Is It Summer Yet?

This is the first year I've really felt the crush of May.  May is when everything wraps up, but not without requiring extra effort compared to normal, when your energy level/enthusiasm has already started to wane.

We have successfully ended Awana, dance, and preschool with appropriate end of the year gifts to all.  (We love all our teachers and are very thankful for them!)

Still left.... 2 weeks of pre-k for Erik and 2 weeks of soccer.  Erik LOVES schools but even said "no fair" regarding lainey being done and not him the other day.  Haha!   I still need to get organized for the end of the school year gifts for his teachers and bus drivers (4 people total).  This stresses me out a bit because I am not creative but want his gifts to be meaningful and memorable if possible.

 (MLG I didn't even think to bring gifts for all the special teachers like you did but think it's an excellent idea, just not sure I'm going to get there myself.)


Anyway, I read this article this morning and it cracked me up!

Especially the lines....

"auditory reading"  Hahaha!

and

I have 5 kids and really only have the energy to properly educate 2 of them

Enjoy the article below....

http://jenhatmaker.com/blog/2013/05/30/worst-end-of-school-year-mom-ever

Joy Project: Happy 10th Anniversary Lauren and Seth

This weekend we were invited to 6! different parties.  I think that's more parties than we average over the course of 6 months usually!  So we had to pick and choose (3 out of the 6).

Today to we were able to help celebrate the 10th anniversary of our friends Seth and Lauren.  They happen to be our next door neighbors and as you've heard before a family we are quite fond of!

 Renewing their vows!  

 Best buds!

Oh how I love these sweet boys!

I am so thankful for their wonderful friendship. 

 More of James and Erik

Little brother Tyler also seems to have 

made a place for himself and happily greets

the older two with a hug and enthusiastic "Hello Jedi Master!". 

 Carson and Lainey even joined in the beach fun!

This photo might look warm but it was NOT!

Highs in the upper 50's which is so odd for Maryland at this 

time of year but I am not complaining as the oven will be turned on

soon enough.

 After a yummy dinner of crab and ribs, Seth serenaded

Lauren with a song/spoof.  Haha!  This might seem romantic

but Lauren has somewhat of a phobia of vocal music so while she 

was smiling she was actually thinking she should have had another glass of wine.

Back up dancers!

Seth is aware of her phobia but did it out of fun.

Don't worry, he made up for the spoof by surprising Lauren with a 

10 day trip to Europe (kid free) that they will taking soon!

What an awesome surprise!!

The party was hosted at the beach front property (amazing) where Seth grew up.

I only saw one snake, it was a big, but not a copperhead!

Lainey is deathly afraid to go near the rocks now (snake haven).

Carson spent the rest of the afternoon/evening trying to find another one. Yikes!

We are so so thankful for our fabulous neighbors and friends!

For the list...

199) Celebrating marriage

200) Deep friendships

201) Beautiful scenery

202) Great food

203) Hilarious singing spoof

Oh and if you are curious I did record a snippet of Seth's singing expertise/serenade!

http://youtu.be/9reCNwa4CWM?t=3m25s

For some reason, blogger thinks I have no youtube videos so I can't upload them directly.  

Anyone know why?

Joy Project

I was talking to a friend this morning about parenting.  She said, and I agree, that parenting is both the best and worst thing you can ever do. Ha!  Thankfully, the good way outweighs the bad but it is a very busy, exhausting journey.

That being said, I keep thinking about how lucky I am to experience both the good and bad and can't stop thinking about the poor parents who put their kids on a bus in OK yesterday never to see them alive again.

For that reason, I thought I'd share a few good parenting moments I got to experience today....


195) Carson's second mother -- Lainey really goes out of her way to take care of Carson.  They are best buds but she definitely plays a "mother" role too.  Thankfully, for her sake, he doesn't seem to mind most of the time.

196)  Fun at the playground.  The boys found a stick left behind by the construction workers, instantly the playground is more fun. Ha!  (Video below)

PLayround fun - you tube won't let me upload video so have to click on this link

197) Carson saying his own name.   C's at the start of a word sound like a "T" - cute!

Tarson - Hope this link works


198) This happy little guy!