Tulip tree

Our neighbor has this tree in his yard.  I think it is a Tulip tree but one of my friends told me recently that it is a Magnolia tree.  I am awful at identifying trees and flowers so I don't know what it is.  What I do know is that is blooms once a year, usually in April, but since we have had such a cold spring I think it was delayed a bit.  It looked so pretty the other night I took Hailey outside with me to take a few pictures of the pretty tree and my pretty girl.

She was all about making up poses and trying to climb up in the tree.  It is not a super strong looking tree so I tried to discourage the climbing and mauling of it as much as I could.

Then she asked if she could take a picture of me.  My hope is that one of my kids acquires a love of photography.  I had a camera of my own by the time I was the boys' age.   They don't seem interested at all yet.  Maybe all the time they have had to spend in front of the camera has soured them to the point of never wanting to be behind one. 

So even though I looked like begungga, I handed over the camera to my girl to snap away.  After taking one accidental photo of the ground she did a pretty good job.

Mother's Day

 

We celebrated Mother's Day last weekend pretty low key which was totally fine with me.  The morning started off with a fabulous breakfast in bed prepared by chefs Hailey and Daddy.  Evan and Hailey gave me gifts and cards they made in school.  Since Spencer is a big middle school kid now, they don't make gifts for their mommas! Sad face.  

 

 

Since it was a nice day, we went to the store and picked out some annuals so I could fill the flower pots.  Daddy and Hailey worked a little bit on the garden and then later in the afternoon we went over to my mom's house with a bucket o' chicken.  

 

I wanted to get a photo of both me and my mom with the kids, but our photographer (Trent) had to run back to the chicken shack because they shorted us our box of chicken strips.   When did my babies get so big?  Spencer is almost as tall as I am!

After dinner the kids took a quick dip in the hot tub.  I can't believe that they still like to play with that ancient Little People boat and the Jaws shark - but they love it and always have.

After they got out of the hot tub, Hailey spotted Chippy running around in the back yard.  They quickly grabbed some seeds to try to entice the little guy up near them.

That is one fearless little chipmunk.

On the way home we made a detour so we could take a spin down by the lake.  We saw a big ship making its way into the channel and drove down there for a better view.  It was packed full of people along the wall - I guess we weren't the only ones with that idea.

All in all, it was a great day.

Note

I had to take my mom into the hospital very early this morning for an out patient procedure.  I left a note on the counter telling the kids that their lunch boxes and water bottles were in the fridge and to have a great day and I will see them all after school. 

 

I got home and found a return note that made my day.

 

I know it is probably hard to read.  The top little writing say Thank you Mom - love you - Spencer.

Then Hailey and Evan divided the paper in two parts for their notes.  Evan's said Thank you for the lunches.  I made a waffle. E

Hailey's says Me and Evan love you so much - I do not like candy any more - I do not have time.

I cracked up at Hailey's "I do not like candy any more" she is all worked up because she has to go to the dentist and get a filling done tomorrow after school.  Every time this happens she always swears off candy.  Obviously it doesn't stay out of her mouth for long.

Pretty

Just fooling around outside before the rain starts - with my camera and my baby girl.

 

I love her gappy smile and the gigantic teeth that are making their way into their new spots.

Maybe Spring has finally arrived after all!