Mother's Day...

Happy Mother's Day to all the Mothers out there! I had a very good Mother's Day. Tony had Deacon of the Day today at church so that made for a tricky morning. Tony did his best to help me out with the kids before leaving for church. My friend Margaret also had the same dilemma because her husband was DOD with Tony. So, I was able to sit with Margaret at church and then she and I braved taking our 6 kids out to lunch to Jason's Deli. We had a great time together and the kids did well. Then, Regan and I came home and crashed together for a 3 hr. nap while Reece and Riley played. Tony and Regan made me a Spaghetti Dinner tonight and even did dishes. Then, we all enjoyed some fun outside as a family. It was a great day and my family made me feel very special. I am also very thankful for my Mother. She has taught me so many wonderful things about being a Mom and set such a good example. I love you Mom!!!! I was able to chat with her on the phone today which was nice since I could not be with her in person. I am also thankful for Tony's mother who is very special to us and has raised a wonderful son. I am thankful for her love toward us and making me feel apart of their family as well. Thank you Cook, love you and good chatting with you today too! We have such special moms and feel very blessed! And I feel blessed to be a mom to 3 very sweet girls.

Regan setting the table

Making Spaghetti and Meatballs.Regan showing the meal to me (Spaghetti and Meatballs, Salad, Bread, and their version of a cookie cake). Tony went to Sam's and they did not have a cookie cake (my fav) so he bought cookies and put his own icing on it. They were yummy!Doing the dishes for mommy - How Sweet!!!!

Regan's Field Day...

Regan's school had Field Day yesterday. She had a great time. They played many fun water games, relay races, ate popsicles, and had their face painted. Regan got her face painted like a Lion (Trinity's Mascot). Although, we thought she was a tiger. :) I did not go to field day so I do not have photos of the actual events but I do have a photo of our lion.

Riley's Cast Off...

Riley got her hot pink cast off yesterday. Yay!!! The x-rays showed that the brake has pretty much filled in with new bone. But, the new bone that will surround the brake still has a little more to go. So, they made a removeable brace for Riley to wear for the next 3 weeks. She got to pick the color of velcro and she chose a light pink this time instead of hot pink again. :) I could not believe their big selection of velcro colors. She has to go to Physical Therapy once a week for the next few weeks and she has stretches she has to do 3 x's a day. Whew, not sure where we are going to add all this in to our already busy lives. But, we are thankful the cast is off. We will go back to the doctor on May 26th for more x-rays and hopefully at that point the doctor will give Riley the all clear and she should be able to resume Gymnastics.

Riley also lost another tooth this weekend. She is now missing her two upper front teeth so she can sing "All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth."

Fun with Mama Cook and Papa Doug...

This past weekend Mama Cook and Papa Doug came to visit. Friday was very busy with Grandparent's Day at Trinity and then the children's musical at church that evening. But, Saturday we did not have anything scheduled. We went hiking Saturday morning at the Eno River Park. We saw all kinds of critters there. We saw a big black snake, a cute snail which the girls named "Sammy the Snail" and he hiked with us for a while, frogs, centipedes or millipedes - not sure which, spider webs (Regan was naming the type of web for us and telling us what spider makes each of them - she just learned all this in school). We saw several Black Widow webs but luckily the spiders were not in it. We also saw a turtle and a large snake skin floating in the water. Reece fished the snake skin out of the water with a stick. We enjoyed jumping on the rocks in the river - even Riley did it with her cast on. It was a fun morning and the girls did incredibly well with the hike. After our hike, we had worked up quite an appetite so we went to the "Time Out" grill in Chapel Hill - YUM. It is a hole in the wall restaurant that we saw featured on Food Network. They are known for their Cheddar Cheese Chicken Biscuit. It is VERY GOOD!!!!! They also have good Mac N' Cheese. After we gained all our weight back that we had just exercised off (LOL) we went back home for a nap. In the evening, we grilled out and then went to Andy's for Ice Cream and played outside for a while. It was a great day. We were sad to see Mama Cook and Papa Doug leave so early the next day. :( But, Papa Doug has a busy week at both of his jobs this week so they had to get on the road bright and early Sunday morning. Thanks Mama Cook and Papa Doug for coming up and sharing such a special weekend with us. Love You!!! Reece teaching Papa Doug how to do a puzzle. Notice her finger - she is telling him where to put the piece of the puzzle. Little Miss Boss. :)The suspension bridge at Eno River Park Our encounter with the big black snake. Regan actually got very close to it. Regan picking up her new friend, Sammy the Snail. She brought him on our hike for quite a while and wanted to bring him home but we convinced her to leave him in the woods where he would be much happier. :)Playing on the rocks in the river.Reece caught a snake skin!!

The Rock Slinger...

Friday night, May 2, Regan and Riley were in a musical at our church. The children's choir performed the musical, "The Rock Slinger" which was about the story of David and Goliath. It was a huge success. The kids worked very hard and had a great time. Mama Cook and Papa Doug were there to watch as well as Mr. Gary and Mrs. Patsy McCorkle (dear friends of ours and Mrs. Patsy helps us at CFA). Many other dear friends were there to watch as well. For those who could not make it, don't worry they videotaped it and we will be getting a copy. Riley is in the middle with the pink cast on her arm.

Regan is on the risers (top right)
hiding from the PhilistinesDavid (played by Samuel S.) telling King Saul (played by Brian H.) that he will fight Goliath.David about to fight Goliath (played by Chris G.) Goliath was on stilts and looked pretty mean and scary. Reece was not too sure about Goliath even though she knew it was only Mr. Garrett in costume.

Grandparent's Day...

Friday, May 1, was Grandparent's Day at Trinity. There was an assembly, a reception and then we got to tour Regan's classroom. Papa Doug and Mama Cook (Tony's parents) were in town for this special day. Regan's class recited a very cute poem called "Hurry, Grandma, Hurry!" By: Jack Prelutsky (see below), they sang "Old Dan Tucker" and square danced to "Old Dan Tucker." It was very lively. We will be going to a family reunion (my Mom's side) in Tenn. in June and we always square dance so Regan will be ready to square dance with her Grandpa (who loves to dance). At the end of the assembly, grades 1-5 sang "Who Will Be A Witness" and "Keep Your Lamps Trimmed and Burning." It was very good and gave me chills to see all the children praising God in such a glorious way. Papa Doug and Mama Cook enjoyed seeing Regan's classroom and hearing and seeing what she has been learning about this month (frogs, butterflies, chicks, insects, spiders, multiplication and writing stories).

HURRY, GRANDMA, HURRY!
Hurry, Grandma, hurry,
Grandma look at me,
I'm right side up, I'm upside down,
I'm swinging from a tree.
I'm jumping like a squirrel,
I think that I can fly--
Grandma please don't worry,
Grandma please don't cry.

Hurry, Grandma, hurry,
see what I can do,
I'm roller-skating backwards
across the avenue,
Here's a lucious little bug,
I think I'll take a bite--
Grandma stop your screaming,
everythings all right.

Hurry, Grandma, hurry,
Grandma watch me please,
I'm climbing up a ladder,
I'm dangling from my knees,
I found this giant spider
that was stuck in gobs of paint,
Grandma take a closer look--
whatever made you faint?

By: Jack Prelutsky
Mama Cook and Papa Doug reading a story Regan wrote about frogs.

Baby Chicks....

Regan's class hatched baby chicks this month. They got fertilized eggs and incubated them for several weeks and were able to observe them throughout the process. They got to shine lights on the eggs and see the little chicks growing. Then, after about 3 weeks they got to watch the chicks break out of the shells. This was a very neat experience for Regan. She really enjoyed it. Then, last Thursday they got to hold the chicks and play with them. Riley, Reece and I also got to join in the fun. The chicks were so cute and very active and everyone got to hold them minus Riley b/c she did not want to get chick pee or poo on her cast. ;) One of the chicks did poo on Reece's hand and she is still talking about it. She is also wondering where the chicks went because they are no longer in Regan's classroom. The teachers gave them to a family in our school that owns a farm. I have to keep telling Reece this over and over again and to reassure her that they are in good hands.