A synopsis of Friday...

The local quilt shops (5 total) around here had a "Shop Hop" Thursday, Friday & Saturday. Mom wasn't sure she wanted to go but I decided we were going...So Thursday we hit the one in Victoria and Port Lavaca...Then Friday as soon as we dropped Michael off at school we went and picked up a friend who quilts and headed out...Rockport, Port Aransas and Corpus Christi...a very long day and we had to be back in Victoria by 2pm...So the chauffeur (Me) had to set time limits but we did good and made it to all the shops and managed to make it back on time...we had a really great time and it was an absolutely gorgeous day!! I did manage to get a few photos!

One of the Port Aransas Auto Ferry's.

Corpus Christi Catholic Church downtown Corpus. I loved the contrast of the church with all the newer buildings rising around it...

Mom and Penny discussing Penny's shirt, that Penny made...I had called out to them twice to look my way but they were deep in a discussion about sewing and there is no getting a quilters attention when that is happening...lol...The wind was terrible too and none of us had nice hair that day...ugh! I love the smiles though, I think Mom and Penny both had fun and enjoyed going to all the different quilt shops.

On our way home from picking Michael up at school we pass over a creek and the turtles are usually out sunning them selves on a log...They've been gone due to winter but now they are back and Michael always checks to make sure the turtles are out...I took this photo for Michael! He does love his turtles!

Then later Friday evening...we went out with friends Helen and Matt. It was Matt's birthday and we decided to go to dinner and Grammy volunteered to watch the kids while we went and ate...It was so nice to eat dinner without the kiddos!!

After returning to the house the munchkins were giving us a show...Grammy was the dragon! Michael the knight and Ashley the princess were attacking the dragon...It was so cute!

Ashley is so sweet and I love taking photos of her...Better than silly boy faces!!

We were all laughing and having a good time...

It was a long day but a GOOD day!!

100 Days and a Project for School

Michael came home from school last week with a note saying they were getting ready to celebrate 100 days of being in school...and the kids had to bring in 100 things to share...I racked my brain...I wanted something that Michael could do...and then it dawned on me that we could use his photos...I printed them out on contact sheets...I had to add a few of my photos as some of his weren't decent enough to send to school, lol...Then last night he helped me and we cut them out...Today we used the Xyron (sticker machine) and applied adhesive and he stuck them on his posterboard...We then got on the circut (die-cut) Machine and cut out a title for his project...and TaDaa we are done...He did most of the work, I did print out the photos! But he has his project ready to take to school and something interesting to share....Of course I had to sit and listen to him 100 times tell me about each of the photos, lol...Mr. Chatter box!!

He was really Happy with it!

He asked me though why some of my photos were on there and I told him I did Not think his friends or teacher would want to see Daddy's big huge gut or Mommy's sleepy face...Nope ain't gonna happen!!! Also he had photos on his memory card but the other day he seemed to have erased the whole card, ugh!! He wasn't happy about that but I think he learned his lesson about NOT playing with the settings on his camera...

Swimming Lessons ~ Once again....

A couple of years ago I had signed Michael up for swimming lessons in our home towns public pool...He was really excited...but at his first lesson they were pushing the kids in the pool and quiet literally dunking them under...Michael was in hysterics and so were half the kids in the class...He had never been afraid of water but he was after that experience...I never took him back after that first day! It was terrible and I tell everyone do NOT take your child to that pool or to that Woman who conducts the classes. It took me most of that summer to get Michael to like being in water again...Lots and Lots of trips to a local water park...Then last summer we spent a lot of time at his Aunt and Uncles pool...he can swim but not to good!

I had a friend mention the YMCA's swim program and how it was slow paced and they were very patient with the children...So a couple of weeks ago I decided to check into it. I told the people at the YMCA what had happened and they had heard several complaints about that towns swimming classes...Nice to know I am not alone with my grievance. I signed Michael up and tonight he had his first class....He LOVED it!! They were so good with all the children.

I was practicing with my 50mm lens before he got in the pool...he was cold!

He's got his float on and is ready to go...

Ahh seeing that smile warms my heart...he's loving it...he's also got blue lips as he was freezing!

I loved this photo...I know it's blurry but loved the action! I was also loving the life guards face...Nothing like a face full of water!

I am so PROUD of my son tonight...he did great! He has lessons twice a week for the next month and I can hardly wait to see what he accomplishes!!

It dawned on me...

Grammy is here and I haven't been taking photos of her and Michael together or of what she has been doing...to bad they weren't bugs or birds, ha ha ha!

Michael and I found the above dog fabric and it even had a Collie on it and Grammy said it was perfect for a pillow case...She makes Michael pillow cases all the time and we just LOVE them!! We had a problem with the one above though...Michael and I both wanted it on our own pillow...I had it for about 1 night then the little imp stole my pillow!! (hint-hint Grammy)

Grammy spent the day working on a quilt...when she gets her squares, or whatever you call them, done I'll take some photos...The colors are gorgeous!! But her back was a bit sore, I suggested Michael get the massage thingy and rub Grammys back for her....

He took his job pretty seriously at first...he's really concentrating!!

Uh Oh...he's losing interest...(how long is a 5yr olds attention span?)

He's had enough...now time to play!! LOL...That took about 5 minutes, if that!

Bugs... Birds... & Blooms from the yard!

I drank a cup of Green tea this morning and I was literally bouncing off the walls...So after doing some cleaning on the computer and working on a couple of digi layouts I decided to take the camera outside. It is absolutely gorgeous outside, a bit chilly, but still blue Sky's and sunshine...

I saw one of my vines has aphids and wanted to get a closer look so I used the Macro lens...

With the naked Human eye all you see is yellow dots but with the Macro...Totally awesome...they look like little aliens from outer space...Moms fix'in to spray them so bye bye little aphids!!

Then I thought why not try the Macro on the birds...I pulled a lawn chair up to about 4 ft from the feeder and waited...and they came, lol...Above is a chipping sparrow!


An American Goldfinch...more than likely a female as the males are getting quiet a bit of yellow on them right now...Spring is in the air!! Well at least here it is...

Tufted Titmouse...

I'm thinking I should have tried this Macro lens a little sooner on the birds as I think it did a terrific job...no color distortion...But I wonder how many birds will let me get 4 ft away too, lol...Here birdy, Here birdy...

And at last the bloom of the day....Carolina Jasmine...One of the only plants of mine that has Not been effected by the frost...and does it smell sweet too!!

A little story

I pretty much grew up on my Families dairy farm. We had baby calves continuously through the year to feed and take care of...They were all adorable and sweet.

After I left home I continued to take in baby calves to raise...I have learned that sometimes when a calve was sick and we were trying to nurse it back to good health it would have a sudden burst of energy...It made you feel good as you really thought Wow the little bugger is going to make it...only to find out a bit later that it wasn't meant to be...I am not sure where this little burst of energy comes from but it's heart breaking to watch, one minute they seem to be on the mend and then next they are at deaths door...It's life and it happens. I always picture those little calves up there in heaven in a big green pasture with all the other little calves running around and truly enjoying themselves...free from pain and suffering...I'm truly glad I had the experience of living on a dairy farm and dealing with animals most of my life it makes my world a bit sweeter when the tough times come...

Our Baby lamb passed away this evening...It dawned on me late morning that he had just had his burst of energy this morning and he wasn't going to make it. He is at peace and feels no pain and I am sure he is kicking up his heels with a bunch of other baby lambs right about now, truly enjoying himself and perhaps he found a Mother to nuzzle too.

Michael is fine as I've explained to him about heaven and it being a better place free from pain where the little lamb would have other little lambs to play with...he's my little trooper!

Thank y'all for your prayers and well wishes, we honestly tried to save him, it just wasn't meant to be...

Lamb update

No Photos this morning, it's a bit too chilly to stand outside long.

I was up at 5am to prepare the little darl'in his bottle and give him another dose of antibiotics.

He was curled up in his crate but when I got him up he was immediately looking for some food...He took the bottle on his own and drank about 2 oz's...That is all I would let him have as I don't want his tummy getting upset...I was so tickled that he took the nipple by himself and drank heartily...I'm thanking God and continuing to pray for the little bugger...Just maybe he'll make it!!

Are you my Mom?

Jake woke me up at 6am, feeding time!...little lamb was still alive, thank goodness.

He's acting a bit better today but still not over the hump...This morning when I took little lamb outside Jake joined us and I grabbed the camera...It was just too cute!

Are you my Mom?

Baaaa (MOM!)

I'll be your buddy but I am NOT your Mom!

I was told to watch Jake with the lamb. Jake has been wonderful! Michael sat out on the porch with the lamb in his lap this morning too...He's fitting right in and hopefully will be doing well soon...