Another First

Since Connor is starting kindergarten in the Fall, I thought it was about time that he learned how to ride a bicycle. Especially since on tricycles and his Big Wheel he was still scooting with his feet and not pedaling. Last weekend Shawn and I made the trip to Walmart (of course) to get Connor and Garrett's first bike. It was a busy week to say the least, so we didn't actually get the boys and their bikes outside until yesterday morning. Garrett wasn't real interested in riding and I didn't push that issue....my goal was to get Connor up and going on his bike. (He has a tendency to be more hesitant than his fearless little brother.) As was expected, he was a little unsure at first...having not found his balance and not being comfortable sitting up so high (he wanted to try Garrett's little bike....no sir!) So after a few minutes of just sitting on the bike and getting a feel for it, reassured that he wasn't going to fall off, we were ready to start moving. This brought out more fear, but I'm not ashamed to say that he was bribed into keep trying ("If you don't ______, you won't get to go see Daddy's martial Arts class" always works wonders!)
At last he got moving! He was actually pedaling! He was steering! He figured out how to stop himself! He was having fun! He was riding his bike! I was so proud of him! We went all the way around the block...Shawn, Garrett and I walking along beside him while Connor rode his bike. Later that day he wanted to go out and ride his bike again! Shawn took him for another ride around the block. This time he had is first crash! He turned his head around to look for Shawn and ran into a rut between the grass and sidewalk. He fell over, scratched his knee, and got right back up and on his bike again! So proud!

Back Yard Fun

So this afternoon Shawn took the boys out in the back yard to play catch while I worked on balancing the checkbook and paying bills. (How lucky am I????) After a little while of peace and quiet I hear, "Carrie, come look at Connor!" As I turn the corner to look out the back door (which is in the breakfast nook right off the kitchen), a blast of water sprays my kitchen floor! Connor had taken over the water hose! As it turns out, the game of catch turned into a water hose war! Shawn, in his infinite wisdom decided to turn the water on the boys while they ran around the backyard and went down the slide on their swing set. Normally this wouldn't have been an issue, but they were in their sneakers and good clothes! Oh well... it all cleans up and dries off...even the wet grass that now lines my tile floor. All that matters is that the boys had a great time playing in the backyard with Daddy today!

Body Art

So after weeks of deliberation, Shawn finally went and got a new tattoo today! He has been wanting one on his back for a while now and since Father's Day is coming up, I finally agreed. (Agreement was on spending the money for the tattoo...not whether to get one or not. It's his body...)Anyway, it actually turned out pretty cool looking. Ask me again in 20 or so years if it still does though. ha ha ha!!!!

Playtime!

Today after the last day of Vacation Bible School, I took the boys to Celebration Park in Allen, Texas to play with Kristi's boys and some of her friend's kids. Connor and Garrett had a blast! There was a huge playground and a splash pad with squirt toys and water sprinklers! I didn't even mind sitting out in the heat knowing that they would get so tired out from fun in the sun that they would go to bed early!

Daniel's Graduation

Well...he did it! It was touch and go for a bit this last grading period....but he pulled it off! Daniel graduated from high school!!!! Shawn and I are very proud of his hard work and smart choices. What takes most people four years to complete, Daniel did in three! He only went to high school for three years! He had a lot of wonderful teachers and friends that I know made his time at Ryan High School very enjoybale and very memorable for him.

We had a big turn out at the graduation ceremony. Relatives from both Shawn's side of the family and Daniel's mom's side of the family came out to see him walk across the stage. We were especially excited that Aunt Joy and Tiffany came in from Kingsland and that Grandpa Bob came all the way from New Mexico for the occasion! After the ceremony, pictures, and well-wishes, we all parted ways for the afternoon with plans to meet back up at our house later that evening for the party. Friends and family who weren't able to make it to the ceremony came over for the party too. Other out of town family members, inlcuding Shawn's mom, called during the party to give their congratulations. A fun time was had by all. And boy, did Daniel rake in the gifts! I think he counted over $400 in cash and gift cards. Grandpa Bob gave him a real nice watch. Daniel's mom gave him a cross necklace. Shawn and I had given Daniel his present, a digital camera. a couple of weeks early so that he could take it with him to prom. I also bought Daniel the book Oh the Place You Will Go by Dr. Seuss and had everyone at the party sign it for him. May not be much to an 18 year old kid now, but I hope that it will become a special treasure for him in the future.

It almost feels like the day after Christmas. All the planning, preperation, stress, and anticipation has come to an end. The party is over, the trash has been picked up, leftovers are in the fridge, pictures are being developed, thank you notes need to be written. (Is it bad that I gave him a little template to follow for those notes? ha ha ha!) Daniel has a little less than two months to enjoy this last summer of freedom before his new adventure in the Army begins.

Kindergarten Orientation

Connor and I attended his first school event....Kindergarten Orientation! While the parents listened to information given by the kindergarten teachers and other staff members, the kids wathced a movie in the gym. Aferwards, we all got to take a tour of the kindergarten area in the school. Connor was so excited that his friend from Sandcastle, Megan, was there with us. Megan and Connor have gone to Sandcastle together for a few years now and willboth be kindergartners at Boals elementary next year!

Senior Pictures

Daniel will graduate high school in just a few short days. Here are some of his senior portraits. Will post more after ceremony and party!