Let the training begin!

Lee and Lance have been initiated into the "real men" club - they had their first training on HOW TO CLEAN THE BATHROOM! REAL MEN CLEAN BATHROOMS! At least, Real Men with happy spouses!

There is nothing like two boys, ages 5 and below, using the bathroom to promulgate bathroom cleaning training! Someday two daughters-in-law are going to owe me BIG TIME!

Busy Week!

This has been a busy, busy week! Lance is happy it has stopped raining and he can get out and mow.
Then Wednesday was the last day of school (for the boys and me) and we had the end of the year picnic at Papermill Park. It was HOT and sunny - bad day to wear a dark brown shirt! Lee was cruising around with his gang - Colyn and Angelina, and Lance was ALL over the place. Bad idea to wear the school shirt - 40 kids had on the same shirt!

THEN Wednesday evening, Lance went to my last class with me (Lee did the same at the end of last semester). Dr. Barber gave Lance a new John Deere farm tractor and he is a HAPPY HAPPY camper! His eyes got huge when she brought it in the room and I said "It's not to keep, just to play with" and Dr. Barber said "Oh, no - he can have it!" I thought Lance was going to pass out. After class we walked in the botanical gardens and he mowed through the paths. We then got to pet a friendly cow - a first for Lance. He then mowed the whole length of the road from the cow pasture back to the car. He was in tractor heaven! He would have slept with if I had let him.

And then today was Lee's graduation from pre-school. It was really cute, and thankfully short. It was held at the Mill Creek Fire Hall and I was pleased that Lee did actually sing some of the songs and more importantly kept his hands out of his pants and his fingers out of his nose!

I am looking forward to a day of no activity tomorrow!

Playing with Maddie

We had a fun day at the park today with Maddie, Kim, and Ron. Alan rode his bike TO the park and then he and the boys rode their bikes at the park. (I did not bring my bike because I didn't feel like putting it on the outside of the car - I would ride here, it is flat!) Lance needed a little bit of help at the beginning but by the end of the session he was riding like a pro! He still needs to learn how to take off from a stop on his own, but I am sure that will come quickly.

Maddie has a cute pink and purple bike with flashy tassels hanging from the handlebars. She showed her gymnastic talents by being the only person who could manipulate the hand-holding monkey bar thing (I don't know how else to explain it!). She TOTALLY showed up ALL the boys by being the only one who could make it all the way across. She is a light, lithe acrobatic machine! We all had a very nice time.

Lance was happy because there were BIG MACHINES - steam roller, grader, and a excavator = happy Lance! Even with the sun behind the clouds we all got some sun because I forgot to put on sunscreen - the classic error.The Glasgow park is really nice with lots of play equipment, covered picnic tables, and a nice paved walking/riding trail. I highly recommend it!

Growth comparison

Every year we take pictures of the boys with the cherry trees in our side yard (this time last year they were our neighbors trees, but we had to buy the lot to install a new septic system). It is AMAZING how quickly they grow. Some things do not change - in the 2007 pictures Lance was mowing the grass - he still mows almost every day! I sure wish I could put some real blades on his mower!!! The longer hair of 2009 makes a huge difference in their appearances. OK - the 2006 picture has the boys on the ground with the trees in the background- I waited until Lance was 1 1/2 before I put him in the tree!

2009

2008

2007

2006

LANCE RIDES!

Lance decided the incentive of a new bicycle was enough to make him try riding without training wheels - and he totally rocked the fire bike! (that is just so funny to say!) He rode on the first try and went down the whole length of the street, back, and even turned around - not all on the same trip... He was very brave and kept trying. Lee was a great big brother, offerring encouragement and even showing him very patiently how to set the peddle to take off on his own. It was great fun. I can't believe how quickly they are growing up. Lee GRADUATES from preschool next week - look for funny pictures!

Our first DISECTION!

WHAT FUN! Our neighbor gave us a "catch of the day" perch and after Alan did his best to get the actual filet off the fish the boys and I had fun! We found lots of organs including the very well protected brain. We were surprised to find that inside the eye of a fish is a hard, roughly spherical ball. Lee and Lance were both very interested in the process and what was in a fish. Good, sticky, educational fun!

Georgia Visit

We had a very nice Spring Break visit to GA. Lots of rain but it was nice and warm (mostly!) We visited the Agusta River locks systems, the Agusta Science Center, saw Monsters vs. Aliens (what else do you do on vacation when it rains?), and had lots of fun with G-Dad, Grandma Pam, and Aunt Ann.

The boys were great travelers. One the way down we stopped at Pedro's (South of the Border). On the way home we drove straight through and just let me say I am SO glad I am a parent

AFTER portable dvd players were invented!