"The best day ever!"

This boy woke up with a smile on his face..

(and attached his birthday ribbon firmly

to his birthday outfit)

and that smile never left!

(when you get gifts like "Fart Blasters"

you can't help but smile!)

This year Ayden loved every single thing he got for his birthday.

And thanked every single person with enthusiasm.

He loved every single moment of every celebration.

He enjoyed his day completely.

 (and told me everybody wanted to sit by him at summer school!)

And made this momma very proud.

We had a birthday dinner at Colton's...

(he loved throwing his peanut shells on the ground! LOL!)

which was yummy and fun!

They rang the cowbells,

had the entire restaurant wish

him Happy Birthday,

and gave him a huge ice cream sundae.

(which Ava happily ate for him!)

Happy Birthday my amazing Ayden!

Hope your 7th birthday was everything you hoped for.

I love you to the moon and back.

Summer School 2013

 In the words of Alec.

"this is so exciting!"

(excuse my blurry picture...

my camera has a setting off 

and I can't figure out what is going on)

 These three have been anxiously awaiting this day.

Ayden because it means his birthday

is only two days away.

Ava because she loves school.

Alec because...this is so exciting!

As a good friend of mine said 

as she prepared her Kindergardener for this day

(she also has 5 kids!)

"This ain't my first rodeo".

But I still shed a tear.

Have a great day at big school Alec James.

So proud of you!

Happy 2nd Birthday Miss Rae!

 We can't even believe that our Miss Rae is 2 years old today.

 It truly does not seem possible.

But 2 she is!

 We had a wonderful party this weekend

to celebrate Miss Rae

and all the rest of our May/June birthdays.

I think Raena's favorite gift

was her big pink sucker!

 Ayden, Sam, Barb and Erin were

here to celebrate their special days as well!

(We so wish Sammi, Kelly and Lucas 

lived closer so we could celebrate them too!)

 The day was beautiful 

so we practiced our bubble blowing skills...

 and got birthday kisses from everyone!

 Miss Rae...

we love you so much.

You are our spunky, funny,

beautiful,

little tiny gift from above.

And we cannot imagine 

our world without you 

and your giggles, singing and fake laughing.

Happy Birthday sweet pea...

Hope your day is absolutely wonderful!

Last day of school!

 Last day of school was last Friday!

That's how far behind I am.

 We celebrated with ice cream sundaes

and some (well -  a lot actually) of mini M&Ms!

Hard to believe I now am the momma

to a 2nd grader

a first grader 

and a Kindergartener!

They start summer school Tuesday - 

they are very excited.

Even Alec.

And mom.

(But we are probably both a little nervous too.)

This weekend we have a dance recital

(that's gonna be a fun fun post!)

a birthday party

and hopefully a little relaxation!

"I can do all things....

 through Christ who strengthens me."

Yep.

This has been my mantra...

and my silent prayer

for the past two weeks.

I have been in a bit of a rough patch

with work and honestly everything.

With highlights of amazing 

and low lights of inadequacy.

And the flu.

And the husband gone for 4 days.

But I/we survived!

 And we had a blast with Miss Rae...

who was most definitely one of our highlights

over the weekend.

T-ball

another highlight!

 Mother's Day...

definitely a highlight!

 cause we got to spend time with both our "mommas"!

 We had a granddaughter sleepover - that was totally fun....

and is going to happen at least once a month

 this summer if I can pull it off!

The weather was gorgeous.

 We had some runny noses mixed in - but it didn't slow us down.

The mom/grandma - had the flu off and on the ENTIRE weekend...

which made it a little harder to keep up..

but we made it.

 This hilarious little talkative

adult in a teeny tiny almost 2 year old body...

was totally fun.

 She has completely changed...

overnight.

 She runs bases!

 At full speed!

T-ball has officially begun and 

these two had a good first practice...

 even though it was chilly..

and Alec got hungry

and everyone had to go to the bathroom.

Of course.

This guy also started Midget baseball.

He is gonna be something to watch. 

 Sunday was Lee's graduation!

 The whole gang made it to help him celebrate!

 We are all excited to see what is in store for him next...

hopefully watching him sing at Warrensburg.

(hint, hint Lee)

 And Rae...after she got done being mad at her momma 

was extremely glad to have them back.

 But don't even try to take away her chocolate.

It was a fun party!

Gorgeous weather.

A flu bug that didn't really impact the festivities..

but did cause a little drama.

But honestly what day does not include drama

at the Old BLT?

Happy Birthday!

 To my beautiful first born.

Who I have been blessed to call daughter for 28 years today.

 The absolute sweetest baby and toddler.

Good as gold.

Smart as a whip.

And the love of my life.

 This little girl took life in stride...

cause being my daughter wasn't boring.

But neither was it easy.

 But this little girl 

was enormously loved every moment of every day.

And treasured as the gift from God that she was and is.

 Athletic.

Focused.

 Musical.

Artistic.

Driven.

 Crazy smart...and an excellent student.

(and did I mention an over achiever maybe?)

 Stunningly beautiful.

And a wonderful (not boring) wife.

And now a momma herself.

And truly one of the best moms I have ever ever known.

Totally makes me proud

to watch her love her own daughter

with the same consuming love I have for her.

So proud of this beautiful 28 year old.

So proud of her work ethic and passion.

So proud she is willing to take chances

and live each day to the fullest.

So proud of her ability to establish a goal

and then blow that goal up!

Boom!

Happy Birthday Erin!

I love you so much.