Dora & Diego at Tweetsie

I hate crowds.  The older I get the more I hate them.  Usually we try to avoid "special" events at large venues because there will be lots of people there.  So as much as I dislike being around lots of people, I do LOVE my children more.  Dora and Diego came to Tweetsie this past weekend which normally means I avoid it like the plague, but my two youngest children adore Dora and Diego.  So being the good Mommy that I am, we headed up the mountain to Tweetsie so Harris and Cara could see them.  We waited 15 minutes for them to appear on stage, and I even sat on the floor so they could get closer.  I did NOT wait in line for 20 minutes for the meet and greet though.  I do have my limits.  It really wasn't so bad; plus Cara and Harris were awestruck by the giant plush characters.  Chris and I had some other descriptions about them, but they aren't really words I use on the blog.  Afterwards we rode the rides of course.

 Waiting for Dora & Diego

 Still waiting...

 It's Dora & Diego!

 DORA

 DIEGO

 Awestruck

 We didn't get to ride the train this time.  It was leaving the station each time.

 We rode the Mouse Train though which was almost as exciting.

 "I see you Mommy!"

 Woo Hoo

 This was Chris's 4th ride in a row on the scrambler.  Lucky guy!

 Harris got a quarter out of his bank before we left so he could get bubble gum.  I think he was more excited about that than anything.

 It was a rare day, Nick actually smiled for the camera.

 Cara is always full of smiles.

 It's Tilt a Whirl time.  I lucked out and didn't have to ride this trip.

 I actually let Cara ride the scary ride she fell off of last year.  Notice she's in the plane rather than the copter though.

Our adventure ended a little early when it started POURING down rain.  Oh well, I'm sure we'll be back again real soon.

Basketball & Friends

Nick has been begging for a basketball goal for a really long time.  We told him to call up his Big Dan and ask him for one.  The conversation went like this.  Nick said, "Big Dan, will you please buy me a basketball goal?  I really want to be able to play."  Big Dan replied, "Of course I will Nicholas, what kind do you want?"  Nick, "A big one!"  Three weeks later, Chris drove home with the one Big Dan ordered for his first grandson.  Too bad that never worked on me.  We're still trying to decide where to put it.  Maybe Big Dan will buy us a basketball court too!

 Gee Chris, why are you trying to pull the pole apart that you just put together?  Oh, you put it in the wrong way.  So tell me again... you're hooking one end to the tractor and the other end to your truck to pop it apart? Well, at least it worked.

Not the greatest picture but man that kid has been having a blast.  THANKS BIG DAN!!!

 Look who has piggies for water day at school!

 On Friday, my college friend/sorority sister and her sweet family came to visit.  It had been almost a year and a half since we'd gotten together.  Her boys Cody and Zachary are 4 and 1.  Our kids had so much fun swimming together.

 Cody

 What a great catch!

 Little Zachary

 The princess drying off in the sun.

I miss you friend!

A beautiful end to a fabulous day!

Nick's Field Day, Terrific Kid, & Last Day of Kindergarten

Nick had his very first field day on June 6.  It was a hot, hot day.  

Good thing he was able to compete in the water race.

Next came tee ball.  

Egg & spoon race

Baton Relay Race (his personal favorite)

Go Nick, Go!

Getting ready for Tug of War

Pull, Pull

I love this!  He looks so happy.

 Nick hanging with a few of his classmates after winning 1st place in field day.

Most of you know we've had kind of a rough year with Nick.  With a lot of patience from  his wonderful kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Johnson, Nick received his 1st Terrific Kid award.  We are so proud of him.  (However, we will NOT be putting our Terrific Kid bumper sticker on the van.)

 He was happy but did NOT want his picture taken.

Nick's last day as a Kindergartner

 Nick with Mrs. Johnson - again with the not wanting his picture taken.

 WOW - Now he's a BIG first grader!