Feliz Cinco de Mayo!

I love to look through Emily's school bag each day to see what kinds of neat work she's done. I asked her this month about the meaning behind the construction paper chicken that was apparently stuffed with candy. She (kind of indignantly) explained to me that it was a pinata for Cinco de Mayo. She proceeded to insist that we blindfold her and break the pinata in the entryway hallway. I have no shortage of scarves to serve as a blindfold, but the only thing we could find that was suitable for whacking a pinata (that wouldn't be long enough to bust out some windows) was....a potato masher. No injuries were incurred and no animals were harmed during the breaking of the chicken pinata.

It's a pinata. Really.

A broom handle just seemed like a dangerously bad idea. She didn't seem to mind the potato masher.

Action shot!

Fortunately for her, her only-child status guarantees that she didn't have to scramble to get any candy. Well, that coupled with the fact that I don't like Now and Laters.

Happy Mother's Day!

What a wonderful day - yummy bunch with family at Uncorked, flower shopping with my husband and little girl, and more yummy supper with more family in the evening. Who could ask for anything more? Emily was so funny at the Veggie Patch while we picked out some flowers for the front porch. She likes to go around and pick up all the fallen blooms and save them. She gathered them all up and put them in her purse. After we got home, she found a vase and arranged the flowers in it, then put it on my nightstand. She said it was another Mother's Day gift for me. So sweet!

Cotton Pickin' Fair

To cap off a very busy weekend, we slathered on the sunblock and headed off with friends to the Cotton Pickin' Fair. Although we alternately roasted or got buried in windy sandstorms, we had a great time. Emily called the spider jump "fantastic fun" and sampled just about every good item that they offered. I think I can say the same for the rest of us, as well. I need to go back to work to get a little rest after this weekend! Corn dogs at a Fair are my favorite. Apparently, it's genetic.
Kicking back in her cool ride

Spider jump!

Finishing off the remains of the cotton candy in the car.

She loves to take pictures, too!

Mommy's girl - she loves a hat!

Turkey Legs and Fairy Dust

After soccer, we headed over to the Farr House to pick up Abby and took both girls to the Renaissance Festival. Donald and I haven't been in years and the girls were excited to try their hand at jousting. We had a great time chowing down on turkey legs and taking in the sights of the Renn Fest. The people watching was supreme and both girls came away with some great prizes. Fortunately, the rain held off and it was nice and cool. We even got to see the King and Queen! First stop - turkey legs!
Everything comes in purple.

Two little imps

Going for a ride

Little Mona Lisa - her head didn't get stuck in this one!

Abby as a brunette

Lovely Abby with her new parasol

They STILL make these things! I should get a new one.

Abby and her handsome knight.

Both the girls love the animals

So eager.

Emily liked the quiet puppy the best.

Just a swingin' - she had to let Abby go first to see what it was all about!

Brave Abby

Getting a hug from Mother Goose

Soccer - Second Attempt

The second attempt at soccer worked out much better. Rain threatened, but never materialized and Emily had a great time running drills with the other members of her team. Coach Mike and his assistants did a great job at keeping the kids engaged and active for an hour. After a quick coffee stop (we had to be at the field so early that I didn't get enough caffeine!) we ran by the Farr House to pick up Abby for an afternoon of fun. Great way to start the weekend!

Love this picture. Looks like she just pulled off a great header!

Dribbling with Daddy. It's funny to me that she's been able to dribble forever.

Doing some warmups with Coach Joy

Taking a little break

My favorite picture. So much happy on her face!

Love the cool Dora water bottle. What don't they put her face on?

Soccer - First Attempt

Emily arrived for her first soccer game with the largest entourage of any other muppet on the field - Mommy, Daddy, Mimi, Papa, Abby, and Granddaddy all came out to support her. Unfortunately, she only had about five minutes of playing time before the bottom absolutely fell out - frog choker, gully washer, pine knot floater....whatever you want to call it. It was the coldest rain that I've ever felt! We ruined two umbrellas and nearly drowned trying to get all of us back to the car. I was able to snap one picture of her before we left the house and then another soggy one when we returned home. She was a really good sport about the whole thing and is excited to strap on her boots and head out to the pitch again. Check me out with the cool soccer lingo! You'd never guess that 12 years after marrying Donald I still can't tell when the players are off sides. What does that really mean, anyway?

Classic soccer pose with her cool purple ball

A little soggy, but happy
Love the socks and shoes!

Bathing Beauty

Emily and Abby are going to take swimming lessons this summer together - well, different classes but with the same teacher. She asked that we purchase the girls swim goggles and bathing caps. Emily was excited to discover that goggles come in her signature color. She wasted no time trying them on and wearing them around the house. The swim cap has me a little worried....how will we ever cram all of that hair underneath that little bitty cap? Also, I'm struggling with the urge to glue sequins and flowers all over it, like a 1940s bathing queen. You know how handy I am with a hot glue gun!

Yellow River Game Ranch

Emily's class took their annual trip to the Yellow River Game Ranch and Donald and I were able to go along for the ride. She had an excellent time petting all of the animals and sharing her animal crackers with them. I think she ate as many animal crackers as she shared with them, but who's counting? She was absolutely exhausted by the end of the day, even though she took a nap in the car on the way home. Come to think of it, we were both exhausted, as well!

Let's get this party started!

Feeding frenzy at the front gate. We learned that deer love broccoli.

A little fruit to balance out the cracker-carbs.

Watch out for the teeth! Abby learned this lesson the hard way!

Eat the cracker, not the fence!

Possibly the best picture of the day.

I love this!

Spending time with the pigs. Very bristly!

Little Miss Doolittle

She was so proud of catching the rabbit!

Posing with a friend

The peacock showed off for us. He screamed all day long!

Visiting General Lee's house. Emily told us he must have died. We finally realized that she thought the marker out front was his tombstone! Not quite sure what this pinup girl pose is all about.

A change of clothes and it's time for lunch! She asked that we close the back of the car so that no one would see her "nakedness."

She was too punch drunk tired to even smile for a picture at this point. Time to head home!