Movin' on Up...

For the last 2 weeks Quinn has been counting the days until he moves from Tiger Cub to Wolf Cub in scouting. He has gone as far as asking if it was bath night because he "needs to look nice for his ceremony!". Today, he informed us that the squirrels are going crazy outside "because they know a wolf is here now".  The much anticipated ceremony arrived and to Quinn's delight, several family members were there to watch it unfold.
Instead of an orange kerchief, he now wears yellow. Instead of a tiger, he now wears a wolf insignia on his belt. These may sound like minor differences to you but to his 7 year old...it is so much more. He truly loves scouts and is so proud of his new rank. Way to go little wolf cub, we are proud of you too.

Fun Saturday in the Sun

Back during our beautiful April weather, Jim built both of the boys each a beautiful square foot garden box. I got one too but mine is much bigger. We have all had fun planning what we will plant and where we will plant it in our own boxes. Nolan's picture shows the 1st harvest of the year from his box, radishes. Quinn says it tastes really good "as long as I have chips to go with it". Nolan says "It is the best thing I have tasted in the whole world."    Quinn hasn't harvested anything yet but his potatoes are well on their way which pleases him greatly.  I love gardening and I am thrilled that my kiddos are getting into it too.

This picture was just too cute not to share- it has nothing to do with gardening. ;) 

A Day Off...

The boys have had the week off so I played hooky today so we could go on a field trip. We took off for the Children's Museum in Iowa City where we met up with an old friend of mine from college and her adorable baby. Going anywhere with my 2 boys is always an adventure and today was no exception. Lou and I were transported by 2 adorable EMTs in the museum ambulance who dutifully took X Rays of all our injured parts and wrapped them up tight.  We held on tight as they tried to take us on a ride in the flight simulator and were grateful recipients of a oven baked pizza served by an adorable waiter. Despite the gloomy weather... we had a fabulous time at the museum. The highlight of the day for me was getting to row with Lou in the practice tank at the new boathouse in Iowa City today. There is something special about people who have known you as long as you have known yourself and I am rejuvinated after my day of fun with my boys and my friend.

Happy Easter

There are some days that are just great from start to finish. Today was one of them.

Ahoy Mateys!

Today we celebrated Nolan's birthday with a pirate party. This was the 1st time he has ever had a birthday party with friends and he was so excited. The first words out of his mouth this morning were "Today is my friend birthday party!".  Two friends from school came and of course the BFF, Quinn. Here are a few pictures of his mateys enjoying their treasure hunt, pirate battles, and of course ... cake.  

 

 

  

 

Correction...

 

He hasn't been seeing the world so clearly up until this point but now...he is.After picking up the glasses, Nolan stared at Quinn the entire ride home as if he had never really seen him before. I wonder what else he will see more clearly now.

The 'baby' turns ....

See, I can't even say it!  Let's just leave it at he is another year older and I can hardly take it. When the boys were both little and  home all day  the days would often drag by and I was sure many of them would never end.  Now, in what seems like the blink of an eye,  I officially have no one who could be mistaken for a "little" kid. It is strange how we can long for something so much and then be sad to see it arrive. Goodbye crazy preschool days, you will be missed... mostly. :)