A is for Apple

With school starting back I started to get the itch!  After teaching 1st grade for 6 years I miss the lesson plans and being creative on a weekly basis.  So the Clayton Curriculum began :)  I decided we would do a letter a week.  We read a lot of fun books like Ten Apples Up On Top by Dr. Seuss and we even made a book about Adam and Eve.  We sang songs like our ABC's, and The Ants Go Marching.  Here are some pictures of some fun things we did with the letter Aa!

 We ate yummy food like apple cinnamon oatmeal, animal crackers, applesauce, and alphabet cereal

 We made the letter Aa with glue and sand

 We did apple paintings by cutting an apple in half and dipping it in paint.  By the time I got my camera out Luke was all done so I only captured Madison painting.  They both LOVED this!

 So fun!

 I think Madison filled up 4 papers!

 We made an alligator puppet and sang "5 Little Monkeys teasing Mr. Alligator ~Can't catch me!"

 We had apple snacks with peanut butter and raisins

A is also for Aquarium!!!

 I wanted to take a "field trip" each week to a place that starts with that letter.  My mom, sister, her boys (Austin, Parker, and Dylan), and Luke, Madison, and I drove to Atlanta to meet my brother, Ryan, at the Georgia Aquarium!!  I was AMAZED at the place!  If you haven't gone yet plan a trip!

 We went to the dolphin show!!  It made me want to be a dolphin trainer when I grow up :)  

I think God had other plans and I am glad he did!

 Luke kept saying "Wow!" when the dolphins jumped out of the water

 The water was reflecting on the ceiling and Madison was amazed!

 So many fish!!!

 Buddies

 This tunnel was awesome!  You walk through it with all the huge fish swimming right over your head!  Sharks!  Stingrays!

 Getting them both to look and smile these days is a huge accomplishment :)

 My favorite room!  So cool!  You felt like you were swimming with them!

 Luke and Madison weren't too sure about being able to touch these!

 Penguins!!

 We got their faces painted!  They both sat so still!  Madison was trying to figure out all of the paintings this lady had on her :)

 Luke got Nemo, Austin got a whale, and Madison was suppose to get Elmo but it looks more like a blowfish/crab!

 The Aquarium had a neat playground!  You could go down this huge whale slide!

 The playground was a nice break so mom and Jen could feed the boys and let them get out for a few minutes.  We had to have at least them contained to keep up with the other 3!!

 Austin getting ready to touch the stingray!

 Parker and Dylan were perfect!!!  They just chilled and enjoyed all the beautiful colors and lights!

 Gabby with Austin, Madison, and Luke in the fish bowl!

 Austin and Luke checking out the albino alligator

 These dolphins are all over Atlanta!  We stopped to get our picture with one on the way out.

 Just one more because these 2 are so stinkin' cute!!!

 Then I tried to get Austin in on the picture and this is what happens!!  Madison is done and walking away, Luke is climbing the dolphin, and Austin is trying to show the camera a toy!  Oh well...

 My beautiful sister and her boys

I couldn't think of a better way to end our trip than with a yummy dinner at a Mexican restaurant!  Luke enjoyed the cheese dip :)

A is for All Done :)  We had a great time with Uncle Ryan and the rest of the clan!
I am ready to go back!!

I Could Live on the Lake!

A couple of weekends ago we went to the lake with Jonathan's family.  Nancy got the house through an auction at Taylors First Baptist.  We loved being with family!  We had a lot of laughs and a lot of good times on the water!  Here are some pictures from our weekend...

 Angie and a very excited Luke

 Justin giving Madison a lift

 Madison was in a posey mood :)

 This picture makes me laugh!  Luke and Madison's faces are hilarious!  Justin...at least you look good!

 Luke and Madison with Nana and Papa.  3 out of 4 looking equals success!

 Friday night we ate at Walhalla Steak House...yum!

 Justin and I finished a puzzle!!!  What a good feeling!  It was so relaxing!  We searched high and low for that last piece!!!!!  Ahhhh!

 Daddy with Luke and Madison ready for the water!!  Let's go!

 The Lee's were just around the cove so we stopped by for a visit.  Parker wanted to climb aboard with Luke and Madison!  Best buds!

 After a long boat ride she was out!  She is either 90 mph or this!  So sweet!  The funny thing is that when she woke up she starting saying "Let's go swimming!"  Zero right back to 90!  Love her!

 One of my favorite pictures!  Justin was fishing off the bank and Luke and Madison found a stick and joined him!!

 Luke giving Justin a thumbs up as he surfs

 One of those great ideas that turned out bad!  I took Madison on the float and it didn't go so well.  It was a really rough ride!!!  We made it about 100 yards before I was saying DONE!!!  I hope we didn't scar her!

 Jonathan about to JUMP!!!!

 Luke telling Remington to "shhhh"

My FAVORITE part of the lake house!  There was a big sun room with this swing!!  So relaxing, so wonderful!  What a great way to wake up in the morning...the sight of the water, the sunrise, these kids!  It doesn't get any better than this!

Bubye July

Here are just a few other things we were up to in July...

 Madison loves to dress up in her tutu skirt and Snow White heals.  She is also in a phase where she loves to do my hair and she gives amazing manicures and pedicures!  She is SO funny doing it!

 We had a garage sale this past weekend!  Austin sold donuts to raise money for his trip to Disney World!  Luke and Madison helped Austin close the sales :)  How could you say no to these 3 sweet faces?!?!?

 Luke ate 2 donuts!! I think in this picture he has one and a half in his mouth!!!

 We have done a lot of painting!

 There may or may not have been a little bit of whining going on too.  Did I mention I have two 2 year olds right now?

We have made a lot of messes in July and loved every minute of it!

Bubye July....Hello August!  Can't wait to see what fun you bring!