We had a BLAST at Fort Hudson!

Soldiers (actors) performed a wonderful Civil War reenactment for us Saturday, complete with horses, guns, cannons and costumes. We went to Fort Hudson, Louisiana to experience our first war reenactment.

Thanks to Travis's friend Bud and his wife Sunshine, we got a first-row seat for the battle. The Yankees started firing at the Rebels with a cannon. A group of Yankee sharp shooters dressed in red (a travelling front-line battalion) assisted by firing warning shots as well. The Rebels, being true to their name, were outnumbered but defiantly fought like they had a million troops. They all fought a good fight, but the Yankees ultimately won. They had soldiers hidden in the forest who came out and overcame the Rebels.

The kids didn't know what to think at first. The cannons were LOUD, but the kids nor the adults lost interest in the battle. Dawson sat and covered his ears the whole time. Madalynn, Justis and Lilly sat intently on our picnic blanket in awe of the whole thing. Things really got interesting when the soldiers started "falling down dead"! The men really did fall and act like stiffs pretty well. They weren't about to peel their eyes from the action, though!

All of the volunteers for the reenactment (who weren't dressed in their State Park uniforms) were dressed in costume. Yankee uniforms, Rebel uniforms, ladies colonial dresses, even the kids and babies had uniforms. We walked through a soldier camp. The soldiers (actors) literally sat and caught their breath and tried to cool off, while the ladies wove baskets and sewed and the children played. We toured the park's museum as well.

The actors took their jobs VERY seriously. I overheard them asking their fellow actors who watched the fight if it looked realistic and if they did a good job. They did, especially considering it was 87 degrees and muggy the day of the reenactment and they were wearing wool uniforms!

Grandma Davis bought the girls bonnets and the boys "smoking hats." We all got something cold to drink before hopping in the car to head home.

We only scratched the surface of Civil War history Saturday. We plan to take the kids back next year for another Fort Hudson reenactment!

More on Madalynn's Birthday

Madalynn is still buzzing about her birthday. She was truly blessed by friends, family, phone calls and gifts. Enjoying the day with her was a blessing for Travis and I.

Madalynn had a blast with her friend Lilly. She and Lilly wore matching Hannah Montana shirts Saturday and wore their hair in french-braided pigtails. You would not BELIEVE how many people asked if the girls were twins. Hand-in-hand they walked around, inseparable. They both got bonnets at the Civil War reenactment. They got a lot of talking time in the car to and from the reenactment and enjoyed playing American Idol in the van. They wanted me to sing so they could judge me. Lilly was Simon and Madalynn was Paula. They are tough judges!

Madalynn got fun gifts, too! She got a Hannah Montana blanket, "diva" pants, Amelia Bedelia books, a Hannah Montana purse and outfit, a fancy pink dress, a CD and a special "Daddy's little princess" precious moment figuring from Travis.

One of the most touching times of the day is when Madalynn read each birthday car from front to back with help with only a few words. We did not prompt her, she just opened the cards and read them. She began reading the first card and everyone (surprised) got quiet as she read. She smiled after reading every note and each gift was even more special to her after reading the personal notes from the gifters!

We all hit the pillow hard last night, especially Madalynn and Lilly! Lilly stayed with us again last night and we took her to church today before dropping her back off at home.

What a birthday weekend!

Madalynn, Happy 7th Birthday!

Madalynn celebrated her seventh birthday today. This seems a little cliche to ask, but where have those seven years gone? Seems like just yesterday she was in the hand-me-down clothes that Jillian is now wearing! Madalynn embraced "7" with excitement and Grandma and Grandpa Davis, Great-Grandma Leach and Madalynn's friend Lilly all helped Madalynn celebrate her birthday with us.

Madalynn's girlfriend Lilly came for a sleepover Friday night and we and Travis's family all went to Fort Hudson, Louisiana, today for a Civil War reenactment. We all had a very good time watching the reenactment and then learning a little bit about history from the volunteers dressed in period clothes.

We came home and had pizza, opened presents and ate cake. Yum. The "theme" for this year's birthday is Hannah Montana. Madalynn will always be our rock star!

Love You, Miss Madalynn!

I finally updated the blog!

You'll need to read "backward" for a while to catch up with the blogs. I past-dated blogs to fall close to the actual days they happened, so you'll have to go back to read about our last several weeks. There are LOTS of new blogs. Enjoy!

Happy Easter!

HE is risen, and I was finally able to RISE out of bed this morning after a night with a stomach virus.

Travis had a stressful time getting the kids out the door and to the 9:00 church service by himself this morning, but he did a great job and now they're just finishing lunch.

Madalynn and Jillian are wearing the new Easter dresses I made for them and all Justis and Dawson want to do is hunt Easter eggs.

I am physically confined to sitting in the recliner or being in bed right now, so I'm making the most of my time by updating the blog I have been so WAY behind on for several weeks now.

Looking at the bright side of things, I am so greatful for a beautiful Easter Day and the rest I have been forced to take!

Have a great Easter Day!

A Visit From Aunt Holly!

Travis's sister Holly came for a visit this past week and we had a great time having her.

She rolled into Percy Quin State Park in her new blue Dodge pickup truck at about 11:00 p.m. Saturday the 15th. Travis met her at the gate and she joined us in an overnight tent camp. The kids and I were all sleeping when she arrived, so we were all so excited to wake up and see her!

We spent Sunday recuperating from camping and Monday she gave the kids and I a ride to Sam's club in her new quad-cab truck and accompanied us grocery shopping after we ate lunch at Backyard Burger. Riding in a truck is a real treat for all of the kids. They really enjoyed playing in the bed of the truck in the backyard when they weren't riding in it, too!

Tuesday morning Holly took Madalynn and treated her to a manicure and pedicure for some girl time and then took her to Target to shop for her birthday present. Holly said it was a hard decision for Madalynn to make, but she finally chose to get a new doll (her name is Jenny) over a Hannah Montana CD and a pair of new shoes. Choices, choices. Holly and Madalynn met me, Justis, Dawson, Jillian and Madalynn's friend Lilly at Chick Fil-a before I took the my kids and Lilly on to home school co-op.

Wednesday we had a wild time (quite literally). Travis took the day off and treated us to a trip to the Global Wildlife Center in Folsom, LA. The Global Wildlife Center is a 900-acre wild animal refuge. We took a tractor-driven covered wagon ride through part of the acreage while hearing about the animals and feeding them! Camels, reindeer, moose, giraffes, llamas, kangaroos and zebras are just a handful of the variety of animals we saw. I got a huge kick out of the hairy camel! The kids really enjoyed having the animals come right up to their feed cups and eating from them.

Holly left Thursday morning around 10:30 to four sad kids and a sad me. We so enjoy the company of our family and it is always hard seeing visitors off. We look forward to the next time we get to see her, though!

Love you, Holly!

Meet the Maggios!

God has brought a new family into our lives, the Maggios!

I met Jennifer Maggio while helping in first-hour nursery at home school co-op. Her littlest girl, Caroline, is Jillian's age and they enjoy playing together. Jennifer and I love to chat with the other ladies in the nursery, and we have things in common, like our first-grade girls (who have become very good friends) and our 18-month-olds.

We go to Jennifer's house every Monday afternoon for Bible study. Jennifer and Caroline see me and Jillian at nursery and Madalynn and Lilly see each other in their Keeper's at Home class every Tuesday at co-op.

We were blessed to have them over for a Friday afternoon several weeks ago. The rain kept us inside, but we really enjoyed friendship and lots of oatmeal cookies together. Yum!

We look forward to many more fun play dates and Bible studies with the Maggios. Hopefully soon Travis will be able to meet Jennifer's husband, Jay, as well!

Cabbage, Potatoes, Carrots and BEADS! Our St. Patrick's Day Parade.

I'd never "caught" cabbage, potatoes, carrots and beads at a parade before until we went to the Ponchatoula St. Patrick's Day Parade Saturday, March 15.

Dawson was very confused. He was expected to catch candy, so when someone handed him a carrot he took it and just stared at it as if to say, "Why in the WORLD was I just handed a carrot?!"

Jillian was terrified of the bagpipes, Justis and Travis had a blast trying to catch the bouncy balls being thrown and bouncing EVERYWHERE, and Madalynn cared about getting her beautiful beads.

By the end of the parade we had a huge paper sack full of beads and another huge paper sack full of giant carrots and potatoes. We didn't get a cabbage, but they were handing them out, too.

I got my hair cut in the window of a local salon right before the parade, so people would pass by and wave at me and smile as my stylist cut my hair. The kids got a kick out of seeing mommy in a storefront window.

We left the parade smiling because we cease to be amazed at Louisiana's unique ways of celebrating things. We also had a good pan full of fried potatoes that night!

Madalynn's First Sleepover

Madalynn spent her first overnighter at her friend Lilly's house March 12!

Lilly is the daughter of my good friend Jennifer and is Madalynn's friend from home school co-op.

Madalynn and Lilly were both taking a three-day art workshop in Covington (where Lilly lives), so Jennifer offered to allow Madalynn to stay over one night to save me a morning trip taking her to the art workshop. Not only was I blessed by making one less trip to Covington, Madalynn had a BLAST!

Lilly took Madalynn to her grandma's house to eat pizza. They then went back to Lilly's house where the two of them did their art homework together and watched a little bit of American Idol. The girls made a "house" for Lilly's hamster and Lilly's mom read them an Amelia Bedelia book before Madalynn borrowed some PJs and the girls turned in for the night.

We missed having Madalynn at home that night, but we gave her a call to talk to her and tell her good night. Travis shed a tear when he realized our daughter is growing up fast.

I picked her up the next day after art workshop and she couldn't stop talking about her great sleepover with Lilly.

Madalynn can't wait to host Lilly for a sleepover now!

Young Man Justis

Justis is a joy to have in our home. He is the one always keeping me on my toes, for sure. He's to go-to guy around the house when Travis is gone. He always willingly helps me with what I ask and even goes out of his way to find ways to help me out.

I was pleasantly surprised when I got two very nice compliments about Justis from two of his co-op teachers and the lady who organizes co-op. His reading teacher told me she wanted to take Justis home with her. She went on to say how he quietly follows instructions and doesn't have to be prodded to finish his work. She said he showed perseverance! Justis's art teacher gave one student at each table a sunflower. Justis received one for being a good listener. The leader of co-op told me she had heard my son Justis was very smart. I smiled and agreed with her. Sure, I'm a proud mom, but he IS quite witty.

Justis is very detail-oriented, and we're enjoying watching him develop in his personality and character. He cares so much for the feelings of others and is always the first child to share what he's playing with, eating or drinking with anyone. We love you, Justis Shane!

Do Princesses Wear Cowboy Hats?

Princess Jillian wears cowboy hats AND her daddy's caps!

Pink and camo make a cute mix, right?! We can't decide if Jillian's tomboy/princess style is influenced more by her two older brothers or is an attempt to make a reinvent a fresh country princess style. Whatever the reason, she certainly has a unique style.

Here are some pictures of Jillian wearing some of her favorites. Remember, WE didn't chose these outfits for her. She picked them out herself!

Backyard Campout in FEBRUARY!

I would have laughed at the thought of camping out in February when I lived in Kansas. February, after all, is quite possibly the coldest month of the year in Kansas! That's why I never dreamed we would set up the tent in the backyard for a February 17 camp out.

Travis told me of his intentions to camp out with the kids. I said, "Have fun. Jillian and I will sleep inside, where it's warm!" I offered my support with setting up the tent and providing the ingredients for s'mores.

Sleeping bags ready, the kids and Travis went out to camp. I spent some time sitting with them while they cooked s'mores and shared stories. Giving kisses to all of them, I turned around to check into my warm cozy bed, wondering when they would get too cold and come in.

Travis, Madalynn, Justis and Dawson have resolve and warm bodies, apparently. Although the daytime temperature was in the high seventies before dark, the temperature got down to 43 degrees that night. Brrrr!

They came in early the next morning with red noses and smiles on their faces! Turns out they ended up sleeping two to a sleeping bag and invited Dixie (our chocolate lab) in to keep their feet warm.

The next night those crazy kids were asking to camp out in the backyard again! We somehow convinced them to wait until the weather was a little warmer!

Meet Slider

This is Slider, our new pet turtle!

I uncovered our little turtle while raking leaves in the backyard. He was on his back and hidden away in his shell playing dead. I picked him up and thought, "Should I let the little guy go, or tell the kids?" I chose to tell and show the kids. The turtle went from our entertaining discovery to a permanent resident in Madalynn and Jillians' room.

Slider is named after the kind of turtle he is. He's a red-eared slider, and he swims!

You may be wondering why I found a swimming turtle in the backyard. We are in the rainy season here, and we pretty much live in a swamp. Our yard gets saturated and water stands for a long time after it rains, especially in holes. I think the little guy got washed into our backyard or was hatched in a little water hole there.

Madalynn has taken responsibility for Slider. She feeds him and takes him out once a day to hold and show the siblings. Slider lives in a little plastic reptile home. Half of his home is water, the other half is aquarium rocks. He swims around, then gets up on the rocks, then swims around again and gets fed regularly.

Salmonella lives on turtles and other reptiles, so I am very particular about hand washing before and after holding Slider!

Slider's a cute little guy, but boy does that tiny turtle stink up Madalynn & Jillians' room! Yuck. I told Madalynn we'd keep him until/unless he seems to need his natural environment. Turtles live a LONG time...Hmmmm.....

Toothless Wonder

A good tooth brushing and an hour of wiggling was all it took for Madalynn's first lost tooth to go from solid to GONE this morning.

Madalynn has been waiting for this "right of passage" (as she sees it) into "big girl" territory FOREVER! She no longer has to sit and look at all of her friends' toothless grins longing for a space in her smile.

"Mom!" she hollered as she rushed into the kitchen with her mouth wide open this morning to show me her wiggly discovery. She was talking so fast I couldn't understand most of what she said. "What do I do" she asked.

I told her that most of the time it takes a while from a tooth to go from loose to gone...sometimes a week or so. Imagine both of our surprise as she caught her tooth in her hand and gasped, "It came out, Mom! It came out!"

Her tiny tooth is waiting in a cup on her dresser for the tooth fairy to take and replace with money.

"Do I look funny?" was one of the first questions she asked me.

I hugged her and told her she looks beautiful. Enjoy the picture of beautiful, toothless Madalynn.