Swimming

So knowing that had this little pool to cool off has been bothering the kids because they have not got to use it, well until today. So this afternoon Delaney wore me down and I let her go ahead and try it out, well after doing a swimsuit model show she finally decided on which swimsuit she liked and fit her best. She splashed around for about an 1/2 hour and practiced her splits and was done, but was a very happy girl. Her chant was this is so much fun, fun, fun. And she has had a good day she told me and hopes Gretchen did too at school. I am sure that she got to use the pool will be the first thing she tells Gretchen when the bus arrives, so I am going to have to let Gretchen try it out before or after tumbling class. But the countdown is on and there is only 4 more days left of school for Gretchen until both are on the Summer Break! I am looking forward to a great summer!!

Memorial Day Parade & Yet Another

So both of my girls was in the Memorial Day Parade, just not the same one so first we went to Gretchen's in Casstown, which I was in too because it was for the Brownie Troop. And after walking from the old firehouse to the cemetary parade number 1 was complete. I was just thankful the weather wasn't as hot and sunny this morning, so it wasn't a bad walk at all. Of course, now that Gretchen can ride her bike she was disappointed she could not decorate and ride, but that is against the Girl Scouts rules, they must march and lead the parade. If I wasn't the leader I probably would have let her decide, but I didn't think it would be good if the co-leader let her daughter back out of the parade to ride her bike. Maybe next year I will let her ride her bike in Fletcher, but of course at the cost of no candy getting, decisions, decisions. After I dismissed the girls to their parents and to be honest we skipped out on the presentation there so we could have a little breathing time and snack before heading to Fletcher so Delaney could ride the Preschool Float (hayride wagon). This was Delaney's first parade as an participant and she was a little nervous, but did great waving, smiling and throwing candy. And Gretchen was excited to see some of her friends in the parade and they threw her candy from the special pack, aka big packs, lol. All and all it was a jam packed, but fun weekend and I am sad to see it end.

Farmer Frock

So we always talked about it and never have done it, plant a garden. This year we are officially doing it. Our tomato plants and pepper plants are planted, the seeds are in the ground for onions, green beans, lettuce, sweet corn and pumpkins. The girls are very excited and like I mentioned in the Banana Slug post will be a great Frock Girl Summer project. So we will have to let you know how it goes, but here are our little ones watering it down after our planting session.

Preschool Graduation

Today was Delaney's Preschool Graduation program at Miami East Elementary since the new Fletcher Methodist Church is not going to be dedicated until July. The older class started with songs and then Delaney's class came to the stage and had the option to introduce themselves in the microphone on the stage to everyone and she said "my name is Delaney Frock" - impressive I have to say!! They then performed their songs. The older class had little graduation hats and got certificates of completion since they are graduating to Kindergarten. Delaney's class was graduating to the next class. They then had a reception complete with cake and punch. They all did a great job and doesn't she look beautiful?

Memories

This Memorial Day Weekend is the first in our new home as we closed on Jason's b-day last year and with some problems didn't get to move in until Aug. So being our first Spring we get to see what grows where in our yard. And basically there are Hostas everywhere, which is probably good for me. I actually think I am going to try to thin them out and transplant a few here and there to complete the back yard and the sides of the house. Sad to say, but the worst landscaping is probably in the front of the house, so we are looking to relandscape this fall to get it cheaper and some time to think about what we want where and if we want to expand a certain area, but one thing that I love is the peony bush right outside my front door, not loving the location, but am loving the bush, might try to move that too in the fall. Many of you know I don't know my plants, but I do know that one. As you see it is this pretty pink color, but more importantly everytime I see it or smell their beautiful scent I smell memories. See growing up my Mama and Papa as I referred to them as had several beautiful peony bushes on the North side of their house, it was actually the property divider from them and their neighbor, which ended up being a dear friend of mines, Liza, house. I remember every Memorial Day weekend they would be in full bloom and my Mama would foil wrap her old coffee cans, hand cut some peonys and decorate the graves of my great grandparents and her beloved brother. Then after the parade on Monday and decorating the gravesites we would have a family picnic outside at the picnic table and my Great Aunt Grace, 3 doors down, would have all her family in and we would all walk back and forth and get caught up. It is amazing what one flower can bring back to you! Thanks for the memories this Memorial Day weekend!

We are going to have to watch that one.

The title says it all. This is what I said to Jason after Gretchen asked my dad to take her a ride on his Harley. She hopped right on and went down the road, but wasn't ready to stop riding so went around the country block. I of course am telling her to hold on basically for dear life and she is all cool and collected and by the time she got back from her ride she was barely holding on and loving it! Actually she asked when can she take another ride? What am I going to do with that girl? Jason swears we are all giving him gray hair and I think it will be Gretchen who gives me mine!

Great Game Gretchen

So Monday they had another game and this one went into extra innings because they were tied, there is more to that story, but I won't let my bitterness come out here, I am focusing on the postive game my Gretchen had. First some background, there is something like 15 girls on the team this year, not enough for 2 teams and some extras for 1 team. And this is the first league of softball, before this year they play t-ball mixed league to get some basics. This year they are still doing some basics, but they seperate girls to softball and boys to baseball. Still wanting them to play the positions to get a feel for each of them and to see what they are better at and like. Gretchen got to play outfield tonight, but spent most of her game on 3rd base. And she was the teams MVP tonight, at least in my mind. She was rocking it and getting everyone out on 3rd. Basically if they got to 2nd and had to face Frock they were out if they could get the ball to her. I think it was 2 innings she got the majority of the outs. One inning all 3 outs!! And mind you they only play 4-5 innings and have to set out at least one inning. So when they went into extra innings guess who got 3rd base, that is right Frock! They did end up losing the game, but Gretchen and the rest of her team played hard and didn't go down without a fight! Even walking to the car after the game the asst. coach said I think we found a 3rd baseman tonight and I have to agree! Plus she got a hit every time and only got out at 1st one time tonight. And yes, I am aware I am showing her as catcher, but I could not get a good pic on 3rd base. See the cute socks!

Miami East Softball Opening Day 2009

So Saturday May 16 was going to be Opening Day, which was also Graduation Party day, but rain came and canceled all games to Sunday, which actually was a relief. So we made it through Saturday and a little rain for the Graduation party and then we got some rest and got up Sunday morning to take on Opening Day. Now mind you we had not taken part in Opening Day Festivites before because T-ball doesn't play except on Friday nights. Gretchen was very excited to be playing softball this year because she got to play with all girls and they always had cute uniforms, sleeveless shirts, visors and some sort of adorable socks. This year was no exception, polka dots!! Very Lady Bugish, to bad that is not for my Laney Bug, huh? So she played a great game on Saturday even though they did end up losing the game she got to hit 2 times fouled it out the first time and got on base the second time and she got to play short stop most of the game. But I have to say the real excitement was the Home Run Derby. They give them 10 pitches from a pitching machine and whoever gets the most balls to the grass (outfield) is the Home Run Derby Queen aka Gretchen Frock this year - wahoooooo!!! Baby I am so proud of you!! That is right she came in 1st in the Mini Girls Softball Home Run Derby for 2009 season and got this trophy to prove it. I think the smile says it all!

Class of 2009

So as many of you know we hosted our niece Staci's graduation party this past weekend. We worked with Jeff & Staci and decided on a couple weeks before actual Graduation because of other parties and Memorial Day weekend thrown in there. So actually she is coming up on her final few days of High School. It is amazing to think that when I met her Uncle Jason and became part of her life she was close to Gretchen's age. I remember us living down the street from Jeff in our apartment and her coming down with him to visit and how he always warned me about gifts. Basically if they were noisy or anything of the such, she could bring it down and play with it at our place. I also remembering taking her to Victoria Theatre for a show and Chuck E Cheese afterwards for dinner. Or how about the time to go see Santa and Christmas Lights at Clifton Mills. Wow where does the time go? Now she is a fine young woman getting ready to end her High School years and start college life to become an Teacher. Then it makes me think it doesn't seem like that long ago I was peering at her on the play yard at Chuck E Cheese, now I am peering at my own daughters. It is amazing to think how much life will change again in the next 11 years when we will be celebrating our oldest daughter's graduation from High School, but for now I am happy to send Staci on to her next chapter of life, Gretchen to 2nd grade and Delaney to her last year of preschool. Congratulations Staci, we are so proud of you and love you so very much!!

Preschool Art Show

So in addition to gymnastics, the Banana Slug Festival there was also Delaney's Preschool Art Show tonight. So we just went from one thing to the other, but this was Delaney's first Art Show and she was SO EXCITED!! She couldn't wait until we got there to show all her beautiful artwork, she is pictured with some it. It is amazing to see how much she has grown this year of preschool, where she could have cared less earlier in the year, she was super ready to go. And it was so sweet Gretchen was so excited too, because the other programs have been during school and she did not get to go. So off the Frock Family Four went to have Delaney give us a tour of their Preschool Art Museum. And I have to say it was a nice setup. We had a set open house time and once you got to the preschool hall there was artwork all the way down to the classroom and the classrooms were full of more artwork. Basically each art form had an section, such as their Arks were colored, cut and glued and was in one spot and then their painted fire trucks were in the next section, etc. Then after you toured the Art Museum you could go to the common area for refreshments which included cookies and punch. I have to say that was I was quite impressed with how much artwork was on display and the amount of time and effort the preschool put into making it a very enjoyable evening for their students and families.

Banana Slug Festival

So each year at Miami East the kids attend an all day field trip to Garbry Woods to explore the great outdoors, this year all the rain forced it inside to the Fair Grounds. They work on songs in music and their costumes in art and they perform a show their too. Then that night they have an concert at a local park, but this year they opted to have it at Miami East since they are such a big supporter of the Banana Slug Fest. Again it was forced indoors due to weather. Last year we were unable to attend the evening festival, so Gretchen was excited we could this year. So you go and basically each class from K - 5 grade perform an song. They are basically the Go Green Festival. Gretchen is pictured in her costume and loved performing her stream song for us about what you put in the water goes downstream and hurts the fish. Thinking one of her summer projects is going to be helping us start our recycling back up. I will be honest I would recycle and did when we lived in town, but out her it would double our monthly trash cost to recycle, but my personal Go Green cheerleader, aka Gretchen, doesn't understand why we don't just pay the extra to save our environment. So I just found out recently that we can transport to our local recycling area for FREE, so I think that will be a good Frock Girls Summer Program along with helping in our first ever Frock Garden. I could probably use all the help I can get since I am not Mrs. Greenthumb. Stay tuned to see how our recycling/gardening adventure goes.

Happy Mother's Day

So my girls were very excited this year leading up to Mom's Day, which made me very excited too! So my day started with breakfast in bed, Jason had to hold them off to 8:30 am and they brought me a blueberry waffle, syrup and juice. Had to laugh because Gretchen asked me earlier in the week if the blueberry was my favorite and I said yes, just thought she was chit chatting, sneaky little girl! Then we got ready for church, went to lunch and I wanted to go get flowers for my pots to plant and my hanging baskets and since it was Mother's Day, that is what we did! Back home they cooked me dinner, including salad, kabobs on the grill, potatoes on the grill and corn on the cob. Dessert was Jason's award winning cheesecake (and I am not lying check out the Viking Fest blog). Delaney presented me with her gift she made in preschool and they wrapped it too. It was a card that was a flower on the front, their handprints and a poem on the inside. Gretchen is quite the sneaky girl because she had taken hers out of her bookbag and hid it to give to me today. Hers was a beautiful bouquet of flowers she had colored and cut and placed in an basket on a picture. They are both very good little artists, so very beautiful, they are still on my mantle. And then they presented me with the beautiful flowers you see in the picture and something that shocked me an digital keychain since I am getting so tech advanced they say plus I love pictures of my babies. Haven't quite had time to work on it, but looking forward to it. It was overall a beautiful day spent with my wonderful family - I love each and every one of you and thanks for making this the best Mother's Day!!

Road Rally and Team Queen

Okay - sorry it has been a while, but I am going to work on getting caught up because it has been a busy month of May! So let's get started with the Road Rally.
So it started when we got our annual Strawberry Festival Events catalog in our local paper and I saw Road Adventure and it did not tell you much, but I knew I could get some fun gals together to have some fun! So I gathered my gals, Missy, Erica and Buffy and we were so excited!! Missy our "Craft Queen" made us Team Shirts with the name Team Queen on the front and a Strawberry and our intial on the back with Bling everywhere because Queens' need Bling!! Just ask my Princess' in training, lol. The day arrived and we had no idea what to expect so we met at my house got our pic taken (thanks Jason) and off for some brain food aka lunch and to the Road Rally/Poker Run. So you start and have 15 minutes to follow the clues to your next location and answer trivia along the way. First stop a local watering hole to shoot some 3 ball - ugh we knew our husbands would have came in handy or just if we would listen to them tell us how to play pool, but after many shots we got our second location clues and trivia, which took us to no other than the driving range - ugh they could have came in helpful again, Rats!!! Third place was a committee members house and we played hillbilly golf and could handle that. Then it was off to our fourth location and it was a spa, whew we got this under control, plus it was a luck of the draw challenge, but we won it- whew!! Another team told us that was not surprising we did best at the spa since it looked like we spent a lot of time there, we will take that as a compliment, they must have been bitter about the Queens' beauty and that we took Third Place - Go Team Queen!! We have decided we could do better next year and that we might take our hubbies along too or maybe we will challenge them to a Road Rally - stay tuned for our decision.

Happy Haircut

So tonight the girls were going to get haircuts when Gretchen said "can I get my hair cut short?" I said "I don't care, how short?" and she shows me. I at that point I warn her it will be to short to pull up and her response is that "it will be fine because it will be cooler for summer and I won't have to pull it up. And if I don't like it, no big deal it will grow back." Wish I was that daring sometimes. And she was so excited to go to school on Monday to show her teacher because Mrs. Simmons had never got to say Happy Haircut to her before since she usually only got it trimmed. Well I have to say I think she looks adorable and we both LOVE IT!!

Wonderful Garage Cleaning Weekend!!

So here is the story we moved in last year in Aug. to this house and we just kept moving things around in the garage to do what we needed to do, crazy I know, but that is what we did, for instance stack stuff so we can get the van in during the winter and it was still an obstacle course, but no scraping snow and ice. So we keep saying we are going to have to clean the garage right, but nothing. So Jason's brother, Jeff, has a daughter Staci who is graduating at the end of the month and I suggested they needed to have an party for her and even said have it at our house, no biggie, which it isn't except I really needed to have the garage cleaned in case of rain people could be in the garage. And weekends have been busy with softball, gynastics, Girl Scout field trips, b-day parties, Pampered Chef shows, you name it, so alas this past weekend we only had 2 things on the agenda softball practice, which is early on Saturday, great I can get started when we get back and church. Well obviously weather helped because no softball, long story short we ended up having 1 gynastics class, but again no biggie. So Saturday morning Jason went to help our cousin, John pick up an purchase in IN. So I took the girls to class, fed them lunch and I was on an agenda - garage! Jason came home shocked at what I was doing and how much I got done. Well we finished after church on Sunday and it looks GREAT!! We have a few boxes to still go through and a couple of stacks that can be placed in the attic and I have a pile of garage sale boxes that we are just going to have to work around until after the sale in June. But alas the garage is complete, the yard got mowed, the flower beds got weeded and we even played some ball as Gretchen puts it for an "family activity" this weekend and we only ate out right after church, which means I cooked meals in there too - can you tell I am quite impressed with myself? And now I won't have to complain about my garage anymore either, well until someone decides to mess with my clean system, lol.

Vera Bradley Outlet Sale

Well it all started at around 4 am on Wed. morning this week I got up to get ready to go to my First Vera Bradley Outlet Sale. Funny thing about this is I just got my first Vera Bradley purse when I won it at an Hospice Bingo Event back in the winter, but I LOVE that purse! It is the Cargo Sling and it holds Tons of stuff! So of course I was in when I found out the sale was in Ft. Wayne, fairly close, couple hour drive. I wanted an Backpack (great for family trips), Hipster (good for Black Friday shopping), some sort of summery purse and an large bag (I know like I need another large bag), plus some accessories. So I get my shower and head to pick up my cohort for the day Missy. Side bar, we do have wonderful husbands, they both got the kids off to school so we could be there at 8 am when it opened. Our Double D troubles, Delaney and Daniel, did not have school so John, being the dear that he is, said he would hang with Double Trouble. With all that out of the way we were on our way, felt a little like Black Friday except a lot warmer and we had not been, so we did not know what to expect. Tried to register online, no luck, so we did register on site, no biggie, except we could have saved $10! Then they told us to head upstairs, but wait isn't that the line to get in? Well yes maam, but the End of the line is up the stairs and around the bend. So up the stairs and around the bend to the end we went. They pass out fliers letting you know where the goods would be, for example, Backpacks will be in 600 Blue Area and the price. Well the doors opened, by the time we got in it was closer to 8:30, told you it was a long line, but we were in. So we are systematic type of girls, lets start here right? Then we see many women with their VERY LARGE bag they give you at the door filled, maybe two bags filled and was already on the designated side lines sorting what they wanted. So that is how they do it, divide and conquer, to the designated area, grab one of every color, sort and discard. Then we notice people going through piles of Vera Bradley on the floor in boxes, in linen carts, what is it you ask? That is discard piles, I have never seen such piles of Vera Bradley in my life, let alone on the floor. So basically we were being to timid, funny if you know us and Black Friday, we pride ourselves in getting the goods. Well, needless to say we did get into the zone and know what to do next time. So we started going to the areas that we really wanted taking what we might want and sort later, like the pros. So we made it through the entire "store" waited for someone to move so we could sit down to sort. And we did discard and then started stalking the discard carts, boxes, etc. And yeah, here came on a discard cart what we wanted. And us not being to proud, was like isn't that what we are looking for and with one swoop of Missy's hand she had them both - victorious!! Wahooooo!!!! So we decided to go back to the table to find another one. They are starting to restock the discards we discover and someone was standing there debating, "what do you think" and with one more swoop it was ours!! They were in complete shock, snooze you loose ladies. Hey, this is our first trip and we get it, you must be a little slow on the uptake their sisters! Well, needless to say we were feeling good, got what we came for and decided it was time to leave the building, well at least the shopping part. You checked out in another location. So off to the checkout location, well we thought we had conquered, not quite yet, there was a snake style line that wrapped around like nothing you have ever seen, think of a ride at an amusement park concept. And let me tell you we looked like Girl Scouts in this area, we could still carry our one, not completely full bag. There was women draped in large bags, necks, arms, pulling 2 large bags, pushing a box and discarding at the checkout because your limit is $2500 in purchases. Now I know we broke our husbands budgets, but OMG! So you finally get to the front of the line and they tell you to move to the lets say purple or orange area because they have the shortest line, which still is several people out and they have 4 registers going in each colored section. After much delay we have our purchases in hand and head to the car. We have only had one potty break and no food, so lunch is next. We felt pretty good as we sat down, except we were starving! Jason calls to check in and is impressed they have not got a call for bail money, but did remind us it would take a while to get there, lol. We thought of our friend Erica, because last Black Friday we went shopping all together and we were quite victorious and thought if we go again and she is not frolicking at the beach, lol, we could have a game plan and be one of those on the sidelines immediately sorting our goods. I don't know if we would go as far as the headsets we saw, honest to goodness, headsets, "I am in Blue 200 and got it, where are you?" Then we had the poor little old ladies pushing their walkers around and mom's with brand spanking new babies, I would be afraid they would get smashed or something horrific. I guess like the one lady from N. Carolina said "Guess this is what you get when you put women in their natural habitat." And then going to checkout we here - I hope we still have enough for our air fare back home. - what???? Are you serious???? So we did make a deal, no kids, unless my daughters are old enough to go and pay for their own goods and no worrying in our case if we have enough gas money to get back home! Crazy is the one word to sum it all up, but Fun is the second word. We wish we would have pics, but who has time for that when they are shopping!!