The Best Little Helpers

Lately Luke has wanted to do nothing more than help clean, sort, put up, etc.  He's the cutest little thing when trying to get a sweater that's as big as he is in the hamper.  Now if only the other two would be so eager to clean up behind themselves

This sweet little love must not belong to me because the two household chores that I detest the most are laundry and dishes.  But this helpful guy could unload the washer and dishwasher 'til his heart's content.  

On this particular morning, Luke decided to "cook" with his Cheerios.  He took his cereal bowl over to his play kitchen, put the Cheerios in the "pot" and started cooking what I would image was a delicious soup.  When they eventually spilled, he grabbed the broom and started sweeping.

  

And while Natalie might not be the biggest fan of household chores (let's face it, her room is usually a disaster area because she has her panties out and with her at all times), she is a fan of cooking.  Baking is her specialty.  She loves helping make oatmeal breakfast cookies and egg salad.  (a little tip--the easiest way to dice eggs: place a cooling rack over a bowl, and press the egg through it.  It helps if the rack is one with little squares)

And these next two pictures aren't related to the topic, but they were irresistible.  Natalie is nothing is not persistent, especially at bedtime.  She fights sleep for a solid hour through various means.  On this particular night I had just about had it and was on my way up the stairs to give her a pop (please reserve judgment) when I was met with this sight.  Needless to say, she got a big grin from me and no pop. 

And this one is just cute of Luke.  This is how he wears sunglasses.  Not very effective, but funny.  

I missed Mother's Day in between postings, but here are a couple of pictures.  I was spoiled with brunch, sweet hugs, and Garth Brooks concert tickets.  

Sports, Snow Cones and Surgery

May has been a busy, busy month with us constantly on the go.  Everything is being squeezed into the last month of school.

James finished up baseball this past weekend and has started swim team.  Because if one sport wasn't enough....... I'm not sure what I was thinking.

Swim team is interesting at 5.  It's basically trying to survive and not collapse from complete exhaustion before you make it the length of the pool.  And don't even get us started on the backstroke---really, the backstroke at 5?  But somehow the coaches get these kids to do it.  Or so I'm told.  James has apparently forgotten the basics of how to swim, so most of the time he looks like this

 
As I said, just trying to survive.  I'm hoping we make great strides over the next few weeks :)

Baseball was a great experience.  James had fantastic coaches, and although I grumbled about the time commitment, he learned so much this year!  And with a team motto of "Play Hard, Love Well, Go Redhawks", it's hard to go wrong.  I mean, if this doesn't scream "childhood" I don't know what does.....

This is a picture from the last game, and these are James's sweet friends from his class: Will White (whose mom is my amazingly talented friend, Amanda, that takes unbelievable pictures), James Thomas Garret, and Caleb Walker.  These four have life figured out.  

James was awarded the game ball a couple of weeks ago, and he couldn't have been more excited.  Whoever thought of the "game ball" was genius: you want to make the day of a 5 year old, give them a random baseball with their coaches' signatures on it.   

So while James is busy in the outfield, these two little cuties have enjoyed their fair share of snow cones.  I discovered late in the season that there is no better way to pass the 2 hours than to give them a $.50 cup of crushed ice.  On this particular day, Ms. Priss didn't realize that her dad was walking up just as she was showing me her snow cone.

After all of these sporting events, everyone needs a little stretching, or "yoda" as Natalie calls it.  Brad took these pics while I was doing yoga one evening---I'm pretty impressed with these two.  James was so funny about it--very serious. 

Last Friday Luke had surgery to have his adenoids removed to help with his sinuses and runny nose.  The procedure was done at a private facility rather than the hospital, so the little dude spent his time playing with the toys before surgery.  I'm not sure why he looked so cute pushing this truck, but I couldn't get enough of it.  As expected, he was a huge hit with the nurses, and other than a little trouble coming out of anesthesia, everything went perfectly. 

He was back to his usual self by the weekend.  I know I'm a bit biased, but is he not the cutest thing

Weekend in Mississippi

This past weekend Brad and I went to Natchez for one of his high school friend's wedding, and the kids went to Papi and Reet Reet's for 72 hours of non-stop fun.

Brad and I had a such a fun time at the wedding!  A friend's boss let us use his lake house, which slept about 20 people so all of the groomsmen and wives stayed at the house.  I was still in the bed at 10:15 Saturday morning, which hasn't happened since 2009.

This is Paul and Micah Yeck, high school friends of Brad's.

Brad and Ty did a joint toast, which received mixed reviews :)

The actual wedding was at a plantation and was simply beautiful!  I told Micah that everyone who was married pre-Pinterest should get a redo.

This is the B. Nix that I fell in love with---always a fun time!

I told Brad that it would take 2 weeks to get the weekend out of his system.  Paul and Brad spent the entire weekend acting like 15 year olds (in the best way).  I caught a glimpse of what my future holds as a mom of boys.

Meanwhile, the kids were having a blast at Reet Reet and Papi's house.  Whenever I mention going to Mississippi James and Natalie immediately ask if they can take a bubble bath, have pancakes (aka Mickey Mouse waffles), and play with the Little People.  These are the same Little People that we played with 30 or so years ago.  Good thing Fisher Price improved their creative department and added feet and arms.  Apparently, Luke was not a "Taroline" fan.

Allison and Jacob took Natalie to their niece and nephew's birthday party on Saturday, which was a Derby themed party.  As expected, Natalie wanted to wear a tiara as her hat.  Such a priss.

James spent the day playing Legos, getting new Spider-Man light up shoes (thanks, Papi---insert sarcasm), fishing and hitting golf balls.  I believe this is the first time that he has gone fishing, and he was so proud of his 11 fish!  Poor things look more like minnows than actual fish.

It wouldn't be a visit be without popsicles.  I love this picture of sweet Taroline.  Natalie told Taroline that she can have a popsicle when she is 3, which is the same excuse that James gives Natalie every time he gets to do something that she can't.

And, not to be left out of the fun......

Sunday we celebrated Reet Reet's birthday.  James correctly pointed out that she was 56!  :)  Allison and Natalie did an amazing job on the cake!

This is my favorite picture of the entire weekend

Too short of a visit