Boys Will Be Boys

In the last few months I have really been able to see the difference between boys and girls.  I grew up with a younger sister and while she was a little more sporty than I was we played the normal "girly" things: barbies, house, school and dress-up.  I didn't like getting my hands dirty and I HATED playing outside...FAST FORWARD to 2010 and I now have 2 boys who LOVE to play outside and Sterling definitely doesn't mind getting his hands dirty.  So, guess what?  Mama has to learn to play like a boy, NOT a girl.  When I watch Wade play with the boys I always think to myself, "How did he think of that?"  I do not think "outside the box," and I never have.  When we play playdoh I only make what they made on the box, when we color I write our names, a flower or a house (ALWAYS) and when we play legos I build the exact same thing every time.  It's silly and crazy, but I can't seem to venture outside of my comfort zone.

This brings to me the other night when Sterling and Hudson made up a fun, new game!  They were laughing and laughing and just kept playing.  I got tickled watching them, and was also filled with indescribable joy seeing these two having so much fun together.

This was a punching bag.  I would have ONLY used it as such....the boys, not so much!

Instead, they decided to roll around on top of it and throw each other off

I love Hudson's face in this one, even though it's shoved into the floor...doesn't he look like he's having a blast?!

Needless to say, they did have a blast and were even sweaty after this (again, B vs. G) and the poor punching bag had no air left in by this morning.  I'm sure I have many more surprises to come with my 2 boys, so I'm learning as I go!

"Swims"

On Saturday the boys finished up their 5 weeks of swimming lessons.  Sterling started swimming lessons when he was 16 months old and I would recommend it for any and every toddler/child.  I can remember taking swimming lessons from the same lady my mom and uncle took swimming lessons from for years every summer, and while I hated it (because she made me open my eyes under water) it's definitely something my kids will do for many years. Sterling absolutely loves the water and we're around it so much in the summer that watching him be comfortable around it puts me at ease, just a little. So, if you haven't already, sign your kid up for swimming lessons.

Hudson swimming under water!

They had a graduation ceremony for all the kids to receive their diplomas

Hudson was not thrilled with his certificate

Giving Ms. Gaye a high-five after diving for the sea horse

Sterling swimming through the hula hoop - I think I'm going to get a hula hoop so we can practice this this summer

Learning survival skills for the lake!

He graduated!

What's Cooking? Spinach Pasta Toss Recipe

I've had some request to actually post the recipe for The Yummy Dinner (Spinach Pasta Toss) recipe from Wearing Gackey's Apron.

Spinach Pasta Toss
1 can (14-1/2 oz.) Italian-style diced tomatoes, undrained
2 cups multi-grain penne pasta, uncooked
1 cup water
1 pkg. (9 oz.) baby spinach leaves (7 cups)
1 cup Shredded Three Cheese Blend
4 strips of bacon

Bring tomatoes, pasta and water to boil in large saucepan; stir. Cover; simmer on medium-low heat 10 min. or just until pasta is tender. Add 1/2 of spinach; simmer, covered, 2 min. or until wilted. Stir. Add 4 stripped of cooked, crumbled bacon. Repeat with remaining spinach. Serve topped with cheese.

She did it!

Well....my sister graduated from college on Friday!  We made the trip to Austin watched Tayler receive her diploma from the University of Texas at Austin.  While we would have preferred her to be 3hr North on 35 for college, UT was a perfect for her and made OU/TX weekends fun for the family!

Wade just had to sneak in the horns down at the end and nobody even noticed!

I love this picture of Tayler with the Austin skyline in the background

CHEERS!

Family Picnic

At the end of the year Sterling's school has a family picnic.  All of the parents get to eat lunch with their child outside by the playground as a special end of the year treat!  All of the kids are always so excited to eat lunch with their parents.  They're also very sad when their parents have to leave!  It's a great way to end the school year and the teachers presented all the parents with a book of a picture of our child every month this year.  It's amazing how much they change and grow up in one year!

Pop Rocks as dessert! He LOVED them!

Nanny & Pawpaw's House

It was a busy weekend after the graduation party!  On Sunday, Bailey had Senior Day at church, then we had family pictures with the WHOLE family on my mom's side and then a birthday celebration at my grandparent's house for my cousin, Briana's 14th Birthday! 

Hudson discovered the fireman fountain and washed the rocks!  This is what Sterling LOVES/LOVED to do at Nanny & Pawpaw's

Sterling played with Rollie Pollies

My grandparents got this new bunny that was so sweet!  We all also had the task of naming him and BANDIT won!  I think it's the perfect name!

I wish I could see the look on Hudson's face!  He loved sitting in my grandpa's lap all day...and I think my grandpa loved it too!

Sterling, of course had to help Briana blow out her candles on her cake

The birthday girl!

I couldn't find Hudson and I went in the living room and found him laying in the floor, with his feet propped up on the couch playing with a plastic apple!  He was VERY happy.  He also looks VERY grown up to me in this picture!

OU bound

My cousin, Bailey, will graduate from high school in a few weeks, but her parents threw her graduation party this weekend.  As exciting as graduating from HS is, we are even more excited that she has chose to go to OU!  Woo-hoo!  Another excuse to make our way North! 

Bailey and her boyfriend, Chad.  He will be playing soccer at The University of Kentucky next year!

My Aunt had pictures every where, including this wall...Thru The Years!

These cupcakes were oh so yummy AND made with love by my aunt!

Hudson was on the move and wanted to swim so badly

Sterling ended up swimming, but the water was COLD!

Although, the kids didn't care.  Luckily, the sun came out and it was warm enough for them

Sterling also tried out the ping pong table

Hudson hanging out with Gigi - this was about the only time he sat still the whole day

Horsey Time

Since the rodeo Sterling has really LOVED horses and always talks about them when we see them while we're driving.  Last night he even slept with a plastic horse!  When one of his teachers asked us to come over and feed her horses we took advantage of it because I knew Sterling would have a blast.....

The donkeys were a little bit easier for Sterling to feed

Sterling really liked this tire swing, although he didn't know how to sit on it, at first!

Making a silly face up in the tree house!

Hudson trying out the tire swing, all by himself!

THANKS, Ms. Caitlin for inviting us over!  We had a great time!