School Treat

To celebrate the end of the first week of school I treated the boys to donuts.  Hayden received green smiley faces all week (which indicates excellent behavior).  The teacher even noted, "He is so kind."

First Day!!!!

Logan started preschool last week.  He has been looking forward to starting school for many months now.  I think he was most excited to wear a backpack.  Just to practice, Logan started wearing his backpack several weeks ago.  He even wore it while riding his bike assuring me, 'this is what big kids do.'
The only tears shed were mine.  Logan was happy to be at school and when I picked him up he offered, 'I really love my school.'  Excited for his school year!

Twists

Last week the boys and I made soft pretzels for the first time.  We had fun rolling out the dough into 'snakes' and then twisting them to make pretzels.  We topped half of them with salt and the other half with cinnamin sugar.  YUMMY!

46

Yesterday was Ross' birthday.  Ryan went to WA to be with his parents and Darci (Ross' wife).   They got a cake and met about 20 people at Ross' favorite restaurant, Dirty Dave's Pizza.  This weekend Ryan's planned a camping trip with Ross' best friends.  Ross is missed by many.  His life is remembered and celebrated.

Ryan's parent's neighbor's surprised them with these lights on their roof the morning of Ross' birthday.

From Earth up to the Heavens, Happy Birthday, Ross!  We love you and miss you.

Apron Strings

I had to cut an apron string today.  It wasn't easy.  I thought I was prepared but the fibers of my heart tore a bit.

 

Ryan went into work a little late so he could walk Hayden to his classroom.  After a hug and kiss, he walked into his room with a smile. 

Hayden rode the bus home and I think I took my first full breath all day when I saw him get off with a huge smile!

We must learn to let go...to make room for the things we have prayed for and desired. 
Charles Fillmore

We pray and desire for Hayden to have a year full of growth, discovery and fun!

Easy Life

I have mixed emotions about the boys starting school next week.  On one hand, I'm excited for them and all the experiences that await.  I LOVED school; hence, why I became a teacher.  I also look forward to completing errands, cleaning and cooking with only one child underfoot (Logan will attend preschool 3 mornings).

But, I also will miss them and our easy days of summer. I have really enjoyed all the time to just see where the day might take us.  Recently, the boys were into nature art.  They spent quite some time out back creating this...

Bucket List

With summer coming to a close the boys and I have been trying to cross off some remaining items off our bucket list. Recently, we visited the butterfly house in Navarre.  Only 10 minutes away and it sits on the sound.  The butterfly garden is modest.  At the door, the boys were given a butterfly chart with pictures so they could identify various types.  Hayden desperately wished to have one land on him, but no luck.  Unfortunately, I forgot my camera.

Another day, I took them to the shark museum, also in Navarre.  The best part of this place was the entrance; otherwise, quite disappointing.  Mostly a tacky souvenir shop with a small corner dedicated to shark.  They had a video streaming on a t.v. that talked about sharks and we made a dash for the door once they started to discuss shark attacks! 

Changes

Owen is starting to make that change from baby to toddler.  Sometimes, I look at him and see only toddler and wonder how our 'baby' could grow so quickly.  It is fun watching him explore and discover!  His personality is blossoming.  He LOVES to give me kisses.  He will grab my hair and pull my face to his with his mouth wide open to plant a slobbery smooch!

"Curls for the girls!"  That's what Ryan's mom used to tell him.   (Ryan has very curly hair)

Getting so big!!!

Dino Dig

I love the extra time and flexibility that summer affords.  Recently, the boys and I filled two tubs with red clay (abunant here). 

They added some water to turn it into mud.  This kept them busy for quite some time--boys and mud sure go nicely together.  Next, we buried some toy dinosaur skeletons and set the tubs into the sun to dry. 

Days later, when the dirt was dry and hardened, our archaeologists were able to get to work.  We had borrowed a book from the library about excavating dinosaur bones and our 'experts' were excited.  They used screwdrivers, hammers and paint brushes to cautiously discover the bones.
Such fun!

Mountain Memories

NOTE: Blogger insists on rotating some of my pics. Annoying.

We just returned from a wonderful visit to MiMi & PopPop's in South Carolina!
This is their backyard view!  It is always changing with the sun, weather and seasons; yet always beautiful!  The pictures don't do it justice.  The mountains fade as far as the eye can see. 

Sheldon took this panoramic

 They always make our arrival so smooth by stocking the fridge/pantry with family favorites and the toys already out and waiting for the boys.  We arrived a few days prior to Allison's family.  My parents watched Owen for a day allowing Ryan and I to take the big boys into Greenville to their fabulous kids museum.  It was lovely to not factor bottles, stroller and naps into our day.

Simple fun on the front porch. 

We always look forward to spending a day at Aunt Susan and Uncle Stan's home which is about 40 minutes from my parents.  Currently they have 5 horses (some are theirs and others they board); it was too warm to ride them this visit.  The kids did enjoy two hayrides through the horse trails shaded in the woods.

Their property boasts a creek which is always a highlight.  Stan finds frogs and snails to show the kids as they wade through the water.  Owen enjoyed his first backpack ride down to the creek.

The kids picked blueberries but as usual, had nothing to show for their work.

After the outside fun the cousins played inside with toys and we had a bbq lunch.

Another day the kids shared a golf lesson. Ryan started introducing Hayden to golf as soon as he could walk.  He'll have his foursome in a few years.

A visit with Great Grandmom and Great Grandpop who live about 30 minutes away from my parents.  Always lovely to see them.  We are thankful they have met all our boys.

Fun at the pool

The month of swim lessons has paid off! Go Hayden!!!

Needing a quiet afternoon = movie and popcorn

We were sure to visit our favorite ice cream shop several times

My parents rented a boat for a day which has become tradition. 

This is where we docked the boat to swim around and eat our picnic lunch. If you look carefully you'll see Ryan and Hayden on the rocks.

Just missing Owen who was back at the house with a sitter.  Next year he'll join us.

Sisters

Logan was brave enough to try tubing and clearly, LOVED it!!!

 MiMi & Logan

Notice the butterfly on Ryan's finger

 We docked the boat by this pool which had waterslides!  F.U.N!

Some other highlights (not pictured) include a trip to Hendersonville's Hand's On kid museum, lunch at our favorite brick oven pizza, an adult dinner out, breakfast on the screen porch and lots of olympics. 

(pictures to come soon of MiMi playing Chinese checkers.  She has taught Hayden who now loves the game.  Also, PopPop rocking Owen on the back porch--sweet moment)

We were certainly sad to leave but will cherish the wonderful memories.  Already looking forward to next summer!