Gonna Get my Drink On...

In the beginning of the week it rained for 2 days straight and we got 6 inches of rain. Here is a view of Signal Mountain from out our front door. You don't have to wonder why they're called the Smokies! It was weird, I think it was a constant but medium strength rain until we were driving on 27 to or from work, and then it was a sudden downpour with walls of water everywhere.
Getting our Drink on...
Tonight on the way home we listened to Toby Keith's Gonna Get my Drink On. It was the last song on the radio when we got home so Katie continued singing it for quite some time afterwards. Here's a shot of the girls, while Camden's getting her drink on...
Katie was studying for her spelling test tonight. She's so much more creative than me...I would have just written the words on the board (maybe even in different colors to spice things up a bit) but Katie decided to draw a person (I think it ended up being me, she said) thinking all the words, so she drew speech bubbles with her spelling words inside. So I just had to share!
And finally, this could possibly be the last picture taken of Katie with her front top tooth in her mouth. She was up wiggling it til about 9:00 tonight and had it halfway turned around in her mouth. Last time I went in to check on her she was about asleep, so I'm hoping she finally drifted off...

The Cheesiest

Well after 2 weeks of school, this is about all we're good for on a Friday at 5:30. Eating Cheetos and vegging out on the couch watching Disney Channel. We are all exhausted...

Tonight when Katie went to bed I laid down with her and we just snuggled for a few minutes. I thought, I could just go to sleep right now. After a little bit I got up with the intention of finishing the grading of those spelling tests I've been meaning to get to. Well she was really upset and started crying (not fake tears either!) She begged me to lie down with her again, for just half the night...half of half of the night....half of half of half of the night, pleeeeeeease, Mommy? I wavered for a minute - we don't usually let her sleep with us or the other way around unless we're at a hotel or something. But my first baby wanted me to lie down with and her and snuggle, and those spelling tests could wait. I got back in bed with my arms around her until I heard her breathing change. And then I stayed a little longer.

And we're back!! Did you miss us?

I know it's been a LONG time since I posted anything. The beginning of the school year is always crazy, but this year it's seemed about 100 times crazier than normal...changing schools, districts, states, grade levels, Katie going to school all day (she's exhausted) and Wiss going to daycare...there aren't enough hours in the day. My friend Brittney always said "sleep is overrated". I love sleep, but I know what she means. Sometimes that's the only thing you can give up in order to get stuff done! We are feeling the effects of not being close to family, who have always been nearby to help with the girls. We are missing you!!!

Anyway, here's a little of what we've been up to. I'm sure I'll have more school stuff to post, but don't hold your breath waiting for it. Click here to see Korisa's site where she shows pics of my room at school which she helped me with GREATLY this weekend. It wouldn't have gotten done without her!!!

The Burdens were up to visit last weekend when Korisa helped me in my classroom. Here's a group shot of the kids. Notice what Camden is up to...
We went to the Lookouts game and this is how Camden spent her time there...just hanging out on the bleacher floor!
Here's Katie on one of the big baseballs outside the stadium.
This is Katie's Summer Reading Project. She read the book Fancy Nancy at the Museum and designed a T-shirt for Nancy to wear. Notice how sparkly it is!
This is earlier in August, the girls were dancing to music on Daddy's new iPod.

And this is them in the bathtub. I can't remember what Katie was saying to her, but Camden thought it was really funny!

Enjoy! I can't say for sure when I'll get a chance to post again, so please bear with us!
:)

Our Latest Work...

In the library/guest suite area of the basement, behind the playroom, we now have pictures on the wall and (some) books on the shelves. These are the pictures we had on our playroom wall before - the pictures of favorite kids' books:

And here's my dream come true: A wall of bookshelves! And here we thought we had so many books...see how many empty shelves there are? I must need to fill in some of my favorite collections: John Grisham, Sue Grafton, Janet Evanovich, Mary Higgins Clark, and Nicholas Sparks!

By the way, when you come visit us, the middle two shelves slide open and the bed comes out! We hear it's comfy but haven't tested it out yet!

Here are the girls in their new BIG BONED BBQ CO. t-shirts. What faces they make!

Happy Birthday, Zander!

Today we went down to Georgia to celebrate Zander's 3rd birthday! His party was at a place called the Bounce House (an indoor all inflatable party place...fun!!) The kids (and adults) had a GREAT time, as you can see!

Katie and Camden playing together

Katie going head-first!
Zander and Katie climbing up the wall
Camden's loving it!
Daddy and Camden sliding down fast!

Grandpa Ballou pushing Zander and Katie on Zander's new playset in his yard
Zander using his present from Ben...cymbals!
Grandma Ballou helping the newest band members
What a day! This is how Katie spent the ride home:

This is how Camden spent the ride home:

Like, Gag Me with a Spoon...and Summer's Over!!

Yes, Camden's latest activity is gagging herself, either with a spoon or with her fingers! Apparently she thinks this is really fun and will laugh like crazy about it when she finally stops.

Here is a picture of her this morning with her crazy hair!!

And yes, my summer is OVER!!! Tomorrow I start workshops...aren't all of you with another month left so jealous???

Another One Bites the Dust

Katie's top tooth has been loose for a little while, but really loose the last few days. She told her new friend Elizabeth today at camp that she (or her Daddy) would pull it out tonight and she would bring it to show her tomorrow at camp. See how loose it is in this picture...she actually twisted the whole thing sideways to show me! (eeewww!!)
Before
After
And would you believe it, she just pulled the whole thing out, no problem!