Photobooth Friday: Game Day

What The...

On my daily walk through my garden I spotted something amiss. The iris that had stood bright and tall the day before was looking a little droopy and I was sure the rabbits had attacked it. Upon closer inspection I found it was merely the new home for two visitors from outer space.

Look closely and you'll see that the astronaut in white has a woman's face. Sweet, adventerous couple.

Welcome to Earth. Enjoy your stay.

Photobooth Friday: Awkward Family Photo Edition

We're Busy

Sometimes it takes the outside opinion of an innocent bystander to put a label on your life. And the word on the street is we're busy. In the lineup we've got:

golf

tennis

karate

swim team

swim lessons

And friends, that is not all. But I'm not going to get into it. The point is this, we're busy. But for the most part, I think we're happy with the bustle. Summer basically rocks!

As an aside, I need some laundry recommendations. My boys are pretty even in sizes, now (not twins). So, I've taken to just keeping their shirts and pants in a neat lump as they come out of the dryer and then just splitting them in half and hanging one set in one closet and the other half in the other closet. But... that's causing the whole, "That's my shirt!" fight. Any ways around this?

It Will Do

Taken from a just-before-i-fall-asleep conversation with the 4-year-old.

"Mason, I love you. I'm so glad you decided to come to our house."

"Well, Mason is a pretty good name. I actually like it."

Photobooth Friday: Playdough Edition

The Coop

Mason

I invite you to follow Mason at the park... much the same way we did this past week. Enjoy.

PS -- Cooper is tomorrow. Come back.

Dear Uncle Andrew,

You're not the only one in training! The boys are so excited at the prospect of having an uncle who could save lives, deliver babies in an ambulance, and put out fires. Now they are getting into the act -- an aspiration they have never had.

Carry on, sir! We love and admire you, no matter what you choose to do.

Thank You Kindergarten

Well, it's here, the end of Kindergarten.

I could not have imagined how melancholy this ebb of emotions would be. Obviously we're proud of our 6-year-old for finishing, for learning how to read, for learning what hot is. But mostly we're relieved he found friendship.

This is a picture of Cooper and his best friend. I've been wanting to talk about how amazing their little friendship is, but haven't known the best way.

Can you even tell the two apart?

This friend had a serious health issue about 1 year ago. In fact, this year he has spent time in the hospital, as well. So the start of their friendship actually came later on in the school year. All in all he and Coop are two peas in a pod. They love all the same things. All. They are both little brainiacs who love LEGOs. And they both unabashedly share feelings, easily cry in class, and accept just about anyone into their circle of friends. I love watching them play.

Being friends with a child who has had the medical concerns that this friend has, required us to explain some very serious topics to Cooper. Cooper has digested all the information with a lot of class and courage. Cooper has never once been bothered by any differences in this friend, nor has he asked too much about it. Whenever we're faced with explaining more about his friend's condition, Cooper just shrugs his shoulders and moves on. But each time, I see a maturity dawn in his eyes and he grows up a little bit more. You can imagine the effect this has on my own heart.

Cooper has never made a joke or talked lightly about the health of his friend to us or to his buddy. He has been open to all explanations and never said it was weird, or gross, or funny. And yet, he is able to play and play and play with his friend with a lightness of heart and soul that permits the two of them to enjoy each other without burden.

This morning our friend and his family left on an exciting adventure made possible by the Make A Wish foundation. You cannot imagine the joy this brings their family. Should you find opportunity to support or donate to this foundation, or any foundation that seeks to provide a little laughter, a little break, and a little lightheartedness -- take it!

And you know, phew! He'll enter first grade walking tall and smile with an eye toward spotting his friend, knowing he has what it takes to make friends and keep them. All thanks to the confidence born from meeting his very first friend.