An afternoon in Instagram.

Mondays are usually catch up day in this house. We generally don't make plans for Mondays besides put away weekend stuff and spruce up and clean the house a little more thoroughly than other days. The kids were working especially hard this particular Monday and so we decided we needed an intermission to all of our hard work. After our finger food picnic lunch and a bit of arm wrestling we embarked on a walk....

I Love You!

This is what I look like in full on stay at home chore mode...glamorous isn't it. Man, I love this kid, looking at this photo, I can hear his giggles and grunts. So sweet, thank you Jesus for the gift of laughter.

It started out with bike tricks that didn't end so well..... he wasn't hurt, mostly mad that I had captured it on film and that Lexi had "popped big on his pegs" and "flew him off his bike". 

Made our way to the coffee shop. A walk isn't a walk without a stop for ice cream or coffee...is it?

Sweet shot of my babes... They are all laughing because Landin just randomly hollered over his shoulder to the stranger walking by that his mom was crazy! He then added it was because I liked to take to many pictures of them. I guess I do, but I keep telling them they will appreciate it someday. How's that for old lady mom talk.... HA! 

On to the BMX dirt track where we all cheered Landin on. He would stop for the occasional pit stop and get refueled with water and fruit snacks.

Little dirty hands...could anything look much sweeter?  We found a small roadside wild strawberry patch, so we stopped to harvest some for dinner.

We had such a fun time, made priceless memories and the thing is that it only took an hour out of our day. I am reminded not to get caught up in my daily to-do list and focus some energy on what is most important and what makes me most fulfilled. The sights and sounds of three happy kids is a very fulfilling feeling.

.....and for your viewing pleasure, Lexi's zombie possessed face.....:)

Lainie's last day of school

Summer vacation has finally arrived! I am super stoked!!!!! I officially am the mother of a first grader. This I am not super stoked about. I can not believe that my little baby girl is growing up so fast. She had a great year in kindergarten with the best kindergarten teacher EVER. My children have been so blessed to have had Mrs. Bates for their first teacher. (Lexi also had her) She has been the perfect person to bridge the gap between the comfortable,sheltered home life and the harsh realities of the world they are entering... without their mommy by their side!!! It comforts me to know that I already have her booked for Landin. :) Lainie has grown so much this year and has learned even more. Watch out first grade here she comes!!!
The kids had "field day" today in honor of the last day. The school rented inflatable play things and had water games. Jeremy and I went and spent the whole day with the girls. Here are a few highlights of the day.

A trip around town!

Lexi had her end of the year trip a couple weeks ago. It was a walking field trip around town. Lainie also had her Mothers day/end of the year program at school that afternoon. It was a busy day for me!!! We started by walking to the Dorothy Page Museum, which was surprisingly interesting! Who knew? We are planning to go back this summer so we can explore and enjoy a little more of what it has to offer. Seventy third graders spoils the atmosphere of a museum just a little. :) After the museum we started across town to Wonderland Park to eat lunch and burn a little energy. When we got to Wonderland I snapped a couple pictures of the kids eating lunch and then it was back to the school to get a good seat for the program. Lainie was so cute, she was one of the "three blind mice" in one of the skits. As I sat there watching my little girl growing up right in front of me I remembered it wasn't that long ago that I sat in this very same spot listening to my other grown up little girl sing these very same songs about how much they love me, and how quickly they are growing up and sprouting wings! Talk about a tear jerker!!! When they were finished with the program Lainie took me into the classroom where she served cake and punch while presenting me with all sorts of homemade goodies. It was a special time. Finished up with the program I put Lainie and Landin into the car with Grandma and she dropped me off at the City Hall where I met back up with Lexi and the troop. We met with the Mayor and elected city officials to have a public hearing. Lexi missed being elected Mayor by one vote! When the hearing discussing the "prized pea eating rabbits" ended the kids collected their free loot courtesy of the city and we hightailed it back to the school. All in all it was a great day.

Lainie is no longer a kindegartner!

The caribou were REALLY stinky!!!


Thank You Mrs. Bates...get ready for Landin!!!

Well, it is official, Lainie is officially a "grade schooler." Even though there are two days left of school, the kindegarten "zoo field trip" marks the end of your kindegarten career. I was able to go on the field trip this time. (Lexi's zoo field trip was the day after I got my wisdom teeth pulled) Grandma Patti and Landin tagged along. It was REALLY cold. I think summer almost forgot us this year, and I am really bitter about it... but that is another blog altogether.