Gonna walk down that dirt road

The boys' friend Dylan came over for a playdate today - it was the first kids-only playdate we've tried, and it went great....everyone was on their best behavior, and I even got to piddle around in the yard while they played. Man, they are growing up fast!

Everyone went in their own direction at times

(that used to be a pond behind Harry!)

The other side of the backyard, complete with tracks

Harry giving Dylan a few pointers while Jack gets into the sandboat

Dylan practicing his parade wave

Hey, look where you're going!

I can't believe how much they've grown - they had to duck to get into the SSHarryJack!

It was a gorgeous day - all those running boy feet and the breeze, just about perfect!

We took a LONG walk, ran into some friends, found some animals and played a lot of I Spy...which is pretty challenging when everything is so green ;-)

Harry regaling them with some story

The three of them practicing their executive chair-sitting skills

We had a great time, Dylan, and we'll have to do it again soon!

Bob Dylan's Dirt Road Blues

You'll Never Walk Alone

We've been taking advantage of the weather and walking a lot lately, and they've really been seeming to recognize how lucky they (and we all) are to have each other. They are working out some new dynamics, and this coming school year will probably bring some more major changes, but we're enjoying these moments

walk on thru the rain

Elvis

just a-havin' some fun on a weekend

Our Mother's Day tradition took a new spin this year, in addition to Saturday shopping with Daddy, the boys went fishing with their new rods! They were beyond excited, since they'd gotten a taste of it on Thursday, tho their attention spans are still not quite up for the full experience....they had the full-on wormguts experience and consider themselves fishermen now, so we shall see....

Jack's joy
Harry actually got the only bite of the afternoon but it was early and he wasn't sure what to do

I love Jack's toes in this shot - thanx for taking the pix, Dean!

They give me Saturday for all things girlie, so I game myself a mani/pedi, watched a chick flick, visited all my babies, and read a chick book. Complete relaxation and my ears were so happy all day long ;-) They were the best hugs ever, tho, once everyone got back home

Today was all about treats, of the family variety - they let me sleep in before presenting me with beautiful roses, both cut and ready for planting, a lovely windchime, and cards galore. The gifts and the sentiments were all loved! The boys were really on their best behavior all day :-)

After getting the house ready for people who cancelled (grrr), we headed out to the restaurant we found last Thursday - the day was perfect, about 75 degrees, wispy clouds and a gentle breeze, just perfect for outdoor dining! This was our view of the train and river

this was the decadent Orange Chiffon cake that ended my meal

this is Jack's attempt at taking our picture - we were *not* under the influence ;-)

this is Jack and me making funny faces while he does another self-portrait

our nice waitress was kind enough to snap a family shot

Thanx to all the mother-types who have touched my life - thanx to all our mothers for getting us this far! Hope everyone had a great weekend ~

Eddie Cochran's Weekend

Walk Along The River

We had a fabulous adventure today....okay, fabulous might be too strong a word since it took us at least twice as long as we thought to get there, we stopped a number of times to try to figure out where we were going, blahblahblah...but it was pretty fabulous when I think back on the easy time we had once we got there. Friends had recommended a restaurant about 30 miles away, right along a river, so off we went this morning. Thank you, Kristi and Correne, for making such fun from such a possible cluster - you girls rock!

Asher, Harry, Jack, and Spencer on occasion, took to the counter for their own adventure - they kept the amazingly patient waitresses pretty busy but the ladies seemed to love it, and I know it was a very pleasant breakfast for us moms. Some lyrical moments from the day...

on a stool next to me Into a ten turtle stack (we saw at least 6 turtles today - and didn't run over one -this was the closest the boys got)

All the happy golden day

I love to watch the river flow

There's bound to be rough waters
well, I wish I was a catfish

walk on the log where the catfish bite

Laurie Berkner

A mans good word and a hand shake are all you need

This week has been a good one for us on a lot of levels, largely because things like this happened:

The other morning, Harry woke before Jack and before I was ready for him to ;-) He hadn't done his screen-time chores but I told him I'd let him watch while I showered and Jack slept if he promised to do them asap. He looked me in the eye and shook "deal" - with no prompting or reminders, he got himself dressed and made his bed as soon as Jack woke up. I found two dressed, beds-made boys....which started a very pleasant day for us!

A slightly shocking one because of things like this:

Jack: Mommy, guess what?

M: What?

Jack: I'm going to marry K, and she's going to marry me!

M: Really? What makes you want to marry her?

Jack: She's my best friend.
(a little aside, both Dean and I responded to him separately that was the reason M&D married :wub:)

A funny week because of things like this:

Miss Lisa: Jack & K, are we bothering you with our music lesson?

J: No thank you, we can hear just fine



Alabama's Down Home

Saving All OUR CRUSTS For You

While Daddy's off being acculturated at Parris Island, we're missing him. Last nite at dinner, Jack decided we should all save our crusts for Daddy...:wub:

He's had the chance to meet with recruits, eat in the mess hall, get up before the sun, and will attend the graduation ceremony on Friday. We miss him...enough to save our crusts!

Whitney Houston's Saving All My Love For You
05/06/09 Harry: Do the Marines have their pajamas on? Jack: When I was a little kid, I didn't know how to spell!

You think I'm cute, a little bit shy

The boys took a field trip a few weeks ago that I posted before, but another mom was kind enough to take pix - thank you so much, Crystal!

Jack doing the cast prep work
Harry making the cast work for Brownie

I have no idea what Jack was saying at this point

Sometimes I think they look the most different when they are looking in the same direction

Harry stitching Brownie up

Jack doing some undetermined doctorish thing

Harry posing with his brave patient

Jack showing off his handiwork

Robert Palmer's Bad Case Of Lovin You (Doctor! Doctor!)

On an old rainshine open day

There's nothing like a country fair, even on a rain/shine day! I got to join the boys for this year's spring fair on Saturday, and I didn't even bring a camera, but the sweet moments got the better of me and this is the best my phone could do ~

Darius and Harry checking out old-fashioned toys

Daddy, Jack and Harry strolling around

The boys putting out a 'housefire' this year....

...and last (next year I have to get a good pic of Harry's turn)

Our local gardening group let them plant corn

and Jack really wants to show off his new 'ink' courtesy of the YMCA!

And this may be my favorite shot of the day - it's a fun tradition, and I felt honored to get to join them this year :-)

Van Morrison's Country Fair

As lucky as me, I got ANOTHER four leaf clover

Harry has been dubbed The Human Garmin; he always seems to have a good sense of direction, can remember how to get just about any place after one visit, and is learning so much from the Garmin that Dean got me for Christmas. This is the picture he drew today of a popular route we take - he correctly labeled all the roads, then told Aunt Jackie where everything was in relation to this picture - our house, his school, the Y, library, Kroger. It's uncanny, and I'm pretty jealous as I can't find my way out the door most days - thankfully, he's on my side and is always willing to help :wub:
They made me these cards at the Y today - I realize you can't see what's inside but I'm too lazy to take another picture, and I *know*. Harry drew me a ton of Garmin roads and Jack put a few special stickers in there and on the back. This has been an amazing few days for Harry; he's just been 'on' in every way and this was the first time he sought out a project and he was really detailed with it :-)

I did find another four-leaf clover today - what do you think is up with that? Again, I wasn't looking...I've been humming that old Art Mooney song...and remembering not to overlook anything. May your days be full of good things!

Phil Vassar's Lucky As Me

He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother

Despite some recent growing pains, there have been a lot of magical moments lately, including this morning's most generous declaration from Harry: I want Jack to have the first turn with the Leapster (you may not be able to guess what a huge deal this is, especially since the car almost exploded yesterday with their shrieking instead of sharing) And Jack said, unsolicited, Harry, you really ARE my best friend! I love you, man!
The Hollies

May Each Day

It was Mother's Night at the boys' preschool tonite - a nice dinner and field day activities. I purposely didn't take the camera, but Dean was nice enough to take a picture of us before leaving (we were prepared for the raindate movie with pillows and comfy stuff)

I did snap a picture of prepping for the three- (er, four-)legged race

The boys made some sweet crafts that I'll post soon :-)

Do you believe in luck? I stumbled upon this four-leaf clover yesterday while checking on our little baby grass seeds....how many hours did I spend looking for them as a child :sigh:

Who wouldn't want to live here? Hopefully the clover works its magic for our Open House on Sunday :-)

Happy weekend!

ETA: Our boy Peyton Sellers placed 19th in the race tonite - woohoo! It was his second start in the Nationwide series...

Andy Williams