Elmo Hat is a big hit-second only to going to the ZOO.

Ft. Worth Zoo ROCKS our Holiday Week-end.

Might as well start with the PENGUINS!

WE'RE GOING TO THE ZOO, ZOO, ZOO.....

It was a great visit to the zoo! I think the grown-ups were actually a little more excited to see the big 'ole elephants, the graceful Giraffes, the pretty huge-mongous rhinos, the flamingos, and the cute and cordial Penguins at the Ft. Worth Zoo today. Jackson seemed to really get into riding the train....oh, and the PENGUINS!!!  

Soaking up my last day os SUMMER!

Well, a slight depression cloaks 200 Waterfront Drive.....with the anticipation of having to go to bed by 10:18PM(usually after the weather report), setting the alarm for 5:30-ish(earlier on Choir days), and being all "yippy skippy" to say "Good Morning Shawnee Trail!!!" at our morning assemblies! It is a test of MENTAL STRENTGTH and FOCUS! So, what am I doing today besides praying for strength to get through another year???? Well, the picture tells it all...It's a dog day in the Music Room when Rocky and Missy have to get me all excited to learn about the Lines and Spaces(for the 9-millionth) time!!! BUT, whoever is reading this(usually Steph), you know I love my sweet "gig" at Shawnee Trail...Love to all who can read this during the day and don't have to be at school! ha!

Old Fire Truck in the barn-type building next to Babe's.

These pictures are from Steph's birthday celebration(or from ONE of her many celebrations!). Frisco has refurbished some original homes, church, and buildings to a location called Heritage Square. It is fun to see these buildings saved so people can enjoy them. Plans are also underway to relocate many old fire engines from different places up here too. It will be a fun place to go when it is completed. 

These pics tell it all! Stuffed to the brim but just can't stop eatin' that FRIED CHICKEN!

Pictures of Babe's Fried Chicken Birthday fun!

Chaz has a strong hold on his mom to give him the rest of the CORN or her last bite of pie or something! Great pic of both.

Fun Times with Great Friends!

My best Blog-Fan is Stephanie. She always checks my blog for updates and lets me know if any of my own kids have a new "post!"--just in case I have failed to check for updates! Yes, she looks like she could be one of my children and often times when we are shopping together, the sales ladies refer to me as her mom! It must be the dark hair!!!!hahahaha Anyway, it is time for her to be on the blog! These are from her "birthday" celebration this week. We went to "Babe's Fried Chicken" and it is family style. Yes, home-style, down-home fried chicken and corn, green beans and mashed potatoes! Then homemade chocolate meringe pie and coconut cream pie!! WOW! 

Emmerson's First time to see "The Wizard of Oz"

Emmerson was not real sure about this "wizard" thing so she thought she might need to be in someone's lap in case he jumped out and "got her!!!"

She watched with great intensity and many questions. 

These are the Times of our Lives!

Emmerson has learned the "smile" thing and just look at that precious little one! I post these so I can go back and read my own blog and smile!  This was Emmerson dressed for church! Emmerson, Grammie loves you!

Lake Fun in May! Karla, Leslie, Ashley and Deonne

Sweet Girls-May-'08

This pic goes back to May again...enjoying some country club sun before Ben's graduation. Aren't they cute?

Jackson Studying his ABC's

This picture is so timeless. Jackson is rather obsessed with the alphabet and really "studies" and listens to the little lessons on this little computer and loves the ABC song....I just love this sweet little picture. 

Ben's MBA Graduation Day-May-08

Ben's Big DAY!

What a fun week-end in May. We celebrated Ben's Graduation from UT. He got all sorts of awards-Dean's Award for something and another award- Student Meritorious Award voted on by his peers. What fun to see Ben to be rewarded for his hard work. All the kids went to the lakehouse on Lake Travis and it was such a great celebration. 

Ben's MBA Graduation Day-May-08

This is just a great picture of my son-in-law, so I thought it deserved a "post" on the blog. It's my blog and I can do what I "wanna"(to the tune of "It's my Party-I can Cry if I want to!")

The story behind this "ugh-oh!"

Now, this story is told backward, but this is the priceless look after we "experienced" the pretty pink petunias in Grammie's hanging basket. That look packs a lot of regret! Pretty smart for a 2-year old to know that he just made a flower "boo-boo!" haha.....

Grammie's flowers are so soft....

"Now, Jackson, be careful and you can touch them and feel them."

He was doing such a good job......

Jackson likes Grammie's flowers

Now, Jackson, these are pretty flowers. Be careful and you can smell them.....

This pic is from Spring '08

This pic is really from April at my 1st Grade PTA program, EIEI-OOPS! and Leslie, Rob and Jackson came out to see it. 

Some day, I will learn how to put all these pictures in the order they happen! 

Emmerson and Grammie enjoying the yummy bread and butter at Cracker Barrel in Lubbock. 

KEEPING UP WITH THE KIDS!!!!!

SUMMER IS ALMOST OVER FOR ME! YIKES! WHERE DID IT GO FOR GOODNESS SAKES?

QUICK RECOUNT OF THE LAZY-HAZY-CRAZY DAYS OF OUR SUMMER:

June-1st of July

Mostly partied with Ben and Ashley as they had many "going away" parties. Some in McKinney, some at the Lakehouse and some in Houston! It was bitter-sweet fun because we knew they were going half way across the US! Makes a mom happy and sad all at one time. I know they are having a wonderful adventure as they start their life in NYC but I also know they are not just an afternoon drive away. Oh well....be safe, kids and "don't talk to strangers, Ashley!" 

I took a 2-week Orff-Schulwerk Training at SMU in June, too. Orff is a wonderful way of teaching music to children. Now the test comes to see if I can put all this great training to work! More about this during the school year!

July

Leslie, Jackson and I made a trip to Amarillo to see Barbara, my sister. We saw Christy and her 5 kids and husband. Barbara has a new house(old house made new!) and it was a good time visiting with her and checking out her new casa. Then we went on to Lubbock to see Alan and his "girls." What a blast. I also got to visit with Mrs. Ashby, Mrs. Nash and Diane and Jane. 

Dash and I took care of the kids one evening so the "mommas and the poppa" could take a breather from diapers, feeding kids, and keeping an eye on zippy toddlers. What fun! Emmerson ended the evening by putting what seemed to be 50 of her various babies(dolls, bears, etc) to bed each under either a washcloth, face towel or large towel. Was quite a sight to see when her mom and dad came home!

Alan, Deonne and the girls came through the end of July. It was a blast watching the kids play and just hanging around the house. Life is great when running through the sprinkler brings squeals and screams of joy!

Karla just left after a short visit so that about finishes up the visitors for the summer. We ate, went to see Mamma Mia(my 3rd time to see it), and shopped a little. Was great fun. 

That is about it really..!!! 10-week summary in 3 or 4 short paragraphs. Seems rather uneventful, but was full of great memories. In between the above "big" events, I hung out with Stephanie and Missy(Lubbock friend)....and shopped!  Yes, Believe it or not. I shopped and loved it. !!!