I lost Connor!

Let me start by saying I found him! Here is the story.... The other day I needed a break from Connor. We had given up naps months ago, but on this day he just needed to sleep. So I put him down despite his very unhappy protests. I went about my duties and realized Connor sure was Quiet and way too fast. So I went to see him sleeping. I love to watch my kids sleep. I was baffled when he wasn't in his bed. In frustration I started to look in his hiding places assuming he was just hiding in refusale to a nap. After searching in all his hiding spots I started to get alarmed. I remembered the story of my brother going missing when he was about this age. When they found him he was asleep in a box! So I wasn't panicked yet. As in turned out Connor was following in Uncle TJ's footsteps. He was asleep underneath the pillows on my bed. The funny part is I had checked that room at least 10 times before I found him! The experience sure changed my attitude, I suddenly wanted to be NEAR Connor!

Reading Award

The reading program was the schools way to encourage the kids and parents to read together. It was a lot of fun. In the beginning I read to Brennan, but toward the end he read to me! I loved it. It was my way of participating in the enormous progress he was making. The top goal was 300 books in which you got a certificate, a gold medal, and a blue ribbon. Our class was the first to receive the awards. Brennan and Brendan (his friend) were the top readers in their class. Brennan at 310 books and Brendan at 312 books. We both(Brendan's mom and I) thought that was a lot of books and hoped it didn't seem unbelievable since our two were the only two to get the top prize. By the end there was a boy who read almost 900 books. Can you believe it? We were pushing to get to the 300 mark! Anyway, at least we were believable. Not to say the other little boy was not!

Anyway, I have loved watch my son learn to read! Way to go Brennan!

Kindergarten Graduation

My how time flies. It seems like just yesterday that I was worrying about Brennan starting kidergarten and now the year is over! I have been so proud of him! I am amazed how much is taught in kindergarten now. It used to be learning the alphabet and practicing your manners. Now it is so much more! Brennan has learned to read, do addition and subtraction, tell time, write sentences, tye his shoe, and so much more. He is just the type that likes a schedule and thrives on activities. School was that outlet for him. Brennan started off loving school but says he needs a break now! I'm a little worried about keeping him busy this summer.

The graduation ceremony was adorable. They told what each child wanted to be when they grow up and their favorite activity center. Brennan is our budding 'rock scientist who likes the art center the best". This was definitely not coached. Brennan is a rock hound through and through. Many times as I drop him off to school it takes him forever to walk to the playground because he is head down looking at the rocks! And then he has the pockets in his backpack stuffed full when he comes home! I love it!

What a great experience this kindergarten year has been for this over protective mom!

The good news is his teacher Mrs. Boss is moving up to first grade with her students. I'm excited that this will only help Brennan and we are looking forward to the next year. The only down side is another year has passed. Oh how I wish I could keep him small forever or at least imprint every hug and kiss, every adorable saying, each silly joke he makes upinto my mind forever!

Just for fun!

So you all know I like to take pictures. I wish my kids liked it as much as I do. For the most part they tollerate it. These are a few from my last picture taking session. If you are wondering about Connor's ring it is just his prop. He has to have something to let me take a picture of. Luckily, we are moving past him placing it in front of his face and I can get a good shot. He is such a character! I love the one of Connor and Ryleigh kissing. Ryleigh gives such wet, yummy kisses right now.

Father and Son Campout

Last weekend the boys went camping! It was great they got to go roll around in the dirt and I got to sit quietly and read a book! While I know they are safe with Dad I am aware that they are doing things I would never let them do! Hence the stories I got when they came home. "They ate so much ice cream and chugged so much rootbeer." " Connor loved his hot dog on a stick. He didn't want to eat it, just put it in the fire and swing it around." Does that sound safe? All I could think of as Kyle told me this was the story I have heard of a boy swing around a hot marshmellow on a stick and getting it stuck to his face. Third degree burns! Anyway, I love hearing about my boys being boys even if it is better that I not be there to watch it! The best story was the turtle that was found. They loved it. And can you believe the little boys beat the bigger boys(over twelve) in the tug of war! Oh yeah, and Kyle won the best dutch oven cobbler! He was pretty proud of himself.

Things to come...

Ryleigh has a fascination with my cell phone. I can't help to wonder if this is forshadowing the future. I know when I was a teenager I paid my fair share of long distance phone bills, upwards of two hundred dollars I believe. My little girl. She already has the "hello" down and loves to jabber away as well as push the buttons.

Grandma Joyce's visit

In April, Mom came out. My kids thought they were in Heaven! They love it when Grandma comes because it means lots of love and most of all hide and go seek! What a fun Grandma she is. She was everywhere, from inside the tent to riding Kyle's bike to the duck pond with Brennan, special time with Connor at the gym and even aboard the four wheeler. Oh how I wish I had not forgotten my camera that day. It is special times like these that make me miss family and wish we were closer. What a joy it was to have you Mom! Come back soon!