Summer Snipits

Is it seriously already July?  As you grow up, people tell you all the time "Enjoy this.  It'll be gone before you know it!"  Who knew they were right??  When summer started, I told myself I was going to really savor this summer, since it is Warren's last summer before he's off to the new world of elementary school!  One month of summer has already come and gone.  And, while I don't have any major stories to post, I did want to just post some "snipits" from our summer so far.

A few years ago, my grandmother took us all to the beach for Father's Day.  And, since then, it's sort of become our Father's Day tradition.  So, a couple of weekends ago we packed up and headed to New Smyrna for the week!  Picture this....two kids under 5, two "young" adults (that's Chris and me), two "older" adults (mom and Harriet) and one very elderly (Memaw, 89!!) self-proclaimed queen!  You can imagine the fun we had.  Certainly too many stories to write about.  And, at the risk of losing my life, here are a few of the most precious pictures.

Next up....potty train Harper!  While your initial reaction might be "Oh yuck!  Good luck!"  Those of you who know Harper are probably saying something like, "Oh Lord.  We'll pray for you!"  Harper is very smart, but he is equally, if not more stubborn.  We started by getting all excited and telling him (ok, bribing him) that he would get a Skittle if he went to the potty.  We put him in underwear and off we went.  Or, so we thought.  Mishap #1....don't put a potty training toddler in a cloth covered chair. 

For the Fourth of July, we headed downtown to watch the city's fireworks.  (And, I use the term "Fourth of July" loosely....given the fireworks display was actually scheduled for the Third of July.)  While the boys had already had their baths, it did not stop them from having a good time.  Warren dressed up as DJ Warren, as he says "I love you. Peace!" 

And, in typical neighborhood fashion, our wonderful neighbors hosted a fireworks show....complete with music....the following night, the actual Fourth of July!  While all of this sounds like a wonderful celebration, which it was, we couldn't help but feel a tug at our hearts.  You see, one year ago (on the Fourth of July), Chris' father passed away.  To honor his memory, and the memory of my grandfather, we helped the boys send up two Chinese lanterns.  It was a very touching way to remember Pops and Pap.  As we sent the lanterns up into the heavens. the boys talked about who might find our lanterns with Pops' and Paps' name on them.

And finally (for now), as a summer project to encourage environmental responsibility at Warren's new school, incoming Kindergartners are challenged to collect recyclable items (aluminum cans, paper, cell phones, etc).  Students get points for each item.  Points are doubled for aluminum cans, if they are crushed.  So, Chris' office has been collecting cans for us all summer.  Little did we know how much his office drinks!  He brought home four big garbage bags of cans.  One afternoon, Warren and I (in all my infinite wisdom) put on our shoes, went outside and started crushing them.  Chris got home and, in typical male "get 'r done" fashion....had us lay the garbage bags full on the driveway.  Instant Monster Trucks!

Graduation

Add to my list of things I wish I never said....I have always thought all the "pomp and circumstance" of graduation should be kept for high school and college ..."when it really counts."  That is, until now.  Warren's preschool graduation was Friday.  His teachers have prepared him and paved the way.  They have built an amazing foundation on faith and love and he is ready! What a precious way to send our little ones off into the real world we call Kindergarten.  And yes, we were there armed and ready with video cameras and cell phones.

About a week ago, Warren came home and promptly said "Oh, Mommy.  I'm gonna be so nervous.  I have to stand up in the very middle and say 'Attention, Sawute, Pwedge! And, I'm gonna be so embawwassed. "  And, like most, we thought "Oh, how cute!  Buddy, you'll be fine!"  So, the night before graduation, Warren got his bath and got ready for a good night's sleep, so he would be ready for his big day.  Little did we know that he was so nervous about his speaking part, that he had made himself sick.  He came crawling in our bed around 2:45am complaining of a tummy ache....and was up all night with an upset stomach.  So, as we watched the graduation ceremony we sat on pins and needles.  He was extremely tired....would he be able to make it through the ceremony without falling asleep and/or yawning the whole time?  And, if he stayed awake, would he "choke" on his speaking part?  We didn't give him enough credit.  He did great!  In fact, it couldn't have been any more perfect.  And, poor kid was justifiably nervous, as he was the only student in the whole graduating class who had a speaking part!  When he finished, you could hear a quiet sigh from our row.  (Of course both grandmas and great-grandma had to come for graduation...while grandpa and great-grandpa were watching from the "balcony.") 

After the pomp and circumstance was over, and the sanctuary began to clear out, we realized that we were the only ones not taking our child home for the rest of the day.  So, mom took a half day and took him home with her.  Not thirty minutes after I left them, I received a text from mom telling me that Warren got sick and threw up.  Poor guy had worked himself up so much over his three words that he was sick before and after the two minutes of fame.

Amid all the sickness and sleepless nights, his graduation was a precious and sweet time to celebrate his accomplishments so far...and send him off on the right foot to continue his success!  Thank goodness no one listened to me and saved graduation for high school, when it really counts!

In fact, I've come to realize that while high school graduation is a wonderful accomplishment, I kind of think pre-school graduation is a bit more important.  Pre-school is where it all begins.  Pre-school sets the tone....paves the way....builds them up....nurtures them.  And, at pre-school graduation, we get ready to watch them fly.  We pray and trust that the lessons they've learned in pre-school will carry them throughout their lives.  We could not have been more blessed by Warren's pre-school teacher, Ms. Debbie.  She was truly hand-picked by God to be Warren's teacher and will forever be etched in our hearts (it doesn't hurt that her last name is Warren....a match made in heaven, I'd say).  She has taught Warren more than we ever could have hoped for.  It is because of what he has learned academically and spiritually that we can confidently let our little one walk the halls of Kindergarten next year.  Congratulations, our little graduate!

Happy Mother's Day???

I am one lucky lady!  I am continually reminded of that....but I was especially today (I think....read on).  I got to spend the day with my two precious boys and my amazing hubby.  And, while that may not sound like a lot....I look at so many who have so less and I see how blessed I am.  As a dear friend says, we really are "blessed beyond belief."  And, for all of that, I am grateful.

So, you might be wondering..."Why then, does the title of this post have a question mark?"  Let me share.  To cap off our wonderful day, Chris, the boys and I went to Beef O'Bradys (moms eat free today).  As we are driving home.....As we are flying home so as to make it to the potty in time for Warren, of course we hit every stop light.  Sitting at the second stop light, reminding Warren to "hold it really tight", here is the conversation that followed:

Harper:  "Mommy, I see bitches!"
me:  "Oh, yes, Harper.  You see some benches."   
Warren:  "No, Mommy, Harper said he sees some bitches."

Boys - 1, Mommy - 0

Unfortunately, our language lesson did not end there.  We made it home in time for Warren to get to the bathroom, got our baths and got in bed to read.  Like normal, Harper wanted to read David and Goliath.  In the particular Bible that we read from, there are very cute, brightly colored pictures of King Saul's soldiers holding swords, spears and shields.  And, as we turn to the page with the soldiers, Harper boldly tells me "Mommy, those boys have dicks."  No, Harper honey, those boys have sticks.

As I said before, I am continually reminded how truly blessed I am.  Anyone who knows us, knows that bad language generally does not even cross our minds....let alone come out of our mouths.  I am not sure what I would've said had Harper informed me that "those boys have dicks" and as I correct him that "those boys have sticks" Warren adds "Well, actually, Mommy...."  (See previous post)  I am blessed!

Boys - 2, Mommy - 0