Kudos, Disney Channel!

I have to give a shout out to Disney, here. We love the "High School Musical" movies in my house. I like to use the kids as an excuse to watch, but truth be told, I like them just as much (if not more)!! I'm a sucker for a good musical, and even more...a good CLEAN musical that the whole family can enjoy together. We have both soundtracks, and just the other day, my husband got in the car and made fun of me for listening to one of them without even having the kids with me! HA!

We'll be watching High School Musical 2 again this weekend, only this is the dance along version! Oh, that should be interesting! I won't be busting any moves, but I'm sure Macy will be!

So, if you have kids, use them as an excuse to see these really good family fun (although a little cheesy in part) movies! Enjoy!

What a Week!

Well, there has been quite a lot happening in my family since I last posted. Most of you know that my husband lost his cousin, Kristin, on August 11. She was 28 years old and has 2 children, ages 2 and 4. She will be greatly missed, but we know that she's running in heaven right now. Since I've been in the family, Kristin has had struggles. In October of 1996, before Jarrod and I begin dating in January, she was in a car wreck that left her partially paralyzed. The doctors told her she probably wouldn't walk again, but she proved them wrong and was walking 6 months after her accident. She had recently had lots of trouble with one of her feet, and had major surgery on it only about 1 1/2 weeks before she died. She was SO excited about the possibility of that surgery being the answer to her trouble with her foot. I know that now, she isn't having any trouble with that foot and is getting around better than any of us!

She was such a fun, happy person and I'm so glad that I was a part of her family for nearly 10 years! I wanted to share a quote that she has on her myspace page...I think it's awesome that she had this attitude, and it REALLY speaks to me since she's gone home:

"Someday everything will all make perfect sense. So for now, Laugh at the confusion, Smile through the tears, and keep reminding yourself that everything happens for a reason"

First Grade Girl

Well, it's hard to believe, but today was Macy's first day of first grade! She was very excited. It's so different from kindergarten. Now, she knew her classmates, so it was like she was going back to see friends instead of going into a brand new situation! She was thrilled to be in the same class as several of her classmates from last year. She was especially glad to be back in class with her best friend, Abby. Here are some pictures that I took this morning. I still have to post about our trip to the aquarium in Chattanooga last weekend. Hopefully, I'll do that soon. Have a great rest of the week!!

Here she is ready to go to school:

Here she is outside of her new classroom:
Macy and Abby:

And, my personal favorite, Brady telling his "Sissy" goodbye:

Last Beach Trip...

Well, we had to come home from the beach...bummer. I love going, and we were lucky enough to go twice this year. I only am taking the time to post a few pics. We had a great time. This trip was with my in-laws. Here is a picture of Macy with Brady and her cousin, Justin Michael. Can you tell she's the little mother??

How 'bout the boys playing cars in the sand:
This one was just TOO sweet not to share. They really are loving toward each other most of the time! This was not a posed picture...it just happened:
Now, for the biggest news in our family. After 2 years of listening to her beg...I finally let her...
cut her hair! I know...big deal for us! She has literally been asking for 2 years. We inched it up 2, then 3, then 4 inches. This was a big one! She is SO happy! I knew it would be cute, but I also knew she'd look older! I've been wanting her to keep it long because it looked pretty...and I never had pretty long hair. I was forced to keep mine short because it was stringy! I guess I was living through her!

School starts next week...I'll have a first grader. Hard to believe! It doesn't seem possible! Hope you all have a good rest of the week.

Well, for whatever reason, blogger won't let me enter a title for this post. So, you will soon see, it's all about my little birthday girl! Her birthday was yesterday, and we had her party Saturday. I thought I'd post a few pics from the party. She had a great time...we love having it at the church building so that they can just run around and be kids...yet we don't have to worry about them destroying our house! Here's my favorite picture of the day...me and my big 6 year old girl!!
Here is a picture of her and Mimi (my mom, for any of you that might not know that).
Since Macy had 2 cakes, (which by the way turned out to be a wise choice this year...we almost ate them both) she wanted to put 3 candles on one and 3 candles on the other:
This picture is HILARIOUS to me. Brady was so sad that he didn't get to help her blow her candles out...he just didn't understand why the day was all about Macy. In this picture, his face is telling you all exactly how he felt about not being able to help:
It's always nice to get clothes...and I am lucky to have a daughter that gets just as excited about clothes as she does toys and such! She was pretty happy to have a new fall outfit from Mimi!
And finally, she was rather excited to get a new camera from me and Jarrod. She's about to drive us nuts taking pictures of anything and everything!!

She also got a pretty American Girl doll from her Nana, but I was so busy helping her get into it without messing it up, I failed to get a picture of her with it! Thanks to everyone for the fun day and the great gifts! She's loving using her gift cards, and will enjoy her new earrings, too (today is the 6 week mark...she can take hers out if she wants too).

Thank y'all for continuing to check in on my blog...even though 9 times out of 10, it's about my kids! Sorry, they're the most exciting thing I've got going on in my life right now!

Well...one other exciting thing...me and a bunch of girlfriends are going to B'ham Thursday night to the American Idol concert! We're very excited! Maybe that will bring a post that has nothing to do with my kids! We leave on Saturday for the beach. I'm sure I'll post about that trip as well. Have a great weekend!

More Baking!!

Well, the time has come for me to show yet another couple of cakes! Yes, I said "couple" because I've gone completely mad! I always think that the cakes I make look small...never mind that they are made from a regular cake mix that would fit into a 9x13...they just don't look like they would feed many people. For that reason, there have been more than 1 of Macy's birthday's that I've made 2 cakes. One year, I think it was the year I made the Dora cake, I also just made a regular sheet cake. The year I made the butterfly, I actually made 2, and I don't even think we cut one of them!! So, this year...what did I decide? That we needed more than one, yet again. There are going to be a lot of adults at this party, and she's invited more friends than she has in the past...so.....

She had already decided on a beach theme. The cake she wanted was a palm tree. After thinking about the fact that I needed something else...I decided to pull down the soccer ball pan from last year and create...you guessed it...a beach ball. At this point in my "parenting career," I've made several birthday cakes. I'm getting a little more lazy than I used to be. This year, I used a bigger star tip so I wouldn't have arthritis by the end of the day! There are also a few more little holes where you can see the cake peeking through...so don't look too closely! That being said...we're ready for the party tomorrow. All that's left now is for you to feast your eyes on the cakes! Ta Dah!!

Happy 4th!

Well, here it is...sooner than you expected, you're being forced to look at some of my baking adventures! We're traveling to my Grandmother's for the 4th, so I thought I'd take some snazzy cupcakes! Behold:
I'm such a dork! Trust me, my 89 1/2 year old grandmother will think she's got the most genius granddaughter in the world!

Coming this weekend...the palm tree cake and pictures from Macy's upcoming birthday party! I know you're all on the edge of your seats!

Also, if you're a reader of this blog and haven't already done so, I challenge you all to do the "50 Things About Me." (see previous post). It's so fun and I love hearing what you all have to say!

50 Things About Me

OK...I can't believe I got tagged! Thanks a lot Cristin! I really thought I could avoid this one! So...here we go. Get ready to be bored!

1. I spend WAAAAY too much time on the computer.
2. I love to cook...
3. Especially bake.
4. Macy will be 6 next month, and Brady will be 4 in December, and I've made all their birthday cakes so far.
5. They were (in this order): a heart, a duck, Cinderella, a tractor, Dora, Lightning McQueen, a butterfly, a soccer ball, and coming next month...a palm tree.
6. At some point, you have been, or will be, forced to look at pictures of my baking adventures on my blog!
7. I LOVE Disney World!!!!!
8. I LOOOOVE the beach!
9. We went to Gulf Shores with the same group of friends every summer for probably 12-15 years.
10. I've got some BIG 'OL calf muscles ;o)
11. My parents and in-laws both have swimming pools.
12. We swim 4-5 times a week during the summer.
13. I could eat Chick Fil A three meals a day
14. My circle of friends is SO important to me.
15. I crave more weekend getaways with "my girls"
16. I love, love, LOVE to sing.
17. The radio in my car is NEVER off.
18. I can't imagine my life without music.
19. I have a newfound addiction to Karen Kingsbury books.
20. I love mechanical pencils
21. My favorite music is 70's and 80's.
22. I'm not ashamed to admit that I love both Barry Manilow and the Carpenters.
23. I feel like no one gives a rip about what I'm saying right now.
24. I LOOOOVE flip flops!!!
25. We'll be leaving for the beach on my 31st birthday.
26. I CAN'T BELIEVE I'M ALMOST 31!
27. Water is one of my favorite drinks.
28. I can still do a darn good toe touch off the diving board!
29. I loved being a cheerleader in high school.
30. At "Who's Who" in high school, I got Best School Spirit.
31. I regret not going away to college.
32. I'm so anal about squeezing the tube from the bottom that I bought one of those contraptions that slides on the end of the toothpaste tube.
33. I've worshipped at the same congregation for 22 years.
34. My dad has been the worship leader there for those 22 years.
35. We lived in Atlanta for 6 weeks between my kindergarten and 1st grade year.
36. I went to the same school from K-12th grade.
37. I'm still good friends with some of my friends from kindergarten.
38. I am EXTREMELY sarcastic!
39. I'm very close to my mom.
40. I went from having no nieces or nephews to having 2 sweet nephews within 2 weeks of each other.
41. I hate putting away clean laundry.
42. I love BIG Cheez-its.
43. My cell phone is pink.
44. The toilet paper HAS TO roll over the TOP of the roll.
45. I'm TOTALLY addicted to General Hospital...yes, I said that out loud!
46. I HATE dishonesty--what a cop-out. Just tell the truth!
47. Nothing makes me prouder than seeing my children's accomplishments.
48. I took piano lessons for 9 years.
49. Everytime I buy a bottle of vitamins for myself (other than when I was on pre-natals), I forget to take them and they expire.
50. My #1 goal in life is to raise 2 good christian children.

Alright...there you have it. Now, it's your turn Amy B...and while I'm tagging, go for it Scarlett!

Little Fishy

Well, things have been busy around here, as usual. We had VBS last week, and this week, we've had swimming lessons. They take at the home of a friend. Their teacher is also a friend that I've known most of my life, and we're really thankful. This is Macy's third year to take...and she probably wouldn't have had to take again, but I wanted her to get one more year under her belt, and she LOVES it! Brady, on the other had, wasn't too sure about it. He didn't like it the first day very much. He cried some, but over all, did well. The next couple of days, he's done great! Last night, we went to my in-laws, and he was practicing what he's learned! Take a look at my sweet little fishy!!!

He did even better at lessons today. I'm so glad that it looks like he's going to enjoy the water as much as the rest of his beach loving family!! Have a great weekend!

I know that I've emailed several of you this picture already, but I thought I'd share it with the rest of the blog world. Macy got her ears pierced on Tuesday night. She's been talking about it since we were at the beach. I had never had an age in my head that I thought was "old enough" to get it done...I just wanted her to be able to take care of them herself. She twists them all the time...I just help her put the medicine on them. She's so proud. Here she is sporting her new earrings:

The Latest "Goings-On"

Well, we've had a busy few weeks around the Wallace household. With school coming to an end, we've had end of year programs and such. Also, Macy is playing UPWARD soccer again at church. She's really enjoying it, and getting better each game. I just thought I'd post a few pictures of what we've been up too lately! Here are a couple of my little soccer player:

Here are a couple from her kindergarten program. The first one is of her solo (she was also a "month of the year girl" which explains the February hat and the mega-heart on her shirt!) The second one if of her and Mrs. Mills, her wonderful teacher, when she got her graduation certificate!

And what post would be complete without a picture of Brady...well...just being Brady!!
My first reaction was terror, because I just KNEW he'd used a Sharpie! When I made him show me which marker he'd used, I was relieved enough to take a picture!!

Well, we're headed to the beach on Saturday after Macy's last soccer game. I'm sure there will be many, many pics to come after that trip! Some of you computer savvy people might have to give me a clue about slide shows...I've never taken the time to even try to do one! I'll be busy this week getting ready to go to the beach, so I probably won't post again until we get home. Please pray for our safety. Have a good week!

Aren't Y'all Sick of Looking at Sanjaya??

Well, I don't really have anything major to post about, but I know everyone who stumbles across this blog is getting sick of looking at Sanjaya!! So, I thought I'd post about the highs and lows of my past 2 days!

Is there anything worse than having to drop a bundle on your car?? If so, I'm not sure what it could be. Try this on for size....we've been having trouble with our trusty 1998 Honda Accord for a while now. Long story somewhat shorter...the dealership kept insiting that it was the tires making the noise that sounded something like a helicopter...but I just didn't see how that was possible. I insisted that someone ride with me..."Oh, yes ma'am...that's the tires. Sorry it's so loud, but there's nothing you can do but get new tires" (which we DID NOT need). I bugged them to check it out...insisting that I didn't think it was the tires, but they wouldn't budge. So, we dropped $350 on new tires at Sam's...drove out of Sam's parking lot....SAME LOUD NOISE!!!!!!! It's so loud that we can't hear each other talk...turn the radio up SO loud to even be able to make out the lyrics, etc....Well, I drove out of Sam's parking lot straight to the Honda dealership. I told them that we got new tires..."Oh, yes ma'am...that's the only thing you could do!" Then, I promptly informed him that it was making the EXACT SAME NOISE AS BEFORE! Here's what's ALMOST funny...he said, "Well, it must be something else, then!" YA THINK???????????? Oh, I was LIVID! Another guy rode with me, informed me that there was no doubt in his mind that it was a wheel barring (sp?) and that I don't even need to be driving the car. He said it was in the top 3 worst he'd ever heard. He couldn't believe that the other guy that rode with me before thought it was the tires. So, thank to their incompetance, I've been endangering my family EVERY DAY FOR THE PAST 2 MONTHS! I left the car, they said they'd fix it for $320-something and I said, "NOPE!" I informed them that since I'd taken their word for it, after practically begging them to try and look at other things besides the tires, and spent $350 on new tires, I no longer had $320 to spend! We argued, he didn't budge, I lost it, got Jarrod to call, he got them down to $147, and we're now done with the Honda dealership forever. But, we're riding in peace.

Now, from one of the worst afternoon's to one of the best. So, you all know by now that Tuesday is Nana day...the kids go after school and stay until bedtime with the in-laws. So, I have a long overdue gift certificate to the new Spa at the Shoals that Jarrod got me for my 30th birthday. Yesterday was the day! Check out the "relaxation room:"
My appointment was at 5, but I got there early to enjoy the relaxation room. Sat in the whirlpool for a while, read some of my book. Very nice. Then, the new man in my life....Tyrus. If I ever have the pleasure of getting another massage at the Spa, it will come from Tyrus. I had never had a massage there, so I just told them that it didn't matter who I saw. After it was over, she informed me that Tyrus was the most requested. I see why. It was great (though I'm quite sore today...I had some major knots in my neck, shoulders, and lower back....some of which probably developed the day before while dealing with the Honda people!!!

So, that's two days out of my life lately. I'm sure you're so glad you "tuned in!" I'll try to post sooner, and something that y'all might actually care about next time!!

WOOOOOHOOOOO!!!!!

NEW YORK Apr 18, 2007 (AP)— Sanjaya Malakar, the under-talented but unflappable singer who horrified and captivated millions in his improbable "American Idol" run, was finally voted off the show Wednesday night. "I'm fine," he told Ryan Seacrest. "It was an amazing experience." "I can promise you: We won't soon forget you," Seacrest replied.

HALLELUJAH!

Country??

Well, if we have to stomach him for at least one more week, we might as well get some entertainment out of it! This is country week, you know!! What in the WORLD will he be singing??? I can't wait to find out. I think this is the first (and only) week I'm actually looking forward to hearing Sanjaya!
Stay tuned...I still believe that before the season is over, we'll find out that Sanjaya is, in fact, a female.

Donkey Tales!

HA! I bet those of you that don't go to Cross Point to church are really wondering about the title of this post. This is the name of the children's play that we just completed. It was SO cute! The kids worked so hard, and we really enjoyed seeing the fruits of their labor! Of course, I was extremely proud of Macy. She didn't have a big speaking role, but she had 2 solos. I was so proud that she did it without any hesitation...and she was really quite good! I'm not just saying that because she's my daughter, either! Here are a few pictures from the production:


We also enjoyed some Easter fun this past weekend. My brother and his family were here, so mom went ahead and passed out easter baskets, since they won't be here this weekend for Easter. Brady's favorite gift was this frog:
Here's another one of the favorite activities at Mimi and Papa's...the boys are enjoying it together:
Lastly, what post would be complete without a picture of my little "ladies man?"
Have a great rest of the week and a blessed Easter!

My Handsome Man

I thought it was time to shift the focus from my drama queen to my handsome devil! Not a whole lot to post about, I just wanted to post a new picture of him!

We've got an interesting week coming up...Macy is out of school for spring break. I'm sure this week will produce some sort of crazy thing to post about! Have a great week, everyone!

C'mon, Vogue!

Well, I just thought I'd post a couple of new pics of my little drama queen. She's just found her sunglasses that she'd lost, so she wants to wear them all the time now....here she is posing:


There will be pics of the drama KING coming soon. For now, I'll just tell y'all a story. It's funny, but not really. I guess it just sounds funny and very typical BOY! When I picked him up from pre-school today, his teacher said that he and a couple of other little boys had to sit in time-out for wrestling on the playground! WHAT? If Macy had to sit in time-out for any reason at school, it would just kill her! I guess this is what I have to look forward to. I had a little chat with him. He told me that it hurt his feelings when he had to sit in time-out. Well, guess what? Don't do anything that's going to make you have to sit in time-out, son!! He now knows the good 'ol "if you get in trouble at school, you'll get in trouble at home" rule!

One last funny about him....now, keep in mind he's THREE. Today, I asked him if he wanted me to send $1 for pizza or if he wanted me to pack his lunch. He informed me that he wanted me to pack his lunch because "I don't feel like pizza today." Sheesh!

Before Hyperactivity Sets In

I thought I'd share the sweet scene that I encountered when I went in to wake Macy up this morning.

It's this type of sweet calm that I enjoy briefly before I pick her up from school and utter chaos ensues!!

More On Growing Up...

Well, check her out. She lost her first tooth a little over a week ago. She pulled it herself! Wow... it really makes her look grown up.

Also, we're officially out of diapers/pull ups at my house (with the exception of overnight...he wakes up dry most mornings, but I really don't want to change sheets in the night, and since he crawls in our bed in the middle of the night most nights, I don't want to change OUR sheets)! It's bittersweet....I don't have a baby anymore, but the good news is, I DON'T HAVE A BABY ANYMORE! It's so nice that he'll just go to the potty on his own! I wondered if this day would ever come! I have Macy's grown-up looking picture posted, but I don't guess I'll post a picture of Brady in his underwear in case there are any perverts looking at this blog! :o)

Not much to report around here. Just thought I'd add a new post and get away from the somewhat depressing little book that I posted last month! Now...I have a couple of "lasts" to blog about....the last time he wore diapers/pullups and the last pictures we took of Macy with all her baby teeth! Time flies! But I'm enjoying the ride!

If You've Got A Minute...

Well, I'll go ahead and tell y'all that this might be my longest post to date. First, I'll fill you in on a couple of things going on with us lately.

Last night, I went with a bunch of girls from church to see "Dreamgirls." I've been wanting to see it, but it took forever to come here. I liked it a lot...it was a typical musical...so if you don't like musicals, you won't like it. They do sing several of their conversations (in case you didn't know, that's what happens in a musical...HA!) Also, (knock on wood) Brady has decided that wearing underwear and using the potty aren't so bad! He's been doing great with his pottying....FINALLY! I think it clicked. Just one accident in the past several days! Yippie!

OK...now for the lenghty part! I took the kids to the library yesterday, and I found a book that I want to share. The title caught my eye, and then, the author. Karen Kingsbury. My mother-in-law is big into her books, so I was interested in what she had to offer in a children's book. It is great! If you don't have kids, you might not give a rip about this, but if you do...I think you'll enjoy it! My only mistake was not reading it myself before I sat down to read it to the kids! It was all I could do to muddle through it without crying like a baby! Enjoy!!

Long ago you came to me,
a miracle of firsts:
First smiles and teeth and baby steps,
a sunbeam on the burst.
But one day you will move away
and leave to me your past,
And I will be left thinking of
a lifetime of your lasts...

The last time that I held a bottle
to your baby lips.
The last time that I lifted you
and held you on my hip.

The last night when you woke up crying,
needing to be walked,
When last you crawled up with your blanket,
wanted to be rocked.

The last time when you ran to me,
still small enough to hold.
The last time that you said you'd marry
me when you grew old.
Precious, simple moments and
bright flashes from your past--
Would I have held on longer if
I'd known they were your last?

Our last adventure to the park,
your final midday nap,
The last time when you wore your favorite
faded baseball cap.

Your last few hours of kindergarten,
those last days of first grade,
Your last at bat in Little League,
last colored picture made.

I never said good-bye to all
your yesterdays long passed.
So what about tomorrow--
will I recognize your lasts?

The last time that you catch a frog
in that old backyard pond.
The last time that you run barefoot
across our fresh-cut lawn.
Silly, scattered images
will represent your past.
I keep on taking pictures,
never quite sure of your lasts...

The last time that I comb your hair
or stop a pillow fight.
The last time that I pray with you
and tuck you in at night.
The last time when we cuddle
with a book, just me and you.
The last time you jump in our bed
and sleep between us two.

The last piano lesson,
last vacation to the lake.
Your last few weeks of middle school,
last soccer goal you make.

I look ahead and dream of days
that haven't come to pass.
But as I do, I sometimes miss
today's sweet, precious lasts...

The last time that I help you with
a math or spelling test.

The last time when I shout that yes,
your room is still a mess.
The last time that you need me for
a ride from here to there.
The last time that you spend the night
with your old tattered bear.

My life keeps moving faster,
stealing precious days that pass.
I want to hold on longer--
want to recognize your lasts...

The last time that you need my help
with details of a dance.
The last time that you ask me for
advice about romance.

The last time that you talk to me
about your hopes and dreams.
The last time that you wear a jersey
for your high school team.

I've watched you grow and barely noticed
seasons as they pass.
If I could freeze the hands of time,
I'd hold on to your lasts.

For come some bright fall morning,
you'll be going far away.
College life will beckon
in a brilliant sort of way.
One last hug, one last good-bye,
one quick and hurried kiss.
One last time to understand
just how much you'll be missed.
I'll watch you leave and think how fast
our time together passed.

Let me hold on longer, God
to every precious last.