Boo Boo's & Bows

After we picked Seth up at Pam's yesterday Leah went running down the sidewalk and BAM down she went and major boo boo's insued. Many tears were shed and two scraped knees were the result. So we came home and doctored her up with two Phineas and Ferb bandaides.
Needless to say she says "boo boo" just about every five minutes now, but she looks so stinking cute with double bandaged knees.
She also managed to keep a hair clip in her hair all.day.long! This is a first as she basically hates anything in her hair. Score one point for girliness today!

Let the Season Begin

The garden is planted and now we wait for the harvest!

Kids Day Take 2

It was kids day once again, but the Voss' switched it up a bit and Maya went this time!

The fathers and kids went on a Club Ride from Tugger's to Brantingham with some scenic stops along the way. They rode over 100 miles for a total of 6 hours and they all had a blast!
Of course they got plenty muddy which makes Seth all too happy!
Seth also had to get a new mud/rain suit because he had so much fun on his last ride that he tore holes in it. This time he was much more careful.

Leah and I went to the Armed Forces Day Parade, cleaned the garage and worked in the yard getting ready for the summer season! It was a fantastic day all around!

Roland's newest addition to his four wheeler!

K Screening

It's official, Seth has been screened for kindergarten and he passed with flying colors. We think we are alright with our decision to send him to Knick, but it has been a very hard decision and I still have my days where I am unsure. I can't believe that he is even old enough for this. YIKES!

We love you and are so proud of you Seth!

Check Out This Sexy Guy

We take housework here in Charlton World very seriously...ha ha! We put in these shrubs a few years back and in the last year the pavers started to grow moss and mold on them, so all I had to do was mention it to Ro and he was on the task. Any excuse to use a power washer is more like it. He didn't anticipate all of the mud that splashed back up at him so when I walked out front and saw "Mud Man" I had to document it!
If you need anything pressure washed you know who to call!

Quote of the Day

I will post pictures later, but if you would like a good laugh listen to this...

We went to Seth's kindergarten screening this morning and as he is asked to walk with one of the kindergarten teachers who is rather short, she is trying to make chit chat and Seth bursts out with, "I'm almost as tall as you are!" Roland and I tried not to laugh too hard, but YES that is our son, he calls it like he sees it.

Our Rainy Weekend

I am trying DESPERATELY to stay positive, but all of this rain is starting to get to me. I didn't take any pictures this weekend. We were super busy, but there wasn't anything worth while to take photographs of, but here is how the weekend went down...
Friday night we drove to 5 stores looking for an 18 inch bike for Seth. Yes, he is a giant and needed a new bike for the third year in a row. 18 inch bikes must be popular this year because everyone was out of them. We gave up on Friday night, but I sent Roland and the kids to Super Walmart in Leray on Saturday and hoorah...they found the last one and it was yellow just like Seth wanted.
Saturday morning was our annual garage sale and for the second year in a row it rained and I'm not talking a little rain, I'm talking downpours of rain. Thank goodness people who garage sale are die hards looking for bargains. They didn't disappoint and I sold a ton. I think I will open it back up this Saturday for a few hours and try to sell a few more items.
Saturday night Kristen had a Pampered Chef party so all the girls ate, drank and shopped while the boys hung out together and watched the kids. They definitely deserve a guys night soon.
Sunday we headed out and stocked up on the plants for our garden. Last year we waited too long and couldn't find certain veggies we had wanted to plant. We are all set for this year now! Roland also got his fishing license so as soon as this rain STOPS, he and Seth are set to fish all that they want to.
Sunday afternoon my mom and I suited up in our rainsuits and went to walk in the Melanoma Walk at the park. A friend of mine lost a dear friend to the disease so we try and walk in it yearly to support our friend and the cause. It was super rainy, but we felt so good after we did it! The Relay for Life is next and we have tons to celebrate this year. Roland will also be able to walk in the survivor lap and we have a rather large cheering section coming to support him!
This week consists of...dinner with Kristen tonight, my Mother's Day massage, Seth's swim class, Seth's kindergarten screening, Mother/Daughter Day, another poker run, but with the kids and Date Night to wrap up next weekend! What a Fantastic week ahead despite the rain!

Happy 10th Birthday Lexy!

Last night we went and celebrated Lexy's 10th Birthday. It is so hard to believe that 10 years have passed and we love it when all of the cousins are able to get together. Seth was in his glory because two of Lexy's friends were there and let's just say Seth is girl crazy! He gets all nervous, red faced and silly acting around girls. I dread the teen years if he is like this at 5!

Seth and Luke are only 11 months apart, but Luke is such a peanut that Seth looks about 2 years older.
Leah with her god father, Uncle Brad

Leah loves to pick her nose and of course she would do it in the pictures. Where do kids learn to do it, why and for what enjoyment??? AHH!

Tips on How to Stay Young

One of our teacher aides passed this to me today and it really made me smile and think so I thought I'd pass it along to you too!

How to Stay Young

1. Throw out nonessential numbers: This includes age, weight and height (I totally love the height one since I am super short and some of my 5th graders tower over me.) Let the doctors worry about them, that is why we pay them.

2. Keep only cheerful friends: The grouches pull you down. (Cheers to my closest girls who keep me smiling; JV, KC, LS, AB, EM, MD, BN, NG)

3. Keep Learning: Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever. Never let the brain idle.

4. Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath.

5. Enjoy the simple things.

6. The tears happen: Endure, grieve and move on. The only person who is with us our entire life is ourselves. Be alive while you are alive.

7. Surround yourself with what you love: Whether it's family (My family ROCKS!), pets, keepsakes, music, plants or hobbies. Your home is your refuge.

8. Cherish your health: If it is good, preserve it. If it is unstable, improve it. If it is beyond what you can improve get help. (We are so grateful for good health currently...thank you God!)

9. Don't take guilt trips: Take a trip to the mall, even to the next county or to a foreign country, but NOT to where the guilt it.

10. Tell people you love that you love them at every opportunity!

Reason #12,306 Why My Husband ROCKS

Not only did Roland fulfill another life dream and get me tickets to see Journey for Mother's Day, BUT he also made me an appointment for a massage next week! I am so flipping excited I can't stand it! Thank you soooooo much Ro!

Boys Will Be Boys

Thank goodness for Uncle J! He comes for a meal, but gets to play sword fights, monster trucks, basketball and much much more! We love you and are so happy that you are home!

Smiley Kids

We love the smiles!

Men & Their Mud

Just a little glimpse into our Saturday. The mud that flew around us all was hysterical! I have to say that Ashley would have to be the winner of the muddiest at the end of the day. She may even need a new jacket she was so caked with mud.

Mother's Day Weekend in Review

To say that we had an amazing weekend is certainly an understatement. The poker run on Saturday was fantastic. It was full of thrills, laughter, great friends and MUD! Today I was made to feel extra special and I spent the day with my wonderful family who showered me with gifts, food and the outdoors. I couldn't have asked for a better day or family. I am so blessed!

He's BACK!

Justin is home for two months and we are so thrilled to see him. He came over as soon as we got home from school and hung out for a while. Leah took no time at all to warm up to him and loved every minute of it. Seth put him right to work playing Super Mario Bros.
This picture looks identical to an old picture of myself that it freaks me out. Leah looks so much like I did...yay!

She would not leave Justin's side!

She also wanted to use him as a jungle gym too!

We are having Justin for dinner tonight and will be able to catch up for hours!

These are the Days

This weekend was so fantastic. The weather finally cooperated and we were able to get outside to enjoy so much of it. On Sunday we loaded up and headed to Sackets for a picnic and some playtime on the battlefield. We also check out our letterbox and gave it a fresh bag for the season.
Our Keen Kiddies!

Seth found a few broken robin eggs and he was thrilled!

Noey was sporting one of Leah's old outfits and trying to keep up with the big kids on the grass which wasn't easy.

I love it when Seth takes care of his sister, it is so priceless.

It was such a fantastic way to spend the day!

Justin is HOME! Can't wait to see him this afternoon!

The next two months are going to be fun!

S&S's Four Wheeling Initiation

Saturday morning the boys loaded up the two wheelers, the oldest children and headed out on an adventure that Seth and Sophia will never forget!
The two kids were well equip in full mud gear and couldn't wait to test them out!

Is it too soon to have 5 and 7 year old bellying up to the bar? Don't worry they are drinking lemonade!

Seth is chilling, maxing and relaxing!

Picnic time!
They had the best day and came home with mud in all sorts of areas that mud shouldn't be in, but after a thorough shower they were back in full swing. They can't wait to go again and I believe that Seth's exact words on Sunday morning were, "Daddy, when can we go mud bogging again?" My response was, "Soon, but Mommy gets to go next weekend!"

Raging River

We drove to Dexter and then through Glen Park on our way home from our picnic today to see The Black River raging. It was amazing and Seth was so scared that he wouldn't let us stay too long. He thought that water was going to get us.

Our 2 year old is having a hard time parting with some baby toys. I have been cleaning out the attic and getting ready for our yearly garage sale and Leah has been having a blast with all of her old toys. She climbed right into this exersaucer and played for 15 minutes. It was too funny!

Kiddie Carnival

Friday night we took the kids to an event at IHC Primary that also happens to be one of my favorite childhood memories...The Kiddie Carnival. They used to hold it each and every fall for all of the years that I spent at Holy Family. They had all sorts of carnival games and we would all have a blast seeing each other and winning prizes. Seth and Leah had such a blast and I am so lucky that I talked Grandma and Poppy into coming with me because I definitely needed the eyes, hands and company watching two crazy kids run from game to game.

Bowling

Fishing

The Magic Hat

It was such a great trip down memory lane in my childhood school.