outsiiiiide

We have been enjoying the warmer weather.  Jack things being outside is the best thing EVER, so many trips happen.  To mom's, to the health park, to the real park, wherever.  Sometimes, he has to stop and have some "cottie" - his word for coffee.  

 And sometimes, mom has to stop, too.

Hoops are big around here as well.  Good form...now just a little height!

 Girlfriend has been rocking Kindergarten.  Spelling tests, sight word tests, math and reading homework...all of it keeps her busy after school.  We still get out to play, thank goodness.  She is growing into such a mature little girl.  She does her work without complaining (mostly), and she wants to do well.  She is wanting to read chapter books at night now, which is a new thing for her - not many pictures in them.  It's fun to see what Junie B. Jones is doing in school!

 The kids are practicing writing sentences, and Kate has to do a journal entry each day.  This one is about mom or me, we aren't sure.  :-)

 Sweet girl headed out for a day of school.  She looks so much older!!

 Dude likes glasses, but he likes Kate's better.  He is trying to get used to his!

 Sweet Norman.  Love this guy!

 Jack and I went with mom to get more flowers at Cook's Nursery, and since I had mine, Jack and I went to hang out at the pond because there are huge fish in it.

 This is one way to get your bike back up the gravel hill.

 Ready for summer!

 Iced cotties are good!!

Easter Eggs

At five a.m., the Easter Bunny was hiding eggs filled with money, treats, and a few caramels so the kiddos could find them when they woke.  Soon after...the woke.  The brisk temperatures did not stop them from heading out in the dewy grass to find the eggs.  Close to 50 in less than five minutes, it seemed.

 We then headed to the grandparents' house to hunt again.  This time, Jack was more interested in the purple grass and the lawnmower than finding eggs.  Didn't bother the rest of them -- more for them, right?

 Mason totally got the hunt thing and he hunted up a storm.

 Max did what the older kids did and did pretty well finding eggs.

 Jack hunted for the bubble blower and he was content with that!

 Cupcakes for dessert.

A week on the farm

We ventured out to Cook's Greenhouse to buy flowers and veggies last week.  Jack found the tractor and would not stop talking about it.  We just stood by it for a long time.

 Kate got to work on her fairy garden last week.  She unwrapped all of the houses and fairies and accessories and then placed them in her garden.  And then she rearranged them.

 The finished product for the day.

 Then Kate and Jack had to water everything for me.  And they even watered the grass for Daddy.

 Just kidding; I gave them the hose to use.  Jack didn't like getting his hands dirty or wet, so he let Kate do most of it.

 We got a new couch and two chairs, so we are now ready for visitors.

 Finished four pots for the doors.

 Moved the couch and chairs to this side of the house since the kids play in the driveway area more now.

 Kate helped with more raking and moving of dirt.

 And both kids got tractor rides with Daddy.  Kate actually drove.

spring, sort of

School is back in - and we are all ready for it to be over, because we want to play!  Jack misses Kate while she is at school, and now that we can go to the park or play outside, here, he is ready for sister to be home!  

 The kids did a little tree climbing on a walk at mom's house.  Kate enjoys this, and Jack does what Kate does, so...

 Kate has been gearing up for state testing, I guess, because the amount of homework has increased greatly since spring break.  It is not uncommon to complete 30 minutes of homework nightly for kindergarten.  I find it a bit excessive, but Kate is a trooper and gets it done.

 I went in for a lob.  Over four inches cut off, and I am really enjoying the freedom.  I didn't think I would like it as much as I do, because I was sure the long hair was easier, as it always had been.  BUT, I can still put it in a ponytail, so it all works out!

 My happy boy greets me with a big hug each morning!

 And my sweet girl is enjoying her fashionista ways for school.

 My car was in the shop for a couple of days trying to get the DVD player fixed (it worked just fine at the shop).  Jack enjoyed riding in the front seat to get Kate from the bus after school.  Lots of room, he said!

 Kate's tap shoes are awesome for bugging mama.  Too bad they make ya fall!

back to the beach

The flights we choose (Lexington to Punta Gorda) flew out Saturday evening, which meant we had a whole day of play and packing.  The weather was fabulous, so we went to the beach one last time that morning.  The waves were nonexistent and, for some reason, Kate was more timid about that than the rolling waves and undertow.  We walked the beach again, looking for shells for the jar.  And Kate and Matt played some frisbee again.  

 And Jack felt that this ocean was his.  He could touch, so he could walk, and he didn't need any help, thankyouverymuch.

And Jack needed a snack, so he plopped his sandy rear in the lowest chair and ate Sun Chips for a half an hour.  No stirring other than for chips and water.  Grandpa couldn't believe he just sat there.  Matt and Kate went for a walk in the other direction and when they returned...Jack...still there. Just watching the ocean, boats, and planes.

 Kate wrote a note to mom and decorated it with shells she found nearby.  We took a picture and sent it to her.  Mom is always nearby in our thoughts.

 When we told Jack it was time to go, he puffed out his chest and just stood at the water.  We weren't sure what he was doing, but I think he thought it might make us rethink leaving.  It didn't.

Another fun day in Naples, and another fabulous trip!  Thanks again, Grandma and Grandpa!