Fun at the Park...

Summer has begun... and we started our first week off by hitting up a new park! The kids loved it, of course!!! Yes, they are in pants and long sleeves... by the end of the week, we were in our bathing suits!!!!

Yes, he is really high up; and yes, he was calling me to come help him; and yes, I took a picture first; so yes, he fell.... but he's fine!!!! And the picture is awesome!!!! ;-)

Sam pumps his own feet now and can swing all by himself! :-( //// :-) But he still prefers mommy to help him!!!! ;-)

And so summer is here...... for a few weeks anyway!!!!!

My New Reality!

BJ got an iPad for his birthday... they are ALL enthralled!!!!! Sam is actually the one telling them what to do... he knows more than all of us put together!!!! Boys.......



A few Funnies...

It's been awhile since I've posted some funny Sam/Jake stories, so here are some... I really wish I could remember more - they make me laugh all the time!!!! Love these kids!

• Sam has been mean to Jake lately... not all the time, but when he is it's like he can't stop! We have had many, many conversations about being kind, using sweet/kind words, having a happy heart about sharing, taking care of his brother, etc, etc... One analogy that I like to use is that we see a 'Sweet Sam' and a 'Mean Sam' at different times... when I go to talk to him before he can come out of his room, I tend to tell him that only the 'Sweet Sam' can come out.  I said this the other day, and Sam's response was: "Mommy, I'm sorry, but the Sweet Sam is on vacation, and I don't think he's coming back!"
• I could just end the story there because I'm sure EVERYONE ELSE is laughing about this.... but I am sure that the next question would be, "WHAT DO YOU SAY TO THAT? DID YOU JUST LAUGH?" No, I actually didn't laugh - I was too irritated by his constant meanness (that day) to Jake... I told him that the Mean Sam wasn't allowed to come downstairs or come out of his room - I didn't like that Sam, and he would need to get the Sweet Sam to come home ASAP... but he could send the Mean Sam on vacation!!!! "DID IT WORK?" would be your next question.... a little - he tends to forget conversations within 5 minutes... is that a boy thing?????? I can laugh about it now, though - quite clever!!!!
• Jake doesn't stop talking. Ever. I know I say this pretty much every post, but it's 100% truth, and he hasn't let up AT ALL with the talking! Even watching TV - if he's not narrating what's going on, he's asking question after question.  Sam even ignores him (which causes him to repeat himself over.. and over.. and over.. and over......)
• Jake came in my room to go poopie one morning when I was getting ready for the day.  He took his jammies off (he has to completely disrobe, or he can't poop - I promise - if I put his shirt back on, no poop!?) and sat on the potty.  He held his hand up to me when I came in to collect his clothes and said, "Just trust me mommy, and let me poopie by myself.  You can go get my clothes!" Trust him? I think not....
• Sam is always making things... daily... using scissors, glue, tape, any paper laying around (bills are not safe), boxes, and whatever else he can find! The other day, he made a book, and here are some 'stories' from the book that he made.....
• Jesus is watching us, even if we don't think He is, He always sees us
• Everyone should have a family - a Mimi and Pop Pop and a Opa and Ernie.... and everyone should have at least one friend! [what happened to mommy and daddy???? I pretty much can figure out why brothers weren't mentioned!]
• Everyone needs this book to read everyday - because it tells us what Jesus is doing
• You should read this book a lot because it tells us what we should know
• Everyone should love everyone
• First of all, it made my heart happy that he was talking about Jesus and being kind... Second, I (tried to) use it as a learning opportunity about how being nice to everyone and loving everyone also includes his brother.... that's when the book ended.....
• BJ asked (me) what kind of car I would drive if nothing else mattered (kids, money, etc)... Sam answered for me: "I want a red and blue striped camper... with an candion (cannon) on the back!" Note to self... don't tailgate Sam!!!! It used to be Pop's 'orange juice truck' with a super big rocket engine!? Come to think of it - I wonder if the need for the rocket engine has something to do with Pop's driving? hahahahaha!!!!!!!

That's all I have right now! :-( I'll think of more soon!!!!!!!

Sam's Graduation...

Sam's graduation was the same day as his last day of school... so we made a day of fun and celebration!

Mimi even showed him how to jump rope.. after I put him on my shoulders to be able to be closer to the fan...

The whole family came over for dinner before graduation: Mimi, Pop Pop, Opa, Ernie, Bo Jen, and even Emma!!! They didn't bring Emma to the actual graduation, so we got their picture before we all left!

Here we are waiting for the graduates...

Here he comes!!!!!

Singing...

Getting his diploma (*tear)... which 'was just a plain piece of paper!'

And Sam posing for his OCD mother...

There was a reception in the gym after the ceremony...

And then Jake put on Sam's robe... "I'm the man!" (his words, not mine!)... I'm glad he has a couple of years to grow into this...

My sweet Kindergartner...

Last Day of Pre-School (EVER, for Sam!)

The last day of school was a very busy one! Both boys had parties/picnics that morning, then Sam's graduation was that same evening... The whole family came over for dinner before graduation, so we had a super fun day!!!!

Here we are at Sam's party... he got a RED snow cone!

We bumped into Jake (his party hadn't started yet, but his teachers took his class for snow cones too!)

Then we were off to Sam's picnic and party... he was WAY more excited that Mimi and Pop Pop were there, and didn't even want to play with his friends!

This was a forced picture... he didn't leave Pop's side the entire time!

Then I ran inside for Jake's party to start - Mimi and Pop took turns coming to Jake's and staying at Sam's!

When I got there, they were playing with shaving cream!

Then we moved onto play with bubbles...

And then to the playground...

They both had a blast at their parties! More to come from graduation later!!!!!

He's Going WHERE?

Sam came home the other day with THIS in his book bag... He's graduating from Pre-School ALREADY??? You want me to send him WHERE??????

But leave it to BJ to lighten the mood...

Then came the day I had to go to his new Elementary School and REGISTER him for KINDERGARTEN!!!! I was really great the whole time - thinking about it, doing it, etc.  Then I got in the car and burst into tears!? He's growing up so fast! I can't slow it down!!!!!

But he is SUPER excited about going to Kindergarten..... that makes me happy!

Extreme Make Over: Home Edition

So we painted the house.... and it's a complete change from what it used to be...

We love it! It needed this - I have always disliked the color since we moved in... MUCH better, if I do say so myself! Here's a bigger view...

The paint make-over spurred us onto doing a little yard work too... and we had TONS of help...

But the playground looks so much better too... and is easier to mow around! ;-)

So you see... it WAS an Extreme Home Make Over!!!!

EMMA CLAIRE LANCASTER IS HERE!

In the craziness that is also called MY LIFE, I forgot to put on my blog that EMMA is HERE!!!!!

Ironic since today is her actual due date (May 18).... she was born on Wednesday, May 4... she weighed 6 lbs 14 oz, and was 19 3/4 inches long.  She is perfect and healthy and absolutely beautiful!!!!!! Mom and Dad are also doing great... a little sleepy, but so proud and happy!!!

My apologies for the delayed announcement... but at least I have some pictures to share so that you know that I am not just a biased and proud aunt... which I am, but when it's the truth, it's the truth!

See? I wasn't kidding - she's gorgeous!!!!!
Welcome to the world, Emma!!!!

Cat and Mouse

One thing about my new-found career that makes me sad is that I have less and less time to look at/edit my own personal pictures! :-( I plan to MAKE time by the end of the week!?

Until then, here's a quick Sam / Jake fact......

When watching TV, they love to 'assign' themselves a character... then they narrate the entire show/movie! It's quite humorous to listen to! Especially when they are narrating together (Jake is UNABLE to be quiet at ANY given moment in a day... Sam can be if he wants to)! One of my favorites is Tom and Jerry.  Jake is typically the mouse and Sam is typically the cat (appropriate, I think).  You'll hear them say, "Ouch! You hit me!" or "Whack! I got you! Haha!" and such things.... It's so funny, and I personally think it's healthier that they interact with the TV than just sit and watch it blindly!? Or that's what I'm telling myself since I obviously let them watch TV a good bit! haha!!!!!

1st Tball Game

Since we are about to play our last game, I though I should AT LEAST get some pics up from the first!!! hahaha!!!!

My little men, ready to play...

My three boys fielding...

Jake got one...

Batting...

Jake wasn't sure which way to run... and forgot where he was going about halfway to 1st...

There he is NOT running to third...

Sam was a home run hitter everytime!  Never mind that he was the last batter!!! ;-)

Time out for hugs...