Birthday Wishes times . . . Three???

It's all about birthdays around here!  With Henry's less than a month away and Lexi's shortly after that, celebration is definitely on the kids' minds!  While we're actually trying to get Henry and Lexi to make out a birthday list, Frankie adds to his daily.  Today he added the giant tub of Cheese Puffs from the Walmart end-cap (yes, Shanna, he's pegged you to provide these) and Perry the Platypus Go-Gurt.  Aim small, Son, and you won't be disappointed!

Park Day Part 1

We had grand plans of visiting four parks before naptime but the kids had so much fun at the first park, we had to postpone the second half of our day until next week!

After Lexi's sleepover with Maddy, we loaded up in the Whiteing's minivan and headed south.  First stop: Celebration Park in Gardner.  Frankie was determined not to let the giant spiderweb get the best of him and, after 30 minutes, he climbed to his goal!  Katie was gracious enough to help him down!

Henry ready for the giant slide

Trying the moving log

Who knew balance beams were so fun!

Beauty at the top!

"I made it!  Now get me down!"

Cedar Lake Park was a bit of a letdown.  The ducks we'd hoped to feed weren't there and the wind had turned chilly.  After a port-a-potty mishap, we decided to call it a day.  Look for Part 2 next week!

A windy picnic

Best friends!

Tossing rocks into the water

Summer, Summer, Summertime!

School was over on Thursday and we've been making the most of summer every since!

Thursday, after an early dismissal, we headed to Blackhoof Park with several friends for a picnic.  Mom was pretty sore afterwards but it was well worth it!

Friday morning the boys and I made monkey bread as a celebration breakfast for Lexi.  I'm still amazed by the amount of food these kids can eat!

Saturday was the neighborhood pool-opening party.  It wasn't exactly pool weather but apparently no one told the kids!  We had a great time and it was made even better when Nana, Popo, Aunt Casey, and the cousins came!  They couldn't stay long but we loved every minute they were here!  Just hours after they left, Shanna came to visit!

Monday morning was filled with thunderstorms so we hung around the house (gotta keep this cast dry!).  The afternoon cleared up, though, and the kids finally got to fly the kites we've had hidden for a month.  Shanna and I learned that kite flying is best done in open fields, away from parked cars (Henry ran into one but was fine!), and with LOTS of adults!  Kites are stressful!

Say "Summer"!

Henry and Ryan

Monkey Bread!

With his godmother!

Power Ranger kite!

Henry's flying a kite!

Right before he ran into the car!

Marvelous Mrs. Sambo

Henry doesn't really understand that he won't have sweet Mrs. Sambo as his teacher next year as he moves to the "big kid room".  He was blessed to spend two years with a wonderful teacher and his crush on her grew daily!  He choose flowers for her and really wants to invite her to his birthday party!

We love you, Mrs. Sambo!

Pomp and circumstance

He'd been waiting for this day for so long.  He wore dad's deodorant and after shave to smell good and spent 10 minutes choosing flowers for his beloved teacher!

After dinner at the Chinese buffet (Frankie's favorite) we enjoyed a wonderful program and graduation.  Grandma and Grandpa came to support him (and entertain Henry) and a wonderful time was had by all!

Congratulations Frankie!  You're now a Kindergartner!

2013 Graduates!

Best friends!

We're so proud of him!

With his teacher

Our friend, Landry

The best Mother's Day gift possible . . .

Pre-StartMother's Day Bliss

My Mother's Day started on Friday with TWO Mother's Day parties!  Henry's Kids' Day Out class had a short program and brunch.  He wasn't thrilled to sing in front of everyone (we have a video of him crying on stage that will be funny in 10 years!) and took a bit of cuddling to recover.  Cookie decorating brought him around and he was all smiles when he delivered a preciously painted pot!  Footprints AND handprints?!  Every mother's dream!

Frankie's program and luncheon followed Henry's.  They sang several songs before the students served us mothers lunch.  Watching 40 five-year-olds balancing plates of tacos and cups of lemonade was a bit nerve-wracking but he was so proud of himself.  I even scored a few hugs!

Starting to recover from his stage fright!

Cookies perk everyone up!

Thrilled to deliver his gift

Proud boy!

Another proud delivery boy!

Enjoying hard-earned tacos

Softball Stories

After three rained out games, Lexi finally got to play her first-ever softball game!  It was freezing (I actually wished I owned a Snuggie for the first time in my life!) but she had a blast!

Her first time at bat she connected with the first pitch but made it to 1st base a few seconds too late.  The second time at bat she hit a base hit and eventually scored!

She played 1st base several innings and even got a player out!

1st base-woman

Getting ready to bat

Pre-K Field Day

 Frankie's field day was on the last beautiful day before the freak May snows.  He did sack races, a pogo ball, and the baseball toss!  Both boys were treated to a popsicle at the end of the morning!  He already acts like a Kindergartner but still loves his Pre-K friends!

A "flurry" of activities!

We've packed so much fun into the last few weeks!

We went to Lexi's school carnival . . .

Lexi got an airbrush tattoo

Frankie with his "prize"

Henry's first cotton candy experience!

Frankie: "Why are you getting so yucky?"

The boys had a preschool field trip to Monkey Bizness! 

Best buddies

We had a weekend filled with Wonka and Sabala fun!

Nana & Popo got sucked into a game of Trouble

Donuts from an actual donut store!

An adventure to Trader Joe's!

Driving the boats at Bass Pro

Uncle Mike/MacGyver reached down a $0.50 toy!

No visit is complete without Chinese buffet!