Trip to the Riverquarium

Today we met cousins Jason, Erika, Mackenzie, and Kaitlann in Albany at the Flint Riverquarium. We had a great time getting to visit with our cousins, letting them meet Clara, and having lunch. Mackenzie and Kaitlann are old pros at going to the Riverquarium so they got to show all of the fun stuff to John.

Daddy and John in the tunnels.

John, Kait, "Kenzie" as John calls her, and Daddy looking at some fish.
John and Kenzie Jason, Kait, and Kenzie

The rattlesnake that Mommy didn't want to look at too much. John touching a turtle. Jason picked up a turtle for the kids to see. Erika and Kait checking out the turtles.
The crew looking at another exhibit. John and Kenzie checking out all the BIG fish.
John and Kenzie on top of the catfish exhibit.

Kait, John, and KenzieEven Clara enjoyed the catfish!Daddy, John, and Kenzie feeding the catfish.

Visit from Papaw, Nana, and Uncle Larkin

Friday and Saturday we had a visit from Papaw, Nana, and Uncle Larkin. We had a great time playing and getting to introduce Clara to them.

Uncle Larkin holding his new niece. Clara was born the day after Larkin's 5th birthday! Of course grandparents and uncle come with gifts for everyone. John got a cool firetruck. Uncle Larkin, Nana, and John playing with the firetruck.

Nana and John making Mommy a birthday cake.
John enjoying the batter. We enjoyed a concert Friday evening by the Three Man Band. The Princess with Papaw. Nana with Clara.

Clara is already a little Vol with her Power T that Aunt Brandi bought for her.

Satruday we enjoyed a water gun fight. It was quite a sight. Notice John has switched from the water gun to a golf club. Mommy, John, Papaw, and Clara. Clara is named after Papaw's mother, Clara Casteel, and John is named after Papaw's father, John M. (J.M.) Casteel.

John's End of the Year Program and Party

Yesterday was John's last day of school. I thought it would be a relaxing day for Mommy and Clara but that wasn't to be. Mommy had to run and get gifts for John's teachers and then be back at the school at 11:30 for the program and the party. Since John had not been to school the week before I wasn't prepared for all of this. Mommy was prepared for a morning nap, oh well! It was cute with the kids singing songs, a slide show of pictures from the year, and a pizza and ice cream party. We have next week off and then summer session starts. John will only go the month of June since we will be moving but it will still be nice to have a little bit of a break.

The kids singing their songs.

Enjoying the pizza (John actually enjoyed 4 squares)
Clara enjoyed her brother's program and party too.
Ice cream, yummy!
John surrounded by the girls, pretty smart huh?Organized chaos of trying to get a group shot. John getting his end of the year present.

Opening up the presents. The teachers got them a book and a new package of underwear. I thought that was a great idea. They have worked hard on the potty training and John goes better for them than for me.

Clara One Week

Yesterday Clara was one week old. Hard to believe she has been here just a week. Here are a few pics from yesterday.

Daddy finally came home after delivering a baby.
Mommy had to inform daddy that you don't get in between big brother and little sister. If you are in the way, John just squeezes right in.
Doing a little posing.

Survival

Today was my first day on my own without Burt to help. I am happy to say that I survived. It actually went very well. John was great. He helped me and we played while Clara slept. He helped me give Clara a bath this morning. He normally wants to go outside all of the time and will just walk outside without asking. Today, he asked and he was able to play in the backyard some by himself. He did take the liberty of getting the tractor in the garage and driving it through the house to the backyard. We all three were able to take a nap at the same time for a short while as well. My friend Laura brought over dinner which was yummy! She even brought over chocolate covered strawberries which I LOVE!!! We then did go outside to play. I put Clara in the travel swing and we sat in the garage. Now the funny thing is that I thought I would have some help this evening. Wrong!! Burt has a patient in labor and is still at the hospital. So I got John in the bath, teeth brushed, and then Clara and I went to his room for us all to read books together. Now the night shift begins!!

Our Chocolate Covered Strawberries! Yummy!John enjoying his first chocolate covered strawberry. He said Daddy could have One, the rest are for Mommy and John.

The protective brother watching the television in Mommy and Daddy's room. The princess in the swing.

Saturday Visitors

Saturday Grammy, Grandad and Nana came for a visit to meet Clara. Nana is one of Clara's namesakes. Nana's name is Billie Ruth and Clara's middle name is Ruth as well.

Here is a four generation picture - Front row Nana and Clara, Back row Grammy, John and Dad

Where will you find John? Right beside his sister almost all of the time. He absolutely loves her. Yesterday he was playing outside and ran inside. I asked what he was doing and he said, "I had to give Clara a kiss." He then ran back outside to play. He is always stopping by to give her a kiss. Now he will not give his mom a kiss though.

Nana and Clara

Grandad and Mommy joined in a picture as well.

Happy Birthday Mommy!

Yes, today I turned the big 3-0! I decided I wasn't going to focus on the number but on the actual celebration. John and Burt threw me a little birthday party. John was so excited when they got back with the cake that he woke me up from a nap yelling Happy Birthday! Although my naps are pretty precious right now so is he that he was so excited for his Mommy's birthday! John dipping into the cake!
John likes some cake, well the frosting!

Opening a present! John enjoying Mommy's cake!