Soccer Camp

Last week was soccer camp! It was great for the boys but for me it was a lot of work! Out the door at 7:40 with all the gear to make it through three hours of sitting outside was too much to do for a whole week. At least this year I was not 9 months pregnant and I had invested in an awning to stay out of the sun a little. It was only 96 degrees at 11 am!

Brennan had advanced to the older group this year and I was not prepared for the amount of work that was entailed. Each night was anew project without any fore warning. So each night we went back to Walmart for the supplies. We made crazy hats a China flags, and even face paint! What a week! I hope Brennan remembers this one!

Connor is finally old enough to start playing some sports! he has been in his brothers shadow so much that I am looking forward to him having some opportunities now. He shows some real natural ability at soccer if you can keep him focused. he just loved being apart of soccer just like his brother!

Happy Birthday Ryleigh!

I often times wonder why we have birthday parties for one year olds. As I planned the party I knew it was mostly for the pictures and my memories. Let's just say I had a good time at Ryleigh's party! Of course I went overboard, but I just got wrapped up in the princess theme and the excuse to dress her up all frilly and take pictures! I even planned things just for the family because I was selfish and just wanted to focus on Ryleigh and taking lots and lots of pictures! I knew if anyone else was here and saw how many pictures I was taking they would think I was ridiculous! Let's face it, I KNOW it was ridiculous!

So since we have established I am a picture taking fool, let me show them off!

The Presents

I was surprised that Ryliegh di get into opening the presents when Connor would let her!

The Cake

Ryleigh did very well with the cake. She has mastered how to mash food and then distribute it onto the floor when she is done. The boys never liked getting their hands dirty, but Ryleigh doesn't seem to have a problem with it!

The fun

This was my favorite part. After all was said and done Ryleigh had a blast with the boa and putting lipstick on Mommy! I couldn't resist putting the picture of Connor up. He insisted that the boa was his "ninja headband" He is showing off his best ninja form! What a funny kid he is!

These are just for Grandma Joyce!

Thanks for the baby doll and cute clothes Grandma!

My Dad

I must start with my disclaimer! I know this is after the fact but my world traveling dad is in Belgium and won't be returning for a couple of days. Of course if you give me time to procrastinate I will take every last moment to do so!

I chose this picture of my Dad and me because it says so much about him. He is the world traveler and explorer. He is the only family that braved the foul smells and crazy drivers and came to visit us in Korea! He thrives on new adventure and I can see I have inherited that from him.

My dad has a sense of humor I did not full appreciate as a teenager. I vividly remember him faking a bum leg in the grocery store just to be silly and humiliate me. Only now do I recognize the necessity of laughter and fun in our lives.

My favorite memory of my dad when I was little was when he turned a terrible day into a good memory. I had failed a math quiz and was quite upset. He had to go to work, but wanted to help. He took me with him on a carpet cleaning job and with he busily worked he taught me that 8 times 8 fell on the floor, picked it up and it was 64! I will never forget that moment!

I never realized as a child how important my parents would be to me! I wish we didn't have to learn that after the fact. I love you, Dad!

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.