A late Cinco de Mayo Celebration

May is my month to host potluck and I planned to have a Cinco de Mayo potluck theme party. Everyones schedule did not seem to work for that day and we could not get together until this week. However, that did not stop us from having a fiesta. Since my Aunt Becky Ann loves a party as much as I do she was so sweet to sent some fun favors for kids. Along with some cute decorations. And since you can not have a Cinco de Mayo celebration without food. I severed the traditional chips, salsa, guacamole and for dessert I made sombrero hat cookies. We ended our Cinco de Mayo fiesta with a pinata! I am sure you can imagine, the kids went crazy! Oh my goodness, they were so excited.
Now we may have been a week late with our celebration but it was a great way to end a warm May. Happy late Cinco de Mayo!

Living the good life!

As a joke when I am having a rough day, Kevin always says to me, "Oh honey, you are living the good life." Referring to me being a stay at home mom. Yes, I am not complaining, I do have it good but if you are a stay at home mom or really a mom of any sort you know that no two days are ever the same and you are never sitting around eating Bon-Bon's like so many people love to think. It is a lot of work, but I would not trade it for the world. I love every minute of it, the good and the bad days.

However, back when I was working, I would see several moms that looked as if they had just finished their tennis matches and were heading to lunch with the ladies. I must admit, I secretly wished that would be me one day.

Well, it was me today! Let me back up, a week ago my friend asked me if I would be interested in taking tennis lessons with her and another friend. It is such a busy time right now with the boys activities and end of the school year I hesitated. Did I really want to add one more thing to my schedule. But since they were both beginners too and it was only twice a week for 3 weeks I decide why not. I have to learn sometime. After buying "tennis" shoes, which are the ugliest shoes known to mankind and a cute tennis outfit, I was all set. You have to look the part right? But after today's lesson I know that I will not be competing in Wimbledon any time soon but it really was alot of fun and I did learn the proper techniques. Not to mention, I felt like "one" of those ladies today. Coffee, Tennis, and my two little munchkins. HA!

After my tennis lesson, I did not lunch with the ladies, instead, the boys and I had our first picnic of the season.
(After seeing this picture, two haircuts are on this weeks growing agenda!)
There is just something about boys and being outside, the two go hand and hand.

After lunch, we played, we raced, we searched for worms, we found baby ducklings in the creek, we played with bubbles, and we enjoyed the grass in between our toes. Does it get any better than this?

As Kevin would say..."We really are living the good life."

A Busy Week...

On Wednesday, my in-laws, better known as Dad-Daddy and Grammy arrived. The boys were so excited to see them. Not only were the boys excited to see their grandparents, they were excited to see the sunshine!! They must have brought the sunshine along with them because we have not seen in it days! As usual, both Holden and Rylan were ready to play! And since the sun was shining we did most of our playing outside. There were games of basketball, baseball, even Grammy was recruited to play, and lots of time on the swings!

Every time my father in-law, comes to visit he always wants a project to help with. And this time was no different. The project this time...painting the dining room! Yes, finally it is done! I will post pictures of the completed room once the curtains arrive later this week.

Holden's soccer season has been a complete wash due to all the rain! We have not played since our first game, which was over a month ago! However, on Saturday, our league rented out Wall2Wall, an indoor soccer facility, and our game went on as planned. Holden was excited for his grandparents to watch him play. He just happened to make 2 goals!

Saturday also was the Kentucky Derby. I just love watching the Derby! All the hats, dresses, and the gorgeous horses. We watched, we cheered, and we sipped on Mint Juleps. We were cheering for Mucho Macho Man but Animal Kingdom captured the beloved title of Derby Champion. Better luck next time!

What a busy week! Even though our week was a busy one, we all enjoyed our time with "Dad-Daddy and Grammy!" Their visit always seems to go by so quickly but we are already looking forward to the next one.

Quote of the Day

Rylan says, "It is raining."

Holden says, "Why does it rain every single day!"

My thoughts exactly! First it was snow and now it is rain. Will it ever end?!

Devastation

We have been watching and waiting for the ducklings to hatch. Friday morning Rylan did his ritual looking out the window at the duck, which we have named her "Sweetie," and she was still there sitting on her eggs. When we came home from preschool the duck was not there but I did not think much of it. Until I looked closer at the nest and there were no eggs! Oh my, did they hatch? How did we miss this?

While outside playing Holden found some of the eggs in the bushes. Oh no, I think something got the eggs. How was I going to explain this. As you can imagine, the boys were devastated. But thankfully, they think the eggs hatched and the ducks flew away. Either way, they were upset since they thought the duckling were going to be our pets. Now, started the talks about getting a pet! I like animals but do not want one in my house. But Holden keeps asking for some type of pet and then all of a sudden said, "What about a fish?" Perfect we will get a fish. Off to the store we went for each of the boys to pick out one. Holden's fish is the orange and black one, he named his "Ninja" and Rylan's fish is the orange and white one, he named his "Ice cream." Oh these little hands in the fish bowl...I am giving these 20 cent fishies about a week with these two.

Building the Walls

Our church host an outreach called Build the Walls. It is where you frame the walls for a Habitat for Humanity home in the church parking lot. Then once finished, they are then loaded to a truck to be delivered to the home site where it will be further constructed. Kevin volunteered last year and decided that he wanted us as a family to help out this year. We lucked out and were placed with a great team! Might I add patient! After the adults somewhat got the nails in, they would let the boys finish it off. Yes, it did take a little longer to complete our task but the kids felt like they were really helping. We were asked to write scriptures or something special on the wall before returing them to the truck. Here is what Holden wrote... and a sweet little girl in our group wrote this... Kids always surprise me with what they come up with! Not only did Holden and Rylan swing a hammer, they helped carry wood. And when we were finishing up for the day, they jumped on top for a ride. I know the boys are probably a little young to really understand what they were helping out with but I hope that we can continue to volunteer and instill the value of giving back. Or at least that is my hope! Our family, along with 600 other volunteers, help construct the framework for 5 homes. Not bad for a Saturday morning!

A funny story from the morning, because you know we always have one. I was holding two pieces of wood together to be nailed and Rylan came over to tell me he had to go potty. I told him, "Wait just a minute and I will take you." Not even two seconds later Mrs. Carol, says to me, "Do not look at our son." Well, I had to look then! What did I see? Rylan peeing in the water drain in the parking lot!!!! AHHHH! You have got to be kidding me!! I guess it is partly my fault since he did say he had to go potty! It's days like this that make me wonder how I gave birth to such boys! It is a good thing we were placed with such a great team with a good sense of humor!