Mommy VS. the smoke detector

Our smoke detectors went off this morning-all of them-at 6:25 AM. Chuck had gone to the gym, so it was just me and the kids. I thought at first it was just mine, so I tried to turn it off. When it didn't go off, I realized that all of them were going off. Abby was screaming bloody murder in her room, Caleb was sleeping right through it. Like an idiot, I disobeyed every fire rule you learn in elementary school- instead of getting everyone out of the house, I walked around in my bleary-eyed morning daze looking for a reason for the smoke detectors to be going off. Finding no reason for them to be going off, I then get really frustrated (like I somehow would have been happier had there been a reason for them to go off) and called 911. He told me to get the kids and get out of the house (look how smart that man is...). I already at this point have a screaming Abby attached to my leg, but I had to go wake Caleb up! (how in the world he could have slept through that is beyond me!)
The smoke detectors had been going off for almost 15 minutes by the time the fire dept. arrives and guess what happens? They stop going off right as the fire dept. is pulling up. They did check our house for smoke and also checked for carbon monoxide. THey found neither (thank God!) I almost wish they had still been going off so they would have had a reason for their visit. And that's our adventure for today!

Here kitty, kitty, kitty...

As I said before, Abby really liked the kitty, or "Baby Willy" as she called it. Grandma and Grandad Barnes have a black cat named Willy, so that was, logically, the only name for this cat. Mammaw and Pops Rayborn are not as thrilled with cats, so this is what they told the grandkids to do:

Step 1: Lure the cat into the open.Step 2: Make the cat feel comfortable.
Step 3: ATTACK!
Really, they were just looking at the cat, and Josh's (soon to be) son, Isaiah, just happened to be holding a hammer-but I like my version of the story better...

Caleb vs. the kitten

When we were at my parents we found some cute kittens under their porch. Abby LOVED the kittens, Caleb however was not nearly as thrilled!

This is Abby trying her hardest to get the kitty away from Caleb. She's such a good big sister!

Okay, I can do this...maybe not...

Now I'm getting brave. Can I grab his tail? Do you think he'll bite?

VBS

We had the pleasure of taking not only Abby to VBS this year, but Alyce and Benjamin too. It was the easiest play date ever because after we got them there, and got their food, we didn't see them again until it was time to go home! :)

Abby and Alyce in opening assembly.Benjamin in opening assembly (curly blonde headed one)
Alyce giving offering to help with the food pantry. The girls won this year and we raised over $300! Way to go kids!
The kids paying close attention to the Bible story...
umm, maybe not... :)

All by myself...

Abby has decided she can swim all by herself! She asked my mom if she could wear "Dalton's floaties" and off she went as fast as her little doggy paddling arms could carry her. Talk about a proud mamma!!!