Weekly To-Do List

I have created a Word document that helps me to get things done during the week.  It's so easy to do absolutely nothing during the summer, but I'm sure my hard working hubby wouldn't appreciate it if I sat on my bum eating bon-bons, and watching soap operas all day.  My kids would go crazy too.  So, I created a to-do list for each day of the week.  I print the lists out on Sundays and I staple them together.  Each day I follow the list as good as I can.  I also take notes about the day, and write down anything silly the girls do or say.  I'm going to save the lists in a binder so that I can look back at them when I'm filling out the girls' baby books. 

I've created a file in Google Docs to share.  I've never done this before, so I hope it works.

Our First Bucket List Activity

We started our Summer Bucket List yesterday (Monday).  I do have to say that I have the most impatient child ever born.  As soon as she woke up, she wanted to pull something from the bucket.  I let her, but warned her that it wouldn't be until this afternoon because we had chores to do first.  I always try to wait until after lunch so that I can get some things done.  She drove me CRAZY!  All morning long, "Is it lunchtime yet?  When are we going to do our bucket list activity?  Is it lunchtime yet?"  I was tempted to tell her to forget about it, but I knew that she was just super excited.

Our first bucket list activity was waterballoons!  I blew up 8 of them and we ended up with only 2!  As I blew them up, I would put them in a plastic basket that had holes in it.  The waterballoons were so thin, that when I put them in the bucket, they would pop because of the grass sticking through the bottom.  We finally picked up the basket and brought it to the backyard to throw them, but as soon as I put the basket down, all but 2 popped.  I let them throw those two, but they wanted more.  It took like 15 minutes just to blow up the ones I had blown up, and I was ready to get in the pool.  The heat index was well over 100 and I was ready for the coolness of the pool.

Look at Kinsley's face!  Hahaha.  Cracks me up.

Katie is scared to death of loud noises.  She thought it was going to make a sound like a regular balloon popping.  Kinsley was laughing so hard at her.

Before we got in the pool, they were playing dress up.  Kinsley thinks that putting her fingers in her mouth and saying cheese is a good pose.  She did this in all of them. 

Katie in all of her cuteness.

Sisters!

Well, it's going to be another hot summer day here in Southeast Texas.  I'm so sore from working out yesterday, that I think we'll be having a lazy day today.  Who knows.  We'll see what our bucket list has in store for us today.

Jillian Michael's Body Revolution

I just started my new lifestyle change with the help of Jillian Michaels.  The whole time I was working out to Workout 1, I was thinking to myself, "If we were working out together in person, I would have to punch her in her face."  LOL.  

My thighs feel like jell-o and my face is splotchy red right now.  My hubby didn't think I could last the whole 30 minutes, and at one point, I was actually contimplating quitting.  But I did it.  Afterward, I stuck my head in the refrigerator. 

Now off to the rest of my day.  I'm actually dreading doing the cardio this evening.  She's going to kill me!

2012 Summer Bucket List

Our Summer Bucket List has been updated and is ready to go!  I added so many more things for us to choose from.  Thank you PINTEREST!  There are 2 separate buckets for activities.  One bucket has things that we must plan for.  We'll be choosing those on Sundays and Thursdays.  When planning, I must clarify, means that if we have to take a shower and actually get dressed...that's what I mean by planning...hehehe!  Here's the list, broken down into No Planning Required and Planning Required.

No Planning Required:
1.  Movie Picnic (rent a family movie, spread out a blanket, and eat dinner together watching a movie while eating)
2.  Have a teaparty (I'm going to purchase a special teaparty set)
3.  Play ABC hide and seek
4.  Slip and Slide (I've got to purchase one)
5.  Play balloon tennis
6.  Nighttime swimming
7.  Blacklight dinner party
8.  Icecream treat in PJs (after bathtime, we'll go to Marble Slab for a treat)
9.  Write a letter and mail it
10.  Have a scavenger hunt
11.  Go through the carwash
12.  Make smores
13.  Play in the rain
14.  Make leaf rubbings
15.  Paint with pudding
16.  Have a PJ day
17.  Make rice crispy treats
18.  Play flashlight games
19.  Play in the sprinklers
20.  Blow GIGANTIC bubbles
21.  Invite a friend over
22.  Fingerpaint
23.  Bake cupcakes
24.  Get snocones
25.  Make ice cream in a bag
26.  Make ice cream in a can
27.  Paint by Number
28.  Movie Night
29.  Take an alphabet tour and make an ABC book
30.  Take a nature walk and take pictures as we go.  Make a nature walk book.
31.  Balloons and Noodles
32.  Ding Dong Ditch a neighbor
33.  Make stepping stones
34.  Paint small figurines
35.  Shaving cream painting
36.  Build a fort
37.  Make a bird feeder
38.  Make fairies in a jar
39.  Go consignment toy shopping
40.  Paper plate hop - don't touch the floor
41.  Play dress up and have a fashion show
42.  Make tie-dyed shirts
43.  Water gun wars
44.  Bathe with glo-sticks
45.  Make homemade pizzas
46.  Board Game Day
47.  Balloon Ninjas
48.  Make homemade playdough
49.  Sidewalk chalk fun
50.  Have a waterballoon fight
51.  Make a magnetic puzzle and put it together on the refrigerator
52. Night walk with flashlights
53.  Playdoh creations
54.  Wash the car
55.  Have a slumber party

Planning Required:
1.  Plant flowers or herbs and paint flower pots
2.  Get manis and pedis
3.  Rao's Bakery for lunch and dessert
4.  Go to Build-A-Bear Workshop
5.  Do service for someone
6.  Go bowling
7.  Go to the Splash Park
8.  Go to the movies
9.  Feed the ducks at the park
10.  Visit the library
11.  Backyard camping (need to purchase a small tent)
12.  Go to La Maison Des Acadiens and the Windmill
13.  Go to Spindletop-Gladys City
14.  Go to Art Museum of Southeast Texas
15.  Go to the Museum  of the Gulf Coast
16.  Go to La Maison Beau Soleil
17.  Go to the Children's Museum (Lake Charles or Houston)
18.  Go to Farmer's Market
19.  Go to the arcade in the mall
20.  Take pictures in the photo booth at the mall
21.  Go fishing
22.  Go to Fun City Family Entertainment Center
23.  Go to Chuck E. Cheese
24.  Go to the zoo
25.  Go to the city pool
26.  Go to Elise's Playhouse
27.  Go on a picnic
28.  Make dinner for a neighbor
29.  Eat lunch with daddy
30.  Random Act of Kindness
31.  Go to Colorado Canyon for minature golf
32.  Go to an indoor playground
33.  Go to 3rd Thursday on Boston Ave.
34.  Go to Shangri La Botanical Gardens
35.  Take a Neches River Adventure
36.  Go to Gator Country
37.  Go to First Friday in Groves
38.  Go to Bounce Zone
39.  Go to the beach
40.  Go to the Strand in Galveston
41.  Go to the Aquarium in Houston
42.  Go to Schlitterbahn in Galveston
43.  Go to Moody Gardens
44.  Go to Boomtown USA in Vidor
45.  Go to Tugboat Island at the park
46.  Go to Kemah
47.  Go to Paradise Water Park in Lumberton/Silsbee
48.  Rent the cabin at Village Creek State Park
49.  Go to the Sea Center Texas

As we complete an activity, I will be blogging about them and will cross them off the list.  I can't wait to get started.  I hope that my hubby is willing to do some of this stuff with us, but he works Monday - Saturday.  I may have to find someone else to go with us when we take long excursions.  I can't wait to get started!

First Day of Summer Vacation

Today is the first official day of our summer vacation.  Woohoo!!! 

I have been so extremely busy during the month of May getting ready for the last day of school.  Very stressful! 

Katie's last day of kindergarten was AMAZING!  They had a class party where they performed a few songs and were presented with certificates of completion.  She came home with a ton of gifts.  She had a great day!

It's finally over though.  I'm getting to sit back and relax a little.  Guess what happens when I do that.  I get a head cold.  Happens during every break from school...Thanksgiving, Christmas, Spring Break, and summer.  Never fails. 

I spent this past weekend doing a whole lot of nothing.  Grammy took my girls Saturday so that I could have a little momma time.  They had so much fun!!!

They went to the park where they got to spend some time with Nonnie and their newest cousin, Britton.  Kinsley had a little mishap during their trip to the park.   She took a little trip to the ground...on her face.

She's fine, but Grammy was a little freaked out by it. 

Katie at the park.

Kinsley telling Sarge what kind of icecream she wants.

I have spent the last 3 days being absolutely lazy.  I would really like to get up and get going, but this head cold is making me tired and a little cranky.  I would love to spend the next day or two sleeping, but we all know that when we have kids under the age of 12 that is impossible.  So, I'm up...barely.  Took some medicine and am trying desperately to breathe through my nose.

About to make my little munchkins some lunch and then we'll go swimming.

Happy Birthday to My Hubby!!!

Eben turned 35 on the 25th.  I wanted this birthday to be extra special for him, so we had a lot planned for his birthday weekend.  We started off by going to Kinder, LA to Coushatta.  His favorite band was playing there, Warren Storm (the Godfather of swamp pop).  We went with Brant and Allana, his best friend.  We danced and had a great time, but I think I need to get us dancing lessons.  We just don't groove well together...hahaha!

Me and Allana

Me and Brant

Eben and Allana

I took pictures with them and took pictures of Allana with Eben, but didn't get one of us together.  I hate when that happens.  We really enjoyed each other's company that night.  We even played on the slot machines for a while. 

I had put in $20 and made my way up to winning $56.75.  I ended up pulling out at $90.  I figured that I'd stop while I was ahead.

Saturday we had my mom and stepdad, Keith, as well as Amy, Patrick, and Lilly, and Brant over for a fish fry.  Everything we ate was fried.  The fish, shrimp, french fries, and hush puppies. 

Eben got some pretty wonderful things for his birthday.  He got a batter pro container that he's been wanting for years, but we could never find one.  He also got a fishing pole, and I got him a stainless steele 5 burner barbeque pit.  He was soooo not expecting that.  I wanted to spoil him on his birthday and let him know how much he means to us.

Two guys with bad backs lifting and moving a very heavy box.  Sorry we couldn't help ya'll boys, but we're women...we don't lift heavy things.

The girls had fun playing too.  We turned up the music for them to dance to.  Then we let them play in the Jeep until they almost ran over Lilly.  I had to unplug it after that. 

The toy company that makes these ride-on toys needs to make a limo so that they can all fit comfortably.

I absolutely love the joy and happiness that is on their sweet precious faces.  Makes my heart skip a beat.

The next day, we made a family outing to Wal-Mart.  We picked up a pool for the backyard.  We had one a few years ago and we really enjoyed it, but there are two very large trees in the backyard that keeps us busy in the pool cleaning, rather than playing.  We decided that we'd get another one since I'm off every summer.  I'd rather us spend our time outside in the pool rather than cooped up in the house.  This Texas heat can do a number on you.  It's nice to know that we can jump in any time we want.

We were in it from the time we put the hose in until it filled up.  Katie didn't want to get out.

March

We've had a very busy month this month.  I haven't had a chance to sit down and blog about it.  I may make a few posts about each weekend that has occured.  Busy, busy, busy, but spending time with my family has been such a joy and a blessing.  Praise be to God for giving us the means and desire to have such a blessed first month of spring. 

Amy, my sister, had her birthday on the 18th.  We decided that we would get together, just the women and our girls, to celebrate her 29th birthday.  Wow!  I can't believe we're almost all in our 30s now.  Time sure does fly by. 

Amy with her little pumpkin, Lilly.  Amy is one of the most photogenic people I know. 

Kind of makes me sick...lol!!!

We were busy that Sunday morning getting ready to head over to mom's house to celebrate.  I was supposed to bring the fixings for tacos, but I forgot the most important part, the sour cream.  Thank goodness Mom had some in the fridge.  I can't partake in Mexican food without sour cream. 

I was also supposed to bake her cake.  I purchased everything I needed to make it, but ran out of time.  So, I decided to stop at Rao's Bakery and pick one up.  Wow!  EXPENSIVE.  The worst part was, the cake was horrible.  I was so disappointed.  To top off the day, I forgot to bring Amy's birthday present with me.  It was sitting there by my bed so that I wouldn't forget it and it was hiding from the kids.  I forgot.  I was frazzled by the time I got to mom's, but that soon disappated because I got to spend some quality time with the women/girls I love.

Kinsley posing for me.  She throws her hands up as if she's framing herself.  She's so stinkin' cute.

Katie and her big lips.  I love her squishy lips.  Move over Angelina Jolie.  You ain't got nothing on Katie Jo.

This is baby Journey.  She's my precious miracle neice.  She's going to be something else when she grows up.  I feel it way down deep.  She's going to change lives.