There's a lady that stands in a harbor

First grade has its first social studies project due at the end of this week. Guess what Jack chose as a great American symbol to study? Surprise! I'm working on the SoL montage from our recent trip to NYC, but suffice it to say today was his second-favorite SoL moment - he is so excited about this project!

She's still in need of robes and a little painting, but she's shaping up nicely. Tops in Jack's book, right in front of this moment.....

Aaron Tippin's Where The Stars And Stripes And The Eagle Fly

Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue

It's RW&B Day at school today, and we are all feeling a bit inspired!

However you mark this weekend, may you be proud to be living in the land of the free!

Toby Keith

A big ol' pile of SCHOOLwork

The boys brought home gobs of schoolwork today - tomorrow nite is BTS nite, so it's hard to imagine what will be on display!

Harry earned an award for creativity in art but couldn't explain a whole lot about it...something about his orange diamonds group...will be interesting to decipher it tomorrow!

And have I mentioned that he does NOT like to color in the lines....I think this is about the order that he completed these...notice he ends up completely doing his own thing by the end ;) The one with the axe shows him chopping down the door because the house is on fire - thank you, Rescue Heroes! And a sincere Thank You to the ever-patient Mrs. W!

*******************
Jack came home with a whole lot of writing, but was most proud of these....us, too!



You may remember his great love for the Statue of Liberty, so you can imagine there was a whole story about this drawing, Lady Liberty at sunset....he says he didn't have time to draw all the skyscrapers that we'll see when we go to NYC :-)

George Strait and Kenny Chesney's Shiftwork

To grow up and live happy in the land of the free

Jack started us off this afternoon with flags for the annual flags-in-Daddy's-chair pix

And they hammed it up a lot

It's hard to believe those long legs and big ole feet started out like this in 2004

Toby Keith's Coutesy Of The Red, White And Blue

For a job well done

We are truly blessed - our town has a beautiful ceremony every year to give thanks to the soldiers who have given all to our country. We've gone every year since we learned about it, and the boys call it 'the soldiers'....the speaker this year talked about the true meaning of our pledge and the family members who have so selflessly shared their soldiers, important reminders all.
Our deepest thanx - we have close friends sending their men to Afghanistan in the next weeks, and our prayers are with you all.

Dean snapped this picture of Harry and I recovering from all the fun we had this weekend ;-)

Trace Adkins' Arlington

I am woman, hear me roar (randomly)

Keely does this cool random thing - go on over and check it out!

I *think* it's still Tuesday, and I've been feeling pretty random lately, so here goes:

Global warming? Pshaw! We have snow on the ground, snow on the dirt road to our old house, and our old deck is still covered...they say the end is near, we'll see. I'm still holding onto my Snow Dance shoes for Monday ;-)

I wonder how many secrets are told right out in the open....I was walking thru the gym the other day and learned that this guy's wife doesn't like morning sex.

Random pix

The post song is because this is how our afternoon was spent...playing, decorating and looking forward to Heart Day. The boys finally decorated their valentine mailboxes....I say finally because I bought the stuff either last year or maybe the year before. Great to stretch it out, eh?

Anyway, Jack made hearts of our family....guess who's 'holding us all up' and 'super strong'? Getting back to the gym is a good thing ;-)

This is how long D&I have been married. My friend Carol bought us the first White House ornament the year we got married. I think I'm going to give them their own tree next year because they're beautiful and get lost amid all the old construction paper, yarn and glue. Thanx for over a decade, D!
This is how much Jack loves the SofL - he's had this love for many years, and I really want to get him to NYC asap so he can see the real deal

Harry played mailbox Santa, delivering goodies to our neighbors .... I loved the shadows and how careful he's being

Jack hamming it up before his sleep over last week

See this....

...become this...and all sorts of other designs. Jack was most proud of this one because it wasn't one of the pictures....he's all about the creativity these days.

Harry cheesing it up after writing Jack a sweet note a couple weeks ago

Practicing his Grinchy pout before the big man came to visit

eyebrows and eyelashes galore

...times two

I found these pretty shots of the snow and candles in the window

Happy Tuesday!

I love to be an icon...

What is it about certain summer pix? Which is the most iconic picture, do you think?

We went to our local farmer's market this morning, and it was gorgeous. Jack was sweet enough to buy (read=ask Daddy to buy) this orchid for me - notice that it has two stems :wub: Their former library story-teller made those sweet little wooden pinwheels.

He's a Yankee Doodle Dandy!

Corey Hart's Icon

Oh and I do declare

Jack's July 4, 2009 Declarations:

* I'm gonna be jealous for one more day!
* LaLaLa, I'm not hearing you Harry!
* I know what this is for!
* I LOVE Santa!
* Our house is beautiful! Our plants are beautiful!

Harry's July 4, 2009 Declarations:
* I'm itchy!
* That's too gushin'!
* In the morning, I'm going to sleep!
* It's a beautiful day to play!
* It's America's birthday!

Happy Birthday, America!

Hope your 4th is filled with all sorts of blessings!

Aretha Franklin's Baby I Love You

SOnshine, on my shoulder looks so lovely

The boys had this year's first t-ball practice last nite, and it seems like they are going to have a lot of fun...they know most of the team, and the new friends seem just as nice. Several kids are actually talented, which always helps ;-)

Sonshine on his shoulder

Grayson and Harry took a break under the flag after practice

It was supposed to be a pretty slow week since we didn't have much planned...um, not! Monday was fun with Aunt Jackie and visiting old friends. Tuesday we went to see Igor (awful, we're scrubbing it from our brains!) and had lunch with friends Grayson, Joey and Spencer and their sweet moms,

then went to a friend's Pampered Chef party which was all Patriotic, hence this yummy pie

Wednesday we chilled out before the big birthday bash for Nicole, Thursday we went to see Bee Movie with friends Grayson, Cody and Gavin and had a fun lunch before naps and tball practice. Today, I'm trying to recover and catch up with all the pix and blogs I've missed this week. We're looking forward to a lot of Yankee Doodle Dandying in the next days, and hope you're celebrating all the great things about being free!

John Denver