Kentucky Pool Party

Unfortunately we don't have access to a neighborhood pool or swim club.  So, our swimming sesssions involve invitations by friends to the pool they have or have access to OR a good ol' Kentucky Pool Party.  The former is what we usually end up doing and for the little ones it works.  Sometimes there are dragon flies swarming around, crickets trying to jump in or racoons who party in our pool at night.  I guess it all comes with the territory.  Here's what we did to prepare for our first dip of the season:

Scrub out the pool since it was left on the back porch all year long!

Watch the pool blow up with speed since it is an Aero Bed Pool!

It's almost ready.

Fill it up as your pants fall down because they are wet too.

Ask Trevor to come out, but he's too tired from Cub Camp and nursing a sunburn.

Party in the pool (only 6 inches deep)!

Up

Saw this with the kids today and I am in love with the story - especially the relationship with Carl and his wife.  I cried and the boys didn't understand why, but I don't care.  I guess I am a sap when I cry even in an animated movie.  I highly recommend - the movie, not necessarily the crying. 

First Day of Summer

• Piano tuner came and tuned the old piano for 3 hours this morning.
• Friends came to play.
• Swimming in a neighbors pool.
• Finally got the van back after 2 weeks in the shop.  New transmission.  Yea!
• All the popcicles in the freezer were consumed.
• Sundaes from McDonalds dripped all over us and in are now in our stomachs.
• Sent Zane to Scout Camp

Hello Summer...

Haircut! We didn't have to talk him in to it (too much).  He's had long hair for about 2 years, so this is quite a change. The verdict is in...he loves it.  I think he looks like my brother Devin!

First and Last

the first day of school

the last day of school

Just wanted to see the difference for myself.   Yeah, I think they look older.

Boston's Production

So cute and simple.  That's what his class production was.  They sang a few songs, recited a few lines, and danced a bit to show what they had been learning all year.  My favorite part was when each student, one at a time, took a turn to say their letter of the alphabet, sound it out and dance around while the rest of the class sounded it out with them.  Boston's was the letter "F" and he just jumped up and down instead of dancing because I could tell he was so embarrassed.  He looked so cute.  Loved it all.  And, why do I always cry during the slide shows at the end?  I think they play that cheesy music and show all those cute little faces and I feel like my boy is growing up too fast.   I just sit there and bite my lip.  But, it's great to see how much he had changed since the first of the year by watching it, so tears and all, it was worth it.  

Just as a note - Trevor is so sad to be finishing school.  I haven't seen him like this, so it makes me believe that he had a great school year.  We just loved his teacher, Ms. Doseck, whom he had for 2 years.  Gage still has another year before he starts kindergarten.  He will be 5 the day that school starts and although he can technically begin school, we think another year at home can't hurt.  Plus, Mallory needs a partner in crime to play with.  Seriously!

The Great Outdoors

I love camping, cooking out (even though I didn't on this night), and just being outside. We went to Deam Lake in Indiana on Friday night for a fun group cook out with friends planned by the Hamiltons. They are moving very soon and it was a way to get together and have fun before their big move. All planned by Kristi. Many made great hobo dinners, the kids jumped in the lake and swam, and many cooked smores. The place is beautiful and it didn't hurt that it was a gorgeous night.

Highlights:

- the company
- the weather
- the food and treats
- the best ice cream shop was found on the way home right before we got on the freeway to get home. I think we need another trip to Indiana soon just for this.
- found a future camp ground for our family to go when we get the urge for the great outdoors.

Just a few accidents to be reported:

- poison ivy everywhere and Mallory fell in a big pile of it. Gave them all baths (except Boston) that night and only Boston has a few spots on his stomach.
- Gage fell in to the fire ring where he scraped and burned his arm. Pretty bad.
- Mallory played in her diaper by the shore of the lake and all was good and well until she fell in face first.

Young Author's Picnic

That young author is Boston.  Zane and I got to have a picnic lunch with him and all of his written stories on Friday. It was so nice to be there with just him (and not any extra siblings - thanks Vicki) and hang out for an hour in the school courtyard. He is a very good writer and it was fun to see how much he had improved on spelling, composition, and handwriting from the beginning of the school year until now. Plus, it didn't hurt that it was a beautiful day.  It was kind of hard for Zane to take the time off of work and since we were down to one car, I really needed him to come and get me to go, so I am so glad it all worked out.  I love all the little plays, picnics, parties, and field days at the end of the school year.  It means that summer is almost here!

What We've Been Up To

In pictures...

One Peaunut Butter Sandwich Later

It took a week and one sandwich to finally pull Boston's other front tooth out!

Ahhh... The Joy of Motherhood

I do love being a mother and I am working on liking it more when times are rough.  I have a great example in my mother.  I am trying to be more like her everyday.  I love her tons.  I love my children tons as well.  This morning, with the help of their dad, they brought me breakfast in bed.  They do it every year and it's is always a huge breakfast - so huge, that they sit in bed and eat along with me.  I like this tradition a lot.  Along with breakfast comes a card that each child signs. They all say sweet things.  This year I got a card with lots of sweet and a little advice.  The advice came from my seven year old with freckles.  Can you guess who?  

He said, "Mom, you are the greatest mom in a million of mom's.  Mom sometimes you yell at me. It hurts my feelings. That is something to work on.  Your a great mom. "  (His spelling)  

So, I have things  to work on, but I am still loved.  That's about all I can ask for.  

A Night at the Ball Park

One Down, One To Go

the before smile

not quite ready yet

dad attempts to take it out

his new toothless grin - can't open his eyes with the flash!

the baby tooth

It was hanging by a thread for several days.  Zane and I kept asking if we could wiggle it and he was having none of that.  He said he would work on it on his own.  After many days (okay, just 3 or 4), he said he would let us help.  So, last night, we delicately went to work on removing one of Boston front teeth.  First Zane pulled and couldn't quite get it.  That freaked Boston out a bit and we had to put some Oragel on it in order to calm him down.  Finally, Zane convinced me that I had the right fingers to do it.  I was a bit hesitant as well, but with one little pull it was finally out.  He was so excited and a bit surprised.  He has the cutest smile now and the other front tooth is now hanging by a thread as well.  He said we can work on that tomorrow night! 

Happy 13

(he always does this)

13 is my lucky number because in spanish 13 is trece (treh-seh) which sounds like Traci.  So, today Zane and I celebrate 13 married years together.  I think it will be a lucky year (even though I know we are going in to our 14).  It's been pretty darn great so far!