Chattanooga Aquarium

 About a month ago, we started a new behavior chart for Josie.  Trying our hand at some positive reinforcement, the basic concept is that once she earns so many stickers (1 each day), she gets a reward.  Her first reward was an Ariel dress.  (She's OBSESSED with The Little Mermaid right now.)  Her next reward to work towards was a trip to the Chattanooga Aquarium.  Her favorite thing to see at the zoo is the building with the reptiles and fish, so I knew she would really, REALLY enjoy this.  And once she finally earned it.....she did!  This week was her Fall Break week, so Lane switched his day off to Tuesday and we went to Chattanooga for the day.

Penguins!

 

 

Josie in the shark cage

Josie touched not 1...but 2 different snakes!  Yuck!

Petting the stingrays

We also stopped to see the Chattanooga Choo-Choo before heading home.

Happy Independence Day!!!

 We started our 4th of July festivities last night at Lipscomb's Summer Celebration.  Lane's sister, Mary Anne and her family came over and we all walked over to see the fireworks.  Josie didn't care for the loudness, but still enjoyed the show.  She said the pink ones were her favorite  (of course!).
Today, to celebrate the holiday, Josie and I made our 2nd annual 4th of July dessert.  Last year we made a cake, topped with cool whip, strawberries, and blueberries.  This year, we made a fruit pizza (chocolate chip cookie cake topped with fruit dip then strawberries and blueberries).  Yummy!

Josie and Daddy "enjoying" the fireworks at Summer Celebration

 Josie, cousin Faith, and Aunt Mary Anne watching the fireworks

 My little helper sporting her kitchen apron

 All done!

Happy Birthday, U.S.A!!!!  

Birthday Cakes of Josie's Past

When I was little, my mom made our birthday cakes each year.  I remember having a Rainbow Bright cake, a Gummi Bears cake, and a New Kids on the Block cake.  It's a tradition that I wanted to carry on with my own kids.  So, each year so far I have made Josie's birthday cake.  Since we just celebrated her 4th birthday, I was thinking of all the cakes of the past years and wanted to put pictures of them all together.  By no means am I anywhere near Cake Boss employment, but I'm still pretty proud of these creations.  More importantly--it was something that I got to do for my little girl to make her feel special.   I have spent HOURS on each one, but I really have enjoyed making these and look forward to making more special memories in the future.  I think it will be neat one day to be able to look back at the pictures and all the past memories that go with it.  This is what I've done so far....

1st Birthday: Butterfly Party
(this one's my personal favorite)
I made this cake at my in-law's house.  We had moved to Houston that spring and soon thereafter learned that Lane's sister, Mary Anne had breast cancer.  We traveled back to TN for her surgery and had Josie's birthday party while we were there. 

She also had her own personal heart-shaped cake, 

which she enjoyed digging in while yelling "cake!!!"

 2nd Birthday:  WonderPets Party

I made this cake at my parents' house.  Lane was on a mission trip to China, and while he was gone Josie and I went to AL for one weekend.  It really was a "wonder" that we finally got pics of this cake with all the pieces still on it!  It was so hot and humid that day, the icing was literally melting off of the cake faster than I could get it on there!  Poor Lenny, Tuck, and Ming Ming, too kept sliding off!  

 I'd rate this one as the most frustrating.

3rd Birthday:  Tea Party

This was my first true "Cake Boss" type attempt and my first cake to make in my own kitchen!  I stepped outside the "pan" and made the cake for the teapot and teacups from bowls.  I also fancied up some of the icing by adding some chocolate raspberry coffee to the chocolate icing.  This was also my first time to work with fondant, of which I was not a fan. 

 4th Birthday:  Watermelon Party

I prayed over this cake the night before the party.  I was so afraid I was going to get up party morning and find the watermelon "wedges" had split and fallen apart.  God heard my pleas and although slouching, 

the wedges held it together (and so did I!).  

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter from our family to yours!!!

We've had a wonderful day today. We started this morning by checking out Josie's basket to see what the Easter Bunny left for her. She got several treats---bubbles, a CD, stickers, a notebook, jewelry, M&Ms, Goldfish, and a new Dora jumprope! Then we went to church where Lane delivered a wonderful message on how the empty tomb transforms our lives. After worship, we headed to Lebanon to have lunch and an egg hunt with Lane's family. It's been a great day...we are so blessed to be surrounded by friends and family to share such a special day. But the greatest blessing of all is that our Savior conquered death for us when He rose from the dead. We sang "In Christ Alone" this morning, and these words have been resonating in my heart all day:

There in the ground His body lay

Light of the world by darkness slain.

Then bursting forth in glorious day

Up from the grave He rose again!

And as He stands in victory

Sins's curse has lost it's grip on me.

For I am His, and He is mine....

Bought with the precious blood of Christ!

Eggs!

Our Easter eggs this year.....

I bought this kit at Target for $5. Super cute!! Josie and I had a great time dying and putting stickers on the eggs to make our jungle scene. Throughout the process, she kept begging to eat an egg. I really don't know what she was expecting and knew she wouldn't like it. She loves scrambled eggs, but we don't make hard-boiled eggs very often. After tediously having to wait to decorate the eggs first before getting to eat one, she (obviously!) did not care for it. Oh well....they're too cute to eat anyway! My favorite is the giraffe....