family

They may not be picture perfect all the time but I love them.

Carnival

The library had a list where you could read 10 books to your kids and then you would get 1 hour of free rides at the fair. The list didn't specify which books or kids ages. So I got 3 and started marking all the books we read. I really thought that this was a gig to get parents to take their kids to the fair, make them pay to ride the rides with them and they would mark the prices up but I was in anyway. I was pleasantly surprised that they didn't do that at all. All of the kids rides were really close to the gates so we didn't even have to ride with them. There were height requirements but there were enough rides that the three of them could ride that it ended up being a really good time. Cole really wanted to go on this little roller coaster but he wasn't tall enough without an adult so Will went on it with him. He loved it. I wanted to go on the Ferris wheel (I love them) and Cole was the only one tall enough to go with me so he and I got to enjoy that. McKelle loved the boats the most and she rode them 3 times I think. The hour flew by but was exactly enough time. Any shorter and we would have wanted to stay a little longer but we had already said only one more ride and didn't realize that that was exactly the hour mark. Perfect.





I must say, I love the library. I always have because I enjoy reading and I like free stuff but with kids, there is a whole new element with it. They have some fun story times and other perks to go with it.

This post is way past over due. Sage's birthday was April 26th. All week long, I had told the kids that we would fill up the little pools and they could swim in them for the birthday party. They were so excited...then, on her birthday, it was overcast and windy. Not cold but it was not all that warm. It is April that should be enough said. Sage begged me to fill the pools. I told her if she played in the hose for a few minutes and still wanted the pools, I would fill them up. So Cole, Sage, McKelle and Dempsey played in the hose and a few minutes later, we pulled out the pools. I put in some bubble bath (because I am so cool) and they played out in the water for quite a while.
When the pool party was over, we ate and then did presents. Victoria did the cake (thank you Victoria). When she said she wanted to give it a shot, she didn't have to ask twice. Cake decorating is not my favorite thing but it is worth it when I see how excited my kids get.
For her birthday Sage got a princess dress, gloves and purse, and we gave her a tiara. I didn't coordinate but I don't know if the other people did. She loved it. She looked and felt just like a princess. She also got fingernail polish (that picture is Will painting her nails. I love it.)
Happy 3rd birthday to you Sage. I love you like crazy.

Family Visits

A couple of weeks ago, John and Chelsea and their kids and my Mom came to visit. It was really fun. None of them stayed long enough. John (his family) and Victoria (her family) went to a Braves game in Atlanta. We went to Coolidge park and played in the water and walked over the bridge. John got my kids their very first Hawaiian Ice (which they loved and I keep meaning to get them more but haven't yet.) We debated how an ending would be if someone jumped off the bridge. One man was working the park area and I asked him. He said not too good because there are the cement pillars and the concrete isn't too far below. I don't really know how much he knows though. I don't think I will be trying it anytime soon though. We had a birthday party for Zeke. We went swimming in Billy's pool. When I say "we" I really mean Zeke and Dempsey. That water was soooo COLD bum tingling cold (as Serena would say). John didn't buy a Braves hat at the game and he was kicking himself for it. So we went do some sports store and bought him one. It is from Georgia so it is authentic (even if it was made in Taiwan).

John and Chelsea left on Sat. and then we had our usual Sunday. Monday was Zeke's baptism and then the world show case. The advanced kids get to lean about a certain country and then present it to family and the other school kids. It was pretty fun. The baptism was nice. It has made Cole decide that one day he will get baptized "but not today". It was nice to have help with the baby for the first few weeks of his life. I'm sure he liked it too. He didn't realize that them leaving would result in him not having enough people to hold him all day long. That gets made up in kisses though. Every time Sage walks by him, she has to stop and kiss him at least 6 times. McKelle has a similar story. I can't help myself, he is so cute. I did get a few pictures of the kids and my Mom. Short photo session due to a few unhappy kids.



Victoria drove back to Ut. and Mom took Zeke and Dempsey on the plane home with her. I think that all went well with both parties. Sage is still convinced that "Grandma, Zeke and Dempsey are at the airport. I want to go see them." But if you ask where they live it is in Utah. It is nice to have our home to ourselves but we all miss our house mates. They are talked about on a daily basis and sometimes we just pretend they are still here. "I am Mama cat, you are brother cat, McKelle is sister cat, Dempsey is baby cat and Zeke is Daddy cat." We love you Tatum family and are so glad we were able to spend a few months with you!