Web Files....

Early May Kennedy came home from school saying she needed to learn some lines for a play her class was putting on the last week of school. Sure. I'll help you. Only. She failed to mention she was the lead. My Kennedy. Star of the show. Apparently she was given the most lines because she is the smartest in her class and could be trusted to learn all of them without fail. She proved worthy of her task.

I have to say she is also the cutest in her class. The play is about all these mixed up nursery rhyme characters missing some food. Kennedy is the lead detective on the case "Web". Being a teacher I have to give some serious credit to the teacher of the second grade class that was able to pull this off. Hours of preparation. Every kid had every line memorized to perfection. Quite enjoyable for us parents to view.

Kennedy loved school this year. Her teacher really was amazing. She had a way with Kennedy that just made me love her. Kennedy made her this candy bar poster to give her on the last day of school.

I just realized this is the one Ethan made his teacher. Whom we loved just as dearly. We are all going to miss this little school district they have tucked away neatly in this little town. Hopefully we will be just as blessed with our new schools.

Second Skin...

We had a family movie night Tuesday. Shawn rarely gets to participate in such events. It's never anything fancy. Just a redbox movie rental and some microwave popcorn. Sometimes a little candy. My kids love movie nights. I think it's more for the popcorn they get to eat downstairs (forbidden) than the family togetherness. But, I'll take what I can get. This week Shawn rented "Paul Blart, Mall Cop". Not the ideal family movie, but still only PG. Halfway through the movie I moved over to the chair Shawn was in and snuggled up tight against him. I watched the rest of the movie that way. It wasn't until the end of the movie that I realized I was cuddled up to him still. That sounds strange when I say it out loud, but it's how I felt at that very moment. So extremely comfortable that he seemed to be like a second skin. It made me think of all the movies we saw while dating. Only. I never was able to focus on the movie because I was so preoccupied with thoughts of "will he hold my hand?". "Now he's holding my hand. I really want to adjust because my left leg is falling asleep, but if I let go what if he thinks I don't want to hold his hand anymore?" And all the excitement that goes along with new love. I've heard people say that the fire sometimes goes out of a marriage. Especially after kids. And life gets in the way. I used to think how sad it was that I'll never get that initial spark with Shawn like we had when we were first dating. I changed my mind Tuesday night. So we don't have that electricity of newness about us anymore. We have something even better. Comfort. Security. I often know what he's thinking without him even saying it out loud. We can sit for hours next to each other without saying a word, or talking up a storm for the same amount of time. Enjoyable either way. When we are involved in "life" sometimes it might appear to an outsider that while getting dinner on the table we don't communicate. Wrong. Every time he passes me he brushes past. So I know by his small touch that he loves me. Or while I'm reaching for the ketchup I put my hand on his back to steady myself. A love touch. He's my second skin. And I'm happy with that. Crazy how such a lame movie brought all this to my attention. So thanks Paul Blart. For saving the mall. And helping me remember how good I have it.

Fishy Fishy....

Swim team finished up for the school year with a banquet. It was full of food, fun, and awards. I'm so impressed with the way this team is organized. They have a great system worked out. Ethan was awarded the "hip flip" award because he's apparently mastered his flip-turn in the pool. Ethan has become a good little swimmer in a very short amount of time. However, he refuses to compete. (Deep water and him don't seem to get along. Regardless of his skill level.) Because he doesn't compete he's losing his drive. There is nothing compelling him to become stronger or faster. I'm hoping one day he'll get over his phobia and start swimming against the other little fishies. But, for now, I guess we'll just chalk it up to exercise. If I can get him to continue on a team once we move.

Circus Acts....

Last week I took Landon and Presley to the circus. Not your average circus mind you. The Kirksville Vo-Tech Preschool Circus. Jack was one of the performers. There were Lions, Clowns, and........Puppies?Yep. Cutest puppies I ever did see. The puppies performed their pieces perfectly. They begged for treats after they introduced themselves.

They each took turns showing us their "tricks". First up---crawling over, then under. Then back again.

Next up, jumping "over" the hoop. Through the hoop might have been too dangerous. Even though I'm sure these puppies were up for the challenge.

I learned a few things at this circus. I learned that Jack is shy in large group situations. He shies away from performing. I also learned that he's old enough to know it's socially unacceptable to pick your nose in public. Especially in front of large groups of people focusing solely on you. But, it's okay if you disguise what you are doing. I'm on to you Jack. You sneaky little puppy. And I love that about you.

Personality....

Presley is starting to show some serious personality. She is still a very laid back gal, but now she has places to be and things to do.

She gives new meaning to jewelry. Especially in the nasal region.

And helping Dad is as much fun as going to Disneyland. Especially when she gets to "hold" his calculator and pen.

Shawn and I are just loving this age. Personality shining without the back-talk. And small enough to tote without a struggle. Lovely.

Delivery...

This is what I had knocking on my door the Saturday before Mother's Day. 3 Dozen. I don't think I've ever seen that many flowers in one vase at one time. Shawn scored serious points this year.

Overturned....

Somber. That is how I'd describe today using one word. Somber. A tornado ripped through the north part of our small town last night. Around 6:00 last night I was giving Presley a bath. Shawn had just turned on the tv and asked "which is the bad one? A tornado watch or a warning". I continued to watch little Pres splash her way back and forth from the foot of the tub to the head of the tub, then back again. "A warning. That means they've actually seen one in the county." "Oh. Then we are under a warning right now." Calm as that he said it. We've lived here 8 years and only had 1 other warning. Tornadoes always go around us. We are invincible. As calmly as he mentioned it, I said "I guess we better get in the basement then." Shawn headed downstairs. The kids were already there doing what they always do. Me? I finished up lotioning down Presley, diapering, and getting her in pajamas. Then I headed down. Calm as can be. Only. I didn't know that this time the warnings were so significant. While I was pulling pajamas over the body of a wriggly baby Jim Robertson's dealership was being torn apart. Car by car. Flipping. Dumping. Smashing. Then the Lakeside neighborhood where all the fancy homes are. Ripped to shreds. Then the street of Bobwhite lined with duplex's. Homes invaded. All while I sauntered slowly down the stairs into my basement. So fast. Lives in upheaval. Turned on a dime. So fast. Some friends of ours called to see if they could come hang out in our basement should any more storms occur. To me it was just like having some friends over on a regular Wednesday night. Playing Wii, watching the news, talking. All while the people just north of us were watching their lives unravel in the blink of an eye. The news station was out so we were getting zero information. Rumors were spreading like wildfire by cell phone. Making sure the ones we are closest too were fine. And they all were. Minus a few shingles, and being separated from a child for the evening. Everyone was alive. And fine. At 10:00 after our kids were tucked safely in their beds because the storm threat was gone, the news station was back running local news. They were interviewing a few victims. One man and woman were glad to be alive. When they interviewed the owner of Jim Robertson dealership, the anchor man said "At least you are all alive, right?" The owner paused. And he had this look on his face. Then he said, "Yeah, but...." and then he backed away from the camera. I finished his sentence in my head. "yeah, but everything I've worked my entire life to build. All the hours I've put in making this dealership successful. All the paperwork, employees, my lively hood. Gone. We are alive, but everything is gone." That is what I would have wanted to say. Ethan was talking to me this morning and saying how it's okay because they all still have their jobs and they can just pay to put everything back together. So simple. In my mind it isn't about the money. It's the invasion. How one minute all is well and then poof. Gone. Invaded. Destroyed. Everything you've worked your whole life to build up is taken away. Do you have the energy to spend the rest of your life re-building what you had already spent so much time building the first time? Frustrating. Sad. Overwhelming. The town is really rallying together to help those directly affected. I was just in Walmart and everyone knows what I know. Everyone I passed looked into my eyes with that same knowing look. We are okay. But there are those that aren't. Somber. That is the word I'd use to describe today. The day after disaster. Somber.