Embrace the Camera

I am glad that Dianne took this of use yesterday or we wouldn't have had a picture for today. I just love this concept of making sure you are in pictures with your kids! (no matter how you look!)

Play Group

We had a fun time at playgroup. Sarah, James, and Lily Harris hosted for us. It was so nice to be inside. I am just done being outside in this ridiculous heat! Sarah had cut up fruit in little cupcake holders for a cute snack...so great.

Bennett, Leigh, and Annabella

Bennett LOVED this little tractor. They had a few of these little car type toys that he loved. I think I need to get one for him.

The sweet Burfords...Ann and Max

Ashleigh trying out her new camera. She started a blog!!! I am so excited to be able keep up with the Richardsons now!

Fun Family Lunch

I love getting together with my dad's side of the family. We don't see each other very often, but when we do it is always fun. Today we had lunch with Aunt Cloie (Bennett's great-great aunt!), her daughter, Susan, and Dianne (my dads 1st cousin). My grandmother had 3 sisters...Aunt Cloie is the youngest. She is still going strong at 86!

Here we are at Taco Mania. Me, Bennett, Susan, Aunt Cloie, and Dianne.

Sue, Aunt Cloie, and Dianne

Dianne brought tons of old pictures for us to see. I was so excited to see them because we barely have any of me from my childhood. She said that she has tons more and she wants me to go through...I can't wait!

Here are a few:

Uncle Mel (my dad's younger brother), Don, and my Dad.

Me with a ball at age 3. Bennett saw this and said "ball, ball, ball!"

Mom, Deebe, and me

My grandmother and her sisters. My grandmother (Mary Virginia Fearn Dumas Jones) is the one sitting in the front. Standing: Aunt Ethelyn, Aunt Cloie, and Aunt Med.

Abbie and her momma. Abbie...I will mail this one to you!

Jumpin' Jupiter

This morning we met Casey/Mason and Erinn/Gerogia at Jumpin' Jupiter. I have been wanting to take Bennett because it indoors and I knew he would love it. He was so excited when we walked in. He just ran off and started playing. He isn't big enough to go and play while I sit on the bench so I had to do most of the fun slides and bouncy houses.

This was Bennett's absolute favorite bouncy. It had a ladder in the middle with 2 slides. He would climb up the ladder all by himself, too! He was a little slow, but he never gave up. He did this about 92 times. A lot of the big kids didn't like waiting on him, but he didn't even notice!

This was his favorite way to slide. Backwards and on his stomach. He rubbed his nose raw sliding like this!

So determined!

We tried to get Mason, Bennett, and Georgia to all go together, but it was a no go. They had so much fun!

Yaaaaaay!

Bennett loved playing hide and scream with Casey. He would lean away and then come back and sort of scream growl at her. He loved it!

After all the fun, we met Aunt Rebecca at Fairfield. We have loved having her spend the past 3 nights with us. It was been a great time. Come back soon!

Bennett loved the pickles. He had pickle juice all the way down his arm.

I was able to get a little done in my classroom today. I have so much to do up there...it is overwhelming!

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner!

I am so excited to announce the winner of my Stella and Dot Giveaway!

Rebecca at Life with Sophie! Congrats Rebecca! Please e-mail me to claim your prize.

Thanks to everyone for entering!

Also, it says that there were 31 comments, but 1 person accidentally left 2 comments.

Bennett's TV debut!

My friend, Hillary called on Thursday to tell us that Rick Rowe from Channel 3 was doing a little story on the duck pond park. He needed some families so Hillary called us! I was so excited because of course, I am all about him being on any type of news/media outlet. We met at the Duck Pond this morning at 7:30! Whew...it was early. I am so glad we went.

Right when we got out of the car and Bennett saw the ducks he started saying "duck, duck, duck!" He was on point the whole time!

Neil, Bennett, and Rick

Bennett pointing to the ducks.

He got a little scared when the geese started coming towards him. He loved throwing bread to them.

When the camera would get right next to Bennett he would say "cheese!!!" I think Rick was trying to go for a more candid shot, but hey...I have trained my boy!

I did not enjoy this part...we had to sit on the bench and stare off to the right. I don't think Hollywood will be calling us anytime soon.

Thanks to Hillary for calling us! We had a great time and can't wait for Bennett to make his TV debut! The duck pond story will air on Tuesday, July 27th at 5, 7 and 11. It will be online, too.

Pool Fun.

We were so excited to get to go swim with Amy, Marge, Annabella, Isabella, Leigh, Machen, and Kyleigh. Amy's pool didn't have anyone on the schedule so we had the whole place to ourselves. It was a lot of fun. Bennett even went off the diving board! I didn't get a picture because I went with him. He was so excited.

Annabella and Margaret. Annabella is so cute with the bucket on her head!!

Amy, Kyleigh, Machen, and Leigh played chicken fight!

Cute kids! Annabella, Bennett, Isabella, and Machen

I think this will be sent to SEV today. Sweet boy!

Thanks so much for the invite Amy!

Embrace the Camera

Don't forget about my totally awesome

Stella and Dot Giveaway!

This is all we could come up with today! Bennett was not in the mood for pictures today.

I used the self-timer for this one!