Lyons Farm, TN--2012

 Aw!  The feeling of fall.  I love it.  If it could be fall for six months and then spring for the other six months, this would truly be a perfect place.  The last three years, we have taken the kids every October to Lyons Farm.  This is just barley over the TN line.  Many people around here usually go to Tate Farms, but my kids like Lyons better and so that is where we go.

 The Corn Maze is always the big hit.  They usually have two mazes inside.  One easy and one more difficult.  Of course Hunter just likes getting lost in the maze on purpose.

 Every year it seems like a few more things are added.  The chair was a big hit this year

 It was a beautiful day.  You couldn't have asked for a better day.  

 The pigs are always a big hit.  Hunter says he wants a pet pig now.  Hmmmm....I will have to say no on that one.  They were cute though even if they do smell.

 And of course the rat races.  This makes me laugh every time.  The kids get going so fast in those circles and then their feet come out under them.  It is the funniest thing to watch.  I love it.

 It really was a great day.  They got their pumpkins, played a ton, ate some funnel cake.  It was a beautiful day!

New York City 2012

Ah, New York City!  The place that they say never sleeps, where fashion is at the utmost important, the home of many of the rich and famous, the theater and food, food and more food.  In August, I had the chance once again to go to New York City.  Jeremy had yet another class there for work that he needed to take and of course, I needed to come.  This time though, I invited my cousin Joanna to come with and enjoy the sites with me while Jeremy was in his class.  I did have a good time, though I will admit that it was not as exciting as the first time that I went.  It was much hotter and the people.....where did they all come from?  Oh ya, the US Open happened to be going on while we were there and the end of summer.  I know that Manhattan has a ton of people living there, but there were more crowds this time then when we went in the middle of September last year.

 I did get to do some different things though this time.  We got to go to the 9/11 memorial this time.  I have to say the fountains where the twin towers were, were amazing.  Like before, being down there was humbling.  It must have been so terrible to be there while it was happening.  Me, who was clear back west in Las Vegas, can't even imagine.  It is for sure a place to reflect and remember those that were effected. 

Last time I was in New York, I wanted to walk the Brooklyn Bridge and didn't get to.  Jeremy does not get why I even care.  I really can't tell you why, except it is a famous old bridge you can walk across and it's free.  Joanna got it.  We took the subway over to Brooklyn and ate at a pizza place underneath the bridge which always has a line in front of it.  Finally, I found a great pizza in New York City.  Last time, I honestly didn't see the big deal.  I liked this pizza.  It was yummy!  Melted Mozzarella cheese melted all over it and topped with fresh basil.  So Good!  After that, we walked back to Manhattan across the bridge.  It was quite pleasant.  So many things to see I might not have seen before.  If you are ever in New York City, I recommend it.

Let's see what else did we do.  We saw a show, "Peter and the Starcathchers", which comes from a book that I have read.  It was pretty good, though I don't like how they portrayed Peter.  They made him the exact  opposite of how he is in the book.  We ate tons of food, which I have to say I think I might have had the best gyro from off the street and the most delicious big cupcake.  We walked a ton and we even got to see a taping of the David Letterman Show in which before we could go into the studio, they gave us laughing lessons.  Now I really am not a huge fan of the guy, but it was cool to see a taping of the show.

I think Joanna had a good time.  We saw some crazy people on Time Square, including the naked cowboy, topless grandma and even a man taking his goat for a walk.  Jeremy says he is done with New York.  He has no desire to go back at all.  He has to take one of these classes every year and can choose various places to take it in.  He says next time that it won't be New York.  Me, I don't know.  I always like the big cities.  I wouldn't mind going back, but I do like the fall better then the summer there.  Who knows when I will make it back, but if I do, I am sure I will have a great time.

First week of school 2012

It was the first week of school this week.  This I feel is always an exciting time.  How could it not be.  New school clothes, lunch boxes, back packs, and all the essential materials to make it a fantastic school year. The kids would never admit it, but I think they were just as excited.  

 Hunter is going into the third grade this year.  Can you believe it??  I hardly can.  I mean he is my baby and I swear I feel like I was in the hospital the other day having him.  He so doesn't seem like he is in third grade, but he is.  Third grade and up is upstairs in the school so that makes him feel big.  He is one of the big kids now.  I think I may cry.  

Oh Emilee.  She is a big fifth grader this year.  She gets to switch classes each school day.  She has three teachers.  One for reading and language arts, one for science and history and on for math.  This will be a different year for her, but she came back the first day loving it.  I hope she keeps that momentum.  I have already heard from one of her teachers how much they just love her.  That is how it always is with Emilee.  Her teachers always stop me in the hall just to tell me how much they enjoy her in their class.  I have good expectations for Emilee the year.  She will do awesome.

Emilee and Hunter are at the elementary school while Megan is at the middle school this year.  It sure is different to see them catch the bus at different times and come home at different times.

This is the one that really makes me crazy.  I just cannot believe that Megan is now in middle school.  She is my big 7th grader.  12 years old and has the attitude to match.  She has grown up to be a beautiful girl, even though I try really hard to imagine she is still little.  It is hard for me to let go.  She seeks for so much independence and I try to keep her from it.  She for sure has found her individuality and even though I may shake my head and even roll my eyes, I love it.  I am so proud of her and I hope she has a wonderful year.

Family Reunion -- Las Vegas, NV

I am so behind.  Oh well, better late then never.  This summer our family drove all the way back home to Las Vegas, NV for a family reunion.  It has probably been three years since the last time the kids have been back.  Normally I save up for about 6 months and fly.  This time, Jeremy was going and he said we were going to drive.  I was not looking forward to that.  Three days there and three days back.  I wish I could say that I enjoyed the drive and I loved seeing the country, but that would be a lie.  I did not like the drive at all.  I found it very exhausting and tedious.  We did make it.  Right before the fourth of July.  

 I usually stay at my dad's house, but we thought it would be too crowded at my dad's and I thought it would be good for the kids to spend some time with there cousins, so we stayed at my brother's home instead.  It was a treat.  My sister-in-law kept saying she is not a very good  host, but I beg to differ.  She was a very good host and it was way fun to reconniect.  We spent the fourth of July with there family.  We went out to the airport and watched the fireworks go off.  The kids rode in the jeep with my brother.  They thought that was the coolest thing ever.  I don't think they have ever driven in a vehicle where the wind blew through their hair.  In the past I have usually been impressed with the firework show that the hotels let off, but not this year.  The music they had to it was weird and it was over in minutes.  But we had fun spending time together anyway.  So afterwards we went and got frozen yogurt.

My brother has a pool, so the kids were in paradise.  They swam everyday all day long.  In Vegas, that is a huge treat.  My brother likes to scuba dive and let the kids bring out the tank and scuba dive in the pool.  He has this cool camera that takes pics underwater.  The kids took tons.  It was a pretty cool.  

Finally it was time for the reunion.  Family was finally getting into town and the festivities were beginning.  One day we spent the day up at Mt. Charleston.  Now I know some around here and Virginia where we were before think there are mountains and hiking here, but they would be wrong.  There are things I like about all regions of the United States, but the West gets it for the best mountains and hiking activities.  It was beautiful and the weather was fantastic.  Emilee made it too the top first and I think she amazed everybody with her athletic capabilities.

Of course there was more swimming, games to play, food to eat and talking, talking and more talking.  It was good to see everyone.  I think I am the farthest away, so of course I am always the last one to know about things and sometimes I think I might even be forgotten about so it was so good to see the family.

One of the last nights we were there, Jeremy and I decided to take the kids down to the strip to see the lights. They were all born in Vegas and Megan was about 5 when we left.  I thought it would be cool for them since I don't think I ever really took them to the strip.   I mean I grew up here.  What's the harm in that, right?  No big deal.  Either I am not desensitized any more, things have changed and not for the better or I just am plain more sensitive with the kids around.  Probably all of the above.  Megan says I scarred her for life.  Also since it had been the fourth of July, it was a madhouse.  I don't think I have ever seen that many people and it made it even hotter then it was.  The kids noticed everything that they shouldn't have and it for sure has gotten worse.  Let's just say, our trip down to the strip was not a good one.  Oh well.  They did get to see some of the lights and attractions like the Mirage volcano, the Bologio fountain show and Caesar Palace, but as soon as we could we left and ended up at 7-eleven for some much needed Slurpees.  

A couple days later we were back on the road.  Again, not my favorite thing, but three days later we were home.  It was nice.  The rest of summer was pretty much just every day life.  

Cub Scouts and AL. Sports Festival

Man, when I first started this blog, I was always on top of it.  Too many things to do and not enough time to post.  For now,  I guess I will start with Cub Scout day camp.  Hunter turned 8 at the end of May and is now in Cub Scouts.  He is a Wolf.  His first experience into cub scouts was day camp.  They needed some volunteers to be den leaders for day camp and so that became my job.  I have to admit though, I was not looking forward to it.  I'm not sure if you realize this, but it gets quite humid here in the summer and this desert rat does not like it one bit.  That being said, it really wasn't that bad.  Don't get me wrong, I was exhausted and very glad for it to be over by the end of the week, but I did enjoy being with Hunter and many of the boys made me laugh a lot.  I probably had the biggest den among the wolf group and considering that, they were really all pretty good.

We were the Lizard den.  We called ourselves the "Leapin Lizards".  Of course we had a cheer.  It went like this..."Leapin Lizards Rock you... Rock you...Leapin Lizards, Rock you...Rock you..."  I think you can guess what tune that goes to.  Let's see what are some of the things the boys did.  They cooked Hobo meals,   sling shots, bow and arrows, bebe guns, made wooden crafts, leather, musical instruments, learned magic, went on short trail hikes, learned about citizenship, played soccer, sword fighting, learned about how to use a compass and the list could go on and on.  They defiantly had the boys busy.  I have to say, I was tired just watching them.  I think Hunter had a great time and really, that's all that matters.

As soon as cub scout camp was over, Jeremy and I had to take Hunter and Emilee down to Burmingham for the Alabama Sports Festival where Emilee and Hunter would compete in the Taekwondo event.  It was quite the event.  I guess they have been doing this for about 30 years now and is a little like the Olympics with an opening ceremony and everything.  Opening ceremony was even televised on NBC here in Alabama, which Emilee and Hunter both participated in the opening ceremony parade.  Kind of cool.  See them there holding up the sign right up front??

Both Emilee and Hunter participated in two events with Taekwondo.  They did forms and open sparring.  Emilee and Hunter both got third place in forms and Emilee also got third place in sparring.

This was the first time the either of them have competed in TKD.  I think it really surprised them.  They learned that it is quite fast and very challenging.  Both of them had a hard time, but they did so well.  I am really proud of them.

I have more to share.  Our family just got back from Las Vegas for a family reunion and so soon I will put those events up.  

Birthdays, Globals and even a baptism all in the month of May

May has been a busy month.  It usually is a busy month for us here at the Lamps home, but this year, it has been even busier.  It is the month of birthdays for us.  Megan, Emilee and Hunter all have a birthday the last week of May.  Why you say did I do that.  Well, I just meant to go for the summer because I taught but Emilee and Hunter decided on their own to come into the world earlier then expected.  It is a little like Christmas for us here in May.  We also had a few other events that happened as well which kept the month very occupied with many many things to do.  Because the kids birthdays are at the end of May, birthday parties tend to be earlier because have you ever tried to plan a birthday party around Memorial Day?  It is never very successful.  Also, they don't all get a party every year.  Megan and Hunter get one on their even age and Emilee gets one on her odd age.  This was a year for Megan and Hunter so first up is Megan.

 Megan turned the big 12 this year.  I can't believe it.  My little baby girl is growing up and growing up fast.  I swear she can't possible be 12, but she is and she has the 12 year old personality to match.  I told her a couple of years ago that if she wanted, when she turned 12, she could have a slumber party.  So, that is what she did.  She invited 5 of her closest friends and the party was on.  What a party it was.  She didn't want a cake.  She is very much into drawing and reading about these Anime characters so she made cupcakes and she attempted to decorate each cupcake as these characters.  I don't think they looked exactly like them by any means, but the girls could tell and had fun with them anyway.

It was quite the night.  Jeremy took everyone camping so that they wouldn't have to be around all these 12 year old girls and it is a good thing they did.  I finally told them to calm down about midnight and I continued to hear them even around 2 am which I finally went into her bedroom and said enough is enough, turn all the lights out and go to bed.  Finally, it was quiet.  Until I had to wake them up the next morning and let me tell you, I had a blast doing that.

The next week, we had a bowling party for Hunter.  We took Hunter and some of his closet friends bowling on the army base.  Hunter turned the big 8.  Holy Cow!  Can you believe it.  My baby is 8.  Taking these boys out was so different then taking my girls and their friends out.  Boys love to make strange noises and talk about strange smells and talk about strange nonsense things.  What fun they had though.

It is so hard to believe that he is 8.  He is doing so many things right now.  He learned to love to read, he does Taekwondo and is now learning to play the piano.  He loves to laugh, but we have learned not to make him laugh too much or there may be consequences and not the good ones either.

Next up is Global 2012.  I have been talking about this Destination Imagination for sometime now.  Emilee and her team had the opportunity to compete against the whole world at Globals in Knoxville, TN.  It was quite the event.  They left on a Wednesday and didn't return until Sunday.  Even with all the activities that there were, that might be just a couple days to long for these 10 year olds.  Pin trading was the big thing there.  All these countries and states had their own trading pins and the kids traded pins like you might trade baseball cards.  Some pins seemed to have more value then others and you could negotiate pins.  Emilee started with 5 pins, but came home with 34 pins.  I would say she is quite the negotiator.  This was a great way for kids to interact with other kids from around the world.  Emilee met kids from Korea, China, Turkey, Mexico, Guatemala, states like Louisiana, New Hampshire, California, New York and many many other places.

I felt that the kids not only did great with their instant challenge, but they did a wonderful job on their main challenge.  They were one of the youngest groups there and considering this was their first year in Destination Imagination, they have done quite well.  Will I do this next year you might ask?  I really don't know.  If someone else would like to take charge I am all for that and I would help all the time, but if Emilee wants to continue this next year and they need someone to make her team, then of course I would do it for her.

That brings us to Hunter's Baptism.  Emilee and I had to return home from Global one day early so that we would be ready for Hunter's baptism.  Hunter turned 8 years old this day and actually was baptized on his birthday.  That was just like Emilee when she was 8.  He was so excited and looked very sharp and missionary like in his suit.  He was baptized with a friend as well and so it was a perfect day.  When I asked him how he felt after he said, "I know I should have felt cold when I got out of the water, but I actually felt really warm."  I love it when kids make the connection.  It was a lovely day and I am so proud of Hunter and the decision he has made.

Last is Emilee's birthday.  She did not get a party this year.  She had a party last year, but she had quite the day.  She was treated like a queen the whole day with a tiara and everything.  When we woke up I took just her took breakfast and then off to get a foot pedicure.  She has wanted one for so long.  She is my girly girl for sure. She felt so special.  I asked her if it made her feel relaxed and she wanted to go to sleep and she said, "No, it makes me feel like I want to do it again."  Oh dear!  What have I done?

Earlier she wanted to go to Steak and Shake for dinner and get a large milk shake all to her self, but she decided that she would like to have mom's lasagna instead.  I think that ended up being a better day.

Personally, I like it when the kids don't have birthday parties.  I like doing the stuff with them that make the day just a little bit special.  It was a great day!

That brings us to now.  May is done and birthdays and special events are over.  School is out and Summer begins.  Can I relax now?  Probably not!

A Couple of Big Field Trips

It is the end of the school year and Megan and Emilee have been looking forward to some long awaited field trips.  Emilee is in the fourth grade and learns all about Alabama History and so every year the fourth graders visit Montgomery, AL to visit the capital and other historic sites.  Megan is in sixth grade and finally gets to go to the long awaited NASA Space Camp.

First up......Montgomery, AL

I was able to go with Emilee on this field trip.  I went a couple of years ago with Megan and I was glad to do it again.  It's a fun one to go on.  Long, but fun.  We started at 5 AM and got home around 7 PM.  Emilee was so excited for weeks and weeks.  A few days before, I told her and her friends that at the parent meeting they said the trip had been cancelled due to a freak snow storm in Montgomery.  Let's just say I was a little afraid for my life.  Let me give you some advice.  Don't mess with fourth graders.  They are a little scary when you tease them about such serious things such as a long awaited field trip to Montgomery AL.  Some of the fun things we did, we visited the AL. archives and saw some cool things specific to Alabama.  We visited the Capital, the Civil Rights Museum, and Old Town Alabama.  We even got to ride a riverboat and eat some lunch on the riverboat.  I think the kids liked Old Town the best, at least Emilee did. They take you to different old buildings and have characters dress up as if you were living in that time.  The kids have a huge appreciation for their teacher now because back then, they were not nice.  As you can see, Emilee had an awesome time, though it did take me a few days to recover.

And then.....Space Camp

We moved here when Megan was in second grade.  Back then, Megan was very interested in space and swore she would be the first girl on the moon.  Jeremy had told her all about the NASA Space Camp and had promised that when she was old enough that she could attend.  She had been looking forward to it for some time.  Well, since we live here in Huntsville, AL, many schools participate in sending the students to Space Camp for not as much money as if you would have to pay if you went on your own.  Schools go at different grades, but Horizon goes when you are in sixth grade.  They stay there the whole week and experience it all.  At the end they have a short graduation.  Megan had a great time, didn't like the food much, but had a great time anyways.

We have so much to look forward to in the next couple of months.  So much is going on.  All three kids turn a year older in the month of May, Hunter gets baptized at the end of May, Emilee goes to Globals for DI in Knoxville, TN, Hunter gets to go to Cub Scout Camp, we are driving to Vegas for a family reunion, we have some camping trips planned, and much much more.  It is going to be so busy the next few months, so stay tuned for so much more.

Destination Imagination at UAH

This weekend was Destination Imagination day at UAH (University Alabama Huntsville).  It was the competition against the whole state of Alabama to see what teams would go to Globals and compete against teams from all over the world in Knoxville, TN.  Both Emilee's team and Megan's team were very excited to compete.  It was a long day, but the kids had great fun performing their challenge and doing the instant challenge.  Both teams had great successes.

I am actually the team manager for Emilee's team.  How that happened, well who knows, but it has been an experience , that is for sure.  The name for their team is "Rabid Squirrels".  Weird, I know, but that is fourth graders for you.  Their challenge was a Solar Challenge.  They had to build a prototype of something that could use solar energy and use it in a skit that they created to teach how solar energy can be used.  They had to provide theatrical lighting and it needed to be 8 minutes long.  It didn't have to be realistic though.  They decided to build a solar power rocket car.  In the skit, the kid's took their dad's NASA solar power rocket car and traveled to "Solarpoweria" where solar powered robots taught them how their car worked.  I know, "CRAZY".  It was fun though.  Well, I couldn't believe it, but Emilee's team got first place and because they got first they will be going to Globals in Knoxville, TN at the end of May.  They worked hard and her team has come a long way since the beginning of the year.  I am so proud of them.  I have to admit, I was hoping for second place so we could be done, but now that we got first I am quite excited to go with the team to Globals.

Megan's team is called the "Green Glossy Gummy Bears". They chose a challenge where they had to make up a movie trailer with a soundtrack and the movie trailer had to portray the interaction of characters from at least two Nations.  It had to give an exciting peek into the full movie.   At regional their team had gotten first place.  They did awesome.  At UAH, they went against some tough teams and because they were sixth graders they were put in the middle school division.  Even with all that, they got third, which was really good considering they were going up against some tough teams.  They had about six teams in their division so coming in third was really good.

It was a fantastic day.  A bit exhausting, but it was great.  We are really proud of both Megan and Emilee and we are hoping the best for Emilee's team when they go against the world.