Georgia RenFest

The Whole Gang (Cookie, OPM, Otto, Me, B10)

We hadn’t been to RenFest in 2 years (see the 2010 pictures here), and for OPM and Otto – they had never been before, so it was quite a treat when C and Mere sent me a message asking if we wanted to go for Memorial Day – AND Cookie could come AND Doc was able to get us free tickets!  I think everyone had a blast!  NC did a great job being the only “little” kid, and once she went home to take a nap, it was a really different experience having two older kids in terms of seeing all the shows and stuff.

We were able to look in shops without worrying someone was going to break something, and spend plenty of time just wandering without DOING stuff.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

I think everyone REALLY enjoyed their time.  I can’t wait until next year, since it seems like we go every other year- and that’s to far inbetween fryed pickles!

~Mummy Butterfly  )i(

Memorial Day Pool Fun

I woke up this morning feeling worse than yesterday – I thought I had been fighting allergies, but this has gone into a full-blown head cold (with icky throat and headache).  Luckily, we didn’t have much planned this morning, so I was able to rest until about 4 pm, when I was scheduled to pick up Princess from a pool party.

Otto spent the morning playing games with B10 and OPM, and after I got back with Princess, we let everyone rest for a few minutes, before heading to the pool!  It wasn’t very crowded (at least not at first), which meant the kids had plenty of room to play.

OPM did what any normal fifteen year old would do, and sat and read her book (actually, I’m in the process of rereading my favorite book series EVER, so I had my book, too).  Otto took lots of pictures for us, though!

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Dinner tonight was BBQ Chicken and Rice, and we are likely going to have an early evening so we can be ready for church tomorrow at 8am.  Then on Monday – The Georgia RenFest!

Hope your Memorial Day Weekend is going well.

~Mummy Butterfly  )i(

Graduation!

Wearing her “Hawaiian Honor Cords”

Tonight was Malenki’s High School graduation, and a special night for our family.  While I know my Mum loves all her students, Malanki is the first one who calls her “Aunt” outside of school, and my Caterpillars call HER auntie.  (I refer to her as my baby sister.)  B10 and I went to support her (and one of B10′s other friends) as they crossed the platform.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

It was awesome to see a graduation ceremony at B10′s school, because it is so different from a public or private school’s graduation.  Each graduate’s parents are invited to speak for 2-3 minutes about their child, before diplomas are handed out (and yes – they are state accredited diplomas).  As a Mum, my thoughts went back and forth from the wonderful things these parents were saying to “OH MY GOSH – FIVE YEARS AND I HAVE TO TALK ABOUT B10!  FIVE YEARS!”.  It’s a bit scary!

I loved the experience, and B10 did a great job listening and paying attention.  Five graduates spoke (there is not such thing as class rankings at Heritage), and all of them did a phenomenal job.  I have to remember for the future, though, to get a better seat for pictures!

Congrats, Malenki!

~Mummy Butterfly  )i(

The Pool is OPEN!

B10 is helping her “jump in” and get her face underwater. She’s gonna be a PRO by Fall!

It’s been a long winter – but the pool is FINALLY OPEN!  The Caterpillars start private swim lessons (at our “home pool”) next Friday, but this week was all about FUN!

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

GO is loving the water – and B10 never had an issue, he’s a fish.  We invited Prince and Princess over on Thursday afternoon to play, and even though they couldn’t stay for long, it was a nice “official” start to summer.    I look forward to MANY more days at the pool!

~Mummy Butterfly  )i(

Family Fun

B10, GO and Me

We spent this afternoon taking a walk at the park and eating ice cream together.  School was out for GO and B10 this past week, and we are looking forward to a great summer full of fun activities.  But today was just about being together and having a quieter afternoon than usual.

Walking the Path at our local park.

B10, GO and Otto – taking a rest after our walk (over 1.5 miles!)

The Bruster’s Ice Cream store that closed about 2 years ago, FINALLY reopened, so we were able to grab a delicious treat to “finish” the afternoon.

Free Baby Cone, until she’s 3 feet tall! (That could be high school, at this rate!)

I love my B10 and GO – and I can’t wait for CW to get home to play with us again!

I love the pictures B10 takes! (His Photography Merit Badge has come in handy!)

~Mummy Butterfly  )i(

GO’s Last Day of School

Cousin Sister Sheep and GO!

It’s WATER DAY!  Lots of cute preschoolers running around getting wet!  We had a blast, I truly adore all the other parents and kids in GO’s class, so this was a sad day on some level.  I hope she has many of her friends with her next year!

ADORABLE! (And LSU colours… Sneaky of me, yes?)

We prepared monogrammed sand-buckets and water bottles for each of the kids, and they were full of toys and surprises to take home.  Pizza, fruit and cupcakes for lunch (plus Mrs. R’s snow cone machine) made the last few minutes of school an incredible delight.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

The entire 2 year old level had created a giant water area, with baby pools and sprinklers.  What more could a kid want?  (The answer: not much)

Our whole family has been blessed by GO’s preschool this year.  I’m sad to not have that group of women for the next few months, but so thankful that we’ll be back in August!

~Mummy Butterfly  )i(

Sometimes…

…you just see something you HAVE to remember for the rest of your life.  I had this posted on Facebook, but wanted to make sure it was posted here, also.  I love this picture and this reminder.  It reminds me I’m a GOOD parent, and my Caterpillars don’t need EVERYTHING.

~Mummy Butterfly  )i(

Frappe HAPPY HOUR!

LOVING that Starbucks!

It’s never to early to learn what Happy Hour is…At STARBUCKS!  Princess and Queen came with GO and I to the first day of Happy Hour!

Sweet Princess and her Strawberry Frappe

She loved the “Pink Drink” (Pink Lime Frozt)

GO wanted the “pink drink”.  It kicked my taste buds (and Queen’s) in the mouth, but she drank almost all of it.

I had the classic Mocha Frappe, sub Soy, with Whip, no Driz.

And it was only $3 total.

I LOVE HAPPY HOUR!  You have from now until May 13th, 3-5 pm every day! 

(Also, as a side note: I am looking forward to being debt-free, even if it’s almost 18 months away, because I REALLY want to be able to afford a data plan on my cell phone, so we can get iPhones!)

~Mummy Butterfly  )i(

Brother Sheep Plays Ball!

The wind was BLOWING – and GO was thrilled to be there (in team colours)!

Tonight GO, B10 and I headed out to watch Brother Sheep play ball.  It was REALLY fun, lots of good fellowship – the Caterpillars had a blast, and I think GO was especially thrilled to have Sister Sheep with her.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

I can’t wait until next year when she can play!

~Mummy Butterfly  )i(

Ken Don’t Lie

This post is only important if you love corn on the cob.  Skip it if you don’t.  Just saying.

First – watch this YouTube Video.  Delight in the Joy that is Ken.

Second – show this video to a 3 year old who then will ask you continually for corn on the cob.  CONTINUALLY.  Put her to bed promising corn on the cob for dinner the next night.  Get woken up at 7:30 am by a little voice saying “wake up, Mummy, it’s CORN ON THE COB TIME!”  Try to explain when dinner is and when it is NOT.

Third – after a LONG day, force said 3 year old to take a nap, and listen as she wakes up at 4 pm SOBBING that she has not yet purchased her corn on the cob for dinner.  Pack everyone in the car and head to Publix.  REJOICE, because fresh sweet corn on the cob is on sale!  Purchase 6 ears.

Check out our ears (pay no attention to the lack of pants).

Fourth – follow Ken’s directions exactly, making sure the 3 year old knows which number is “8″ on the microwave.  (Don’t worry, she catches on pretty quickly).

Into the microwave.

Fifth – allow 3 year old to find a stool and WATCH you cut the corn, but realize she is going to insist on “shaking” it herself.  (It’s not as hot as you would imagine.)

Shake!

SHAKE! SHAKE!

Sixth – ENJOY!

YUMMY!

She LOVED it, and it was perfect.  My only other statement is you really have to cut about an inch off the bottom of the cob and make sure you cut through ALL the husks.  The first one was tricky, but by number four, we had it down pat.  And it was delicious, not a single silk on any of our ears!

The end result. Who said corn doesn't go with pasta???

Can’t wait to make it again!  Easy as PIE!

~Mummy Butterfly  )i(