The lazy days of summer vacation are finally here. 

Ben had his last day of preschool yesterday.  He has a winter birthday therefore he won't be going to kindergarten quite yet.  I'm impressed with all he has learned this year.  At one point over spring break he asked, "Why don't you teach me things like they do in school?" 

We went over to the pool for the first time this season on Monday.  Owen does not remember all the time he spent there last year and it was all new to him.  He melted my heart when he said, "This is FUN, Mom!"  It wasn't long before he was back to kicking his way around in the water. 

I told Owen yesterday, "Hey, I think you are officially potty trained!"  He replied, "Just like Elmo?"  It seems that all I needed to do was complain to the internet that it would NEVER happen and then magically it all clicked for him.  So on that note...I'm pretty sure, internet, that we will NEVER win the lottery.



Our Weekend

I took Ben and Owen to see the Burgin's on Friday. 

It took Maya a little while to warm up to me, but it was so worth the wait.  She is growing so fast.  She even took a few steps on her own while we were there! 

I was able to catch up with some of our other great friends, Tasha and Jessica as well.  We spent Saturday morning hanging out at Kelly's then headed to Subway for lunch with the brood.  We took the boys and Maya to the park for the rest of the afternoon. 

Ben and Owen were wiped out by the end of the day, so I figured it would be a good time for the ride home. 

            

                          

Thanks Aunt Kelly for a fun weekend!



Wordless Wednesday; Clean Cut

I admit, Owen's hair was getting a bit unruly.  I think he looks adorable with his messy mop.  I mentioned to Jeremy that I forgot to pick up detangler for Owen while I was at the store.  Jeremy was all like, well.....you could just take him in for a haircut....before  it starts looking like this... 

                       

(Claire on LOST-Season 6.  Series finale is THIS Sunday.  It's going to be an awesome 2 1/2 hours!!!)

                                                  

Ben enjoys haircuts. In fact he's had two since his brother's last time in the barber chair. He wanted his done on Monday too. I think he was afraid that he would miss out on the lollipop if he didn't.

                                                                                                                

Now they're ready for summer!



Whippersnappers

My Aunt and Uncle have not seemed to age during my entire life.  I am going  to check out their fridge on our next visit to their house-they must have stockpiled bottles of water from the fountain of youth. 

Doris and Darold made the trip out to see us this weekend.  The boys could not have been any more excited to see them.  Ben and Owen had plans, BIG plans.  As soon as Darold and Doris were welcomed into our home, Owen and Ben coerced them into a game of hide and seek.  After a few games of Zingo we headed to my favorite barbecue place.  You simply cannot come to Kansas City without eating at Fiorella's Jack Stack Barbecue.  The coleslaw alone is enough to make the trip. 

We already miss them. 



Wordless Wednesday; Kicked Habit

A few months ago, I noticed Ben was no longer a thumb sucker.

He had been sucking his thumb since he was a baby and I seriously thought it would be a nightmare to ever get him to stop.  He often had blisters and cracked skin on his left thumb but it didn't seem to bother him.

When I asked him why he stopped, he said that he did not want dead skin on it any more. 

He's growing up so fast!



Home Improvement

Now that Owen has new furniture, the bright white of his rocking chair needed a makeover.  I went to Wal-Mart bought a can of Kilz primer in spray form, two cans of brown spray paint and one can of black.  By the way, did you know that you had to show an ID to buy spray paint?!?

Armed with my contraband I headed outside to the empty lot next door.  I may have mentioned a time or two that I'm not that crafty.  The end result was surprising to say the least.  It turned out pretty darn good!

While I was at it, the letters on the wall got a fresh coat of blue paint which was left over from Ben's room.  

                                    

I pretty much think at this point, there is nothing that I cannot do.

The play set in the back yard has been showing a little wear, so I took Owen with me to the paint store to pick up stain.  We were already there, so I decided on a color for their Jack-and-Jack bathroom as well.

The weather held up Monday and I was able to get most of the staining done.  It is raining now and I can see water beading up on the fort.  Makes me warm and fuzzy inside.

Still giddy from the paint fumes, the boys and I planted some flowers Wednesday afternoon.  They loved digging holes and playing in the dirt.  I don't have much of a green thumb, so we will just have to see how long they survive under my care. (The FLOWERS!)

The can of paint for the bathroom was just sitting there staring at me ALL- WEEK- LONG.  I finally couldn't stand it any longer and dove into the biggest project I have ever started.  I will take the time now to officially apologize to Jeremy for the scrutiny that I displayed while he painted the nursery way back when.  No matter what those perky hosts on HGTV have to say- painting is NOT fun.  It is NOT easy.  It is NOT quick!  In fact, I'm still not done.  Some of it needs another coat and a lot of the trim (and parts of the ceiling) need to be touched up.  

I should have quit while I was ahead....



The Interview

In honor of Mother's Day, I thought I would ask Ben a few questions about his mamma.

1. What is something I always say to you? "No"   (He's right...he does hear this one often.)

2. What makes me happy? "When I be good"

3. What makes me sad? "When I don't be nice"

4. What do you think I was like as a child?  "Nice"

6. How old am I? "umm...61"   Ouch!

7. How tall am I? "64 inches" 

8. What is my favorite thing to do? "play matching games"

9. What do I do when you're not around? "play with Owen"

10. If I become famous, what will it be for? "Singing"     (I'll remind him of this one day.)

11. What am I really good at? "doing puzzles"

12. What am I not really good at? "not playing outside"

13. What is my job? "to work and pay money"

14. What is my favorite food? "cereal"

15. What makes me proud of you? "when I share my stuff"  

16. If I were a cartoon character, who would I be? "Daphne from Scooby-Doo"  

17. What do you and I do together? "Watch TV"

18. How are we the same? "We have the same hair do"   (Again with the hair!)

19. How are you and I different? "We don't have the same clothes"

20. How do you know that I love you? "because you're my MOM!"

21. Where is my favorite place to go? "to Paradise Park"

 
 



Happy Mother's Day!

The boys were both snuggled in my bed this morning when I woke up.  I took a few minutes to listen to the sound of their breathing and revel in the fact that God chose me to be their mother.  I have been blessed.

Happy Mother's Day to all the wonderful women in my life. 

Enjoy your day.



Wordless Wednesday; Pint Sized Picasso's