Hiking Trail

LOVE:

The walking/hiking trail near our house, with beautiful trees (mostly Cedar!) and panoramic views of the lake.

Ramsey loves "exploring" here and "having adventures".   Riggs loves running everywhere and smelling everything.  

I love the calmness and peace.   I also love that Ramsey is now old enough to come with me (without a stroller), though I still end up carrying whatever sword, stick, or light saver he "HAS" to bring!

DON'T LOVE:

The myriad ticks I found on the dog once we got home.  Literally, he had at least 50 on him! #FrontLineDidntWork.

Plus, I found a bunch on Ramsey and myself (kept finding the little devils hours later and the next morning!).

#GrossedOut   #BetterBugRepellantNeeded   #HadtoShowerTwiceStillFeelingItchy   #WhenIs TickSeasonOver

Memorial Day Weekend

Memorial Day, a time to give thanks to Veterans who passed, making the ultimate sacrifice to keep our great nation free and safe. 

And, the "long weekend" we'd all been needing to rejuvenate and destress! 

 ....not many things sweeter than a little boy, his dog, and his wagon (that thing is a relic - it used to be mine when I was little).

Going for a spin in the Hummer (we could really use some FLAT ground SOMEWHERE to make this work better!)

 The playset was a nice retreat....

 Ramsey's favorite thing right now is the red rider.  

 And, of course, no nice-weathered weekend could go without fire-camping!

A "picnic snack" was necessary also.

We got a special surprise on Monday (Memorial Day).  Connor wanted to have a get-together with some of his buddies.

 Five of Connor's buddies showed up to fish and hang out.  They had to spread out between our dock and the neighbor's dock.

 There was a bit of X-Box playing and light saber fighting as well.

Ramsey was in HEAVEN, sitting with all of the "big boys" during lunch and getting time with them.

Connor's girlfriend Emily also came later to visit us!

Connor stayed over and one of his buddies also stayed.

Then, later the dock was a bit emptier again. 

Daddy fished while Ramsey and I played.  He reeled in a fish after Daddy had set the hook

A Visit from Miss Lindsay

We had a visitor on Saturday; my sweet niece Lindsay (who I cannot believe is already 24 years old!!!).   She lives about 7 hours away, so we don't get to see her nearly as much as we'd like!

 We had such a nice visit.  And Riggs got completely spoiled!

 And Ramsey got quite a lot of attention!

 Riggsy was sooooooo sad after she left.

 As were the rest of us.  Love you, sweetie!!!

Preschool Graduation

What an array of emotions on the day of Ramsey's preschool graduation.   Literally, my cup runneth over.  My heart was full.

Happiness - that he's had the opportunity to have such amazing friends, phenomenal teachers, and a wonderful environment to learn.

Pride - that Ramsey is turning into such a wonderful little human; so smart, funny, kind, and sweet.

Gratitude - for the love and guidance given by Ramsey's beyond-amazing teachers.  Seriously, we couldn't have ever had better teachers.  They are forever in our hearts.

Sadness - that my baby is growing up, this beautiful year is over, and soon he will be in Kindergarten! Mind. Blown.

Ramsey was sent to school all dolled up in his spring outfit with bowtie (gotta look handsome, ya know).    Nana Vicki and Bumpa drove down and met us.  Nana Karen wasn't well, so she wasn't able to attend.

The kids started off singing some super cute songs!

Then, they got their "diplomas".

Our little graduate:

Mrs. Brown and "Mrs. Rachel" (Brown) and the staff at First United Methodist were given accolades for their terrific efforts.

And, Mrs. Brown received an extra special nod, as she is retiring.  She will be missed SO much!  XXOO

Aaaaand.... here's where the waterworks started and I turned into a blubbering Mama.  That, in turn, caught on and Nana Vicki shed some tears.  And, apparently Ramsey also started bawling during this (but I was too busy sniffling myself to notice the poor kid was a mess!).

This video montage.... how stinkin' sweet!

 I tried to "smile nice" for the pic, but I had been crying like a darn baby, so I'm all puffy looking.  Grr.  HA!   Ramsey had "got it together" before the pic though.

 Our dear Mrs. Brown:

Afterwards, there was a reception downstairs with cookies and refreshments.  Ramsey had a special cookie with his name on it.  So cute!

 Sweet Mrs. Rachel:

 When we got home, we opened up Ramsey's gift bag from his teachers.  We discovered the most wonderful and heartfelt gifts!  There were wonderful books for Ramsey's library, pictures of Ramsey (see the "What I Want to Be When I Grow Up" pic), a copy of the photo montage video from the graduation ceremony, a workbook of the alphabet that Ramsey had worked on the entire year, and a personalized towel (which Ramsey insisted on using as a blanket instead). 

 Then, we got to the "memories" book, full of pictures, notes ("what Ramsey loves the most about school", "Ramsey's favorite things", "Ramsey's memories" [from various occasions]), and other tidbits from the past year in school.    That was where the waterworks fell all over again.

Ramsey patted me on my back and told me, "You'll be OK, Mommy!  It's good to have a 'good cry'.  I'm  here!  I'm always in your heart!"

After this extremely emotional day, I wondered, "Does it ever get any easier???!!??" 
#BlubberingMama   #KindergartenBound

Building

I have to laugh at this child.  He says and does the funniest things.

I had cut up and sanded a bunch of scrap pieces of wood in order to make a standing plant hanger.  (I obviously haven't gotten around to screwing it together and staining it JUST yet.)

I had the pieces by the front door.   Ramsey ran to them and started building.

I asked him what he was building.   He replied, "I'm building a wall!"

I told him the president would be proud to hear that.  ;-)

Storybook Land Preschool Field Trip

Bittersweet, it was - the preschool field trip to Storybook Land.  It was the "last harrah" of the year.

Luckily, we had a beautiful day (amidst the surrounding cloudy/chilly/rainy days) with sunshine and temps in the 60's!

There were a lot of parents who volunteered to go on the field trip.  We all split up and conquered.

Ramsey and I were paired up with Keagan (one of Ramsey's best buddies), his brother Greyson (he's 7 or 8), and their mom, Victoria.

We seemed to be paired up appropriately.  All of the boys are spirited and they got along like peas and carrots.  They were so excited when they entered!

 A few times, we crossed paths with the rest of the group.

 Ramsey said, "Hey Mom, I'm winking at you!"

 Greyson was such a good buddy. 

 And all of the Pre-K boys (and Greyson) were pretty stoked that they got a table all to themselves!  "The Boy Table!

 We had such an awesome time.  

So thankful for such a wonderful group of friends, teachers, and volunteers.