My Science Guy

Okay, I admit it. I'm not looking forward to school work. I have a feeling I will hate homework more than my kids. So, I wasn't thrilled when a note came home in Walker's backpack talking about the big science fair.  What? He's in Pre-K! The good news… we were instructed to keep it simple.  And, we were given some website with easy ideas.

And, considering my guy likes shopping for flowers, we decided to see what white carnations do in colored water.  This whole thing was crazy fun from the beginning. 

He loved putting the food coloring in and very regularly checked in on his flowers to see if they were changing colors!

And, of course, they were!  Such a easy and fun way to see that "science" works!

He took his project to school and from what I hear, couldn't stop talking about his fabulous flowers!  People who work in the church office came by and he explained everything.  I love that he was proud of his work and wanted to talk about it!

Such a grown up boy!  We are so proud of our science guy!

Loving Spring

I always like spring.  Who doesn't??  But, after the long and colder than normal winter, I'm really loving it.

We had such a nice weekend.  Tball and a birthday party on Saturday.  Church, picnic, playing outside and the driving range on Sunday.  Can't ask for much more!

Here are a lot of fun pictures in the sunshine!

Check out this swing!

I hope we have a lot more weekends like this soon!

Raise a Glass to ZTA

To my dear, loyal readers of WoodWords, you've heard this story before.  Every year I get together with my sweet Zeta sisters.  I always come back home and blog about how special our group is and say things like, "when we're together, it's like no time has passed" and "we laughed a LOT" and "nobody has as good of friends as me". Well, it's all still true!!!!

But, this trip was different.  There were TWELVE of us!  Usually we manage to get six or seven.  Something was special about this weekend, because the whole crowd came.  And, it was fun!  It's amazing what we've all been through.  This trip, we got celebrate a new baby boy who will arrive in May.  We heard not fun details about a divorce.  We talked about lost family members.  We talked about all of our sweet kids. We celebrated an upcoming marriage, which is amazingly special considering the divorce she went through.    See, we've been through a lot.  But, we're always together.  No matter time or distance.  That's special.

There was a lot of disbelief that we've all known each other for 19 years.  Amazing.  We all showed up to TCU and decided to go through rush and ended up pledging together.  Obviously, we all made the right choice!

I love this group shot!

Celebrating Baby Smith!

Love this pic of me and Maren!

My parents introduced the art of toasting to our group long ago, so I was the toast nazi all weekend.  And, let me tell you… there were some special ones! (I know I wear everyone out on this, but I do love the toasts.  It's part of what makes us #reallycool!)

We also got a good ego boost…. we were able to make quite a scene when walking into a bar.  WAAM in full effect!

I love all of these girls so much and I'm so thankful that they are in my life.  I LOVE that we all make it a priority to spend time together, and that we get to say, "it's like no time has passed!"

And, just because I want to remember it, Sara, I am publishing your toast:

A toast:
To Deana's radiant smile
To Julie's thoughtfulness
To Amy's gentleness
To Erin's joie de vivre
To Tracy's loyal honesty
To Rachel's gritty strength
To Tinsley's cool factor
To Maren's effervescent laugh
To Ashley's wide-eyed innocence
To Tiffany's positive light
To Kate's quiet grace

To each lovely, amazing sister's steadfast friendship these 19 years.

I love you all.
"Another turning point, a fork stuck in the road
Time grabs you by the wrist, directs you where to go
So make the best of this test, and don't ask why
It's something unpredictable but in the end that's right"
Girls, I hope we always have the time of our lives. Xoxo

Maren's response to this toast was, "To Sara - who makes us all go back to toast writing school! "

Sara, Ray says he's still waiting on that great American novel!

See what I mean about my friends?  They really are the best!  Can't wait for next year.

She Has His Heart

I've mentioned it before, but it's worth mentioning again.  Debra has a very special place in our family.  She and Taylor are a part of us.  And, nobody knows that better than Walker.  Debra is his girlfriend and she has his heart.

I was getting ready for our dinner party last week and told him that Debra would be coming over.  He was thrilled.  The day before I got some flowers to put on my beautiful table.  Walker said, "I want to get Debra some flowers."  So, I told him we could do that because I knew I had to make a HEB run anyway.  

So, that morning, we walk in the store and he immediately went to the flowers and started looking around.  He was very serious about this big decision.  Finally, he walked over to some red carnations and said, "I want to get these for Debra."  

It was 100% his idea and so very precious. 

Everyone arrived and the flowers were on the kitchen counter.  And, of course, everyone was standing around in the kitchen.  Walker didn't want to come grab them in front of everyone, so he told Debra, "I got you some flowers".  I think that's so cute!  Eventually, I got the flowers and gave them to Walker and he presented them to his girl:

I told Taylor, he might have a little competition!  This is such a precious relationship and I am so thankful that Debra is a part of my boy's life.

When she got home, she sent me this picture to show her boyfriend:

Her special flowers, in a pretty vase.  Someday, (in a long, long, very long time) Walker will fall in love.  I hope he finds a girl as special as Debra and remembers to buy her flowers!

A Grandchild's Dream

Walker and Everly constantly ask us, "when are we going to the farm?".  They love it at the farm.  But, why wouldn't you?  Especially when you look out in the backyard and see this!!

Oh my gosh, Nanna and Bubba are always ready for the grandkids and I can tell you… they had a blast!  What's better than a blow up slide?

Maybe a jeep ride?

And, jumping on the trampoline?

And, learning to drive?

And, having a hundred and one tea parties?

They are never at a loss for activity…. even when it rains!  

Everyday, Walker will ask me, "Mommy, what are we doing today?".  The answer is usually, "school, church or crossfit."

I'm so glad Clark took Friday off and when Walker asked, "what are we doing today?", we were able to say, "GOING TO THE FARM!".  They could hardly contain themselves!

It is so great to have such a fun place to go visit family!

A Special Dinner

Back in the 'ole GP days, my parents had some excellent dinner parties.  Always good food, good drink, wonderful toasts and amazing fun.

Blaine was usually at them and we often talk about all the good times.  Ever since Googie died, Blaine has been asking for a good old fashioned dinner party.  I'm happy to report, I obliged!

He came down last week and Walker and Everly got some good Uncle Blaine time in the backyard.

And, then it was time to party!  Forgive all these pictures, I just thought they were all good, so I'm including them!

It's great to have a picture of Blaine with us, considering he's a part of us!

And, so happy to have Debra and Taylor as a part of our special night.

I loved that Melinda came!  She's a great "aaaaahhhh GP" girl and fit right in with our craziness!

More pictures….

I love this one….. Mom with all her "boys".  Blaine, Clark and Taylor have all helped her through the loss of Googie.  All these guys are so very special!

It was a fantastic night.  Wonderful toasts, good stories, some tears and a whole bunch of laughs!

T-ball is Back

So fun, baseball season is back!  Look at our little Yankee!

He's improved over last year and is very excited to be playing!

And, little sister has found a friend!  Cameron's older sister is super sweet to Everly…. it's great to have someone to look after her!

Our big boy coming into home!

A must for all little sisters…. playing in a dirt pile.

Smiles after the game!

This year is very exciting…. we actually keep track of runs and outs.  I think it will be a very big learning year…. the boys improved a ton just over the course of one game!  Can't wait for the rest of the season!