The Atkins

Thursday, May 7, 2009

The Fruit and Berry Patch

Every year we go to the Fruit and Berry Patch to pick a pumpkin and go to the corn maze there, but we are going to go not this weekend but next to pick strawberries and see the goats. They said they have an record amount of strawberries that are ripe for the picking and they have a hay ride. This is a great, Free, family place to take the kids to run and play and you can bring home homemade jellies, jams, butters, and the best produce around. It is a must see on my list of must sees!!! I share the pics when we go. If you have little ones or even big ones take them, they will love it!

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Sue and Shelly

I have a terrible history of losing close friends in the month of May. When I was 18 I had a close friend, Shelly Hansen, who was 28 with 2 kids, ages 2 and 5. She got Melanoma from a mole on her thigh and within a year it killed her and left her husband a widower with 2 boys. She was a red hair, freckled face, really fair skinned, pretty lady with a quick wit and a big heart. She died on May 4, 1994. 6 years ago I lost an even closer friend at the age of 39. Sue Crawford Christian owned Creative Hair Design and was married with one child, Samuel, who was 3 months older than Elijah. We married and had a baby at the same time (my first marriage). She was 33 when she had Samuel and I was 21 when I had Elijah. She and her husband (who I wasn't crazy about) moved to Alpharetta, GA and then to Grapevine, TX. When we were both single we would take her Porsche 911 to Cherokee Blvd. and jog through the park, ride bikes, etc.. She was an outdoor kind of gal with a huge appetite and a smoking body. Not fair! She was one of the kindest people I have ever known. She died from breast cancer on May 10, 2003 leaving behind a 5 year old boy. She never told me she had breast cancer until the week she died. A mutual friend called me and said that Sue told her to call and tell me she loved me and that she was sorry for not telling me sooner but it was too hard to say goodbye. I have also lost a little boy I was a nanny for from the time he was 6 weeks old until he turned 5. He died 3 years ago at the age of 18. So, I try to make May a happier month but still honor my friends. I'm sure their looking down and making fun of me as much as possible. My husbands birthday (41, ha!) is this month so I like to make it about him. But in honor of Sue, and Shelly I hope they know I stop and remember every year not so much the death but the life they had and the times we shared together.

Monday, May 4, 2009

Biskit likes to chew on the balls!

I was trying to keep him from getting this one but he was determined to try.

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Aren't they both handsome!!

The green bruise on is face is not child abuse so don't call Child Protective Services it is from the dentist office. The Asst. used Elijah's face for an arm rest apparently. I would have gotten fired if I ever let a patient leave looking like that during the 13 yrs I practiced. It is avoidable with a little patience and good tools but unfortunately Elijah got the raw end of the deal. He has had it for 2 weeks at least. I hope it goes away soon, I am tired of answering questions from all his teachers at school. It does look bad, I can't blame them for asking.

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Playing with the ball pit Uncle Shane got him for his B-day!

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Almost Time for No School!! (and vacation!)

Elijah has a couple of weeks left and he is done! I know he is ready and so am I! He will go through 5th grade graduation in a couple of weeks and I know I will cry like a baby. Brian will have to keep a tissue box handy. It is hard to believe I have one in middle school. It seems like I just brought him home. We will try to keep busy and make his summer before middle school relaxing and fun for him. We are going to the Outer Banks of North Carolina (Nags Head) probably at the end of the Summer or we may wait til he starts and go on his fall break. He gets Thurs. and Fri. so we may take Tues and Wed and go for about 6 days. It is still real warm and not nearly as busy or expensive. We found several vacation homes right on the beach (10 yards away) and they have a private pool, hot tub, pool table etc.. The first day back is August 17th for kids so fall break is not long after that. That may be our best choice. We will see. I like to go somewhere warm and calm for vacation. I don't want to go to the mountains and there really is nowhere cold I want to go in the Summer so we enjoy N and S Carolina the most and the car ride is very short. Biskit loves the beach too! If anyone has been to Nags Head or near there shoot me an email and tell me about your trip and what you did etc... Next year DISNEY!! Nanny will be much better so she can go to.

Bride Wars!

Well, Brian and I spend our weekend nights watching movies together after the kids go to sleep, so last night we watched Bride Wars. It was great!! It sort of is a girl movie but even Brian loved it and he is a fierce movie critic. It is a perfect family film and an even better 11-16 yr old girl film. It is definitely worth the rent. I love Anne Hathaway and Kate Hudson anyway so it was a win win for me.

Sunday, May 3, 2009

Brotherly Love!

Elijah came home from school on Thursday and was really tired. He had been up the night before with a bad headache so he didn't get to sleep until 1:00. He crawled up on the bed with Zane and fell asleep. He slept for 2 hours there and finally Zane got up and shoved Elijah over so he could get a drink. It was cute.

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Friday, May 1, 2009

Procter & Gamble

I get a weekly coupon update from Procter & Gamble. They make Tide, Crest stuff, Deodorant, you name it they make it! They now have a page---http://www.pgeverydaysolutions.com/pgeds/en_US/jsp/EDS_Page.jsp?pageID=HP
and if you go and register you get a free sample pack every 2 weeks of Prilosec, Pantene color shampoo, Head and Shoulders, Crest Advanced Whitening Strips, and a few others. I used the Crest Advanced Whitening strips that they just made and they are amazing!! I spent 13 years in dentistry and made countless bleaching trays, gave countless instructions for use and never saw an over the counter bleach work near as well as these. They are pricey, but they send you a $7.00 coupon with it so it makes them about $28.00 for a 2 week supply and once you do 2 weeks you just touch up every 6-8 months as needed. Much better than the 250-500 dollars you pay at the dentist and they really do work! They are a must try!! The other stuff in the pack is great too! Go and register you won't be sorry.

Thursday, April 30, 2009

The Swine Flu

I can't believe Memphis has a confirmed case of the Swine Flu!! My boys have a doctors visit in a couple of weeks and I may have her write Tamiflu for both of them in case they bump into it. We won't be having that nasty stuff at our house however!! I already wipe off every buggy, shopping cart, etc.. before I put Zane in it,but I think I will not be taking him to the mall, grocery shopping as much as usual to keep people away from him. Thank goodness school is closing in less than a month. Maybe that will keep it to a dull roar. In the meantime, Dr. Bob says, wash hands, wash hands, wash hands, get Tamiflu if you can, and cover your mouth when someone coughs around you. Last but not least, pray and speak health over your kids, it works!!

My Iris's are out!!

My flowers are all out and in bloom, even the peonies!! Hopefully I won't kill them.

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Tuesday, April 28, 2009

HAPPY 3RD BIRTHDAY ZANE!!

I can't believe he is already 3!! Where does the time go?! We had a few family and friends over on Sunday to celebrate with us. He had a good time. Next week we will go for our 3 yr check up but when he went a couple of weeks ago for his cold he was 41 inches tall and 40 pounds. Not bad for 3!

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