Smores!

I had to work much of the 4th of July weekend, so I was unable to visit my family this year. While we were sad about that, we made the most of our time together. Friday night before the holiday weekend we made smores over our fire pit.

This is really the first time that the boys experienced making smores. So we set up our fire after Annabelle went to bed and roasted marshmallows. Of course the boys kept stealing the chocolate and marshmallows while my hands were full. It was lots of fun watching them eat their sticky sweet treats.

Notice Braden is pant-less? We've been potty training and he's doing well. Don't worry- there's no embarrassing pictures!

Braden's 3rd Birthday

We had a small party this year for Braden. We'll save the big parties for his 5th Birthday. But we had a lot of fun this year. Braden was just so cute to watch. He loved dipping his toy Thomas train into his icecream and cake and then licking Thomas' face clean. I think the biggest excitement of the day was the bubbles that Aunt Kristen and Uncle Jon bought him for his birthday.

Martial Arts for Us

To the surprise of my family, we have all started to take martial arts classes. We actually are really enjoying the challenge and I'm a bit surprised how much fun I am having. I am not surprised, however, that my body is getting quite the beating. I need it I suppose.

Garner is loving learning Karate and is actually pretty good. He learns so quickly. We signed him up to attend Karate camp for new students. I just had to get pictures on his last day!

12 Years and Counting...

Over Memorial Day weekend, Darren and I celebrated our 12th wedding anniversary. It's hard to fathom that we have been together this long. I still feel like a teenager inside- But a little wiser now.

We had such a pleasant evening. We had sushi for dinner, stopped and bought some chocolate desserts and then sat out in the courtyard of Levis Commons. It was a gorgeous evening. Perfect temperature, the sun was setting, and we had great conversation. We talked about our where we are now, dreams for our family, and plans for the next few years as our children get older. I wish we could have more days like this together.

I love you babe!

Last Day of School

It's over for the summer. No more pre-K. No more driving 20 minutes one way to pick him up from school. No more piles of school papers.

If we really want to, we can just stay in our p.j.s all day! Whoopee!

The PreK Days

As PreK winds to a close for Garner, I'm left with many thoughts about the last year. I'm a tiny bit sad, partly apprehensive to all the changes coming next year, and a largely proud of my son. He has really grown over the year. Every day I see more boy and less baby. He was my first child, so there is a particular heart string that gets plucked each time he passes life's growth stages.

We knew that preschool would be good for Garner. He was needing more to occupy him than I could provide or teach with two other children in the house. I'll never forget the night he sat at the dinner table and basically told us the whole story about Moses and Pharaoh and the 10 plagues (hand gestures included). Not only has he done well from an educational stand point, but preschool also helped him with other life skills and social behaviors too.

Here are a few photos of the past year.

First Day of School



Day at the Farm




Birthday



We will have a few more photos of the last few days of school and I'll post them then. For now a mom is just feeling rather nostalgic...

Love Notes

Little notes with crayon scribbles, stickers, hearts and stick people. He signs his name in such a childlike way... G - backwards 'a' - tiny r - n - giant little e - tiny r.

A seashell covered in heart stickers. I piece of sea glass covered in smiley face stickers. A single picked dandelion.

These are Garner's love notes.

This is his way of showing me love. He likes to shower me with these love notes made from whatever he can find. He never keeps any for himself. He always gives them to me.

From this I know my son has a generous heart. Even though he doesn't want to share his toys sometimes. Deep down he really is compassionate. He longs to show and receive love in this way.

Lord, Help me to remember to love as deeply as my own son.