I scream, you scream, we all scream for ICE CREAM!

How cool is this? Yup, an ice cream truck parked in our driveway! Our neighbor, Sami, works the truck while on summer break from college and she takes good care of us! In the summer we have treats at least twice a week if not more. (it tends to be on the more side) Tonight she parked the truck in our driveway while on dinner break and Carter and Elijah were over the moon and anxiously waited for her to return to deliver vanilla ice cream with rainbow sprinkles and not one but two cherries. Thanks, Sami for bringing smiles to my boy's faces!

Rocket and Maggie Visit

We had overnight guests this weekend. My mom and dad were away so we watched Rocket (the yorkie) and Maggie (the papipoo). They were so good and seemed to enjoy themselves. I loved how Rocket just chilled inside the window with the company of Maggie, of course! The boys, Brian and myself loved having them.....the only one who lost out was McGraw who chose to sulk upstairs in our bedroom.

Memorial Day '09

We spent Memorial Day Monday at my aunt and uncle's motor home. They have a seasonal campground site and the boys love going there. Carter began asking when we were going to go to 'Aunt Cherie's campground' back in March. It was a beautiful day to kick off the season. The boys played in the river, ate cake and s'mores and Carter found a big box turtle which he named Plunko.

Carter and Mommy pose with Plunko before sending him on his way.

Poppy frees Plunko.
Good-Bye, Plunko.

Eli watches the river. The boys wanted to cross but the water was moving very quickly so I vetoed that idea.

Looking for tadpoles but we had no luck.

Happy Birthday, again.

Garritt gets the sticks ready for s'mores.

Abbey relaxes.

Passed out on the way home. Both boys were exhausted....they played hard and had a great time!

Another Birthday Come and Gone

This past Sunday I celebrated yet another birthday, my 34th to be exact. It was perfect, very low key without much fanfare just the way I like it! This year I had two candle blowers to help me and I wouldn't have it any other way! I couldn't have wished for anything better than Carter and Elijah...they are truly my most wonderful gifts!

The Pond Project

We are not sure how it happened, but this winter our pond got a hole in the liner. We are thinking that the liner just became brittle after 5 years and ripped or it could have been the Great Heron that loves to visit for a tasty easy meal.....however it happened we needed to make a decision. We thought of filling in the hole but we really enjoy the pond, especially Carter and Elijah. Once the warm weather hit we made the pond our #1 priority and amazingly were able to get the bulk of the work done on Mother's Day weekend. In the afternoons and evenings that followed I re-planted the beds around our water oasis and Brian finished with mulch. Here is a journey through our pond project.

This is how the pond looked before the tear down.

Pulling the stones up from around the pond.
Now the waterfall.

The hole and old liner.

Carter helps to dig and enlarge the pond just slightly.

Brian and his helpers in the hole.

The new liner which weighed about 125lbs.

Spreading it in the new hole.

Now comes the water.

Placing the new rock and starting to put the new waterfall into place.

It's finished! Complete with fresh plantings and fresh mulch and it looks great!

Be sure to stop by to see the new pond and enjoy the soothing sounds of the water!

School's Out!: End of the year update.

Yesterday was Carter's last official day of school. We had a great time at his end of year party enjoying pizza, games, bubbles and the parachute. It is hard to believe that Carter has completed two whole years of pre-school and next year will be his last before kindergarten! I am just amazed how time is flying by! Both of Carter's teachers couldn't say enough about how well he is doing and how much he accomplished since the beginning of the year in September. We are so very proud of the strides he has made and we relish in watching him grow into a fine young man. It was certainly a great year with wonderful children and fantastic teachers!

Eli tries his hand a mini golf.

Parachute time.
Eli loves the parachute!

Working the parachute and happy to do so.

The bubble king.

Nice blowing, Carter!

A little bit grumpy...and impatiently waiting for pizza. Should have eaten breakfast, kiddo!

Carter tries his hand at fishing.

Eli plays kickball.

Carter and Shayna...they have been in class together for the past two years.

Sneaking off to enjoy his lollipop, after he was told not to open it.

The ark.

Pizza is here!

Carter and Miss Marie.

Carter and Mrs. McAtee.

Carter has off until June 2nd but then will be back in school for the whole month of June. He is really looking forward to it especially since most of his classmates will be attending. He also found out yesterday that Miss Marie and Mrs. McAtee will be teachers along with Mrs. Ponte and Mrs. Kavsak. It will be a nice transition since Mrs. Kavsak and Mrs. Ponte will be his teachers next year. It should be a great time and a wonderful opportunity for Carter to keep flourishing! Way to go on a great school year, Buddy!

Something to Believe in....

Okay so from the previous post you all know that Carter and I did major yard work yesterday and after leaving the vegetable garden we kept the ball rolling and began to weed the all of our flower beds.

Still thirsting for knowledge Carter began to ask me about all of our different flowering plants, concentrating on the ones that were blooming. He touched one of the blooms and asked, "Mommy, what is this one called?!" I glanced and noticed the tiny pink and white blooms and responded, "That is a bleeding heart."

I held my breath and waited to bombarded with more questions....."Why a bleeding heart if there is no blood?"...."If I squeeze it then will I see blood?"......."Does my heart have blood?"......But nothing! Not one single question about how or why this plant had such a name! I let out my breath and continued working as did Carter.

It was quite a bit later when we started to plant some left overs around our gardens and I asked Carter where he thought we should plant the larkspur and he responded......"Over there, Mommy! Right next to the Believe in Heart!"

What a wonderful gift Carter gave me yesterday.....He and Elijah give me something to BELIEVE in every single day! A simple confusion of words reminded me that no matter what, I can believe in my boys and my famliy and for a moment all was right with my little world!

Big Helper

Carter so impressed me yesterday. All the rain we have gotten = major weeds all over my flower beds and especially our vegetable garden. Carter was itching to help and I must admit I was a bit hesitant, after all it can be hard to tell a weed from a flowering plant or a vegetable plant! I lifted Carter over the fence and explained how the rows of vegetables were growing and then showed him where the weeds were. For the next hour he and I weeded, planted some new crops and discussed each and every variety of plant in the garden. Thank you, Carter, for this memory!

The Close of Another School Year

Carter with Mrs. McAtee and Miss Marie 2009

It is hard to believe that the end of the school year is upon us but somehow it is May and I am left wondering how it is time has flown by.... Wasn't it just September? Didn't the year just start? I am having a hard to wrapping my brain around the idea that next year will mark the last of Carter's pre-school years and when we enter the building next September Carter will enter as a Senior!

This year has been full of challenges and triumphs for Carter. He has grown and matured so much since starting the year and we couldn't be more proud. Carter continued to have an IU support teacher visit his classroom twice a month and even though tough at times Carter met and surpassed most of the goals that Miss Kelly set for him at the start of the year. Quite an accomplishment for our Carter!

Mrs. McAtee and Miss Marie must be thanked! Carter absolutely loves both of them. Their support and kind words are more appreciated than they will ever know!

Tomorrow is the last day of school and Carter and his classmates will celebrate with a pizza party! Be sure to check back for pictures as I am sure it will be a great day of pizza, games and fun!

Happy Birthday, Mimi!

Today our Mimi celebrates her birthday! We wish a very happy day and we love you very much! Enjoy every moment and Happy Birthday!