{oh, how i love them}

Another summer off from sports. 

I always question it as everyone else seems to be

participating in something, but, mine had rather run around

and play here at the farm. Well, having friends over to run around

and play here at the farm is the perfect situation.

But, I feel like that season for us will be coming to a halt.

This may be that last, free summer for many years to come as

lil' man has been counting down the days {almost literally} until

3rd grade football.  Camp would be next summer. 

We were talking about that on the drive to school this morning

and he loved the idea of camp but was a little baffled about

his summer.  Initially his response was.....

"Yay, my favorite sport is athletics".

ha.

I about drove off the road on that one.

Noah tried to negotiate not having Evan start until

4th grade. I think he about had him convinced and

then quick kisses were given to daddy & I,

the back door opened, & they raced out to start their day.

:)  . 

I'm looking forward to the conversation on the way home.

{trouble}

First, you need to know that our house is rarely quiet.

It was quiet before kids - and we hated it.  And, we know

it will be quite after kids - and, we'll hate it.  So for now...

it is usually loud and as I would prefer to refer "full of life"..

sometimes, maybe a little too full. 

So.....the other day with the music on in the kitchen and the television

on in the living room, the washer and dryer going...I did not hear

the cries of "help, help!"  Then, I happened to turn off the music

and finally heard.  Poor.little.guy. 

But, apparently this has occurred before; he was just able 

to unlock it the last time.   

{walking the walk}

Today was such a big day for us in many ways.   Since our Candlelight Service {my favorite service of the year} we have talked with Evan consistently regarding his decision to ask Jesus into his heart.  He totally gets it and the fire has not waned a bit.  He sets the bar high for even me.

So, today,  he walked that long walk down the aisle with his sweet little hand in mine and Daddy by his side to make his decision public.  An older gentleman knelt with us and asked Evan several questions and then said the sweetest prayer for us.   Before we walked, Evan told me he was so nervous and then before Bro. Ronnie called us up to the front he whispered it again.  I reassured him that we were right there with him.

As he stood in front of me, I wrapped my arms around his shoulders with my hands resting on his little chest.  His little heart was beating out of his chest.  It made me smile as crazy as that sounds.  It made me smile because he made those steps despite his fear.  A lesson for all of us, especially mom and dad.

He was a bit overwhelmed and so happy with all of the hugs, words of encouragement, high fives and fist bumps he received.  He has been giddy about it all day.  Which means, I've been giddy about it all day.   

{party time}

I am slacking on everything of late.  I did manage to sneak away

from the law firm for some party time.  My short presence was all he needed

then I tredged back up to the office.

Sweet Stuff!

{should i be worried?}

this is a "writing" i found of evan's last night...

"I'm going on a cruz.  I hope that it wote {won't} be like titantit! {Titanic}

If you've read the book you know what I mean:

the name of the book is I Sourvird.  {Survived}"

I don't even know what to say.

{sweetness}

since molly claimed the other one...

this little one has found her boy....

probably because he slowed down long enough

for her to catch him {wink} 

and, then there's molly,

ignoring it all....

{this is what i heard}

as they were playing just dance II on the wii.

evan:  "okay, noah, i'll let you make me do the pussy cat dolls song

if i get to choose next time."

noah:  "okay"

evan:  "man, i hate that."

:)    

{playground chatter}

e has a stalker.  still.

she is the one who had declared her

love for him all over her refrigerator.

her parents had to be called a few

times last year.  a specific request

was made that it was probably a great

idea that they not be in class this year.

well, they are not, but there is always the playground. :) 

this week,  this conversation occurred.....

"evan, i will look different when we grow

up and you may not recognize me.  so,

marry me now!!!!!" 

he told her that definitely wasn't a good idea. 

at least he didn't get pinned down this time. ;)



{which is more painful}

Evan and I check for eggs several times a day.

He and I have completely enjoyed the entire process of the chickens.

Is it bad that they know me by name at Atwood's?  They say

I have spoiled chickens.   Maybe??  

I went and peeked earlier this morning as on weekends we

gather in the morning and evening because he just can't stand it.  I spied

3 in one spot, one dropped in the doorway of the coop and a new

one sitting who looked scared out of her mind.  Can't say I don't blame her.

I quietly closed the door and returned to the house and left her in privacy. 

 I reported everything to Evan. He of course wanted to go gather, but

I reminded him how scared this new mom was and we needed

 to give her some time alone.

His reply, "Oh, I can imagine her face being scared.  It probably looks

just like mine when I sit down to AR test.  That scares me to death!!"

Funny Boy!

    

{sarcasm}

I wrapped up a phone conversation as E patiently

waited for me to finish up his reading homework with him.

When he was certain the conversation had ended.....

"okay, mommy, let's get on with it, I'm not getting any younger."

{oh, yeah, I forgot about that}

8:27 pm - Me:  Evan stop playing that game and go brush your teeth, it's bedtime.

8:28 pm - Evan is still playing.  Me:  Evan stop playing that game, it's bedtime.  Evan:  can I try this one more time, it doesn't take very long.  Me:  No, Evan.  Are you obeying right away, all the way and with a happy heart?                                                          

8:29 pm - Evan:  ohhhhhhhhh noooooooo, I forgot about that.  Me:  What part did you mess up on?   Evan:  well, all of it really.  But, it isn't really my fault because  it's been like a year since you used that on me.   Me:  Do you think you should start back at it?   Evan:  yea, pretty much.

Breathe.

{happy birthday big boy!}

Lil' man is now seven.

I know that has to be a mistake.

Seven??? 

How does this happen?!?

I will say, my perspective on the speed of

life with my boys is something that is becoming

more apparent each and every day. 

I am really striving to take in as much as I can

and be away from this desk more.   

Legos anyone? :)

Okay, on to the BIRTHDAY....

Of course he was ready to open his presents the moment

his eyes opened.  And, OF COURSE, he was nearly in 

his birthday suit.  Still not cute pj's for that one. So, pardon

the undies that are too big {of course!}.

In the first one below, he had a chicken dance card and

he broke right into it.......

Their Wii was broken most of the summer.  And with the price

difference being LESS than a repair considering it came with a game,

we opted to buy another.  Hopefully this one will last longer.

His breakfast of choice:  donuts and milk. 

They toast everything, even the donuts. ;)



That evening we headed to Uncle Shawn, Aunt Sheshe  and Britt's for

some swimming, pizza and cake. 



I interrupt this program..........to skip to HB Big Boy II because 

my pictures will not load. 

 I'll be back when they decide to cooperate. :(  

{i just heard.....}

"Noah, get me a flashlight."

"Noah, get me a flashlight."

As Evan hauled my purse across the room.

He's looking for his pack of gum.

In the bottom.

Have you lifted my purse lately?

{before i forget....}

I was in the kitchen earlier with Evan as he was

drinking a glass of milk and informing me that he

figured out he was "Ethiopian." 

Don't ask.

He then burped loudly a few times as he

put the empty glass down. 

I, of course, was mortified and decided to hit him

where it hurts.  "Evan, I can't believe you just

did that.  You know that is rude and you need to

remember that girls do not like that." 

His response, "that's not true mommy, a lot of the 

girls in the cafeteria burp louder than I can.   They laugh

when they burp.  Which makes me laugh.  And, they really

like me to laugh.  So, I think you're wrong."

I won't bore you with the details of manners 

explored.  I really don't think he's buying it anyway.    

 

{my heart could burst}

the answer to my prayer....a prayer i had prayed for years.....

was abundantly more than i could have ever imagined.

i stress in the teacher department.

in a big way.

i know they can literally make or break a year. 

i would have likely picked someone else going in as

i did not know her.  and, what a blessing evan {well,

scott & i was well} would have missed out if i had

dabbled in that water.  such a fantastic year

on so many levels. and, i think he was good for her too. 

leading up to the end of school he cried and cried

about not getting to see her every day.  he didn't want that

change.  he still talks about her almost daily - very few

days have passed that he has not.   he is keeping

up with his summer reading because he told her he would.

{he is not a lover of books on his own yet}

Last night he crawled into bed with

us sobbing because he missed her so much. 

he received this in the mail last week.

he has it in a special place in the living room and

reads it daily.   tonight he wanted to call her,

i opted to text - since she is on summer break.

he dictated, i typed his word for word.....

"Ms. Ewing, this is Evan.  My mommie is typing this for me.

I love you.  Are you having a good time in the capital of Boston? 

{oops!}.  How is your mom doing?  I miss you.  Thank you for being

my teacher.  I loved the card!  I "understanded" it.  And, I loved it.

Thanks for the card.  It was great.  That's all.  Evan Walker."

heart melted.  

We received the following:

"Love you 2.  Will call in a few minutes 2 talk. K?"

And, they chatted and chatted.  

He was such a big boy!  He absolutely loves her.

What a great year he had!  So thankful!

now, to send my letter this year or not?  this year
i am not as hesitant to as i was last year.  likely
should have already done it.  so, we shall see! 

"Evan-ese"

A couple things just today: 

*as explained evan has been banned from the cucumber patch.  after church

about as quickly as he remembered that we would "harvest" today.....

"hey, mommy we need to go pick the cucumbers!  oh!!!!! today is the

day we cannibal them!"   well, i guess you could say that????  i reminded

him we could be "canning" them.   "oh, yeah."

then, he was begging to go outside.  it's just a bit after three and about

three hundred degrees out there.  so, i told him he would have to wait

until later so it could cool down.  he decided to go "check" and came back

to report it was still  "just a little bit, maybe an inch, over hot". 

I'm just not sure about the child. :)

{field trip: strawberry patch}

It was one of those days in which I had to let the calendar slide. 

I had a date, a very important date.   

With a little cutie. 

And, by the way the little girls in his class room act around

him, I'm not the only one who thinks that. ;)

Way too early!

But, WW had their field trip yesterday which started out

at Wild Things Farm for picking strawberries in a loaded field,

a petting zoo and a hay ride.

Notice below:  he really does listen to instructions.

The application is where we slip at times.

His best classmate buddy:  Jake

 

 There were THOUSANDS of berries for the picking and yes,

they scattered to claim their "own" plots. 

Hmmm...peacocks.  Although beautiful, 

they are clearly not my favorite animal.

Let's just say I got attacked by one in Hawaii.

Remind me to tell JC about that one, it needs to

go in my book.

I snuck inside a greenhouse.  After I swooned, I stomped out

when remember my flooded garden. 

Honey Bees....love. 

Although I detest honey.

THEN, we were off to Ben Geren for our picnic and time

on the playground.  Exhausting, but fun day! 

{delay}

in posting about my Mother's Day.

All was really quite here as I had a sick little guy who

is home with me today as well.

Hmmmm.....I have a feeling that the screaming list that I actually

am avoiding peeking at now...will be waiting and delayed as well.

I'm in the thros of a real, live mommy's day!!  :)

{miss molly}

Evan is loving on Molly on the couch in front of me.  

Minutes ago, I heard this.......

"Oh, I love you Molly girl. I'm

going to miss you so much when

I go to college."

Immediately.......

"Mommy, will Molly be "a-l-i-v-e" when I go

to college? 

Me:  Evan I hope so, but, I have

know way to know that. We will just take

really good care of her until then."

Evan:  "Well, is she eating her grains like she should?"

Evan:  "You know dog food, dog food, dog food and a treat?"

If only it were that simple. :)

{another one bites the dust}

Evan has joined Scott in the Infirmary. :(