Pool Party Princesses

We had the Gals 7th birthday party today at the pool. The weather was perfect - which is shocking to me because every time I try to schedule something outside, it rains. But, not today. One of the lifeguards played games with the girls. Then, we had Chik-Fil-A nuggets, Pirate Booty and cookie cakes for dessert.

Getting ready to have sponge races

Amanda coming down the pool slide

Our friend Haley

Time for some food!

"I just love being in this Virginia Tech floatie! Look at how good I look in maroon and orange!"

Mike the Jock

Mike has played on the church's softball team for the last 3 or 4 years. Tonight, I was able to attend for only the second time. He loves it. When we were dating, he and I played on my law firm's team. I was the catcher - which meant I got to talk to the Ump and sometimes I actually caught a ball. We had a lot of fun doing that. Logan would run around with the other kids while we played, and it was worth how sore I always was the next day. I prefer to watch softball these days. It was beautiful out tonight, too, which made it a really nice time. The Gals played, I talked, and Mike got 2 hits. AND the concession stand was open and had Skittles. Could the night have been any better?

Isn't he cute?

Here he is way out in right field.

Can you tell this was taken at the end of the night?

Diva Dos (they asked me to put that)

Madeline and Amanda got their summer haircuts today at the kids' salon I normally take them to - Divas 'n Dudes (hence the title of this posting). I am sure their dad is going to have a fit when he sees them, but it has to be done. Everyone should start the summer with a new do.

Memorial Day

We have spent our entire weekend at the pool. Well, not the entire weekend, but most of it. We could not have asked for better weather. It has been so nice. Mike and I both enjoy sitting by the pool, drinking our beverage of choice and relaxing. That may explain why we never saw a single volcano when we went to Hawaii for our wedding/honeymoon. I wish Logan could have joined us, but he has had to work the entire weekend. And when I say entire for him, I mean it. He has had double shifts every day this weekend. Poor Logan. :(

Riddle Race Watchers

From the day I met Mike, he and I have always set up a television on our back deck and watched the Nascar races during the spring and summer. When Logan was younger, he and Mike would run around shooting each other with water guns during the commercials. When the Gals were little, we would put their little blow up pool on the deck with us and sit in there with them while we watched the race. Tonight, we christened our deck at this house. We stayed out as long as we could before the bugs got to us. Madeline and Scarlett joined us, Logan was at work, and Amanda wanted to stay inside and lay on the couch.

Pavilion Party-Goers

Our neighborhood association threw a party tonight for Memorial Day. The weather was great, and we all had fun! The kids danced and played, and Mike and I got to actually sit and relax. Poor Logan had to work.

Our friend, Lily, enjoyed herself.

Madeline and Amanda waited in line for almost an hour to get their faces painted. They refused to leave.


Mike and Amanda

Logan's Certificate Ceremony

Logan had his certificate ceremony today at the Tech Center. They do this every year for all of the classes they teach there. It was funny to see the Cosmetology girls all dressed up, the HVAC/Plumbing/Electricity guys in their jeans and work boots, and the Computer Geeks in their matching polo shirts. Logan's teacher - Chef Kimmel - actually told everyone about Logan and his dream of working as an Executive Chef at Disneyworld. He is trying to get Logan in contact with his old college roommate who does that for a living now. This year, Logan was in the Culinary Arts program. Next year, he will be doing Bakery/Pastry Arts. I have a feeling I will be wearing his class projects on my hips.

Amanda Has A Ball

Amanda's last soccer game of the season took place today. She was ready to go!

Go Amanda!

After the game, we had pizza, cake, and the coach passed out the trophies. Coach Tad was so nice! He was so terrific with all the girls. Amanda was on his team in the fall, too, and he is just wonderful. He won't be coaching anymore. We'll miss him.
Here she is showing off her trophy.

Back From The Beach

Yes, you heard right. I left bright and early Wednesday morning to go visit my friend Donna in Myrtle Beach. It was so wonderful! I got to spend time with her, and I got to see her beautiful mom and her little sister (yes, Dana - even in your 30s you are still Donna's little sister). I got to put my toes in the sand, and I got to do some good shopping. What could be better? Wish I had pictures to show, but as seems to always be the case when I am with Donna, I got to talking and kept forgetting to break out the camera. You'll just have to imagine us two beautiful women sitting on the beach in our bikinis sipping tropical drinks with umbrellas and breaking the hearts of all of the men who approached as we explained we were both married. :)

Happy Birthday, Mike!

Today is Mike's 40th birthday, so, as a surprise, I rented a pontoon, and Captain Joe drove us and a few friends around the lake by our house. Mike was so surprised. He thought we were going out to eat. Instead, I got a bunch of food from Ukrop's, and we sat and drank some wine and ate and talked. It was so nice. He needed some relaxation time. I knew that - and so did God because out of all the ugly weather days we have had lately, today was beautiful.

America's Next Top Model

Madeline has her dance recital tomorrow night and asked me to roll her hair for her. After I finished, she said she wanted me to take her picture. Then, she walked into the bathroom. Then, she posed. I am telling you that she absolutely cracks me up.

Dancing Queen

Madeline's dance recital is this weekend. Tonight, she had her dress rehearsal. She is well on her way to becoming a dance teacher - her dream since she was 4 years old.

Goodbye Thomas

While the girls were in school yesterday, I had changed the sheets on their beds. Last night, after Amanda had gone to bed, she came downstairs and said, "Why did you put Thomas on my bed? I don't like Thomas anymore." Ahh! I cannot tell you how it killed me to hear that. From the time she could talk, Amanda has loved Thomas. I would push every princess Disney has ever thought of, but no - Thomas was the one. I have spent countless hours looking for anything "girlie" she could wear with Thomas or his friends on it. I even broke down and bought her a black baseball cap with Thomas on it - though the thought of my sweet girl wearing black went against everything I believed in. I still remember how excited she was the Christmas that Grandma and Granddad gave her her Thomas bedding set. She still has a bucket of Thomas trains, and she told me last night she wants to keep those "just in case". One of the best things I love about Amanda is the fact that she likes what she likes and doesn't care what anyone else thinks. I wonder what she will come up with next.