Patriot Festival

Skydivers, an F-4U Corsair, an F-22, P-51, and a V-22 Osprey. What more could a little boy ask for on a Saturday?

Professional Pictures from Eric and Betsy's Wedding

Picking Strawberries and Making Jam

We went to the strawberry patch this morning with some friends. We picked LOTS of strawberries. When we got home, Luke was pretty much over strawberries, but Jack helped me make two batches of strawberry jam. John isn't going to be home in time for dinner tonight. The kids and I are eating peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, of course! 

Memorial Day

We went to Charissa, Mike, Harper, and Mairin's house for a Memorial Day grill out. When I mentioned that we should wear red, white, and blue, Jack headed straight to the cupboard where the 4th of July suspenders I found on clearance last August were located. I guess he has been keeping track of those babies. I, on the other hand, could not have told you where they were. The boy has style.

Giving Winston a Drink- Luke Style

First Day of Summer Vacation Fun

We celebrated the beginning of summer vacation by baking a cake and having a water gun fight. What could make the boys any happier?

The Last Day of Preschool

Jack graduated from preschool today. With the exception of singing some of the graduation songs to me this week, he never really mentioned the end of preschool. As he said goodbye to Mrs. Walters today, I understood why he wasn't talking about it. The kid is heartbroken to be leaving her. 

After the graduation reception, Jack, Luke, and I went around to all of his classmates to say goodbye and we'll see you at the park this summer. We left Mrs. Walters for last. The hug he gave her lasted minutes. I overheard her tell him she loves him, and she stroked his hair as he took his time with his farewell hug to his beloved teacher. Eventually we moved on, but as we drew close to the exit I heard Jack begin to cry. His heartbroken, for real cry. I immediately bent down to his eye level and asked what was wrong. He told me he was so sad to say good bye to Mrs. Walters. I asked him if he needed another hug from her. He did. So we went back to her table, and I told her that Jack was very sad to be leaving her. At that, they cried together. Admittedly, I teared up a little too. To see your child say goodbye to someone he loves so deeply is sad. As we walked away, he said, "Mama, I don't like saying goodbyes. It's very hard." Sweet child. I could not have asked for a better beginning to the school years for Jack, and I have Mrs. Walters to thank for it. 

Below are some Oh My, How He Has Grown pictures. 

New Smile

Jack lost his first tooth today. Boo hoo hoo! I'm not quite ready to give up his baby smile yet. 

From Oldest to Youngest

Anything Guys

For some time now, my boys have been putting out wildfires, capturing criminals, saving lost campers, and completing Anything Guy training missions. You may be asking yourself what an Anything Guy is. They are Navy, Army, Air Force, Coast Guard, policemen, and firefighters all in one. It's serious business. When Jack packed his Anything Guy hat for show and tell last week, he started to cry when I told him he was going to need to explain that Anything Guys are a pretend game he plays with his brother. "I don't want to tell them they are pretend, Mama," he wailed. 

As mentioned, the boys have official Anything Guy hats. They've also been issued binoculars, walkie talkies, maps, and backpacks. If any readers have suggestions for other fun Anything Guy tools, let me know. I'm talking to you especially, Grandpa. There's even an Anything Guy language filled with Roger Thats, Copy Thats, and Over and Outs.

In the pictures below, the mission was to helicopter in (the climber was a helicopter today), and parachute down to chase the criminals hiding in the forest. 

Over and Out!

A Funny

"I'm reading books to my head, Mom," Luke explained to me tonight when I caught him reading with his flash pal.

Mother's Day 2014

Mother's Day Luncheon

My Dapper Dates for the Mother's Day Luncheon at Preschool

Teacher Appreciation Week

Jack and I had a lot of fun celebrating his preschool teacher, Mrs. Walters, this week. He helped me make a gift to take to her every day this week. On Monday, he took a picture frame that he painted. On Tuesday, he took a mug that was his handprint made into a yellow duck (His class name) and tea. On Wednesday, he took flowers that he got to pick out. He decided on 8 yellow flowers that represented him and his classmates and one blue flower to represent Mrs. Walters. On Thursday, Jack and I each wrote a thank you note to her. 

One of the moms found this class idea on Pinterest. She asked me to take the pictures of the kids spelling out 'Thank you'. It turned out so cute. 

Jack really hit the jackpot in Mrs. Walters. She is everything a preschool teacher should be and more. 

Camping Out

Update: John just came home and told me a funny conversation he had with Jack in the tent last night. Jack asked, "Daddy, can we have a real adventure the next time we go camping?" John asked him what a real adventure is. "You know, like when you catch a fish for dinner," was his reply. Ha!

Yesterday morning, John packed the tent and the sleeping bags and took the boys to First Landing State Park. They played on the beach all day long. Near dinner time, I arrived with the supplies for a campfire dinner. We roasted hotdogs and s'mores and set up the campsite. Then we took one last walk along the beach before bedtime. Luke and I got into the van and headed to our beds at home. John and Jack spent the night in the tent. It was Jack's first time to make it through the night. When they have tried camping in the backyard, Jack has always asked to come inside. Last night, I got the message at 9:25 that he was asleep. If the chatter the whole way home from Luke is any indication, it was a truly magical day for the boys. 

Park Playdate

Some of the preschoolers and the moms got together this morning. These are two of Jack's favorite friends from school, Chase and Colton. It's hard to believe preschool is almost over, but I'm so grateful that Jack had the opportunity to make sweet friends like these two kids.