So, I thought I'd post some pics featuring some of the fun that we've been having here at the Button house.

The first is Chloe on her first day of school. She was so excited and she seemed surprised that it was fun. We've learned two poems so far and the letter I i. A Beka does extreme review and she's a bit bored with that now so I'm sure I'll learn how much review she actually needs but its going well and we're excited. I'm a bit overwhelmed but I'm sure I'll get over it.

The next photo is of Halle and Chloe helping me make cornbread. I use the term "helping" lightly since Halle was sticking the measuring cup in the mix and trying to eat it and Chloe kept taking "pinches" of dry mix to eat. It was fun though and Halle got to wear Chloe's apron.

And last but not least this is what Chloe was wearing when she got up this morning. I don't think the photo actually captures the craziness of her hair but it was very cute. She let me know that her name is "pinky" and she's Chloe's sister. What an imagination! 

More aquarium pics along with scrapbooking with Grandma and a pic with Blackeyed Susans.


 

More Aquarium Pics

So sweet! The only other person that can put Halle to sleep by holding her is my Mom, Halle is very finicky like that. The others are Grandma, the otter exhibit (which I loved) and Chloe and me inside-sort of- a fish exhibit on the seahorse level of the aquarium.


 

The Tennessee Aquarium

These pics are from our trip to the Tennessee Aquarium. I'll post more pics later- I would do a bunch at once but Picasa will only post 4 to a blog (in my experience at least) and I can't get Hello to work. It's probably best like this anyway so you don't suffer from picture overexposure. If I see too many I start just scanning them- I'm sure you're not like that.
So the first pic is of Amanda and Chloe outside the aquarium. I wasn't expecting the fountain and "river" but it was very cool- and hard to keep Halle out of. I let she and Chloe play in it while waiting for Travis to buy tickets but then she wanted to dive in and I hadn't brought towels and wasn't ready to let them get their new outfits soaked. Yes, they were wearing new outfits because Grandma and Grandpa were coming.

We went to the aquarium on a Saturday and I don't think I would do that again. We were meeting Trav's parents there but arrived a couple of hours before they did. We hadn't purchased tickets beforehand so Trav had to wait in line for about 35 minutes. Then we headed to the freshwater side of the aquarium figuring the saltwater side would be much better. We were instructed to go down a level first and then head to the 4th floor and make our way back down. So we headed down to the seahorse exhibit and it was miserable. There were so many people that you had to wait in line for every exhibit. The girls were tired and hungry and so we decided to head down the street and grab something to eat.

We'd never been to Chattanooga before and instantly fell in love with its charm and with the amount of things to do. We didn't have time to explore though and settled on The Mellow Mushroom for some pizza. We had to wait quite a while for our pizza but it worked out great because Doug, Joyce, and "auntie 'Lyss" found us just as we were finishing up our meal. Everybody was excited to see everyone else and I'm sure we were the loudest bunch in the restaurant so we tried to catch up as we headed back to the aquarium.

Thankfully the lines and crowds had dissipated while we were gone so we headed back down to the seahorse exhibit and were able to enjoy things much more this time around. Of course we were trying to take in the whole aquarium- which I was thoroughly impressed with- while trying to reconnect with the Grandparents/Parents/Sister/Aunt. Halle of course didn't remember Grandma and Grandpa and was standoffish as usual. But Grandpa in his great wisdom remedied that by grabbing Halle and throwing her in the air two or three times. Seriously, she was hooked and I was shocked- I didn't expect her to react well to that, but she did and I was very thankful. She was Grandpa's girl after that and Chloe was Grandma's girl so the aquarium experience was much more fun for Travis and me. We actually got to look at exhibits and walk while holding each others hands instead of the little ones.

The aquarium website says that you should expect it to take 2 hours to see it all but it took us every bit of 4 hours and we could have probably spent another 2 hours to really take it all in. I'm sure it was the size of our group but we had a great time. I'd definitely love to go again but I'd like to stay 2 or 3 days and actually take in all Chattanooga has to offer. Maybe next summer.... 

Star Cars Museum

These are pics from our trip to Star Cars Museum in Gatlinburg. I swear I'm a total dork, but when Travis and I saw this on our honeymoon I begged to go inside. They had K.I.T.T. from Night Rider and Herbie the Love Bug outside and you could see the car from the Beverly Hillbillies and from the Flinstones movie inside so I was totally hooked. Amanda has wanted to go since then and this is the first time we've taken her. Since she's a huge movie buff she was soooo excited.

I was a little disappointed because the last time we went it was larger and had more cars. Madonna's car from Dick Tracy was missing as was the Monkey's limousine- very big bummers. But the truck from Twister was a nice addition as was the Beach Boys mustang that Travis and I are in front of. I got Chloe's picture in front of a squad car from the Andy Griffith Show- so cute! But the biggest thing was that Amanda not only got to see one of the SUVs from Jurassic Park she actually got to get inside and have her picture taken! I should add that she watches that movie EVERY SINGLE TIME IT'S ON TV! It's actually kind of annoying- but anyway- for a small fee you can get inside the car of your choice and have your picture taken. It was Trav's idea and she was so excited. She actually had to climb through the window because it was so beat up but she totally loved it. Travis didn't take a picture of that and I'm not sure why, maybe he wasn't allowed so I don't have a copy of that picture to share but it was very cool.

I think I will share vacation stuff in small bites so that it's easier to digest. 

OK, I haven't posted in about a month and I have much to catch up on. I'm not going to take the time to do that right now because I have a lot of other things to do. I will however make a small announcement...I have finally heard from the Lord on the school issue with Chloe. I'm going to be homeschooling her this year. I just placed the order with A Beka Books for the complete teacher and student set along with the lesson plans! I'm excited and nervous but I know I'm doing the right thing.

I have much more to catch up on- a trip to the Tennessee Aquarium, a visit from Trav's parents, a small vacation in Gatlinburg, and tons of pictures but that will have to wait. I'm going to the gym now, have a great day!

Life Is Just a Bowl of Cherries

Life is just a bowl of cherries- whatever that means. But after pitting a couple pounds of the sweet beauties I guess it could mean that life is sweet but definitely has pits. I don't usually buy fresh cherries but apparently they are in season and since they are definitely good for you I decided to pick some up; oh and they are one of Travs faves. I bought some fresh blueberries the other day too and was at a loss as to what to do with them. I could sprinkle them on cereal or just munch on them for a snack but they weren't as flavorful as others I've had so I decided to make a crisp out of both of them. The cherry definitely is the better tasting of the two due to the quality of the berries but they're both very tasty and are one of the Buttons favorite summer time treats- seriously I love summer.
So I'm sure you're just dying to know how we spent our 4th of July holiday so I'll tell you...drumroll please... we spent it at the Fadelys! With the Kelsos, of course, and Michael and Cathy who are a relatively new addition to our group of "regulars". I can't count how many holidays-or non holidays- we've spent with the Fadelys and Kelsos and as usual we had a wonderful time. There was lots of laughing, lots and lots of food, and lots of kids. We didn't - as we have done years past- spend the evening watching fireworks from the top of HMS' parking garage. I was bummed when I found out that no one was planning on going anywhere to watch fireworks since it's one of my most favorite things to do on the 4th. In many ways the 4th is more fun than Christmas to me and fireworks is the cherry on top. But the guys were set on purchasing fireworks and that was to be our fireworks show. Rembering those kind of fireworks as a kid I figured I would be sorely disappointed with roman candles and jumping jacks but I was determined to be a good sport about it. Well, I couldn't have been happier to be wrong. It seems that the entire Fadely neighborhood- Eric included- had spent a good bit of money purchasing what years earlier would have been considered professional fireworks. And really they were everywhere! We got an up close 360 degree view of really great fireworks. I don't think I could have enjoyed myself more if I'd gone to see a show. Of course the company made the day what it was- a truly memorable day. I just wish I'd gotten better pictures.

Is You Happy Is You Nose

Chloe singing- Is you happy is you nose clap your hands- is you happy is you nose clap your hands- is you happy is you nose then you face shuly shows- is you happy is you nose clap your hands.

I love to hear her sing songs from church and it's hilarious that those words are what she thinks she's hearing. I love kids. 

Happy Father's Day

OK, so I know it's not Father's Day but I should document our fun filled, busy weekend. Of course, I should add that Travis was on call this weekend and it was a really, really busy weekend for that. But he got pages mostly at night so he was working all day Thursday and Friday and then all night so Friday and Saturday he really wanted/needed to sleep so we didn't see him a whole lot on those days. But we still had a great weekend and did spend time together when there wasn't sleeping going on.

So yeah, I know this isn't a picture of one of my kids but it's so darn cute! I was trying to get some candid shots- which is difficult once the kids realize you're taking pictures- and he looked at me and got embarrased/confused/temporarily drunk, I'm not sure but it was cute anyway.

So we rented Cornerstone's playground along with the Kelsos and another couple for Father's Day. When Mary first asked if we'd like to do it I wasn't sure if it was something Travis would like but I was wrong. He was so excited about it, even with his lack of sleep. So, we went and played and Travis had a great time and so did the girls. Oh, and I should mention one girl in particular- our little 18 month old daredevil went down the 3 story slide all by herself! What!?! We let her go down the slide by herself? Of course we didn't LET her go by herself she just got away from Travis and slid down head first by herself. So the story goes like this. If you've ever been in the 3 story play area at Cornerstone you know that adults and kids think it's amazing but it is somewhat intimidating for some younger kids. Inside the play area there are several obstacles on each level leading to a 2 story slide and a 3 story slide. Well, if you're a big person helping a very small (Halle) person you either have to go over the obstacle first and then pull her over or put her over the obstacle first and then you go over. Travis chose the latter approach (as I have done also) and had gotten her over all of the obstacles and put her in the entrance of the slide. The entrance is a little area that you sit in to prepare to go down. Well as he was trying to get over the last obstacle she headed toward the slide and Travis told her to stop but in typical Halle fashion, she went down head first. Then Travis said laughing (seriously laughing- I could have killed him) with Kris laughing too, Amy, Halle just went down the slide by herself. I was half way up to the slide and couldn't get to her easily and of course my reaction was "WHAT DO YOU MEAN HALLE WENT DOWN THE SLIDE BY HERSELF- I CAN'T GET TO HER!!!" . OK, I didn't really yell like that but I wanted to. I was trying to use restraint since we weren't the only ones there. So, I tried to get down quickly waiting to hear Halle screaming but all I heard was a little midget voice say "whee". Whee!?! I'm about to have a heart attack and she says *WHEE*! Well, it's Halle, what else would she say?

So, Sunday was spent going to church, my making burritos, chocolate pudding, and flan. OK, you can't really call it flan because it came in a package and it wasn't very good. It wasn't my error this time it just didn't taste good. Really, can you expect to get a dessert like that out of a package? I found a recipe for it and it looks good but the difficulty level is expert. I am by no means an expert baker but it doesn't look all that difficult maybe it's the carmelization process, I don't know but I think I'll try it once.

Anyway, the rest of the day was spent resting and we played our first game as a family! Chloe has been begging us to play Monopoly Jr. with her and I didn't think she was really ready for it but we played anyway and I was definitely wrong. She rolled the die, moved her car the exact number of spaces and when she had to pay for landing on a space she'd say "two dollard coming right up". She was so sweet. The only time she tried to "cheat" was when she wanted to roll a one so she could land on "see the fireworks pay $2". She just barely dropped the die on the board so it would be on one but we made her roll anyway. She didn't get a one and didn't land on the fireworks show and she cried- a lot. But on her next turn she landed on "see the dolphins pay $2" and she was very happy. I think your first family game is definitely a milestone. And everyone on Trav's side of the family will be very proud- they all LOVE games. Overall, it was a great family weekend. 

This is what happens when your 18 month old gets hold of a marker- thankfully it's washable.
I re-made the Jello Jigglers and they turned out just fine. I was surprised at how durable they are when you make them correctly. I think you could throw them and they'd stay
together and they tasted pretty good. The only thing I'd change is that I would pick 4 or 5 shapes and do one line straight down rather than letting the girls do it randomly so that you'd get more jigglers. As it is we got a few jigglers and I had to just cut the rest up. It's not like cookie dough that you can mush back together and cut more shapes.







And finally, after months and months of care my moss rose has finally produced a rose! Seriously, I think I planted these in January. Yes, too soon but the package said you could plant them indoors, blah, blah, blah. The problem is that in January our house is never even in the 70's so they sprouted but they didn't grow very big at all. It wasn't until I could actually put them outside that they grew and finally bloomed. This whole growing plants from seeds is definitely delayed gratification. I think next year I'll buy some potted flowers and some seeds for Chloe to watch. That way we'll have something pretty to look at while we wait.

Did you know that you could mess up Jello Jigglers?

Well, if you didn't know before now you do. I was at the grocery store the other night and stumbled upon the Jello section. I thought, hmmm, easy cheap dessert that Chloe will love helping me make...ooh, and I could make Jigglers. So Chloe picked out grape (of all flavors my least favorite) and I told her we'd make Jello Jigglers. Extreme excitement ensued, never mind that she had no idea what Jello Jigglers were. So we went to the store and bought a new pan since I didn't have the right size and made a big to do about the "event". Seriously, everything is an event at my house. Anyway, we made the Jello, put it in the pan and waited the required 3 hours for them to be done. When the time was up (after Chloe asked about 58 times if they were done yet and my threatening to not let her cut any) we brought out the pan, the camera, the Florida cookie cutters and Amanda decided to join the fun- really my 16 year old was excited. AND- they were a mushy mess- actually they were just Jello like. I couldn't figure out what went wrong because I had thrown the boxes away and wasn't going to dig through the trash. Needless to say I had disapointed BOTH girls and felt like a huge creep. Then I remembered that I had a bigger box of Lime Jello in the pantry and looked over the directions, which I might add are a bit confusing- at least to me. But apparently I had mixed HALF as much Jello with TWICE as much water as I needed. So, um, yeah I'm a dork. But I'm making up for it today by making Sugar Cookies and we'll finally be using our Florida cookie cutters (we bought them at Christmas time in Lakeland).
So on the creative front: I did the Sun painting yesterday (watercolor on paper). It's my rendition of Sun pictures I used to see in FL. I definitely like it but there are lots of things I would change. First of all, I would like for the Blue to be much darker to make the Sun really pop but it's not possible with watercolor- at least I don't think so- I would rather it was in acrylic (which I've never used but I know I'll love them) and I would use a much larger, square canvas.
The other picture is my attempt at an Illustrated Friday topic, underwater life that I've started but am stuck and can't seem to finish it. I've spent a lot of time snorkeling and finding all kind of cool stuff in the ocean but I'm afraid to paint anyting else for fear of messing it up. I think I'll need for the girls to be gone and for the entire house to be quiet in order to be able to finish it. I've seen watercolor that people draw things in first and then paint them (I'm not talking about what Tisra does- that is completely different and very cool and I think she should sell prints of that piece) but I don't like the pencil lines in my artwork. That's just another reason I don't want watercolor to be my primary medium; I've quit saying I don't like it.

So, that pretty much sums it up. Have a great weekend. 

Amanda has her Driver(s) License as of this past Tuesday but we haven't let her actually drive by herself until just now. Yes, my 16 year old is on the road right this second- Trav and I just prayed. Anyway, the reason that we haven't let her drive is that she's not ready. As of Tuesday she couldn't even park straight. And she really hadn't been that motivated to do it correctly, I guess just figuring that she'd get it right AFTER she had her license. So, you're probably wondering how she got her license to begin with. Well, in the driving test she had to take a right onto a main road and then drive through a subdivision and back to the DMV- that's it. When I took my driver test you had to be able to do several things and among them was reading signs, a three point turn, and parallel parking. If you didn't pass the parallel parking part you failed the test. I know a lot of people said (then) that you don't have to parallel park often so you shouldn't have to do it but I think that by making you parallel park it shows that you know how to handle the vehicle you're driving. Anyway, Amanda has been working very hard and has gone out with Travis to practice so we felt that she was ready to make the short trip to Wal-Mart. Of course, I still have butterflies and am second guessing myself but I'm sure she'll do fine. I'm glad that it will be at least 11 more years until Chloe starts driving. 

Birthday Bash, Busted Lip, Build A Bear, Burned Finger and a Host of Other Things That May or May Not Start With the Letter B

So, big birthday #5. My baby is growing so fast *sniff*. She really wanted a party with friends, cake, and games but our apartment is just too small to accomodate our friends and their growing families. So we decided that dinner and Build-A-Bear would be a nice treat for everyone.
We hadn't ever taken the girls to the Rainforest Cafe and Chloe decided that's where she'd like to go. So to make it extra special we bought a birthday dress for her along with very special birthday butterfly wings for her to wear to dinner.

We were having a great time and hadn't been at the restaurant very long when Chloe said that she needed to go potty. Amanda was kind enough to take her but unfortunately they came back to the table just as the "thunderstorm" started inside the restaurant- it is the Rainforest Cafe you know. Well, Chloe was terrified and decided to run to the safe arms of her Daddy but she missed...and hit her mouth on the back of his chair. It must have been a hard one because her teeth went through her lip. Really, we were there less than 10 minutes. In an instant I could see all of her excitement drain away and I was so upset. It's funny but I was really excited about it too so I was afraid that the evening was going to be ruined. But we had a great server that was kind enough to offer Chloe custody of her flashlight- one of Chloe's most favorite things in the world- so between that and the $6 Icee we bought her (seriously $6 bucks for an Icee) she recovered quickly. I was so proud of her. She always tries to make the best of everything and she just shrugged it off and got over it. It did affect her smiles for photos so I'll make sure to document it when I scrapbook.

After dinner we made our first trip to Build a Bear and let Chloe pick out just what she wanted. So, she picked out a purple bear named Purpley Claire Button (get it, purple eclaire, hahaha). She had decided to name it Purpley but there's a spot for a middle name when you type it in to the computer so she asked, "what goes with purpley?" so my response was "Claire" and she went for it. I really wasn't expecting to pay that much for a stuffed bear but they make the last stop clothing for a reason, so we have a very well dressed stuffed purple bear. I really should have just made a dinner and bought a coloring book, I always go overboard. Next year...

So the next day was church and she got to go to the five year old class for the first time. She was excited. Then Mom and Dad took us to lunch, we parted ways with them in Cool Springs and we went home for naps. Later on we made a birthday cake together and Travis took her to the store to pick out some soda and the kind of ice cream she wanted- strawberry. She decided that the cake should be a bundt, which was fine with me because it's easier to frost. Then came singing and cake eating which leads me to the burned finger portion of the post. We purchased a number candle rather than the stick ones and I guess it took a little while for us to sing and for her to blow it out so a puddle of wax had accumulated by the time all of that was done. So while I was locating a knife to cut the cake with and Travis was doing something else Chloe decided to take the candle off of the cake to lick the icing off. And you guessed it the hot wax dripped on one of her fingers and extreme screaming ensued. My poor baby. I really felt like everything nice that I had planned for her went terribly wrong. It didn't take too long for her to recover and, again, she shook it off but I felt bad. I'm still kind of sad that everything didn't go perfectly.

She was happy and felt that we had properly celebrated her birth except for the gifts. My Mom and Dad purchased a very pretty, very girly bed for her: headboard, footboard, and mattress set and we shelled out a lot for dinner and BAB but to her it just wasn't the same without friends and opening several little presents...next year we're having cake, ice cream, soda and friends- that's it. I think my expectations won't be so high that way and she'll feel like she had a real birthday party.

It's funny but I remember very few birthday parties that I actually had my little friends over for. I remember having mostly family birthday parties and anytime my parents asked me what I wanted to do for my birthday and I always asked to go to the Kapok Tree. You can see pics here and here. Even as a kid I was a nerd but I loved it. I'll write more about that later, this post is already too long. But I guess I was pushing what I would like for myself on Chloe. Live and learn.