Swim Lessons

Georgia Anne completed her first week of swim lessons. Wow! She has come so far in just one week! She is totally swimming by herself, can do a correct dive, has really improved on her strokes, can touch the bottom in the deep end, can pick up objects off the bottom at about 4' and jumps off the diving board.

And today, she jumped off the high dive.....TWICE!! I am so proud of her!

Jack and Daniel have been so proud of Sissy. They cheer her on the entire time.

The boys have had so much fun swimming in the baby pool.

Jack, Georgia Anne and her swimming buddy, Will

I can't wait to see how she improves in week two. Go Georgie go!

Wordless Wednesday

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day!

Georgia Anne, Jack, Daniel and I are so proud to call Michael "Daddy." He is a wonderful husband and father and I think we are so lucky to have him as our own!

Happy Father's Day to our Dads too!

Me and Daddy - Spring 1975

Michael and Steve (at the radio station) - Spring 1973

Camp Butler: Week Two - Cooking

The second week of Camp Butler was devoted to cooking. Georgie and Jack went to Nana and Papa's church for Vacation Bible School this week, and their theme was "Shake It Up." It was a natural fit for us to learn about cooking since they were already learning about cooking at VBS.

Jack, Georgie and Elizabeth with Mrs. Heidi (Mrs. Heinie as Georgie called her...HA) on the first day of VBS.

Chef Jack

They made these darling refrigerator magnets.

Chef Georgia Anne

We also went back to the library and checked out more books pertaining to cooking. We found this neat little book about the foods that were served at the White House when Abraham Lincoln was president.

We decided to try out this recipe...
which was very good. We also learned a little history about this dish (which is basic fried chicken with a yummy gravy). President Lincoln was not much of a meat eater and for their first ball at the White House, he requested this chicken dish be served. It was the only meat dish he liked. We also learned that their two sons were sick with typhoid fever upstairs in the White House while the ball was going on.

We also baked a homemade cake for Michael for Father's Day. They really enjoyed this, especially the icing. Georgie was in charge of spreading the icing, while Daniel and Jack were in charge of licking everything in sight. (One thing is for sure, I don't think I could in good consciousness offer a piece to anyone other than us after all the licking.)

Thrift Store Find Redos

I thought I'd share a few thrift store redo projects I've been working on the past week. I LOVE finding something cheap (and usually ugly) and re-purposing it to fit my needs or decor.

I found these two lovelies at the Salvation Army. The wooden, footed bowl was $1 and the basket was only 50 cents! I haven't figured out where I am going to use the basket yet, but here is what I did with the bowl....

It got a coat of antique white paint and then I distressed it. I have been looking for something to go under my cloche and I think this is perfect.

I also found this picture at Salvation Army for only $3.25. I bought it not for the watercolor, but for the frame, since it had been professionally framed. (I actually bought 6 of these. I'll show you later what I did with the others.)

Michael and I bought this pen and ink drawing of the U.S.S Constitution when we visited Boston over a decade ago. It sat in our closet for that long and now I am glad it has a home and a new frame.

I forgot to take a before picture of this lamp shade. It was pretty boring, basic white, but it had a great shape. I cut strips of broadcloth, ruffled them, and then glued them to the shade.

And last, but certainly not least, I have been wanting a pair of antlers for a while now. I have seen them in local antique stores for upwards of $50 to $100. Well, needless to say, I didn't purchase any of those. I found these at a local flea market. My Dad made the plaque out of tiger maple and mounted them for me. I love the way they turned out! At $16 they didn't break the bank either (thanks to Daddy contributing the wood and his talent).

I've got lots more to show you, so be on the lookout!!

(Almost) Wordless Wednesday

Just Plain Tuckered Out.......

Tallassee Now!

This weekend was the Tallassee Chamber of Commerce's Tallassee Now BBQ, Cook-Off and Music Fest. We went Saturday evening to see Paw Paw and his friend, Charles perform. They did a wonderful job and the kids loved seeing Paw Paw "on the stage."

Georgie and Ella had a good time playing together.

Jack and Noah "sword fighting" with their balloon swords Mr. Bush made for them.

Jack, Georgie, Noah and Nic had the best time together!!

The BB&T Nascar was on site and the boys LOVED this!

Carl Wayne and Daniel

K-K, Joey (and Baby Girl Scarborough)

Fun at the Lake

Yesterday we took the kids to visit Michael's grandparents and enjoy a little swimming in the lake. The weather was perfect (hot, but not as hot as it has been) and the water was still somewhat cool. We had a lot of fun and the kids had a good time visiting with Grandma and Grandaddy Butler.

Just pretend Daniel isn't wearing a pink and purple life jacket/swim suit. You know he is the third child for sure. Not many first time (or second time) parents would let their boy wear this, but by the time the third one comes along, you just go with it!

Lady enjoyed watching the kids play in the water.