Burnin' Brush

Sigh.......See this pile? This is nothing...this is actually progress!  This is what our weekends for the past 6 weeks have consisted of....

All five of us picking up all these sticks and leaves (and any surprises lurking beneath) and burning, burning, burning....

The boys take frequent breaks!

We have made our boys into pyromaniacs to say the least.  

However, we have been having lots of fun having friends over for wiener roasts! We have smore's and hotdogs about every weekend now. 

To give you a little more information, our driveway is lined with Bradford Pears.  I use to LOVE these trees. Now they are a thorn in my side.  Since July 1st, we have had two major incidents with these trees - aka wind.  These trees do NOT like wind. Nor ice or snow for that matter.  We constantly are picking up fallen limbs and trees - hence the reason for our unending brush pile. 

The boys really like messing around out there and are a big help most of the time.  They have come to enjoy this "work" and I'm thankful for that.  It's much better than sitting inside watching tv all day. And let's face it - we will be inside a lot over the next coming months so we are trying to soak as much outdoor time in as we can.

Muddin'

What is it about rain, mud, and boys? 

My boys LOVE mud.  Every time it rains the boys ask if they can play out in it.  Unfortunately, it is not always good timing...or it's lightning or too cold.  This particular day was just a nice light rain with no lightning  so they stripped down to their undies and went at it.  

They were just taking big buckets of water and making puddles where there were none.

Then Kellen started the mud fight.  Kade started gagging but thought it was hilarious at the same time.  I was dying laughing because he was just gagging the whole time!

Keagan didn't care for it in his face and eyes.

Yeah for days when we have no where to go and they can have fun like this!  I did tell Karsten that we needed an outdoor shower though!!!  I made them go through and shower in the pool house first before they were allowed back inside.

Happy 6th Birthday Kellen!

It's weird to say that I am a mother of a 6 year old....I feel like I should still have a baby!!

Time flies

Anyway, we celebrated Kellen's 6th birthday in between rain showers over Labor Day weekend. I was so glad that it stopped raining long enough for the party. I had planned for LOTS of outdoor activities.

When the guests first arrived I had mustaches, swords, eye patches, and bandanas...everything you needed to be a pirate.

Our homeade ship....Karsten and I worked together one morning to build this pirate ship - complete with a plank to walk.

Two of my favorite pirates...Kellen and HK

I love this picture (my dad in the background attacking Kobe) :-)

I told Karsten he looked like a 70's pirate that should be on some sit-com. 

I wish I would have taken a picture of our pirate treasure map, but Karsten slaved over a real-life treasure map complete with clues.  The kids had to follow the clues and find the buried treasure. We actually buried a chest filled with all kinds of goodies.  We literally ran all over the place so I didn't have a chance to get the pictures.

Gina and Lauren, our beloved friends and neighbors from Carterville came for the party.

My three pirates. Who needs a playground?

Kellen received a new hot wheel type thing that has 360 degree wheels and a spark thrower.  It has been the "it" item with any kid who has been to our house.

Kellen, these past 6 years have been such a joy.  You are growing up...in fact you just lost your first tooth.  You came home one day from school a couple weeks ago and said "I had a bad day." When I asked you why, you told me with teary eyes..."my tooth is loose."  I guess I had not prepared you for what losing a tooth would feel like or how you would feel about it.  You are such an easy going guy with a kind heart and bright eyes.  I love you to the moon and back! Happy 6th birthday!

Kellen's first day of Kindergarten

Oh how can this be happening? My first baby is off to school.  It seems like I blinked and he's 6 now.  I remember staring at him in awe the day he was born...ugh.

Kellen REALLY wanted to ride the bus.  So we compromised. We take him to school in the mornings and he rides the bus home.  I worry about what goes on during the bus ride home but I have to trust that Kellen is in God's hands. 

I waited at the end of the driveway for him everyday..for maybe the first 4 days.  THEN Mr. Independent told me I didn't need to wait for him...to just drop off his bike at the end of the driveway and he would ride it up the drive.  I know there is no harm in letting him find his way back home (up the driveway) but my heart sinks when I know he no longer needs me for things.

Kellen is doing great and he LOVES school.  I love his teacher and I know that he will have a great experience there.  The first couple of weeks were hard on all of us. He was super tired and moody - not at all like him.  However he has adjusted now and comes home happy and a little more talkative.  I love seeing and hearing about school and all that he is doing.  Happy 1st day of Kindergarten!!