Dancin' in the Leaves

(Pre)School's Out For The Summer!

Chase had his last day of preschool on Friday.  Can I get a whooo hoooo!  We are so ready for summer! 

Chase has grown so much this year.

Look at how much he's changed since the beginning of the school year!

Chase had a bit of a rough go at preschool this year, and since he's got such an early birthday relative to the school calendar, and since kindergarten next year is full day, and since he's kinda tiny, and since I love Joyful Noise so much, we've decided to send him to preschool for one more year.  I think he's probably ready for kindergarten academically, but in the other ways that a person needs to be ready, especially for full day kindergarten....well....he's got some maturing to do.  With that said, I am very very proud of all the growing he's done this year at Sunshine Mountain.  He's learned so much.  Love you, Chase Ryan!  Now on to a fun, fancy-free, and footloose summer!

Oh Caden

Caden was quietly playing by himself in his room the other day - and it was awfully quiet - which is always alarming.  One never knows what one might find when Caden has been left to his own devices for any length of time, and the sound of silence is always a warning.  Imagine my surprise and delight to discover that Caden was merely reading a book...in his bed...without his clothes on...in the middle of the morning.  Did I mention he was stark stark naked?  And for no apparent reason.

I don't judge a man's choice to hop into bed mid-morning and curl up with a good book...although I question the need to remove all clothing.  But doesn't he look happy?  And lets just be honest for a moment, if you know him, you know it's his favorite way to roll.  I love him.

A note to Caden:

Dearest Caden, someday when you are looking back at this blog entry, you'll probably be really embarrassed by it.  For this, I apologize.  But your antics are just so cute, I can't help but document them.  Try not to judge me for it, as I try not to judge you and your regularly naked self.  Love, Mommy

Bullfrog

If you know Cole, you know that he LOVES frogs.  Loves them.  Deeply and passionately.  One might go so far as to say that frogs are his favorite thing EVER (besides me).  Today was a GREAT day for Cole because he hit the motherload jackpot with the rare finding of a GIANT bullfrog. 

Look at the extreme elation on his face.  Near delirium.  Unadulterated joy.

These are the facts of the bullfrog as stated by Cole: 

-His name is AJ. 

-His estimated age is probably ten years old. 

-The webbed skin between his toes is extremely fragile, and helps him move faster. 

I wasn't with the boys during this magnificent discovery (otherwise I don't know that Cole would've been allowed to get so up close and personal with AJ), so this picture comes from Chad's cell phone.  Guess how bummed I was that Chad didn't take a REAL camera with him?  Chad Boyd!  Have you learned nothing from me????  It's also worth noting that Chase found AJ's twin, a tiny frog, named Pay Jay.  Obviously they are fraternal given their vast differences in size.  No pictures of Pay Jay.  Curse you, Chad.  But love you for taking the boys on such fun adventures!

Mother's Day

I was greeted this morning with breakfast in bed delivered by my four favorite men.  Then they showered me with handmade gifts.  (Most of these I had already seen because they were too excited to wait for Mother's Day.) 

The one gift that I wanted more than anything was a beautiful picture of my boys and I, where all four of us are looking at the camera and smiling and demonstrating a perfect moment of cooperation to be captured for all of time.  Of course, this wish was not to be granted.  But we got sorta close.  Sorta.

Cole promised me this morning that I could have the entire day off because he and Chase are going to take care of everything.  I plan to hold him to this, including having him clean up after dinner and give Caden his bath.  (Sorry, Caden.  I'm not sure how this will go for you.)

Happy Mother's Day to all of my wonderful mom friends out there.  Especially to my Shanna, one of the VERY best moms that I know...you inspire me by the kind of mom that you are.

A very special Happy Mother's Day to Gammy and Gramma.  Gammy, I appreciate your friendship so much, especially your listening ear and words of advice (even if I don't always follow it, mainly regarding kitchen appliances.)  I would be so lonely without you.  And Gramma, there are no words to describe how grateful I am for everything you do for us.  You are amazingly generous to my boys and I, and we are so lucky to have you.  Thank you to both of you for everything you do to help Chad and I raise up these boys.  Love you, ladies!

And last but not least, thank you to my wonderful husband for giving me the job of being a mom to three amazing and adorable little boys.  I also want to publicly thank you for your Mother's Day gift to me, but I don't want to publicly declare what it is, lest my friends start to think I'm super spoiled.  Love you and respect you, Chaddy!

FLOWERS:

MAKE ME HAPPY.

My ♥ Belongs To:

THIS BOY.