Catherine's Sleepover

Catherine finally talked me into having a sleepover for her birthday. I kept telling her no because I had done one for Caroline in February for the last two birthdays. But, in the end, I began feeling bad for Catherine, so Friday night was the special night. Keep in mind she is only 6. Most girls are not even allowed to spend the night at this age. We invited 6 girls, all of whom came to celebrate by bowling with us. Only three were able to spend the night. They were all girls from church and were well behaved. Lucky me, all were asleep by 10:30...not too bad. We began with pizza on the back patio followed by playing in the backyard.

I actually gave the girls their party favors before we left to bowl, so they could wear them. All of my friends are so creative in coming up with cute little party favors and I did not get so blessed in this particular area. But, I have to say, this time they turned out pretty cute. While I was in Hobby Lobby trying to come up with some crafty idea, I came across their T-shirts. I thought maybe I could buy T-shirts & let the girls put handprints all over the shirts. That thought did not last long considering these are 6 year olds and I do not want to get out the paint. Then I looked some more and came across these rhinestone iron-on initials. After hitting both local Hobby Lobby's and several stores looking for inexpensive tanks, I found all the initials & shirts. Here is the picture of all the girls wearing their shirts. They loved them and I loved them because they were so easy. I completed 8 shirts in less than 45 minutes and $35. Don't I have something to be proud of?

After getting full bellies, we headed for the bowling alley. This is one of the McCann family's favorite outings, so Catherine wanted it to be part of her party. I think the girls had a really good time. They seemed to have stayed on top of their turns. I hardly had to remind them when it was their turn; they kept up with it themselves. This definitely surprised me. The picture is of the Birthday Bowler.

When we got back home, we had cookie cake and ice cream, then opened presents. They wanted to go back outside to play some more before settling down. (The backyard was a hit because not only do we have the trampoline and the playground from Sam's Club, but last weekend Kyle also added a rope to a high branch of an oak tree. This rope has a foot hold in it and is swung on like being in the jungle. They climb up the climbing wall of the playset, then push off hanging onto the rope. No pictures of this unfortunately. I will catch some later.) Anyway, they wore themselves out and were asleep by 10:30. While I cooked cinnamon rolls in the morning, they were back out there playing. I think they all had a good time, but I am glad to say that it is all over and I SURVIVED another one!!!

Missing Kyle

Well, Kyle left right after Sunday School this morning to catch an airplane to Philadelphia for a work meeting. Sure does make for a long Sunday afternoon being just us girls. Luckily, he will return tomorrow night. I decided I would finally register the girls' webkins online. They have owned several of these animals for almost a year now. They haven't really cared too much about registering them, but I really do not think they understood what they were all about. Actually, I don't think the website impressed them too much since they have to actually earn points in order to spend some. So, the computer didn't last long. Then, Caroline wanted to learn how to make friendship bracelets. You have to understand that Catherine is probably the one with the patience to do this, but Caroline insisted. She decided to make a choker instead of a bracelet...talk about time consuming. So, we began with 6 strands. I taught her how by doing 2 rows, and she actually finished 2 rows too. But, she is done with that--she only has about 1000 rows left---maybe by next year. Now they are back to old faithful---coloring! You can always count on coloring to be there for you.

So, back to the reason I am writing this in the first place...I am missing Kyle. He is usually great entertainment for the girls on Sundays. I usually get a lot of my laundry done while they play outside. So much for laundry today...we mostly need bathing suits this week anyway!!!

Flower Girls

We drove down to Pine Bluff this weekend for a wedding. Kyle & I taught Jarrod Dortch's high school Sunday School class down there, and he moved up to Fayetteville last year. He and his fiance, Caira Daugherty, have been since attending our church (First Assembly of God in Springdale). They asked us if Caroline & Catherine could be in there wedding as their flower girls. This meant so much to us and was such an honor. We drove down there on Friday for the rehearsal and dinner. Saturday morning we got up and went to the salon where all of the bridal party got their hair done. Caroline & Catherine loved this, of course.

After their hair was all beautiful, we made our way to the church for pictures. For the wedding, the girls stood fairly still up on stage. Caira was an absolutely beautiful bride. More pictures after the wedding & then on to the reception. After filling our bellies, we headed back home. It was a quick trip. We drove 4 1/2 hours to Pine Bluff and then back home within 24 hours. It is Wednesday now & it is finally catching up with us today. We are all exausted.

Gymnastics Bragging

These videos are for all of you family members out there who have been missing out on these hard working girls. They have finally mastered back handsprings. These videos were taken back in January, so they have both improved since then and Catherine can actually land one by herself. See what you think! Pretty good for a kindergartener and 1st grader!

Our Trampoline Disaster

We have had our first run-in with the trampoline after three years! We have girls...I thought boys were the only ones that get banged up and bruised. Two weeks ago, Caroline and Catherine were being best buds, as always, playing on the trampoline. "Dead Woman, Dead Woman, on the floor...til I count to 24...1...2...24!" I don't know what they like about this game, especially talking about dead women, but it just about knocked Caroline out. She decided to get outside of the net. (Who needs a net anyway...it does no good!) BTW, Kyle has just finished placing a patio of beautiful concrete pavers right next to the trampoline with a peaceful bistro set and garden around it. So, back to the story, Catherine is trying to tag Caroline blindly (but she always peaks). She gets her, but she tags just a little too hard. Catherine is nothing but muscle; she doesn't know her own strength. Next thing Kyle sees is his baby girl flying off the trampoline face first onto the beautiful patio. You can imagine how scared Kyle was to pick her up expecting to see more blood than he could have handled; but, by the grace of God, she came in with a bruised cheek bone and eye socket. The impact did knock the breath out of her, but she recovered. The only thing she would complain about was her right side hurting and I just kept thinking about her liver. She became nauseated and a couple of hours later began throwing up. We took her to the ER and after several CT scans, the doctors located a couple of lacerations in her liver. We had to stay in the hospital over night to have vital signs monitored to make sure surgery was not needed. Some time during the night, after many prayers, her liver stopped bleeding and we were able to go home. Thankfully, she is now okay and will be able to get back to running, playing, and gymnastics starting Sunday.

Our Piano Princesses

We now can say we have two piano princesses in our home! Caroline and Catherine have been taking piano now for more than 3 months. Even though they missed their first recital due to Caroline's tumble off of the trampoline, they were able to play for their elementary school talent show. And, Kyle & I think they did great! We are so very proud of them. Thankfully, we have gotten through the first couple of months--a little tough to get them in the mode of practicing. Now, they go in there on the piano to practice on their own or with just a little coaxing. Since they have reached the accomplishment of learning some music pieces, they are enjoying playing much more.

It's Been a Long Time!!!

Hello Everyone! I know it has been a long time since I have written, but I have the same excuse as everyone else...no time! Where does it go? I mean...in a few months it will be Christmas again. I can not believe it & my checkbook can't either!!! Anyway, I have not fallen off the face of the earth. I thought I may catch you up with what has been happening here in the McCann household through the summer with a few pictures. The first week in June we went to a family reunion for Kyle's family down at Toledo Bend in LA. We had a great time of playing games, fishing, visiting, eating... I didn't take any pictures of that. But, a few weeks later we went to Hilton Head, SC & took plenty of pictures. This was an awesome trip. We had such a great time.

Then, a few weeks later, the girls & I loaded up the Volvo & headed to Colorado to see my family. This was a lot of fun too. The girls rode one of Daddy's horses & he took them on a ride on his front loader tractor. We all went tubing. (Rhonda & I flipped). And, we did many other things. But, most importantly, we were able to hang out with all the family.

August was a big month for Caroline. She got her ears pierced. She learned to ride her bike without training wheels, lost her 3rd tooth, and started first grade. BTW, she loves school! Catherine had a little bit of a problem with beginning Kindergarten, but we have gotten through it. She was determined not to go to school. We went through all kinds of crying (me & her). It was not fun.

Now, you say to me, "What are you doing with your time?" Well, a few weeks ago, the principal of the girls' elementary school called b/c my name had been brought up about this cafeteria duty aid position. And, surprisingly, I was very excited about her calling me. It is from 10:30-12:30 M-F. I get to see my girls everyday at lunch & all the other kiddos. All I have to do is make sure they come in, get seated okay, help open food that they can't open, & dismiss them. I have so enjoyed this. Believe me, it is not the best paid position in the world, in fact, it is probably minimum wage (I don't know what that is right now). But, it gets me out of the house enough to not get bored & then I come home to take care of my house. So, yes, I have been busy. I am still getting up every morning to walk on my treadmill for an hour. And on M-W-F I go to a class at a local church called Fit 4 Christ. It is an awesome workout. So I am trying to stay in shape which is getting harder in my 30's.

Well, I know that I have written a lot, but at least you know what I have been doing lately. I have not forgotten about all of you. I miss you all & hopefully will be back to communicate a little more often.