Beach Week

Well, we're off to the beach again for a week and I'm not taking my computer, so it's time for a little blogging vacate! Have a great week everybody, and here's a little eye candy to keep you occupied while I'm gone. Yummy!

Preschool Days

Just now getting around to this, but last week was Patrick's last day of preschool. And I admit it, I cried. I have been very excited about him coming to "big kid" school with me next year, but I hadn't really considered that these days are over. Once we start school back up, there'll be no more short days, no more sleeping until we feel like it and going in late--school's going to be serious business next year! And I have no doubts whatsoever about putting him in full-time Pre-K because my school is the BEST, but it's hard to deal on those days that are designed to show you that your little preschooler is growing up. I'm really going to try to savor my time with the boys this summer--try being the key word there--because once August rolls around, things are going to change a lot, for the first time since Patrick was born four and a half years ago.

So anyways, his end-of-year party was fun for both my boys. They provided a lot of fun stuff for the kiddies, and even Patrick was bummed when he realized we were leaving and never coming back. He's since gotten over it, but it was still bittersweet. It's been a really good preschool for Patrick and I'm glad he got his time there.

Fun in the Sun

This morning we went to a fun-in-the-sun party at Jenny's house, which was an awesome way to spend this sunshiney May day! Jenny pulled out all the stops and provided a pool, slides, a giant sand box, a shaving cream table, the sprinkler, bubbles, and an art wall...and it was just TOO MUCH FUN for those kiddies! They all had a blast. Patrick was having so much fun, I couldn't really catch up to him to take a picture, but I did manage to get some of Ben. He was easy, in that he spent most of his time lurking around the food table.

Patrick doesn't nap often these days, but he couldn't stay awake when we got home. So Jenny, same time, same activities every day for the rest of the summer, right? I really enjoyed my afternoon off!

Team Brian

Today we went out to a nearby state park to hang out with Jenny and MK while Brian ran a marathon through the hills of NW Georgia. We've been having gorgeous weather and today was no different. Sunny and breezy, very springlike--a rare and all-too-brief season in our neck of the woods--it was perfect for being outside. So while Brian ran and ran and ran and RAN, we fed the ducks, played baseball, rented paddle boats, played on the playground, had a picnic lunch, and so on and so forth. Very fun times had by all...except maybe the runners. Ha! I kid, I kid...I know it is a major high to be able to run that far, and I am in awe of those that can do it.

We tried to explain it to Patrick ("Remember when you were watching Fireman Sam on TV this morning? THAT'S when Brian started running. And he's been running EVER SINCE.") But I'm still not sure he got it. He was however, very excited about seeing him finish, so he waited patiently at the finish line and clapped for everyone as they came down the home stretch. Even Ben got into the spirit of things...occasionally. For the most part, all three kids were really good and it was a fun day. I don't have any pictures of Brian running or after the race because for heaven's sake, he had been running since I got up this morning and I wasn't going to shove my camera in his face after that, but I am sure Jenny will have some on their blog soon enough.

Friday mornings are donut morning!

SSSSSMOKIN'!

Yes, this is my husband and yes, he is HOT AS FIRE!

Luke brings the hotness, Ben and Patrick bring the cuteness...

Be still my heart!

We got our pictures back from the fire department and as you can tell, I am very pleased! LOVE these pictures! I was a little worried because the lady who took the pictures was competing with numerous fire trucks entering and exiting the compound, but now I am impressed that she managed to get two shots with all three boys looking at the camera...and looking handsome as well! I *heart* my family!

P.S. Sorry for the bad quality of the pics...I guess I need to clean my scanner.

It's Mother's Day! Play Ball!

It's that wonderful day of the year again and Patrick celebrated by getting his hands on something far better than any old MOM, he landed a real authentic catcher's mask and mitt!!! I am not sure why Luke chose not to mention earlier that this was sitting out in his shed (I mean, it could've saved us a lot of embarrassment)...but for whatever reason, yesterday was the day he deemed appropriate to dig it out and make Patrick's young life even sweeter. Ma fixed the straps on the back and voila! Instant happy kid.

So as Patrick caressed and whispered sweet nothings to his new catcher's mask, my parents came up to spend Mother's Day with us. I can't even remember the last time my parents came up for a visit, so it was really good to have them over. My mom brought me some flowers to plant in my gardens and we took a long walk around the lake and then Luke hauled out the smoker and made his awesomely famous smoked pork tenderloin. It's like heaven on earth. Anyway, we were busy and I didn't think to snap pictures of all the fun (bad blogger that I've become), but I did remember to get one group shot before they left.

Happy Mother's Day to everyone--Mom, Luke's mom, Great-Grandma and my Grammy, Sandi, me and all my mommy friends. Hope you enjoyed your day as much as I did!

Summer Vacate

Today was Ben's last day of preschool for the year (BOO), so I had to take a picture of him with his ladies for posterity. On the left we have Ms. Phyllis and on the right is Ms. Donna. I have to admit, even though they were paid very handsomely for the eight hours a week of babysitting they provided, they were totally awesome to Ben. It wasn't easy putting my almost-new baby in the care of two strangers, but they really earned my confidence quickly. They saw him through a lot this year, from the times when he could barely glance at a baby swing without getting drowsy to giving up his paci to finally walking. They encouraged him every step of the way (no pun intended)...soothed him when he cried, cheered for him when he succeeded, taught him lots of great stuff and truly helped shape his personality. I know he really loves them. I just don't think he'll know how much he's going to miss them until three months from now when he's back in the toddler room next door and sees them again! At least they'll share a playground.

Have a great summer Ms. Phyllis and Ms. Donna! Thanks for everything!

Birthday Shout-out!

Today is the birthday of the one and only Katie, and since she's made it perfectly clear on her blog, I'll go ahead and reiterate that it's a biggie--it's her 30th birthday! Katie is awesome for many reasons, but today she is awesome because she was nice enough to turn 30 just before me, so she can try it out and tell me how it is. Like getting in the pool first. It's inevitable that we're both going to do it, but she can prepare me. You're awesome like that girl!!!

Anyway, here's a birthday shout-out from me and the boys that love you!!! We hope your birthday is the bomb!!! This day's all about you girl, so spend it like you mean it!!!! Happy Birthday!

An update

Not that there's too much to update you all on, unless you need to know the details of our family's diarrhea...no? Well, here's the watered-down version (pardon the pun). Patrick's Linda Blair-inspired moment on Friday night turned out to be the last of the throw up, but the mere tip of the stomach bug iceberg. Tuesday rolled around and he was still feeling the effects (as was our can of air freshener), but by Wednesday he felt well enough to go back to preschool...juuuust in time for Ben to start it up. Lucky me! But I prefer to look at the bright side: diapers are an excellent means of control for those little "surprises" that so often come with the runs. No carpet clean-up this time! :)

In unrelated news, Ben is getting to be very chit-chatty these days. I have enjoyed reliving the whole "learning to talk" experience with him...I had forgotten how cute it is. Patrick used to go to the bottom of any random staircase and yell "SCHELL!!!" (you'll have to ask Schell's mom about this), and now Ben is doing something similar. He goes to the top of the stairs and yells "AAAAAA-DA!!!" This is derived from our frequent calling for Savannah to come upstairs so we can drag her into the bathroom and give her heart palpitations by making her think it's bath time. Good cheap family fun.

So that's my last five days in a nutshell--diarrhea and AAAAA-DA. By all means, stay perched on the edges of your seats. There'll be more to come.