Butterflies

We had our own little science experiment at the Calhoun house with butterflies. About 2-3 weeks ago we received our caterpillars in the mail. They were about a half inch long. In about a week, they doubled in size and soon migrated to the top of the jar and turned into chrysalis. We moved them into their net house where they hung from the top for about a week and finally hatched this weekend. We ended up with about 8 or 9 painted lady butterflies. We released them tonight into our little garden. The girls thought it was super cool. Katelyn even coaxed some of them out on a flower. I highly recommend the butterflies as a learning game for all kids. Ours loved watching them grow from little caterpillars to longer caterpillars and finally to butterflies.

Go CPA!

We went to our first CPA game of the year last night. Our poor Lions had an 0-3 record going in to the game. The girls decided to wear their cheer girl uniforms and do some cheering. They had a wonderful time. I think Ellie may be a sports commentator or something. She chattered incessantly and asked a zillion questions, "Why are we cheering, what happened to that guy, who has the ball, why is he down, how much time, . . . . . and on and on and on." If I didn't immediately respond, I received a persistent tug on my arm until I answered her. It reminded me of when my mom use to tell me how I was always saying, "Why this and Why that." My favorite though was when I let out a little groan on a fumble and Ellie responded, "It's o.k. mommy. We can cheer for both teams. It's o.k." in her sweetest little supportive voice.

Katelyn had a great time running around with her friends from school. She hung out most of the night with a little boy from her class. It was almost a glimpse of what's to come. I could visualize them 12 years from now sitting on the same bleachers together cheering for their team. It is one reason I love the school so much. It is a community that comes together--with kids K-12 running around and having a great time. Of course the kids crashed on the way home. By the way, we WON. Yeah CPA.

Getting ready for the game

Tuckered out afterwards

Counting my blessings

I find it so easy to get swept up in the day and never really pause to realize how truly blessed we are. This morning we had a chapel at school with three speakers talking about their experiences in Africa and the poverty and hardship they witnessed. One is prepared to adopt two little boys from Africa. We were challenged to make that difference, to see the impact that we can make even if it is just on one person, to face what real hunger looks like--not just a little rumble in our tummy. And yet even after that chapel, I went about my day without feeling the weight of the words--without counting my blessings and realizing how truly blessed I am to have the life I have--with an abundance of food, good health and shelter. I was short with my kids and feeling quite pregnant and tired.

It took my 3 year old's words of wisdom as she spoke of how beautiful everything was on our walk--the true joy I saw in her eyes and smile from a simple walk with her mama--to take the time to sit down on the path (she was tired) and appreciate the beauty of God's creation.

And then I left the path and re-entered my world of overabundance and returned to my cranky self. It was only this evening as I was reading the blog of a 20 year old girl serving in Uganda that is so sure of herself and her faith as she described her days ministering to the poor that I truly stopped for some introspection.

I encourage you to check out her blog www.kissesfromkatie.blogspot.com. It is listed to the right as The Journey. But the entry that caused me to really pause and appreciate my family and what we have is http://kissesfromkatie.blogspot.com/2009/08/be-warned-i-always-re-read-things.html

To be able to visualize the number of kids out there with no parents who love them and nothing to eat is heartbreaking. It made me go in and hug my kids that much harder. Sure they whine and can be stubborn and don't listen, but they are mine to love all the more and I wouldn't trade them for the world.

Soccer Season starts up

Saturday was the first day of Katelyn's new soccer season. Her team from last year folded. The coach's daughter had no interest in the game, so it was probably for the best. Katelyn and another teammate were moved over to a new team. We are excited that we got our first choice because the coach lives down the street from us with his daughter who is on the team and another teammate lives in the cul de sac across from us. This team is a huge difference over last year's. All the girls are genuinely interested in playing and want to be out there.

Katelyn's first time out was a bit of humor. She was so excited that she dribbled the ball to the OPPOSITE goal and one of her teammates promptly put it in for the other team. However, after that she got into her groove and was very into the game. Although she didn't score, she played well and seemed to have a very good time. Their team won their first game 5-4. They were all full of high fives, etc. after each goal which she was loving. Next week she wants to try goalie. We'll see how that goes.

Ellie, as always, was the supportive sister from the sidelines along with Aunt Sherry.

First Day of School

Katelyn started her first day of school today at CPA. She has been looking forward to it all week. Two of the teachers in my high school also have girls starting kindergarten this year and will be in her class. Katelyn only had a half day today (with only five girls) and then goes back on Friday for a half day with all of her class. Next week, she goes for a half day all week before getting into full days the next week. I need to talk to my boss about this half day business and see if we can get some in the high school too :) She came home today wanting to go back tomorrow all day--which is a good sign.

After school today, she had a Daddy Day. They had lunch on the run and then went to Nashville Shores. Overall, a very successful day! Is is possible that I actually have a kindergarten student? Wow--where did the time go?

My two little angels

Katelyn's the bride and Ellie is her flower girl. How angelic. I wish I could bottle their innocence.

I have an official Bike Rider

With the help of a neighbor, Katelyn has learned to ride her bike. Though still a little wobbly, she can go down the cul de sac and back without falling. We're hoping to get her on the greenway this weekend and see how far she can go. She is so proud of herself.

Girls Day Out

When I was a little girl, my mom always took a day off of work a week or two before school started and just spent it with me and then Sherry doing Back-to-School shopping. I am sure she had no idea how much it impacted me, but I always cherished that time of year and was so excited to spend the day with Mom in anticipation of school starting. So when I had my own kids, I knew that we would make a day of it.

I have actually been looking forward to my day with Katelyn for weeks. We spent the day shopping for some back to school clothes--which she doesn't really need because she has a set uniform to wear, but I let her pick out a couple of outfits anyway, because every girl needs to start the year with some special clothes they pick out themselves. We bought some school supplies for home when she has homework (at school supplies are part of tuition) and had a fun little lunch at McDonald's Playland. Overall, a success I believe. She was on her best behavior and it was a good start to our family's tradition. I am still in shock that this teeny child I birthed five years ago is now ready to go to kindergarten. Where did the time go?

Vacation Recap

I know I am late on this, but wanted to post a couple of pics from our trip. We had an amazing time. Alan and I enjoyed our three nights away at the Buttermilk Inn and Spa in the Hudson River Valley, New York. It was so nice just to get away--the two of us. The photos show the front of the inn and the view of the river from the outside patio.

Then on to Pennsylvania to meet up with the kids. They had a ball. They went tubing on the lake out back from the grandparents. The girls LOVED it. Katelyn kept yelling, faster, faster, faster. Ellie even rode the tube with Alan.

The girls went blueberry picking with their Boston cousins, went bumper-boating with their Pennsylvania cousin and went to camp and rode horses. Overall a great trip.

Babymoon

Alan and I learned a new term last night: Babymoon. It is apparently the last childless weekend getaway before you have a baby. Well we are doing this one right. My wonderful inlaws offered to take the kids for a few days, so we took adavantage of it for a quick getaway. We flew up to Pennsylvania yesterday and they met us at the airport to get the kids. No tears by them which was wonderful. Alan and I then headed to the Hudson River Valley to spend three nights at a wonderful little inn in Milton, NY--Buttermilk Falls Inn. Our room looks out into a flowery courtyard. We spent the morning on a little walk of the grounds, walking down to the Hudson River and looking out over an amazing overlook. It would be the most awesome place for a wedding. Getting ready to head to the included, delicious smelling breakfast at the inn and then off to site see. On the agenda for today: the Vanderbilt Mansion and the FDR museum and library.

We're having a . . . . . .

I am not sure if it is because it is our last baby or because the girls are so excited about having the baby, but I have been anxiously awaiting this ultrasound for weeks. For the big news. . . Not sure what to do with a boy, but ready or not, he is coming. Wow.

We took the girls so it would feel more real to them. They were excited to see the baby, but not so excited to hear the news of it being a boy. I explained to them that "you get what you get" to which Ellie promptly responded, " and you don't throw a fit." My wise little one. They were fairly attentive for the first ten minutes and then quickly were ready to move on to other things. I am always so amazed at ultrasounds to see how he is already a little person with hands and feet and fingers and toes--a truly amazing creation from God. Katelyn was a little sensitive to "how are we going to get him out" and whether it would hurt. They most definitely will not be in the room for all that. But most of all I am feeling blessed that so far everything looks healthy whether it was a boy or a girl.

So we are very excited as we continue on this adventure called parenthood. It seems that a new gender chapter is about to be opened. Wish us luck and lots of advice on what to do with little boys. Alan will be very pleased to have some additional testosterone in the house. So far he has had to rely on Scotty.

4th of July festivities

We had a busy day today. Our neighborhood had a 4th of July parade where all the kids decorate their bikes and parade around the neighborhood, followed by lots of watermelon. The pool was packed with families, along with free food and a DJ. We visited with lots of neighbor friends.  Ellie is actually starting to swim without her floaties which she is very proud of, although it tires her out. Luckily, that translates into a nice afternoon nap. 

Post nap, we went to the Crowell family's annual 4th of July party. There were kids galore, a pool and even our own fireworks display. Even the rain turned out to be an enjoyable event for the girls. All in all, a very fulfilling day with lots of friends and fun. 

The rest of vacation

I took a bit of a sabbatical from the computer for the last few days of vacation. Here were some other highlights of the trip.


Most of the crew went to the Waterville water park one day. I spent most of the day in the wave pool and the kiddie area with Ellie while Katelyn was fearless on the slides and tubes.

The Calhoun clan spent one morning at the Gulf Shores zoo. It wasn't a very big zoo, but worked for our kids. They had lots of animals that the kids could feed. Ellie especially loved feeding the animals. Katelyn tended to pull her hand back at the last minute, creating animal frustration I am sure.

Family photos

The Girls were wiped out by the last day. Don't they look angelic?

Dolphins

Gulf Shores

We are at Gulf Shores this week having a wonderful time. The girls love the beach and the ocean. Katelyn has been a fish. She LOVES the water. It is actually a little scary because she swims pretty fast and doesn't want to stay that close. She goes underwater and you can't see here and it gives me a little pause. Yesterday we went on a Dolphin cruise and were awed by the beauty of the dolphins. The boats created a huge wake between them and the dolphins rode the wakes it seemed. They kept jumping out of the water and riding along side us. The girls loved it. Today we are off to the waterpark. Being preggo, I am going to park it at the kiddie pool with Ellie and venture to the lazy river. I am sure Katelyn will master the park in an hour.

Thanks to Cole and Gabe for coming by to take care of our furry friends.

Another test of facebook

Seeing if blogger goes straight to facebook.

My brave little climbers

This week at church they are having a Vacation Bible School. It kicked off Monday night with pizza, sno cones, face painting, jumpy things and a rock wall. Katelyn is fearless when it comes to climbing those walls. Ellie had her first attempt at it and did a pretty good job. She got up a few rocks before coming back down.

The Weekend's Festivities have come to a close

The planner that I am, I thought it would be a good idea to have June babies so I could be off all summer with them before heading back to school. Why didn't someone tell me the crazy birthday weekends that would be in store for me with two birthdays so close together. Well we survived the weekend and had a great time at it. It was a tremendous help to have Grandma Karen and Aunt Joyce around.

We had beautiful weather yesterday for Ellie's party at the Splash Pad. It was nice to meet some of the parents of Ellie's friends. The kids pretty much ran around for two hours in the water, occasionally stopping in for food and drink. Katelyn handled it wonderfully given that it was actually her birthday. We ended up grilling out at our house that evening and having a little cake to celebrate Katelyn's actual birthday. Katelyn's big birthday present was a new bike which you can see her so proudly riding. Ellie is the recipient of Katelyn's old Dora bike.

Today we took a trip to Brushfire Pottery for a party with some of Katelyn's girl friends. The girls did a wonderful job and were complimented on by the manager on how well-behaved and attentive they were. We get to pick up their works of art in about a week. That should be interesting. So in summary, I have a new three year old and a new five year old. Where has the time gone? I know it sounds crazy to say they are getting ready to go to college, but I feel like time is moving that fast. So my prayer for tonight is that time slows down so I don't miss all the little things.

Reminiscing some more--Katelyn turning five

On the heals of realizing my baby just turned 3 years old yesterday, I have to come to grips with the idea that I will officially have a five year old in a few hours--one heading to kindergarten this fall. So in honor of Katelyn's birthday tomorrow, here are some pictures from her first year. Poor Katelyn was so beat up when she entered this world. She looked like she had already fought a few rounds. There is also a particularly telling one of her already sucking her thumb vigorously at five months. Katelyn is one who wears her heart on her sleeve--whether you are blessed with her love or are the recipient of one of her looks, she has a passion for life. Happy Birthday Katelyn!!