Memorial Day Weekend 2010

We spent almost an entire day putting this back in order. Somehow we cleared the entire top off, plus had one whole empty shelf by the end. I really regret not taking a before shot. Without the before picture, you really can't appreciate the after. But this is what I used my new label maker for. Anna typed and printed most of the labels for me. The second top left shelf has all of the kids school work binders and memory books from Jonathan's first year of preschool, 2006-07 until now. The kids both have a red box full of their own art supplies, a shared box of play-doh supplies, and I have my own box labelled Mama stuff. Then I have my own shelf of binders, which includes all of my teaching certification stuff, and one years worth of printed blog archives, and other such stuff. The two red file boxes have all of our household/personal files and records. On the far left there is a pullout drawer unit with paper, and other supplies like scissors, tape and glue. On the bottom far left is all of our current school supplies (the kids are enforcing a home school schedule this summer; so bizzare...not sure if it is our lack of cable or what). Anyways, next I am onto the master bedroom and bath and my closet. I am finding it hard to sleep in such chaos. I told Dave I wish he would stop buying all of this nail polish, hair supplies, lotions, costmetics, purses and shoes, etc. Sheesh. ;) I mean, how many shades of pale pink nail polish can he possibly need? PS Honey, thank you for putting up with your messy, product hoarding slob of a wife.

Dave and Anna made these chocolate fudge cupcakes this morning. Today from scratch. The frosting was so fudgy. The method of frosting, unfortunately... reminds me of little piles of dog poo. Did this stop me from eating them? No.

Anna is the Naked Chef. I really hope she learns to accept clothing.

One of the things we did this weekend was go through every scrap of work I had kept all year from both kids. There was SO much to sift through and it was so hard for me to throw any of it away. This is an example of something I couldn't justify keeping because of how bulky it was... but I loved it so much. We took a picture of it for memory keeping.

Our first trip to the beach for the summer. The kids both got right in the water. I didn't intend on going in but I wound up not only wet but soaked in muddy sand. That'll teach me to start a mud fight with Anna.

Plays well with others.

Anna kept pretending she was surfing.

I love this picture. Jonathan really got into the waves. I was hovering nearby trying not to freak and go get him out of the water. He was playing with some other kids whose parents were sunbathing and drinking (just beer, they were keeping it classy) at 10 AM and not watching their kids at all. I was not as "cool" as these parents and therefore I was really embarassing Jon.

Jonathan dug a hole. He is always industrious at the beach.

Anna and Daddy headed out to the water.

Dave and me.

Jonathan got a new Webkinz and drew a really good picture of him. His name is Flippers and he is a spotted seal. Anna thought of the name and he told her, "Thank you for giving me the name, Anna. It is such a good one." Her Webkinz is named Soft Sprinkles.

Three cousins. Anna (behind the alligator), Justine, and Jonathan.

Jonathan making friends with my oldest friend Marielle's youngest son. Marielle and I made friends on my first day of second grade at Creel Elementary. I was super scared and super shy, and she rescued me. I always had so much fun with her. She had the coolest Barbie house and we always had marathon Monopoly sessions. It was so nice to have our families meet. I told her we have to get together more often than every 12 years! I am grateful we reconnected through the wonders of Facebook.

While going through all the stuff in the dining room, I found this picture of me at age 4 (I say I actually look more like Jon in this picture than Anna) with my great-great Uncle Jim. I almost threw it out in a pile of other stuff. He was my grandpa. He was hard-working, honest, loyal, kind, and funny. He was a great example of good character for me growing up. They brought their motor home here to Florida from Oklahoma every year of my childhood, and I also went to visit them back home. Jim was a great man and my namesake (James: Jamie). I am grateful for the time he gave my Mom during her childhood and also for the time he spent with me and my brothers. They never had any of their own kids but they treated many nieces and nephews like their own. I miss him and I wish he were here to meet my kids. I regret not bringing Dave to Oklahoma to meet him before he passed away. At least he got to meet Jim's wife, Vernie, and at least Vernie got to meet and spend time with Jonathan as a baby. Vernie came to Florida and my Mom took care of her at the end. Jonathan made her so happy, as did my sweet niece Justine.