Cracks me up!

Blake was riding home with Jason one afternoon after a busy day of playing and a spur of the moment swim in the river and he captured this video.  It is so funny to me.  I am not sure how funny it will be to others if you do not know the song but the ending of the video should get a chuckle out of you. 

This is a Veggie Tales song that is pretty fast and the boys like to sing it.  Blake obviously couldn't remember all the words and was obviously more tired than we knew and was falling asleep as he sang :)  This so cracks me up as he tries to sing the last note of the song that they hold out really long on the CD and his pitch changes and he is trying so hard to stay awake.  Enjoy :)

SIX

So hard to believe that my first born is 6!  I have had lots of flashbacks this week of when he was so tiny!  Remembering things he used to say and do.  This year he spent his birthday at school!  He has been in preschool before on his birthday and I was able to take cupcakes in or a treat but this year it was going to be a full day of real school!  We managed to celebrate pretty well anyway I think! 

I was distracted trying to get him to school on time that I forgot to take a picture first thing that morning and then I forgot to take it to school with me too. So this was when we picked him up from school.

Jason and I were able to go eat lunch with him at school.  I also took oreos in little bags for him to hand out to his class during their snack time.  We picked him up from school and headed to the pool!  They were more interested in the zip line at first so we did the zip line a few times and then we went to swim.  Of course they didn't swim nearly as long as usual because Caden caught a glimpse of the gifts in the back of the car and once they were opened they were done swimming :)  We finished the night with dinner and ice cream at chick-fil-a.  So, it was a busy day but a good day! 

Happy Birthday Caden Tait!  We love you!

Row Row Row your boat

Over the last couple of weeks we have been able to canoe some of the rivers around.  Both times were after I had worked all night on Friday night but it was so worth it being up for over 36 hours :) I am not sure which river is my favorite...they are both beautiful! The company both times however was what made the trips worth it. 

The Lindsey family has been a God send to our time in TN in so many ways!!  I have mentioned them before but the boys and I met Michelle and Jenny and their kids at the park about a month or so after we moved here.  I had met lots and lots of moms at the park and they were the first to welcome us in.  They invited us over our first Christmas here as well and we were able to meet their in-laws.  This family is so welcoming and these girls are awesome friends!!  They taught me an important lesson in reaching out and I have learned so much from having them as friends!  Our first canoe trip was with Michelle and her family and her in-laws.  We had a wonderful time with a lot of laughs as well!!  The second trip was with Michelle and her family and Jenny and her family.  It is great because all of the kids are around the same ages and they all get along really well. 

Once again more pics of us in our swimsuits.....don't hate me girls !!  I have such trouble deciding which pictures to post so once again they are in an album. 

Partaaay!

So we had a joint birthday party for the boys this year!  There were many reasons for this decision but I am so glad we did!!  Blake turned 4 on July 9th and Caden will be 6 on August 24th.  I never feel like I do a good job at party planning and it sometimes stresses me but I was very pleased with how this turned out. 

I will explain a little about where we held the party.  There is a family in our area that have been very blessed with a beautiful house and pool.  They feel they have been called to open their home and pool to others to enjoy.  I am in awe of their generosity.  We have gone there to swim often during the summer and Caden mentioned wanting to have his birthday there.  So a party we had! 

It was perfect!   Not only did they all enjoy the pool but many enjoyed the zip line at the back of the property as well as the playhouse and tree fort.  I was just very glad I didn't see the zip line until after my boys had already gone down unharmed.   Everyone had a great time and it was so nice to visit with all our friends in one place. 

I posted all of the pictures on our Shutterfly album if you care to see.   I tried really hard not to post pictures of any of the adults in their swimsuits but I think a few couldn't be avoided.  I don't think I posted any that anyone would be upset about, but if I did please let me know :) 

Kindergarten Here We Come

This week was the first week of school for our County.  Kindergarten does a staggered start so Wedn we went for Caden's testing.  He looks so grown with his shirt tucked in and a belt on.  I really thought he would whine about the uniform but he was okay with it.  He wanted it off as soon as we were done but he really did well with it.  He was very brave and did great on the testing with his teacher.  I couldn't be in there so I am really not sure what all they asked him but from the sounds of it he did well :) 

This is Caden walking in on the day of his testing.

People have asked him if he was excited about starting and he says "no".  :)  I really cannot blame him.  I may have done okay in school but I don't really recall liking it at any point.  I have been asked a lot if I am sad and I don't think I am sad but it is just kind of surreal.  I did have an extra year to "prepare" I guess since he will be 6 in just a few weeks.  I worry if he will be okay in that big school with all the kiddos.  I just want him to like it and be confident and  not scared or insecure.  I worry how much I will know about what goes on because he just doesn't talk a lot about his day and he really will not say much if you try to ask (has to be his timing). This is him in front of the school before his testing.  This is about as posed of a picture as I was able to get ;)

1st full day of School!!!!  He did really well getting ready this morning.  It is going to take some time for me to figure out how much time we will need in the mornings.  He usually doesn't want to eat as soon as he gets up so I have to figure out how much time he needs to wake up and then start getting ready, eat, brush teeth, and get out the door.  Not to mention trying to get Blake to cooperate as well. 

Here is my big boy!!

Jason went into work late so that he could go with us.  I think this helped Caden since he is a daddy's boy! He did great!! He didn't cry  or hide behind us and act shy.  I guess he has just accepted this is what he was doing. 

Well, as I write this his first full day is almost done and I really hope he liked it!!  He will go next Tues and Thursday all day and then starts full time after that (part of the staggered start they do with Kindergarten).  Blake and I have had a good day and have stayed busy.  I have thought about Caden all day and it has been a little odd.  I hope I will have a great report when we pick him up!!

Mr Fashion Super Hero

Jason sent the boys up to get dressed and this is how Blake came down:)  Now this took a lot of work because the sweat bands were in a drawer he isn't usually in and the belt....well I am not even sure where it was.  I had worked all night and was about to lay down but Jason had to bring him in to show me.....too funny!! I think the Christmas shirt just adds to it!

In this one I am not sure if Caden is thinking.... "man he is weird" or "what about me?"  probably some of both.  Caden didn't get as adventurous with his outfit.  He was still sporting his bed hair though.

And of course when trying to get Caden's picture this is what Jason got :)

Rainy Afternoon Fun

I like this picture of Caden!  He is a hard one for me to catch smiling in a picture.  He sees the camera and runs or frowns.  This afternoon he was happy because I let them go out and play in the rain.  Our rain usually has thunder as well but this day it didn't.  The boys had fun and were happy and I was too because they were able to burn some of that energy!!

Blake thought since it was raining he needed on a rain coat!  I tried to tell him it wasn't necessary since it was still very hot out but you cannot convince him once he makes up his mind.  He is definitely my child that sometimes it is just easier to let them go with it and pick my battles!

A few weeks ago Jason had put the boys to bed and I went in to check on them..... this is how I found Blake :)  He always wants to "read" with his flashlight after we tuck him in.  Sweet!!