Where the Wild Things Are......

We started off the week with a trip to the zoo!  The kids woke up singing about the trip and did not stop until we finally pulled into the parking lot.  They spoke excitedly of what animals are their favorites and which exhibit they wanted to see first.  Here are some snapshots of the fun we had that day!!!

Consulting their maps

Don't feed the humans!

Giraffes!! Trav's favorite animal.. at least this week....

Snack time!

Catching a ride on Mr. Rhino

Train ride around the zoo!

Mommy and Sir Peyt-peyt

All About Daddy

This Father's Day has been a first.  On Friday, we got a call that Skip was not feeling like himself.  He couldn't feel anything on one side of his body.  Brian and I immediately thought the word STROKE.  Later that afternoon, Brian rushed into the house and confirmed the worst.  Skip wasn't right and we NEEDED to get him to the hospital.

Hours later, our fears were confirmed.  He had a stroke.  Our lives have changed in a moment.  Brenda's husband, Brian's father, our kid's Grandpa.  Skip carries many roles in his life, and for awhile on Friday I was trying to think of what it would be like in a world where Skip wasn't there and those roles were vacant.

Thank God, he has survived and he even has great promise of fully recovering through hard work and will power, both of which my father-in-law has in spades.  This weekend went by in a blur.  Trips back and forth from the hospital, picking up and dropping off kids.  Before we knew it, Sunday was here.  Father's Day.

The kids and I had grand plans of staying at home and resting.  After running everywhere for two days straight, home was what was needed.  Brian of course had to be at the hospital.  He needed to be there for his dad and for his mom.  We carved out some hours Sunday morning for our family.  Time to celebrate the Father in our family unit.

Brian requested pancakes, so early that morning I packed up the boys and headed to the store ( a quiet house is another way of saying thank you! )  After getting home I made, and we feasted on pancakes, biscuits and fruit.  Even O.P. got in on the pancake action.

Afterwards the kids geared up in their new soccer cleats and shinguards  and played outside with Daddy before he had to go.  We took the time to enjoy each other.  We took the time to make some memories.  If anything, this past weekend has taught us to appreciate these things just a little bit more.

Maddy's Big Day

Maddy graduated from Kindergarten at the beginning of June.  We have been so busy that I find that its the middle of June and I haven't had the chance to post the special occasion...

June 1, was dedicated to all things Madison.  I took of work to make sure that I could spend the whole day with my little girl who is growing up much too fast.  I picked her up from her last day of school and we headed to lunch, her choice... Olive Garden of course!  After enjoying soup, salad and bread sticks to her hearts desire, we headed to the nail salon to get manicures and pedicures in preparation for the big night.  After our nails were done, we headed home to get dressed for graduation.

Maddy remembered ALL of her lines for the evening's program and walked across the stage to get her "diploma" that had to be returned at the end of the night....  At the end of the evening they announced the children that won the Christian Character Award this year.  They chose one little boy and one little girl from each class.  My heart could not be any happier when I heard my Maddy girl's name announced as the recipient. 

It was a night to remember.  I cannot help but fast forward in my head to 12 years from now when Maddy walks across that stage once again.  My firstborn makes me so proud.  I love you Maddy Lynn <3