Starting summer with things we love -

Yup - Golf is surely one of them.  On Friday afternoon Chris took Nick and Drew to the Hartford Golf Tourney - it was free and full of kid friendly events.  Not all about just being quiet.  These 2 loved it.

Meanwhile Shane got to stay home and have a playdate with his buddy Luciano.  It was WONDERFUL to have 2 - 5 year olds hanging out W/O any brothers to brother them or influence how they should play.  

Later that night we had the Webbers over for a chill family dinner outside - one of the MANY things we love about summer.

More - yup, this was our first day of swim team - We decided since we were here all summer, lets go for it.  Nick was VERY reluctant at first.  Almost to the point of tears.  After watching the kids warm up, I asked him to join them.  He was scared and I said, its o.k. - just do it scared.  He did and look who had the best dive.  Nick is the 3rd one in - wearing orange shorts.

The other great thing about summer - VBS - Valley Baptist puts on an AMAZING one right when school lets out - I was reluctant to sign us up for a schedule right when we didn't have one - but it really did start our summer right, the music - learning the world is more than about just ourselves.  Caring for other's and standing strong.  At one point I dropped them off and the music was booming and every child and parent was belting the words - I literally teared up - Camps like this have more than just a summer time message.

One more thing to love about summer time - Sleeping in Cuddle time.

AND special time with our cousins.  I love having my sister and the girls come down so many times throughout the summer.  Its time for her to celebrate and just relax.  Here is dessert in the driveway.

Cocktails? - no, water....

Cocktails - YES!

Swing batter batter.

Play ball!

It was great having the girls sleep over for a night and have the boys go to my folks too.  I think they got some great cousin time.  My sister and I even escaped to support my friend Anne Cavanaugh as she is a ZUMBA teacher.  I realized I am HORRIBLE at Zumba and Anne is AMAZING.  So much dance and great music.  Thanks for being a good sport and trying it with me stosh!!  Loved it.

Happy Summer!

A date Night

Anyone know the Avett Brothers?  We didn't - guess we are outta touch in the music scene - shocking, I know.  Well apparently they are a very talented band that I wonder consider our age group's Dave Matthews band.  And they were playing at the Concert series in Simsbury - We didn't just for the $50 tickets and decided instead to grab a last minute babysitter and walk along Iron Horse BLVD just enjoying the tunes.  

We hit plan B first for some AMAZING apps.

Than we ran into these guys running the gate - Yup, they get to do all the cool stuff.  So they let us know with their tickets.

It was SUCH a pretty New England summer night - great music, awesome beer and great music that we had never heard before - Loved spending a night without the kids with this great guy.

Goshen Stampede

Saturday was a super cute Goshen Stampede - Horses, Bulls, and remote control cars - occupied these guys for QUITE a while.

Mutton Busting and kids rodeo (So that day turned rainy and COLD - FAST - yuck) but the rodeo went on.

Here are our Future rodeo competitors

This was the GREATEST bowl of nachos ever.  Shared by MANY!

We had to run and grab 3 sweatshirts stat - it was so chilly - at least they were cool! - I mean not cool (Warm!) Here they are on their now favorite ride.  I was holding my breathe almost the entire time so Drew would HOLD ON!

Make you sick just watching?!?!

Yup, that is more my speed.

A treat Dad would NEVER allow - but Mom loves a little cotton Candy every now and than.

Love Anna's outfit - she won best dressed last year!

I love these photo as honestly Barrel racing is one of my favorite things to watch and I truly hope one day I may actually get to try it.  Now, how to implement this.....

Another wonderful event with this wonderful lady - Wether is raining, cold, sunny, muddy, snowing - there is something about being with Diane that her family that is truly just wonderful.  

Summer Hair

School is out and that means summer Hair - 

Nick LOVES the short cut (i refuse to call it a buzz) 

Shane's first short cut - I like it better than i thought I would.  He LOVES it.

Drew's, well I still cannot bring myself to make it any shorter - I buzzed it a bit in the back, but not much.  I thought it would take away the bit of cute factor that he has.

Chris's Birthday and LAST day of school

The Last day of school and its kinda bitter sweet.  I feel like I spend all morning savoring the silence that I know won't return until school starts again.  But I also look forward to the lack of scheldule and being able to just chill.  But most times with 3 boys - chilling isn't an option.  

Time marches on - heres a few Before and Afters.

Before

After - Look how much taller BOTH kids are.

This before and after cracks me up - Remember the bus stop in VA - Well, now Kelly is my only bus stop partner - - Such a different way of life - but she was equally as taken off guard when I asked her to snap a photo.

Look at this little Q-T.

After school Nick had a birthday party and we went out for Ice Cream. 

YUM

AND that night - it is Chris's Birthday!!  Look at the BEAUTIFUL boys.  He is one amazing person that I am thankful is my person.  Great dad to these boys too.  They are lucky to have him as such a big part of their lives.

I am definitely the lucky one.  We went out for Hibachi with my folks and everyone loved it.  Not only did they do the flaming Volcano - but we all (minus the kiddos - got to do a Sake' shot!)  

Cheers to Chris and Cheers to Summer - all in one day!

Lunch Bunch

I cannot believe I am writing this post in AUGUST - but this was our last lunch bunch for the year.  

Part of me wondered if I would miss it - it is a super cute time I get to go in every week, open milk containers, yogurt, check out the other creative meals (or not so creative) that moms are packing and spend some time with my cuties.  

Drew gets to come too and act like a big boy (it lasts 5 minutes before he annoys his brothers)  its cute when the bothers friends are happy to step in and hang out with the Drew man instead.

Yes, when they are in High school I won't be able to go do this - So yes I will remind myself that is was worth it and I was VERY thankful for the time freedom to do it.  And I am darn good at opening yogurt sticks!

Kick, Punt, Pass

Warriors fotball is the only football show in our town and many of the towns close by.  Its full pads and tackle so we haven't allowed the kids to join - but they offered a fun Kick - Punt - Pass competition (no Tackle)  So sure - sign them up.

Can you see Shane at the front of the line? (yes I tried to edit and crop the photos in iPhoto but apparently it is forcing me to use the previous version - annoying - but on I go....)  Shane just hops in...

Love the drills they started off with

A little high knees.

Nick on the pass.

Shane Rocked his age group (being the only one - it was inevitable)  Nick did great too and placed 5 I believe.  (this happened too long ago so I totally forgot as we didn't go to championships!!  ha.

Kindi Celebration

Ah Shane - My sweet little guy - lover and care of all God's creatures. (sometimes better than his brothers)  Will complete his kindergarten year.  They had such a sweet ceremony.  

Kindergarten is such an impressionable year.  They want to be big kids, but just aren't there yet.  I couldn't be happier with the Teachers and Class Shane was in.  They had time for play, time to learn, figure out social situations and even knock out a little reading (as i write this over the summer - I am quite certain he has forgotten how to do ALL these things...  sorry 1st grade teacher)

Here is Shane 'popping' up in one of the songs.

And here is his.  

He is an October birthday and for some strange reason as parents we are kinda given the opportunity to hold kids back from attending Kindi with the traditional cut off.  I have no idea how far back that date really goes (meaning Summer birthdays and all) but as parents we have so much to think about and I agonized about this too long.  

Why did I not give him the gift of time?

  One more year in Preschool?

  Is that really the gift of time?

  Or can he take is to travel abroad one year after high school. Or to take a year after college to pursue a endeavor he may not get to do once he joins the working world.

  Shane, you are a gift and now how you spend your extra time will be up to you.  Keep striving sweet one.

Thank you Mrs. Theriault and Mrs. Hollis for your endless nurturing in this wonderful class.

Shane - you are big time now!

Drew

Most days I just don't know what to say about this one - He is a handful - why?  Beaches he is Drew.  The 3rd boy trying to keep up with his brothers and a tired momma who has been there and done that.  So why go the same path - continue to push the limits.  Thank you Lord for this beautiful smile.

That is him on a 2 wheeler - no training wheels ever.  She saw the bike, he wanted to ride it, and he did.  Around and around and around.  The ladies in the neighborhood even like to walk the big hills after the kiddos get on the bus.  You think Drew could manage the Big Hills - absolutely!

Those are the legs of a hard charging 3 year old.

And this is his (can hardly stand still)  Last day in the blue room at Preschool.

I can't remember what age you can start reasoning with them and gosh I hope its not yet because I have surely missed my mark.  Drew - we love you - I love you - I want what is best for you - so maybe listening a time or too would make life just a bit easier.....