The Last Gift - Cancer Cannot Erase Memories

Today marks 2 months since my Dad passed away.  I wanted to post this earlier, but I'm still having trouble handling everything.  I spent my birthday this year (my bday was April 16th) in Florida helping to care for my Dad.  At the time, he was aware and able to communicate.  It was so special to be with him, but I did not want to actually "celebrate".  My Dad was NOT happy.  He was not happy that he wasn't well enough to get me a gift or do anything special with me.  For me, I was just happy to be with him.
Anyway...what I didn't realize was that my Dad asked my stepmother (who is an awesome seemstress/quilter) to make me a quilt.  He picked out the fabrics and pattern.  He said it was "bright and happy". 

They gave this to me when I arrived in June for his memorial service.  While my heart breaks, I am so happy to have this final special gift from my Dad. 

Paxton's 4th Birthday Party

Paxton had a Disney Planes themed 4th Birthday.  He had so much fun.  At the last minute he decided he also wanted a Spiderman party--so we compromised by having a Spiderman cake.  :)

Paxton had a great time celebrating with his friends

 

We bought this last year and the kids loved it!

They painted wooden airplanes as well.

Food table

Party favors

 

Spiderman cake

The Burn Series- Review

My friend Christy recommended this series and since I love to read and we usually like the same books...I bought it right away.  It helps that the first book is only $.99 at amazon! 

Description of book one-  The Burn:

The Burn is full of nuclear fallout, roving gangs, anarchy, unreliable plumbing. That's what Terra's father tells her. She has lived her whole life in comfort in a colony at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean. She hates it. And she would pay any price to leave. But when Terra finally escapes the colony, she finds out her father is right. She finds a group of survivors that quickly become friends, and every day with them is a race for survival. But then she witnesses and commits unspeakable acts, and she must decide where her loyalty lies: with the colony she despises or The Burn, where every day is filled with nightmares.

My thoughts on the series....
I really liked it.  While the premise could be compared to the Hunger Games or Divergent, it was different.  I liked the story, but thought the love story and storyline between Terra and her mother was odd and I really didn't like it.  I read all 3 books in about 2 weeks and found I didn't want to put them down, but I was a little disappointed with the end of book 3.  Overall...worth the read. 

Paxton's 4 year old interview

Every year, I interview my kids and record their answers in an interview book.  I love looking back over their answers.  Here are a few of Paxton's.
1.  Favorite Color:  Red
2.  Favorite movie:  Teen Beach Movie and Spiderman
3.  Favorite Song:  Girl like Boys like Me and I can't stop singing from Teen Beach Movie
4.  Favorite game:  Hide and Seek
5.  Best Friends:  Mommy, Daddy, and Mia (I hope he always thinks this)
6.  Favorite thing to sleep with:  Soft blanket (he has a soft planes blanket).
5.  What I want to be when I grow up:  "I want to be the man that works at the hospital and helps the babies"

NIV Fast Facts Bible Review

 

I agreed to review this book for book look bloggers, but the review is my opinion. 

 

I love reading.  I read everything, including the bible.  I thought this would be a great book because I love fun facts.

I was both happy with this book and also disappointed.  I was disappointed with some of the facts.  I didn't find them to be as interesting as I had hoped.  Some were great---others were just ok. 

I was; however, very happy with the quizzes.  I found that although I had finished the book, I really didn't comprehend as much as I had hoped.  The quizzes really helped  me understand more. 
I think this book would be great for a Sunday School class or bible study. 



Busch Gardens and Water Country USA

We went to Busch Gardens and Water Country USA last month and had so much fun!  It was one of our best family vacations.  The kids were fantastic and the parks were awesome. 

Busch Gardens Williamsburg was very clean.  They had rides for every age in each country.  The lines were short and the kids had a great time.  I love that they were holding hands on the dinosaur Ferris wheel.

Water Country USA was also awesome!  The kids had a fantastic time.  We will definitely go back.  Mia is a great big sister- helping Pax with his life jacket. 

My cutie at lunch...watching the Aquabatics show. 

Relay for Life Recap

June 13th was the Relay for Life in our county.  Unfortunately, it was raining so the turnout was not as great as I had hoped.  But....we had fun and hopefully, they raised a lot of money for Cancer!

We wear blue for our Dad/Grandpa!  Colon Cancer Awareness

Dad's luminary

I made some pony tail holders for my friends Amy/Julie's family team. 

Mia and her cousin Lily had fun even in the rain. 

Build a Bear Fun

For Mia's preschool graduation, Mia received a gift card to Build a Bear.  It was so much fun!

Wordless Wednesday

Reasons my Toddler is Crying:  His Milk was Cold.

 

 

T ball picnic

Again...better late than never.  Paxton's t-ball party was June 14th and we had a great time! 

They even had rides!  Here are Chris and Mia on the swings

Pax is coming down the slide

Mia loved the pony races

These two really are BFF's

Mia climbing up the obstacle course.

 

Fun day!