Fun in the rain

This last weekend, Ike made his way up to our part of the country and it rained, and rained, and rained.  For almost two straight days.  While there are some issues with flooding around town, we have been fortunate not have any problems.

I love to listen to the rain, and I opened the back to so I could hear it.  Vance came over to the door, and I could tell he really wanted to get out there to play.  There was no lighting, and it was pretty warm outside, so I let him. Here are some pictures and a video of the fun Miles and Vance had playing in the rain.

Memories from my younger days

1. Did you date someone from your school?  Just casually.  I never had a boyfriend in high school.

2. What kind of car did you drive? A 1978 Buick LeSabre.  The thing was HUGE, but I loved it all the same.  It was white, so I called it White Trash.  

3. Were you a party animal? We didn't really have parties, but we sure did have some fun times.  And did stupid things that make me cringe when I think about it now!

4. Were you considered a flirt? I don't think so...

5. Were you in band, orchestra or choir?  All three.  My senior year, five out of eight classes were music classes.

It was real rough.  :)

6. Were you on any varsity teams? No.  I joined the tennis team for maybe two days.  

7. What was your school's full name? Cyprus High School

8. School mascot? A pirate

9. If you could go back and do it again, would you?  Just for the social aspect.  And maybe the music classes.

10. What do you remember most about graduation? Being so excited to finally be through with it all.  And the fact that a boy kind of ruined the whole day.   (Silly high school drama)

11. Were you in any clubs?  I was in the key club.  Oh and the composers club, which really existed long enough for us to get our picture in the year book.  :)

12. Are you planning on going to your 10 year reunion?   I just did.  It was a blast!

Feel free to play along!

Mason's first day of first grade, and how Mom ruined it!!

Can I really be old enough to have a child in first grade?!!!!!  Life sure goes fast.  Mason was quite ready to get back to school, and handled everything like a pro.  That is, until mom decided to step in and mess everything up...

Last year on the first day of school, it was really hot outside, and Mason (who has issues with motion sickness) threw up on the bus.  It was really hot again on Tuesday, and I was afraid we were going to have a repeat of last year.  So I called the school and told them that he would not be taking the bus and I would pick him up.  I went to the school, and waited for him by the library.  I finally see him walking down the hall, crying, with an adult from the school walking with him.  I was so concerned!  I rushed to him, and asked what was wrong, to which he replies(with many tears flowing) "I want to ride the bus!"  The lady who was with him said he'd been upset for a while.  I had NO idea this was going to happen!!  The bus had not left yet, and he was so distraught, that I decided to let him ride the bus.  He arrived home with no illness, and then reported that he had a great day of first grade!  For the most part.  :)

So grown up!

1st grade!

The lady in the dress is Mrs. Ripper, Mason's teacher.

Miles' first day of preschool!

Miles had his first day of preschool today.  He has been waiting for this for a long time!  He was so excited, and got really mad at me when we took Mason to the bus stop at eight this morning, and he still had to wait a whole hour before his school started.  What torture !!! (it was kind of a long hour.)

He went off to class with no problems at all, and had a great first day of school.  And I had a great time only having one child around for a couple hours!  =-)

What a handsome boy!

The lady in the blue shirt is Miles' teacher, Ms. Grabow.  Mason had her a couple years ago, and she was great!  The lady in the door is Diane Hill.  She is a good family friend, and I was glad she was there to help escort Miles into school.

Here he is after his first day!

Vance thought he should go to school.  Everytime we left the house, he wanted a backpack too! 

Wherever you may roam, this gnome will pray for you

It was Jordan's moms (Diana)  birthday on Tuesday.  We were wondering what we should get her, and Jordan said we should get a garden gnome.  I laughed, thinking he was really funny, and just joking.  But he wasn't.  He was quite serious, and on Monday  morning he went on an extensive search to find one.  One trip to St. Johns later, we have Arbuckle the garden gnome. (Jordan came up with the name.)

We loaded the kids in the van, and told them our mission was to hide Arbuckle and another yard decoration that Jordan bought without Grandma knowing, and then have Grandma look for them.  She spoiled our plans just a bit by being outside when we got there, but we still had fun hiding her gifts.  Of course, when Diana was looking for them later, Miles had to say, "It's over there Grandma!" 

We all had a good laugh over her unique gift, and Diana loves her gnome.  She placed him by the garage and said his job is to pray over Dave's comings and goings.  

This is the other yard decoration we got Diana.  She said that the top frog is definitely Vance!  He climbs everything!

Vance's 2nd Birthday!

Today was my baby's second birthday.  I know I say this every time one of my kids has a birthday, but I can not believe how quickly time passes and how fast they grow.  While part of me is thrilled that we are pretty much finished with the baby phase of life, another part of me is so sad that it is gone.  There is nothing in this world like having and raising a beautiful child.  What a joy Vance is.  Our family would not be complete without him.  He is so much fun.  He is always making us smile.  He is also a HUGE bundle of trouble in a little package.  He has watched his older brothers, and strives to do what they do.  He is not satisfied to be the baby of the family!  He quickly let us know that it is his way,or the highway.  I'm kind of afraid of the next year and the terrible two's, which have started early in his case!  He has proven to be the true brut of our bunch, and already takes down his brothers.

He is also such a kind, sweet little guy.  He gives the best hugs and kisses.  Every time he sees someone hurt themselves, he asks, "You okay?" in the sweetest voice you will every hear.  We love you Vance, and are so thankful that you are in our family.

When Jordan opened up the box that this bike came in, we were quickly hit with this overwhelming stench.  It smelled like really bad BO.  It still stinks.  We figured out it was the tassels on the handle bars.  It will have to spend a few days outside, because it made our living room smell like none of us had showered for a week!

This is the horse from Grandma & Grandpa Miller.  All of the boys love it.  It was quickly named Epona by Miles.  Epona is the name of the horse from the video game Zelda, which Mason and Miles still love.  Miles still prefers to be called Link, and is going to be Link for Halloween.

The Haircut

So, obviously,  Vance needed a haircut.  But once again I did not want to lose the curls, so I didn't touch it.  I told Jordan NOT to cut his hair until Vance's birthday.  Well, in the middle of all the birthday celebration, Dave, Jordan's dad, reminds Jordan that he now has the green light to cut Vance's hair.  Jordan immediately goes to get the clippers.  And then I beg him not to buzz of all of his hair.  And what does he do...

Could this be what Vance's hair will look like in another 30 years?  He does have Grandpa Bryson's genes!

Where's my hair??????

Miles also joined in the hair cutting action.  You can see Vance in the background still trying to figure out what has happened to his head.  :)

And so, once again I need that disclaimer sign to let people know that this was NOT my fault!  The last time Jordan cut Vance's hair, the ladies at church were so mad!  I think they are going to have a thing or two to say to him this week.