Zane's 4th Birthday!

This week began with the release of our three butterflies! A while back, Zane saw this butterfly garden on t.v. I do this with my kids at school each year, so I was very familiar with it. I went ahead and bought one for Zane and we got three caterpillars. It was really fun to watch them grow and change! Zane really enjoyed it! On Monday we let them go.

Zane releasing his butterflies

Tuesday was picture day. I was nervous about taking both of them for pictures and didn't know what we'd end up with, but we were the only people in the whole place and they went VERY WELL! We had over 100 pictures to choose from...many were very good...here are a few of them (check out our Flickr site, there are more on there).

Mason, 6 months

Zane, 4

Brothers!
You gotta love this one!

Wednesday was Zane's 4th birthday! I am so excited each year for his birthday and love to reminisce on the past year and everything that Zane has accomplished, but a little part of me is also sad about how fast it is all going! It reminds me to stop and smell the roses once in awhile! Wednesday was a Jo's house day, so we took Spongebob cupcakes and gift bags with us! Actually, Matt took the boys since I had to be at a meeting early that morning. All of the other kids at Jo's brought Zane some very nice presents. He had a blast!

Ready to open gifts!

Zane's new umbrella from Jo

We met Matt at Pizza Shoppe for Zane's birthday supper (we finally talked him OUT of McDonald's since he had it for lunch). Then we headed home so he could open his gifts from us.

Mason's such a happy boy! Zane ready to open more presents

Zane opening "Frank"

Zane's big birthday party with our families is this coming Sunday (the 31st). When Matt's mom said something to Zane about it this weekend, his response was, "I'll be 5!" He thought it was another birthday!

This weekend we stayed at Matt's parents' house. The races were rained out so we briefly thought about having a "date night," but it was already 9:00 and that's pretty close to our bedtime these days! Zane had a very busy weekend being a farmer! He spent most of his day Saturday helping Papa plant beans. I never dreamed he'd want to stay in the tractor all day long, but he did NOT want to come in from the field! Papa reported that he was really good and was a good listener! He sat there watching, asking questions, and helping when he could. That boy could live on a farm for sure!

Hello ladies!

Zane "planting beans"


Farming is dirty work!

Yesterday Zane did some more farming! He's proving to us he DOES have an attention span! He and Matt spent some quality time together on the farm as well. After coming in for the evening, Zane looked at Matt and said, "Another day, another nickel!" Then he said, "Dad, is that a naughty word?" I do not know where he got that, but it sure was funny! He's just growing up right before our eyes!

Watching cartoons in the morning!

Mason is growing up as well! I don't think it'll be long before he's crawling! He is really starting to play with toys, reach for things, and even reaches out for us to pick him up! It's a great feeling when he does that! This weekend he did a lot of talking and "growling." Yesterday Matt's mom and I were getting him to growl after we did, he was copying, but naturally when we tried to get him to do it for Matt, he wouldn't! He just smiled at us, which is just as good! He is such a happy baby! He's smiling and laughing all the time!

Cool dude Zane!

Mason celebrated his 6 month birthday this weekend...doesn't seem right! Here is his 6-month picture with big bird!

Don't forget to check out our Flickr site. There are many more pictures on there that I didn't put on this page. Have a fabulous (short) week and check in next week for more birthday party pictures!

Adam's Graduation Weekend

This past week's weather was up and down and all over the place! On Wednesday Jo told the kids to bring their rain gear so they could play out in the rain. Naturally, that was one of the nicer days and it didn't rain! They ended up having to make their own rain, but they had a ton of fun!

Sam, Zane, Madelyn, Makenna, Ryan ready for rainy fun!

The kiddos searching for puddles...
They didn't find any, so they made their own rain!

This weekend we headed to Iowa for Adam's graduation. His party was Saturday night. It was nice to see so many friends and family! I was supposed to help serve, which I did a little bit of, but I spent more time talking...imagine! After his party all of us cousins on Mom's side headed to the races. We made it just in time for the features! My cousins had never been to the races before and they had a lot of fun!

Mason & Jessica

Zane, Adam, Mason, Lisa

Brian & Mason

Brian, Amy, Lisa, Jess, Michele, Heidi at the races

Sunday morning we spent some time with the family before graduation. It was a nice ceremony, and even nicer because Papa/Grandma Farmer kept the boys for us so we could just watch and enjoy! I can't believe my little Adam has graduated! To think...Matt and I used to take him places in high school and people thought he was our kid!

Adam receiving his diploma

Amy, Adam, Aaron

After graduation we went to Mom and Dad's house for a couple of hours to greet more friends. The boys came over also and everyone enjoyed seeing them as well.

Zane the Quarterback!

How do you really feel about the prunes?

When we were getting ready to head back to KC, we heard the ice cream truck outside! Zane got SO excited for it! He got some money from Papa and stood at the end of the driveway waiting! It was hilarious!

Zane waiting for ice cream


Let's see...what do I want?

Worth the wait! Papa and Zane with their treats.

Zane barely lasted to the edge of town before falling asleep, and went straight to bed when we got home! He has to be exhausted because he played hard all weekend long! We all have some sleep to catch up on! Have a great week! I can't believe this is my last full week of school...where does the time go???

Make sure you take time to click on Jo's Daycare on the right...she has posted an end-of-year video that you will enjoy!

Go Royals!

We went to the Royals' game on Monday! Monday nights they sell the upper seats for $5.00 each, so we thought we'd head out there! We went with the Ottis family and their friend Monte. It was so much fun! The kids were all great! Mason was in the Baby Bjorn and he just kept staring at and watching everything! He loved the big screen and kept his eyes fixed on it most of the time! Zane was excited about cotton candy and kept his eye on the guy selling it. We finally got his attention and got him to come our way!

Zane & Madelyn preparing for the game

Matt & Mason ready for the game

Zane cheering for the Royals!

Going to the game on Monday made for a long week! It's been super busy at school...but there's only 12 days of school left so I'll make it! We got Zane's school pictures back tis week. I just can't believe how old he looks! Can you believe we're making plans for his 4th birthday? And that Mason is almost 6 months already...my how time flies!

This weekend Zane & Mason had a ton of fun on the farm! Mason even got to ride the 4-wheeler for the first time! I'll post pictures of that as soon as I get them!

The World According to Zane

• We were driving along the other night and Zane said, "Mom, my friends at preschool do not hug their moms." I didn't think he'd start telling me I couldn't hug him in PRESCHOOL!

Let's Go Racing!

I didn't do a great job taking pictures this week! Lucky for us Jo did, so all of our pictures this week are from her house!

It was another rainy and yucky week in KC! Both boys love to be outside, so we're ready for som sunshine and nicer evenings! We bought our double stroller this week, so we're ready to go on lots of walks as a family!

Our little dare devil!

Mason loving his cereal!
Zane & Mason in deep conversation...

There really isn't too much to report from the week...it was busy...we had lots going on...and it went fast! I've been super busy at school, it's that time of year where we're trying to get everythign wrapped up! I just found out that two of the teachers in my grade level are leaving our building next year. There are four of us, so we will have two new teachers in our grade level! We've already hired one, a first year teacher, and we are probably going to hire another first year teacher. I'll be their mentor, so will have my work cut out for me! I know they'll be great and will bring a lot to our team, but they'll have lot of procedural questions and will be setting up a room for the first time, so I'll be busy helping them!

Zane, Ryan, Makenna, and Sam just a-swinging!

Zane...are you there?

Isn't he cute???

It's so hard to believe that it's May already! Our little (big) boy will be turning four in a couple of weeks...I don't like it! It's so amazing to watch the boys grow and change every day!

The World According to Zane

• Zane, Mason and I were driving home from preschool one day and we had stopped to get a root beer. Zane asked me to hand him the remote for the DVD player and I asked him why he needed it. His response was, "Mom, I can't skip parts with my cup!" Ha, I didn't expect that answer!
• Lately Zane's been telling us his belly hurts. I think the kid is finally hungry! Anyway, one evening he was saying his belly hurt and he said, "Maybe my belly hurts because it not want to be at my house. Maybe my belly want to be at Preschool or Jo's house. Yeah, my belly wants to be at Jo's house right now."