This Means War....Nerf Style!

Yesterday afternoon we had 14 first grade boys over for a Nerf war!

Everyone came armed...I provided them with the ammunition.

Easiest birthday party ever.  The boys had a blast running around our large backyard (thanks to the rental!).  No schedule of events...just running...perfect for high energy little boys.

We did have a pinata...

and camoflauge cupcakes that didn't quite turn out like the ones I saw on the internet!  Thankfully little boys are forgiving. Or don't care.

Great backyard fun.  Happy Birthday P!

A Family Party

It's hard to believe but my baby is seven! 

We had a great family birthday party to celebrate.  All the locals were in attendence (except Uncle Rob and baby Campbell who had to pass due to John's virus).  We were lucky to have Aunt Elizabeth in town to celebrate too!

We did the usual routine....dinner, cake and ice cream, birthday video and presents.  I'll spare you the commentary and just share some pictures.

Happy Birthday, Philip!  You are truly a gift from God above.  Your Daddy and I are so proud of the boy you have become.  We look forward to watching you grow even more!

Sorry It's Been Awhile...

The truth is we have been busy, but there hasn't been much excitement to report.  We've just been living...

Kindergarten wears this kid out...he fell asleep before dinner this night!

This guy...

has finally recovered from a bout of roseola (if you look closely, you can see his rash!).  William had it as an infant, too, and I think it is one of the most wearisome viruses for the mama.  John ran a high fever and then was extremely fussy for a week.  Finally, we have recovered and our smile is back!

The kitchen is progressing along.  Countertops and granite are in.  The floors are refinished. The trim is done.  Our contractor reports that by next Friday the bulk of the work will be done.  I haven't taken pictures but will soon!

In the meantime, we've been enjoying our backyard.  We sneak over after school to play on the swingset.  Can you tell we are ready to be home??

Be back soon with a birthday party update!

Happiness is....

 

 

a warm (picnic) blanket!

 

Fall is in the air, and we are loving it here!  Yesterday, William, John, and I took it easy.  Thursday is library day for us.  William loves going but it messes up John's nap...usually we do it regardless.  However, yesterday I was tired and not feeling it.  I had a luncheon at my house the day before and the cooking and cleaning had worn me out.  So, we took a day off.  We all napped and then enjoyed the good weather.  A good day! 



 

Please excuse Big Boy's crazy pajamas...he did change into clothes eventually!

 

 

Growing...

It seems that growing is all my boys are doing these days.

Some are growing...like literally...like all they do is eat...all.the.time.  And if I do not have food handy, he can fix it himself.

John seems to grow up a little more everyday.  He's still into everything, but he's much more interactive.  He loves to wave hi and bye-bye.  He enjoys "giving love."  William is his most often recipient.  The bond between those two is forming and I love it!!

Philip lost another tooth last night!  Check out this toothless grin.

With its return to tv, Philip is back in love with football.  He wants to play before and after school.  The best for him is weekends when Daddy is home.  He even watched quite a bit of the game with Chris on Saturday.  He loves keeping score as much as playing!

William made his first trip to Sunday School today.  It seems like yesterday when I began my Catechesis training.  William was six weeks old.  I held, fed, and rocked that baby through many hours of training.  It is so fun to see him now reap the rewards of his early devotion to CGS!!

Daniel's doing great, too.  And because everyone always asks, school is going well.  I have found if he stays well rested then our mornings are easy.  Occasionally, some anxiety sinks in, but we are trying to keep it at bay.  I'm already amazed at how much he has learned...his writing shows the most initial improvement.  So much fun to watch him learn!

While some days I long for our simple days at home when carpool was a twice a week thing, I am so smitten with the little boy that each has become.  So true that growing up is bittersweet for the mama!

Kitchen Progress

The porch is almost completed and the kitchen is progressing along!  Here are some recent shots...

First the porch.  The new door from the garage is in (but not painted) and the lattice work fence and gate have been installed (and not painted either).  The ceiling is in and stained.  Everything is trimmed out and awaiting a final coat of paint.

 

 

Now the kitchen.  The walls were sheetrocked and primed.  The hardwood floors are very slowly being installed.  Cabinets are next!!

 



Dear Daniel,

Yesterday you made me proud.

It wasn't at our trip to the playground after school where I watched you play with your two friends, Jack and Walter.  Sure it made me happy to see you happy and well adjusted socially with two boys that you haven't known but for a month.  Having good friends is important, buddy, and I'm glad you are making some.

Nor was it the e-mail I got from your Kindergarten teacher...the one where she explained to me that we needed a conference to discuss ways to keep you challenged and stimulated at home.  It seems you're reading on a borderline second grade level.  Reading is important, too.  And your Daddy and I are quite amazed at how well you are doing it these days.  Just like potty-training, you made up your mind (quite early) that it was time and have taught yourself!  Reading will take your imagination places and feed your mind in a way nothing else can.  I'm glad you are excelling there.

But proud, no.

What made me so proud was the pecan.  Remember the one that fell from the tree in our current backyard.  You've been asking to take it to the Science lab for over a week.  But our schedule with school has been a mess with the hurricane and Labor Day.  You were so excited to wake up yesterday and know that it was a Science day.  You asked if you could take it, so I dropped it in a ziploc bag and went to put it in your backpack.

Then you asked, "Mama, is a pecan a tree nut?"  Yep, it fell from that tree right there.  "I better not take it then."  Just like your Daddy, you are a man of few words...never say more than is necessary.  But I knew.  See in my compartmentalized memory, I knew about the little girl in your class that is allergic to tree nuts.  It's just that that information was stored in my lunch box/special snacks area...not the Science lab area.  But you knew.

And what makes me so proud, Daniel, is that you chose compassion.  You put someone else's feelings and health in front of your excitement.  And to me, that's huge for a five year old.  At the end of the day, friends are good and excelling in school is certainly important, but caring for others is most important.

I'm proud of you and love you very much, friend.