last one, I promise

...My vacation recap is becoming quite arduous on my part and I fear boring on your end. So today, I will be posting just a collage from the rest of our trip. The remaining time we spent touring the Capitol (one of Seth's favorite things), the kids played at the park near our hotel (Phoebe was done taking pictures, thank you very much), going to the Nationals Baseball game, seeing the Jefferson Memorial and the Arlington National Cemetary. The following pictures are of those things:
The boys and I are going to see grandparents tomorrow, so have a good rest of the week!

our vacation part 2: edited with a note

...Thursday:

We went to the Air and Space Museum this day because of someone I wanted to meet. I was so excited when I read online that he was supposed to be there signing his books and I told Seth we had to go that day. I was so excited because not only is Alan Bean the fourth man to walk on the moon, he also is an artist that uses his astronaut experiences for inspiration.

He also is very friendly and was so nice to the boys. Even told Rhett that he liked his shirt!

I spent about an hour and a half in line but I really didn't mind it. Seth even stayed in line for me for awhile but I was too excited to concentrate on other things. Seth took the boys to see other things while I waited.

I don't think we took many pictures in this museum. There were just too many people. We did see an Imax and a planetarium show. Both were pretty neat. Rhett didn't like the Imax very much. He was too dizzy.

After the museum, we let the boys get some ice cream and we headed to the Sculpture Garden to rest. The sculptures were nice, but what really captured the boys' attention was the birds and this pool. I should rephrase. What really captured the boys' attention was the dialog that Seth made up for the birds hanging out by the pool.

Seth had us all rolling with laughter. This was one of my favorite parts of vacation.

After the break, we went back to our hotel and ate at Ted's Montana Grill. We had bison burgers (Rhett had chicken) and I was impressed how eco-friendly they were. Paper straws, plasticware that disintegrated in 50 days, ect. The key lime pie wasn't great, but their cookies were awesome. (Yes, we had both).

Then later that night, my sister Krista and her family arrived. Since Washington DC is closer to North Carolina than Oklahoma is, I made sure to ask if we could maybe see them while we were in that area. She agreed and they headed up to DC for the weekend. It was so great to see them. Krista was right when she stated on her blog that the kids got along great. After Phoebe asked if Isabel was with us (their only girl cousin, alas, was not), she quickly got over her disappointment and had a good time with the boys.

Friday:

We went to the Natural History Museum, which was my favorite museum of the ones we went to. It was beautiful inside!

Here are the four cousins in front of the elephant: Noah, Rhett and Seth all stuck their heads in the t-rex:
Then, while Seth went to see the Hope Diamond, the rest of us went to the Butterflies: Rhett was so worried they wouldn't land on him but one did and didn't fly off for four minutes:We ate lunch at the museum and can I say to never, ever get the portabella mushroom sandwich. Not only will it put you back $8, but it also doesn't taste that great. Seth, who shared it with me will tell you it was awful and disgusting--I don't think it was that bad, but it certainly does not need to be on the menu.

That is where I will end it today. I have to go through the rest of the pictures before I can go any further.

Note: Christy commented on this post and asked what my thoughts on the condition of the mall was. Well, I was very shocked. I was expecting green grass and instead, there was hardly grass at all. It looked like an alley. The pool that is in front of the Lincoln Memorial did have a certain stagnant smell to it. But I forgot all about it. Christy reminded me that I was going to look this up. I did and I read this. And this. And I found the website for the National Coalition to Save Our Mall. I can see now that it is a major problem. I don't have any suggestions on how to fix the problem or any input to add except that it was in pretty bad shape. And that I hope someone somewhere has a great idea on how to fix it.

good intentions

...I fully intended to write another post on our vacation. But, Rhett sprained his ankle last night at baseball practice (I should mention, he wasn't actually practicing baseball when it happened. They were taking pictures and he was horsing around with the other boys on a wooden plank and he fell off one of the planks and twisted his ankle) and we had to go to the doctor today (just in case).



I also have been consumed by thoughts of cupcakes.



Let me explain:



On the way to Washington D.C., the flight was very full. And we happened to be the last people to board. (Darn internet and pre-printed boarding passes). Because a very nice man moved from his comfy aisle seat in the very front of the plane (where there is a little more leg room and not the threat of someone reclining their seat into your knees) to a middle, yes middle, seat somewhere aisles back, I did get a seat by Noah and near Rhett. Seth, however, was farther back and sat by someone who had the flu and his wife. Of course.



However, these people were very nice. The wife let Seth have the window seat and she sat by her sick husband and then she basically talked to him for a lot of the flight. In that time, she mentioned that her daughter and son-in-law opened up a business in Beverly Hills, CA. A cupcake business. Named Sprinkles.



Sprinkles!



I have read about Sprinkles in Instyle Magazine so I knew they must be good. ;)



Anyway, I was excited because I was already in the mood for cupcakes. I had written down a couple of cupcake bakeries in DC that I wanted to go to.



Unfortunately, we did not get to go to them. Time and red line metro delays were a big part of that reason.



Fast forward (I know, this is turning into a long story, sorry) to today. I decided to try to bake Red Velvet Cupcakes because a) in all my 31 years, I have never tried Red Velvet anything and b) I was looking up cupcake sites online and red velvet just looks wonderfully tasty.



So, after the doctor, I dragged my poor son who doesn't want to walk at all and Noah to the grocery store so I could get some needed bake items.



I found a recipe from an interesting blog that combines the cupcake recipe from Magnolia Bakery in NYC and the frosting recipe from Sprinkles.



And...I'll have to let you know how they taste. I am waiting for them to cool and then I am going to frost them. After a BLT sandwich (tomatoes are also on my mind a lot), we are going to indulge ourselves. I have a feeling we are going to like them.

Washington D.C. part one

...Washington D.C. was such a great place for us to go. It had everything and more. We didn't get to see everything but we saw a lot--especially with two young boys. Here is a recap, Part 1.

Tuesday:

We arrived at Baltimore Airport around 11 am. We then took a train to Union Station in D.C. where we grabbed lunch at Johnny Rockets, a cute diner-type that served great hamburgers and milkshakes. The metro was next, taking us to our hotel in Arlington, Virginia.

Next, as funny as it may sound, we went to the mall. There was a mall just a block or two away from our hotel and Noah needed new shoes (how it got past me that his sandels were way too small for him I'll never know) so we found him some sandals and went to the CVS for drinks. Little did we know that we would be returning to that mall several more times that week.

That night, Noah started complaining of his tooth hurting. I gave him some tylenol and thought it would be better in the morning.

Uh, no. Poor guy was crying on and off all night because of his tooth. Not good.

Wednesday:

Seth knew we needed to find a dentist but we also had our White House Tour that morning around 8:30 am. So we basically bribed our child with a new Webkins if he could tough it out an hour or two. So, Noah did as well as he could have considering the circumstances. Half way through the tour, he had had it but he stuck it out.

The White House was interesting. My favorite thing was seeing the John F. Kennedy portrait. It was beautiful. Seth loved the history. I think he could have spent hours there, if it were allowed. Unfortunately, Rhett had to go to the bathroom, so the second half of the tour was sped up. :)

We found a cafe after the tour and had another breakfast while Seth called our insurance so he could find a dentist. After several tries, they found one at the mall close to the hotel! So back to the mall we went where the dentist found an infection in Noah's molar. The infection most likely started with the cavity that wasn't completely cleaned out before it was filled earlier this year. We were not happy with our own dentist, that is for sure. But Noah was a trooper and he and Rhett both got a Webkins for their troubles.

After eating ice cream for lunch (Noah's mouth was numb), we went to the Smithsonian area and went to the American History Museum.

a note: Daddy's shoulders and back was one way we got the boys to do all the things we wanted to do. The boys took turns on Seth's back when we knew we had to walk a long way. Sometimes, Noah would ride on my back and Rhett would ride on Seth's. We considered it just something we had to do to keep them from complaining too much. For the most part, they really did well when they had to walk. I don't know how Seth's back held up so well. :)

***

The front of the American History Museum: Rhett's favorite exhibit in the museum was about President Lincoln. He and Seth could have spent all afternoon in there. Noah was tired so he and I moved quickly through it so we could find a bench to sit. We also saw Kermit and the ruby red slippers, ect. but my favorite was the original Star Spangled Banner. It had recently been cleaned and put in a new exhibit where it was placed on a slight 10 degree angle as to not put any stress on it. No photography was allowed either. another note: I took more pictures of other things, but honestly, they weren't that great and you can go to the website and see everything, so I won't bother putting them here.

Two tired boys outside of the museum: ***

As if our day wasn't full enough, we decided to go look at the memorials on the mall that evening. We weren't disappointed.

This is a view of the Washington Monument when we started out.

This was the view when we finished, all lit up and beautiful.

A nice woman took our picture in front of the Washington Monument. Notice the left side of Noah's mouth is a little swollen.

One of my favorite pictures. Seth took this of the boys looking straight up at the monument.

***

The World War II Memorial was so beautiful and poignant. It was huge, with a fountain pool in the middle and plaques like the one above to tell the story of the war. I thought of my grandfathers when I saw a few older men who I imagined were in the war or who had friends in the war. I felt pride and sadness at the same time.

Rhett, kneeling to read a memento left by someone.
***
The closer we walked to the Lincoln Memorial, the more majestic it seemed to become. This is the reason I loved going at night. It was amazing. The boys walked the whole mall because they knew Lincoln was the goal. They were mesmerized by the sight of Lincoln.

When we got there, President Lincoln seemed so huge. And that is when Noah said, "Ok, can we go back to the hotel now?"

After walking another 15 minutes to the metro (mostly carrying the boys at this point) and another 10 minute ride to the hotel, our day ended and the excitement of the next on everyone's mind. Ok, it was just on my mind.

And that is where I am ending this for today. More for you tomorrow!

hello

...Today we got home from our vacation to Washington DC. It was wonderful! We saw many sites, walked many miles, ate too much expensive food and we even got to see my sister Krista and her family for a couple of days too! We packed in a lot for 8 days of vacation and now we are home and tired.

Noah, today on the plane: When I get home, I am going to kiss the ground.

I think he was ready to get home. We all were. That is a sign of a good vacation, right?

I'll post pictures and details soon, but my sis already has posted some pictures so go over to her blog to see them. They are so good!

not going to have to worry about this one

... Today, Rhett and Noah were playing the Wii when all of the sudden, Rhett ran in to where I was and said, "Mom. I was trying to say 'ships' but something else came out. I think you know what I mean. The bad word. I didn't mean to do it!! It was an accident, I promise."

***
Here are some pictures of my sons, pre-haircuts. Noah's hair is getting so blond! Now they have spiky short hair and they are loving it. And no, I can't get one picture where one of them isn't being extra silly.

After this shot, Rhett starts laughing. "I almost kissed you Noah! Ha! Ha!"

summer playlist on repeat

"There's nothing to do."

"What are we going to do next?"

"Can we play the Wii?"

"Can we watch TV?"

"I'm hungry."

"I'm bored."

"Do we have to go run errands?"

"Can we go play with ________?"

"Rhett, you're mean!"

"Noah, leave me alone!"

"Mom?!?"

"Aww!"

oh well

...National Pollinator Week is almost over and I am sad to say I really haven't done anything with the boys to help celebrate it. I have reasons though:

1. It is just too hot.

2. We were going to go to the blackberry farm but no blackberries yet. A freeze in April killed all the peaches, so no peach orchard either. Bummer.

3. The farmer's market is during the time they have swimming.

4. Did I mention how hot it is? I did? Well, it is hot enough for me to say it again.

5. The botanical garden is probably even hotter.

6. Our sprinkler system is on the fritz, so I have had to spend my mornings watering the lawn.

Do you really need more reasons?

Even the best laid plans...what is the end of that saying? I don't know...can't think...too hot...

Just in case you missed this:

...In response to my post yesterday:

Someday, historians will be able to tie the invention of t-ball to the start of the decline of western civilization. Baseball is a game of hitting a thrown ball, catching it, and throwing. Two or three years of glorified baby sitting and free snow cones does absolutely nothing as far as learning baseball. So don't worry about it. Just get ready for when try-outs and player drafts take place later when all the non players get culled and start taking flute lessons. -from my dad

Oh and he wrote this too:

not that there's anything wrong with playing the flute.


(Probably because 2 of his daughters played the flute. But honestly, I was not offended. It just made me laugh harder).

i interrupt National Pollinator Week

...for an important post. Or just one for things I would like to get off my chest.

1. Boys. I thought they were supposed to be drama-free. Not like girls. With the mean-spirited "friends", the leaving other kids out, the "I'm better than you are" haughtiness. My boys are the sweetest, friendliest, most loyal friends you could ask for. But unfortunatley, that means they are going to be the ones left out, whether intentional or not. They aren't part of the click because of some reason or another. I realized yesterday, I am going to have to start having more playdates. And I am one who doesn't usually do playdates. But I don't want my kids to feel the way they are feeling.

2. Baseball. Why, oh why, do the youth baseball organizations not have tryouts? Instead they allow teams to be put together by parents and the kids who aren't on a team are "leftovers" and sadly, most of them aren't experienced. Rhett, who has played for 4 years and knows the rules of the game pretty well, just hasn't had any luck with getting on a well-rounded team. I am sad for him because he feels he has to do all the work while playing the game and other teams are filled with star players and it isn't fair because they don't get any better playing teams that have kids that mostly are just now learning to bat. Have I ranted about this before? Sorry if I have, but it just really bothers me!

back to regular scheduled posts....

butterflies

...Today I am showing you pictures of my butterfly garden. I have seen a couple of butterflies here and there and hopefully, later in the summer there will be even more. I also hope it will look even better then.

Butterflies are considered pollinators, although they aren't as efficient as bees. Alas, there population is also declining because of pesticide use, diseases and changing land uses. The US Forest Service International Program is planning on doing something about this, if they haven't already. Parterning with 4-H, Future Farmers of America and Farms Bureaus, they want to restore milkweek and prairie plants around ditches, fields and roads. They are also helping communities in Mexico and helping the younger generation learn conservation practices for pollinators, such as the Monarch Butterfly.

There are all sorts of places that you could buy your own butterfly culture to start your own butterfly habitat, but I don't know if I agree with that. I think just by planting flowers that produce a lot of nectar and not using harmful pesticides will be a way to help, don't you? Butterflies have a way of finding the flowers they need. I also tell the neighbor kids not to catch the butterflies with their fingers (rubs off their magic dust!) and not to pick the flowers.

I plan on taking the boys to the botanical gardens this week and also the blackberry farm, but because of the heat, it may have to wait. (Rhett's heat rash=no fun outside)

Oh and I did find a site where I could buy milkweek seeds. Of course, I couldn't plant them until November, but that is okay. I also found a site where there is a picture of the common milkweed:

the honeybee

(image from National Geographic)

Today is the first day of National Pollinators Week. I promise I will post everyday this week about different pollinators. The first is, of course, the honeybee. The honeybee is the only insect that produces food eaten by humans. The females are the ones who do all the work. They lay the eggs and guides the behavior of the other bees (Queen) and they forage for food, take care of the hive and perform other social functions (workers). The males are called drones and their job is to mate with the queen. After that, they are expelled. Poor males. They don't even have a stinger!

Honey is considered one of the safest foods because most harmful bacteria cannot live in it for any length of time. Of course, if babies under 1 eat honey, it can be fatal. It takes 1000 bees to gather a pound of honey.

Because bees help fertilize many of our amazing foods, such as apples, almonds, blueberries and cherries, their direct value to U.S. agriculture is more than $14 billion dollars (and it could be even more). So it is no wonder why we should be doing everything we can to save these little critters.

Here is a great video on how wild bees can help managed hives and also help pollinate crops.

Here are some ways to help the honeybee:

You could become a beekeeper, but most of the people I know won't go for that. Honestly, neither will I. So, instead plant your garden with bee-friendly plants. Did you know that Willow trees provide bees with a good source of food? They do! You could also encourage local authorities to plant bee-friendly plants in public gardens or spaces.

Buy local honey. Not only will it help with your allergies, it also supports local beekeepers and most likely would be pure and raw. If you don't have access to local honey, I would say just make sure your honey is raw, not just pure. Raw means it is not heated in any way. Heating honey destroys all the good qualities.

Bees are mostly gentle and rarely attack. If you see a swarm, do not spray it with water! Instead call the authorities who probably know what to do. Also, bees do not like the smell of alcohol or the smell of "leather" clothing. They also see dark clothing as a threat. If you see a bee hovering around you, stay calm and don't run away flapping your arms! Just calmly back away, preferably into some shade. They'll soon lose interest.

Have a bee-u-tiful day.

to our Dads

Dear Dads,

Happy Father's Day! We are sorry we aren't in Friona to give you each a hug in person. We are also sorry you won't get a card from us and your gifts won't be arriving on time.

But instead of focusing on what you won't have (us, the card or a gift), let's focus on how lucky we are to have such great fathers in our lives.

My Dad:
The other day Seth said he wanted me to watch him change the oil in my car because he thought I said it would make my dad proud. All I could remember is my dad getting so angry that I couldn't even check the oil in my car (my big brown olds). I tried and tried to get the dipstick back in the place it belonged but just couldn't. Dad was none too happy to have to do it for me (and show me how for the millionth time). So, then I got mad. We stayed mad at each other for a couple of hours. (I promise, it gets better). Then, I remember him getting up, coming into the kitchen where I now was (making a giant cookie for something that doesn't concern us in this story) and asking if he could have a little. I said no. (Well, it was for someone else). But, then I said he could have some of the smaller cookie that I made from leftover batter. He smiled. I smiled. And all the anger melted away. (See, a happy ending). So the point to this story is even though he may be proud if I could change the oil, I don't think it matters (which is good because there is little chance that I will learn, sorry). What matters is that my dad loves me for who I am and is always there for me when I need him. There are times when, as a parent, it will be so difficult to have to show your child something over and over but you do it. Because you know you have to. And Dad, you'll be glad to know that I do know how to check the oil now. I still am better in the kitchen than I'll ever be in a garage but that has got to better anyway. I Love you Dad.

Seth's Dad:
I remember when Seth and I broke up for awhile (way back in high school). Seth's parents stood back and never said much about it. A few months later, we got back together. I was happy. Seth was happy. I didn't realize (until years later) that Seth's dad and mom were happy too. In fact, Seth said that his dad told him that if Seth were to ever let that girl go again, he would kick his butt. The point to this shorter story is that Seth's dad also loves me for who I am.

;)

Just kidding. I mean, I know he loves me and that story is true, but really the point is that Seth's dad let Seth make his own decisions and knew when he should step in and knew when he should stay by the sidelines. That has to be one of the toughest things as a parent. When do we bite our tongues? When do we say something? Sammy knew when to say something at the right time. We were back together and Seth knew it came from love. And luckily, there has been no butt-kicking because almost 11 years later, we are still together. :) We love you Sammy!

Have a wonderful Father's Day.

Love, Seth and Aimee

PS- Rhett and Noah say Happy Grandfather's Day!!

today

.. is spending a lot of time at the pool (so hot outside...need water...lots of sunscreen...and shade).

It is printing off coupons for prescriptions that cost too much to make sense. But coupons! Wow. I only wish I had found this out a year ago.

It is enjoying the ice cream that I made yesterday. No, we don't have a new ice cream freezer yet. We already have a small one (makes 1 quart, which really, isn't a lot). Seth wants a big one. However, I have been looking and thinking about ice cream freezers so much that I just had to get out our small one and make a batch. Yummy Chocolate Orange Mint. It was delicious last night and I am sure it will be equally yummy today. I have pictures that I will share later today or tomorrow.

It is catching up on laundry. Lots of laundry.

It is enjoying a break from sports.

It is letting the boys enjoy the wii.

It is figuring out what to do after the wii.

Have a great day.

i'm sleepless

...The past two days I have found that I don't want to go to bed. I am tired for sure, but something holds me back. I realized today why. The tree we planted in memory is a crape myrtle and I can't wait until it has flowers. They are a deep pink. I am feeling fine-- just having a little woolgathering moment or two.

I think I am going to take a nice warm shower and then try to go to sleep. I would skip the shower (since it is midnight) but I took the dogs for a walk and I smell like slobber, courtesy of Brinkley. He is a complete spaz when we walk but he has a lot of fun. I guess that is what matters. Scout is all business and makes sure I never keep up with her.

The boys had their first day of boredom. It was hot outside, none of their friends were around and I was busy (see other post frome earlier today). Rhett went to bed thinking life stinks. I told him it is all in the attitude of the person and tomorrow has to be better. But what I was thinking was, "You got to watch tv, play the wii and play with your toys all day! Why does life stink again?" Sigh. I feel old.

ice cream sounds great in this heat

...For Father's Day, Seth wants an ice cream freezer. I am very excited about this. Recently, I have found this recipe, which makes me want to get this book and I am definitely going to start reading his blog. (Don't you love when I send you to link after link? Just thought I would give you something fun to do).

Today though, I am going through my many, many magazine recipes and deciding what to keep and what to recycle. I love cooking new things and baking yummy desserts that I have never tried before, but how many recipes for hot molten lava cakes must I have to realize that I haven't made them yet and probably won't as long as I have a neighbor who can make them wonderfully. (I don't like competing). So, bye-bye. (All except one). And no more polenta recipes. I have tried to like it and tried hard to make it but, well, it just isn't happening my friends. See you later recipes for the cornmeal mush.

And I am going to just keep one recipe for meatloaf (the one we like best) because really, do I need to try 10 of them? No. Also, no more recipes for pasta. I have a wonderful cookbook (Giada DeLaurentes) that has all my favorites so I know I won't be trying anything else.

Do you see why I need to be going through all my recipes?

It is a good day to do this because it is hot outside. It is only going to get hotter but the rest of the week, we have to be outside for one thing or another. Today, we don't. So we won't.

Oh and I can't forget to tell you how the boys did on Saturday. Noah swam in his first swim meet. He only competed against one other child (The 6-year old division is very small) and he won 1st and 2nd in the breaststroke and freestyle, respectively. He was so excited! I was proud. He made it without stopping once and also put on some speed! Yay! He also played in his first t-ball game and did really well. He hit the ball hard and although he didn't see much action in the outfield, he stayed alert (meaning he did not play in the dirt!).

Rhett played in his first baseball game as well on Saturday (during the swim meat so he did not get to participate in that). He caught a fly ball and tagged a player out. He also hit a double! Seth was really proud of him.

Grandparents, I am just letting you know that I will be emailing you a schedule of games just in case you want to come watch. Who wouldn't want to watch in the near 100 degree heat and humidity? I don't know. ;)

I'll try not to stay away from the blog so long this time. Hopefully, I'll snap some pictures this week too.

Bye!

banana allergy and other things

...Last night, I was eating a banana and the top of my mouth started itching! This has happened before but only if I eat a banana, whole and by itself. So today, I looked it up and I guess because proteins in fruit are similar to proteins in pollen, many times one can get an allergic reaction when eating a specific fruit, especially during allergy season. Huh. Learned something new today!

Week one of summer just flew by. The boys are enjoying every moment: playing in the sandbox, swimming, staying up late, sleeping in, watching tv in the morning...everything a kid wants to do all year round but only get away with it in the summer.

I am enjoying it too. I am exhausted but it is good. I am getting many things checked off my list and I even have time leftover to do some fun things too. I think not watching tv at night has really made me more productive. Since there is nothing on, I do laundry or clean instead.

Hopefully, in a week or two I will show you pictures of my butterfly garden. The flowers are beginning to bloom. Still no butterflies, but it is early. We have seen many birds from a hummingbird to a cardinal in the backyard where our bird feeders are. Their sweet singing gets me out of bed in the morning.

Have a great day!

and so summer begins

...Happy Summer everyone! It rained last night (sorry, Friona folks if you did not get rain as well), so it is very cool this morning which means we are skipping Swim Team practice. The boys have it at 8:30 in the morning and yesterday they were almost blue! :) I know in about a month, we'll be wishing it was this cool.

We have been keeping busy and having fun. Today may not be too fun for the boys--it is errand day. Post office, grocery story, dry cleaners and maybe Ulta if I can squeeze it in. Have you ever tried to go to a beauty store with two boys. Well, it is exactly the same as when my mom went to the fabric store with her son (and I admit, I wasn't to happy to go either!). Rhett and Noah act like the whole store is cursed and if they go in, they'll turn into a girl or something.

I have already done my annual reading of Harry Potter. I read the last two books again last week. I want to make sure I am ready for the movie when it comes out in July. But after reading those books, I am always unsure of what to read next. Is there anything that will capture my attention like those did? Or make me care? So, I decided to read a classic, A Wrinkle in Time. I am embarrassed to admit that I have never read it before.

The boys are very picky on what they want to read. Noah only wants to read chapter books which is funny to me. He thinks he is such a big boy and picture books are just too short. Even though I think that he would love to read those. But who I am? Just his mom. Rhett only wants to read books about mythology right now. Percy Jackson is his Harry Potter. Nothing else is good enough. I want him to read Judy Blume and Beverly Clearly, but no. If it doesn't have the Sea of Monsters, then it doesn't interest him. :) (I am loving that they are both love reading!! It is so awesome!)

I guess I need to get ready for another day. Have a good one everyone!

last day of school

...Like Noah, Rhett has changed this year and learned so many things! Here is Rhett on the first day of school:

And here he is on the last:
I am wishing I fixed his hair this morning but I guess that is okay. Here is one where he is fake smiling. Something about 2nd grade changes kids' smiles into this wide grimace. I wonder if he is thinking, "Why do I have to stand here and take another picture? Why Mom why!!"

Rhett has gone through at least 3 different lengths of jeans and 3 pairs of tennis shoes. He wears out everything he wears and outgrows it so fast I can't keep up! He is also on his third pair of glasses since the first picture. He likes to grow his hair out, then gets sick of it and wants it short, but not too short! He thinks he is hilarious but so does his friends in class. He is also one of the nicest friends one could ever ask for. So genuine, so caring and so responsible. PE is his favorite class and he doesn't like to have math homework. Rhett loves to read and has been reading the Percy Jackson series that I have mentioned before on the blog. He is ready to read the last book of the series now and he loves the story so much! Rhett also loves his teacher and revealed to me last night how much he'll miss her. Aww. What a sweetie.

I don't know if I can think about him being a 3rd grader next year right now. I do know that I am going to just enjoy the summer with my two boys and just try to have the most fun we can have.

Noah's friends invited him to the zoo this morning, so we are going to go there before school and then we have end-of-year parties and then...it is over. I hope you have a great day and if it is your last day of school, then enjoy!

Noah, kindergarten graduate

...School is almost over and taking a page from my sister's blog, I am showing you a couple of pictures of Noah on his first day of school and then some of his almost last day of school.

On the first day of school, Noah was so apprehensive. I remember when he was walking in his classroom with his new friends, he turned around, spotted me and yelled, "I love you, Mom!" Every other parent "aahh-ed" while I held back tears.

This is Noah, age 5 in August of '08:


This is Noah, age 6, yesterday:

This year he has lost 5 teeth, learned how to read and is now reading chapter books!, painted like Monet and Degas, loves to keep his hair short and spiky, loves his DS and Wii and would play these all day if I let him, found a new best friend and a couple of girlfriends, still is so stubborn but doesn't lose his temper as fast as he used to, played soccer and is going to play t-ball, loves to find plants for the garden and call them his own, still is sweet and thankfully, still loves to snuggle. He is a charmer and he is my moody child. This summer we are going to work on learning to tie shoes (even though he doesn't have laces on his shoes) and buttoning his pants. Fine motor skills. :)

At the graduation, Noah tried so hard not to smile. He kept twisting his mouth to try to stop the smile from coming. I think he loves attention but tries not to show it, what do you think?

They sang a song and then was handed their diploma. That was pretty much it for the ceremony. We then had cookies and lemonade. Rhett missed some class to see his brother graduate, which I thought was sweet. He even missed his class's talent show, although if he knew that, I don't know if he would have gone to the graduation. I am glad he came though so Noah had some family out there in the audience. Unfortunately, Seth couldn't be there because he was out of town on business. So having Rhett there made me happy.

Noah and me:

Noah, congratulations! We are so proud of you and we love you very much.