Sunflowers: Weeks 7, 8 & 10

I've gotten a little off track with documenting our sunflowers this summer. I've been getting the weekly pictures taken, just not finding the time to upload them. We did miss pictures last week (week 9). We were working out in the yard and by the time we were done and ready to take pictures, it was starting to rain and thunder, and we had a bit of a fire ant problem.

June 9, 2013, Week 7: Love those big grins!

June 17, 2013, Week 8: Clara is quite happy, but Colton would
apparently rather be golfing than posing!

Our poor sunflowers. They were not doing well at all; I'm pretty sure the sandy soil just wasn't a good fit. They weren't  dying, but they weren't exactly thriving, either. So, in a desperate attempt to revive them, last week I dug them up, dug a huge hole and filled it with garden soil. The sunflowers were replanted in hopes that they would take off. Well....we have some casualties. There are several that have perished since last week, they probably weren't doing so hot and the shock of transplanting just was too much. On a good note, the ones that are left seem to be doing very well. They look sturdier, greener, and taller. I'll have to work harder next spring to get a good plot of soil ready before we plant the sunflowers next year.

June 30, 2013, Week 10: My goofs posing in pjs and rain boots!

June 30, 2013, Week 10: The remaining 10 plants, post replanting from
last week. Here's hoping they make it...

Our Graduate Girl!

Clara Rose all ready for Graduation

Last night was a big night! After weeks and weeks of excitement, day after day of practicing, hour and hours of singing around the house to rehearse her songs, and finally the day had arrived. Our little munchkin was graduating from Pre-K. Clara wouldn't dare let anyone get away with saying "preschool", after all, preschool is the name of Colton's class at daycare. She, the big sister, was in the Pre-K class. Overhills Child Development Center did an amazing job of setting up the graduation and it was wonderful!

Like any lady preparing for a big event, Clara arrived home early from school that afternoon, washed up, got a rainbow mani & pedi, had her hair done and donned the carefully selected graduation dress.

We could instantly tell our girl was nervous from the moment she made her entrance; her mouth wide open, tongue hanging out, the hallmark of her uncertainty. She did wonderfully! Read her book aloud, performed the group song with all the right motions, received her "diploma" and then, it was time to dance!

The processional

The proud graduate!

Letting loose!

So excited and silly

After all the excitement, all the dancing, and all the fun, it was time to call it a night. We are so proud of our girl! Kindergarten, here comes Clara Rose!

So proud of our graduate!

Sunflowers: Week 6

There doesn't seem to be much difference in the flowers this week. I'm hoping they do alright in this sandy soil that North Carolina is famous for.

June 2, 2013, Week 6: Clara showing off her new gardening gloves,
Colton grinning in his shades!

Sunflowers: Weeks 4 & 5

I was a couple days late getting the sunflower pictures done for last week since Aaron and I were out of town. The kids and Papa kept the flowers all watered and sunbathed while I was gone. They were ready for the ground last week, but that's something I just couldn't delegate to Papa. Yesterday, we got them in the ground! We found a great spot in the back of the yard that is sure to allow the sun to shine down plenty and help our sunflowers grow. We recruited the girls from next door and five pairs of little hands help me bury them nicely in the dirt.

May 21, 2013, Week 4

May 21, 2013, Week 4: Roots....guess they're ready for the ground!

May 26, 2013, Week 5: All planted in the yard!

Sunflowers: Week 3

Happy Mother's Day! Happy 6th anniversary to us! Happy third week birthday sunflower sprouts!

May 12, 2013, Week 3: Smiling in the sun

May 12, 2013, Week 3

A Fair to Remember

We took the kids to the Ft. Bragg Fair Friday night. It was our first trip to a real carnival. Rides, games, funnel cakes and popcorn made for a very memorable family night out.

Colton said, "Daddy's like a car hauler".
To which Clara  said, "He's a kid hauler!"
Walking into the fair.

Helping Colton look at the camera

We took the kids on their first roller coaster. Sure, it was a kiddie-sized roller coaster, but it still counts. As a person who craves the tallest, steepest, fastest roller coaster, I loved seeing the thrill on Clara's face as she held her arms in the air and screamed with joy, and not wanting the ride to end. Daddy won each one of them a small stuffed toy playing a water gun game. Colton's highlight was a helicopter ride that went high into the air and spun around. It was so fun to watch Clara take care of Colton when they went on rides alone together. Clara is so motherly toward Colton. We saved the ferris wheel until it was dark. Seeing the amazement on their faces, well, on Clara's at least, was all worth the waiting in the chilly night air. Colton clung to me, not sure what to think, a little too short to see the view around him. We ended the night on the carousel. Seeing the smiling faces of my three loves, the one's who hold my heart and my happiness, made my heart smile. It was a night to remember. It may seem like a simple thing, and something we'll probably do dozens of times as a family, but, it was a first and "firsts" are special.

All smiles on the carousel