The other night I was in bed and trying to read a book before falling asleep. I say "trying" because our cat Sadie felt that if I was in bed, I needed to give my full attention to her, rather than to my book. I kept telling her to stop bugging me, to quit walking on me, to stop batting at me and to get off my chest.
Ryan heard my pleas to Sadie, hopped out of bed and came into my room. He got on the bed, lifted Sadie off me, then started petting her until she was purring loudly and (most importantly) leaving me alone. "She just needed some loving," Ryan said.
Shortly thereafter I put my book down and turned the light off. Ryan scooted over next to me and put his head on my shoulder.
"Now who said you could sleep in my bed?" I asked Ryan.
He kissed my cheek and replied, "You just need some loving too."
Guess who slept in my room until Duane came to bed a couple hours later?
Saturday, June 04, 2016
The Saturday That Was a Blur
Ever have one of those days that flew by so fast you barely knew what had happened? Yeah, that was our day today.
We started off by dropping the kids off at their grandparent's house. Grandpa took Ryan to baseball practice and Grandma took Wesley to church with her, while Duane and I helped some friends from our church move into their new house.
Oh! Speaking of baseball practice, you would not believe the conversation I had with Ryan this morning.
Me: Ryan you need to get dressed and eat something. You have baseball practice this morning.
Ryan: I have baseball?
Me: Yes, you have practice.
We started off by dropping the kids off at their grandparent's house. Grandpa took Ryan to baseball practice and Grandma took Wesley to church with her, while Duane and I helped some friends from our church move into their new house.
Oh! Speaking of baseball practice, you would not believe the conversation I had with Ryan this morning.
Me: Ryan you need to get dressed and eat something. You have baseball practice this morning.
Ryan: I have baseball?
Me: Yes, you have practice.
Ryan: I have my first game today?
Me: No, you have practice. That's why I keep saying the word "practice"
Actually, everything went really smoothly this morning. The kids seemed to behave and Duane and I took part in what had to be the most organized move ever. We had told our friends we could only help until noon because Ryan had baseball pictures, but we were done before that. It was amazing!
We grabbed some lunch, walked the dog and threw Ryan into his uniform for baseball pictures
As soon as the last camera flash went off, we hustled into the car. Ryan did the whole "change clothes in the backseat" thing while we headed several counties north for the graduation party of an extended family member. Of course, the best thing at the graduation party would be the kittens that were under the porch at the house.
After we left the party, we headed for an early dinner. There's a town about 30-40 minutes north of us that is famous for their fried bologna sandwiches. I haven't had one since I was pregnant with Wesley and since we were practically in the neighborhood, we headed over there to eat.
We hit a pretty decent rain storm on the way home - of course, when we were running low on gas. Luckily, I have a fantastic husband who always takes care of the fill ups and is teaching our kids to do the same. This momma hates pumping gas!
There were more errands to run when we got home and I'm pretty sure the whole family is going to crash hard tonight, but it was worth it.
Me: No, you have practice. That's why I keep saying the word "practice"
Actually, everything went really smoothly this morning. The kids seemed to behave and Duane and I took part in what had to be the most organized move ever. We had told our friends we could only help until noon because Ryan had baseball pictures, but we were done before that. It was amazing!
We grabbed some lunch, walked the dog and threw Ryan into his uniform for baseball pictures
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| My slugger |
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| My dreamer hanging out in the grass during his brother's pictures |
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| Yes, I patted Ryan down and checked for any kittens hidden in his pockets before we left. |
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| Where the bologna magic happens |
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| Wesley diving in. He loved it! And he shared the essential curly fries with me |
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| Tell me, when you see a dessert case like this, is there ANY way you can pass up dessert? We couldn't. |
We hit a pretty decent rain storm on the way home - of course, when we were running low on gas. Luckily, I have a fantastic husband who always takes care of the fill ups and is teaching our kids to do the same. This momma hates pumping gas!
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| Thanks for taking care of me Ryan |
Garden Makeover
Last summer Duane and I removed a bunch of bushes from the front of our house, intending to plant new things there and make it all look pretty. Well, nearly a year later, it was still bare. While I was at work last night helping with the summer reading kick off party, Duane met up with a local garden coach and the two of them picked out our new front garden and started getting it in the ground.
Duane didn't finish spreading the last of the mulch until nearly 10:00 last night, but what a difference!!
I'm no longer embarrassed by the front of my house! Now the back is another story. And probably another appointment with the garden coach.
Duane didn't finish spreading the last of the mulch until nearly 10:00 last night, but what a difference!!
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Last Day of School
This past Thursday was the last day of school for Wesley and Ryan. I took the day off to attend their classroom awards and to take them out of school early on the last day. Sometimes, you've got to!
You know, for me the best part of the boys having such wonderful friends, is the wonderful mom friends I've gained in return. I honestly love to hang out with them and I know I can talk to them about anything. We have such a great time together and we owe it all to our kids' friendship.
After we left school, we went out to lunch, then picked up Lucy to get ice cream and stock up on summer reading at the library.
That night I went out to dinner with big group of ladies (mostly school mom friends) to celebrate and birthday and the last day of school. We ate too much, drank too much and laughed too much! Sounds like the start of a great summer.
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| Such handsome guys on the last day of 4th grade and 2nd grade |
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| This is Ryan's pack of besties - the pie bros! And yes, we realize one is more of a sister than a bro. |
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| I love this group of friends. They are all just all around great kids. |
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| Speaking of great kids, these guys right here, these are some awesome kids! And they are ready to rule the school next year as fifth graders. |
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| Well, kind of ready to rule the school |
You know, for me the best part of the boys having such wonderful friends, is the wonderful mom friends I've gained in return. I honestly love to hang out with them and I know I can talk to them about anything. We have such a great time together and we owe it all to our kids' friendship.
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| Wesley receiving his "Outstanding Student" award from his teacher (one of only two such awards in the whole class) |
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| So proud of my guys! |
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| Kicking back, relaxing |
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| I love these guys so much! |
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| Lucy enjoying her treat |
Wednesday, June 01, 2016
End of the School Year
Tomorrow is the last day of school for the year. Can I get a "Hallelujah?" I know June 2 isn't exactly late to get out for the year, but most of the schools around here ended a week or more ago. Plus after such a summery weekend, it was really hard to send them back for 2.5 days this week. I'm just ready for the somewhat more relaxed summer routine.
Need proof that I'm done with the school year? Yesterday Wesley informed us that his class will be having a brunch the morning of the last day and that students can bring in breakfast stuff. For a while I considered going full on Martha Stewart and making Wesley's favorite candied bacon to send in. But then reality hit and I grabbed two bags of mini-donuts when I ran into Target for something else during Ryan's drum lesson. Who am I kidding? It's the last day of school. The kids will be more than happy with bagged donuts. The bacon totally would have been a waste.
Another sign that I've just given up? Ryan's class was having a movie/popcorn/pajama party today. Ryan doesn't normally want to wear pajamas to school, but he decided to today. Of course he did, because the laundry hasn't been done in days and every single pair of pajamas in his drawer only had half of the set clean (he insists on wearing them mismatched at night). I cared for about three minutes, than finally just told him to pick out some that maybe kind of matched. He did and they kind of matched. The bottoms he chose were a bit too big though and I offered to pin them so they wouldn't fall down.
"Mom, they are NOT going fall down. They are fine!" Ryan insisted.
Okay, maybe they weren't going to fall down on their own, but Ryan does have a big brother at school and, to be perfectly honest, I was slightly worried about Ryan getting pantsed at school. But then I figured, 'Well, if everyone sees his boxer briefs, there's only a day left and they'll have all summer to forget about it' and I let it go.
See, it needs to be summer vacation. This momma is done!
Need proof that I'm done with the school year? Yesterday Wesley informed us that his class will be having a brunch the morning of the last day and that students can bring in breakfast stuff. For a while I considered going full on Martha Stewart and making Wesley's favorite candied bacon to send in. But then reality hit and I grabbed two bags of mini-donuts when I ran into Target for something else during Ryan's drum lesson. Who am I kidding? It's the last day of school. The kids will be more than happy with bagged donuts. The bacon totally would have been a waste.
Another sign that I've just given up? Ryan's class was having a movie/popcorn/pajama party today. Ryan doesn't normally want to wear pajamas to school, but he decided to today. Of course he did, because the laundry hasn't been done in days and every single pair of pajamas in his drawer only had half of the set clean (he insists on wearing them mismatched at night). I cared for about three minutes, than finally just told him to pick out some that maybe kind of matched. He did and they kind of matched. The bottoms he chose were a bit too big though and I offered to pin them so they wouldn't fall down.
"Mom, they are NOT going fall down. They are fine!" Ryan insisted.
Okay, maybe they weren't going to fall down on their own, but Ryan does have a big brother at school and, to be perfectly honest, I was slightly worried about Ryan getting pantsed at school. But then I figured, 'Well, if everyone sees his boxer briefs, there's only a day left and they'll have all summer to forget about it' and I let it go.
See, it needs to be summer vacation. This momma is done!
Tuesday, May 31, 2016
Fun Time with Grandma and Grandpa
Have I mentioned lately how incredibly fortunate to have all of our parents / the kids' grandparents here in town? It's so much more than helping us out with babysitting - although I won't hide the fact that it's been an absolute lifesaver through the years. But the kids actually get to do stuff with their grandparents and are going to have memories of fun times and every day moments with them.
We skipped out on marching in the Memorial Day parade with the scouts and the library this year in favor of attending a pancake breakfast and game day for grandparents and their families at my parent's condo complex. It was fun, and relaxing, and tasty!
After stuffing ourselves on pancakes it was time for some games - had to work off those carbs somehow!
Then it was time to hit the pool. The boys especially loved Duane throwing them into the deep end over and over and over and over.
It was such a wonderful morning! After the festivities we went back to Grandma and Grandpa's to cool off and relax and have lunch on the patio. It was a perfect day and I loved every second of it.
We skipped out on marching in the Memorial Day parade with the scouts and the library this year in favor of attending a pancake breakfast and game day for grandparents and their families at my parent's condo complex. It was fun, and relaxing, and tasty!
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| Grandpa catching his breakfast |
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| Wesley awaiting incoming pancakes |
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| A couple of handsome, and full, guys |
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| Ryan was quite taken with this dragonfly that was hanging around the party |
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| There was cornhole |
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| And kickball croquet |
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| Beanbag skee-ball |
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| And our favorite - the grandparent/grandchild water balloon toss |
Then it was time to hit the pool. The boys especially loved Duane throwing them into the deep end over and over and over and over.
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It was such a wonderful morning! After the festivities we went back to Grandma and Grandpa's to cool off and relax and have lunch on the patio. It was a perfect day and I loved every second of it.
Sunday, May 29, 2016
Remembering the Fallen
Memorial Day weekend may be the unofficial start of summer, but it's so much more than that. We are certainly doing our share of fun things and cookouts this weekend, but we also made sure we took the time to remember the soldiers who lost their lives for our country, and those who served and have since passed on.
We started the day yesterday by joining a number of other scouts at a local cemetery to place flags at the graves of former soldiers.
I was so proud of how seriously the kids took their job. They were respectful of the flags, the graves and each other. Truly a scouting moment.
This morning my dad, my stepmom and I did the Field of Heroes 5K. It was my dad's first ever 5K and I was super proud of them both.
So many soldiers gave their lives fighting for their country. As we celebrate the beginning of summer, let us take the time to remember what we are really celebrating.
We started the day yesterday by joining a number of other scouts at a local cemetery to place flags at the graves of former soldiers.
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I was so proud of how seriously the kids took their job. They were respectful of the flags, the graves and each other. Truly a scouting moment.
This morning my dad, my stepmom and I did the Field of Heroes 5K. It was my dad's first ever 5K and I was super proud of them both.
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| Before the race |
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| My dad, Lynne, and my dad's walking buddy Luke. Can you believe he's in his 80s???? I couldn't! |
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| These soldiers did the 5K with full army packs on. |
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| The race went through the local fire station, and this amazing field of flags honoring the fallen |
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| Ceramic poppies honoring the women in the wars |
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| So very proud of these two!! |
So many soldiers gave their lives fighting for their country. As we celebrate the beginning of summer, let us take the time to remember what we are really celebrating.
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