Twinkie Memorial Park Playgroup

Twinkie Park got it's name via local legend.  Supposedly a mother often took her kids to the Hostess Outlet then to this park.  One of her kids asked, "Can we go to Twinkie Park?"  The name stuck.  Now that Hostess is in bankruptcy we jokingly call it "Twinkie Memorial Park."  Of course the kids don't care what it's called as long as they can play.


Isn't she adorable?!


"See Emmalee.  This is my horse."


Three Musketeers.  (We didn't know the girl in the yellow.)


This was a challenging day at the park for me.  Joseph kept wandering off and Rachel kept making friends with teenagers.  At one point she was sitting on the stairs surrounded by an assortment of kids ranging from about 10 to probably 16.  I can be labeled as overprotective.  But, with strange teenagers, including boys, I don't think I can be too cautious.  How do you instill stranger danger without ruining innocence, trust and friendship skills?  Of course Joe looks wary of everything in this picture.


Rachel is honing her sliding skills.


The slides that used to terrify her are now fun and exciting.


Her favorite is always the swings.  I told her I couldn't push her anymore because I needed to keep an eye on Joey who didn't want to swing.  Sweet inventive Rachel found someone who liked swinging as much as she does.  Piggy is a daredevil.

Feeding The Ducks

One of our new favorite summer activities is going down to Daybreak and feeding the ducks.

 
 


The ducks are fed so often that they are practically eating out of our hands.

Truly fun and completely free.

Mother's Day 2012

I didn't have to lift a finger on Mother's Day.  Doug took care of everything.  He surprised me with THE BEST Mother's Day/Birthday present ever.  I've always loved this painting by Liz Lemon Swindle.  Thanks Doug, Mom & Dad Goodwin, Elizabeth, Rachel and Joseph for a wonderful gift and a wonderful day.

Father's Day 2012

My daddy is my fav'rite pal,


And I help him ev'ry day.


It's plain to see I want to be


Like him in ev'ry way.


He teaches me that honesty

 

Is best in all I do.

 

I'm very glad that he's my dad,


And I know he loves me too.


For Father's Day I put together the One Stop Pop Shop.  Click here to learn more about it.

Rachel's First Day of Preschool

Our little girl is growing up.  She is officially a preschooler.  It's only a matter of time before she starts kindergarten, Elementary School, High School, College.  But we don't have to worry about that yet.

Rachel was so excited about starting preschool that she slept a total of 2 hours the night before.  She'd fall asleep and then 15 minutes later she'd be up again.  Around 3am I began putting movies on in the family room hoping she'd sleep on the couch.  But, like clockwork, as soon as the credits began to roll she would be at my bedside.


She was thrilled to have her very own backpack.  She chose Dora the Explorer over Tinkerbell and Cinderella.


Joey wanted to be part of the action.  He wasn't too happy when Rachel left and he had to stay home.  He always wants to go and do. 


"Whatcha doin' guys?"


Rachel's teacher is my good friend Barbara.  Rachel is always amazed and excited to see "Miss Barbara."  "Look Mom!  Miss Barbara's at church!"  "Mom!  Do you see Miss Barbara?  She's at the store!"  Imagine the excitement when Miss Barbara comes to the house.

Rachel came home the very first day and could spell her first name.  It totally floored me.  She now bounces around the house jumping from foot to foot, saying a letter each time her foot touches the floor.  R-A-C-H-E-L  G-O-O-D-W-I-N.

9/4/2012

TV Time

I confess that we watch too much TV in this house.  But I think the love portrayed in these pictures is priceless.  Sometimes some cuddly TV time is just what is needed.

Stop me if you've heard this one.

Stop me if you've heard this one.

A pirate and a mother meet at the dentist's office.  Oh.  You have heard it.  Well, here's the picture.

6/6/2012