First College Visit

Chicago! Chicago! Chicago!

We took advantage of school being out and headed toward Chicago on Thursday afternoon. We made it all the way to Effingham, IL. Interstate I55 in Arkansas needs some work. It is bumpy. There was still quite a bit of water in places near Cairo, MO. The Mississippi was still having her way up there. Illinois is a very flat state with lots of farm land!

On Friday mid-day, we made it to Chicago. The boys were so funny snapping pictures in the car.



Our destination was Northwestern University. We took the plunge and went on our first college tour. Pumpkin's got a few years, but that time will fly.

He was pulling his teenage card and would not stand by the arch for me to take a picture of him.

We are waiting for an informational session to begin. The toured followed.

After the tour, we headed back to the Student Center for something to eat. We were starving!! Anyway, we ate a slice, browsed through the bookstore, and had to walk over to see the Aquatic center. It looked like some sort of Northwestern club team was practicing. The sun broke through the clouds during the tour. As it started to set, it got a bit chilly. We felt like rebels donning our sweatshirts at the end of May! In TN, we are well into our short wearing stage!

I had dreams that Pumpkin would see one school and that would be all it'd take. Unfortunately, it is going to take a few more schools. We all liked the location of Northwestern and the diverse student body. They operate on the quarter system and were still in school when we visited. One thing about a college campus is the inspiration. I just love the feeling of having the world at your fingertips!

More on our Chicago trip - - to come!

Tires Rotated

Who knew Costco could be so entertaining?

We looked in all the nooks and crannies while we waited for the tires to be rotated. I know Pumpkin was not thrilled to be there. But, it is these times that I cherish the most. I kept telling him this was quality bonding time :)

Believe it or not, we only walked out with a bookzine for the Big Guy.

Peanut's Awards Ceremony

Peanut looks thrilled. Right? He doesn't like these kinds of things.

Peanut and Buddy woke up Pumkin so Pumpkin could some with me to the awards. Peanut was so excited. I think that little task of waking up his older brother made his day!

Both boys were embarrassed that their momma got up, walked around chairs, and snapped the shot when he got the awards. I don't care. I have similar pictures of this for Pumpkin and did not want Peanut to feel left out.

Got a smile here!

Heading back to the bleachers...

I don't quite know where this 6th grade went. It was a rough first three weeks making the transition to middle school. But, once we got through those, it was smooth sailing. Peanut did a great job! His last day is today and then we'll all officially be on summer break. Yahoo!!

One More Tooth & One More Day!!

Photo taken after the second to last baby tooth popped out tonight.

Peanut only has one baby tooth left. Amazing!

School is out for the summer tomorrow. Even more amazing!!

Pumpkin was exempt from his finals and has been home all week. The amazing cell phone strategy worked!!

Beatles Solo

Pumpkin had his last concert of the school year - last night. It was outdoors on the town square. It is a relaxed venue. All the kids wore black and white.

The entire concert was Beatles. It was lovely.

Pumpkin had his first solo part. I did not come too prepared. But, I whipped out my iPhone while they sang this medley and tried to record his debut. When the video was processed for YouTube, the beginning got cut off. You get the idea.

He did well. I was a proud mamma!



We get to hear more of his singing this weekend at his voice recital. Looking forward to it!

Cool Candle

On Mother's Day, I wondered into this store in downtown Memphis.

The coolest candles caught my eye. I did not know anything about the Klaner Evolution of Fire candles. They are just so interesting.

I decided to buy a rectangle candle and stand for Peanut's teacher. Her birthday is this week and we needed a class gift.

When I got the bag home, there was another candle and stand in the bag. Imagine that!! Now, I have a rectangle candle on my dining room table. It will be fun to watch it burn and acquire the unique shape.

Bridal Shower

Peanut's homeroom teacher is getting married this summer!

We hosted a bridal shower for her last week in the classroom during first period. It was a breakfast bridal shower with sausage biscuits, berries, pineapple, and petit fours. I made up a wedding trivia quiz testing the kids on their knowledge of their teacher's wedding. While they ate, they created as many words as they could from the bride and groom's first names.

One day while the teacher was out, the kids used photobooth and shared their wedding advice. I used iMovie, edited a bit and created a movie. It was a hoot! I am sure the couple will cherish it.

It was so much fun to do this. I found her fiance on facebook and invited him too. The kids loved getting to meet him. It was so funny to watch the girls make over him!

Mother's Day 2011

Yummy! Mother's Day gift from my boys. How cool is that?

(I am not going to think about this great ice cream going to my hips.)

After church, we headed to downtown Memphis for breakfast at The Arcade Restaurant.

Here's the family shot. Pumpkin's on his tippy toes. It's a preview of the day that he is taller than the Big Guy. - - - -Only time will tell!

This is a great diner. The sweet potato pancakes are the best as even recommended by the Food Network.


After we ate, we strolled down the South Bluffs to see the Mississippi. The road at the base of the bluff is Riverside Drive. The area flooded is where the BarBQ fest is supposed to be. They've moved it out to a higher and drier spot. The river is expected to crest tonight, but will not recede for a few days.

We stopped at my inlaws on the way home. This year we gave our mom's some lovely earrings from a site on etsy. They were appreciated by both our moms. We planted plants and spread some mulch. The boys cooked me dinner. I could go for Mother's Day everyday!!

Sun! Glorious Sun!

It was wonderful walking into the yogurt shop yesterday.

The sun was shining, the sky was blue and it was wonderful.

There is supposed to be more in the forecast. Yahoo!!