Ahoy.

A few weeks ago, I decided to put my Masters degree in Curriculum and Instruction to good use. I studied for endless hours and wrote a REALLY, REALLY long paper to get a few extra letters after my name ... I might as well use the knowledge, right?

The boys listed off several things they would like to learn about ... or as Eli would say, "Study up!" and here is the first ... PIRATES!
We made Captain Jack Sparrow headbands ... and pirate patches.
And the boys busted out their scowls and swords.
We even made Ben into a Blackbeard ... and the boys chased him back into the Neverseas (or just back to work!)
We had treasure map pancakes ... complete with a map! (Eli wasn't too excited about this idea until I mentioned I'd use M and M's as the markers ... then he really felt we could use a few more trees and mountains on our island!)
And speaking of Pirate Eli ... the only time that he has put pants on without being asked was when he was in his pirate costume. Apparently you just can't be a serious pirate in your underoos!
We recruited Audrey as our pirate puppy ... she had the "argh" down perfectly!
And you can't be a real pirate unless you've lost a hand ... and Joshua told me this was much better idea than REALLY losing your hand!
And then I really lost my mind and the pirates made "waves" with shaving cream! And Eli wrote his name for the first time! We jumped to pirate music ... ate pirate booty ... watched pirate shows ... SO FUN!

A Week Late ... But After All ... She Is The Third Child!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, AUDREY ELIZABETH!!!!

May In Pictures (and a few words).

The Charmings provide daily concerts and Eli often channels his inner Jerry Lee Lewis ... it's fabulous (if you don't mind loud, out of tune and screeching!!)
We had a few visitors in our pool ... Eli wanted to keep them. He is begging for a pet but they disobeyed my number one rule: No pooping or peeing. Bummer.
My mom and I (and the boys) tackled painting the laundry room cabinets. They look pretty good (from a distance)! Finishing the laundry room is one of about 12 projects I have on my "to do" list! Which always seems to grow instead of shrink? Why is that?
The boys LOVE creating traps for Audrey. And she totally plays along ...
Audrey fed herself with a fork for the very first time ... and then started using it as a slingshot.
And I believe our children have embraced technology??
Oh ... and we tried having J. How ride his bike with no training wheels. That didn't go so well. But Eli took full advantage and created new rocket blasters ... and yes, he did go cruising up and down the sidewalk in his unders and bike helmet!
And ... finally ... the solution to the summer wiggles ... the indoor trampoline arrived.
It is a hit with everyone!! Why did we not get one of these sooner?

The Graduate.

As promised ... pictures of the preschool graduation ... a full 13 years before he graduates from high school!
Mr. Joshua Howard had agreed to wear the cap and gown ... but was holding out on singing. Until he was ... ahem ... bribed with a large stack of quarters. (Truth be told ... I think he was just holding out until the price was right because now he is a SINGING fool! No worries ... I have learned my lesson for the next one!!)
And here he is ... just after surviving the singing and laughing that Pastor Bill mispronounced his last name. And I'm laughing that his life goal is to be a firefighter. Guessing it had a bit to do with the fact that a girl in his class ... who he has been known to call "My Addison" also wanted to be a firefighter? Just a theory.
J. How and Miss Allison and Miss Chrissy ...
My grandparents came ... celebrating their 65th wedding anniversary ... (And yes, it is nearly impossible to get a picture of my family without someone talking. Or giving instructions! It's just how we roll!)
Still in a bit of denial that I have a child going into kindergarten but so thankful for where he is going next year and praying that he blossoms and grows into exactly what God has designed!

It's Not Possible ... Is It?

I guess it is possible that time zooms by when you're living in crazy town ... chaos reigns supreme and the months of life just seem to zip off the calendar. Zip. Zip. Zip. Nine zips to be exact. Because this was my J. How back in August:

First Day of Pre-K ... August 2010.

I was far from mastering life as a mother of three and I had no idea how in the heck I was supposed to get all three children inside ... with classroom supplies and appear as though it was "no big deal" when my insides were screaming ... my arm was about to fall off ... and I was pretty well convinced that never leaving the house again was an option I might consider. (I didn't make it but 10 feet before I had to take a break and Mikele came to my rescue!)

And to think ... in only a matter of months ...

We made it to the last day of Pre-K.

Got hugs from our little bro (who will be going to the same school next year) ...

And the Little Miss single handedly solved the problem of my full hands ... given that she's SUPER independent and is mobile ...

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And maybe before he's fourteen ... I'll post pictures of the actual graduation. Maybe.

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And if you're in the area and are wanting to rest your legs and listen to a little classical wonderment ... these two are happy to oblige ...

I'll provide the drinks and the earplugs.