fruit....(BTW.....is totally nasty....but I bought it...so I am drinking it.) I have been spring cleaning ALOT lately.Today was the bathroom....YUUCK...along with the kitchen floor.....and now back to my room which I started last night! The only time I ever felt this kind of urge to clean I was 9 months pregnant......and I KNOW that aint the case this time.....LOL!! Oh well...at least it will be clean and I will be able to dedicate more time to scrapping.

I went to JC Penny's today and bought some new towels. I actually dont think I have 'replaced' the towels I had when I moved into this house. I got some as wedding gifts, some were bought as presents through the years....but I havent bought a set I know in a really loooong time. I bought 10....in blue,white,red,hot pink, and light blue......to match the tropical theme I have been slowly converting to. WOW....my bedding set was the first I have bought in 9 years too....I guess I am on a roll....LOL!!

Well I am off....I want to spend a few hours cleaning in my room....before going to bed!!

More Kittens.......

YES!! I said it...more KITTENS!! When I came home Tuesday....a male cat was fighting with our female cat outside that is pregnant. Well I locked him in the kennel to stop it...till Keith came home so we could decide what to do. Well.....of course Keith says shoot it....but I just can't do that...so I decided that we would try to give him to a friend of the family that has a dairy. Well since I had to let him out of the kennel....I let the other cat come inside for a few hours....then once he was locked back up....I would let her back out. Well......a couple of hours later....I here Coby say...momma.....Juliet is sitting on her baby...Of course....she would deliver since I let her inside....LOL She had just had it...and was cleaning it and such....so I grabbed the kennel from outside and put her and the baby in it. When we woke up on Wednesday morning....she had 5 babies!! OMG....I still have 9 that are almost ready to be given away.....I DONT NEED 5 more. I would put her outside with them....if I thought the other cat wouldnt mess with her.....but I dont know that so......here we go again!! ....the only good thing to this problem....is that they do stay in the kennel....and as long as the mom feeds them....I dont have to do anything!! :)

Who wants a kitten?

What a cute face....

This kitten has become a favorite! He is always at our feet...and when you pick him up....he falls asleep in your arms. He is soo sweet...even Keith has taken a likin' to him!! Now I just need to come up with a name!! I am thinking about Duke!!

A Little Yard Work

Well more like ALOT of yard work....but it looks so nice when completed!!

Pictures from Texas

These are a few pictures from our trip to Texas!!!

Returned from TEXAS

Well we returned from Texas today....after 7 fun filled days. It was great to have lots of time to visit with everyone.

The kids had their easter egg hunt at mom's. Cindy's 3 boys were there too. Even Derek decided he wanted to join in on the fun!! (yeah got a blackmail picture out of that one...LOL) We spent the day there...and then went back to dad's till Tuesday. We spent 2 more nights with mom....before returning to dad's at the end of the week....to get ready to come home.

The kids loved being able to wake up around 830 AM and play outside ALL day....until dusk dark. I think the was the first time in their short years they grabbed a pillow and blanket around 8-9 PM and went to sleep with NO problems. I can say that they played their little hearts out!! They really enjoyed uncle Floyd playing catch football with them....and then taking them to feed his chickens!! Every night the bath tub was full of dirt, sand and grass.....a true indication of a hard day's play!!!

The weather was GREAT!! It rained a little on Sunday...but turned out to be a WONDERFUL sunny day. The weather stayed clear and sunny the whole week....until FRIDAY....and then it RAINED all day!! The kids were like sardines in a can.....I eventually took them to McDonald's to play....to help work some of that energy out!! LOL

We didnt get to see Chelsea....which was hard on the kids....but they seemed ok with it as time went on. I just hope she realizes that family should ALWAYS come first. Her sister and brothers are growing up wayyy to fast.....and soon they arent going to have time for her.....so she should take advantage of the time she has with them now. But some lessons have to be learned.....the hard way!!

I got a whole bunch of pictures from my mom to make copies of....so I can start on a scrapbook about me. I hope to go back in the summer....and get some from Dad and Nana....to complete my life story scrapbook!!! I hope one day my kids will appreciate and enjoy learning all about my life!!

Well off to rest and relax......gotta work on Monday!!!

Very Tired

This week has been very exhausting for me....I worked Monday night, Thursday day shift and then Friday and Saturday night. A total of 48 hours...{it even makes me tired thinking about it...LOL} I think the really hard part...it the transition from days to nights...and back to days!! But...I will adjust....the good news is I will have off a whole week come Friday!!! YEAAAHHHHH!!

Kids only have to go to school 4 days this week!! They are out Friday and then all next week for Spring break so we are going to go to Texas for the week! The kids are sooo excited! They havent been since before Thanksgiving....so they are looking forward to it!!

I was shocked when I got home from work this morning. Keith had washed up all the dishes, cleaned out the cabinet above the stove, and put away the dishes he washed! {O-O} <----those were my eyes...LOL He even started a roast this morning so it would be ready for supper tonight. I asked him what had gotten into him...and he said he just started doing it....and just did it!! Well I told him that it meant ALOT to me....to have that task done....and not on MY to do list. Then with the dishes washed up and supper cooking was EVEN BETTER....because I am soo tired...and probably wouldnt have gotten around to it today or tomorrow...and those are my only days off before I work again. So he does care....it apparently is DEEP...but there....LOL!!!!

We took the kids to park for a little while today so they could use their side walk chalk. They didnt get to play on the slide and swings because there was an Easter Egg hunt going on....and lots of people in that section.....so we went across the street...and let the kids play on the soccer field....it also has a paved track for walking. They drew a few pictures and decided to run up and down the field...LOL!! Then we started playing Tic Tac Toe. Right before we left.....I drew an outline of each of the kids....and let them color it....they turned out SOOO cute! The kids didnt want to leave them....but I told them we could always re-draw them!!! :)

Better end now.....try to get some clothes washed for next week!!!

Returned from Scrapfest

I got in this morning about 1AM from Mandeville. I enjoyed my little break these last 3 days..... nothing but scrapping and scrapbook shopping!! I met Vera and the Scrapalious crew from Thibadeaux. We all sat at the same table! It was great. I also ran into Pat and Martha from Remembering Moments in Petal MS....I havent seen them since last Feb 2008. There were classes, games, prizes and make and takes! The best part was I completed 24 PAGES....you can see them on my scrapbook blog http://www.southernmadememories.blogspot.com/ !!

Here are some pics of the Castine Convention Center!!

This is our table....pictured are Maria (right) and Mel (left front) (I forgot the name of the girl on the left next to Mel...sorry) I sat all the way at the end on the right.

Looking down the whole convention center.


Me and Amber

Scrapalious store..behind the register is VERA :)

...another picture of the convention

My house was broken into......

(heart pounding)When I came home about 30 minutes ago....it was pouring down rain...so I just grabbed my stuff out of the car and quickly got inside. Well as soon as I opened the door...I noticed the livingroom light was on....and I KNOW that I turned it off when I left......also there was a box that was in the kitchen right in front of me....and I know that wasnt there when I left. Well I went to the back and looked all around....searched in the kids rooms...(really good thing we have a small house...it doesnt take long)...then I called Keith and asked did he have someone come in to get something.....he said NO. He called everyone and they hadnt seen or heard anything. I was only gone 3 hours, plus MaryAnn was home, Maw was home...and the garbage man came during that time...so how could this happen. I checked and all of Keith's guns were there, my wedding rings were there....but $80 was missing from on top of the fridge. My heart sunk....I felt violated!! I called Keith to ask if I should call the Sheriffs office....because I know they touched the lights...maybe they can get finger prints.........then he proceeds to tell me....that I am married to a maniac (like I didnt already know that)....and he had came home to grab something and took the money.........and since I wasnt home....he played this trick on me. Ok....most of you probably dont know....but Keith LOOOOVES pranks....he comes from a family of pranksters.......(he used to put fake spiders in his mom's plants.....so that when she watered them....well...you get the picture....)

Well all ends well...seems I got an EARLY.....APRIL FOOLS!!!

LOL....I bet the kids will love this one....because they are always putting fake bugs on the floor and screaming roach or spider....to get me to jump......oh what am I going to face in the years to come.........:)