Wordless Wednesday

Something for Everyone...

Wow! We sure have had a lot of fun things going on lately...and looking at our May calendar, there's a lot of fun ahead of us, too!  Both of the kids have had special events within the past week. 

Lane Ryan had his first AWANA program the end of April.  This was his first year and he really enjoyed it.  I was a helper in his class and I just loved watching him interact with his friends and hear him recite his Bible verses.  He easily memorized lengthy verses.  He still remembers most of them and is so proud of all the badges he earned to put on his vest.  At the award program he earned his Cubbie Bear which is a little stuffed bear that attaches to his vest.  I remember, early in the year when he was first learning verses, he repeated a few to my Grandma Larson.  "Oh, my!" she said.  "He's going to be a preacher!"  Probably not, but we are so proud of the foundation being built in his heart and his understanding of the verses.  He shouts the Cubbie song at home..."We are AWANA Cubbies, we're happy all day long.  We know that Jesus loves us, that's why we sing this song, We hop because we're happy and we jump and shout for joy.  For Jesus is a friend to us, He loves each girl and boy!!!"  But at the program...his lips were barely moving...  After his turn at the program, he fell asleep in my arms.  We woke him for cookies and punch...I think he made himself fall asleep to ease his nervousness...he's done it before.  ;)

 Drue's fun was the PTO sponsored Dad- Daughter Dance!  Drue was very excited for her first dance and first corsage... but we could tell she was a little nervous. She was excited to see her friends and to dance with her Daddy.  Since no moms were allowed, I heard all about the girls holding hands and running around to the music.  Favorite songs wer the Chicken Dance, the Hokey Pokey and anything by Hannah Montana or Selena Gomez.  Someone was really thinking when they chose NOT to put chairs in the room.  That way, no dad could just sit and watch.  You can bet Ryan was the best Chicken-dancer out there...always has been.  They also danced to a few slow songs. Just like prom, you could order pictures...can't wait to see them! The dance was only an hour long but when DD went to get refreshments, the cookies were gone.  So her daddy took her out for an ice-cream cone. They both had a lot of fun! Wish I could have been a fly on the wall!

There's No Such Thing As...

A few days ago, DD hopped in the car after school.  She didn't wait one second to let me know what she learned that day.
"Mom!  Do you know there's no such thing as sheeps? 
There's no such thing as mices?...
There's no such thing as gooses?...
There's no such thing as deers?"

I could see Lane looking at her like she was nuts.

She and I kept listing things off that 'there were no such thing as,'  and Lane Ryan piped up...
"There's no such thing as ghosts, there's no such thing as monsters, there's no such thing as vampires...well except in Mexico they have vampire bats."

My Other Man

There's just something about a little man.  Especially mine.  He lets me kiss on him.  He lets me snuggle with him.  He lets me nibble his ears and neck.  He says, "I love you mommy" out of the blue.  He uses his manners and knows just how to 'work' me.  He loves crafts, painting (yes, even his fingernails), sorting and organzing.  He can play, and is good at, every sport he's ever tried.  Yes, I realize he's only 4.   I've asked him several times, as to be sure to brain-wash him, "will you come & kiss me after every game you play in school?"  He assures me he will.  Yes, I realize he's only 4.  He loves music and loves to sing.  He makes up songs about Jesus.  He lets his sister dress him as a 'little-sister' and talks 'baby' for her. He looks up to his daddy and thinks he's the strongest guy around. He and I have spent almost every.single.day.together for four and a half years!  He compliments me by saying, "mommy, you're prettier than a cocklebur!"  (Thank-goodness!) And he brings me flowers...alot! 

I love you Digga Dean!

Cousins

Checking out Daddy's/ Uncle Ryan's new calves

The Boys!  Lane is 4, Cade is 5.  They are 10 months apart...makes for the

perfect playmate at MiMi and RahRah's!

DD is 6 and Lillian just turned 3! They love to try on their aunt Traci's & Trudi's

 clothes from when they were little!

Little Miss Cali!  She's 2 and is going to be a big sister in June!

Grandpa RahRah & all the kiddos looking for Easter Eggs!

The kids are now old enough to improvise and come up with many creative games & activities. 

This day they were jumping off the footstool and sliding down the baby crib matress. Lots of FUN...and I don't think anyone got hurt! 

This picture was taken last April, 2009.  The kids are ages 5,4,3,2 and 1!  Last time that will ever happen! And...boy have they changed!!

DD & Dig sure love their cousins!

Preschool Round-Up!

Holy Cow!  It's been a long time since I've posted anything new.  Let me assure you, this is not because we've had nothing to blog about!  I have my little notebook next to the computer with a long list of things I want to remember forever...or at least have in my Blog2Print book!  :) 

Today, Lane Ryan had his first day of Preschool Round-Up!  He was totally excited.  He did show little signs of being nervous, but that's to be expected for a little man that has spent the majority of the past four and a half years with his momma and only his momma!  It also helped that he is attending Preschool at the church we attend as a family.  He also came with me everytime I volunteered at the Good Shepherd Preschool when his sister was going...and that was a lot.  We volunteered to help at every activity they needed someone...every one, except the pumpkin carving day.  No thanks. Lane and I also attended Chapel Time with DD and her class once a month, every month the entire school year.  So, Lane knows his school surroundings, the teachers and even some of the routines.

He woke up this morning a little later than usual because DD has the rest of the week off due to Kindergarten Round-Up.  After Lane woke up, he immediately got dressed in clothes he picked out himself...and by the picture, you can tell...so did his sister!  :) Dig never does this!  Honestly, most days he is in his pajamas all day.  Sometimes he only changes pajamas to get into different pajamas for bedtime!  Today, he even put his socks and shoes on right away! 

We ate an early lunch at my Mom & Dad's.  I started to feel like I couldn't breathe.  My brother, Shawn, said the same thing.  Where has time gone?  Can this be real? What in the world am I going to do with myself next year!?!  My job description is definitely changing!

Drop-off went off without a hitch. Lane washed his hands, gave me a hug and kiss and started drawing.  He asked Ms. Karen if she would call him "Dig."  She then had him write his name on his drawing... L.A.N.E.  This could be a little confusing.  Oh well.  It's what he prefers. 

He was so excited to show me a butterfly craft he made using dyed and crushed egg shells.  He explained to me how the butterfly needed to look the same on both sides and how he just loved how colorful it was!  He is one of 6 boys in the class.  He definitely has his choice of women!  I think there are 18 or 20!  He got to play on the new playset, eat string cheese and drink apple juice.  He said he played with a little girl he goes to Sunday School with and at the end of his two hour school day, finally found the colorful snake puzzle he had talked about all week.  Dig said he loved school and can't wait to go back tomorrow afternoon! WoW!  This sure is a change from his sister's first days of school...and I'm not complaining!

Look at that little tongue sticking out!  That means he's really concentrating!

Speaking of his sister, she was looking forward to some alone time with her Mommy!  We planned our day about a week ago.  Unfortunately for her, we also fit in a quick dentist appointment.  Afterwards, we took a Junie B. Jones book to the coffee shop and read most of it while enjoying our frozen-decaf-vanilla lattes.  We also took one to-go for Lane Ryan!  It was his special request. While we were walking out Drue said, "Mom...we needed some girl time didn't we!"  She was right.  It has been along time since we did something special without our boys!  She's such a grown-up little girl!

Let me explain...it was windy today  Like, CrAzY windy.  Um, the camera angle is bad?  Ok...and I have, as Junie B. Jones says, "automatically-curly hair!" 

I'm so relieved that Dig's first day went so well and am encouraged by his readiness and eagerness to learn and 'catch-up' with his sister...

It's me who is going to have a hard time adjusting next Fall when both of my babes are at school!

Dig the Fireman

Last week was unusually warm.  So warm, in fact, that I broke down and let the kids play in the sprinkler after alot of whining rational discussion.  The water was freezing, but the sun was warm and like I figured, the sprinkler didn't last long. A few days before, when the weather was cooler, Lane was in the mood to play with the hose.  He grabbed his new rain coat, headed outside to play Fireman AND...

Make a few great mud holes!!