Summer Fun

Dear Joshua and Luke,

We are settling into our new house.  Joshua and Luke have been so excited settling into our new home.  Both of you chose Disney Blue for the paint in your bedrooms.  You also chose the curtains and where to place your decorations and treasures.  All of us are excited to have a basement in our new house and a friendly neighborhood homeowner's association.  I think you both would tell everyone that having the a neighborhood pool a half block from our house is one of the best things about the new house.  We have been there so many times already.  It is so easy to go for an hour or so, and there is almost someone we always know there.  But it is not ever super busy!  Perfect for all of us! 

Miss Kelly leading Joshua in his swim lessons.
 Luke is practicing!

Both of you have had private swimming lessons this year with Miss Kelli.  She has been such a blessing to us.  She has solidified your knowledge of swimming and helped you both to become more confident and swim like fish!  In fact, you have both done so well that she has taken you to the city pool to practice diving, advanced swimming strokes, treading water, and much more!  We are so proud of you both!





Joshua is always excited to go to camps.  This year he did a drama camp and an art camp.  In drama camp, he starred in two out of three Aesop's Fables plays.  He happily played a pole and a crow,.  Needless to say, Joshua did an outstanding job in both roles.  He did such a great job, and please keep in mind that I am not biased at all, that he was asked to help with a few other roles when the director found out that some of the kids were not able to attend the final performances.  The Director complemented Joshua on his amazing behavior, talent, and ability to memorize.  Joshua was born to have an audience and be a performer.  He loves to entertain! 

Joshua also attended an art camp.  He created so many fun projects!  He made a case for his DS and games, a United States flag made out of popsicle sticks, a boat that actually floats, and a treasure box! So much more, too........Luke did not seem to mind that he was not quite old enough to attend these camps yet, but I have a feeling that next year he will want to be signed up.  He tends to want to do whatever Joshua is doing  And Joshua wants to do almost anything and everything! 

Both of you attended Vacation Bible School for a week, too.  This was the first year I did not volunteer to help, and I honestly missed being a part of it each day.  I will admit that it was helpful to have a few hours to myself each morning to work on setting up the house.  Friday, the final performance day, was inspiring as usual.  To see over 240 kids and 100 volunteers, including parents, Middle School and High School students working together is more than awesome!  It gives me chills every year when children get on stage and start singing songs about Jesus's love for us.  Wow!  It truly gives me goose bumps every time. 




Sweet, sweet story from my sweet Luke: 

It was a chilly evening in June.  We were both wearing light jackets in the evening, and it was quite chilly!  Luke said, "I am really hot!"  Since we both had jackets and commented several times about the unusually cool weather, I looked at Luke quite surprised.  I replied, "Luke, how can you be hot right now?'  Luke replied, "When I am with you, my heart just melts making me hot all over, mama."  You just can't beat a conversation like that.  Luke is a sweetie, and likes to say things to make you go, "Awwww......." 

I love you both very much....with all my heart! 

Love, Mama

Goodbye Kindergarten & Second Grade

Luke made fruit kabobs for breakfast!

Dearest  Joshua and Luke,

Another school year has come to an end!  Wow!  A 79 day reprieve from checking agendas, packing lunches, homework, and all of the other fun things that come along with school.  Actually Luke was quite taken aback that he did not get the 104 vacation days that Phineas and Ferb obviously get via the theme song to their show.  But 79 days it is, and we will make the  most of every one of them!

The last week of school was filled with so much fun ~ field days, reward day with a movie at the high school, the ending of Mad Science (both boys were sad about this), and Luke ~ he starred as the best crab ever in the kindergarten play.  Both boys loved field day, and it was extra special that Dad went along to help their classes go through the stations (even though Dad just had surgery and was wearing a neck brace).  Both boys got to go to the high school to see The Rookie because of their good behavior during the school year.  Read on to find out how The Rookie impacted Joshua:

The next day at a baseball game, Joshua runs on the field and exclaims, "Guys, look!  I am being serious about the game!  Look guys, I am being serious."  In the meantime, he is practicing throwing and catching, but it is very important to him that the others know how serious he is being.  I am not sure what his teammates were thinking, or how much they even paid attention to him at that point because no one really said anything to him.  I could not wait to ask him why he had this change of attitude.  Come to find out after talking to Joshua, it was The Rookie.  Joshua explained that baseball meant so much to "that guy", that he wanted to get better and be  like him, too,  And all along I thought it was the heart to hearts that we have had with him about paying attention, his team counting on him etc. Whatever it was we have seen some change with Joshua and his "seriousness" with the game.

And Luke ~  he was the best crab I have ever seen in the kindergarten play, and I am not one bit biased.  Luke's crab walk was most memorable!  He shuffled left, then, right, left, right and on and on.......just like a real crab.  Luke's "crabby" smile was the most precious as well.  Luke practiced and practiced for his songs in the play.  The entire play was adorable in every way! 

Luke is the third crab in line!

Both boys are sad about not seeing their friends every day at school, but they are both very lucky to see friends outside of school, too.  Another school year is over, but there is a lot to look forward to over the summer ~ community vacation bible school, drama camp, art camp, swim lessons, baseball, and did I mention moving into a new house?  A vacation to Branson?  Seeing cousins?  A  vacation to a waterpark? 

I love you both very, very much!

Love,
Mama