Milk or Orange Juice

Look at how "normal" Rachel looks. Painting, being creative, being basically herself. WELL, I had the nerve to ask her what she wanted to drink for breakfast, "milk or orange juice?" Her response was "Ummph....I have to make decisions ALLLLLL DAY long !! Can't you decide for me??? Me...Ooookkk. Knowing that whatever I choose after such a statement is going to be totally wrong and set her day off on the wrong track. Give me strength ! So I carefully respond with Orange Juice - thinking that what my daughter needs at this precise moment is a cup of Sunshine ! She responds - "Fine but please no bubbles in it!" And a good day was had by all ! I can't wait for her to be an actual teenager and not a practicing one !

Happy Birthday Blake !

Today is the day! You turned 11. Say it isn't so? Where has the time gone? Ever since you have arrived on the planet, you have been a pure joy to me. I admire your gentleman ways, your kind spirit and your calmness in everything you do. The world is a better place because of you. I am honored to be your Mom and am grateful for every day that we get to spend together as a family. Happy Birthday Blake! I love you!

American Girls !!

Here I am with my with my dear friend Teresa. I have known her since 3rd Grade. Here is Rachel with her friend Michaela. They are in the same 3rd Grade class together. Rachel and Michaela have known each other since they were 3 years old !! They are also in the same Brownie Troop together. The 3rd Friday of every month, we travel to Brentwood (about an hour from Clarksville) for American Girl Doll night at Barnes and Noble and then to Pie in the Sky for dinner afterwards. The girls get to learn about the different American Girl dolls and then participate in a craft. Teresa and I get to chat and have our own "American Girl" time. All of us girls look forward to this night for our own special reasons. Teresa has two teenage daughters. Her youngest Lauren, is a new teenager type, and in the past 2 years, we have had the pleasure of Lauren's company at American Girl night. I wonder when Rachel outgrows (pleassseee....don't grow Rachel, I love you at 8 - you are great!) American Girl night if we can still "pretend go" to AG night and eat dinner? It is a part of your childhood my sweet girl that I don't think I will be ready to part with...

No Fun for me, thanks

Blake is in 6th Grade and in his 1st year of Boy Scouts. He was in Cub Scouts and received his Arrow of Light. He enjoys Scouts very much. He wants to follow in his father's footsteps and become an Eagle Scout. He has plenty of time to accomplish this goal. Gary and I are thrilled that this is the path he is choosing. There is a lady who will come to Boy and Girl Scout Troop meetings and hold tie dye workshops. Tons of fun. I asked Blake if he was interested. He said NO, he is not intested in fun, only things that will get him a merit badge. Oh my, I don't think that was what he meant to say. I promise that you do have time to smell the campfires and have some fun along the way to earning your Eagle.

If Rachel were a teacher....

Rachel is in 3rd Grade. Below is her essay on being a teacher. Enjoy - especially my teacher cousins Nancy and Sarah in CA !)

"If I were the teacher for one day, the kids could scrapbook and do whatever they wanted. I would let them play on the roof and watch TV. After that I would let them have snack all day. Then they could play outside or inside or trash the room or they could do all three. Finally the bell would ring and it would be time to go home. By Rachel Davis."

I'm so proud.....

If Rachel had a Million Dollars she would...

1. Buy 100 books.
2. Buy art supplies.
3. Buy a big house, 5 dogs and tons of toys.
4. Buy a camera.
5. Buy a jet.
6. Buy some monkeys. (!?!)

This list was one the back of some of her homework. I love what at big thinker she was and creative right up until the monkeys !!! Yikes.....how about some ponies instead??

Happy Birthday Jada

My first born's (Jason) first born Jada celebrated her 4th birthday yesterday. We went to Fletcher's pizza in Donelson and then to Grand Ole Golf for a game of putt putt. Jada loves to play putt putt. She was so cute and no matter where the ball landed, she would pick it up and put it right by the hole and then hit it in. It was a great day! Happy Birthday Jada! We love you !

Ace of Cupcakes

We love a show called "Ace of Cakes" on the Food Channel. They do amazing cakes of all shapes, sizes and themes. So the kids thought they would try their hands at "mini cupcakes" Looks like we have a ways to go before we graduate to the "cake" size. A good time was had by all though and Gary took the culinary delights to his office because even mini cupcakes will eventually equal a big one if you eat enough of them!!

There's Nothing to Eat !!

MOM, there's nothing to eat. Yes, yes there is. You just can't see it in the pantry because "someone" has stacked boxes on top of boxes and "nobody" will move anything out of the way, so therefore, there is nothing to eat. So I have solved this dilemma. I emptied the pantry into the dining room. So now my precious family you must move away from the pantry and actually look and see what wasn't in the pantry and eat it before I go to the store and buy anything else. The phrase "can't see the forest for the trees" comes to mind right about now.

Believe or not...Honey's been found

Gary is a hero...late last night, he found Honey hiding under our couch. Though it is a little creepy to know she has been roaming the house free for a week...ugh!! But we are all smiles again. The Zoo here at Davisland is all in tact once more, the hamster, dog, turtle and fish are all safe for the moment !

Creek Stomping

Gary's father has a farm. It is about 25 minutes or so from our house. Gary's Grandmother's house is still "standing" on it. Gary, Blake and Gary's brother Jimmy and his son Austin go dirt biking riding out there. I don't venture out there so much because I am not crazy about corncob toliet paper. But we did have a good time this past weekend walking in the creek and the kids found a log to jump off of over and over. Oreo had her some fun also....

Born to Blog

I helped my mother-in-law create her own blog called Sybarite Sisters this Labor Day weekend for her and her sisters. It was a fun experience and I couldn't imagine doing anythng better with my time than helping her get "up and running". Sure it had a few hiccups, because I am no computer "smarty pants" as Rachel refers to her Daddy, but it all came out in the wash. And Gary, the next day helped to iron out the wrinkles.

I admire Mary for her willingness to always, always try something new, to jump in with complete gusto and embrace it with sheer fun and joy. She makes me contanstly want to be a better person. Thank you Mary for being you. You are awesome and were born to blog ! Enjoy!