The Journey of Life: May 2012

Evan's Traditional Birthday Dinner

Since yesterday was Evan's actual birthday, we went to Red Lobster for his traditional birthday dinner!

Evan is picking out his dinner!

Nothing left but the shells! One stuffed boy!

Happy Birthday Evan! We love you!

First Swim of the Season

Yesterday we went for the first swim of the season. It was cold, but fun! I love summer!

This is a game we call "motor boat". I made Matthew take pictures because I'm afraid my "motor boat" days are limited as Chloe is on her way to being a swimmer (maybe this year?).

It will be a sad day when neither of my kids are interested in "motor boat" anymore. It sneaks up so suddenly, one minute they are clinging to you in the water not wanting to let you go... the next they are swimming like fish and jumping off the diving board. I know, I know. When you are in the (freezing cold) water being clung to like a howler monkey and in danger of drowning in 4 feet of water yourself due to the strength and tenacity of your toddler's or preschooler's hold around your neck, it feels like it will be FOREVER before they learn to swim. Then, all of a sudden you are standing in the (freezing cold) water with no one near you and you realize, "I'm not needed here anymore." The water gets a little colder that day, my friend. And then you get out and lie in a nice warm lounge chair in the sun and sigh and realize that you finally are able to lay in the sun again. You begin to warm up a little, the faintest hint of a smile appears on your face as you watch your little fish swim and you imagine your glorious afternoons in the sun, but still... a little part of your hearts longs for those sweet little chubby arms wrapped tightly around your neck and those sweet little (amazingly strong) legs wrapped around your waist and the smell of spf 50 sunscreen as you bury your nose in warm, chlorinated hair and promise that you won't let go. A little part of you wishes for that little voice to beg, "Do motor boat again, mommy!". And so, while I can still hear that little voice and feel those little arms, we will play (in the freezing cold water)... "Motor boat, motor boat go so slow! Motor boat, motor boat go so FAST! Motor boat, motor boat STEP ON THE GAS!" And I will treasure and store away that look of pure glee on my baby girl's face. I will place it right next to my memory of the pure glee that I see on my boy's face as he leaps off the diving board again! And as I lie in my warm lounge chair, I will let those memories warm my heart.

The Last Day of 1st Grade!

Evan's last day of first grade was on May 22. We went to his classroom for his awards ceremony. We have LOVED first grade with Mrs. Rust! She is a great teacher and Evan has learned so much, but more than that, he has LOVED every day of it! I think he and Carson were fighting back tears on the last day! They got over it pretty quickly though when they got to go home together, have a pool party that night, and a sleepover! I think they are pretty happy about this summer vacation thing, now.

Evan wrote his card to Mrs. Rust all by himself because I ~~was too busy to help~~ wanted it to be his original work.

Evan's class waiting for the ceremony to start.

Trophy for reading 100 books.

Evan got the Math Whiz Award- Mrs. Rust was explaining how he was constantly writing his numbers on his desk when he was finished with his work:)

Carson got Best All Around Attitude


Evan and Mrs. Rust. We are so blessed with great teachers.

Next year will be some new experiences for Evan.. he will be in a different class from Carson for the first time:( and he will have a male teacher for the first time. But, we know he is up for the challenge and he Carson will see each other a lot. He is excited about Mr. Hall!