Summer Adventures & Goodbyes

Our Summer Adventures have officially begun! Instead of the jar that I went with last year, I decided to do things a bit different this year. Each day has a Summer Adventure, but the kids have to accomplish all of the above tasks before we can do it -- talk about motivation to get your bed made.

Our adventures range from making homemade juice to going to the pool to doing service for neighbors.

Any time I start thinking my kids are a handful, I see them do something like this and it reminds me what easy children they really are. My kids have always been so good to entertain themselves. I've had all their toys locked up for the past month (that's a whole other story), but they still find things to do. Who needs a million lego pieces laying around on your floor when you've got dirt and a Happy Meal toy?

Here's Mac and his friend, Ariel, solving the world's problems.

Jaxton celebrated his half birthday. He's already lost two teeth and is counting down the days until he heads to Kindergarten. Love this kid so very much!

My dearest NC friend, Kristi, is moving to Indiana. We held one more girl's night in her honor and celebrated what a wonderful person she is. I wanted her to leave NC with something special, so I had those closest to her write what they admired most about her and then I decorated a jar and put the messages inside. I think it turned out to be something Kristi will cherish for a long time.

We're headed to UT for quite a while, so we'll see you on the flip side of summer!

Fabulous & Four

Even though I told this little guy that he had to stay three forever, he went ahead and turned four anyway. I sure think he's just as wonderful as a four year old as he was as a three year old.

The best surprise of the day was when these three teenagers showed up at our door with cookies and blowpops for the birthday boy -- talk about one happy kid! My deepest "thank you's" to Anthony, Makenzee and Madison -- what other three teens would take the time to surprise a four year old on his birthday?

Beckam didn't hesitate when I asked him what kind of birthday party he wanted -- a Green Power Ranger birthday party was the only option for him.

When the kids showed up we made Power Ranger masks, then we played "Pin the Badge on the Green Power Ranger," followed up with some cake and ice cream. After all their bellies were full we went outside to play "Capture the Bad Guys" (colored army guys that were hiding all over in the grass -- like an easter egg hunt) and then we came inside to open presents. Afterwards we headed to the neighborhood playground until parents came for pick-up. Party success!

And for the record, Beckam's growth stats are 36 1/4 inches tall (75th%) and 41 lbs. (50th%). He also received his Kindergarten immunizations and giggled through the entire process -- he's a tough guy.
We love you Beck! We think you are SO wonderful! We love your imagination, how you love to be cuddled, rocked and sung to, your stubbornness, your ability to make us laugh, your mischievousness side and your kind heart. Happy Birthday Baby Beck!

Spring Ball

Both Jaxton and Mac had very successful Spring baseball seasons. Mac enjoyed getting into a league that was more competitive and Jaxton enjoyed being on a team with his two best buddies.

Jaxton isn't SUPER competitive with others, but he is with himself. While most of his team was just "there," Jaxton was there to play and be serious about it. When his team headed outfield he was always the first to grab his glove and yell out "Where do you want me, coach?" He hit great and was such a hustler. I had so much fun watching him play.

At the beginning of the season we had to sit down with Mac and explain to him that he needed to "let his game do the talking." In other words, he wasn't shy about letting everyone know that he was the only consistent hitter they had. :) Mac definitely is an emotional player and put everything he had into every game. He loved the step up in competition and enjoyed making friends with his teammates.

The most exciting part of Mac's season was the last three games where they beat the undefeated team twice to secure the title of "League Champs."

Nate was the head coach for Mac's team and if the fact that their team went from the losing underdogs to the winning champs says anything about his coaching abilities, then I think he has a bright future -- too bad he say's he needs a few years off to recuperate. :)

And what did my other kids do during the 90+ degree, ultra humid back-to-back ballgames? They did their best to keep cool under shade, poured water over their heads and took breaks in the van with the air on. Bless their hearts -- I have good kids!

Can't wait for Fall -- all three boys will be in soccer, Mac will also play baseball and he'll start piano lessons, (I can't help but think I'm already setting myself up for failure . . . I guess only time will tell.)

My 1st Born & 1st Grade

I can remember everything about my 1st grade year -- in fact, I could talk you through an entire day in Mrs. Gunnel's 1st grade class even to this day. My teacher, Mrs. Gunnel made a huge impact on me -- she filled me full of confidence and love, which is exactly how anyone should begin their education experience. Mrs. Gunnel and my mom are the two biggest reasons that I chose to teach 1st grade and looking back, I hope that my own students came away from 1st grade with not only added knowledge, but knowing that their teacher loved them and worked her tail off for them.
As Mac got ready for 1st grade I could only hope he would have a similar experience.

And guess what . . .

I'm pretty sure that even though his last day of school was Friday, if he was given the choice, he'd go back to school tomorrow.

Now if that's not the sign of a successful year, I don't know what is.

Thank you Ms. Kirby and Ms. Scott for allowing my child to learn, grow and expand.

Now on to 2nd grade . . .

Sunset Beach -- need I say more?

Beckam was super cautious the first time we got in the pool. He insisted on having not only a life jacket on but also that he needed to be hanging onto someone's neck to keep from drowning. But by the end of the trip he was confident enough to swim and paddle around on his own (with a life jacket).

Last year Jilli wasn't a huge fan of the whole beach scene and I was beginning to wonder if she was actually my daughter. This year she put my worries at ease by proving that she was indeed a fan of the sun, the water and the sand -- she's definitely my girl!

This picture could very well go down as one of my favorites. Love these three best buddies!

The Thole family came and stayed with us Friday to Saturday. We had so much fun spending time with them and getting to know their family better. We can't wait to do it again!

The Thole's brought the kids some books and Jilli especially took to hers. For a good portion of the day we found her strolling around the pond, pausing long enough to read a page or two out or her book -- quite a thinker!

Jaxton loved the pool! He was determined to learn to swim underwater on his own and sure enough by the second day he could do it -- and by the third day he was an ole' pro at the underwater front stroke.

Here's my handsome enjoying the beach life -- he prefers to relax out of the sun and under an umbrella.

My kids have always been pretty easy to entertain, take for instance this tree. It wasn't uncommon to find Jaxton or Beckam with two leaves in their hands make believing that the leaves were warriors and they'd make them fight by tearing the leaves up (they did this for hours). I couldn't be happier that they all have such active imaginations.

Who can resist sandy baby feet with painted pink toenails? Not me!

Unlike Beckam, we found that Jilli was a water daredevil from the get-go. That girl doesn't have an afraid bone in her body and frankly it worries me a bit (check her out ready to head down the 5 ft. ladder on her own).

Check out the alligator in the pond just outside our patio doors. I think a sign warning unsuspecting people of large biting animals should be a must, don't you?

I'm amazed at how Mac's swimming continues to get better and better. He jumps into the deep end and swims to the other end of the pool with ease -- I love seeing the independence and confidence in my children grow!

Thank heaven's for this pond and the turtles living in it! My kids loved feeding them, touching them and watching them take care of their eggs.