Churchhill Downs

 We always love a good opportunity to act like a bunch of tourists in the town we live in.  The Wilsons came for a visit over Memorial Day weekend so we took them over to Churchhill to check out what drives our local economy.  The kiddos and Dave are posed here with "Mine That Bird" (2009 Derby Winner).  They even touched it.  Annabelle got a little too close and got nibbled by it. Although sad, how many people can say they got bit by a Derby winning horse?!

Beach Bums!!

In early May we made the 11 hour drive to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.  The drive itself was beautiful.  We drove right through the mountains - Tennessee, North Carolina - great views!!  Andrew, Annabelle and Penny enjoyed their first experiences with the ocean.  Andrew and Annabelle loved searching for and collecting shells.  Penny loved digging holes in the sand and running endlessly down the beach.

While it wasn't perfect beach weather, it allowed for ample opportunity to get in a few rounds of golf - mini golf that is.

Thunder!

Every year in preparation for the Kentucky Derby we kick off with Thunder over Louisville.  Anyone with kids probably enjoys Thunder more than the Derby.  There is so much to do, you can't possibly do it all.  We headed downtown on a chilly Saturday to catch the sights.  They had an air show, kid activities in conjunction with the Science Center and then the largest fireworks display I've ever seen.  We had a great time, even carrying two sleeping children 6 blocks to the car.

Here's a sampling of the air show.  The whole airshow is 8 hours long with something flying overhead every 10-15 minutes.  

 Mr. Andrew built is own rocket and then launched it.  He's just beaming with pride!

The four wimpy Wilsons!  We headed into a coffee shop to purchase cookies and warm up on their couch.  It barely reached 60 degrees that day!  Burrrr!!!

Projects!!

While I have nothing against red kitchens (I painted our previous kitchen red) I am so over it!  Whoever picked red to paint this kitchen must have been a man.  Come on, really!  Dark wood floors, dark cabinets, black counter tops, sure, let's paint the walls DARK red!  After living here almost a year it was time to change it.  This was my project since Dave fulfilled his lifetime painting quota on our last house.

Here's the before....

 And here's the AFTER!

The color is "old time bakery" and we love it.  Dave did help with the back splash.  Even he can't resist a little tile cutting and grouting.  The wall with the windows is a muted green color. Picture it, green and gold/yellow (Go Pack).... hehe... I don't think Dave has figured that theme out yet. 

Preschool - Check!

Well... Andrew is done with Preschool.  He is less than two months away from starting Kindergarten.  "Geez, where has the time gone?!"  While I'd love to say that, I (and Andrew) are ready for him to start Kindergarten.  I have a harder time believing I have a 5, almost 6, year old.  Most days I still feeling like I'm 25.  Andrew is completely and utterly ready for school.  This past year, while memorable, has been long and challenging.  Keeping him entertained, motivated, intellectually stimulated has been a real challenge for me.  Definitely not one I was expecting.  Full time Stay at Home Mom is no easy task with a 5 year old.  Annabelle is much easier as a 2 year old.  However, I'm sure she will prove to be even more challenging when she reaches 5.  Which is why I plan to be back at work by then! LOL!  No really!  I am starting to get the word out that I'm looking for work - part time.  I'd like to get back into the professional world.  I can only talk about potty training, meal ideas and Legos so much.  I need more adult interaction before I go insane.

Here's the little man after Derby Day at Preschool.  Annabelle got dressed up too for the parade.  Andrew was a jockey and his horse was named "Brain Attack".

 And here is the man on graduation day.  While I didn't think a graduation ceremony was necessary for Preschool, it was fun to see him NOT sing throughout the ceremony and then come down and get his diploma.  Andrew has proved throughout the year that whenever it comes time for him to sing in front of an audience, suddenly he is the most sleep deprived child there, as he yawns through every song at every ceremony this year!  I have come to laugh at it.  This is why I don't order copies of the DVD from the ceremony.  Just what I need, a DVD of my kid yawning for 30 minutes.