Owen graduates to the second grade.

Here he is with his beloved teacher, Mrs. Cady. Owen had a great year with her, I can honestly say he never once didn't want to get up and go to school. He had fun kids in his classroom, did lots of creative projects, and became an even better reader. Knowing Owen, probably had quite a few laughs along the way.
Here he is at the graduation with his puppet that we worked so hard on. It was a lion, even though some may have thought it was a turkey. But never mind their ignorance, they obviously know nothing. Mr. Platt is the music teacher at the school and he put together a lovely ensemble. Filled with cheerful music to toe tapping patriotic Texas songs.

Oh how I love Texas. It is my greatest wish for each of you to be privy to small children belting out, Deep in the heart of Texas. This is the best dag gum state in the Union I mean, do any other states have songs about their own greatness? No. I didn't think so, at least none that anybody knows or cares about. Humble? No. But pure unadulterated awesomeness? Yes.
In response to the question in your head. Yes. He is the tallest boy in the first grade. And I dare say the best looking also. What's that? Yes, yes I am completely impartial. I mean after all he is the son of the tallest girl in classroom 1983 Jamie Lynn Peterson. My parents were possibly just as proud.
Lily was in attendance and yes, she was very naughty. She didn't much care for the awards part of the ceremony. Imagine, approximately a hundred kids being called up one by one and receiving their individual certificate and any other awards. Since I'm sure your dying inside to know what Owen's awards were here they are in utter randomness; best athlete, science award, and . . .wait for it. . .the handwriting award. Yes, yes we are proud. But seriously we are really proud.

If I were to have to choose just one word for her; boots.

What can I say. The girl just has a thing for boots. No matter that it is 102 degrees out or that we are at home with no plans to leave. No matter. She will be styled. And she will change this look approximately fifteen more times before she goes to sleep.
Oh, and she will poop on the carpet somewhere in the house. Then to make matters worse she will try to clean it all up by herself. I usually become aware of it once she runs out of towels, books, stuffed animals or zu zu pets to wipe it up with.
Hard to stay mad at her for long because she just rocks the ankle boots so well.

As promised. To begin our journey, an IPHOTO essay.

No words necessary.

I've been a naughty naughty girl.

A smile grows upon my face as I type this out. But not too much, I mean my kids will read this one day (out loud to their therapists). But no, this doesn't mean you can spank me. :) Greater smiling. So as punishment I will post 4 posts per day for the next week. I've been busy living in the bliss of summertime. Watching my children grow up before my eyes. Enjoying moments of great pride in the people they are becoming. Then in the other moments where they fight, tease and scream I assure myself that those are all qualities inherited from a distant relative.

Summer is winding down, school starts next week. It's 104 degrees outside. The pool is about 90 degrees. Today while I may have been upstairs watching a movie, I came down to a completely clean home. The boys had finished their movie and Owen set everybody out with tasks to tidy up the house for me. I'm sure Lily was extraordinarily helpful, as usual.

Works on dragons too.

(Owen and Luke about five years ago)

As my two loyal followers probably have noticed, I've been enjoying the summer and not blogging. But a conversation from dinner left me running to the computer so as not to ever ever forget. We were eating exotic foods such as cucumbers, sauteed chicken and pulled pork. Luke was struggling. He was down and out. How could he ever manage to finish when it was such an insurmountable task. Stuff that makes Fear Factor food challenges look like child's play.

Owen was using his best motivational speeches. Truly great stuff. Such as. . .

"Luke, you know in your life you are going to go through some difficult times. And when you're in those times there is no escaping it. You have to deal with it. There is no other alternative. What you have to do is, face your fear head on. You can't do it in tiny bites, it's worse that way. The best thing to do is stick the whole cucumber slice in your mouth and chew and chew until you can't feel it anymore."

Then he gave a demonstration. Those were his words completely. Words that apply to horrific cucumber slices or fighting mortal enemy's. A very powerful evening experience, something I will have to keep in mind at my tennis match in twenty minutes.

Luke graduates

A few weeks ago Mr. Luke graduated from preschool. He isn't excited for kindergarten and says he doesn't want to go.

Luke made me a treat for the after party. It was a brownie in a pot with a sugar cookie on a stick. I ate the whole thing and loved it.

Luke sang a couple of songs and also did all the arm movements. I recorded all of them and will use them later as a source of blackmail.

Luke and Ms. Whitney. Luke loved preschool and learned lots of very important things some of which include; worms have not butts and sharks have rows and rows of teeth so they can eat a human.

Kindergarten ready or not, here we come!

Twirling, ta da!

For some things applause is necessary.