Izzy and her Treasure Chest

Bailee has reached a point where she thinks she knows everything and that the world revolves around her. Sorry, it had to be said. She's four, going on fourteen. Time for a little intervention.

Her favorite show at the moment is "Jake and the Neverland Pirates" on the Disney Channel. It qualifies as a good show because it teaches teamwork and, quite frankly, it doesn't get on my nerves. In each episode Jake, Izzy, and Cubby have to work together to accomplish a goal and avert Captain Hook and Mr. Smead while trying to earn gold doubloons.

Ding, ding, ding!

I have now built her a treasure chest and given her a map of ways she can earn gold "O'Neal doubloons." When she earns 10 coins, she'll get some sort of TBD prize. She woke up from her nap to find the treasure chest and was in disbelief...she said, "You made that for me?" I have even let her dress up as Izzy, and so far so good. She's helping and hasn't complained or whinned in the last hour (which is a record!).

We'll see how long it lasts! Keep your fingers crossed!

Busy Week!

Bailee took part in the TL Hanna Cheer Camp this past week. She had a good time and learned lots of cheers and a dance. She's not completely sold on bring a cheerleader just yet, but she enjoyed getting to spend the mornings with her friends.

While she was there, Nathan and I had some one-on-one time....we read books and did puzzles. It's hard to believe he's already 16 months old and will be moving up to the Older Toddlers class in August! It seems like just yesterday Bailee was starting in that same class, but in reality that was THREE years ago!

It made for a very long week, though because in the evenings we also had Vacation Bible School at church. I worked in the first grade classroom, and enjoyed getting to know and work with those boys and girls. We had a really good group, and I could see myself eventually doing that regularly. Bailee enjoyed it as well and learned lots!

We have had a great start to our summer and have lots more fun planned! I am so fortunate to have a job that allows me my summers to spend this time with the kids!

Happy Fathers Day

I always have such a hard time buying gifts for Patrick. There are many reasons he's so diffficult to buy for, but the main reason being he's so practical and doesn't ask for a whole lot. But this year, he had dropped several hints, so we had lots of good gifts for the #1 man in our lives! He has recently started running, so we got him a gift certificate to Run In for a new pair of shoes. He has also broken his favorite sunglasses, and no rigging could repair them, so we also got him a gift certificate to Fowler's Pharmacy. Now, you might be thinking those aren't gifts if he still has to go pick them out himself. But another one of the reasons Patrick is so hard to buy for is because he's SO particular, and I'd rather him pick the ones he wants instead of getting something and then he has to return it.

Anyway, I wanted to have some sort of surprise for him. We hadn't had many pictures of the kids taken since Nathan was 4 months old, so on a whim I booked a last-minute session with a friend of a friend, Katherine Escobar. We planned a Saturday morning rendezvous at Falls Park where she'd take some outdoor photos of the kids for Patrick. On Friday evening, I very casually asked Patrick what he had planned for the next day (hoping I could sneak this one over on him), but then he starts asking questions. I finally told him I had something cooked up, but he couldn't know about it. He dropped it until the next morning when he CHEATED!!!!!!!!!!! I had sworn Bailee to secrecy, but he's clever, and managed to pry it out of her. Here's how the convo went:

Patrick: Bailee, what are you guys doing today?

Bailee (looking at me and nodding): I can't tell you, Daddy. It's a secret.

I am nodding at her in approval! :)

Patrick: Well, are you sure you don't need me to come with you?

Bailee: No, Daddy. We're just going to have our pictures taken.

Oh well.

So, here's the '>final result. Katherine did an excellent job and know the tough decision is going to be choosing the right pictures to print and display in the house!

Happy Fathers Day to our wonderful Daddy! We love you!!!

The next youtube baby????

Spring has SPRUNG!

WOW! Time flies! We've been so busy over the last few months, I haven't had time to post much, but I'll try and give the quick and dirty version of what's been going on with the O'Neals.

End of School~Calhoun

We recently had our state tests, the Palmetto Assessment of State Standards or PASS, and to motivate our students we changed the song "Raise Your Glass" to "Raise Your PASS." We even dressed as nerds and it was quite funny! Click here to see the video!

We've been wrapping things up and getting ready for SUMMER! The fifth graders performed "A Tribute to America." The teachers, in typical fashion, have to perform in some small way, so we joined the students on stage for "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" and dressed as the Andrews Sisters. It was so much fun, and we really looked G-O-O-D!

Whitefield Program

Bailee and Nathan both got to participate for the first time in the end of the year program at Whitefield. They were so cute and the children did such a wonderful job. We are so blessed to have a place like this for our children to go. I know that they're always in good hands and are loved while I'm away at work. In addition, they are learning so much!!! It's hard to believe Bailee will be graduating in a year and will be coming to "big school" with Mommy!

Check out the pose at the end of this video...priceless!

Softball Tournament

Anderson Five held a softball tournament to benefit the homeless program in our district. Calhoun whipped together a team, and we did pretty good. We only won one game, but at least we played fair. And we were the best looking group out there! I think I'm safe in saying that no other school has as much fun and is as spirited as us Gators!

Sunday School Social

We joined our Sunday School class, named the New Direction, for lunch (I do NOT recommend "The Fox" by the way!) and some bird hunting through downtown Anderson. The city has hidden 25 wren statues and provided a treasure map for you to locate them. Due to the temperatures, we cut it down to about 10 birds (the equivalent of two blocks), but had a great time!It's always fun to spend time with these special people!


Bailee's Field Trip

I had the pleasure of joining Bailee and her friends on their field trip to Callaham Orchards. We had a great time singing songs, petting the animals, playing games, and picking strawberries. YUM!! I am so thankful for the opportunity to do things like this with her.

Nathan-15 months and WATCH OUT!

This child is so different from Bailee! He's sweet, and very laid back. But he's also going to be my adventurous, wild child! Just a couple of weeks ago, Patrick and I placed bets on which of our children would be the first to break a bone and/ or receive stitches. (Is that morbid?!?!) Bets are on Nathan. Since this child has starting walking, I mean RUNNING, he is ALL. OVER. THE. PLACE! He loves to climb, hence the stitches/ broken bones bet. But he's so cute, and we just love his silly personality! We've also started betting that he's going to be the Class Clown (which he is most definitely getting from his Daddy!)

That's it in a nutshell! We're just looking forward to some time together this summer!!!!