TOMATOES!

One of the last field trips of the year for the Kindergartners is to a farm. D.A. LOVED it to say the least. Each child was permitted to take a plant home with them. D.A. chose a tomato plant. When we got it, it was small enough to be brought home in a plastic cup. We planted it and prayed it to grow. Each of the boys makes sure it is watered (sometimes I worry it might drowned to death). Last week we noticed some flower buds. YEA! And yesterday I noticed some actual tomatoes growing! D.A. is thrilled and can't wait to eat them. I'm happy it has lived this long and will be delighted when we actually have tomatoes in our mouths.

Awesome Neighbors on the 4th of July

Each year on the 4th of July (for the last few years anyway) we have a neighborhood party. This year we had a great turn out and a lot of fun. We make a whole day of it and people come and go as they desire. Those of us who stay all day have the most fun I think. We really have great neighbors. It's not often you can say that, but we really can.
I was able to snag a pic of my boys before they got all sweaty and dirty from the day. They are so funny. I found flag t-shirts at Wal-Mart for $3.00 each. We all got a new flag t-shirt this year.
Mr. Perfect's glasses got broken. He is heartbroken about it. Even when I told him it was time to get new ones and I would be more than willing to take him and get them on Wednesday he was still unsettled. He has loved these ones. They just fit his style! Here is a shot of a lot of the stuff we did. The bouncy castle is always a hit and it is our contribution. Our neighbor out there with the grill takes care of all of the cooking as well as buying all of the hot dog, hamburgers, and buns and stuff. You can't see it well in this pic but there is another neighbor who sets up a little face painting station. Then we set up tables and other neighbors bring dishes of food, boxes of drinks, or desserts. It is a wonderful party. We have fun, we catch up, we complain a bit, but best of all we just enjoy our great neighbors for a day!
Here is our face painting lady. She was so busy this year that she didn't even get anything to eat for the first couple of hours. And the only reason she was able to leave was because another neighbor took over so she could eat. There was still a huge line of kids. When she had to go take care of some other stuff her daughter took over as the painter. Huge attraction this year.
And I simply couldn't resist putting in another pic of my Mr. Super.

Sunday Fun Day

This Sunday we went to the Crimson's for dinner after church. And Auntie (used to be Crimson) and her hubby and baby Smudge were there. Boy that kid is cute. Mr. Right noticed how his eyes were blue and he could totally pass as one of ours, and wondered if his parents would miss him if we just took him home with us. My hubby suggested we could have another one...ummm. For now we will just borrow Smudge when he comes to town.
Mr. Perfect loved having a baby around. He of course is my baby guy. He's going to be a great Dad.I love this pic. Angel, Mr D.A. and Smudge. A-DOR-A-BLE!
Look at these two camera HAMS! Auntie Cinnamon and Mr. D.A. The camera loves you both!
Oh my sweet Mr. Prince. Precious!
Angel and Mr. Super. She looks good in orange. We only have a few more weeks to cherish with our Angel before she heads off on her mission.
Mr. D.A. had to get into as many pictures as he could. LOL. Silly boy!
I just had to laugh at this pic. They are putting candles on Grandpa Crimson's birthday cake. (Happy birthday Grandpa Crimson.) but the thing about this picture which just tickles me is the fact that Angel knows Mr. Super well enough to cover his mouth so as to preserve the lit candles so the birthday boy can actually blow them out. LOL. Fun Sunday. Every day with the Crimson's is fun!

All of that work paid off

A few months ago Mr. Music decided he wanted an electric guitar. He picked one out on Amazon and decided he was going to earn money and buy it. (He has quite a wish list on Amazon.) Last week he had finally earned enough, and so we ordered it. Today it came and he found his wig (something he also "earned to buy") and started playing. The thing is...he's pretty good. Having prior experience with guitar and his violin he quickly figured out how to make songs. He has been practicing different rifts and songs and is planning to serenade the guests we will be having at our block party on the 4th of July.
He wants to buy drums next...that is after the fish tank...and maybe the gumball machine, both of which are much less expensive. He's deciding.

Beautiful Baptism for a Beautiful Boy

Mr. Prince was baptized this month. We weren't sure how he would do. We weren't sure if he would be happy or moody or what. But as it was-everything went beautifully. There just isn't a better word for it.
Dad went very early with the older boys to fill the font and get set up at the church. And when we showed up we had just enough time to get Mr. Prince ready and snap a few pictures before it was time to start.
Well, as it goes we didn't have the person who was supposed to conduct the meeting there. So, we waited...and waited...and finally started making phone calls. We finally reached someone and Grandpa Crimson was assigned to conduct the meeting. (Though unplanned we thought it very suiting and were very pleased with the way things went.)
Once things got going it was the closest thing to a perfect baptism as I could have ever imagined. I even got a couple of comments on how it really was the best baptism several of our attendees had ever been to. The talks (given by Nana and Grandma Crimson) were concise and even though they were directed at Mr. Prince were very informative and beautiful. And the baptism and confirmation were beautiful. The prayers were given by Papa and Grandpa Crimson and they were...well...beautiful! Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful! The best part was Mr. Prince. He was excited and really listened to the talks, he soaked everything in and enjoyed his special day.
Here are some pics of our beautiful family and beautiful friends on the beautiful day of a beautiful baptism!

My favorite gifts

Besides being able to talk with own sweet mother, and spending time with my kids faux grandmother, and I must admit I loved the attention, the hugs, the extra love, the prayers, the smiles, AND the fact that the boys cleaned their rooms yesterday. But my favorite gifts this mothers day were mostly paper. My sons wrote me notes, made me cards and a crown. A letter came in the mail (although I received it more than a few days ago).
But a special one showed up that I wish to share.

The love giv’n to a man, whose home is war,
Requitted by an empty bed and chair,
Becomes the most relentless household chore,
For whom war’s siren call forced her to bear;
This single mother, loverless, alone,
Whose nation plays mistress, but stays a friend,
In love’s silent repose seeks not her own,
Feigns cheerful strength her duty to attend;
What worth this selfless affection does hold?
Can it be measured in an earthly scale?
No doubt, more precious than her home in gold,
Her perfect heart tried, tested without fail;
How rare to find a consecrated life,
Yet, none more sacred than a Soldier’s Wife

Love to you My Love.