End of the school year

There's only 1 full week of school left. Basically, that means all the teachers are cramming their final projects into presentations, projects and performances. 

Moo did her 6th grade science fair project about private label cupcakes vs. brand name. She basically nailed it. Fine

And Jayson was part of the 5th grade wax museum. He was the guy who invented the first digital computer. My favorite part was the morning of the wax museum as I was heading out the door for work at 7:30. He took a bite of bagel and asked, "So, I still just need to figure out my costume and bring my prop."

Thank God for older brothers' outgrown wardrobes. 

I think my favorite part is how his shirt was buttoned as though he was in a hurry. His prop was Papa greats old tv remote we had stashed in the buffet. 

Amazing what you can put together in 3 minutes. 

He forgot to bring the wig- but Molly was quick to grab it out of his locker for him. 

Every once in a while I could spy him without anyone around, rehearsing on his lines on his wrapping paper-wrapped milk crate platform. 

He was awesome.

 

Softball and Libraries

The softball nights are full of anticipation. And I love that for you. I remember softball nights of Sam's Club microwave bbq rib sandwiches before the game, warming up with mom in the backyard and riding my bike up to the field.

If we were lucky, the coach would buy everyone a cup of pop from the concession stand after the game. Heather and I would scream our heads off from second base and rover position, to the batter to 'swing dammit!'

God, we were ridiculous and SO weird. 

When we weren't screaming, we were hysterically laughing, or squatting on our heels to keep from peeing our pants. Oh, town league softball, you were a riot. I'm so glad we met.

Softball today is so different. Not better or worse, but so much different. 

And in your free time, you read.

Libraries have always had my heart. And for some reason they make me have to poop. But they mostly have my heart. 

I love that you love them too.

15

Oh beautiful girl. You are 15 and perfect. 

Tree Frogs

I'm was in the process of vacuuming up all the fake lady bugs and Cloroxing Jay's bloody nose splatter off the bathroom wall when he tells me there's a frog on the toilet and it's gross. 

Sure enough- there's a tree frog camped out on the toilet seat. Fast forward: Everyone freaks out and can't determine if it's dead or alive. Dad is alerted and requested to retrieve the ALIVE frog sitting on the toilet seat. Beyond grateful it wasn't a mouse... or a snake... or a rat. 

Blessings... I'm counting them :)

Meanwhile Molly's not sure she can use the toilet ever again.

If Life Were Perfect

If life were perfect, the pond would have drained 2 summers ago when we had it dredged.

 

But then we wouldn't have gotten to see Mike belly-down and face-forward in a kayak with a shovel...

If life were perfect, I'd be driving the kids to school everyday and wouldn't see kisses blown to me out the window...

If life were perfect, Maisie wouldn't have to deal with school drama anymore, but I wouldn't get to sit in awe of her brilliance or passion for algebra.

If life were perfect, this little sugar plum wouldn't be snapchating me updates throughout the school day and sending me adorable"what's up Mom" photos like this. 

I don't know... it's kinda perfect.

Spring Has Sprung

And time marches on...

Mack has a new job, a new apartment in May, luxurious jet black locks and a maturity level I can only hope to someday achieve. Jayson can't get the meat out of crab legs without help, miraculously fixed my broken Roomba, will be impersonating the inventor of the first digital computer for the 5th Grade Wax Museum project and needs a haircut and nail trim asap. Molly continues to run the household. She moved the truck off the driveway so she could ride her bike on the pavement, paid bills with the credit card for me, went into Dollar General to buy Jayson's trifold poster board for the wax museum, (she wouldn't let me to go inside because I was wearing two different colored left foot slide sandals) and is planning to go out for cross country in the fall. Maisie is almost 15 going on 25, can do eye make-up and bang tendrils like nobodies business (except for the curling iron burn on the side of her neck which is NOT a hickey), is constantly working on her abs and drives the 2 littles to school everyday. Ross is still working full-time at Target, gets complimentary notes in the mail from his managers for his hustle and work ethic and will be registering for fall classes at DMACC next week for the HVAC program. Mike looks a tad aggressive in the photo, but he DID have an active case of ring worm forming on his palm which is currently being treated- so no concerns or prayers necessary.

Instead of writing my grocery list each day, I just keep a list on the kitchen chalkboard and snap a photo before I head into work. Someday I can look back and say, Hey, in April 2023, these are the things I was shopping for. Someday I hope our list looks a little less 'school-lunch-program.' 

 

Did I mention Molly likes to be the 'care-taker'?  First of all, if you haven't adopted Gochuchang Sauce in your condiment fridge, you totally should. Not only is it fun to say, it's fun to eat and our Jay loves it- on everything. Except when the sauce doesn't come out, you squeeze too hard and a giant blob comes out. 

But as you can see, Molly is constantly watching over him and making sure he is happy and cared for.

She's going to be an awesome mom someday. 

And last but not least, were putting in an above ground pool! 

Molly and Mike sat around a fire (which is the center of the where the pool will be) after a ginormous stump was removed (by us on a Sunday morning which included a tractor, winch, 2 cables (one broke in process) chains, and shovels. 

These two loves are talking about who knows what. 

I snapped this photo from inside the house- which is why it's so blurry.

I came inside early because I had a stomachache when I was out by the fire with them.

I had no choice but to poop by a tree.

Jasper ate it and everyone was disgusted and left- except of Molly and Mike.

Sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words.

Fall Recap

We seem to have a lap-cat.

Or maybe she just doesn't want to miss out on ANYTHING.

Kind of like this little girl as well.

Our final weekend of camping at Pammel Park.

 And of course, Halloween.