And Now We're Ready

Today is the boys' last day of school.

Yesterday was Henry's school party, which was also the last event of a very busy May.

I've also gotten the boys' rooms super clean, the rest of the house pretty clean, and the start of our Summer Fun List is written down.

I think we are all set for summer!

We've been waiting for this day for months!

It's going to be so much fun!!

Water

We've been watering the grass a ton trying to keep the newly planted sod alive.

Generally it's a battle trying to keep all the boys and the dogs inside.

Today, I gave in and not only let them go outside, but I also turned them lose with their water guns.

They had so much fun!

Generally it's easier to just give into the extra mess and let everyone just have fun!

Someday, I will have an easier time accepting that concept!

Field Day

Josh and I went to Henry's Field Day.

When Luke had his Kindergarten Field Day, he and Ben partenered up and did all the activites together.

Henry, however, found himself another partner, so Josh Oliver and I partnered up and tagged along behind Henry.

After the first couple of stations, Henry asked us why we kept following him.

We took the hint, and headed off in our own direction.

I like to think that it wasn't so much that he didn't want to hang out with us and more that he was just embarrassed of Josh's super dorky outfit!

Considering what Henry usually wears, though, we probably weren't shunned over an outfit!

Happy Birthday to Me!

This was my birthday present from Henry.

He also tried to give Josh credit, but Josh informed me that he DID NOT give that to me.

Henry is such a thoughtful boy!

Rock Chalk

Luke got his real cast on Monday.

He asked if he could have a blue and read one so that he could show his KU spirit.

It ended up so neat!

He's already got quite a few signitures sprawled across it.

There is definitely an up side to having a broken arm.

Luckily, he's scheduled to get it off just in time for a vacation!

Fishing

We went to my cousin Elizabeth's graduation party on Sunday.

Much to the delight of the boys, she held it at an old band camp with a fishing lake.

They pretty much spent their whole time outside--only coming in to fill up their bellies and grab some sodas.

Everyone caught at least one fish--Henry attributes his catch to his lucky fish necklace.

When it was time to head home I was warned that Henry had a pocket full of dead minnows. I certainly would hate to find one of those in the laundry!

First Communion

On May Day, Lucas made his First Communion.

It was a proud, proud day!

He's put a lot of effort into being a good Catholic boy.

He's learned all his prayers, actually pays attention to what goes on during Mass, and ask lots of questions. He worked hard to get to that day, and boy was he excited!

Plus, he looked so handsome in his suit!

It was also a big weekend for Ben.

He made the big leap into being a full fledged Catholic!

I'm glad he did it with Lucas because I really think they both helped each other along the way!

It was a fabulous weekend--although it did put a damper on our May Day deliveries!

with his Godparents, Chad and Jennifer

Child Labor and House Rules

Ben added some sod to the backyard yesterday.

It was a ton of work .

The boys helped him out quite a bit.

Their most impressive job, though was moving that heavy, heavy sod to the edge of the truck.

Luke didn't seem to care that he had a broken arm--in a temporary splint no less. He was out there working right alongside Henry.

Josh Oliver was more of a supervisor than an actual worker--which is the job he most often falls into.
 

* * * * *

Luke felt like we were in need of some house rules.

He came up with some and wrote them on a big piece of posterboard 10 Commandments style and displayed them for all of us to see.

Many of the rules are things that I often tell them--apparently they are listening!
 
1. Do not litter                                                       1.  Go to Church 

2. Do not steal                                                       2.  Help the Community

3. Do not hurt other people                                      3.  Have permission before you do something

4. Do not brag                                                       4.  Do what your parents say

5. Do not do stuff without premission                         5.  Use the oven with an adult

6. Do not yell at your parents                                    6.  Clean your room

Why Did I Say That?

It was no more than 3 hours between the time that I wrote that I probably should start setting aside money for a trip to the ER and the time that we were in fact on our way to minor emergency with a boy with a broken arm.

I was guessing it would be Henry, but it was actually Lucas who fell off his bike.

I hope that doesn't mean that it is ultimately my fault.

Does it?

From what I hear, it was not even really a good lead up to the fall.

He apparently was trying to avoid a puddle as he was coming to a stop, turned his wheel wrong, and then down he came.

It was definitely a hard fall, but I think he needs to work on a more dramatic story to tell everyone!

On the up side, though, when you are his age, it's super exciting to get to go to school with a cast!


--For the record, our injury tallies so far are:

• Lucas: broken arm twice (same place both times)--the first time was at 17 months


• Josh Oliver: broken arm and 13 stitches in his lip after a fight with a can


• Henry: no trips to the ER (we have no way to explain how he has escaped serious injury! It certainly isn't because he's our most cautious one!)

The Start of Henry's New Career

I taught Henry how to ride his bike on Friday.

It was no more than 10 minutes for him to go from making me promise, promise, PROMISE, not to let go of him to riding completely solo--stopping, starting, turning, everything!

I'm pretty sure that qualifies me as an awesome teacher!

I've been trying to get him to learn for a long time, but he pretty much just flat out refused to even try.

He only wanted to ride on his scooter or skateboard.

I knew that eventually the lure of bike trips down to Braums would win him over, though, and finally on Friday it did!

Today, he started practicing riding with only one hand, doing dangerously sharp turns, and I even saw him try to go over a curb or two.

He was really hoping to draw in a crowd of people so he could put on a show--you know like a professional!

I, on the other hand, decided I better start putting money aside for a trip to the ER.

Combat Streamers

Ben and the boys have been going to the airfield a lot lately for combat fighting.

Henry's found a use for all the streamers that he's collected up.

It's very festive!

Porch Painting

The other day the boys and I went outside to do some painting.

Luke and Henry drew scenes. Josh Oliver went more for abstracts.

It's fun to see what they come up with.

Plus, it's lovely when the weather starts to warm up and we get to enjoy the sun!