"Dixie Darling" takes the crown....

The high school has a Relay For Life Cancer fundraiser every year known as the "Womanless Beauty Pageant".  We were first introduced to it a couple of years ago after being encouraged by his teachers, Elder Son competed in it during his 7th grade year, once was enough for him....he did not enter again.  

This year, Middle Child was encouraged to enter .....he's a bit more of a ham for sure, so we all felt certain he could work the crowd and table of judges.

And we were not wrong.  He did just that. 

 His stage name was "Dixie Darling", a true southern belle complete with auburn colored braids (the wig is from a Daphne (Scooby Doo) get up that is several years old and once a wig is stuffed in a toybox for years on end it gets a bit unruly....so the only thing we could do with it was make a couple of braids!).  Dixie struted the stage like a pro, and upon reaching the end of the runway, pulled her dress up just high enough to show a little leg, which brought many catcalls from the crowd and no doubt added extra points from the judges.  The nerves got the best of her as she did "just okay" during her interview question on stage, but later came back as a strong competitor during the dance improv portion of the pageant.  Showing moves NEVER BEFORE SEEN ....especially for someone in a pageant  gown.  It was the dance improv that brought about many a wardrobe malfunction for the contestants.  

She may not have been the tallest contestant, or had the most buxom body, or the best spray tan, but in the end, Dixie Darling was crowned the hands down winner.  And most importantly, came home with a sash, crown, and allowed her to win not one, but TWO goodie bags filled with candy.  Eventually, though, enough was enough and Dixie Darling's inner diva showed herself as evidenced in the photo below.  I was merely trying to capture this golden moment for the record books, needing one more picture of Dixie, who was clearly exhausted from the days events.....afterall, it's hard being a pretty girl with an itchy dress, hot wig, and waterproof longlash mascara holding you down.       

  

Middle Child, it's sad but true, this photo will come back around again sometime, like Senior Year when you least expect it.  But you did outstanding, gave many people a good laugh that afternoon and raised a lot of money for Relay for Life.....I am proud to call you my little "Miss Womanless 2012". 

Now it's time to put your helmet back on and hit somebody at football practice today! :)

The field trip where I was thankful they didn't offer the kids real military bayonets....

Baby Girl's class took a field trip to the American Village this week, where "students step into history and discover the power and drama of America's journey for independence, liberty and self-government". 

They offer a great hands on lesson into our Nation's history, just a few pics from our events of the day:

Nothing beats good ol' George...I mean, really, where would we be without him? 

After learning their mission in a secret meeting, the students carried a letter to the wife of Paul Revere to implore with her to notify her husband to give a warning!

Baby Girl even had a short lesson in 18th century dance!

Holding court, and then voting as delegates to determine our independence.

Doesn't this photo make you want to go ring that bell? And watch their legs shake like jelly just like in the cartoons?  Oh, no, well, maybe it's just me.

Our fearless "infantry" learning how to properly carry, load and shoot their muskets and march forward together.

Baby Girl had a great time, as did her mama.  It's just one of those trips that makes you feel so proud to be an American, so thankful for the freedom, so thankful we have an Independence Day to CELEBRATE! 

Even FAMOUS people love Golden Eagle...

We recently took a trip to Albany, GA....birthplace of legendary singer, Ray Charles. He's sitting at a baby grand while his music plays from speakers all around the plaza and piano key benches extend through the park. I couldn't resist taking his picture with a little syrup....maybe it can be a new tradition. Who knows where Golden Eagle might wind up next! ;)

Egg Hunt Surprise

So here's the deal, my kiddos are getting older every Easter...weird, I know, but apparently this is what happens. ;). I am learning to deal with it in my own way....hence the hours of crying in my closet in the fetal position. But alas, I am determined to make the most of these years I have them all to myself, so I suck it up and come out of the closet, most of the time. Or at least for major holidays, like the celebration of the Risen Lord....which we all know goes hand in hand with an egg hunt. Right?

Anyway, we usually spend Easter with my mother's side of the family, at one of my favorite childhood sleepover spots, my Granny Bunt's homeplace. However, this year we celebrated with my husband's mother's side of the family at his grandparents home. I knew the kids would enjoy getting to spend time with their great grandparents as well as their little cousins. We all enjoyed dyeing and then hiding the eggs for the much younger cousins......I anticipated this egg hunt phenomenon would be lost to my aging kiddos, and I was right.

But with a little help from pinterest, the egg hunt was reconstructed to better fit the needs of those older aged easter basket toting egg hunters.  In fact, newfound traditions have been made, moments seared into our minds, along with lots of laughter shared.....all over a few dollar store finds to create a "glow in the dark" egg hunt. Which was fun, but the impromptu, find yourself an adult partner, "glow in the dark egg toss" was the cherry on top!!!

Below I have a few photos....flash on, flash off. And again, flash on, flash off. The glowing eggs were SO MUCH FUN....an idea I'm sure we will use again this summer for some nighttime entertainment.

                                     

Pretty cool experience executed with ease which left behind some rockin' memories!!!

This photo just makes me sad

I wanted sweet little cuddly babies not half grown men who shave.

Somebunny sure is cute....

In fact they are both adorable!

Tumble girl....

Recently, Baby Girl tumbled in a pre-match exhibition before the University of Alabama Gymnastics meet.  She was excited, it's been a couple of months since her last competition, and this was a big stage afterall....flipping right on the floor where the collegiate gymnasts were about to compete! Her club participates every year, and even though it's a really short exhibition, she looks forward to being a part of this!  Tumbling her heart away on the floor and while she's on the sideline waiting her turn, she dances her heart away as well. :)   The song they performed to this year was Kelly Clarkson's, "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger"....as noted in the last photo.  If only Marilyn McCoo and the Solid Gold dancers were still around, I'm sure she'd be getting a call.  

To all my PEEPS...

have a great weekend!

Golden Eagle tablescape

My mother's church recently hosted a ladie's day event.  Several church ladies were responsible for decorating a table for the luncheon.  Mom wanted to use her blue depression glass plates and knew that although beautiful alone, she would need something to add to them....and she chose Golden Eagle as the perfect accessory. :)  Her table was a big hit, and the first to fill up with guests! We even made little salt and pepper shakers for the occassion. And her guests were pleasantly surprised to find out their table came with it's own special soppin' dip for their tea biscuits....golden eagle syrup and butter! And they were even more surprised when they realized their small token gift was not just the miniature bottle tied to their napkin, but they went home with one of the large jars as well!

Golden Eagle Syrup....it looks good any way you serve it! ;)

A living hope.

Easter is here!  Well, actually it's here everyday, we just celebrate once a year. :)   This month's verse to hide in your heart pretty much sums up why there is any hope for the human race.  We are a sorry bunch of sinners, this world is filled to the brim, but be certain, as evil as it has become, there is HOPE.

A living hope.

All because a Father allowed his Son to die for you....and then her arose from the dead, giving us life.
Celebrate with your colored eggs, baked ham, plastic grass and chocolate bunnies....but don't forget to celebrate with your family the mercy given to us all through HIS LIVING HOPE.

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead"

~1 Peter 1:3