I Love Halloween- We are the Batts After All

Here are some oldies but goodies!!!

Don't you just love the tacky lights hanging from the fireplace and the display of cords?? Not to mention Jack's Superman hair.

Trick or Treating is hard work. Jack fell asleep in the middle of the foyer.

Last Year's Cast of Characters. What will they be this year- stay tuned- though guessing who Jack will be should be pretty easy by now.

And last but not least it's Jesse and Jesse's girl (and if you don't understand that reference you need to take a trip back to the good 'ol 80s- back to the days of Auqanet, banana clips,the GoGos, leggings-oh wait they're back- Just about anything worth remebering comes from the 80s) So here are me and my rockstar in all our glory. Happy Early Halloween!!!

Grandma Visits!!!

Grandma got to come up for a fun and all too short visit at the end of September. Joel took her to the Gibson Guitar Factory- I know it's a shocker I sat that one out but I have zero musical ability and those two are way too talented to be around ( they also sat around and played guitar most of the nights Grandma was here- I have nothing to offer so I just listen while I read in bed) Ann got to go to the kids Funis Runis fundraiser at school and it was such a treat for the kids that she was there. They are used to not having any "extra" family here and were very happy to get to show off Grandma. Saturday was gorgeous so we headed to the zoo, had a picnic and walked and walked and walked. What do three hot tired kids do after the zoo? They come home and do this- Just long enough for Grandma to get a quick picture and then they convince her the waters really not too cold and she just has to get in.

Thanks for coming Grandma!!! Please come again soon and bring some more "extra family" with you :)

The lessons of our fathers

My husband is a wonderful Daddy. He reads to the kids, plays games with them, writes songs for them, talks to them and lucky for them doesn't spank all that often. He's a natural teacher. The teaching didn't stop Saturday. As far as Joel is concerned - If you build it they will jump. He couldn't help himself and for someone who hates being cold or even close to a chilly pool the temptation was just too much. Let the teaching begin-

Quick learners...

Just kidding Mimi, it was from the bench not the top- at least this time.

We have Water!!!!!

July 28- September 6. It's Saturday and we are filling the pool. What does any good native from Polk County Florida do if there is a hole with some semi-clean water in their backyard do? They all JUMP! (Worry about the dirt and grass later since the pumps don't start til Monday)

Lily jumps. Gracie jumps. Jack jumps.

As far as form and skill go I think the Olympics are calling our names. Jack did tell me he was Michael Phelps today (maybe we watched too much Olympics).

Rain doesn't stop Indy

August 31, 2008

Whipping is serious business and skill. It requires much practice, even in the rain. Look at that face, notice the determination and dedication. The weather can't stop Jack. The post office is already sending recruiters. The rain boots are because my yard is still a huge mud pit- and Jack says he needs them for whipping, "cause they're my adventure boots". I know you love the mismatched jamas too- but hey he dresses himself and that's ok with me.

Bud's Day Meets Indiana Jones

Jack loves Bud's Day and he loves Indiana Jones and the new whip Poppa sent him even more. His world was complete when his Daddy took him on "an adventure" to go walk in the woods and look for a hidden idol. He mainly wanted to be sure that he got to "whip things and swing over the river"- the river is a tiny creek but I hear he did swing over it. Notice the canteen on Jack's shoulder. This took the place of me having to sew Jack a bag "like Indy's" cause I told him Indy carried water in his bag. Thankfully Wal-Mart sold this nice brown, over the shoulder canteen which saved me several sewing hours. Joel loves Bud's day just as much and made sure to "find" a hidden map that then led Jack to a buried Idol ( an old crystal Christmas ornament that didn't make it up to the attic). The afternoon was a big success and Jack wanted to come home today and change into his "adventure clothes". Thanks for the whip Poppa- the girls have no complaints yet, Jack has only managed to whip himself a couple of times.

Lily Belle goes to First Grade

Lily loves school. When she's not in school she's playing school or asking me to give her homework. This picture is with Mrs. Hilliard, her teacher, who is the most wonderful, kindest, gentle, quiet-spirited teacher that I wish I was. Lily will have a wonderful first grade year. Plus, they just started selling Chik-fil-a chicken biscuits before school again this morning- all is right in her world.