Not to be forgotten...

Congratulations, Sam and the entire Garrett State Bank team!

2010 Clemente division CHAMPIONS!

(Technically, this should have run before the previous post, as Sam's team won their championship three days before Jack and Charlie did. My apologies, Sam.)

"WEEEEEE ARE THE CHAMPIONS, MY FRIENDS..."

Despite Freddie Mercury absolutely spinning in his grave with my rendition of "We Are the Champions," I am proud to say Jack and Charlie's baseball team won their division tournament tonight. They won against the team that placed first in their division, with J&C's team placing second. It was an epic battle, ending with a score of 11-5 in our favor. It was a truly amazing game, played well by young men who have grown from simply a "group of boys" into a TEAM throughout this season.

It was worth all the cross-town treks for practices and games.

It was worth sitting on bleachers in hell-hot sun, sweating and frying my skin to a crisp.

It was worth getting drenched as we ran to the cars, after black skies ripped open and dumped on us.

It was worth all the 11pm loads of laundry to have uniforms clean for the next day's game.

It. Was. Worth. It.

Quite possibly the cutest shoes ever made...

Technically, these are knock-off Crocs. But when you see these adorable little rubbery crocodiles, you can't help but call them CROCS. (Thank you to the JumpingBean company and Kohl's for providing this adorable addition to Bobby's wardrobe.)

Whassup, Dog?!

So, tonight, I looked at poor Buddy, our dog, and realized someone needed a good brushing.


Thirty minutes later, it looked like a dog exploded in our front yard. I was tempted to take a photo of the massive amounts of undercoat fur piled up, but it would simply cement my status as Worst Pet Owner of the Year.

Who would have thought one medium-sized dog could hold THAT much undercoat? And, if there was any doubt as to my assessment of the situation (it looking like the dog exploded), Jeff returned from the store, stepped out of the van and said, "Wow. Looks like the dog exploded."

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dear Buddy,

I am so sorry for making you sit through summer thus far with the equivalent of three fur coats on. Brushing you isn't a huge chore, but somehow we all end up "too busy" to do it. Therefore, you have my word -- from here on out -- you will get brushed regularly, ending the sweltering madness you have experienced lately.


Much love, Mom

Summer, so far... in 24 Frames

Mama Robin in our crabapple tree. She had a nest-full of babies to protect and feed. We were privileged to have watched the entire process. Best memory? The morning she took on -- and defeated -- two squirrels trying to climb HER tree. Lesson learned? Never, ever screw with a mom protecting her babies. You. Will. Lose.

His brother's keeper... Jack watching Charlie at bat.

Charlie at third,... waiting to cross the plate.

Sam at bat -- the lankiest, eight-year-old powerhouse I've ever seen.

Game rained out.

Nothing better in life than a push from a big brother.

No matter how grown up you feel at age 8, there's still room for swinging on a hot afternoon.

Or, when you're 10-going-on 11...

It turns out there IS something better than a push from a big brother... when he comes around and gives you a kiss each time you reach him.

Rare moment of peace...

Life lessons at the park: Sometimes in life you have to run up a hill...

...and most times it's easy to come back down. But even in the easy times, you may fall...

...and see others do the same...

...and sometimes it's OK to be the "last man standing."

There are times when you need to see things from a new perspective... different than what they usually are... (p.s.--it's a bike rack)

There's always room to learn -- even on summer break. We tried the "Mentos & Coke" experiment. Drop about six Mentos in a 2-l of Coke, stand back and watch the eruption. (I promise the "eruption" was higher and more dramatic, but I was too busy watching and forgot to snap a photo at maximum height.)

We had a great celebration. Congratulations, Tyler... graduating with high honors is a huge accomplishment.

Father's Day morning... having coffee and reading the paper, enjoying the start of a beautiful day.

Nothing says "I love you" and "You're the best dad" better than FIRE. The other part of Jeff's gift was a bag full of graham crackers, marshmallows and Hershey bars.

A great night for roasting marshmallows. Or charring. Whichever you prefer.

Mmmmmm. S'mores.

Our neighborhood hosts an annual Family Fun Fest right before the 4th of July holiday. The entire weekend is full of parties, swimming and family-friendly events. It screams "summer." Here are Bobby and Daddy as we wait for the fireworks show over the golf course.

The summer night sky, waiting...

Ooooooh,... aahhhhh....

June 8, 2010

This is what absolute, pure joy on a summer day looks like.

18 days...

...since I last sat down and said anything. Seriously?! Everyone has probably given up on me. (What? Like all six of you have other things to do than wait for me to blog?) :)

Started back working full time on June 7, after nearly a year off -- not by choice, remember. It's taken almost all of these two weeks for me to get back into the mindset of being a working mom again. The excitement of the new job has almost completely shadowed the sadness I feel at missing "summer" with the kids. I know we'll have fun, but this first segment has been crazy -- two weeks of getting the house/yard ready for Tyler's graduation party for starters. Then there was actual graduation weekend and party last weekend. This weekend? When Jeff is working tomorrow? Bobby and I are laying low... nowhere to go...nowhere we have to be. Just hanging out.

I think we may take a nice, long walk around the neighborhood. Maybe I'll even remember to take my camera and get back into photography. Now that I'm an official breadwinner in the family, I feel like I can "goof off" every now and then. And I have a husband who is wonderful enough to let me. :) (Especially since he's now "Mr. Mom" two out of every three days.)