My Super Handsome Boys

This is my favorite recent picture of my two boys. I just love their expressions and that they are hugging each other and actually look like they like each other :) Anyway...I had not blogged in a couple days, so I thought I would post this picture. I just love these kids!

Matt's 5th grade graduation is Tuesday morning, so I will post again then with pics of his special day. Tomorrow, the entire 5th grade is going bowling. That will be lots of fun, too! I'm chaperoning and look forward to watching the activities.

Jack's 8th Grade Graduation

Well...last night was the big night! Jack graduated from middle school. I know this isn't the biggest milestone in life, but it sure was something for us. It's so hard to believe that 9 years of school has past and that Jack will be going into high school (a phase that I am completely freaking out about). But, Jack is more than excited about all the adventures that lay ahead. I'll keep praying for all of this and know that by the time it happens, I'll be okay with it too.

Back to last night...it was fabulous. 117 8th graders crossed the stage to receive their diplomas and special awards. Our principal and staff of teachers created special awards for every single student. Some were funny, some were fitting and some asked for forgiveness. Jack received the "I know I shouldn't say this out loud, but I'm going to anyway" Award. His was very fitting. He also received the President's Gold Award for Educational Excellence. That was very exciting. His GPA was 3rd in his graduating class. Two very deserving girls beat him out for the top two spots. At the end of the ceremony, there was a tearful (at least for me) picture slideshow of all of these kids from 6th - 8th grade. Before the lights came back on, the 8th grade staff sprayed the graduates with a dozen cans of silly string. It was awesome.

We ended the evening with a dinner out at a little divey mexican restaurant. We packed the place out, but service and food were excellent. I was sad as I looked over this crew of amazing young teens and wished it could continue on like this forever. But, most will go their separate ways for high school and make new friends and new memories. I hope for Jack that he will remember this time in his life.... and smile.

Another Baby Shower

I can't believe it's been well over a week since my last post. These last 8 days have been super busy. Matt's baseball team finished their regular season and began playoffs-they lost their first game and "poof", just like that, baseball was over. Jack had his 8th grade dance "New York Central Park" Theme. I got to help decorate and that was amazing. The kids looked so beautiful and handsome. The country club looked incredible. There was a ton of food and the kids had a blast. We even let Jack go to an after dance party (chaperoned by some trusted mom friends of mine". He stayed out til midnight. This was big for us - we've never let him do anything like this and he behaved himself quite well. Bill and I are also gearing up for our church seminar next weekend - we're in charge of registration and the pre teens activities. Plus...we have those things called jobs that take up our daytime.

But...I also had another baby shower cake to make. This time the theme was "safari" and my friend Angie is decorating "baby Elliot's" room in animals and animal print. I couldn't attend this party, so I wanted to make the cake extra special. I was please how it turned out. My sweet husband even sat with me on Thursday night and made 75 of those green palm leaves. What a guy! He has amazing talent. I totally love him. Anyway...the cake was a big hit and the honoree was super encouraged.

I better get ready for work. Hope you all have a fabulous day.

City Museum - St. Louis, Missouri

One of our favorite places to go to is the City Museum in St. Louis, Missouri. My Grandma and Aunt Mary live in Fenton and we try and visit every year. We went over spring break and of course, we have to go to the City Museum. Words cannot describe this place. It's unbelievable. It's an old shoe factory building that is about 10 stories tall. Everything in it is recycled. There is this outside place structure that is literally made of old metal and cages and you can climb through tubes that are 7 stories above the ground. There's a big plane that is welded to the top that you can just climb up in it. There's a school bus suspended from the roof. It's unbelievable. Inside is a floor of architectural artifacts, a 1 ring circus and circus camp, an art room where you can create your own projects, an indoor skate park, giant slides that go from the 4th floor to the bottom floor, a shoelace factory, an aquarium, and I could go on and on. If you're ever in St. Louis, you've got to go to City Musuem. We go every year and we never tire of this place.

Jack on Stage

This is my oldest son, Jack. He loves to be on stage and sing and perform. He was chosen to sing a solo at his school's winter concert. He was really congested and had a stuffy nose, but he did his best. I love hearing him sing. I hope you enjoy!

Running for the Arts

This morning was a 5k charity run for our school district. It's called Running for the Arts and it's a lot of fun. Lots of people come out and pay money to run or walk 3.1 miles and sweat like crazy. So, I thought I'd join the fun. My youngest son, Matt, ran again this year. He finished in 34 minutes. He was done before I got to the 2nd mile marker. But, that's okay. I finished in 55 minutes and 55 seconds. Maybe this will be the kickstart to some real exercise. We all know I need it. But, it was a lot of fun walking and spending time with various co-workers. Bill came early with us and took these pictures. Thanks, honey!