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!