This week

We started this week with three award's day programs.  We had to divide and conquer on Monday.  Fred went to Clayton's and I went to Andrew's.  Andrew's program was beyond precious.  

 Then on Wednesday we were both able to go to Jack's program.  I felt certain he would take the award for the tallest 4th grader ever, but it turns out that they don't have an award for that.

They all had great years.  On the last day of school this was the lunch packed by my middle son.  At this point in the year I didn't even care.  In case you're wondering, Jack packed cheese and crackers, peanut butter and crackers, chocolate covered pretzels, and two sticks of beef jerky.  Yep, lunch of champions.

Thursday afternoon we picked up Andrew at school (the big boys did not go) and greeted him with a little silly string.  He was so funny...and surprised!




Friday we went to Incredible Pizza to celebrate the last day of school.  That place is incredible!  They even have an indoor roller coaster now.  It's great.  Andrew wanted to ride it.  Fred and I did rock, paper, scissors to determine to had to got to ride with Andrew.  The roller coaster itself was not bad.  It was the spinning seat that got me.  Twenty four hours later and my head still wasn't right.  In fact, just thinking about it makes me feel queasy.  Man, we're getting old.

Early Saturday morning Fred and Clayton left for Honduras.  By early I mean 3:30 am.  I'm not sure I fully processed saying goodbye to my best friend and oldest child until I was standing in my kitchen hugging them.  I was not quite prepared for the moment.  Umm...it was a lot to process at 3:30 am.

When I came back to bed I left the bedroom door open.  Dash assumed his protector role.  He literally sleeps on top of my when Fred is gone.  Literally.  It's a good time.  Just kidding.  It's awful.  Dash takes his protector role seriously when Fred is gone.  Andrew likes to get in my bed and talk as well.  It's a lot of activity for 6:00 am on a Saturday.

 Dash was so distraught that they were gone that he buried himself in a pile of their clothes for several hours.

With Fred and Clayton gone we loaded up and headed to Jackson.  It seemed like the perfect time for a little RandR at my parent's house.  Andrew totally embraced it by jumping feet first into summer.

Jack embraced the weekend with swimming and a little peanut butter pie.

Even though I really don't want to talk about it, Jack will be double digits in June.  My parents decided to celebrate his birthday before we left.  There were donuts.

 Mexican for lunch, complete with the big hat.

 Presents...

 And more presents...Those are basketball shoes.  They are a men's 11.  Yes, a men's 11.  I can't even process it.

 There was a trip to Sky Zone, a dollar bill scavenger hunt, and then there was ice cream cake.  All in all I'd say it was one of Jack's top ten favorite birthdays!

We all came home to celebrate Memorial day with a few friends and then Jack started baseball camp at Arlington High School.  Andrew had an eye doctor appointment.  So basically our first real day off school was spent with me dropping children off and picking them up.  Who cares though!  We ate breakfast at 7:45 am and usually all kids are out of the house by that time.  Yeah for summer!

Because of the eye appointment, Andrew had to wear some super cool glasses.  We did go to Costco for our monthly shopping trip.  It was epic.

This Week

I have no other word for May, but crazy!  I grab moments of time here and there and it works.  It has to work, because that's all we have.
Friday night we had the Oak Ram Run.  All the boys ran and I helped at the food tent.  I didn't get any pictures because I was passing out 837 slices of pizza.

After the 5K, Fred took the boys to a party at church while I finished passing out pizza.

Saturday morning Fred woke up and felt like riding his bike....for 50 miles...with a few of his friends.

While he was riding we were at soccer and baseball.  Mun and Janice came for the games.  We were so cold I forgot it was May.  We dined at Wendy's after all the games.

Saturday night the Wiggs came over to play and hang out.  Actually, they spent the night with us.  Other than Dash running out the door right as we were supposed to be at church, everyone made it just fine...well, unless you ask Nora.  She got very upset with me because I would not give her a third cupcake.  I just wish she could show some emotions.

Sunday at church we had Bible Drill recognition.  I was sitting in the balcony so I couldn't get an up close photo.  We are so proud of the boys and all they learned.

Later that evening all three boys had a program at church.  Jack even had a solo.  Andrew was Noah in the play.

Sweet boy just stepped down and started singing.  We were so proud of him.  I pray the words of this song ring in his ears for the rest of his life.



Monday we started field day.  Andrew was first.  I love the way their school does field day.  They keep a cumulative total of the scores of the field day.  Then on Friday, they have a parade around the school with all the classes and they pass out awards.  Ironically, Andrew's class won first place and he could not have cared any less.  Jack's class came in last.  He was disappointed/mad.  He does not like to lose.

Here is Jack at the beginning of the day.  He was very hopeful.  That changed very quickly.  Ha!

When tug of war began he was very excited.  He pulled for two other classes.  Each time a class was one short I would hear, "We choose Jack!"  He loved every minute of it...until his class lost.

He did participate in the football throw.  He sailed the football through the air for about 40 yards and won first place.  After he won that event he said, "It's like Mrs. Dempsey and I are the only ones that care about winning!!"  He said some other things about "stinkin' girls", but I think I'll refrain from writing that here.  He will need a prom date some day.  Since Jack was so down, we headed to his favorite Mexican restaurant.  While we were there his smile began to return, but then we headed to the batting cages.  Then his smile completely returned.

As a special spring time treat, Renee brought over strawberries.  Nautrally, I made homemade strawberry shortcake with fresh whipped cream.  It was a good night!

Thursday night Clayton had his spring concert.  He had a solo at the end of a song.  Of course, the village was there in full support.

The field day parade and award's day was Friday.  Fred attended and snapped a few pictures.  As I mentioned, Andrew's class won first place for kindergarten and Jack's place got last place for fourth grade.

 I have no idea why Jack looks like a giant in the picture.  He is big for a fourth grader, but not quite this big.

My dad went to camp this weekend and I loved this picture.  He said when he got there two boys in his room were fighting.  I think he's going to love it!

Saturday morning we woke up to a soccer game because baseball is over.  Soccer wasn't until 10 so we got a lot accomplished.  My three favorite helpers helped me make a dessert for dinner with friends.  We had a great time together.  

We played our final game of soccer and wrapped up the season.  I'm so tired I didn't even take a picture.

Jack had his final baseball game Tuesday and they lost.  He was totally bummed.  Clayton has started really liking to take pictures and he snapped a few for us.  I love everything he captured at Jack's last game of the season.  I also love to watch them support one another.

This week

Rain landed us at home Saturday morning! Hooray!  It's like a snow day.  It's all things wonderful...until we are making up these games in July.  Yikes.  What I need to say is that Fred and I stayed in bed until 8:00 am.  I don't think we've done that since 2003.  It was all things wonderful.

I headed to a prayer shower around 10:00am and then Fred performed a wedding and I attended.  Hello spring.  Hello weddings.

Jack and his buddy conspired signed up for an OPTIONAL science fair project.  Please note the word optional.  I really think they just wanted to get together and hang out, but whatever.  They worked on the project Friday afternoon and then Jack spent the evening with L to finish it out.

These are the instructions they typed out.  I love the last sentence...just watch YouTube.  Classic. 

 After finishing the project they were able to go to the zoo.  They love spending time together. 

I had a bridal tea and a going away party to attend Sunday afternoon.  Then we had a choir favorites program that night.  Mimi, Mun and Janice attended and then my boys convinced them to go to Sonic.  Mawmaw, Pawpaw and the Moulders joined us.  I have no pictures of this event, which ai blame on all the activities going on.

Monday morning Clayton wanted scrambled eggs with his peanut butter bar.  He told me, "I want them to be not gooey and not stuck to the pan."  I really have no idea what that meant, but I know I was never so nervous as I was when making those eggs.  Goodness.  It was such a tricky order I took a picture of the final product. 

Monday night soccer practice was canceled.  Yahoo!  I did have a meeting though, so no rest for the weary.
Andrew came down with this shirt on one day this week.  Fred and I found it very ironic since he is not competitive.  It said, "If you're in second place you're last."  When we asked him about it he said, "I know.  Second place is first loser."  That boy.  I think he's been listening to his brothers.  Ha!

This sweet fourth grader came in third place in a 24 math contest at his school.  What's a 24 contest?  I'm so glad you asked.  You have to come up with as many ways to get to 24 by using four numbers.
1 x 2 x 3 x 4=24
12 x 1 x 2 x 1=24
8 + 5 + 5 + 6 = 24
But you have to do it in a competition format.  He got third place out of his entire grade (10 or so classes) and we were thrilled for him.  

 He asked me to come to lunch with him, so I did.  Sweet boy.  He just talked my ear off.

Friday Clayton and Fred left for a choir trip in St. Louis.  Clayton was gone until Sunday, but Fred came back late Saturday night.  I think they had lots of fun and Clayton's choir did great.

Jack was at a friend's house and Andrew had a birthday party.  I was all set to have a few hours to myself, but I forgot kindergarten parents stay at birthday parties.  Andrew asked me what I was going to do while everyone was away and he said, "I feel bad for you.  You are going to be alone."  Bless his heart.  He doesn't know me at all. 

Saturday Andrew had soccer. After soccer Jack went home with Mr. Fred to help in his yard.  Since Fred and Clayton were gone it was just me and Andrew, so I decided we needed to go to the Greek Festival.  When you are the only child you get to have lots of fun at a festival...even if you are not sure what a festival is.

Dash was very stressed with everyone being gone.  So he ate my shoe and an entire loaf of sweet bread that I bought at the Greek festival.  An entire loaf...I would have a picture of that, but he ate it all.  Every bit of it...even the plastic bag.  Yes, he did. 

This is Dash trying to say he was sorry.  It didn't work.  

On Mother's day we had to divide and conquer.  We went to Jackson to see my mom and Fred stayed in Memphis with his mom and to pick up Clayton from his trip. 

Jack had a baseball game and Mimi and Tee came to watch.  Jack was the catcher and he did a great job.  The score was tied and Jack had a great hit, which ran in two runs.  He was thrilled.  Thrilled to win.  Thrilled that he hit in the winning runs.  And thrilled that Tee was there to watch.  It was a good night. 

 Clayton had field day on Thursday.  They got it in before the rain hit.  I was hoping to get by to see field day, but because of the rain they finished up early.  I did get to eat lunch with Clayton...which was a first. 

 As part of my mother's day present I have 24 hours to myself.  I got a hotel room and a bag of Goldfish.  It was epic.