Practicing to be Hugh Heffner???

Bryant had his first "real" sleepover last night.

His friend, Lucas, came over to play and spent the night.

I surprised the boys by telling them I was going to take them swimming at the local outdoor pool.

The boys went to get ready.

Imagine my surprise when they came out wearing super tight bathrobes over their swimsuits!

What makes the whole thing even funnier is that the bathrobes were from when Bryant was 2 years old. When they fit right, they are supposed to go down to the ankles... of course on 7 year old boys they go to their waists!

Well the boys didn't care.

They thought they were the mack daddy's... the studs... the Hugh Hefner's of the pool.

Where do they get the attitude?

They were cracking me up.

Are these a 7 year old's version of gang signs or what?

Eventually they stopped hamming it up...

(although parents were just loving them and totally encouraging them).

Once they got in the pool, the boys went down this slide at least 100 times in 2 hours.

When we were done swimming the boys wanted to go to the park.

Let me tell you... there are not many kids in bathrobes at the park.

We looked very ???? ... special????

The boys may not know who Hugh Hefner is...

But they certainly have his game down.

Every girl in the park was chasing them.

I'm sure there will be more to tell... as sleep-over day #2 is just beginning.

What kind of mischief will these two find next?

I may have flunked my first test ever!

These 3 pictures totally describe me...

Why am I stressed?

Well, today I took my certification test for teaching. It's one of those tests that you can't really study for (much like an SAT)...

The Praxis (certification) test consisted of several content area exams: reading, writing, mathematics, science, geography, social studies and economics.

To put it bluntly... IT SUCKED.

I was hoping to leave the 4 hour experience with a feeling of "Oh, I think I did great"... rather I (and most other people who took the test) left feeling stressed about whether or not I even passed.

I have to wait 3... that's right 3... weeks until I'll know how I did.

In the meantime I would appreciate your prayers and positive thoughts.

Football Camp for Zac and Bryant

It was 102 degrees today and Zac and Bryant went to football camp.

Bryant was a camper... Zac was a coach.

We had to be up early... 6:15 a.m.

I know that doesn't sound early to most people... but since school's been out and we're all off for the summer, we've been sleeping in until 10:00 a.m. or later.

Bryant was crabby. He did NOT want his picture taken.

Luckily Bryant found his buddy Kade and that made him happier!

(Kade is the little guy that Bryant thinks is his cousin because our cousins in Alabama are brown... and Kade is brown... thus in Bryant's mind, he must be related to us! They are so cute. They always greet each other by saying "Hi Cousin"...)

Zac did a great job coaching.

He was teaching some skills to the defensive line players.

I lost Bryant's group among the 250 other players at camp so I don't have any pictures of him.

But he had a great time... even with it being so hot.

So, instead I'll close with a picture of me... melting :)

Hopefully I melted some pounds away!

(PS: I'm going to make a concerted effort to start blogging regularly again. So check back more often.)

This guy's planning to run for Governor?

Last night I learned the guy below, in orange, is planning a political career someday.

Maybe I'll be able to say "I knew him when..."

What could his platform or campaign promises be?

• The proper way to fake a back injury
• How to prevent your in-laws from stealing the silverware at wedding receptions
• The Ten Hottest White Trash Career Opportunities
• How to improve your drunk-driving skills
• I’m getting married; can I still wear white if I’m a tramp?
• How do I pick a good bail bondsman?


And who's that hottie on his arm?

Whoa... is that his sister? Cousin?

Why no... that's Matt and Hannah!

They're in the middle of a

Makeover!

Okay... so I'll admit. I have waaayyyy to much time on my hands. But Hannah and Matt were so much fun. They played dress up at TJ Maxx with me. The theme was Trailer Trash and I just had to embarrass them by posting the pictures. Especially since Matt wants to be a politician some day! Don't they look good ya' all?

The Enchanted Forest

When we were in Portland, we got to go to one of our favorite places... The Enchanted Forest

Hannah's boyfriend, Matt, had never been to the Enchanted Forest so we got to take him along with us! It was a blast.

My brother, Travis, also went with us. He's always game to go to the Enchanted Forest. After all, we grew up going there every summer and very little has changed in 30 years.

Bryant loves learning about all the Fairy Tales. Here he is after coming out of the 7 dwarfs mine. Hi-Ho, Hi-Ho, Hi-Ho!

We got a little wet when checking out "Mining Town." But it sure felt good on a hot day.

And lastly we saw old Abe Lincoln in Western Town. Aren't Matt, Hannah and Bryant cute? Hannah reminds me of Laura Ingalls.

Hopefully we'll find time to go again before summer's over! Anyone want to come with us?

The Curse of the Video Rocker

Who would have known that a video game rocker could cause so much trouble

(and humor)?

(I realize these are not the most flattering videos... but they are too funny not to post)

Turn your sound up!

Jenny Stuck in the Rocker

Zac Stuck in the Rocker

My 3 Favorite Graduates... Zac, Bryant and Hannah

I'm the odd man out... everyone else in my family has graduated in the last month...

Zac Graduated with his Master's in Education

He is already enrolled back in college to get his School Administration Endorsement this fall!

Bryant Graduated from Kindergarten

He is ready to start the First Grade. He'll have the same teacher because she chose to "loop" with her students.

And Hannah Graduated from High School!

She'll be attending one of the big Oregon Universities to study speech and language pathology!

Zac, Bryant and Hannah- Congratulations to all three of you on your hard work and dedication. I am proud of each of you. I love you. - Love, Jenny (a.k.a Mom)

A News Story on Zac's Master's Thesis

This is really posted for my mother-in-law so she can watch Zac on one of our Local New Channels being interviewed about his Master's Thesis Project... which is using Peer Mentors in the Special Education Classroom.

I hope you enjoy!

http://www.fox12idaho.com/global/video/flash/popupplayer.asp?ClipID1=3821862&h1=Nampa%20Peer%20Mentor%20Program&vt1=v&at1=News&d1=117466&LaunchPageAdTag=Homepage&activePane=info&rnd=37373221

What a Pain in the... Foot?

Waiting too long + Excruciating foot pain = $700.00 Orthotic footbraces or maybe even surgery!

Yep... that's what I heard at the Podiatrists office today!

For the last 6 months I've been complaining of heel pain (to my family and friends).

It started a small throb... grew into a huge pain... and finally got to where I couldn't walk without limping.

Today I finally had enough.

I decided to bypass my regular Family Medicine doctor and go straight to the specialist.

I called the Podiatrist this morning and was able to get in TODAY (due to a cancellation).

After several x-rays they determined I have a large bone spur on my heel that is putting pressure on my tendon and restricting its movement.

Unfortunately because I waited so long to go to the doctor, I now get to wear night splints on my feet to keep the heels stretched out when I sleep. The splint prevents the arch of the foot from becoming contracted at night.

Then during the day, I get to wear a pair of lovely orthotic shoes with splinted inserts . I haven't picked the shoes out yet... but I'm sure they are TOTALY UGLY!

Be forewarned that you'll probably hear me bitching about my foot (feet) for a while still. The doctor said the symptoms will not resolve quickly. Most patients find relief within about three months... and some take one year.

In the meantime I'll be getting cortisone shots in my heel to help the tendon. We'll hope it works because the next step is surgery.

Yuck!

We finally saw SUN so we went FISHING

I wasn't sure we were EVER going to see Blue Sky...

But finally this weekend we did.

We decided to head out of town, take a day trip, have a picnic and do a little fishing.

My dad and Bryant tried to catch fish... but the water was still a little too high

Bryant finally decided he had enough fishing... so he decided to take a swim in the lake.


He loved jumping over the wake/waves the bass boats made.

Bryant also climbed a few trees. Another favorite activity when we're fishing.

All our activity made us hungry hungry hungry.

So, we stopped and had a wonderful picnic lunch.

Then we just relaxed.

Zac reclined in his lawn chair.

Mom stood around looking gorgeous!

And I sat and got sunburned! (not on purpose!)

All this fishing, etc made me in the mood to go camping.

I hope the weather stays nice so we can pack up the tent and head out soon.

Check out that Easter Stash!

The Easter Bunny knows Bryant well.

He knows Bryant would much rather have a tennis racket and balls than candy.

But what kid doesn't need at least a chocolate bunny... and Bryant's chocolate bunny had 12 inch ears!

Bryant was up bright and early coming down the stairs to see if the Easter Bunny had visited him. He was a little unsure and was trying to peak over the wall...

He loved his giant eared Chocolate Bunny.

He immediately chewed the bunnies ears off!

Then later we got dressed and went over to Grandpa and Ganny's house.

Bryant wanted to take his Easter Bunny soccer ball to show everyone.

The ball played music and vibrated too. Bryant LOVED that dumb thing...

The Easter Bunny left Bryant a note at our house saying that he was worried Bryant already knew all the hiding places in our yard. So this year the Easter Bunny hid the eggs in Grandpa and Ganny's yard. Indeed this was a bit more challenging for Bryant... plus he loved having something to look forward to when we got to Ganny and Grandpa's.

He found a ton of eggs.

In the end he was extremely happy. This year the Easter Bunny left money in some of the eggs! Not only did some eggs contain change... but some contained paper money too!

Bryant ended up netting $11.43 from his eggs.

So now I want to know.... Can the Easter Bunny leave me some eggs too next year?