Living in Georgia

 Just a few pictures of the boys kicking off their summer vacation.  Ethan being silly around the house.  He loves this construction hat.  Wyatt is probably the biggest dog fan in this house - despite what Jack might say.  He loves to snuggle with him and play with him.  And give him lots of loves.  The boys playing around before getting their summer haircuts.  Childhood in 2016 - Jack had some friends from lacrosse over to spend the night and we were getting ready to head to the pool and I find them all in the living room, each playing on their own iPad/tablet's. At least I knew we were going to be burning some energy at the pool.  The cool thing about having friends over is that you get to see your toys in a new light. Tanner loved these castle blocks that Jason got for the boys, which got Jack and Wyatt excited to play with them again and set up cool forts and mazes. It was a great...

 I kicked off the summer with a little sprucing up of the yard.  I started up front by removing some small plants that lined the walk that Jason and I both hated.  It looks some much cleaner. I still want to remove some of these bushes but will wait until maybe the Fall and decide what I want in their place.  Then to the back and fixing up this spot right in front of the back deck. In the past it held strawberries and other vegetables, but Bandit has taken to relieving himself in this area and I hated that we were eating food he was that close too. Plus, the strawberries really took over and it was just a mess. Next spring I'll get my act together and plant them in the pots I have on the back deck!  I started with a hydrangea and a hanging fuchsia, as well as a hosta back in the shade. But I needed something to line the edge and give it more definition.  I had tried to grow hydrangea in other parts of the yard, but this s...

 So far we've competed in two out of three lacrosse tournaments this summer and they have been so much fun. Our first was the Mayla Tournament following our regular lacrosse season.  We played a total of four games and ended with two wins, a tie and one loss.  It's hard to see Jack (#12) but he was playing in his favorite position - attack - and the one that's proven to be the best one for him.  One of the best things about the tournaments has been the team bonding between the games. We've set up tents to keep the boys (and families) cool and to let them hang out together eating, playing games and chatting.  Jack gearing up for a game. I love this photo of him.  Wyatt has really loved playing with all the younger brothers and sisters.  This was after our last game on Mother's Day. The coaches brought carnations for all the mom's so their last group chant was to the moms.  Our last tournament was much tough...

 The kindergarten field trip was to the local skating rink. Not sure this would have been my choice for such young kids but by the end of the day Wyatt was having a lot of fun. They started out with a talk on motion and force but then they got to skate and play in the giant climbing gym.  There were a lot of falls and tears and bruises by all the kids.  But having your best friends by your side made it better.  Wyatt started out on the slippery rink but kept falling.  So then we headed back to the carpeted area so he could get a better feel for it - this was his first time on skates, afterall. Right at the very end he went back on the rink and did much better. He said he had a lot of fun and has been asking to go skating ever since, so I guess we'll add this to our summer fun plans!!

 Back in my day, Field Day was on the last day of school and everyone participated at the same time. These days, each grade goes on a different day. Also, I don't remember any parents coming to watch...maybe we are too involved in our kids. Anyway, Ethan's field day was first. I didn't make it to the first part, as I wasn't sure he would actually participate. I guess he did, and really enjoyed it, but I missed it and only got to watch him enjoy the bouncy house.  But he wouldn't come down the slide.  He climbed up the ladder but wouldn't slide down. I guess climbing up and down was good enough for him.  Jack's class was up next.  They made several rotations of different games in the morning.  Jack got the furthest across this wall out of everyone in his group.  After these rotations they broke for lunch and some Kona Ice before coming back for the relays.  He had fun but it was so l...