Fish Tales

Last night we kicked off our new summer program at church called "Fish Tales." It is the first time that Cooper has been able to go to a class and I think he had fun. I'm not sure how he acted, but he had a good time! They had story time, craft (they made bracelets), music, and game time. He will start AWANA in the fall, which makes me realize my baby is growing up!

Here he is with Holly and some of the kids in his class. I couldn't resist going to sneak a picture. They had 9, 2-3 year olds!
Kamdyn went to her new class too. Her teachers are Leah and Kristen and they tell me she was great. I think she complimented Leah on the good job she did writing her name (lol!) and even knew some details to the story (Jesus feeds the people with bread and fish) that they didn't talk about. I think it's going to be a great summer with "Fish Tales!"

Mommy and me

I snagged this pic today off of Kam's teacher's facebook page. This was a few Fridays ago. Of course, Kam's not looking at the camera but it's about as good as we get!

Memorial Day Weekend

I have absolutely no pictures to post as I keep forgetting to bring my camera home from work with me. Nevertheless, we had a fun Memorial Day weekend. I was off on Friday so we started our weekend early. The kids and I spent all morning picking up so we could have our house cleaned on Friday afternoon. Isn't that pathetic that I have to spend 3 hours picking up to get cleaned up??

We went to Wal-Mart to buy groceries and let the kids pick out a toy.... we exchanged some duplicate gifts they had gotten so it was about time for them to pick out something new. Cooper ended up with nothing because you can only have so many cars... and he never screamed for any of them so I decided to hold out til we found something different. Kam wanted Barbie makeup only to change her mind and decide on a new Cinderella dress... so we found a cheap makeup kit to go with the dress.... then only to change her mind and end up with a Cars game for her Leapster! I asked her 5 times if she was sure about that decision (those of you who know me well know that I'm not exaggerating on this!). She plays with her Cars game on the way home and then asks me as soon as we get home if she can go back for the Cinderella dress! I knew that would happen!

Saturday was what I call a perfect day.... the kids slept in, we ate breakfast, and then went to Magic Springs to ride some rides. It was a toss-up between MS and the zoo (Cooper's choice) and MS won out. I couldn't even stand the thought of getting into a bathing suit yet so we skipped the water park. Must work on tan so we can go soon because it's getting hot. It's too late to get skinny and my motto has always been that fat looks better tan.

After Magic Springs, we headed to Outback for dinner. The cheese fries (tops on my "last food" list) were to die for! The kids were well behaved and we made it out of there with only one minor spill. What more could I ask for?

I did a little shopping with Mom and JJ yesterday while the kids stayed with Mark. Kam tells me that he watched TV all day, but he says they played. I do know they watched "Madagascar 2" at least 3 times this weekend. They are obsessed with that movie right now and so is Mark. I can't even stay awake to see the whole thing one time through. I am old.

We grilled ribs and had dinner with the fam last night. Do you see a pattern to our weekend? I think my family are gluttons. All activities are planned around meals! That could explain the extra 5 pounds I have gained this last month.

And on another note... I don't think that I've posted that our family will have 3 more additions before the year is out. Yes, the Efirds are pregnant again. We are keeping Dr. G in business!! Derek and Holly will have baby girl in September (don't quote me on that date), Brooke is expecting again (surprise!), and Brian and JJ are expecting on December 26th. What a fun Christmas this will be. My papaw has recently started referring to the great-grandkids by numbers... these 3 new ones will make 16 if I'm not mistaken. I don't care how many more we have as long as they don't come from me!

Will try to take some pictures soon because these posts are just no fun without them!

My Daddy Went to LA...

My daddy went to LA and all I got were these stupid sunglasses!!!
In Mark's defense, he didn't leave the hotel and these were a freebie that he picked up at the conference. He casually mentioned to Kam that he had gotten her something and you know how kids don't forget those things. She was sorely disappointed and told Mark that she "couldn't even look at the sunglasses!" But Cooper loved them!

And this is why I still pick out Kam's clothes...

Ain't it GRAND?

I stole this title from Mom, who sent me this picture of her new prized possession, a large platter painted by her "grands"(my kids and Braxton). She told us this is what she wanted for Mother's Day so no, we're not that creative. And, of course, we waited til the last minute and didn't realize that pottery has to be fired, which takes a little time. So Mimi just got her platter on Friday night, but I think it was worth the wait. The kids had fun (for the most part) painting and I really enjoyed it. I could stay and paint all day long... it's therapeutic for me! Kam had a minor meltdown when we painted her hand but she eventually got over it. JJ took pics so I'll post them after I get them from her.

On Saturday, we visited Mark's Nannie in Benton at Uncle Glenn and Aunt Sue's house. Kamdyn is always talking to herself or anyone who will listen about random things, but she caught my attention when she told Sue we made Mimi an "offering plate" for Mother's Day. Sue had a funny look on her face and I had to explain it was actually a large platter. I'm just proud she knows what an offering plate is!

AWANA Closing Program

We had our AWANA closing program last night at church and the kids sang some of the songs they have learned this year. They did great! Mrs. Linda, Heather, Dena, and Lynn do a great job with the music and we appreciate their hard work.

Kam loves to listen to the CD's that Mrs. Linda sends home with them. I put the CD in yesterday and Cooper started screaming "no music." Kam just looked at him and said, "sorry, Cooper. We have to do our practice songs." It was too cute.
Kam is standing next to Grady and Barrett. Both of these boys have been known to do a little dance when the music starts... I love watching their facial expressions!!!
Kam, Grady, Barrett, and Braden.... I think they knew I was taking their picture.
Kam and Abby... I think these girls look forward to seeing each other at AWANA every Wednesday night.
Barrett and Braden holding hands..... we all agreed this picture definitely needs to be saved for senior banquet. I think they held hands through the entire song.
And although I haven't posted a picture or video of it, little Sadie stole the show last night! She was hilarious!

Mother's Day, Part 2

As promised, I wanted to post the surprise that was waiting for me at Mrs. Mae's on Friday for Mother's Day. It was so sweet. There was a huge banner that said "Happy Mother's Day" and each mom had these goodies waiting for them. Kamdyn had been hinting about what they were up to all week long and I loved the hype. We had fun with it all week long.

One night last week, she let it slip that she had made a necklace for me and I told her that she didn't need to spoil the surprise. So then she asks me if I will make her a necklace with beads for Sister's Day. I tried to explain that there isn't such a holiday and she wouldn't go for it. I think she may be on to something though... and she hasn't let it go so we may have to do something special for her since she's such a good sister!

I just love it when she brings home things like this. I can just imagine looking back on these one day and treasuring the memories.
This is Kam's portrait of me. I thought it was a turkey at first, but I think I now see the resemblance. I love it!

And the rest of this post is random pictures for the benefit of someone who misses seeing the kids right now. I had to take this picture to prove that we actually left for school and work early yesterday. It didn't happen today though so my glory is short-lived.
A little early morning chase before we got in the car. Aren't all my pictures of Cooper chasing Kam?
Kam and all her stuff.... the girl cannot even make it out the door without a snack and either a book or Barbie. I've finally talked her into leaving her sleep stuff at school so we don't have to carry it every day. We need more hands!
Hope everyone has a great day!

Happy Mother's Day

The two reasons I love being a mommy:

Kamdyn
Cooper

The loves of my life.... Aren't they cute???? What did I ever do before I had them? I've often said that being a mom is the greatest hardest thing that I've ever done... and my kids are still toddlers! Well, technically, Kam is a preschooler and Cooper is getting close, but I can't imagine the things I will face with them when they actually get in school. Preschool has been hard enough on me!

But I've had a great example to learn from... my mom, my best friend. I know it sounds cliche, but if I can be half the mom to my kids that she's been to me, I'll be doing good. I really mean that. It seems like the older I get, the more I need my mom. I'm not sure it's supposed to be like that, but that's the way it's been for me. And now that I'm a mom, I really appreciate my mom and the sacrifices that she makes for me.

At least two times last week, I had to call her to go get my kids because I had appointments or ran late. I don't know what I'd do without her! And it goes way beyond that... It's been a pretty difficult year for me personally and my mom has never left my side. She has pushed me and believed in me when I didn't have the courage to do so myself. I know that she faithfully prays for me and for that, I am eternally grateful. She not only talks the talk, but walks the walk. She consistently models service to her Lord and her church and I've often said that it's hard to follow in her footsteps. But I'd like to try...

Yes, I have a great mother, but my kids have an even better Mimi... she makes no bones about spoiling the kids rotten. I've tried to tell her that sometimes she makes things a little difficult for Mark and I when the kids get things with her and not with us. She doesn't care though... it's her job, she says!! This is why every day when I pick Kamdyn up she asks me for a treat...

Mimi and Kamdyn outside of Lambert's.

Mimi chasing Cooper down...she's not afraid to get dirty with them!

Mimi holding kids, cameras, purses, diaper bags...

I could go on and on about my mom and how blessed I am. Mom has often said that she would take a houseful of boys over girls any day of the week. I'm not sure that speaks well of me... I admit that I've needed a little more hand-holding in life than Brian. I think God knew exactly the kind of mom I needed and he blessed me with her. I only hope that she knows how much I love and appreciate her!

I'll post some pics of my gifts from Kam tomorrow... she's made this week really special for me.

Drama Queen

Bet you thought this post would be about Kamdyn... you'd be wrong!

I might have overreacted a slight bit on Tuesday. I've been fighting these awful headaches the last few weeks behind my eyes. I went home Tuesday after my school visit to lay down and try to sleep since I had been up since 3 a.m. with one. I felt better for a while.... then the blinding, stabbing pain overtook me. Now I've had a few migraines in my life that have made me very sick, but I can honestly say that I've never had one to hurt this bad.

So I panicked... because all I could remember reading was to go to the doctor if you have the worst headache you've ever had.... and it hurt to move. I'm not exaggerating on that point. So I called Mom at work hysterical telling her that I was having an aneurysm and probably going to die. Then I called Mark and told him to get home immediately. He actually hesitated and made some comment about leaving in a few minutes. Did he not understand me? I was about to die...or so I thought. After a few calls back and forth between Mom and Mark, he finally made it home.

On the ride over to Hot Springs he said (and I quote), "I'm going to be so mad if I go pay $500 at the ER and they tell me you have a headache."

Well, yes, I do have a headache. I thought that was obvious. Was he hoping for a brain bleed or aneurysm? For real?

By the time we make it into Hot Springs, the pain is actually subsiding and then I begin to feel stupid. So we decide to go to the Convenient Care Clinic and save ourselves the cost of an ER visit. Turns out I did have a migraine.... duh!!! But I made sure to ask the Nurse Practictioner if there was any chance that I could have an aneurysm (she already told me I didn't have a brain tumor)... I even said no to the CAT scan she offered.

As we were leaving Mark commented there was no way he could ever be a nurse or a doctor. When I asked him why he responded that he couldn't listen to patients like me whine and say the same thing over and over.... apparently, I told her a minimum of 5 times that I felt a blinding, stabbing pain all of a sudden in my eyes that wouldn't stop. What can I say? I wanted to make sure she got all the facts before she dismissed anything.....

Yeah, I overreacted. I admit it. I think we all know where Kamdyn gets it now.

Walk Away...

Sunday morning we were all sitting at the table eating breakfast and Cooper was not cooperating... didn't want anything to do with his food, was pushing it away, whining, etc. and I could tell Mark was beginning to get angry with him. All of a sudden Kam chimes in, "walk away, Daddy, just walk away!"

I don't think Mark was as amused as I was, but I did see him crack a smile. I know she's heard me say that to him before when he gets angry and I think he needs a time out of his own. Guess she is paying more attention to me than I thought she was!!!