Bryce's First Pool and Boat Ride!

YIPPEE!  Summer is here!  It has been a very stressful couple of weeks!  I know some of you aren't feeling sorry for me, as I'm typing this on summer break...but the last few weeks of school are tough!  The kids are done...I'm done...but there are 5,273,510 things to do!  I'm very lucky to have an amazing husband that was willing to let me stay late a couple of nights so I could get it all done!  Thanks honey!

Since we were out of town on Zane's birthday, we celebrated last week.  Zane chose to eat at Red Robin.  He was really hoping that they'd bring him 2 balloons tied together and put them under his chin...then when they did he was embarrassed!

Happy 7th birthday!

I had a great end of the year at school!  I get so attached to those little kiddos...and then have to pass them on!  I had a couple of them crying this year...that's hard for me.  I just really dislike the last day of school.  It's no sort of fun!  Some of my parents went together to get me a very nice gift...a magazine, some chocolate, a pedicure, and A FREE HOUSE CLEANING!  When I opened that last one...I cried!  The mom who spear headed that gift was in my room every single Thursday throughout the year.  We got to know each other very well.  So it meant a lot to me!  Probably the most thoughtful gift I've ever received from parents! 

We decided to stay home for the long weekend.  Matt has been working long hours.  I just finished another school year.  Our house is a disaster.  Since it was a long weekend, we wanted to do something fun to kick off the summer.  So we went to a hotel with a water park!  We left Saturday afternoon and spent the night there.  It was fun!!!

Our loves!

Mr. Handsome!  In his first swim suit!!!

This happens a lot at our house...the boys are always in Bryce's face...and he just grabs, pinches, chews...etc...I love it!

Ride em cowboy!  At the restaurant we ate at!

Matt's parents called to say Brent surprised them with a visit and they were wanting to get the boat out on the water.  So...they headed down here and we met in Smithville.  What a weekend for Bryce...first swimming pool AND boat ride on the lake!

WHAT ARE YOU GUYS DOING TO ME?

Poor fella...it looked like we had him in a straight jacket!  But he was SO good the whole time!

Hanging out in the lake!

Zane and Matt...Matt's being a show off!

Cool dude!

Tuckered out!

Bet this was an interesting conversation...

Zane, Uncle Brent, Mason

More all tuckered out!

Now that summer is here...I'd love for time to slow down!  But it won't, so we're going to try to make the most of it!  I've given myself this week to get things clean, organized, etc...then I'm going to TRY to not care about keeping up with the house...and just enjoy my boys!

Mason's Marvels

• Matt said that Mason was asking him to lift him up the other day and was saying "grab me by my chin parts."  Matt couldn't figure out what he was saying...until he figured out he meant "armpits."  I'm guessing he forgot how to say armpits...and just said what he remembered!

Happy 7th Birthday Zane!!!

This school year is winding down!  There are quite a few spring/summer birthdays at Jo's house, so the kids have been celebrating!  The picture below is the day they celebrated Lawson's birthday.  He requested a pajama day.  The night before, Mason picked out the pajamas he'd wear and we laid them out.  That morning, he wanted nothing to do with wearing pajamas.  When I asked him why he didn't wear them, he told me "I didn't want to look like a dork."

Nora, Braeden, Mason, and Lawson

Our baby turned 7 on Sunday!  I remember so clearly the day he was born.  I feel like he should be Bryce's age/size!  We celebrated back home with our family.  This year, Zane decided to have a Ninjago themed party.  They are Lego Ninjas.  The white ninja is named Zane, so it was very fitting!  Zane is so loved, and we are lucky to have amazing families!  Thanks to everyone who was able to join us to help Zane celebrate!

Zane and Uncle Adam

Zane with his gifts

Grandma Beggs, Grandpa & Grandma Baker, Kim

Celine, Matt, Greg, Keeta, Chris

Celine, Greg, Keeta

Keaton, Jeff, Dad, Adam, Craig

Jake, Kaitlin, Corbyn, Reeta, Mom, Kenna, Jennie, Keaton, Jeff, Dad

LOVE this little man!

Uncle "Buzzard" teasing Mason!

Zane with his cupcake tower!

Waiting for everyone to finish singing to blow out his candle

Kenna and Mason hanging out, waiting to eat a cupcake!

Songs, and Graduation, and a Field Trip...Oh My!

A couple of "lost photos" that I finally remembered to post!

Mason went to work at Yancy's with Matt one day.  I guess he really wanted to color this box for me...so he took a Sharpie and got started.  All of sudden he got quiet...cause he fell asleep!!!



Check out this pose!  HA!

Zane filled up all of these cups with water.  This was one Sunday after we'd been to church for "cookie Sunday."  Once a month they have cookies and lemonade after church.  They fill the cups and have them sitting out for people to take.  Apparently Zane was recreating "cookie Sunday" at home!

This week we were super busy with things for Zane!  Tuesday we had his musical and graduation!  We were thankful that the Ottis' were willing to watch Mason and Bryce so we could focus on Zane for a couple of hours!  Zane's musical was titled "How Does Your Garden Groove."  He was broccoli.  He was THAT kid who was acting goofy...up on the top row...in a bright red shirt.  At one point sweet Ellie (her mom is also a kindergarten teacher) looked over at him and said, "Zane, stop jumping!"  Oh yeah, she'll be a teacher for sure!

The kindergarten kids!

Ellie is on the right of Zane

No clue why his arms are out and everyone else's are down...

NOW we're in sync!

And at this point the directions were for EVERYONE to sit down.  Notice Zane...I wish I would have had a picture of the whole risers...Zane is literally the ONLY ONE standing at this point!

After the musical the kids all received "diplomas."  How did this happen?  My baby is done with kindergarten!  (Sad face).

Zane receiving his diploma from Ms. Thomas (Ms. T)

So proud!

Dad & Zaner

Mom & Zaner

Ellie and Zane!  Isn't this cute?!?

Zane's bug and bug report hanging in the hallway

Standing by his kindergarten classroom

Zane's self portrait hanging in the hall.  Ellie asked me if I saw Zane's self-portrait hanging in the hall.  I told her "yes" and she said, "I'm jealous of Zane's artwork."  CUTE!

Zane posing like his self-portrait

Thursday was Zane's field trip.  I took the day off so I could go with him!  We went to Kaleidoscope, which is like a big art center!  Right up Zane's alley!  I go on this trip with my class every fall, so I was now switching roles and being the parent!  It was fun to see the kids interact together, and spend some time with just Zane!



Waiting to go in

In Heaven...coloring!  This is in the "glow in the dark" room!

This weekend we were home.  Didn't have lots planned, but seemed to do a lot anyway!  We hung out at the Ottis' house, went to a Pirate end of year celebration in Platte City, and did some shopping.  I had a great Mother's Day, spending time with my 4 handsome boys!

Zane has one more week of school.  I have two.  Tomorrow we greet the incoming kindergartners.  It's going to be a busy and crazy two weeks!  Lots to get done!  I know it will, but right now it's daunting!  I'm anxious for the lazy days of summer to get here!!!

Happy Mother's Day to our two wonderful moms!!!

4 Months Old!

WOW...the...weather...has...changed!  I cannot believe how HOT it has been!  Not only hot, but humid...yuck!  We had field day at school this week and MAN I was worn out afterwards!

Matt had a super busy week at work.  I felt like a single mom (and don't know how single moms do it...lots of respect for them)!  Monday he got home at 2:30, Tuesday 11:30, Wednesday he worked all through the night and until the end of the day Thursday.  Needless to say, we were missing him a lot!  We survived...but I was sure ready to have him home!

Arthur and Bryce playing!

Mason and Nora coloring

Check out the look Bryce is giving Nicholas!

HAHAHAHAHA!

Lots of smiles for Jo!

Lawson and Mason coloring with chalk

The boys continue to love their baby brother!  They kiss, hug, sing to, and squeeze him all the time!  They always want to hold him and feed him!  I just love watching them!  Bryce adores them and loves to watch them!  You can tell that he recognizes all of us!  He smiles from ear to ear when he sees us!

Bryce and Mason hanging out!!

Mason told me to take this picture, then when he saw it he said, "That's not me!"

Grump-ola!

Bryce turned 4 months old this week!  Unbelievable!  At 4 months, he:

• Eats between 4-6 ounces every 3-4 hours.
• Sleeps un-swaddled
• Still likes "white noise" while sleeping
• Takes two 2 hour naps through the day.  Maybe one short one in the evenings...sometimes...
• Can sleep through the night...just doesn't do it every night...
• Loves to be talked to!
• Reaches for/grabs anything and everything in front of him!
• Rolls over to his stomach almost as soon as you lay him down.
• Sits in the bumbo, jumperoo, and exersaucer very well.
• Sucks on his hands!  Gets his middle and ring finger in there!
• Loves to watch his brothers. 

4 months with Big Bird!

See Mr. Grabby Hands!

We are so proud of Zane!  He had ALL GREEN DAYS for the entire month of April!  (That means he had good behavior)!  So Matt told him he could choose something special because of his hard work!  You'll never guess what he picked...EATING AT MCDONALDS!  Really?  Fortunately we gave him a few ideas and he changed his mind!  Every since he went to The Lorax, he has wanted to take Matt.  So...Zane, Matt, and Mason went to the movie Saturday morning, then Bryce and I met them at McDonald's for lunch.

Ready for the movie!

I can't believe it's May already...and school is winding down for another year.  I'm ready for the lazy days of summer!  I know it'll be different having a baby this summer...a lot more work...but we plan to make lots of fun memories!  Zane has 2 weeks left, and I have 3.  Either way, it'll be here before we know it!

Reading before bedtime.  How do you like Matt's "booklight?"

Giving Bryce a "squeeze!"