Happy Weekend Plans

School has been on for over 2 weeks now and my boys are T-I-R-E-D and frazzled!

It is always a little rough to transition from carefree summertime to {what they think} is the extreme stress of Middle School with lots of classes, overwhelming amounts of homework and big assignments, on top of exhausting 3 hour football practises everyday! I am tired just writing all that :) So on that note, let me tell you ...we are all very happy that the weekend is here! Phew!

Plans for De-stressing the Boys this weekend

*Friday night movie with cold gatorades and buttered popcorn (using Grandpa's special 'recipe')

*No alarm clocks Saturday morning

*Big pancakes, eggs and bacon breakfast with fresh peach smoothies

*Yark work and super cleaning our house {not fun-but needed} together with our favorite tunes blasting {kinda fun?}

*Afternoon swim with the whole family-hurrah

*BBQ with fresh corn on the cob and cherries from the Farmers Market--yum!'

*Games and red vines--and get them into bed fairly early{wish me luck wiht that one}

*Slow and sweet Sunday--sleep in, church, naps, maybe some home videos (that is always good for some laughs) , and lots of TLC from their Momma--boys pretend that they don't like that, but secretly I think they do and I know they NEED it!

I hope that my plans have the desired effect! It makes me sad to see my children struggle and feel overwhelmed, but I know that it is actually good for them and a necessary part of growing up, learning to be responsible and successful in life. I can't take the stress away, and I don't want to! Even thought it is hard, I know that learning to cope with it now will make them stronger and more capable later in life when {shh don't tell them} it is actually harder and matters more.

All I can do is be generous with my love and affection when they are home.

Ohh the pains of growing up:) and the pains of being a Mother!

My Graduation Boy

(TJ is the 4th from the left)

Last week I attended TJ's 5th grade graduation. I still can not believe that my 11 year old will be going off to the Jr High next year. That is weird for me to think about...but I know he will do great! TJ has always been very mature for his age. He is also very charismatic and friendly--just like his Daddy:) He genuinely likes people and it shows. He was voted by his class to receive the "Good Citizen Award" (for always being nice and kind to others and good behavior thru out the year). I thought that was an especially neat honor since he was the "new kid" this year.
He also received a pin for getting on the Presidential list for straight A's.

Way to go TJ--keep up the good work!!

( Don't they look sharp in their ties and graduation medals?)

TJ--Megan--Joseph

This was a shot choreographed by the Mommas:)So our kids just grin and bear it!

We are all friends from church and sadly Megan's family is moving this summer.

That little Megan is such a cutie. I think the boys agree:)

ByeBye Little Baby Curls

It is official I know have 5 boys' haircuts to do every month! I had been holding out on Bridger and Cannon, but I decided it was time! Do you remember these cute curls... Actually these pictures are old. They were much much' poofy-ier' than this!

After lots of wiggling, and bribing with suckers, I was able to get this new look!

Pretty darn cute, huh?

I will miss those darling little curls...but they only looked that cute right after I combed them fresh out of their morning baths. So the rest of the day, they looked like little rag muffins who didn't have a mother to care for them. It was time! Sad, but true!

PS I need help with my hair cutting skills!! I do my best but really it is not very good. Anyone want to give me some pointers?? Show me how it is done! ??

And yes...Cannon did not want to pose for pictures! He is a very busy little man with much more important things to do!