Texas Caviar 101

Lauren, Kayley & I went into Texarkana the other day to go shopping. The girls were actually suppose to go to another deal, but that was cancelled, so we decided to still go in and go shop. I started texting Judy (my new best friend) to see what they were doing, and they wanted us to stop by for a bit to say hi. I stopped at Sonic first to get her a drink, but was good and didn't get me one because I had just finished my 2nd for the day. =/
Kayley loves to cook, and Tim was starting to make some Texas Caviar.

Kayley was excited to learn.

She even learned to cut an avocado in the skin, something I've never done.

It was way good!! Thanks Kayley and Tim!!

Before we left their house, Kayley got Tim to cut her a magnolia tree flower off. It was closed, but Kayley stuck it in water. Next morning:

Poor Kayley-- just got out of the shower. She had been doing some yard work, and was literally attacked by mosquitoes! Like a thousand all over!! She and Lindsey have sweet blood, and it doesn't matter how much OFF they put on, these girls are going to get bit, and then the bites swell!! It's so not fun being bit by a mosquito, but lots?!?! I hope Kayley survives Young Womens Camp this year... mosquitoes are suppose to be worse. She will be packing tons of OFF or something stronger (any ideas?), anti-itch cream and Benedryl.

First day as a sub

Back in February I finally submitted all my papers to sub at the school. They have called me several times, but I haven't been able to work. On May 20th, I told them I could. What a crazy day with 2nd graders~ it was field day! I would do it again I think. I was called back at the other school but because I didn't answer the phone fast enough, they got another sub. I also work part-time at the local flower shop called A Pretty Petal. It's okay. Not something that I want to do on a full-time basis.

Josh told me he found it funny that I am working outside the home. LOL!!

Lauren is 16!!

Wow! Can you believe it?! The big 1-6!! So *almost* grown up!

My friend made this cake in exchange for 4 dozen
chocolate mint cookies.

And as of Friday May 27th, Lauren has her driver's license!
So crazy!!

Bowling Night

Lindsey went bowling with her class at school, and brought home a postcard about free bowling in the summer for all kids 15 and under. So I signed us up. It doesn't start until June 1st, or something like that. But that night Shawn and I wanted to go, so we loaded up the kids and dropped $50 just like that to go. Enjoy the pictures!

She got her 1st strike!

So cute in his little bowling shoes!

Her first strike!!

Newest braceface!!!

Lauren got them on May 10th, just in time for her 16th birthday (in 10 days). She will wear them for the next two years... just in time to get them off for her senior year and senior pictures.

Main Street Pre-School

The end of the year program/graduation was held on May 9th. It was at the Church of Christ here in Ashdown. I think I had Joey over-dressed in his church pants and a plaid shirt. Oh, well. He *was* the cutest one!!

His little group doing their part...

His part was something like, "and all this because it's graduation day."

After saying his name as Joey Miller, and getting his certificate.

With his teachers Ms. Ronda and Ms. Donna. He loves them so much! He is going back next year for one more great year before starting kindergarten.

Star Student of May 2nd week

She got it for her class this week. I was invited to go eat lunch with her on Monday (9th). Joey went with me as I had just picked him up from pre-school. We got her a Sonic lunch, and she was happy. Congrats Krissy!!

Cinco de Mayo, celebrated on May 7th

Church had a celebration put on by some of the Hispanic members of our ward. They've done it past few years, but this was the first time we came. Kids had a great time. I didn't get any good shots of the kids busting open the pinatas. There were 3. Lindsey totally busted open the 1st one. Head went flying across the gym, candy flying everywhere. Maybe a future softball player?

Jacob's head was cut off on the 1st picture, and now Joey has disappeared. Kayley is helping with the 3rd pinata in the back. Jacob busted open the 2nd one.

All the candy and loot that the kids collected from the 3. They all had a great time!

Miss Whistlestop 2011 Pageant

Lauren entered it last year for the 1st time because we found the dress way cheap, and she was 1st runner-up. She was the only one that had never been in a pageant before, and came in 1st. We were excited. Well, here it was again for Miss Whistlestop, but she didn't place this year. We were okay with it. It was just fun dressing her up in (her Prom) gown and doing her hair and make-up again.

Behind Little River News on Commerce Street in Ashdown has this really cool "back drop." I think this is where some senior pictures will be taken.

Not bad for someone who has no experience in photography. Some of these were taken with my BlackBerry, and some with my camera, and then fixed with PhotoShop.

How could the judges not say she wasn't the winner?

Ya, so I am a bit bias... she is beautiful!

Love this shot! Oh, and Little River News has more pictures on their website. I need to go look at them too. Maybe I'll put those on Facebook.

Flower from her Sunday School teacher, Sister Whitfield. Made a perfect prop.

Love this one too...

Mother's Day cake...

lovingly decorated by Joey at pre-school.

Arkansas Children's Week

It was a few weeks ago in April. For their field trip they went over to Ashdown City Park where Joey's pre-school class met up with about 7 other pre-school classes in the area. They all wore their purple shirts, and made a cute little wagon for the parade. Even though it wasn't hot hot hot, it was still hot.

I kept taking pictures, and he was like "Mom, enough already!" It's so weird that I am taking so many pictures of the younger kids now... so easy with a BlackBerry, and with a digital camera. No more having film processed.

Totally reminds me of Joshua here!!

"Stop Mom" is what he is saying between clinched teeth...

Joshua would be in heaven, as Joey was!!

Waiting for the next "class" to start.

And after I made him stand there with Lindsey (friend from church), he lost it. Wouldn't cooperate after that. We ended up going home early, where he took an almost 3 hour nap!! He fell asleep in the car on the way home, and stayed asleep.