First day vs. last day

 First day thumbs-up. This year was a rough one.

 End of the school year "just ready to be done" smiles. Goodbye 5th and 1st grades.

P.S. Bring my baby's baby face back. He seems to have lost the last little bits of it this year.

 Plus, it wouldn't be the last day of school if I didn't have some kids slathered up with sunscreen and wearing a tie-dyed shirt. My Woo was particularly bugged with her shirt this year. Unfortunately she was stuck with the colors of blue and black. "I look like a big bruise," she said.

 He started the year so full of hope and excitement.

 Now he's older and wiser. Adios 7th grade.

Mother's Day 2014

My annual picture so that the kids know what I look like if I die.

My youngest

Okay kids, just a couple of shots for Mother's Day.

Perfect.

Polite

After kindly snuggling me for a few minutes in bed this morning Tiger said, "If you'll excuse me, I need to watch TV now."

Easter

We had a lovely Easter this year. The weather turned out to be beautiful and we were all able to be together. It couldn't have been nicer.

Three Easter kids

Easter brothers

My teenager. He's pretty fun these days.

My girl. She continues to delight me.

My little man. He continues to have me wrapped around his finger.

We had an Easter egg hunt over at Grandma and Grandpa's house. Each of the kids had their eggs hid in an age appropriate manner. I believe that Sparky's were so well hidden that there are still a couple of them missing.

This little man needed a bit of help and so dad was more than willing to help his boy.

Grandma, Grandpa, and Uncle Scott surveying the scene.

One golden egg found

Counting eggs.

Little love birds and expert egg hiders.

Uncle Scott gives this day a thumbs-up.

Counting and emptying eggs.

You're never too old for bubbles.

His signature look

This kid cracks me up.

The time I tried to teach my little man how to ride a bike

The weather is finally starting to warm up and we are playing outside every chance we get. One night last week was particularly nice and so I thought it would be a good time to try to teach my little man how to ride a bike. We tried to teach him last year, but he was definitely not ready and we didn't get very far. However, this year I am determined. The boy needs to ride especially if we are going to be able to ride as a family. However, he's seriously lacking in the balance and confidence department, but he is making huge strides and I am confident that in the near future he will be riding like a pro. 

 

Ready for the maiden voyage.

 I don't know who was working harder. Me, as I tried desperately to run without dying, or Tiger as he tried so hard to balance, pedal, and steer at the same time.

Getting pumped to try again as he is handed off to dad.

 Still working on that balance. He keeps forgetting that he needs to continue to pedal in order to stay upright.

 Now he's just plain tired and the ability to balance has really gone out the window.

It is possible that I thought I was going to have a heart attack after running down the street with that kid. Running is the worst and I am seriously out of shape.

 Big hugs from his favorite brother. Tiger didn't master the bike on this night, but we made huge strides in his confidence and conquering his fears. Rock on little man!