This "little guy" was hanging around. Ashley kind of freaked out about it. The night before she was talking to me in the living room and spazzed when she saw it clinging on our screen door. It stayed there until late afternoon the next day. Ashley was glad it was gone but took this picture before it disappeared. If you really want to know what happened to it, ask Jackson. He didn't do anything.

Meanwhile...Charly had stuffed Bear into a toy shopping cart and was pushing him throughout the house. He didn't even blink, it was as if he was enjoying it. It always surprises me what that cat allows those two to do.

We went outside and lit a few sparklers and came across this little guy hopping across the lawn.

As the sun went down, Jackson and Jeromy headed out to fish from shore, while Charly had a bath and then snuggled in to watch Snow White.

Silly girl.

Fish were biting again!

Congratulations boys!

An old homestead along the way.

An old school burned down. I saw it shooting smoke on my way there, to smoldering on the way back. It wasn't used anymore luckily. The fire was caused by arson.

Jackson got his alone time with his Granny Jannie last weekend. They got to get out and do what they both love. Fish. Mom's friend Sharon came along as well. Jack and I were able to find all kinds of treasures from the beach.

A land mine of pelican poop on the pier.

Dead 3ft carp

Jackson found a full body shed from a gardener snake in the back yard. It was a fresh shed. He had a blast playing with it and pretending it was eating an egg, which was really a rock, and watched as he passed it through the body. The gardener snakes are the one thing I care less for when visiting my mom. Urgh, heebie jeebies.

Jackson made a nest out of grass as well. He had baby birds on the brain this trip because he found that another family of birds laid eggs in an old robin's nest from last year under the deck. Jack ended up with a red blotch on his head from checking on the babies that were hatching through the weekend by laying on the deck and peeking through the floor boards. It was pretty cool.

From below shot of the bird nest

Oh my baby! Ah..., my baby boy no more. Jackson graduated from kindergarten today. He and his classmates greeted their families in the auditorium and sang two songs to us. Each student was called on and presented with a certificate. They all wore graduation caps that had the autograph of their fellow classmates and teachers on the top.

Congratulations Jackson, we're so proud of you!      

One fish.....Two fish......

Early morning crappie, Jack was up and out at 5am!

I think Jeromy has broken a fishing record so far this year since we've lived in this house. Thanks to Jackson. I don't think Jack has to worry about never being able to fish when he wants. Charly's trying to get her turns in too, don't think we'll be able to get her up early though, I think she is an evening fisherman.  Ashley's 16. She'll come around again in time. She surprises us every now and then.

In the last year, give or take a month or two, our pets have gone from one to few.

It started from..........

Two cats, one dog.

Scratch cat, new dog.

One cat, two dogs.

Scratch dog, new cat.

Two cats, one dog.

One lizard, one hamster.

Healthy hamster, iffy lizard.

Healthy lizard, dead hamster.

Two cats, one dog.

Bearded dragon, one lizard.

Hatchling turtle, one minnow.

Free turtle, dead minnow.

Two lizards, two cats, one dog.

On a serious note, we have loved every one of our lovely pets that have brought joy in our lives.

Animal funeral. Fishing anyone?

Warm-ups before the final show, the girls would end the warm-up with a dance to "This Little Light of Mine"

Charly played a cloud in the ballet and she did a wonderful job.

Above she is center with her back towards us. Below she is second from the left.

Below, she is just to the right.

This was such a fantastic experience, and to sit back and watch Charly shine was even a greater bonus. All of the girls did very well. Charly really enjoys her ballet class and has a natural gift of dance. She's excited for next year. Bravo Charly!

Hanging on a branch is Jackson's new pet, a leopard Gecko named, Dot. The lizard will grow to be six inches maximum, which is great for Mom as she's not a reptile fan, except for turtles, painted turtles. Jackson always wanted a lizard or a snake. The snake will never happen. BlAh! This little guy moves slow and is easy for Jackson to handle. Why yes, that is an old deer horn in his cage. Nothing but the best for little Jack's pet!

This little fuzz ball is Charly's new hamster, named Whitely.

Charly Grace. Isn't she cute? Tonight is Charly's debut for her first ballet performance. She has been working hard every night this week getting ready for the two shows this weekend. It has been kind of long and tiresome for her but she has been doing very well and I can tell she REALLY loves this. You are doing a wonderful job Charly, we are so proud of you!

It was a crazy Monday and Jackson was stir crazy, so I asked Jeromy if he'd take him out fishing when he got home from work. I knew there would be no leg pulling. Jackson ended up catching most of the fish and was very proud about it.

Jeromy caught the first one, threw his line back in and told Jackson, "Okay, it's your turn now Jackson." Sure enough, he did catch the next fish! After Jackson threw his line back in, he said, "Okay Dad, now it's your turn." But Jackson caught another one and threw his line back in again, and said, "Okay Dad, NOW it's your turn." Then he caught another one.

He was so happy and proud and said to Jeromy, "I can't believe that I'm the one catching all of the fish!" Jackson had a permanent grin all night long. First thing he had to do was show our next door neighbor the bucket of fish he brought home. A ritual we have with our neighbors, you show me yours, I'll show you mine. FISH that is.

You guessed it, Jack caught the biggest one but he wanted to hold the smaller one for pictures as he doesn't have a hang up on size yet. Dad decided to step in and hold the biggest one for him as he felt it must be in the picture.

The shots below are the ones Jeromy took over a week ago when they were fishing by the river. They caught some suckers. It was a blast for Jackson as he had to run up the shore to pull it in. Great fun.

When they're not fishing, they're dreaming about it....

Fire pit, puddles, the fish are everywhere! Yes, yes, yes, they wouldn't be playing here if the there were hot coals, don't worry.

Another fishing opener. Good luck honey! Hope you keep your tradition of "nailing those lunkers" so we can hear more of your fishing tales of the monsters you've caught. ;)

The picture above is one I took the end of March from Mom's living room which has a great view onto her deck and overlooks the lake. This wonderful view has saved her sanity she says. And now the snow has gone and we've filled a few feeders with seed and she is being visited daily by birds of all kinds which she enjoys watching and looking them up in her pocket bird book. I was taken by surprise while making the bed in one of the guest rooms to see a female mallard duck, eye level with me, watching me make the bed through the window. She was sitting on the roof over the garage and was able to peep through the window no problem. It's like being in a Walt Disney movie where all the animals of the forest gather around mom. So surreal.

Mom has been having troubles with severe swelling, especially in her arms and legs. Sleeping, sitting, and just walking around the house has become a chore. Very uncomfortable. She was given some meds for that earlier this week so we're hoping the swelling will go down so it won't be painful for her to get out in the yard to sit on the patio, or to just go out onto the deck. Really hoping for her to get strength back to head out on the lake fishing again as well as she LOVES to fish. If not, I'm sure between my brother and I, we can come up with a clever idea for mom to have fun. Don't be afraid Mom!

Ashley went to her first prom with a friend. She had a great time. Jeromy went to the Grand March and managed to get some pictures for me as I was out at my mom's.

Man time is whizzing by!

Or at least Cally thinks so.

Jackson and Charly self portraits.

Jackson and Charly random's.

(Creatures)

Life is good.

It was a very amazing day. Mom overexerted herself but she was adamant about not missing a thing. She wanted to make sure she was able to visit with everyone that came.

There was a lunch served, then a raffle with so many wonderful donations from prints, gift baskets, meat raffles, and so much more! Thank you everyone that came, sent in donations, sent mom warm wishes and just thought about us in general!

At the end of the raffle and food, there was a DJ. Abba was being played during the picture above. We were on the dance floor and during the guitar solo of the song, Mom whipped up a guitar hero guitar with her friend Marge and rocked the house with a very convincing air guitar jam.

I love you Mom! You know how to shake it!

She was hurting the next day but wouldn't have it any other way. Life is good.