Drum Camp

Jordan spent all last week at Drum Camp at a local music school. There were only 4 other students and they spent all week learning different grooves. Every day Jordan came home with a new drum pattern to show us. He actually learned a lot in just one week and has some pretty good fundamentals to be a great drummer if he keeps practicing what they taught him.

Heather picked him up from camp every day and kept him until we got off work. He LOVED staying with Heather and playing with Kade. She took him swimming and to the spray park. He came home the first day proclaiming how wonderful the sandwich was that Heather made for him. I can only imagine what Heather thinks about what I feed the poor child!

On the last day of camp, they put on a little concert to show us everything they learned throughout the week. Since the power was out at Julia's daycare, I stayed home with her and we were able to go to the concert. My mom came and so did Heather and Kade. I know Jordan was so proud to have so many of his family there to watch him.

Here is a little video of the group playing Jordan's new favorite song - Back In Black.

My little rockstar jamming on the drums while his instructor, Dylan, plays the guitar.

4 drum kits and a guitar were a little loud for the little ones.

It Ain't Easy Playin' Green

The other day I was playing the guitar and letting Julia strum it with me. I started singing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star and she happily played and sang along. When the song was over, she started singing her own song. It was such a pretty little melody and it seemed like she really knew what she was singing. I asked her what she was singing and without hesitation she said, "Green." So now, every time we ask her to sing us a song, she always sings "Green". We thought she might have just been a little bit confused with her colors and songs or something, but Mattie confirmed that they have a record that they play at daycare and it has a song for every color. If you ask her what her favorite song is, she will tell you, "Green".

No Boy's Allowed

Just a couple weeks ago

My mommy made me mad

She put a boy in my bath

which freaked me out real bad

A bath is made for one, you see

I just think two's a crowd

It's obvious we don't agree

But mom, No Boys Allowed

So fill my tub with bubbles

And give me all my toys

Let me play and swim around

Don't make me share my bath with boys!

Butch Walker Concert

Keith and I finally got to see Butch Walker live at the House of Blues in Dallas a couple weeks ago. We actually both saw Butch for a brief moment several years ago when he was playing with Marvelous 3. They actually did a show at an outdoor music festival in Dothan back in 1999 or 2000. Keith and I didn't know each other yet, but we were both at the show, along with about 6 other people. Seriously ~ there wasn't anyone in the audience. I didn't really know who Marvelous 3 was at the time, but my band had played on another stage earlier in the day and I thought I'd stick around and see what they were like. They didn't even make it through the first song when Butch ran off the stage. Someone came out a few minutes later saying that Butch had twisted his ankle and wouldn't be able to perform. Keith and I have questioned on many occasion whether he really twisted his ankle or just saw that there were only a handful of people there to see them and didn't want to play. If I ever get to meet him, I will probably ask him about it.

Anyway, Butch put on a great show at the House of Blues in Dallas. There was an opening band called Ponderosa from Atlanta, who were incredible. The singer had an amazing voice. Butch's drummer was also the drummer for Ponderosa.

When Butch finally took the stage, he was supposed to start off with a song on the guitar. He apparently had some sound problems with his guitar and went right over to the keyboard and opened the show with 'ATL', which is off of his latest album, Sycamore Meadows. This is an incredibly moving song to begin with, but to hear him do it live was so heart wrenching.

Butch has the best stage presence ever and really has a knack for getting the crowd going.

Here's Butch's guitar player. I don't know his name, but we called him Mr. Personality because he didn't seem to care whether he was there or not. This shot of him makes him appear to be much more entertaining than he actually was.

Butch's drummer. Check out his plaid tank top. Awesomeness.

I always cringe when I see musicians do things like stand on the bass drum or smash their guitar, but I have to admit it is pretty entertaining.

We had a great time at the show. It's always nice when Keith and I are able to get away from the kids for a night and go see a live band. Butch Walker was amazing and he put on a show that we definitely won't forget.

Jordan's Day with Aunt Jamie

Jamie picked Jordan up from school last Friday and took him to see Night at the Museum. They invited my friend, Brian, and his son Aiden, who is Jordan's age, to come along too. After the movie they went to Putt-Putt to play some miniature golf.



Here's Aiden lining up his shot. He actually got a hole-in-one that day! He must take after his daddy in that regard. I remember Brian was always good at miniature golf too (especially when we played golf in the long hallways at the Worthington Hotel downtown!)

And Jordan takes his shot.

AJ on the bumper boats. Why do boys get so much entertainment out of shooting each other with water guns?

Jordan takes aim at Jamie. Better not get her camera wet!



Jamie said there was some creepy guy by himself in the bumper boats. He seemed to really enjoy himself when AJ and Jordan ganged up on him with the water guns. Guys like this one are the reason we can't let our kids go anywhere without supervision. But Jamie and Brian were there to ensure the kids were safe, so no worries this time.

Now, on to the go-carts. Jordan grins as he makes his way around the turn.

Aiden zipping around the corner to pass Jordan.

The two boys after a great day of movies, golf, bumper boats and go-carts. Of course, they had to spend some money in the arcade before leaving.

I'm so glad that Jordan was able to spend some time with Jamie while she was in town. And he got to make a new friend at the same time. Brian and I were such good friends growing up and it's neat to see our kids having just as much fun together as we did. Thanks Jamie and Brian for giving Jordan a wonderful afternoon!

A Boy in my Bathtub

A couple weeks ago, the Bailey's were visiting us at our house. Julia, who insists on feeding herself nowadays, managed to cover herself with yogurt. Since it's so much easier to just put her in the tub to clean her off, we decided a bath was in order. We got the crazy idea to put Kade in the bathtub with her, thinking that they would have fun splashing each other. Boy were we wrong! Julia didn't want to have anything to do with that boy in her bathtub! She started crying hysterically as soon as Heather put Kade in the water. Well, her terror set Kade off too, so we had both babies crying in fear. We quickly rinsed the kids off and got them out of the bathtub as quickly as we could. I hope the trauma they experienced doesn't require too much time in therapy when they are older.

Kade: "What are you doing mommy? Why are you putting me in the bath with this screaming baby?"

Kade: "Oh no, something must be really wrong. I guess I better get upset too!"

Julia: "Grandma, there was a boy in my bathtub."

Kade: "Why do you keep taking pictures? Can't you see we are upset here?"

Kade: "Promise you won't ever tell anyone what just happened."

Julia: "I promise."

Patriotic American

Mattie gave me this picture of Julia and I thought Memorial Day would be an appropriate day to share it. Every morning at Mrs. Mattie's daycare they say the Pledge of Allegiance and the kids take turns holding the flag. Mattie said that Julia babbles through the whole pledge as if she knows every word.  Check out my little Patriotic American!