The good... Commencement! We had our preschool graduation for Sam on Wednesday.
At the beginning of the year, I questioned myself daily on whether this was a good choice to keep Sam for one more year. Now that we have reached the end, I'm confident that it was the best choice. He is such a smart boy, and loves learning. Here are the boys in front of the "preschool" area, posing with all they've learned and accomplished this year. They were wonderful.
He and Jack have become such great friends, and I love seeing them play together, talk together, share together, and fight. Good Job, Sam! We celebrated with the kids favorite: Dunkin' Donuts (my kids can't get enough of them and Jack wakes up asking for more Dunkin' Donuts, mom?)
The bad... Nasty - Porkchops and Milk!
Jack's mind works in mysterious ways, and I often wonder how he comes up with some of the things he thinks of doing... point in case: Let me dip my pork chop bone (already gross) into my milk and suck off the juice. If that description isn't given you dry heaves, then I don't know what will? To make things worse you have Shawn who is laughing hysterically at him, and me who is running to get the camera... what more incentive does a person have to continue to do crazy things??
The UGLY... shield your eyes, and prepare for some 2 year old nudity. The week has been dreary with rain, and the boys had been cooped up long enough. They headed outside during a slight intermission, and found that the dirt patch and turned into lovely mud. Sam came in to tattle on Jack, informing me that he was in the mud. I told him I'd be out in a second, (Sam took this as a sign that it was okay for him to follow Jack's example). I grabbed the camera, and by the time I got back out THIS is what had unfolded.
You can imagine my surprise at finding these two wild boys covered in mud. After a quick picture, I had to do what any mean mom would do - hose them off with freezing cold water before putting them in the shower. (I hoped that no one passing by would report me to child services as they watched me do this). Now, I'm one who does appreciate mud and playing in it, but taking off my clothes and throwing on each other and the house is where I have to draw the line.
Finally I snapped a pic of Lyv during her nap. She wakes up so happy after sleeping, playing with her stuffed animals and looking at books. As soon as I walk in she smiles and starts to hand me all of her dear, dear friends from the crib and "talk" to me about what she's been doing. She has been such a sweet heart lately. She loves to hug and kiss Shawn and I. It is nice to have her get so happy to see you. She says "hi, hi, hi" as soon as Shawn walks in and then showers him with kisses. She can have major attitude and be super sassy, but the sweetness inside of her melts my heart.
We headed up to Lake George last weekend for a family trip. I've been pining away at this for a few months now, after reading Last of the Mohicans, I really wanted to just check out the area. Luckily we also had a little fun too... at the Six Flags Great Escape Indoor Waterpark and theme park. It was the perfect weekend to go - it just opened so there weren't any crowds, it wasn't too hot or cold - just right. We had a ball! The kids were just thrilled to stay in a hotel and swim in the pool, so all in all everyone came home happy. Here are some of our adventures:Shawn, Sam, and I tried out our surfing skills.... Shawn did great (minus one incredible wipeout!),
The area is perfect because it has tons of family activities... seriously a miniature golf course every half mile. So while Lyv napped, the boys hit up Pirate's Cove a favorite of Shawn's!
The hotel also had a swing set on the property and so the kids had a great time on this after dinner each night. Did I say kids? I mean Shawn... he's just an overgrown child.
We ended our trip with a day at the Lake. The Lake is 37 miles long, and has over 150 small islands. It was a very important transportation route in colonial times, as well as an important battle site in the French-Indian War and Revolutionary War. We visited Fort William Henry which lies on the south end of the lake, and then took a cruise. It was a nice family trip together, and we were happy to have taken advantage of the beautiful area which we live in.
Finally I snapped a pic of Lyv during her nap. She wakes up so happy after sleeping, playing with her stuffed animals and looking at books. As soon as I walk in she smiles and starts to hand me all of her dear, dear friends from the crib and "talk" to me about what she's been doing. She has been such a sweet heart lately. She loves to hug and kiss Shawn and I. It is nice to have her get so happy to see you. She says "hi, hi, hi" as soon as Shawn walks in and then showers him with kisses. She can have major attitude and be super sassy, but the sweetness inside of her melts my heart.
Yesterday we hit up Lowes and got our patio garden started. While I was doing this, 
Lyv had wondered into this....
My Mud Princess.
