swim lessons

Today, the girls started swim lessons at Transylvania University.  The have different teachers, so it's hard for me to keep an eye on each of them.  But, both girls had a great time and liked their teachers very much.  For that I am grateful.  We have to be members of our neighborhood pool, so the earlier they learn to swim the better. I like it too that the lessons are going to be daily (well, 3 days this week and 5 next).  I think this consistency will help them really hone their skills. Happy swimmers are the best.  Blessings.

Graduation-JWW

Well, my nephew graduated last week.  I am proud of him. It's always an exciting time to know that a chapter of life is closed and a new chapter is waiting to be written. So long high school, hello college, work, manhood, marriage and children (though not too soon).   The years of boyhood have slipped by and now the years of training and love will bloom into the man you will become. Day by day, decision by decision, they all count to make you the person you will be.  Jackson, know you are loved.  Blessings.

Friday's wedding

I went to the sweetest wedding Friday night. The bride, who is from a divorced home, never really had a relationship with her birth father, but she has a great relationship with her step-dad as well as her grandfather.  Her grandfather walked her down the aisle and handed her to her step-dad who was the one who "gave her away."
I also found it moving that they served communion to the wedding party and guests. 
The reception was fun as well.  Pies instead of cake, bags of popcorn and a self-serve candy bar. 
I wish the Blankenships all the best.
Blessings.

Date night

Last night, Andy and I want on our weekly date.  We ate Mediterranean, went for a walk at the arboretum and then shopped at trader Joe's.   One of the best dates for me in a while. Blessings.

Mother's Day

It was so nice to get to spend the weekend with my mom and grandma.  For me, the celebration started on Thursday evening, when Andy and the girls brought home a hanging basket of flowers.  Then we went to my folks for the weekend.  I find it to be restful,  I doubt my mom does since we create extra work for her, but I know she loves it when we visit.  My grandma joined us for a few hours on Saturday and Sunday for church, we all got flowers, but Mamaw won the bunch for having the most kids (7).   It was good to treat Mom and Mamaw to lunch out on Sunday, even though the wait was long. The kids and Andy had some coffee, a t-shirt, hand towels and some cards for me when we got home.  Such a great weekend. Blessings.

Top 5 rainy day activities for the girls

I don't mind spring rains too much, but it does put a damper on our ability to get outside and play.  Though the girls love to splash around in puddles and dance under their umbrellas when there is no thunder.  Indoors though I have some ideas that we mostly do on rainy days, but they would be fine for anytime.
1. A picnic lunch. With or without a video, the girls love it when we eat on a blanket in the living room floor.
2. Puzzles, cards and board games.
3. Play-doh and finger painting.  We rarely get this stuff out, but the girls really enjoy it when we do.
4. Bike riding in the garage.  I back the van to the driveway and let them burn off some steam.
5. Chores - nothing like setting them free with a dust rag, Shaklee window or all purpose cleaner to get the smears off windows, walls and floors.

Hope you get an idea or two of how to spend a wet afternoon with your kiddos.  Blessings

Nana

Happy birthday to Nana, Andy's grandmother.  She is such a lovely woman.  Generous, kind, helpful, pleasant.  We are blessed to know her.  I am hopeful that we will get to see her soon.  It is always a pleasure. The girls love our visits as do we.  Blessings.

Unicorns

Tonight, Betsy was perusing a kids book.  She was very excited to find a story about a princess inside.  She was naming some things in the book: castle, princess, angry man (a wizard) and pony-corn (unicorn).  I love this girl.  Blessings.

Top 5 flowers

In honor of May Day, I thought I'd share my top flower picks.
Roses, daffodils, lilies, violets and wild flowers.   Blessings and happy May Day