Memorial Day Weekend...

We packed a lot into our three days at home in MD!  James went to school with my mom Friday morning (she teaches 2nd grade so he had fun comparing her class to his own-- of course, school life is better when your grandma is the teacher!).   When they got back, we took the boys to Germantown Water Park.  All three boys had a great time but Peter was so much fun to watch on the water slides-- he went up and down them just like the big boys!  He'd walk around to the top of the slide, go down all by himself, and then Chris or I would catch him.  His smiles were absolutely priceless!  Unfortunately I didn't get any pictures since it's a giant splash park... and I clearly cannot be trusted to hold my phone around water.

On Saturday, Chris and the big boys spent the day together.  They played laser tag, went to a park, and headed to a baseball game with Grandpa later that evening!

While they were having a fun "Boys Only Day," Mom, Peter and I went shopping!  Can you believe this is the line just to get into J.Crew?  

Ain't nobody got time for that!

We still had fun browsing around and spending time together.  Plus, Pete was happy to have us all to himself.  He didn't cry or fuss or whine the entire day!  Really.  It was a small miracle.  And so very nice!  Although it may be because...

We let him play with Henry's toys...

He got to walk around with a hunk of cheesecake...

He got to take a bath the way he wanted to...

And best of all, he got Gigi all to himself!!

So sweet.

Love this!

We had a bbq on Sunday at Mom's house with Keith and his friend, Charlie, and then we headed over to Lauren and James's house with the big boys to play!

This is their back yard... the boys
LOVE the cool treehouse they built.  So much fun!

It was so nice spending time with old friends.  James, in particular, asks to visit Tommy and Jack (Lauren's sons) every time we're in MD so it was nice to see them playing together again!  I wish we lived closer so they could play together more.  They're all like peas-in-a-pod and we hardly saw them the 6 hours we were over there!

Best friends since 1986!

Weekends at home are always too short but we tried to pack as much as we could into those three days.  Already looking forward to our next trip home... we miss everyone!

Wacky Wednesday!

Part of James's school is participating in EOG (end-of-grade) testing.  In an attempt to motivate the students, they're supposed to wear something silly each day.  Yesterday was "crazy hair day" (which also translates to Mom-hops-in-the-car-at-8pm-on-Tuesday-night-because-we-don't-have-crazy-hair-dye!).

He was so happy going to school...

A few hours later, the little boys and I went to Chris's work for a Regimental picnic. 

Pete in his PT's.  :) 

Crazy how reflective that Army symbol is!

 It was actually very well-organized and well done this year.

I really try to keep to the "Real Foods" guidelines.
I figured shaved ice was the
best bet (with just a teeny tiny bit of the liquid chemicals).

Chris consoling Peter...
why do ice-ies have to end?  ;)

Henry sat so still getting his face painted!

Lucky for us, he spent the better
part of the afternoon talking like a tiger.
But he looks super cool!

The boys spent over an hour in the Sponge Bob bounce house.... in and out, in and out, in and out...

Can you find Pete?

The boys also had a lot of fun dunking the soldiers!   (I guess someone realized the woman in a white shirt from the picnic last year was less than appropriate.)

Before we left the parking lot, Peter was fast asleep!

We're driving up to Maryland this evening for Memorial Day weekend.  Fingers crossed for no traffic and sleepy boys!

Henry's Last Day of Preschool...

Yesterday was Henry's last day of preschool which means, SUMMER has started!

The pre-school rented a big bounce house for the kids and had a special Field Day outside to celebrate...

Pete, Henry, and Gabby
checking it out before school.

Henry and Gabby being silly
during "morning center time."

Henry's teachers this year
were fantastic and they gave each mom
a beautiful book with all of their special
schoolwork inside.  What a keepsake!

Every morning we'd check the "daily helpers"
board to find out what job he had.  Yesterday
he was the Calendar Reader.

Pete loves him some preschool!

Henry hugging Ms. Paula goodbye.

I surprised Henry and bought a bunch of new paints, paintbrushes, and markers to play with after his last day of school...

When the big kids got home, we decided to inflate Cortney's water slide again.  Unfortunately not 5 minutes into playing, another storm rolled in.  We let them play in the rain until the thunder and lightening started.

It was a special "last day of school" for sure.  I must admit I am a bit nervous about starting the summer months with all three boys (and half the neighborhood) at home with me all day.  What to do.... what to do???  

Henry's Birthday Party!

About two hours before Henry's birthday party, the sky looked like this...

Yikes, right??  Especially since we'd planned to have a "water slide party," that tornado-looking black cloud was NOOOoooo good.  

But we just thought happy thoughts and pressed on with our party-prep.... like making these cute cupcakes!

And getting dressed in our new "water-party-themed" outfit!

Big Wave!
Or maybe "Big Storm!"  might've been a
more fitting t-shirt banner.

5 looks good on him!

Before the guests arrived...

Here are most of the friends...

A few more showed up after picture time.

Silly faces :)

Silly Nicolas starting the lunch line!

Sweet Carrigan 

Jamesey

Finally the two girls get some GIRL TIME!

Fortunately for us adults :) the sun came out and the slide went up!!

T-R-O-U-B-L-E!
Although, I have to give him credit....
he completely entertained himself in this spot
for the ENTIRE party!

 Cortney and Jeff let us borrow their water slide.... the kids all had a blast!  And were happy going up and down all afternoon.

Clayton, Brittany and Beth
checking out the slide action!
(I'm bummed we missed Cortney for the pic!)

Cupcake and ice cream time!

Singing "Happy Birthday"

Henry and Jonathan

Clayton

Unfortunately it's blurry...
but it's Cort and Jeff nonetheless!

The Dads!
aka: The Official Water Slide Referees!

And not 5 minutes after Jeff, Cort and the kids went home, this happened...

Thank you, sweet friends, for making Henry's 5th birthday so very special.  We love you like family!