Summer Swim conference 2015…

Every time we go visit grandma and grandpa the kids crowd around grandma's laptop and scroll thru my old posts, I feel bad that it's been over two years since I've posted here! I went to the conference swim meet today and almost ran out the door without my camera. Then I had a moment. I sat back and thought about why I have this fancy camera in the first place, it's to take gorgeous photos of my own children, and if other people want me to take photos of their children too…. so be it. But my real passion is preserving the memories of my own children. So I think I'll start toting the thing around a bit more. Take a few more photos. I sure love it.

Take note… Harrison does not like to be spoken to before a big race. 

I love the look on Maya's face when Tadd gives her the pep talk shoulder squeeze.

She was racing with the 15-18 year old age division!

After a while we all wanted to roll around on the grass… I refrained.

Henry won first place on this heat!

We went to the beach after the Conference meet. The kids got ice cream and we relaxed as a family.

Big sister's shoes....

 Amelia's favorite thing to do lately is to put on big sisters shoes... or Mom's shoes, or Dad's or really any shoes she can get her little mitts on.

Victory!!

She'll never starve

You know how Sunday mornings go around here.... up early for church, the kids hurriedly get themselves breakfast while mom showers and dad is at the early meeting. Amelia woke up while I was in the shower this morning, Harrison lifted her out of bed and took her downstairs to watch cartoons until I could come feed her breakfast. I guess she was hungry and couldn't wait for Mom. I came downstairs to find Harrison still watching cartoons, but Amelia was hungry and decided to make herself breakfast. She found the box of vanilla wafers and jar of peanut butter, I guess she can unscrew lids! Thankfully she was very much a dainty lady and neatly dipped the cookies in the peanut butter, there wasn't much to clean up, she ate it all!

Coolest 5 year old on the block

My baby boy is 5 today!! Henry has more personality in his pinkie than most kids could ever dream of! The neighbors call him "The Mayor" because he's always heading over making sure everyone is doing OK. He loves doing boy activities, riding bikes, playing ball, having playdates with friends and the puppy across the street, and playing on the computer. I had the annual interview with Henry yesterday on his official birthday, here are his responses, word for word.

Mom- What is the best thing about being 5?
Henry- Hitting the pinata at my birthday party.

Mom-What do you want to do when you grow up?
Henry- I want to take care of my kids. AND be a police officer.

Mom-What job do you want to have when you're grown up?
Henry- Basket ball player

Mom- What is your favorite food?
Henry-  Chicken nuggets, french fries and cheeseburger- when we're at home he requests crunchy tacos or "good chicken" which means chicken tikka masala with naan. of course we can't forget CHIPS!! The kid would eat chips 3 meals a day and be perfectly content. Henry does not love candy, cookies or cake, give this guy chips or french fries any day!

Mom- What is your favorite thing about being in our family?
Henry- playing games by the fireplace with our family.

Mom- Who are your best friends?
Henry- Andrew, Tyler, Anthony

Mom- What is your favorite thing about going to church?
Henry - Eating snacks... I mean being in class and listening.

Mom- What is your favorite thing to do with dad?
Henry- shoot bow and arrows.

We had a little party today for Henry, his birthday was the 23rd, but since Tadd had a meeting, he couldn't take the day off, we had the party today. It was so much fun.... The theme was "police officer" since Henry thinks they are so cool!

We had some smoke bombs and snaps, I think it was a highlight of the party!

We had a police academy training, everyone had a nurf gun and we had to shoot targets.

The special guest arrived and surprised Henry! A real live police officer! Perks of living in a small town....

Giving thumbs up in the police car. 

Officer showing us where he keeps all the cool things... guns, pepper spray etc!

One happy little guy! 

I think he can see through that blindfold, don't you? Look at the tootsie roll in mid air!

Happy Birthday Henry! Your family loves you so much.

Museum Fun

The weather has been horrible all last week, rainy, cold, windy.... no fun! Friday we said goodbye to our good friends and neighbors as they moved to Texas, add those two up and you have a recipe for a really bad weekend! So Saturday morning we woke up early and headed to the museum with the kids. I'm so glad we went! Fun was had by all...

She was leaning over a case of crystals, she loved it!! Can you tell?

Future scientists!

Seems like I can see these in my backyard... alive! 

Maybe not these...

More gemstones, this room was completely dark, I shot this without a flash! Love my camera!

Then we went to the butterfly room... The kids love this room!

....maybe not the baby, look at the concerned look she has on her face!

I love this baby!

There were thousands of butterflies in the room... all different kinds, this was a pretty common one though.

Harrison wanted one to land on him so badly! He got a little frustrated that the butterflies had other ideas.

Two weeks past a haircut!

It was a lovely day!!!

The Easter Grinch

I was chatting with some ladies the other day, they asked what I was putting in the kids easter baskets, when I replied that I don't give the kids easter baskets, one of my friends jokingly (at least I think!) told me I was Satan....

Come now, would Satan let Henry dye easter eggs? NO

I feel I'm in the minority when it comes to Easter festivities... we have never given our children "easter baskets" on easter morning, occasionally I'll give them new easter outfits, but never a big basket overflowing with candy and toys. The kids always go to at least one community egg hunt (sometimes two), a church easter brunch and egg hunt, my dear mother in law always makes sure they get easter treats and my own mom sends a fun easter package every year... in addition, our across the street neighbors bring huge easter gifts over for the kids every year. By the time Easter rolls around, do I feel bad that "easter bunny" hasn't come in the night and left them a basket? NO!! And frankly, they've never thought to ask why the easter bunny visits the neighbors and not them.

I do let them dye eggs though! 

Harrison double dipping his egg.

I know this photo is horribly overexposed, but I had to show you what the boys picked out to wear... stripes and plaid- both of them!  

So now you know the rest of the story- why I'm the easter grinch, take that to therapy kids!!