Competition

Sawyer is not going to be happy that he has a little competition from Xander in the back yard chalk art business. Not happy at all.

Memorial Day Weekend

Sunny skies and clear blue waters ... nothing better on an early summer day. The boys and I traveled to the lake to visit with Grandma and Grandpa over the long holiday weekend. Cousins A and K also made it down for the weekend.

It's a hard life we lead when this is our view ...



Mr. Cool ...



Ready to jump in ...



Swimming in the COLD water ...



Splashing on the back deck ...



Mr. Fearless, going in off the front ...



Riding for a little while ...



Climbing in for snack time ...



Cousin K braving the cold water ...



Connor diving in while cousin A, Xander and cousin K watch on ...



And then the storms rolled in ...



And the torrential rains ...

Planning for the Future ...

Throughout the years, we've always kept our eyes out for land available in our current county and surrounding counties. Josh and I both grew up in the county, away from the city lights and crazy traffic and subdivision where your neighbors are four feet away from you. And today we found the place we hope to call our forever home ... we're still a few years away from building the final house, but it's nice to know where it's eventually going to go! Official owners as of today!

Urban Ninja

Xander was invited by a TOPSoccer friend to his birthday party at Urban Ninja. He wasn't so sure about going at first (leaving the house, something new, is always a bit of a challenge and his immediate response is often no, though he usually enjoys it once we are there). Today was no different. It was "No, Urban Ninja!" all afternoon. Until we got there. Then it was "Urban Ninja fun?" He often expresses things in a question, because he's learned that people are going to ask him the question "Was Urban Ninja fun?" I think he's simply trying to head off the question by asking one of his own.

Hanging out on the jump mat with his buddy A ...

On top of the tower ...

On top of the running ramp ...

Across the bar ...

Finally made his way on top of this one ...

And he LOVED the stop sign. It may have been his favorite part ...

Double Rainbow

Fifth Grade Graduation

It seems like just a few short years ago we were starting kindergarten, and now, here we are, about to leave fifth grade. The boys just keep getting bigger, making progress and moving forward. Time slow down ... I think the adults in their lives are not ready for the transition. But the boys seem to be handling everything just fine ...

Sawyer getting his certificate ...



Xander getting his (and doing the eye squint) ...



With his amazing support crew, his current teacher Mrs. B, his aide Miss R, and his past teacher Mrs. B who came back to see him ...



A thoughtful gift from his amazing teacher Mrs. B. ...



Getting recognized for the technology award for fifth grade (he LOVED being part of the morning news and STLP with his amazing advisor Mrs. C.) ...



And Sawyer's amazing support crew, his teacher Mrs. K who was with him all six years, his aides Miss S and Miss P, and his school speech pathologist Mrs. G. ...

Hanging Out with Friends

We moved into our current neighborhood just about two years ago. Connor has seen kids playing outside, but tends to be hesitant to walk up to a group he doesn't know. Tonight, one of the kids down the street who sometimes rides the bus home with him in the afternoons walked down to our house and invited him out. He couldn't have been happier. So I snuck a picture from down the road, because it's not cool to have your Mom take pictures when you're in middle school ... they are way down at the end of the street, playing street hockey together ...

Big Kid

Much to Connor's displeasure, Daddy is showing him his hard work ethic. This week, that meant Connor got to help mow the yard for the first time. He was not impressed at all.

Fifth Grade Picnic

We've been having end of year picnics in the park at this neighborhood park (which is down the street from our old house and an often visited favorite) for six years now ... kindergarten all the way to this year in fifth grade. Bittersweet ...

Sawyer and his amazing aide Miss S ...



A little chalk fun ...



Happy boy on the swings ...



Giggles with Miss R ...



Another snuggle with Miss S ...



Getting spins from Mom ...



Xander blowing bubbles ...



More bubbles from the picnic blanket ...





Swinging again ...



Hoops with his amazing teacher Mrs. B ...



Hoops ...



Swings ...



Taking his turn at kickball (and leaving after he kicks) ...



Taking over Mom's camera ...



Taking a picture of amazing support group at school, his aide Miss R and his teacher Mrs. B. ...



Taking a picture of his good friend L ...



Taking a picture of Mom ...

Final Field Day

Fifth grade is full of so many "final" and "last" moments. The end of elementary school is a little hard and a little bittersweet ...

Xander is a fierce competitor at anything he plays ...



Love this one. His amazing teacher Mr. W was his partner, and they ended up winning ...



Not the track star he once was (he's adding about 2-3 inches per year and 20 pounds per year the past few years), he still races to win ...



His very sweet friend L who was always the first to talk with him and keep him company at school ...



His sweet friend L once again joining up with him in the three-legged race ...



Hanging out for a water break ...



Love his school and how all of the students are such good friends to him ...



Tug-o-war time ...



Sawyer and his amazing aide Miss S.



Sawyer's favorite part of field day is the bouncy ball ...



He may have done this station more than one time ...