Spring Break 2010

What a great week!  Even though the weather was not what we had hoped for, it was still a great week.  I just love having my boys at home and I always enjoy the excitement of planning fun things to do each day.  Despite the chilly temps we didn't let it stop us from getting out and enjoying ourselves.  Samuel had a friend sleep over on Sunday night and they enjoyed playing outside and just being boys.  John Michael loves for Samuel's friends to come over and he especially loves being included in whatever they are doing. 

On Tuesday we enjoyed an outing to Barnes & Noble to purchase the new Diary of a Wmpy Kid book for Samuel and a new horse book for John Michael.  Then we headed to the park even though it was rather cool.  The boy's didn't seem to mind!

After the park, Samuel and I left John Michael with Joseph for a special night out and we headed to the movies to see Percy Jackson & the Lightning Thief.  We both enjoyed the movie and Samuel can't wait to read the book.

Joseph took off a couple of days and took Samuel turkey hunting which he just loved.  John Michael was quite disappointed that he wasn't included, but he and I did some fun things while they were gone. 

On Friday, we headed to the farm in Fayette and enjoyed riding four-wheelers, fishing, and hiking through the woods.  The boys just love this! 

Saturday, baseball bagan and what a beautiful day to kick off the season. 

 

So glad we obey the rules!

After baseball we enjoyed the beautiful weather by working on some projects in our yard at home.  A garden spot is well underway where we can grow some fresh vegetables.  I am so excited about this and hope my excitement remains in July when it is 100 degrees outside.  The boys helped clear and rake and played,  getting ready to plant some flowers and vegetables of their own. 

   

Spring cleaning and Easter!  I have been cleaning out closets, drawers, cabinets, etc. just to get rid of "stuff".  I love getting rid of things that are just taking up space and creating clutter.  I have also enjoyed doing some redecorating around the house and sprucing up for the spring season.

 

A few years ago, Samuel and I painted easter eggs at a do it yourself painting place in Kentucky called "Creative R You".  I love displaying our hand painted eggs in this egg basket.  

Life is good and God is great!

Ramblings... Samuel

They grow up so fast!  This seems to be my theme for the week, but it has been on my mind a lot lately.  Here are some current thoughts/reflections about where Samuel is at this point in his life.  Samuel is a typical nine year old boy in many ways, but not so typical in other ways.  He loves sports, particulary baseball and football.  Loves playing both and watching both.  Loves Alabama football and will not miss watching a game.  His favorite NFL team is the Colts.  He loves to swim, hunt, fish, explore the great outdoors, and ride his 4-wheeler.  But he also loves to read and he loves school.  He loves to read about history (particulary anything associated with the Civil War and/or soldiers) and mysteries, although his favorite subjects in school are Math and Science.  Discovery Kids is his favorite channel on TV.  He enjoys his piano lessons but hates the recitals.  He likes to play video games but I wouldn't say he loves it.  In other words, we don't have to tell him "no more".  He is a straight A student, athletic, polite, considerate, and a wonderful big brother.  He makes good choices and decisions and if he happens to mess up and get a bad grade or if the teacher has to call his name out for something, he has already punished himself by the time he gets home.  No TV for that night or no playing outside or no video games, etc.  Usually the situations wouldn't even warrent a punishment in our book, but he feels that it does.  He loves to ride his ripstick that he received for Christmas and mastered it in a very short period.  Rarely do I have to tell him to get up in the morning and get ready for school, is upset if he has to miss school, does his homework on his own and studies for his tests on his own.  He is dilligent about learning his memory verses for the Adventure Ridge program at church.  One quirky little thing about Samuel is that he will only drink milk, water, or a sports drink such as gatorade or powerade.  He has never drank a carbonated drink and says that he never will.  He is growing up so fast but will always be my baby!  Some random pictures of his various interests and activities are below. 

First hunt with his dad

Field Trip - Alabama Sports Hall of Fame

Field Trip - Peanut Depot

All Star Baseball last summer

All Star Team - District Champions

Football

Piano Recital

Mastering the ripstick

Sledding

Swimming

Playing with his brother

First Buck

Ramblings on John Michael

I just love the days that I have to spend at home with the boys.  With the boys being seven years apart, I have had the privilage of enjoying each of them at home one-on-one while they are little.  I loved being home with Samuel before he started to school and I am now enjoying being home with John Michael on Tuesday and Thursday each week.  Some of our favorite past times are Library story time, Barnes & Noble, having lunch with Joseph, going to the park, and of course, just staying home.  Last week we attended The Birmingham Children's Theatre production of Three Billy Goats Gruff.  John Michael loved it although he wasn't too fond of the Troll and was quite disappointed at the end when he and the billy goats didn't become friends.

Library Story Time - Bubbles

Barnes & Noble - Train Time

John Michael loves to ride his scooter at the park!

Loves to play with his horses!

and Loves to play with his brother!

First Dentist Appointment - What a big boy!

John Michael has his own little personality and is such a joy!  All of Samuel's friends just love John Michael.  Even the older kids at church, school, and the baseball field know and love John Michael.  He has a spark and a sweetness about him.  He loves horses, as I mentioned in the previous post, farms, tractors, 4-wheelers and farm animals.  He adores his big brother, loves to read books, and adds a little spark to just about everything we do.  He loves, loves, loves chocolate!  M&M's in particular.  He and Samuel have similar personality traits but are so different at the same time.  For example, the chocolate that Santa left in their stockings at Christmas...  Samuel's is still in the cabinet while John Michael's was gone by noon Christmas Day.  Funny!

Just a little update on John Michael.  "The days are long but the years are short".  He's growing up so fast!  We are so blessed and I want to enjoy every moment!

March

March already?!?!?  Time goes by so fast but I must say that I am ready for some Spring weather.  It has been a cold winter and I am ready for some sunshine!  We have had some nice spring-like days already giving us just a taste of what is soon to come.  This past Sunday was beautiful so the family and I loaded up and headed to 'the farm'.  Both boys were so excited that Mom was going along this time.  They couldn't wait for me to see all that they enjoy so much of...  the 4-wheelers, golf carts, fishing ponds, creeks, etc.  It was a great day and so nice to be out in the woods enjoying God's beautiful creation.

We are getting started with baseball with at least a couple practices each week.  Samuel has a great coach again and we are looking forward to a wonderful baseball season at Kentuck.  The boys have a campout planned for this weekend at 'the farm' with several fathers and sons participating.  Samuel loves this time!  We also just found out that some friends from Kentucky are coming down for a few days so we are all looking forward to that. 

John Michael is growing by leaps and bounds!  His current absolute obsession is horses.  He has been crazy about horses for quite some time, but now... he's obsessed!  He plays and plays with his horses, tractors, barns, trucks & wagons, etc... for hours.  His favorite movie is Black Beauty and The Black Stallion Series that we check out at the library EVERY week.  If he has a bad day at school, all I have to say is no Horse Movie and the problem is taken care of.  I keep telling Joseph that we will be buying a horse one of these days!

I just started reading Firefly Lane and so far, I can't put it down.  It's really good.... I just wish I had more time to read.  Samuel is reading Tom Sawyer and we are looking forward to the upcoming Tuscaloosa Childrens Theatre production.  John Michael is reading anything and everything to do with horses.  Seriously!  Every night, Black Beauty or another farm related book that has horses in it.  Even educational books about horses.  As long as there are horses, he's great!

Looking forward to Spring break next week!