Water Fun

A few weeks ago we decided it was time to break out the water guns and celebrate the fact that our winter coats are packed away!  Yippee!

Happy Birthday, Walter!

During the month of May, we put in a lot of time driving in the car.  The weekend of Walter's birthday was also Mother's Day and the dedication of our friend, Charlie.  It also happened to be the Fishing Opener - how did I forget that?  Nate spent Friday night at the lake and was fishing on Saturday morning when I got a call from his parents.  They were wondering if they could come pick up the boys and spend the day with them.  I think I said something like, "Wow!  I don't even know what to say - YES!  I'll have them ready in a few minutes!" 

Here they are getting ready to start their adventure.  Their first stop was at the pancake breakfast at Unity Church.  I'm not sure about the order of all the activities, but during the day they visited great-grandma Josie, stopped at the lake, fished with Daddy from the dock, and went shopping for their birthday presents at Target!  Positive I'm missing something - lunch must have been in there and maybe a park? 

 Henry and Grandma playing with the Scooby game he picked out for his birthday present.

 Walter was pretty wiped out - he couldn't even finish eating his cookie before falling asleep in the car.  He woke up a little when I carried him into the house and kept asking, "Where's Mommy?"   It didn't seem to register that Mommy was holding him! 

A whole, guilt-free day alone was an amazing Mother's day present!  A short time after their return, we hopped in the car to drive to Grandma and Grandpa L's house.  They were gone visiting Mama Bakkel, but the Mimis helped us celebrate Walter's 3rd birthday.

 Henry opening his Venus Fly Trap terrarium - yep, still likes those Venus fly traps.

 The Zingo game has been a big hit...

Henry is ready to assist in opening the next present while Walter admires the talking Salty train from Mimi Erin.  He was over the moon because he now had 2 Saltys, since he picked one out at Target from Grandma and Grandpa A earlier in the day!

Opening a Thomas the Train birthday card.

Modeling a Thomas backpack (a few days later he packed it full of trains and told me he was on his way to Disney World).

I realized I didn't have any fun cake decorations with me, so I used a few too many candles to make a "3," which created a rather large flame...and some heat. 

Mimi Megan and Henry sharing a blanket while enjoying some cake.

Kenda...maybe hoping for a little cake, too...

On Mother's Day our friends' son, Charlie, was dedicated.  We were able to attend church and the brunch they graciously hosted afterwards.  That afternoon we spent quite awhile at a local school park with the boys.  Henry discovered that he gets "tire sick" from going around in circles on the tire swing and they had lots of fun playing with a talkative girl named Cece.  My parents arrived in time for us to have a Mother's Day waffle dinner together. 

Getting ready to make scrambled eggs with Grandma.

Three-Year-Old with his Boppa and Mama.

After supper, we got the boys ready for bed and left for home...but not before Walter smelled a few tulips.

A quick family picture to mark another year as a family.  Each birthday and Mother's Day that we celebrate together,  I am so grateful that the Lord has blessed me with two incredible sons to love, and that I have the privilege of sharing in this gift with their first moms and foster moms.   

New Ride

A certain little someone recently upgraded his ride.  That's right, he permanently parked his red, four-wheeled, low-ride scooter in favor of this speedy,  two-wheeler.  Henry mastered "The Red Bike" (pedals but no training wheels) so the "Fire Bike" was in need of a new rider, and Walter was eager to hop on and hit new speed records.  Here he is (in his pajamas) taking a pre-breakfast cruise on the porch.  Pictures of Mr. H on the red bike are coming soon...

Car Wash

In early May the boys and Nate broke out the car washing stuff.  They didn't seem to mind the cool temp and wind until their clothes were soaked...then they were eager to hop into a warm bath!

Spring Fling

On May 2nd, Henry's class presented their "Spring Fling" production for parents and grandparents.  They sang  and shared some of the things they learned over the past year.  It was a little different to be viewing this as a parent instead of as a teacher - a little more emotional!  We are grateful that Henry has grown so much this year.

Getting in a quick wave to his fam...

This is terrible, but I can't remember what song they were singing here.

Each student displayed something they used in the classroom, while Mrs. V shared how it mirrored what they had learned about God.  Henry had glue - it's important to stick to the Lord.

An alphabet poem. 

I really enjoyed hearing the number that Henry has been singing around the house for months.  I had been wondering where he learned it.  It was about a turtle who eats a bar of soap in the bathtub.  He didn't bother with the actions, but it was still very sweet.

With Mrs. V

Henry and Walter with their grandparents.

Having  a good time playing with friends.

The class decorated cookies for their grandparents - I wonder how many grandparents actually got to eat the cookies...Henry and Walter ate every single one of the cookies he decorated!

Last Day of BSF (May 2012)

We finished another amazing year of BSF in May.  I am so, so thankful for the loving and dedicated teachers Henry and Walter had this year!

Henry with his teachers, Miss Cindy and Miss Lexi  

(and a classmate - who must be a mother's dream when it comes to family pictures since he just jumped right in when he heard there was a picture being taken)

Walter and Tiger with Miss Lori, Miss Heather, and Miss Joyce

Fashion

Over the last few weeks, Henry has enjoyed picking out his own clothes and getting dressed himself. Looks like he may need to start his own fashion blog - look out Clinton Kelly!

On this morning we heard him turn on the light in his room and open his dresser and closet door before he emerged with a big smile on his face - proud of his work. Seems to us that, like his mom, comfortable pants make an outfit. Here he's wearing camo fleece, comfy pants with a striped fleece shirt.

Last week, after breakfast he told me he was going upstairs to get dressed and returned wearing these brown fleece comfy pants with a nice sweater for church. Yes, he did wear it to the park!

And a little modeling...

Walter's fashion must are Thomas the train shirts!