Finally, Dalton's birthday party!

We haven't had an "official" birthday party with friends and everything for a few years now. As he gets older and older, I find it more difficult to find "themes" that both he and his classmates would find interesting.

Last year, we got off easy. We went to Disney on his birthday. Of course, that was one of the best times ever. He received a birthday button and any time a Disney employee saw the button with his name on it, they wished him a happy birthday. Of course, Dalton just thought that was the most awesome thing ever. He wore the button the entire time we were there and would proudly exclaim to everyone...even the ladies in front of him while we waited in line, "Today's my birthday!" Now, that wasn't exactly true 3 days later but he still enjoyed saying it and getting all the birthday wishes!

Sullivan gets quite worried that we haven't celebrated Dalton's birthday appropriately because we didn't have friends over. So, after some debating, we've decided to throw him a birthday party today with a Halloween theme. Not too scary. My kids get freaked out at the beginning of the Cars movie because the car wrecks. So, this is a not so scary Halloween party but maybe universally "cool"with the kids?

I'll post pictures after the party. Wish us luck (and Happy birthday to Dalton!...even though is birthday was a couple weeks ago. The boy can milk a birthday!)

Sullivan's half mile

Sullivan participated in a 1/2 mile training program for 6 and 7 year olds. He really enjoyed the training sessions.






To cheer him on, me and the kids made him a sign to encourage him during the race. He did such a great job.

He finished in the top group of runners and all the kids that participated received a medal. He was so proud of himself, he wanted to wear his medal to school. I think Craig was able to talk him out of it and the last minute.

Disney Pictures, finally!

This is sad I know, but I'm just now getting around to writing about the Disney trip. Part of the reason was I just found the camera! Probably on one of the house showings, I threw the camera in the garage with a bunch of other junk! Selling a house is no fun, but that's another story!

We all had a great time with our girls weekend. The start was a little bumpy with a roach found in the room (on property at the All Star Music Resort). Then a mix up with the number of park tickets but all went well. This was Tonya and Amanda's first visit to Disney and it didn't disappoint. The rain made a few of the days kinda icky but the lines were minimal. We were able to ride Everest back to back! It was awesome.







Here we are at Chef Mickey. All the characters came around and took pictures with us. The food was nothing to brag about. The best part about the buffet was definitely the desserts but I could see how a child would absolutely adore the personal attention received by the characters! We sure did.






Annette chickened out on the tower of terror but the rest of us enjoyed the ride...most of us 2xs. The only ride I wasn't able to do was some spinning space one. I didn't chicken out, but I know my limitations! Here we are in our princess shirts. Many people stopped and asked us about our shirts and even Tonya was spotted telling a perfect stranger all about our Princess shirts.

We were also caught watching the Hoopty Do Review. We had a good time but I do not recommend the show. It's very slap stick and very silly with much of the comedy missing the mark. I think us girls can have a good time anywhere but I would say save your money and don't see this show. We did laugh hysterically when Amanda was pulled up on stage...if you don't know this, Amanda seems to have made this a tradition. Her first "acting" experience happened in Gatlinburg when we were celebrating mom's 60th birthday. We had tried to get mom pulled up on stage but Amanda was the one selected. Now on this trip, we were celebrating Chantal's birthday and who gets pulled up on stage, yep Amanda!



On this trip, we did "coin" a new term for our trips...G.A.L.S. A.C.T. So what is it? It's now the name of our group and our girls weekend trips. It's the initial of our first names, including the one who started it all....mom! I know you can tell from the pictures but mom started a good thing!

Photo contest

Hey guys. Please go vote for Channing at http://wearezuzu.com I entered her in a photo contest for the inside of a CD cover. You don't have to enter anything just go to the site and click on Channing's photo to vote. It ends Sat. so I need you to go on now. Pass this on to anyone that could take the time to go vote!

Sisters weekend

The Shankle sisters are once again gearing up for a girls weekend. My mom started these after my dad passed away. There are 4 "original" Shankle sisters and 2 joined the group after the misfortune of marrying into the group. We went to Gatlinburg first, where we were spotted laughing our heads off at a theatre show. We were also seen getting our "old timey" pictures taken. On one of the Gatlinburg trips, we celebrated mom's 60th birthday (or should I say hottie).



We followed the Gatlinburg trips with a trip to Myrtle Beach. Little did we know, this would be the last girls weekend with mom. She passed away a month later. It is a wonderful memory to have even though she was very tired during this trip. She looked great and enjoyed spending some time with Channing. The sisters were spotted parasailing on this trip and the entire group was spotted leaving an expensive restaurant before ordering. We have since carried on mom's girls weekend tradition with an annual sister's trip.


The first one without mom was a cruise to the Bahamas. It was loads of fun and several sisters earned nicknames on that trip: Trippy Longstocking, Forgetful Freida or Bertha Certificate and Christopher Clutzo, (Dumb and Dumber was not earned on this trip). Yes we were a bit mischievous. Annette made us all shirts that said, "What happens with the sisters, stays with the sisters." They were a hit on the cruise. Many strangers weren't sure what kind of "sisters" we were since none of us look a lot alike. All I know is I did get us some "free" goodies on the cruise and we were noticed during the comedy show. If you go to the Bahamas, you have to get your hair braided,right? Well, 2 got our heads completely braided, 2 got half their heads braided and 2 got a couple of braids. I'm not partial or anything but the ones with their entire heads braided looked the coolest!



Anyways, the cruise was a huge hit and we all hope to go on another one together again. The following year we went white water rafting and horseback riding in West Virginia. All I'm saying is no one fell out of the boat but 1 came REAL close. I think my bottom is still bruised from that delightful 3 hour tour on the horse. A milestone birthday was celebrated on this trip (40) and others are sure to be celebrated in the future. The cabin ( I won't name names on who booked the trip) was a little less than desirable and I doubt any of us will return there soon.




Which now brings us to this year's trip. We are planning a wild and crazy (lol) weekend at Disney. Two of the "sisters" have never been to Disney so this will be lots of fun. We also hear there's some kind of balloon ride to explore. This trip you will probably see the sisters sporting our original shirts made by Annette, followed up with new minnie shirts made by Annette, and princess shirts made by me and some cute (if I do say so myself) Minnie flip flops made by yours truly.


One quick note on the princess shirts. In a night of brainstorming with a couple "sisters", we developed princess names for each of us: The eldest, responsible individual who keeps track of all us...Snowette. The unfortunate in-law who is very patient (probably closer to saint hood)who is married to a 6'4 "beast" is Lisabelle. Then there is the clean freak. Constantly cleaning up after everyone is Chantella. The next sister really prefers not to wear dresses, ever so she's the princess who prefers "pants" Tonasmine. Then the one sister-in-law who makes us all sick cause, well, she's tiny, well she's the only one that would look good in a bikini is Amandriel and then there's little ol' me. I am NOT a beauty unless I get my sleep so I am Shanora.









I can't wait to tell you guys all about our trip. It is sure to be an adventure!

MOMS

Today I am blogging about MOMS at Bellevue. I started attending MOMS back when Sullivan (now 7) was just a baby. At that time, I just needed some mommy time away from my precious bundle of joy and MOMS did that. But, once I started, I understood why so many mommas were there. It wasn't just for the childcare but for the uplifting message Jean would deliver every week. Because she writes studies that I personally need to hear, I have enjoyed participating in these studies. Unfortunately, I find myself falling WAY behind getting in the word when I'm not actively doing a bible study so these studies keep me doing what I need to be doing.

During the small group time, I have been encouraged as a momma and prayed over. Since I started MOMS, I've lost both parents, had another child and my oldest had brain surgery. During those moments, I've felt the love and support from the other moms in my small group. Every week I was amazed and uplifted by Jean's message. Many times I found myself in tears like she was specifically speaking to me. Stop getting angry with my kids, enjoy the moments with my kiddos because my time with them is short, pray over my family and prepare my mind and heart to teach my babies. I know that being a part of the MOMS bible study has made me a better momma, a better wife and a better Christian. Here is a link to Jean Stockdale's blog where you can find more information on the MOMS bible study: http://jeanstockdale.typepad.com/

First Days of School.....

Sorry, the craziness of the beginning of the school year has hit and well, the blog is pretty low on the totem pole! Dalton and Sullivan had a great first week of school. They both had positive things to say about their class and teachers.

Dalton's first week met him with the same 4th grade teacher as last year (thank goodness) but a different resource teacher and different personal assistant. All the teachers were so complimentary of how well he was doing but I warned, there can sometimes be a "honeymoon" period. Just this week I found out his personal assistant will be changing. I hope this turns out to be a good thing but he doesn't do well with change. Here's praying that this will be a positive change for him. Unfortunately, the honeymoon period seems to have worn off as today I did receive a phone call from the resource teacher stating he was hitting her. I spoke to him on the phone and upset him quite a bit but I really want to nip this behavior before it escalates to what it was last year.

Sullivan seems to really be enjoying AES. He names several "new best friends" on a weekly basis and speaks highly of his teacher. He has even gotten in trouble for talking in the hallway. (for him a good/bad problem to have.) After some complaints at church that he couldn't see, we took him to the eye doctor. Sullivan is now sporting some glasses and he looks mighty handsome!




Channing had her first day of MDO this week. Of course she loves being at school and can't wait til her next day of school. She's definitely my social bug and loves to be around other kids. I am still not sure what to do with myself on the days where they all are in school.