We are family!

Sooooooo much family the last month and sooooo much fun : )   I'll begin with the...beginning.   It all started with a trip to San Antonio for Todd's cousin, Zack's, graduation.   It's always a good time going to San Antiono because not only is it a fun place to visit & stay in our 'summer home', but we get to see the Norman family (Todd's Aunt and Uncle and cousins).   This particular visit there were additional family members which made for an even better time.  

Great Grandma and Grandpa

Cousin Holly

Cousin Zack (who b.t.w. is going to be a music major and was super excited about his new record player) 

Uncle Craig giving Anna her "Carey (scary/care) Bear"

At the Graduation Anna cheered loudly for EVERYBODY (until we whisked her away) 

The graduate with his Mom and Dad (a.k.a. Aunt Dana and Uncle Craig)

After a fun visit to San Antonio we brought cousin Holly and Aunt Linny back to McKinney with us for an extended super fun time with Aunt Kara and her family.
 

Reading bedtime stories

Playing in the bath with cousin Jameson

 While everyone was in town we went to our hotspots which include Legoland, downtown McKinney, Ikea and the pool : )   While everyone was here my cousin Doug and friend Christi were in town and came by to join in the fun as well.   

Anna playing with her cousin Ashleigh (Doug and Christi's daughter) 

 AND if that weren't too much fun (if I wasn't too overwhelmed then you aren't allowed to be while reading this....) we had the rest of the San Antonio crew come up to celebrate Todd's birthday.   That's right ladies and gentlemen we had 10 house guests and we honestly had a blast.   

One big happy family 

Blowing out Todd's candle (somehow those didn't make the move) 

See?  Everyone even got a bed...maybe not privacy but at least a bed : )  

And our crazy month didn't end there...

Graduation: Take 1

I think Anna is visiting a police car, not being scolded : ) 

Both of our kids LOVE preschool.   They love their teachers, friends, activities and are sad to discover that "summer = no school".  I must admit I even miss seeing all of the friends I made at pick up/drop off and then my workout :  )  (this church is so big it even has a workout facility!) 

Anna eating snack with her friends. 

Anna giving out her Valentines

 The next 2 years are going to be a little strange for Eli.   He has that awkward late summer birthday that can either move forward or stay back.   For various reasons we have decided to hold Eli back.  So he "gets" to graduate from Preschool....twice.    Good thing he enjoys it ; )   

Eli pretending to sing into the microphone.  Thank GOD he only pretended.   

Eli receiving his diploma from his teachers

Celebrating in his classroom with a mini reception.

Eli had some serious buddies that he made this year (and so did I!) and we hope that those friendships continue to carry on.  

Eli and Chase

Eli and Trey

These teachers had their hands full, but did a great job wrangling this crew in.   The important thing is that they all loved each other and even pray for each other at night : )  

Hope to see you all soon!  

Let's Grow!

Head on over to my camps "tips" page so see the Warren Family trying their hand at gardening!  So far so good...(minus some pesky rabbits!!!)  (Anna does a pretty good job chasing them away...)

http://readcookgrowtips.blogspot.com/2012/05/lets-grow.html

Revised Teacher

I am so encouraged by the direction my "read.cook.grow." camp is going.   I couldn't imagine when I started this process how much joy I would have in creating and manipulating this curriculum.   That joy does come with a price though.   I am trying to find a balance in spending time with my new endeavor and still being available for my family.  No, I am not working 40 hours a week.  I am working maybe 4 : )  BUT my mind seems to be constantly working.  I would be willing to bet that anyone that starts their own "business" (I hate to even call it that) could attest to the love and nurture you give it just like you would with your own children.   When you have an idea that has legs, you need to walk with it : )  I may possibly always have my "notebook" with me.   I do hope and pray that once some of the excitement wears off I can find more of a balance and annoy myself (and those around me) less : )   

That being said, there is so much be excited about!   I now have 2 camps that I am teaching this summer with "healthy" numbers (although I would LOVE more!), a fantastic curriculum, an assistant (aka a high-schooler I'm paying to help), a uniform (a cute apron I splurged on and a shirt that has my company name on it), a blog (where some of my excited energy is being channeled through) AND now I've been approached by someone to teach my curriculum at their school.   

Now to the true point of this post.   The above school is called Compass Academy and it is 5 miles east of McKinney.   The owner found my site and emailed me and asked if I would be interested in teaching my program to her students this summer.   Excited by the opportunity I called her back and was VERY pleasantly surprised.   Have you ever had one of those moments where you just knew there was a God and that he cared about You and your life specifics no matter how big or small?  I love those moments.   I love when he reveals his faithfulness to me personally, it just makes me love and trust Him even more.   What was so significant, you ask?  This summer camp isn't just any summer camp.  It is a camp for kids with Sensory Processing Disorder.   You know, that disorder that my favorite boy in the whole world has.   The woman who owns it is extremely well know in the field, has documentaries and books, and is one of the most encouraging women I have spoken to about the particulars on this disorder and my son.  A few major pieces of my life story came together in this one moment AND I didn't plan it or control it...He did.   

Her academy sounds like a dream and you can hear the joy in her voice (her very Scottish voice.)   She lives on 8 acres and has a vineyard, garden, commercial sized kitchen and art studio all for her "kids".  If you know me, this sounds like a dream.  Where do I come in?   I will go out to her academy and work with her kids in the kitchen for a few hours over the course of a few days.   I will teach them how to make pizza dough, pizzas, and grow their own herbs for sauce, AND...I can't wait.   Thank you Lord for writing my story WAYYYYYyyyy better than I ever could.      

EAisms

Annaisms:  Age 2 (and almost 1/2)

*Now that it's sandal season (ok it's always sandal season here...) she asks if she can put on her "candles"
*Her new favorite thing to do is twirl her skirt and say "I'm pitty"
*She asks me if I can brush her toes   (paint her toe nails)
*She likes to lay out her nap mat, blanket and animals and play "nap time".  

Elisms: Age 4 and 3/4s

*He asked Todd: "On your birthday are you going to be a Grandaddy?"   (His response "I hope not")
*"When I'm 10 I will play for the Cardinals because I'm a good hitter"
*"Mom I'm not going to eat so I don't have to poop so much"
*After we came home one night to relieve a babysitter we here him scurrying down the stairs and said "I counted to 10 a whole bunch of times and it didn't work".  
*While taking him and his friend Chase to school I over heard them talking about death.   Chase said his great grandma died and Eli responded, "It's ok.  She rosed up again"
*Again, while taking him and Chase to school I hear Eli tell Chase: "I HATE the Tucans".   After the mom speech of how we don't hate people, we just don't like what they do sometimes.   I then asked, "why don't you like the Tucans?"  His response: "Because they beat Mizzou."  .....Me: " Ohhhhhhhhh you mean the Jayhawks.  You're right, you hate them."  
*Now that he's an avid bike rider we are trying to teach him bike etiquette.   While passing someone he said, "May I please get in your way?"
*He told his Granddad his bike is SUPER fast.  It has fire on the side.  
*After a Worlds Fair at his school I asked where his new watch came from.  He said, "Twitzerland"
*I've had a say in his clothes for 4 1/2 years and the time has come where he now is picking out his outfits.   He came in my room one morning with black shorts, a navy shirt and black socks.  I told him he needed to change.   He puffed out his chest and said, "I will be who I be".    (while yes my heart melted, I still made him change...)
*We went to a Rough Rider Minor League game the other night and Eli called them the "Ikea baseball team".   (Their stadium is behind Ikea)
*He told Todd, "Mom told you to fix the sprinkler and you didn't listen to her".   (Yes!!!!!!!!!!!)  

These are a Few of my Favorite Things: IKEA

Some of you are SHOCKED that I haven't already added this to my list.   Ikea has always been an obsession of mine.   Whenever I visited a place that had one within 75 miles, I HAD to go.   One time I even drove 457 miles to go to an Ikea (and Mall of America).   And if that isn't crazy enough, then you need to know that I told Todd I would only move to another city if it had an Ikea ; )   Well, he made my dreams come true.   When we first moved to Dallas we lived in an apartment that had an amazing view: Ikea.  

Here are all the reasons I love Ikea.  

1.) My kids treat it like it's Disney World.   When ever we pull it they get SOOOOooo excited.   (Surely they don't get that from me).  

O.k.  So we've been known to be the first ones there actually waiting for them to open.  

2) A place to drop off your kids while you shop.  Ingenious.  Really it is !   Mom's love it, kids love it, we all love it.   Wouldn't you love it?  Oh, and it's FREE.  

3.)  99 cent breakfast.  Eggs, bacon, potatoes, and coffee all for 99 cents.   What's not to love?   They also have wireless internet and a kids eating area complete with cartoons.   This summer we may be there most mornings (we don't live across the street anymore).  

4.) Family Friendly.  Need to warm up a bottle?  They have a bottle warmer there.   Forgot a diaper?  They keep a stack in the bathroom for you.   Need a bib?  Child Fork?  Play areas throughout the store?  Yep, they have all of that too.   Oh and if you get a Family Card you get a discount on special items each week, free coffee and tea anytime AND an extra half hour in the play area.

5.) Products. They're hip, functional and cheap.   Even if you are decorator challenged their entire upper floor give you ideas and item codes to right down what you like so you can pick it up downstairs in the market.   Here are some of our most used products:

*Craft supply boxes:  perfect for scissors, crayons, etc.   $2.99

*Storage System: Great to organize all of our art supplies!   $100

*Train Set:  This was the perfect beginner set when Eli was 1.   $10

*Stuffed Rats:  Seriously Anna's favorite stuffed animal: $3

*Snack Bowls:  Perfect size!  $2/ 6 bowls

*Serving Bowl: This thing is about 8" in diameter and is $2.99!!!!  

*Placemats:  Great for outside!   $2.99/4

*Storage Boxes:  $8/2 

*Picture Frames: $2.99/2

*Freezer/storage bags: I know I'm weird, but why not buy super cute versions of the things you use everyday?   ESP. at this price:  $3.99/30 or $2.99/50 (depending on size)  




I would LOVE for you to tell me your favorite things about Ikea so I can gush even more when I am there.   If you haven't gone...you need to.  It's an experience!  

read.cook.grow.tips.

I promise to try to keep this blog strictly family related, but part of that is sharing what I'm doing with my cooking camp: read.cook.grow.   I told you about this back HERE, but I just added a section I'm pretty excited about.  Not only will this keep me fresh and thinking about how to best serve the kids at the camp and their families, but my family as well.  There is a reason I created the camp: I actaully like teaching this.   And who better to use as my test subjects than my family?   So here is my first tip, hope you enjoy it!    

read.cook.grow.tips.