Preschool Starts Again

Yesterday was Xander's first day of preschool in the 4Yr old class -- the BUNNIES class. He was in denial that he'd have new teachers & classmates this year, telling me "I dont need any new friends, mom." I am thankful that two of his favorite guy-friends (Carson & Alex) will share his classroom again. There are 14 boys and only 3 girls in the class. WoW! It appears it will be an active class, and if the X-mans painting/color skills are any indication, lots of coloring outside the lines! :)
 
He wanted to pose for his first-day-of-school picture in the VERY same spot he did last year -- this is my attempt. THIS years photo and last years, for comparison. He is all boy and gets smarter (and sassy-er) by the minute. Very little of my 'baby' left. Why is that so hard on a momma's heart, I wonder?

Complete Exhaustion!

Less than 10-miles into our drive home from the farm, I peeked over my shoulder to see this. A perfect snapshot of our little guy who likes to sit in his booster ANYway expect the proper way, have Mr. Monkey close by, his blanket within reach and his thumb in his mouth. But hey, it made for a quiet ride home :)

Just Like Grandpa!

It has been rumored that GrandpaH. has a pop break EVERY single day. While I know that is not true, the little ones think it is the coolest concept ever. While trying to keep the volume down so Miss. Brooke could finish her nap, we decided to have our own little pop break outside with the boys one afternoon. While Isaak choose to be absent from the photo, I LOVE this picture of Xander and Drew with their cans of Orange Crush pretending they're just like Grandpa!

State Fair Sheep Show

We were able to spend the day at the State Fair recently where Brenda and I chased the boys from one over-stimulating activity to another :) Towards the end of our day, we were able to watch the H-boys show their Dorset sheep. Continuing his i-am-scared-to-death and i-am-trying-to-be-brave relationship with sheep, here is the X-man posing with Ethan (and the sheep in close proximity which is the reason for the great big frown). There is no uncertainty about his feelings for Ethan, though -- big, BIG fan!

WARNING: Crazy Cute-Ness!

Maybe it is because I live with boys. Currently, three of them. Blake, Xander and a former college football player who is bunking at our house until his city apartment is ready. In the midst of the BOY-ness, there is not always CUTE-ness to be found. Perhaps that is why I love caputuring shots of Miss Brooke. Steal your heart girly-ness with grins to spare!

By the way, on the boy front. X-Man was over-the-moon excited this morning to share with me that his new underwear, boxer briefs versus just plain boxers (with fake snaps), have a HOLE in them. He had some fantastic hypothesis as to the purpose of this amazing hole :)

Playing At The Park

 I am certain this year's weather in the Midwest will go in the record books as some of the cRaZy-est ever! Tank tops in March and sweatshirts in August! We were planning to spend the afternoon at the pool but since the thermostat was only hovering in the 70s, decided to meet at the park instead.

While lunch was a bit chaotic with dismal results, the kiddos played like champs and rushed from slide to climbing wall to merry-go-round to teetor-totter. Repeat. And repeat again! So much energy!

Boys! Boys! Boys!

We've been able to spend some GOOD times with cousins during the past weeks. We celebrated Drew's third birthday. Lots of hours on the H-family's new swingset. The little boys (Isaak & Drew) teamed-up on big cousin, Ethan, using FOAM bowling pins as weapons. Sprinkler-time (or an attempt at watering the very brown/dry grass!) Little Landry showing off his corn-on-the-cob eating skills.

 

WNBA: Here I Come!

Oh goodness! The summer is slipping away and I am just now getting recent pictures downloaded from my camera. These pics are of my littlest niece, Brooke, showing off her b-ball skills in the pool. A future basketball star wearing a pink tu-tu; can't beat that!

Book Review: Short-Straw Bride

Four brothers. Four straws. One bride.

The storyline is intriguing and is written with skill & humor, albeit somewhat predictable. The book is a good read, though. An easy read with genuine characters, well-developed with both like-ability and flaws. Travis’s confused handling of his bride is endearing. Meredith’s hero worship as a 10Yr old transforms into a grown-up understanding of her husband. I thought the character of Crockett was spot-on; a little brother with an enormous heart & big grin often in the wrong place at the wrong time to bring levity to Travis & Meredith’s growing romance.

The book’s main spiritual concept, of building walls around one’s heart, and in this case ranch, in order to keep the threat of danger, the potential for hurt at bay was woven throughout the book and resolved in a realistic manner. All in all, a fun read by a talented author.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers. All opinions expressed are my own.