Memorial Day and the Museum

We had a great Memorial Day weekend.  Saturday we went to see Night at the Museum 2, which was a pretty cute movie and like all sequels, not as good as the first one.  Sunday's worship was sweet and Kelsie had a friend over for the afternoon spent the night - they had a great time playing and we just had a relaxing afternoon hanging out at the house.  Monday afternoon we had our Bible Fellowship class out to the farm house.  Wayne smoked ribs all afternoon and everyone brought their favorite Memorial Day food which meant that we had WAY TOO MUCH food.  It was a blast to hang out with everyone and the kids all seemed to have a ton of fun just being outside and playing together.  The Jones' brought the go cart out and the kids just played on the $9 slip n'slide, trampoline and swing.  We roasted s'mores later in the evening and the ones who were left at dusk caught fire flies.  I didn't get tons of picture because I was either running around doing stuff or visiting.  Here are a few I managed to capture.

The go cart was fun at the farm house - the kids (and adults) took turns riding and driving it.

The slip n'slide quickly turned into a mud pit but was visited often through out the hot day.

Wayne, the grillmaster, at work.

The line waiting on the go cart.  They waited patiently in between the trampoline and the slip n'slide.  

The tree swing was fun!

So was the trampoline.

The girls had some girl talk inside to get away from the heat for a while.

Little Jillian - don't take my picture!

Today was Kelsie's 4th grade field trip to the Dallas Museum of Natural History.  It was a fun museum and we got to see the exhibits as well as an IMAX movie.  Some pics:

Kensey, Joy, Kelsie and Caroline waiting patiently to begin the tour.

Kelsie's classmates - Abigail, Alyson, Alyssa.  They had a good time.

Watch this.

OOOOoooohhhh.  This sneezed on me!

Lunch time before the IMAX movie.  A GREAT day!

House Update - we found out today that our closing on the new house will be Monday, July 6th.  We are very excited!  Over the weekend, they finished the stone on the fireplace and installed the front door.  Today they put in all the toilets, sinks, faucets and fixtures as well as the air conditioning compressors and thermostats, all the light switches, plates and plug covers.  YAY!  I will take some pics later in the week as progress continues to be made.  Hope you have a good week.  This is our last week of school and we are ready for SUMMER!!!!

House Progress and Other Pics

The house is coming along so fast! The last few weeks they have accomplished so much.  They have stained all the wood cabinets and handrailing/step of stairs, completed all the brick and trim paint, installed all the countertops, installed all the tile including the shower surrounds and kitchen backsplash, began the rock fireplace surround, poured the back porch patio, and did the first grade of the yard.  Our builder is saying first part of July- we are getting really anxious for it to all come together.  We have enjoyed many parts of the farm house but we're ready to have our own home. 

The front with the trim paint completed.

Downstairs tile before grout.

Kitchen cabinets, countertops and backsplash.

Partially completed stone surround for the fireplace.

Master shower tile before grout.

Rucker Rocks - I told you last week Kelsie got the Rucker Rocks award for the week.  We went to the morning assembly and took a few pics:

Kelsie being called up on stage from her class.

Kelsie and her friend Miranda who also got Rucker Rocks that week.

Kelsie's Texas History project.  She had to write a paper and make a guy from a 2-liter bottle.  This was completely Kelsie's idea to use clay.  We found this really light weight modeling clay that dries and hardens.  Kelsie did this by herself with the exception of drawing the shape of the tie.  She did so well on this, I had to share. She got an A on the project.

Field Day - Rucker had field day on Friday. The weather was beautiful, warm with a cool breeze.  We had a good time watching the 4th grade classes compete against each other.  

Kelsie's class taking a class photo right before snack and break.

Kelsie and Miranda

This was a hilarious game called the "team walk"  The kids are standing on a ski and they have to step at the same time to move forward.  They must work together and it is hilarious.  

Here is Kelsie's team crossing the finish line first.  They got the hang of it "One, Two, Three, Left.....One, Two, Three, Right"  Very cute!

Roughrider Game - our friends have season tickets to see the Roughriders at the Dr. Pepper Ballpark in Frisco. They could not go to the game on Friday night so they let us have their tickets.  The seats were super close to the field and we had quite a few foul balls over our section.  It was a great night for baseball.  Around the 7th inning, it started raining but since it was just a quick rain storm, they kept playing.  So, we stayed under the awning and waited for it to pass and then finished watching the game.  It was close but at the end, we lost by one run.  It was a cool night and a great fireworks show after the game.  We just had a great night at the ballpark!!!

A beautiful night at the ballpark.  Kelsie waiting in line for Dippin Dots.

A great fireworks show after the game.

Wayne and Kelsie enjoying the game.

Hope you have a great Memorial Day weekend.  We are looking forward to our last week of school.  We are squeezing in 2 field trips, end of year party and awards ceremony so it should be the most fun week of school all year!  I'll share pics soon.

Recognition All Around

It was exciting this week that Kelsie received Rucker Rocks award for the week.  It is basically a good citizenship award that is given to students who are nominated for something he/she did to make Rucker a better place.  So, Kelsie's teacher nominated her because she saw a classmate sitting alone at the playground and went over to ask her to come play.  So sweet!  We went to the assembly on Friday and it was fun to watch the kids get to go on stage and be recognized.  Wayne was also recognized this week at the Town Council meeting for his leadership in Serve Prosper.  He and several other people who lead out in this effort, got a certificate and appreciation from the town.  

The house has been pretty fun to watch this week.  They finished all the brick with the exception of a small space around the master bedroom but it was because they ran out of brick. More was delivered yesterday so hopefully, if it will ever stop raining, they can finish that part next week.  The garage doors are in and they have also completed the stain on the hand railing and starter step as well as the kitchen cabinets and study doors and mouldings.  It looks REALLY good and it is starting to look like a livable space more every day.  All the other door casings and mouldings have been caulked and are ready to paint - I assume this coming week.  I did see today that they were installing the stone around the fireplace so I am excited to sneak over there tomorrow and take some pictures. They also started painting the outside trim - they began in the back and it looks really good.  It's always a little scary when you are picking these things from small swatches.  I always hold my breath and hope we made a good choice - so far so good - I really like the stain color we chose as well.  I hope to post some more pictures - I need to dump them on my computer from my camera first but I promise I will share.

The rest of our week was pretty quiet in the evening for once.  I was completely buried in the Twilight series.  I began book one on Sunday afternoon and finished book 4 last night.  Those books are so addictive and I loved reading them.  I guess it's time to start thinking of my summer reading list, it was pretty ambitious last summer and I didn't finish everything on the list.  This was my last week to teach music, all that's left is leading a song and poem at the 4 year old "graduation" on Tuesday afternoon.  Summer is right around the corner and we will be busy the next few weeks at Kelsie's school with field trips, Field Day, and end of year luau.  I am ssssooooooo ready for summer - sleeping in, staying up late, reading by the pool, being outside at night enjoying the breeze and stars, casual time with friends, cooking out.  I hope you have some fun summer days planned.  I will try and post pics of the house soon. Have a good week.

Mother's Day and other weekend events

Today is Mother's Day and I am a lucky mom - blessed to have Kelsie as my daughter.  She set her alarm and got up this morning to fix breakfast.  Wayne had already gone to church so she did everything on her own.  Blueberry muffins, coffee and grapes laid out on a plate spelling MOM.  So cute and thoughtful, she did this on her own and worked it out with her daddy the night before.  She made me a card at school and one at church along with the flowers and chocolate she gave me on Saturday afternoon.  Tonight, Wayne and Kelsie are cooking dinner and have not allowed me to do any housework!  What a relaxing day it's been. 

My Sunday Mother's Day Breakfast.  The grapes spell MOM - how creative.

Today we went to feed the ducks at Willow Ridge after walking through the house.

 

This weekend started out on Friday night with a surprise for Kelsie and her friend Allie.  They both love Tim Hawkins, a christian comedian they watch on YouTube a lot.  So, we got tickets to see him at Collin County Community Church.  We didn't tell the girls at all but at the beginning of the week they knew we were going to do "something fun" but they didn't know what.  We went to Chili's first for dinner and then we pulled up to the church.  They were stumped and we told them this was the place.  Their faces were WORRIED but we handed them their tickets with Tim Hawkins face on it and they were surprised and excited.  The show was HILARIOUS!  He is sooooo funny - we were all laughing so hard! After it was over, we purchased his new DVD and got his autograph and a quick pic of him with the girls.  So fun - they loved it and so did we. 

Allie and Kelsie with Tim Hawkins.

 

Saturday was a glorious day - nothing planned for once and so we slept in a little and then went to friends house for coffee on the back porch.  The kids played and we got to visit and just chill! Saturday night we went on a date to the Silver Fox.  This was our first time to go there and it was DELICIOUS, such a huge treat.  

House news - the house is coming along.  I was so disappointed all week because there didn't appear to be a lot of work going on except Friday and Saturday they got busy bricking but still did not finish yet.  I think they only have about 2 days though and it's been tough to complete because of all the rainy weather we have had.  Well, today we went over to walk through because we hadn't been through since last Sunday.  We were SHOCKED to see they did do a lot.  The walls are textured, most of the mouldings and doors/framing are in, and cabinets and built ins are there.  It is looking so good - I was so excited to see the kitchen cabinets and bathroom cabinets.  Here are a few pics.

The outside brick is coming along.

Kitchen cabinets

Family room mantle over fireplace (will be stone surround) and crown.

Study doors and mouldings.

I will keep you updated on the house progress.  We are 2 months away so a lot has to come together and it should be very fun to watch.  Hope you have a good week!!

National Day of Prayer

This morning a group of people from the Town of Prosper gathered in recognition of The National Day of Prayer.  It was the first gathering in Prosper like this and it was a sweet time of prayer and community.  Warren Samuel spoke briefly and various leaders and ministers in town prayed for people in our community, our kids, town officials, and our nation.  There were 2 things I noticed this morning.  One was that we declared our NEED for God as we raise our children, as our community grows, and for wisdom and guidance in our country.  Another, and more important, an admission and recognition that it's not about us in this life - it's all about God and His purposes, His glory, His agenda, His kingdom.  How refreshing!  In a world where it tends to be all about where we live, where we work, what we accomplish and even what our church looks like or whatever measure you choose to measure "success," we needed a word that it's all ABOUT God and FOR God. What a great way to start the day (and I'm not a morning person) to be with people in our town coming together and saying we love God, we need God and we want our lives to be about God.  

On a political note, it's sad that President Obama is not choosing to recognize this day - to take a little time out to pray for wisdom over all the problems in our country and world.  I know people say he prays privately and I can't judge that, but I think there is a red flag when you have a day set aside for prayer and you refuse to come together with others and ask God to give you wisdom, acknowledging and agreeing together that you need God.  He certainly had time to fill out the NCAA basketball bracket - could we take time to have a prayer time on National Day of Prayer?  Just a thought - I'm not usually political on this blog, I just found that very odd. 

Quick House Update

On Friday, the started bricking and finishing the sheetrock process (tape and float?) - whatever it's called, they filled in the seams of the sheetrock and made the pretty rounded corners.  It rained so much on Saturday, they obviously did nothing.  Monday they completed even more brick and now have about 1/3 up all way around the house including now the porch and the little wall in front of the driveway.  Today they were cleaning and taking away all the trash from the sheetrock process - it was a HUGE mess!!!  I hope they will finish the brick this week but with rain off and on, we will have to wait and see.  Here are some pics taken with my phone.

Back porch 

Kelsie got in a mess picking up a white ball of "stuff" which then got all over her - it wasn't dry. 

Inside, looking from the living area to front door.  Starting to look like a house.