Driving

This is how Joel likes to drive around town.  The cuteness of his little hand gets me every time.  That and how he likes to yell "hi peep hole " to everyone he sees.  (peep hole= people)

Summer Fun

Bring on summer!  We just got back from our first trip to the pool this year.  I wish I had brought the camera because seeing Joel in goggles was so cute.  And as for us it is summer - even though its not officially here for another few weeks.  Now that its hot and the pool is open summer has arrived for us.  Colin and I made up a list the other day of fun things to do this summer.  He likes to add more to it and in fact he mentioned a few more things today in the car that I need to write down. 

Its going to be a really fun summer. Joel added the red scribble on the paper and his contribution was go to playgrounds. 

How Does Your Garden Grow?

 

 

Camping

We just got back from our first family camping trip. The weather was beautiful. And the kids did great. We went with some good friends which made it a ton of fun. Four adults -Five kids - One night.  It was a blast.  I think we could've stayed another night even.  Maybe next time we'll go for a whole weekend. 

This was the view from our tent.  (those are brents feet not mine)  But we were right on the river which was great for the kids.  And made it more relaxing for us.

 Even though the water was a little cold the kids basically lived in the water.  Colin somehow convinced Ethan to pull him around on that board for a long time. 

 When we got there the people next to use told us to watch out for water moccasins. They had killed two already that day.  But thankfully they stayed away while we were in the water.  And besides the cold water was another reason I didn't go swimming :) 

Joel had a blast digging in the sand and also going in the river.  The kids could walk out pretty far before the water got deep.  Joel told me today he had a "b poop on da potty" and wanted to go poop on the potty. (b = big)  On the very public campground potties.  Yuck. So we tried.  Not the place I wanted to start potty training but I guess its a start. 

 Dinner always tastes great outside cooked over a campfire

 Colin's quote "This is the life" while sitting there eating his hot dog.

We played VT corn-hole.  (mom and dad i think we need a set for football games next fall)

Watched the sunset

 We had some camping neighbors who didn't abide by the 11pm quiet hours but our kids slept great.  Didn't wake up once.  Until the morning - VERY early in the morning when some wild roosters started crowing.  Loud.  It was awful.  At one point someone went and tried to capture one and we just heard a rustling of feathers.  But Brent and the boys slept through most of the roosters wake up calls.  I never knew they could cockadoodle doo for hours.   But other than the roosters it was a perfect trip. And more relaxing than I thought with a toddler running around next to a river and campfire :) I could've stayed another day.

Pam

Dont mess with Colin.  

Or you could end up like Pam.


(Actually it was an accident and he was upset until I told him ma-ma-maa has had to fix Pam's head many times.  The accident = bashing Pam's head against the bed.  Good thing the boys have yet to see my American Girl Doll)

Berry Pickin

This weekend we went strawberry picking.  Berry picking is one of those things we hope to do every year.  So on Sunday afternoon we went with some good friends.  Julie and her family are here visiting from Hungary and we were excited to have them come along.

 The place we wanted to go to was closed so we found another one in Pungo on the same street. It was probably the last of the season where we were picking but we still filled two huge buckets with strawberries.  And have almost eaten them all already. 

 The ones Joel picked were half/eaten or rotten.  So none of his ever made it home.  But he had a great time and ate his fill of berries. 

 The big boys were comparing their strawberries and competing on who got the biggest. I guess the one Eli is holding wasn't big enough  :)   I don't think Colin ate the strawberries like he's done the past few years.  Maybe one or two but has made up for it by eating them at every meal since. 

 The kids were jumping over the yucky mud puddle. Joel thinks he should do anything the older boys do.  But he didn't make it.  Good thing we had a change of clothes in the car. 

 Counting strawberries

There was this great play area for the kids so we let them play while Brent slowly picked his favorite ones. He loves to get all perfectly ripe ones. A fun afternoon. 

Colors

We're teaching Joel colors but he always calls the green one "bubba."

Phone conversations

Colin can talk to Ant Ant for hours.  And he does. 

Farm & Graduation

 We just got back from a weekend at the farm and JMU.  My baby sister graduated from college this weekend.  It seems like we were just helping her move us in (poor girl moved me every year in college and made me promise to move her into JMU so Colin and I did - or at least went to supervise since Colin was just 14 months then) 

 Friday we went to the farm.  Or Colin's home as he thinks. He asked why we needed to leave and I said we needed to go home to which he replied "I am home."  Just goes to show that a little boy needs fields/woods to run in and a creek to play in and doesn't miss his toys one bit.  Both boys couldn't wait to get to the creek - or teak as Joel calls it. 

 Colin opened more presents from Ant Ant and Ma-ma-maa and Grandpa. 

 Not sure who was more excited - Colin or Joel. 

 Then on Saturday we woke up early to go to JMU to see Mary graduate.  I had to actually wake the boys up.  FIRST TIME EVER!!!! Joel also slept all night long.  Amazing. It was a nice feeling although they were a little grumpy for a while after I woke them up. I'll take them sleeping all night and having to wake them up.  Colin thought we were getting up early for a football game since thats what we do - go to the farm and get up early for games and was disappointed he had to miss a game. 

Joel was not impressed either.  Until he realized people had brought puppies to the graduation and sat in the back and played with one. 

 The proud family. 

 Robbie got Colin to not only want to get in a picture but smile. No effort at all.  He's a keeper! Maybe he's the ticket to us finally getting a good family picture. 

 After a fun lunch with all of Mary's roomies and families we went back to the farm and played Legos the rest of the night. 

FIVE

We have a five year old at our house today - and for the next year until he goes and adds another year (wish he would stop doing that)

He has repeatedly said throughout the day that its been the best day ever. 

 Colin opened up a few presents this morning and we opened up a few more after dinner. And for his birthday dinner he requested Chick-fil-a. 

  We spent the morning at the Botanical Gardens with some great friends.  I'm looking forward to going a lot this summer with our membership pass.   

 They all threw pennies into a fountain and I heard Colin giving his wish "I wish I could get all the things I wanted.  AMEN"  haha I think wish and prayer might be the same thing for him. 

 

 Noah and Adah gave Colin a Lego helicopter that he spent the afternoon building and playing with.  In Colin's words "Noah picked the best gift - its just what I wanted"

I can't believe he's five already. I'm so glad he had a great birthday.  And had the best day ever.