Summer Break -- May

Corwin said, about a month ago, how excited he was for summer break, because that's when we got to travel all over the place!  Ha!  He is wishfully thinking, isn't he?  Well, he isn't totally wrong.  It was last spring and summer that Jason "found" himself on 6 months paid vacation, so we did actually do a lot of travelling.  However, we are more tied down this year with high school baseball and t-ball, and a little thing called "Ella."  She makes travelling more difficult, but not impossible!

So far, we haven't done much.  Jason just finished up his high school season, and t-ball has begun.  We did sneak in a quick trip to Grandma and Grandpa's house to meet our new cousin Kole, pick some strawberries and gooseberries, and visit with Great Grandma and Grandpa.  It was a fun couple of days.  Otherwise, we're just enjoying our days at home.

Owen is having to learn to share again, and Ella is having to learn to live and nap in a noisier house.  I have to break up a lot of fights and try to teach the boys to play together again.  That... is exhausting.

Ella is almost 6 months old now.  She spends her play time on the floor with her toys, or in her "monkey jumper."  She is just now beginning to sit up by herself.  She is still a little wobbly, but she gets a little better every day.  She is beautiful, sweet, and very happy.  She is a good eater, and as long as she is on her Zantac, is very pleasant company.  The boys LOVE her and are constantly talking and playing with her.

May isn't over yet.  In fact, right now, we are packing for a weekend camping trip with Grandma, Grandpa, Uncle Shelby, Aunt Kaysie, Ethan, Emerie, and Eliza.  The boys are super excited and cannot wait to get there.  I am praying for strength and patience, as camping with an infant is a TON of work.  I hope I can squeeze in an hour a day of floating on a raft without hearing, "MOM...!!!"  I may be dreaming, but a girl can hope, can't she?  :)

"Cleaning Up" in Kindergarten

Well, Corwin is no longer a kindergartner.  Thankfully he passed kindergarten and they are progressing him on to the first grade.

We finished up with Play Day, where he played t-ball, long jump, ...

... jump rope, and sack races.  He came home with four blue ribbons that day.  He was a very happy boy.

Graduation Night:  Here's a picture of my little graduate.  I'm reluctant to see how he looks in 12 years (2024) when he graduates from high school.

There are approximately 40 kids in his class.

He pridefully won the P.E. award in his class.  He stood there for a very long time enjoying the applause of the audience.  (If you can see, the teachers in the background are laughing because he just won't sit down!  Does that remind you of anyone?  Yes, he is very much like his Daddy.)  :)

Finally, Kindergarten diploma in hand!  Hello, first grade!

We were very blessed for Corwin to have such an amazing first year of school.  He did great academically and behaviorally.  He is so excited to now be a first grader!  Now, for approximately 100 days of summer vacation to enjoy!!!

Plain Ol' Saturday

We had a really good Saturday.  It was so nice to be home and have nothing planned to do.  The boys and I walked and rode bikes, stopped and played on the playground.  Then, we came home and washed the vehicles.  Lunch, nap time (a movie for Jason and I), a delicious grilled dinner, then an evening playing outside.

We got a kick out of the boys.  It was one of those evenings where they played SO well together, and were really creative.  They like to watch the show Top Shot, which is a shooting competition, basically.  Well, Jason was outside grilling when he caught the boys playing "Top Shot".  They took turns pulling each other in the wagon and "shooting" at "targets".  It was fun to watch.  Of course, they both claimed to have won the ultimate competition.  Ha!

Then, after supper, they headed back out for a little baseball game.  The weather was perfect, and they really got into it!  Owen is just learning the basics, and Corwin--of course--is an old pro.  He's just dusting off his equipment, gearing up for the upcoming 2012 Summer T-Ball season!

Ella had to check out what her brothers were doing, of course.  She was quite intrigued.

But, not old enough to participate yet.  Someday, Ella.  Some day soon, I suspect!

One Third of a Year

Well, Ella is four months old now.  Wow, it has flown by!  (Well, to be honest, the first two months were long due to lack of sleep and eating issues.  But, the third and fourth have flown by!)

She had her check-up and shots.  (Still not fun.)  She weighed 13 lbs. and 5 oz. and was 24 inches long (which is about average).  She is perfect, according to her pediatrician (and Mommy).  We have started rice cereal.  Ugh.  I'd forgotten what a mess teaching them to spoon feed can be!  Every day seems to get a little better, however.

As you can tell, she wasn't a big fan.  She still isn't a huge fan.  She is too impatient and wants that bottle!!  Forget this cereal junk!  GIVE ME A BOTTLE!!!

Anyway, she is doing great!  She is so happy, and pleasant!  She is up around 7:30 a.m., and goes down between 8:30 and 9 p.m.  She eats four times a day with 3 naps.  She likes to suck on her fingers a lot, and has pretty well forsaken the pacifier.  She loves being outside, playing on the floor, and talking.  She rolls over from back to front easily, but hasn't mastered the other direction yet.

I have had some fun with the sewing machine!  I've made her a couple outfits and this summer dress.  It is a little big now, but should fit perfectly in a couple months.

I know I say it every post, but we are blessed, folks!  Truly blessed!

Easter

Our computer monitor has been on the fritz, so I haven't been able to get on here and post my Easter pics. Thankfully, I think we have found the problem. Now, finding the money to fix it... that's another story.

Anyway, we enjoyed a beautiful weekend in Arkansas for Easter.  We were fortunate to see a TON of family and enjoy the outdoors at the same time!  Of course, there was horseback riding on Uncle Brett's horses....

Owen loves to ride on Buck!

And, thanks to Kylee, there were several little baby animals running around.  Well, they started out running around, but who knows if they survived the children mauling them.

Corwin said the baby bunnies were his favorite.  I can't say I blame him.  They're my favorite, too.

Ella enjoyed TONS of attention, and loved being outside!

And, we got to finally meet Cousin Annalee.  She is about 2 1/2 months younger than Ella.  She is gorgeous, and I know these two girls are going to have a lot of fun together in the future!

And, of course, Owen found dirt to dig in.  That boy CANNOT miss a good ol' dirt pile!

Ella, "CHEEZing" for the camera.

This is a picture of all of Mimmy and Pappy's great-grandkids together, plus some baby animals.  Cuteness!

And here are the three rugrats I am blessed with.  Sometimes I can't believe these precious faces belong to me.  (I'm not old enough to be a mom, am I?)

Then, came the egg hunts.  Two practice runs, then the real deal!  Both boys racked up on some Easter candy this year!  Their Halloween buckets are full to the brim again.  Ugh.  Not good for the dieting Mom.

Corwin loves animals!

And dying eggs.  This was fascinating to Owen!

It was a wonderful, exhausting, festive weekend.  We enjoyed seeing the family and introducing Ella to many more cousins and aunts!  The kids (and I) were exhausted, but had a wonderful time!

Above all, I am thankful for what Easter is all about--Christ resurrected!  Without Him, I would be nothing!  He is the reason for THIS season!