Highlights...

My boys always have super short hair.  Not because it's the style.  But because they were blessed with fuzz.  The kind of hair where every snip shows.  And if it's at the in-between phase it just sticks up everywhere.  Once it's a certain length it's okay longer.  If they comb it.  Which they don't.  Ethan started a boycott at the end of the school year when I told them we were going to get haircuts.  He decided he wanted to grow his out.  I kindly reminded him of the mushroom looking bowl cut his father and I graced him with when he was two.  He laughed.  (He obviously doesn't remember).  We discussed how much of an orphan he'll look like without combing the long locks.  He didn't care.  I relented.  He is eleven, right?  I lasted three weeks before I felt myself cringing every morning when he came up the stairs.  Orphan.  That's all I saw.  So.  I decided to take him to a hairstylist as opposed to the barber he'd been using.  Just to clean him up.  Not to cut it.  Shawn suggested highlights.  I was surprised at my husbands suggestion.  (But then again Shawn was the one with a perm in high school.) 
This is after the trim, but before the highlights.

During the highlight adventure:

And after:

This picture doesn't show much of a difference.  And I suppose there isn't a huge difference between the before and after.  However.  The highlights allow a bit of a messy-do without the orphan appearance.  As I'm typing this I'm realizing I'm putting waaaaaaay too much thought into my child's hair.  Then again I'm the Mom.  I also put a lot of  care into his showering and teeth brushing.  Two other things he just doesn't care about either.  One day when his interest in girls peaks he might thank me.  Maybe. 

Trend Setter.....

Is anyone sensing a trend with this little princess?

Again, this face isn't one of remorse.  Only of sadness that her activity was cut short.  Sadly, this is the second cleaning of these exact walls.  This time I enlisted helpers all armed with Mr. Clean Magic Erasers.  What would my house look like without Mr. Clean?

Even worse?  She's colored these exact same walls in Jackson's room two more times.  That is after we rid our entire house of every writing utensil known to man.  Who knows where she finds the ones she uses.  On the bright side, my arm strength has improved from cleaning walls.  I, however, prefer the gym. 

Memorial Day Get-A-Way.....

The Thursday before Memorial Day weekend Shawn sent me a text that read, "Dr. ****** that is working here this week offered to let us use his condo at Lake of the Ozarks this weekend for free.  Are we interested?"  Huh.  Let's see Shawn.  What do you think?  I sent a text back, "Bags are already in the car and I'm backing out of the garage.  Are you coming with us?!"
Total no brainer for me.  Condo.  Lakeside.  Three day weekend.  FREE.  Who says no to that? 
The place we stayed was gorgeous.  And spacious enough for our entire brood.

It had a fully stocked kitchen.

A full dining set on the deck complete with a gorgeous view.

And two chaise lounge chairs also on the deck.  Close enough to wifi that evenings on the laptop outside were fabulous.

Craziest thing about this weekend?  Our good friends the Lewis' were staying in the exact same complex the same time.  Julie and I were able to run together in the mornings and lounge with each other at the pool one afternoon.  We went with both our families out to dinner one night.  I actually forgot the name of the restaurant (blame it on back blogging).  But.  It was on the water somewhere with great scenery and we enjoyed ourselves.

That's the restaurant in the background.  Most people boat to it.  We drove.  Because that's how we roll.  (and we don't own a boat!) One morning we woke up and decided to venture out on a hike to a local state park.

We had such a great time.  We opted for a paved path that was one mile in, one mile out along a riverbed that had no human access.  We saw lots of turtles, bullfrogs, and a few sea otters.  It was the perfect hike for our little people.  And Presley walked the entire way.

After the hike and a bit of swimming at the condo, we hit up a local custard joint to help with heat stroke.  And because it tastes good! 

That evening we were afforded the opportunity to eat at a fancy schmancy establishment (read: a place with actual menus instead of a reader board at the counter) with Drew and Julie.  Sans kids.  A great way to end the day.

What I don't have pictures of?  All the fun times spent around and in the condo swimming pool.  And the Jet ski's Dr. ****** let us have access to.  That was actually hilarious.  Shawn took Ethan and Kennedy out to sea.  Ethan decided it wasn't his favorite activity, Kennedy enjoyed it.  Then he took Jackson and Landon.  Landon said it was okay, but Jack.  Oh Jack.  He was totally in his element.  He could have stayed on that jet ski all day long.  But.  He couldn't.  Because.  We sent all the kids back up to the room and Shawn and I hopped on one together.  How romantic.  Especially when Shawn hit a wave sideways and totally tipped us off.  And then he stayed in one spot treading water while I swam after the craft, hopped on, found both of his flip flops, and then pulled him back on.  Yep.  Romance isn't dead.  It was pretty awesome.  Shawn and I both felt this was our favorite family vacation by far ever spent.  We think it had to do with "no expectations" because we really had none.  We didn't know what to expect so how could it go wrong?  And the kids were amazingly good.  Amazingly good.  I hope trips like this pop up in our lives every once in awhile from now on.  Good times.

Jack's Performance....

Jackson finished first grade this year.  And according to him "I'm the smartest kid in my class.  Todd is second smartest."  He's such a modest child.  His class put on a few small plays for the parents to observe.  Jack was chosen to be narrator of the play he was in.  (He also told me he's the best reader in his class.  Hmmm.  Maybe a humility lesson is in order?)

I guess all joking aside, Jack is a very smart boy with a lot of potential.  At his current age he loves everything medicine.  And is eager to go to work with Shawn every chance he gets to witness epidurals or surgeries if the timing is right.  This year he also became fascinated with "The Lion, The Witch, And the Wardrobe" series.  He saw the "Prince Caspian" movie and it quickly became his favorite.  When he found out there were more movies he was thrilled.  But.  Then he found out there was an entire book series.  He was elated!  And he read the series in it's entirety.  He's moved on now to Harry Potter.  After book one he watched the movie.  He said "I liked the movie, but I loved the book.  When I read I get better mental images than when I watch the movie".  I love that he's such an enthusiastic reader.  A boy after his mother's heart.

Graduation Ceremonies....

For Landon, preschool is now just a fond memory.  After two years of learning at Sacred Heart Preschool Landon was dubbed smart (and old) enough to move on to bigger and better things.  Mrs. Carroll sure does know how to hold a celebration.  The theme was western this year and the room was decorated with these wanted posters:

The entire group gathered on stage to perform a few of their prized songs:

Then each child was handed a diploma from Mrs. Carroll herself.  Such a big moment in a little man's life.

Congratulations Landon.  Kindergarten will be lucky to have you. 

I guess I should say that out of all my children he is most excited (and ready) to move on.  He's been reading for the last year, and since he turned 5 last November he's been begging to get on the bus.  I think the early morning wake up call will be an eye opener to his little world.  But.  He's ready.  And so is his Mother. 

Baking anyone?

We all know by now that Presley loooooves to get into things.  Especially when she feels nobody is paying attention.  One morning after a really hard workout I opted to take an exceptionally long hot shower.  Five full minutes instead of three.  And when I exited my bedroom I was greeted in the kitchen by this face:

Don't feel sorry for her.  Her tears were only because she came to the realization that her fun was over.  She feels little remorse for her adventures.  She had her fun.  And then I got to have my fun cleaning up all of her fun:

She's lucky she's so cute.

Mud Pie Day.....

Springtime in Missouri means lots of rain.  Which in turn equals mud.  Because our neighborhood is always in construction mode, the dirt run off is quite abundant in the streets.  Which leads us to my current knowledge that my sweet little Presley has no fear of getting dirty.  Precious.

She was playing with the boys, then trying to wipe something off her face which led to the complete mud mask.  It was actually quite funny to witness.  The boys had a great time filling an old pop bottle with mud.  And just getting dirty in general.

Good thing little bodies are completely washable.