summertime, summertime, sumsumsummertime

Aunt Jackie's mom is visiting her this week, so we got to see them both at yesterday's VBS family picnic...Harry tried to get his fill of gramma flirting, and they were kind enough to pose for this picture. We're heading for the fun River restaurant today, hoping to enjoy the sunshine!

Harry and Savannah played Push-him-pull-him with Jack
After the picnic, we got to enjoy even more summer fun with Rilie and Loren -
there's not much to compare with frozen goodness on a hot day

Loren and Harry were in a bit of a zone yesterday - here they are intensely studying the Flavor-Ice

Here he's being chivalrous

and here they are in their SO You Think You Can Dance mode...

...and in motion

And Jack told Grayson's mom that 'this is the most amazing thing I've ever seen - I can swim all over the whole pool with this!'

Thanx for another great time, friends!

And so began my love affair with water

The boys have had a great week at their preschool's VBS - they got to move up to the kindergarten groups and did all sorts of cool crafts, including these cute picture 'frames' and prayer rocks:

I helped the preschool teacher for three days, gaining a whole new level of respect - it's exhausting but fun!

Yesterday, Asher hosted our weekly Game Day and the boys ended up outside with a hose and a bunch of PVC pipe that they used to create all sorts of fun stuff. They all ended up thoroughly soaked and happy - Thanx for having us over, friends!

Brad Paisley's Water

Oh Jealousy, look what you've done...

Jealousy is the topic for this week's Spin Cycle, and it reminded me of this cool book that I found at a book fair while in those angsty, deep thinking days of grad school.

I think she captured it pretty well - it's one of the most corrosive emotions, IMHO. It can be silly or tragic, and I've come a long way in terms of letting things go...there's still work to be done, but being blessed and content eases a lot of those negative feelings for me. I've hopefully found more healthy ways to strive for things, relationships, etc. that I want than to let the green man rule - May the green stay far from us all!

Good Charlotte's Jealousy

No, I won't back down

I fought the law, and the law ....didn't win! I got a ticket last month for speeding in a school zone and had picture proof that I entered the zone at a point where the sign was not visible - I sat thru an hour at the courthouse to be told that the officer realized I was right and dropped the charges...woohoo! It was quite an experience to watch the 20-odd people filing thru the courtroom today...

The kiddos are negotiating all sorts of social situations lately, and Harry has been working toward some more effective assertion skills. In the old days, he would have sawn his arm off with a plastic fork if it would make Jack happy...in the last month, he's been taking his turn more often. "Excuse me, it's my turn to talk now!" The road is a little bumpy at the moment, but we're so pleased that he's finally standing up for himself. Today, I overheard him tell three friends that they couldn't shut him out of their game - you go, little man!

Our little cartographer - the boy loves roads, routes, and the Garmin!

I loved this picture of him from the weekend

Jack's also working on a lot of social nuances, trying to figure out the differences between being a leader and being bossy, and how to handle things great and small. He loves playing the slots at Grayson's house, and came home with a pocketful of quarters today - he gets it honest, I guess since I whiled away many hours at Aunt Libby's dime machine - I hope we don't have to find the G.A. schedule any time soon ;-)
Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers

06/24/09 Harry: Sometimes the Garmin lady interrupts me when I am telling a story! Jack:Welcome to the gun show! (as he flexes his muscles)

Sunday'S ICECREAM SundaES

We've been working thru the leftovers from Tuesday's ice cream party, so tonite's dessert was a sundae party

Happy week!

U2's Sunday Bloody Sunday

And never take for granted the love in Daddy's hands

It's been a pretty relaxed and thankful weekend around our house - Daddy's home and all's right in our little world. The boys were overjoyed to buy and make Dean treats that would be special

Thank you for our wonderful life - we love you!

Holly Dunn's Daddy's Hands

I'm so excited and I just can't hide it!

Friday might just have been our busiest day EVER, and definitely one of the most fun!

The boys finished up their VBS with the Great Barrier Reef theme - they got to meet an actual Joey, brought home eucalyptus to plant, and finally got that elusive fifth bracelet

Then they got to go to Maggie's birthday party at CEC - just LOOK at Harry's face -

Let's Get This Party Started!

Jack was on in terms of winning tickets. He was so excited to use the chomper machine to count them all that he forgot to 'check out' an forfeited all his tickets to a greedy girl who was in line behind him....the CEC employee was nice enough to replace them for him, but I was so proud of Jack for taking it all in stride - yay for growing up!

They love playing this soccer game, and somehow I got their reflections as well as the ball in these shots (if you click on the picture, it enlarges)

One of Harry's most favorite games is the water pistol race...I don't think the smile left his face all day!

My two gamers .... varying headware ;-)

Harry can find a route anywhere!

I somehow lucked into them playing side-by-side

The waaaaaiting is the hardest part

Maggie was gracious enough to include Harry in the birthday song

Harry and Jack both tested out their flirting skills on pretty Loren, who had invited them over for a pool party after the birthday

Harry and Grayson in the CEC mosh pit

Did I mention that he was excited??

After Maggie's party, lots of friends went to Loren's house for a little Twistin' By The Pool - thank you so much, Carrie, it was a blast!

Pointer Sister's I'm SO Excited

Pink it's like red but not quite

Presents chosen, admired and wrapped for a party tomorrow

Jack goofing around, "Look, I'm burping Harry!" while Harry tries to write Maggie's card

Harry was a great wrapping assistant

and Jack wanted to get in on the action

and did a little final fluffing to get the bow just right!

Aerosmith's Pink