60 years on 8/22/10

My mom's 60th birthday was last Sunday. I think that is a reason to celebrate, however she was not on board. She was adamant she did not want a big party. She would have really much prefered that my dad take her on an Alaskan cruise (Yea, that didn't happen either). Since we knew it would be impossible to pull off a surprise party we just invited my mom's closest friends and we met at Bruffs for a late lunch last Sunday.

My mom's BFFs Brenda & Aunt Rosemary

Jacinda (Brenda's daughter), my sister, DeAnn, Cierra (Jacinda's youngest), and Kaitlyn (my niece). DeAnn & Jacinda were childhood best friends and now Kaitlyn and Cierra are friends.

Mom getting ready to blow out her candles.

Madelyn, my niece Aubrey, and Lakin (Devin's daughter)

Bryce (Devin's son), Jim & Brenda Kahle (Jacinda & Devin's parents and my parents BFFs). My parents and the Kahles all graduated from CGHS. My mom and Brenda have been best friends since before then.

Terry & DeAnn

Devin (Brenda's son), his wife Becky and my mom chatting. Devin is two years older than me and we were great buds growing up.

And this one is posted again because I couldn't get the dang thing to delete!

And Like That He was Gone. :(

A couple weeks ago we noticed a kitten living in the gutter across the street. I observed him/her for a few days and noticed there was no mama to be found and he/she was very, very thin. One evening Madelyn and I took post beside the gutter to see if we could get close to the kitty. I brought a bowl of milk to lure the kitty in and before long Madelyn was able to touch the kitten. This ritual went on for a few evenings and before long the kitten became "Jack" (we like to recycle names), and was living in the bushes beside our house and getting a daily dose of cat food. Although he would still venture over to the gutter because as we soon found out he had a sibling.

Madelyn looked forward to seeing Jack each morning and evening (as did I). We had warned Madelyn to not to get too attached because he would likely get hit by a car or eaten by our dogs. I tried to convince myself I wasn't getting attached either. One evening as I was returning from my run I noticed a lady sitting near the gutter petting "Jack." I tried to place my claim on "Jack" by telling her we were feedig him, and she soon went on her way. On Friday evening we did not see Jack when we got home, but I put food in his bowl anyway hoping he would return. This morning the food is still in the bowl and "Jack" and his sibling are nowhere to be found. I have a feeling that lady came back and took them home. I know "Jack" will likely have a better home with her and possibly won't have to fend for his life around cat killing dogs, but I have to admit I was getting just as attached as Madelyn if not more so.  I told Madelyn that "Jack" is gone and she stuck out her lip and pouted for a second and then went on about her merry little way, if only I could be that carefree. I should know better than to get attached to some animal. Living on a farm I learned quickly that what you love today may very likely be dinner tomorrow (don't worry we did not eat Jack).

Girl Scouts

With no encouragement from either Ryan or me, Madelyn decided to join Girls Scouts. Ryan signed her up yesterday and then told me he signed me up to volunteer at all the meetings. Thankfully the latter was a joke. Not funny to me, but Ryan thought it was hilarious.

I'm sure Ryan will be Madelyn's best customer when she is selling cookies. He will buy her out of the thin mints in no time.

Madelyn & Mama Day (rescheduled)

Pedicures

Lunch & Games at Madelyn's favorite place

Then it was off to Portrait Innovations for Madelyn's 7 year pics. That was a much longer process than we had hoped but the pics turned out darling.

We finished our evening at the Augusta city pool for Lincoln Elementary swim night.

Next year I'll make sure to check the school schedule before I plan Madelyn& Mama day so it doesn't have to be rescheduled.

Wordless Wednesday

First Day of School (that almost wasn't)

For several weeks now Madelyn and I had a mama and Madelyn day planned for Tuesday, August 17. I had scheduled pedicures, 7 year pics and lunch at Chuck E. Cheese. Both of us were looking forward to our day together. And then I got the phone call from Ryan on Monday afternoon telling me that Madelyn started school on Tuesday not Wednesday!! I'm not sure what we were thinking but we had both thought school started on Wednesday. Wouldn't that be something if a school administrator's daughter missed her first day of school because we thought school started another day. We rescheduled our Mama and Madelyn day and her first day of second grade went off without a hitch. Well except for the fact that her daddy missed our usual pics before school because he was at his school before 7:00am in the morning, and it was pouring rain so we didn't get the usual outdoor pics by the Lincoln Elementary School sign.

Madelyn reported that she had a GREAT first day in 2nd Grade!! She was so pleased that her pin was at the top of the board because she and one other child had the best behavior of the class for the day.

(This will be Madelyn's last first day of school in this school, as the new school being built should be ready to move into by the start of next year. )

And just because I love this outfit I had to take a picture of her on her second day of school.

This was supposed to be Wordless Wednesday