Memory Monday

Seeing as tomorrow my first-born will turn 5, it's a fitting Memory Monday to look back at his 4th birthday.  It never ceases to amaze me what a difference a year makes.  These critters do not even look the same as today!

Harrison age 4

Brigdon age 6 months

June 2010

Our Graduate

It's hard to believe the school year is already coming to a close.  It seems as if I was just holding back tears after dropping Harrison off for his first day of preschool.  Now, fast-forward 9 months later, we have arrived at Preschool Graduation.

To be honest, I was a little nervous how my emotions would hold up, but the Graduation Program was so funny that I didn't have a minute to cry.  Full of songs and scripture and then the finale...awarding the diplomas.  We watched as each student, class by class, made their way to the front of the stage, took their respective bow or curtsey, and was given a big squeeze from their teacher and handed their diploma. 

At the start of the program, our boy was the line leader and the first one in.  In his usual manner, he strutted in swinging those arms and took his seat on the stage.  Once they got to the diploma part of the program, I realized that the downside to Harrison being the first one in meant that he would be the last one to receive his diploma.  I panicked and thought for a second, "Oh no!  Everyone will be tired of clapping by the time they call his name!"  Who am I kidding?  The whole row of our family was whopping and hollering just for him. 

Harrison, I'm so proud of you and all your hard work this year.  You've grown and changed and learned so much.  God has big plans in store for you!

First United Methodist Preschool Class of 2011

Singing "...and I will open, open, open the door and will come in."

Take a bow

A big hug from Ms. Shelly

My Sweet Family (even though Dad looks annoyed)

"Just Some Good Ole Boys..."

"...Never meanin' no harm..."

My Cowboy

Cowboy in Training

Love this face...He's sounding like a chicken, "bawk, bawk!"

Little Betty Crocker(s)

My nephew Tyler -- a/k/a Harrison's "BFF" -- had his fourth birthday a few weeks back.  Knowing how much Harrison loves to help out in the kitchen, Aunt Sue had the brilliant idea of baking cupcakes with both boys in honor of Tyler's birthday.

They were such great sports and took turns measuring and stirring with the electric mixer.  I spooned the batter into cupcake liners and let them bake/cool.

Birthday Boy!

Don't lie...You know you lick the beaters too!

Yum!

Next up, the fun part...decorating!  I let the boys go hog wild here.  We had every container of sprinkles in my pantry out and nearly all of them were used up! 

After taste-testing a few, the remainder got wrapped up and sent home with Tyler.  Some folks may beg to differ, but you just can't go wrong with boxed cake mix and a jar of pre-made frosting!

Spring Break-in'!

Being a big school boy now, this was Harrison's very first Spring Break!  Daddy managed to score a few days off of work and we headed to the beach.  This is by far one of Harrison's favorite places to go and I was anxious to see how Brig would do this year...he's MUCH more mobile than he was last year! 

Brig's first beach day - March 2010

We had the best time just enjoying the perfect weather and the sand and the water and the pool.  I wouldn't be completely honest if I didn't say that by the end of the week, Mama was ready for school to start back!  Summer Break should be interesting. 

We managed to poke around downtown St. Augustine one afternoon too...

Easter

^"Jesus said to her, 'I am the resurrection and the life.  He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.  And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die.  Do you believe this?' " 

-- John 11:25-26

We had the most blessed Easter.  A day set aside to remember the Cross -- and even more than that -- to celebrate a risen Savior! 

We started our day with church, and managed to snap a quick family picture afterwards.

Crazy how the most random pictures taken in a rush sometimes are my favorites!

We made the drive to Palatka and celebrated the afternoon with food, family and Easter eggs.  Both Harrison and Brig had a blast with their cousins hunting eggs and then spent the remaining time splashing in the pool!

We then made the drive back home to celebrate with the rest of our family, and of course....more Easter egg hunting!

While the eggs and the candy and the new outfits are great, the best part of this day was recounting the details of what Easter is geniunely about.  I had to choke back tears while listening to Harrison's account of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus.  He definitely knows the facts, but the one thing that stood out to me was the sadness in his voice when he said, "They nailed Him to the cross."  Such a simple statement, but powerful words coming from a 4-year-old.  I hope I never forget the tone in his voice.



Garden Update

Our little garden is off and running!  Harrison is so proud and we're hoping for fresh veggies very, very soon. 

(Disclaimer:  Daddy took these pictures one afternoon while outside with the boys.  It's rather obvious he dressed them.  And if you've stuck around this little blog for any time at all, you're well aware that my critters prefer to be outside and dirty...but they clean up good!)

This is one of my Fall scarecrow decorations.  Daddy dug it out of the shed in an attempt to keep away the deer....except that it doesn't look scary enough.

That corn's as tall as my boy!

Two Months!

Holy smokes!  My last blog entry was dated April 8, 2011.  That's exactly two months ago!  I knew it had been a while, but didn't realize it'd been that long!  Well, after a much needed guilt trip, I'm back in Blog Land.

Be looking over the next few days for a "catch up" of what's been happening in our little world over the past 8 or so weeks...Fun stuff!

Tell me this doesn't crack you up??