Cleaning up

Connor thought it would be a good idea to shake his sippy cup today, much to his surprise, milk shook out all over him and the floor.  I gave him a washcloth and told him to clean up...much to MY surprise- he DID!  Didn't stop until the milk was all cleaned up.  I even had time to run and get my camera :)

Lake Trip

Connor hanging out in a "floaty"

hmmm..this might be fun

Connor is in front of me saying hi to the little girl in the yellow floaty 

We had an opportunity to go to our friend's, Rachel and Scott, cabin on Clear Lake to celebrate Scott's birthday.  I wasn't sure how Connor would react to Lake water- but he was a pro.  He wanted to get right down in it.  In fact, he wanted to go out farther than I did :).  He loves being around other kids- and there were plenty of kids there!  Two 18 month olds, a 2 year old and 2 1/2 year old, and I think a 3 and 4 year old.

Daycation :) to the beach

Ready to play

Little boy "heaven"- tons of rocks! 

"not now Mom, I am playing"

Daddy helping Connor dig in the rocks

I think I might like the beach...

Walking down the beach

Sitting in the hole Dad dug

Birds and boats!

Not now Dad :)

Another cute picture of little Landon

Before Connor's first swimming lesson at the Y

Lunch at Ft. Nisqually

Love the expressions on their faces! 

School's out for summer!

Helping Dad eat his breakfast

Playing at the park

More park

I think my shirt is too small Mom! 

Grandma and the THREE grandbabies

Landon William

"I thought I was the baby.."

Meeting new cousin, Landon

Loving on George

Grandpa Jeffreys visited earlier this month

Grandpa rolling the ball to me.

Rolling the ball

Hanging out in Grandpa Lerew's garden

Looking Back:

I keep saying, "I can't believe I made it!"  This year has been the most difficult since I started teaching.  For those that know me well, you know that my family has had some very rough and scary moments this year- thinking we were going to lose Mom, starting the year not knowing who was going to watch Connor (since Mom was in the ICU), not knowing when Mom would get better, moving to a very difficult school situation in which I was dealing with rough kids, rough home lives, and trying to figure out how to be a good Mom and good teacher....to say the least- I wasn't sure the school year would ever end.  

Counting Blessings:

My Mom finally kicked the bone infection early spring, and is working on getting healthy.  We were so blessed that she was able to watch Connor (on the days I worked) starting in November. We learned how supportive our family is, as people rallied around my Mom, and people rallied around us- offering to babysit (Tara, Karlee, Deedee, Tim...).  I am sure I have become a much better teacher, and the kids I was working with touched my heart.  Though I am still very thankful to be moving on.

Summer:

We have many projects lined up- we'll see how many we get to.  We plan to change the laundry "area" (really just a spot under the stairs) into a pantry, and move the laundry to the garage.  This will allow us to take the cupboards over the counter/bar down- so we will be able to talk with people in the family room while working in the kitchen (right now you can see bodies but no heads moving around the kitchen...)

We also plan to do some upgrades to the master bath- Brendan promised me a jacuzzi bath tub, when he sold my hot tub on craigs list for $50.  

The neighbors have asked Brendan to re-roof their house.

And on top of all that we plan on taking some time to hang out as a family.  We are camping for a week in August with Brendan's Mom.  Connor is taking swimming lessons with Kailee.  We would also like to take some day trips to the zoo, the Seattle Aquarium with Brendan's Dad, Northwest Track... and so on.

I will try to keep my blog updated as the summer progresses.