Summer's Officially Here

We took our first trip the YMCA's pool today, and the girls were SOOOOO excited when I told them this morning that we were going to go.  (I made the mistake in telling them right when they woke up, so for the next two hours, it was "Are we going to the pool?"  

Anna had said that she wanted to just watch everybody.  She got a little car sick last night and threw up a little as a result (sorry to gross you out with those details), so I just don't think she was 100% recovered from the trauma!  But, we got her dressed in her swimsuit and greased her up with sunscreen, took her a towel and put her swimmies on her with the notion that once we got there, she'd want to get in.  Just call us the boy scouts--always prepared!

And, as expected, Reese jumped in the minute I got her swimmies on her; not stopping her.  She is not afraid to get her face wet, and I'm pleased about that.  Maggie, too, wanted to get in immediately.  She still isn't too sure about being held up by the swimmies, but she will let us 'let go' of her for a minute and 'swim' to us.  Anna sat on the side with her feet in the water, kicking and splashing for a while. Warren was watching Reese, and I had Maggie, but we were never too far from Anna Banana.  After a while, I gave Mags to Warren and asked Anna if she wanted to get in with me, and she did!!  And she even jumped in a few times after watching her sisters, and she was so proud when talking about how she went under the water!

But, the highlight of the morning was watching my girl.  Warren took her swimmies off for a few minutes before we left to see what she could do.  She took swimming lessons last year, but after watching her today, I'm wondering if she wasn't quite ready last summer.  Anyway, she kicked SO MUCH BETTER today.  Last year, she never would get her legs to come up to the surface; she kept them underneath her.  But not today!  She kicked so well and even swam to the wall from Warren's arms several times.  And I'm pleased to report that when she came up for air, she didn't panic, she just held her breath again and started swimming again.  Maybe her legs are just a little stronger this year or maybe she's just more confident.  But today's swimming was the BEST she's ever done.  Maybe she'll be a full fledged little fishy by the time the summer's over.......

Hopefully.....

no pictures from today---that would have been absolutely IMPOSSIBLE trying to snap pics and help Warren watch three kids who don't know how to swim!  But, I really wish I had been able to capture Reese's first attempt at swimming for real

Our Little Singer

You'll have to indulge me on this one.  

Reese and her classmates learned and sang the cutest song at their graduation a few weeks ago.  We didn't get it on video that day, but I asked her if she'd sing it for me at home so we could always have a 'copy' of her singing it.

We tried to get her to sing it for Warren's folks this past weekend, but her shyness kicked in, and she didn't want to do it---until we were riding home and she got upset that she didn't do it when she had the chance!

Anna & Maggie have picked up a few lines from the song, so you'll probably hear them in the background, along with my attempts to get them to be quiet.  And when I whispered to Reese to sing a little louder, instead of doing so, she said "Louder" as loud as she could, THEN started singing again!  Too funny!

So....BopBop and DamDam (and everyone else who's visiting), here she is.........

Twas the Night Before Boo's Wedding.....

**a little warning--excuse the look of most of these pictures.  I was sitting on the porch while they were several feet away in the yard.  Plus, it was overcast/cloudy/about to rain, so I think that made them turn out 'not so clear' too.  But, it was a really fun night!  Thanks KK and Uncle Mitch!!!**

And we all converged at KK's house!!  We helped take care of last minute wedding details--putting favors in their bags, putting together the bride's bouquet--you know, the little but many things!!

KK cooked us dinner and the kids had a great time playing in the yard.  Too bad it started raining, which ultimately forced us inside.  Reese was SO upset that we had to come in; she was having too much fun!

Hunter Baby let Reese have a turn on his four wheeler. She loves that thing!  I just wish she was a little better at steering and watching where she's going!  Maybe with some practice....

Then it was time to bring out the baseball and bat!  Hunter has had lots of practice, but our girls certainly need some work!  But, in their defense, we do not even own a bat or a baseball.  And, if we did, they would surely have to be pink, and I'm sure Hunter (and his daddy) would NOT have pink bats and balls at their house! :)  They're all B-O-Y!  Daddy was ready to give his big girl some pointers!

I think she managed to hit this one; I do know that she did make contact with at least one of the pitches that Uncle Mitch sent her way.

HILARIOUS!!!!

Since our girls (Reese) are novices when it comes to baseball know how, they were all completely clueless as to what to do once they hit the ball.  All the grown ups were yelling "Run" and Reese did just that---all over the place, not towards first base or even toward third (although, that's where she started to a couple of times).  So funny!  Warren showed Reese the direction in which to run, but once on first, she had to be instructed on how to run to second and so on.  Looks like we're gonna have to have some baseball training this summer!

Mags:  "Y'all just run around and work up a sweat.  I'll sit here with my juice and take it easy.  This IS the life!!"

Anna:  "Why on earth would anyone want to exert that much energy when they could be relaxing like me?  Oh wait, then I'd have to give up my spot in DamDam's lap.  Forget it--I'll stay RIGHT where I am!"  

Poor Anna; Her sinus/allergies were wreaking havoc on her that weekend.  She ran fever and wasn't her usually cheerful self.  You can tell by her face that she wasn't 100%

KK took a turn at helping Reese run the bases!

Hunter Baby was probably thinking the whole time "WHAT is up with these girls?  Don't they know how to do anything important like play baseball the right way?"  :)

Then & Now

During the holiday weekend, we traveled over to the delta to attend church where BopBop went when he was growing up.  It was their homecoming/memorial day service that they have every year.  BopBop was chosen to be the special guest speaker last year, and we sure couldn't miss that!  It's a small country church, much like the one that my grandparents attended and the one that I went to when I was little.  The best thing about Sunday (aside from just being in church and being with family) is that they have 'dinner on the grounds.'  This used to be a common occurrence in small country churches, but more and more seem to be moving away from it.  

Warren remembers going to his dad's church when they truly had dinner on the grounds---tables were set up outside and that's where everyone ate; my grandparents' church did the same and I have fond memories of going to Tabernacle for those special times.  It just seems to be hotter now than it was back then, so we've all moved inside to the air conditioning!  And man, church ladies know how to COOK!!!  Lunch was absolutely delicious; so many things to choose from so no one should have been disappointed!  I sure wasn't, especially since I had more than one dessert.  But, one of them was strawberry shortcake so the fruit cancelled out the chocolate, right? :)

It kinda is like going home; Warren and I met at Delta State which isn't too far from where the church is so being there brings back lots of memories. 

I hope that we can go back every year and make it a family tradition.  And in the hopes of capturing family traditions/moments, I want our picture taken by the church sign. 

 

this one was taken last year.  Anna and Maggie look so different in this one than they do now.  Funny thing time--it just goes by sooooooo incredibly fast.

and this one was taken this year--three days ago.  Even though our girls are small, they look so big to me!  (And of course, one of the girls (Anna) just decided not to cooperate!)

Now I Can Share

We saw Bryant and Katie this weekend; they came to BopBop and DamDam's for the holiday weekend!  We haven't seen them since they were married just about a month ago, and the girls were so excited to see them (and so were Warren and I).  Uncle Boo and Aunt Katie were all they talked about on our way over to the grandparents' house.  

I posted one picture of the bride and groom a few weeks ago, but I didn't want to put any more on here until Katie (and Bryant) had had a chance to see them.  When I found out that they were going to be close, this was my perfect opportunity to surprise them.  The professional pictures weren't ready yet, so they hadn't seen any pictures of their big day.  Warren and I got them photo album and had 100 of the almost 200 pictures I took developed for them!  I put all of the pictures on a CD for them so that they could get any of those whenever they were able to.  I hope they liked it!  (And the photographer had their proof cd ready yesterday afternoon while we were there, so we got to see them.  They are great!!!  Too many to choose from....

Anyway, I hope you won't mind ALL of these pictures.  There were several family members who were not able to make it to the wedding, so maybe this way they might feel as if they were.

Reese and Miss Katie (they still call her that no matter how many times we tell them that since she married Uncle Boo that she's AUNT Katie!)

Maggie, Anna, and Hunter before the wedding.  My girls know how to say CHEESE!

Mama and her baby---the last one to be married off

Little brother and Big Brother--Warren's like nine years older than Bryant, but Bryant's about six inches taller--at least! :)

Bryant and Me

the new Mr. & Mrs. Manning

The Bride and Me

I LOVE this shot--and I think Katie and Bryant do, too!

The Manning Girls, although KK is technically now a Robinson since she's married to Uncle Mitch, but we'll still claim her! :)

Aunt Katie and our girls

Cake time

I LOVE this one, too.  My big girl side by side with Uncle Boo. So sweet.

this one, though, has to be my FAVORITE of the ones I took.   Could they look any happier?  And we're so very happy for them!

maybe I should be a professional photographer?  Then again, maybe not.

the girls LOVED holding up Aunt Katie's dress so it wouldn't get dirty.  I can't tell you how excited that made them; they felt very important!

CONGRATS AGAIN GUYS!!!  We love you both very very much and we were so glad we got to see y'all this weekend. Come see us when you can.....

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AUNT KAY!!!

We love you and have been thinking about you.  Hope  your day is great!

love from all of us.....

Just a Few More....

Ms. Lezli and the four year old class

Reese and her friend, Eason

a rare shot--one of the whole family

**thanks to Martha for taking it for us**

Getting her Diploma

No Longer a Pre-Schooler

Reese's preschool had their graduation today.  I knew it would be an emotional day, but it didn't really hit me until I saw her getting her collar on (they didn't do the graduation hat thing, which was probably a good idea--I would have been sobbing uncontrollably I'm sure!).  Even though she is challenged in the height department, she looked so big to be; so grown up.  I can't believe that five years of her life have already gone by, and even though I've been with her almost every day for most of those years, it feels like I've been so busy 'taking care' of her that I've missed some things, too. That probably makes NO sense whatsoever, but maybe some of you out there understand.  

During the program, the three year old class sang a song, and then the 3's and 4's sang one together.  And let me tell you, Reese Manning stayed on stage the whole time and sang her heart out and did all the motions with the words!!!!  I was so proud!  The 4's sang a special "I'm Off to Kindergarten" song which was absolutely precious!  

Then the moment arrived, the boys and girls lined up, ready to receive their diplomas. Ms. Willie told the audience to be patient because they had told the kids that she and Ms. Lezli would require a hug a piece before they could get their diplomas.   I could only see Reese once she hugged Ms. Lezli, but Warren got her on video RUNNING up to get it!!  So sweet!  

And one of the moms and dads of one of Reese's classmates made a slideshow cd for all the parents of the 4 year olds.  It had baby pictures of all the kids and pictures of them at various school and sporting events.  They played it for us today, and I cried and cried!!!  What a special thing for us to have forever.  Thanks so much to Martha and Rick for giving of your time and energy for us.  We'll cherish it always!!!

Warren told me that Ms. Willie talked to him for a bit and she told him that they (meaning the school) just had to have the twins.  She said that everyone there just loved Reese.  I'm sure she probably says that to all mamas and daddies, but when it's said about yours, it just makes you even more proud!  Anyway, we want to send the twins there SO BADLY, but our finances probably won't allow for it.  Warren mentioned that to Ms. Willie, and she told them that we could work out something.  How sweet.

I had to hug Ms. Willie's neck before leaving to thank her for a wonderful two years.  I told her that our coming there to her was the B-E-S-T  thing that we ever did.  Reese just came alive these last two years, and really has this year.  I'm not sure she would be where she is now had Ms. Lezli not come into the picture.  We have truly been blessed by this program, and hope and pray that there's a way for Anna & Maggie to go next year.  I'm surely going to miss it.....

PICTURES!!!

Just a bunch of pictures from Reese's graduation today!  I had to include most (if not all) of them....

getting help with her graduation collar from Ms. Lezli

what a sweet girl she is!

she heard her daddy out in the hallway & RAN to him!  She almost ran out of the shot!

the three and four year old classes getting ready to sing

singing her little heart out!  She did GREAT!  Not shy this year!!!

waiting in line to receive her 'diploma'

all the kiddos giving Ms. Lezli her end of the year gift!

Reese & Ms. Lezli (Reese was a little tired of the picture taking once this one was snapped)

Reese & Ms. Willie (the school director)

NO GAS TODAY!

I got this email from Warren's mom last night, and I forwarded it to most everybody on my contact list.  But then I thought that I could tell several more people this way....

NO GAS....On May 15th 2008--Don't pump gas on May 15th

In April 1997, there was a "gas out" conducted nationwide in protest of gas prices.  Gasoline prices dropped 30 cents a gallon overnight.

On May 15th 2008, all internet users are to not go to a gas station in protest of high gas prices.  Gas is now over $3.50 a gallon in most places.

There are 73,000,000+ American members currently on the internet network, and the average car takes about $30 to $50 to fill up.

If all  users did not go to the pump on the 15th, it would take $2,292,000,000.00 (that's almost $3 BILLION) out of the oil company's pockets for just one day, so please do not go to the gas station on May 15th and let's try to put a dent in the Middler Eastern oil industry for at least one day.

If you agree (which I can't see why you wouldn't) resend this to your entire contact list.  With it saying, "Don't pump gas on May 15th."

IT'S WORTH A TRY!!!  LET'S DO IT!!!!

What To Do?

I need some ideas....

I know I'm a bit early with this, but I am currently in the mind frame about getting started on a Father's Day present for Warren.  I always feel like such a slacker when it comes to his Father's day gifts, and I really want to do something GREAT for him this year.  He always goes without so his girls don't have to, and if he can't be spoiled on Father's day, when can he?  

And, I really want something special for him considering what he and the girls did for me for Mother's Day.  I am getting a 3 hour block of pampering at a day spa here in town!!!!!  An hour massage, a facial (I've never had one before!), a manicure and pedicure!!!!  I can't tell you how much I am looking forward to this--the pampering is more than enough, but three hours to myself!  That's the best thing I can think of!!!!  

So, if you've got any ideas for me, I'd LOVE to hear them.  Maybe I can steal some of yours!  My creativity is less than zero!  Thanks!!

A Little Decorating

Just wanted to show my newest attempt at a little decorating.  I managed to get these great close up shots of my girls' sweet faces and had them made into 8x10s. (thanks to Walgreens, I got one of them FREE!!!)  We have this wall in our hallway between the girls' bedrooms that ended up being the PERFECT spot for these.  And, it just so happens that this wall is opposite our bedroom door, so every time we walk out of the room, we see these precious faces! :)

We gave Warren's mom a frame that has a 4x6 of each of these pictures in it for Mother's Day, and I'm working on doing one for my mom, too.  I kinda got side tracked and ran out of time for my mom's, but the girls did give her some flowers and we went to visit her for a while on Sunday, so we didn't totally forget her!  

Growing Up...and Maybe, Just Maybe, My Good Qualities Might Be Rubbing Off.....

****this will be a better post if you read the entry then click play under the video clip!

Whenever we sit down to the supper table to eat, we naturally say our blessing.  Most of the time, Reese wants to say the blessing, so we oblige.  She started out saying the old stand by "God is Great, God is Good."  Then, she learned this sweet blessing at school that is sung/said to the tune of "Frere Jacques."  So sweet:

God our Father/God our Father/Once Again/Once Again/We Would Like to 

Thank You/We Would Like to Thank You/Amen/Amen.  

She even said this one while we were out having lunch one day, and while we were praying, the table next to us stopped what they were doing to hear and see.  This table had about 7-8 older ladies sitting at it.  When Reese finished the blessing, one of the ladies asked me if she would say it again!  They thought it was so sweet, but Reese got embarrassed and didn't pray over their food.  

But, the blessings have morphed from these very sweet and childlike ones to one of more a grown up tone.  I guess she's heard me and Warren praying like this and has just picked up on it.  The other night, when she said the blessing, I was fully expecting the 'usual,' but to my surprise, she said one very much like this one in the video! 

**Maybe I am teaching her the good things, or at least more than I think!  Granted, she has picked up some of my bad habits, but we all have them, right?  I so want her to be a better person than I am; I want her to be respectful and loving and kind and forgiving and compassionate--among many many other things--things that I am not always and therefore don't always teach her.  I pray that God continues to guide her and me through this exciting ourney of mother/daughter hood!

I just can't tell you how this warmed my heart.  And... I don't  usually have the video camera out while we're saying the blessing, but I HAD to get this moment on video! :)  Thanks for indulging this crazy ol' mama!!!

My Beautiful Girls

I know I said that I wasn't going to put any pictures from Bryant's wedding on the blog until he and Katie have had a chance to see them, but technically, these are just of my girls (that happened to be taken at the wedding).  I really wanted to share these; looking back on the blog, I haven't added a lot of pictures lately, so I need to make up for lost time.  

I just thought these turned out nice, especially the one of Reese--she looks so grown up to me in this one.  Where has the time gone?  Isn't she beautiful?

And sweet Anna Banana--I love her sweet face.  She seems to always have the most precious facial expressions in most pictures now a days.  I LOVE it!!!

And....ever the ham-- my Mag Mag!  She is definitely our little entertainer.  She loves to hug and give kisses and we think she really likes to make people laugh.  She's a mess!!!

The New Mr. and Mrs.

Warren's 'little' brother, Bryant got married on Saturday, May 3 to a WONDERFUL young lady named Katie!!!  The ceremony was held on the roof of Salute', an Italian restaurant in Gulfport, MS.  It was a lovely ceremony, and despite the fact that it rained in the early Saturday morning hours, it turned off to be an absolutely BEAUTIFUL day for this darling couple who means so much to me.  

I have loved Bryant Manning since I met him around 12 years ago when he was just a teenager.  I have loved watching him grow to the fine young man he is today.  We shared some fun times with him during our first year or two of marriage; he would come over and we'd watch pay per views together and just hang out.  We went to a couple of Memphis Redbirds games together, and, well, he is just another little brother to me and I love him to bits!

  

And his darling new wife, Katie, is an absolute doll.  We love her to death and are SO EXCITED about her being a new member of our family.  We are so proud to have her and we know that she and Bryant are a perfect match!  

I took a gazillion pictures on Saturday, but I don't want put too many on the blog until Mr. & Mrs. Manning (gosh, that sounds kinda weird--good, but weird.  Bryant cannot possibly be old enough to be married; that just makes me OLD!) have a chance to see them.  But, I did want to share this one.  I just love it!!!!

Congratulations, again, to our brother and new sister.  We love you both very much and can't wait to see and hear about what all life has to bring you both.  God Bless you both and your marriage for many years to come!