Ready for some "MOO"re Fun?

We made one last stop to the Dairy before Hayden left.  We started our tour watching the film and then they passed out our lovely headwear before entering the tour.  Here are some of our lovely models:

I'm sorry dear, but it is my duty as a mother to humiliate her children as payback for all the embarrassing things that have have been done in public to your father and I. Are we even? Not yet.  I just need a few more pictures. =)  I Love You!

Nathan, I know nothing embarrasses you. You would wear underwear on your head if you were told to. But  the torture of babysitting your siblings a couple times a week is enough to satisfy us.

I was taking  this picture (above) when onlookers were snickering at what Andrew was doing:

"Mom! Take a picture of me milking the cow!"   Don't worry son,  payback is coming.

Adventures at The Aquarium

The TN Aquarium sits on the bank of the scenic Tennessee River in Downtown Chattanooga.  It is one of our favorite places to visit. There are water areas around the buildings for kids to splash in and enjoy on hot summer days.    The aquarium  consists of 2 large buildings.  One is dedicated to Ocean life and the other to Freshwater life.   We started on the Ocean Journey.  The escalator takes you up 12 stories to view and pet stingrays and tiger sharks (both are harmless).  While the boys were ready for a hands on experience,  Emma and I decided to just observe.  The thought of dipping my arm into a fish tank did not appeal to me.  I like the pleasing odor of hand soaps and lotions better. 

Here's Scot getting a manicure from a bottom dweller.  Nathan was eager to be next

This one thought petting it just wasn't enough.  He wanted to play with it and fell in

His shirt is contrary to what kind of day he was having.  Your pretty proud of yourself  aren't you buddy? Stinky boy.  I wonder if they'll keep you.  =)

Onto the Butterfly Exhibit:

It was a sunny day and they were everywhere!  I would have taken more pictures but Emma and Barret were terrified one would land on them! Emma was running around me like they were bees and began to "freak"(his own word) Barret out.  They where latched on to me like monkeys.  I'm surprised my clothes were still intact when we left out of there.  I did manage to get her to sit still for one second to snap a picture of her. 

Mr. Fearless holding this delicate creature

Barret's favorite Exhibit is the Penguin Exhibit.  He wanted a picture of him and a penguin, but only got the tail of this one.  

They have a huge salt water aquarium that is home to sharks sea turtles.  All of which my pictures came out too dark to post.

Emma at the coral reef exhibit

Sadly, this is the only picture I have of the Freshwater exhibit.  Scot and the older boys spent more time than the younger 3 so we ended up getting ahead of them.  The building is dark and I had to put up the camera to keep from losing my offspring. 

Emma in front of a  trout exhibit in the River Journey building.

The water simulated a swift moving stream.  The trout were swimming at a fast pace.  I'm so glad I'm not a trout.  I was exhausted watching them swim and going nowhere. Much like running on a treadmill all day, everyday for the rest of your life.  I'd be in awesome shape,  but miserable.  

Pass the cookies.

Train Ride/Ruby Falls

A trip to Chattanooga would not be complete without a train ride

ALL ABOARD!!

Tickets Please!

 Barret is in heaven right about now.

 Mr. Johnson and me.   Man, my Texas farmer's tan is fading :(

Emma Posing in front of "Emma" street

 

On the way back, our tour guide was gracious enough to allow us to go to the back of the train and take pictures.  We stayed in our seats, Hayden and Nathan opted to go.

They got some pretty good shots of the tunnel

Afterwards, we headed up to Lookout Mountain to Ruby Falls.

Nothing makes me happier than having us all together :)

Civil War History Lesson

We were so happy to have Hayden visiting with us.  We wanted to do as much as we could with him during his short stay. The Tennessee River Valley played a major role in the Civil War, so we decided to dedicate a day for a little history lesson.  We started our trip in Fort Oglethorpe, GA at the Chickamauga  Battlefield.  There we watched a live artillery demonstration, toured the museums and took a scenic drive through the Military Park the nations oldest and largest Civil War Battlefield.

"Union Soliders" firing a cannon

 

 

The sound was deafening and it wasn't a full charge.  I can't imagine dozens of cannons lined up firing at once!

"Confederate Soldiers"

Interesting fact: We noticed the the solider on the left was wearing a US buckle upside down.  He said that confederate soliders intentionally wore them that way so that it would stand for "Southern Nation". 

A solider's knapsack and his contents

We headed up to to Point Park  on Lookout Mountain where the battle took place overlooking the Tennessee River, known as the gateway to the Deep South. Union troop claimed victory.  General Grant posed for pictures atop this mountain.

Overlooking the Tennessee River

 The scene was beatiful but there was a drop off and no railing.  Scot and I had a death grip on the kids. Needless to say we didn't stay very long. We headed over to the visitors center where there were artifacts that were found on the battlefield displayed and toured the Craven's house where Confederate and Union soliders used it as their headquarters. 

End of History Lesson :)

Warner Park Zoo

The kids posing with their Dad :)

 Our first trip of the summer was a trip to the zoo.  We met up with some moms from play group and had a some fun.  It was a tad hot, but the animals were out and about.

Nathan and his future college mascot

 We picnicked on the lawn that was a blanket of clover.  There were bees all around us.  The boys were fascinated by how the pollen was collecting on their legs.  It kept them entertained while we ate our lunch (and kept them on the blanket too).  Emma however, refused to sit anywhere.

After lunch,  we rode the indoor carousel.  

Wheeeeeee!

Don't worry, it won't bite!

I wonder if we could get one of these in the backyard

Can we keep him?  Pleease!

I can see for miles up here!

After a hot day at the zoo,  we cooled off with some ice cream.  Mom was exhausted from the heat that I accidentally ordered an extra cone.  Nathan got one for each hand.  Lucky boy..

I know, I am the best mom you ever did see.

It's My Blog And I'll Brag If I Want To!

As the end of school drew near,  my schedule filled up quickly with field trips, class parties and awards ceremonies.   I'm so glad it over!  I was afraid to answer my phone for fear  that the PTO President was calling.

Anywho,  Nathan graduated from 8th grade.  "Is it that big of a deal?" Scot asked.  We passed the Middle School on the way to drop Emma and Andrew off at school.  There was a sea of cars parked on the side of the road and 2 men directing traffic  at the church down the hill from the school. It was pouring down rain. "Uh Obviously." I said.  "Drop Barret and me off at the doors and I'll wait for you to park the car.  Oh, and good luck with that."  10 seconds later, he double parks in the school driveway blocking traffic and is jogging towards me.  Pomp and Circumstances is already playing as we try to find a seat.   A sweet grandma scoots over and offers us a spot "If you don't mind sitt'in on my cushion.", she said.   "Not at all."  My rear end was ever so grateful.

Nathan graduated " The Soddy Way"  Honors and received a medal for highest average in Science.  They played a slide show of  random pictures taken during school functions.  We didn't stay for the reception.  Crudites and finger sandwiches served in the school cafeteria didn't sound appetizing to us.

Here's our handsome beau after the ceremony.  He actually fixed his hair (and ties his own tie)! 

 Time just keeps marching on. 
:o(

Emma and Andrew had their awards ceremony later that week.  Emma was the top reader  in 1st grade. She read 60 AR books and passed all the tests!   She got a T-shirt and a certificate.  Pretty good considering we moved here at the end of September (28th).  When they announced Perfect Attendance for First Grade.  The recipient couldn't accept her award.  Her Nana called the teacher that morning and said she woke up with "The Pink Eye".  How ironic :)

Here's my Overachiever:

Andrew started crying toward the end of the ceremony.  He thought he wasn't going to get an award :(
He wiped away the tears when they called the Kindergarten classes up to get their graduation certificate and pictures taken.

Whew! Kindergarten down, only 12 more grades to go. 

And Barret:
Well... He gets the Momma's Boy Award.  He gets to be the baby for one more year and I'm going to cherish every moment.

A Day of Service

"Hi, I'm Darryl and this is my other brother Darryl."

These boys crack me up.  When we were about to leave, they met me by the garage door with this ensemble.

Our church helped sponsor A Day of Service to help the East Chattanooga community.  Projects were for all ages.  They ranged from Landscaping to Quilting, Home Repair to Donating Blood.  Teams were selected for the adults/teens ahead of time. Scot and Nathan were on a paint team.    I signed up to help with the children's projects.   The kids were excited about doing the children's service projects.   It rained  through the night and thunderstoms were predicted throughout the day.  Most of the children's projects were indoors so we weren't affected.  Several stations were set up with various things.  We were divided into to groups and rotated so that every child  had the opportunity to each  craft.  The kids made sock puppets, cut fringe on lap quilts tied quilts , made cards, and assembled hygiene kits.  They had a wonderful time doing it. The projects were easy enough for Barret to participate in.  He really enjoyed doing things by himself.  They had mural painting going on outside but, the thunderstorms rolled in before they could paint.  Thank goodness.  They were oil based paints.  It was a great experience and look forward to doing it again next year :)

Here's some pictures:

Wook! I made a nake!

Andrew cutting fringe on lap quilts

Making cards for the sick

This card was so cute that I had to take it home :)

The boys got rained out.  They only Painted 1 house out of 3 they were scheduled to do.