*Seems like Saturday*

The great thing about having 2 parents and a grandparent who are teachers is that everyday is like Saturday during the summer! The girls are thrilled about summer! My parents have been working furiously in the garage/summer kitchen getting ready for the Cole 4th of July Hoo Rah.  It was in need of some renovations and upgrades. I'll post pics tomorrow but it looks AWESOME! Addie wanted to help Poppy paint yesterday, so here's what she wore:

Yes, every painter I know wears a white sundress and red satin gloves. Nice. 

Luckily we have great friends with a pool! And let me say this about my friend with a pool, Tammy. You know these types who make REAL strawberry lemonade (not the Crystal Light kind)... the type who make mouthwatering everything and not only does it taste wonderful, it also looks like a 5 star chef prepared it? Yes we all know a person like that.  Usually you want to slap them for being so damn perfect. But the weird thing about Tammy is- you don't want to slap her! She's a great cook and definitely the hostess with the mostest and she is passing that on to her sweet daughter, Mary Will. When we were visiting once, I handed a glass of ice to Mary Will, and she handed it back to me and said "guests first".  Impressive. 

 The girls had a wonderful time swimming with the Hodges and Frachiseur kids.  They were waterlogged when we got home. That's the greatest advantage to having a pool. Your kids are exhausted at night! Now I truly understand why my teacher mother insisted that my father get a pool when she was home all summer with my brother and me. I truly understand! :)

Uncle Ernie, Aunt Beth and Colten came by for dinner tonight and Ali Grace went with Beth to pick grapes. They looked like wine grapes. They were really good too!

 While we hunted grapes, Colten and Addie went on a gator ride around the farm. 

The girls are really stoked about seeing Meredith, Goran, Julie, Anneli, Cindy, Chuck, Bonnie, Carlos, and whoever else wanders in over the next few days! Everyone knows we party it up on the Ponderosa for the 4th of July! Fireworks on the dock Saturday night! Not the cheesy Georgia kind, but the dangerous Florida kind! Be there!

Crisis over.. Grovert has been located!

This evening I cooked Ali Grace one of her favorite things in the world, fat back. She's refugee thin okay? Don't judge me.  :)  

We spent a little time this morning getting ready for 4th of July company coming in at the end of the week, but most of the day we just chillaxed, as Addie says. Last night Addie cried herself to sleep because we could not find Grovert. No, it's not a typo. Addie has always called Grover, Grovert. I have no idea why but it was a major family catastrophe last night when Grovert could not be located before bedtime. Thank goodness we spotted his little blue head sticking up between the chair cushion this morning! 

The 4th of July is one of the girls' favorite holidays. Since everyone is so busy at Christmas and Thanksgiving, Mom's family gets together on the 4th. It's always a gluttonous week full of exquisite grilled everything, wine, and desserts. Most of all though, it's a great time with great folks! Addie particularly likes the holiday because she can wear her "Grand 'ol Flag" dress. Since her teacher taught their class the song "You're a Grand 'Ol Flag" this year, ALL American flags are now referred to as "Grand 'ol Flags".  Sorry Goran, our Swedish flag is a nice Swedish flag, but not a "Grand 'ol Flag".  We took the flag on our porch down a few days ago when the wind was really rough here. Yesterday Addie said "Mama, we need to put the grand ol flag back out on the porch." Indeed. 

Just so I don't forget...

Addie:(While I'm brushing her hair):  Mama, I don't want to grow up. I just want to stay this size forever.
Me: I love you this size too, but growing up is kinda cool too. Why don't you want to grow up?
Addie: Mama, I never want to leave you.
Me: (lump in my throat): Addie, you'll get to the age where you want to leave me, but you don't have to go far. I live across the road from my mama and daddy and you can too if you want to.
Addie: Well that's what I'm going to do Mama. My husband, Daddy, Poppy and the farm crew can build my house in that spot right next to Poppy's garden.
Me: That would make me very happy Addie Belle, but you know where EVER you go, as long as you are happy I am happy.
Addie: Good Mama. I like it when you're happy.

I just had to write that down so I never forget it... sweet soul my Addie Belle is..

Ali Grace put on the bee veil today and went off with Pete to check the hive. So far so good!

Great night on the grill too! 

I Bees in LOVE with a Small Town!

I remarked on facebook today about how wonderful it is to live in a place where you can go to a restaurant that doesn't have a big tall towering eye sore of a sign, one that's locally owned, one that's run by people you know... a place where you eat well and see people like your preacher, the local middle school band director, and a friend from your bunko group. I know that some people love the anonymity of city life but I much prefer the familiar security of a small town. Ali and Addie wanted to eat their dessert tonight at a bistro table alone and I let them. We really enjoyed dinner. The weather had cooled down a bit and we could actually breathe outside. Beth and I sat on the screened porch and enjoyed the breeze for a few minutes tonight while Colten and the redheads ran wild like the Brumbies..

I've just been so busy lately that I haven't been able to blog as regularly as I'd like. But, I hate feeling like I HAVE to blog and sometimes I just don't want to tear myself AWAY from what's going on to WRITE about what's going on... but I'm going to be better. I've been chastised. By my mother.... And several of her friends..

In other news, look what arrived today:  BEES! Pete is so excited about starting our hives and we are ALL anxious to taste our first honey harvest! We haven't put the bees in the hive yet today since it was rainy almost all day. Pete spent the past few days in his Honeybees 101 class. He really tickles me with his love of learning. It's not just a love of learning... it's learning things that are just a little out there.. honeybees.. wow. Okay. I dig it darlin'. I'm in!!

Maybe tomorrow we can get the hive put out. The girls are just fascinated by the idea. I am too. I haven't admitted it to anyone until now.   :)

Sweet Faces of Summer

The last few days have been busy and HOT! Both girls had cheer camp. I tried to upload a video of the girls cheering together today but alas, the internet out here is less than adequate.

Last night after supper we rode (too darned hot to walk!) over to Nanny and Poppy's for a fresh watermelon. Is there anything cuter than kids eating watermelon in the summer?

 Mom and Dad converted part of their garage into a summer kitchen a few years ago but never finished the sheetrock. They've started working on it again, hence the mess everywhere!

Cool Cousin Colten

This afternoon, my dad called and wanted to know if the girls wanted to ride up to Uncle Ernie's. He had to pick up his truck that was being serviced in Lavonia. That was a dumb question. Addie wanted to know if Colten was home and that answered the question. Here they are on the way to Zeb's barbecue in Danielsville.  I have no idea why my mother and my sister in law seated them this way. Colten needs to be in the middle. Otherwise, I can predict things getting ugly REALLY quickly.

Thanks for sending the pics Aunt Beth!

That girl's got SKILLS!

I felt terrible last night after a day of fighting a runny nose, sneezing, coughing, etc. I hate taking medicine but finally relented and took a DayQuil. This morning I was reminded why I hate taking medicine. I felt like I had a hangover all day. I'd just stretched out on the sofa this afternoon when my mother called and said daddy had fallen in the garage and cut his nose. I went tearing over there and although it's one nasty cut, I thought he could survive without stitches. Crisis averted. Turns out he fell off the counter in the garage. He was standing on the counter trying to turn the radio station off the obituary column. I can hear it on WPEH now, " A Vidette man tried to turn the radio station from the obituary column and ended up IN the obituary column".  Thank goodness it wasn't more serious. Addie cannot stand to see blood and she didn't want to go with me to check on Poppy. She said uhhh I'm just gonna check him on that later! Too funny.

Tonight we grilled out and Mama taught Ali Grace how to make potato salad (It was delicious!) and how to slice okra and fry it. Of all the skills we southerners learn, I can't imagine any more valuable than making good potato salad and frying fresh okra. Now those are some SERIOUS skills!  

Pandamania!

This afternoon, Pete dropped the girls off at VBS and went to a pistol competition in Augusta and while he was there, he also went by David's Bridal to pick up the girls' flower girl dresses for Erin's wedding. (Thanks honey!) I thought it was a suitable errand. You know, one that would counter all that testosterone that builds up at the firing range.  

Anyhow, a friend of mine in my bunco group was really bragging on the pizza at one of the local eateries, Home Fresh Bistro in Louisville. So, tonight Mom and Dad wanted to check it out and I got to tag along since the rest of my brood was off doing their own thing. My daddy is very judgmental about pizza! He is more of a steak/pork chop/fried chicken kinda guy and pizza must be spectacular for him to like it! Y'all, if you haven't had the Bistro's pizza, you must! Waynesboro peeps, it's worth the drive to Louisville! Hands down best pizza around. The meal was reasonably priced, the service was good and the strawberry cake for dessert, which I am almost certain was made with fresh strawberries, was absolutely to die for. Five stars to The Home Fresh Bistro! Add them on facebook to see their daily specials. 

After eating, Mom and I made a few laps at the city park. Probably enough to work off the calories from just SMELLING the strawberry cake at The Bistro. Then, off we went to see the kids in the Pandamania Finale. The kids really were spectacular and I so enjoyed seeing the kids sing. Y'all know I don't dig contemporary music at all really, and it did my heart good to see a little "How Great Thou Art" mixed in amongst the other songs! What a wonderful week the girls had! They were certainly blessed by the experience and I am so thankful for all the hands that helped make it possible. 

Thanks to my friend Laurie for taking these VBS pics!!

Wild Week!

Not many words today, just pictures! We've had a very busy week with Vacation Bible School! The kids have had a ball. Both of them have always loved VBS!  Ali Grace was able to go to a drawing class today at the Fire House Gallery in Louisville. She really had a good time and it was great for her to be able to get off the farm for awhile! 

Addie has been her normal self, changing clothes 3 times a day. She's growing by leaps and bounds and everyday her personality reveals a little more of itself. We need a little comic relief around here so I'm thankful for it. Both girls are very excited about 2 weeks at the beach in July. We're counting the days!

Try to ignore the hideous headband. It came in a box of junk my mother sent for the kids to play with!! Ugh!! Grandmas!!

A Blessed Birthday

This morning Addie, popped her head straight up when she woke and said "Happy Birthday Mama.. you are the best Mama in the world."  Now how could you ask for anything else?   I had a great birthday breakfast at Mama and Daddy's across the road and then after church we took off to the Hodge Podge Lodge for an afternoon of swimming with friends. 

When we came back, the girls were exhausted and Addie was a little "sassy".  Daddy offered to take me out to eat for my birthday, but when you cook as well as my parents do, why go out to eat? It was hot and we were tired from swimming so I just requested a home cooked meal!  While my daddy fried shrimp in the outdoor kitchen, Addie pouted inside. 

The shrimp were wonderful!! Mama made great tartar sauce too. When Addie finally moped outside, after Ali and Pete had already gone back home, Nanny asked Addie what SHE wanted for supper. She announced STEAK! I giggled but hadn't even turned around and Poppy was slicing her a steak and Nanny was cooking it for her. Talk about ROTTEN to the CORE!

All in all, it was a perfect birthday. I know I'm a homebody. I don't care. I love it out here. Pete and I watched House Hunters last night and a couple was looking for a house in Detroit. They settled on a condo that was gorgeous. Pete said he liked it. I said I liked the inside too. I would wither away and die there, but it was pretty. My friend Alisa loves the hustle and bustle of the city. She really thrives on city life. When I go to Augusta, I can't get away fast enough. Funny how God plants us where he knows we'll grow.  I'm glad I've been planted here among friends and family. It was a great birthday. 

A Horrible Horse

 This is Ali's horse, Treasure. I can't stand her. I wish she'd jump the fence and go flying down the dirt road and rejoin some pack of wild dogs. That's what she acted like tonight. A straight fool!  Unfortunately, Ali Grace loves her to the moon and back and won't give up on the idea that she might just be rideable again some day. She went down crazy street after foaling and never came back.  Ali Grace went over to ride after getting out of the shower (that's why her hair is soaking wet!) Treasure looked just as sweet as she could be until Ali tried to make her go. Then she started acting nutty. Then Mama got on her and she went REALLY crazy. That ticked Poppy off who ran Treasure around the arena like crazy. IT WAS  well... CRAZY!   :)  If you're a Cooper or you know one fairly well, you will know that my daddy has only spit his false teeth out ONCE prior to tonight.. when my brother was running the lawn mower about 35 miles an hour trying to get the grass cut so he could go out on a date, and tonight when Treasure acted a fool. Yep. Daddy yelled a few choice words and the teeth flew out. Oh well, back to Uncle Ernie's School for Hard to Handle Horses. Round Two. 

Farm Fun

What better place for a picnic than atop a fresh roll of straw? Behind because of the rain, and barely one day ahead of the planter, the men had to head to the field today. We decided it would be nice to meet them in the field for an impromptu picnic lunch at the Applewhite Plantation where they were working. Pete said it brought back memories of when his grandmother used to bring them lunch in the field when he worked orange groves with his grandfather in Florida years and years ago. It was super hot but the kids had a really good time. Addie was SO tired from playing hard all morning in the hot tub with Cohen and Ali Grace, but she managed to stay awake and not roll off the straw bale. She crashed when we got home and took a good nap before supper. 

We had a full weekend of company and while I'm worn completely out, it was worth it. The kids absolutely had a BLAST! I have a workshop all next week at school. If I survive that, then I'm going to hibernate all next weekend. 

Sleepy Saturday

I have no idea why, but last night I dreamed I was reading a book with words that when put together made no sense whatsoever. When I woke up I was exhausted from trying to make some sense out of what I was reading! I had a house FULL of people last night and everyone slept well except me!  Luckily it didn't take anything more than a morning nap and a Pineland Bakery cream cheese danish to snap me out of it. Pete went into town this morning and came back with bear claws, cinnamon swirls, donuts, danish, and all sorts of goodies. He's a man after my own heart.

The Giles clan left this morning shortly before lunch and luckily we talked them into taking a puppy! They didn't take us up on the buy one get one free special, but that's okay. We're glad the puppy has found a good home!  Ali Grace slept for 2 solid hours after they left! She was exhausted! Addie and Cohen played in the hot tub several times throughout the day. They've alternated between hot tub, train table, and trampoline. It's so good to see kids enjoying each other's company. We're hoping they've worn themselves out and that the frozen concoction machine will be gearing up any minute!

Sweet Summer So Far!

It's definitely summer now. Know how I know? The frozen concoction machine came out of hibernation today! Although it's made its sweet share of frozen margaritas, the bulk of its duties involve slushies for the kids. That machine works overtime during the summer.

I snapped this picture yesterday. Someone tell me how I'm going to handle THIS hot mess when she's a teenager. For the record, I do not purchase camouflage. This was a tragic purchase my husband made and of course she loves it.

Addie has already influenced her friend Sam. Notice his footwear. 

Addie has been in love with Dr. Spratling's train table for two years. Since she first started going to the dentist, she has wanted a train table. I kept putting her off thinking it was just a phase and that it would pass. She STILL asks for a train table! Finally I found one on sale and ordered it. She paced the floor waiting on the UPS truck today. She loves it! Who woulda thunk it?