Can you take a picture for my locker next year?

Owen's first day of summer vacation was an exciting one. He learned how to ride his bike without training wheels! Jer took him to an empty parking lot to try it out a bit and within ten minutes he was off speeding around! They celebrated with a trip to DQ after. When they got home he was so proud to show me his skills. We went outside with camera in tow and he asked me to take a picture so it could go on his locker at Sunny Hollow next year. After Walter got up from his nap, we all went to watch him cruise the parking lot some more. He looked like he had been biking for years! I'm so proud of my little guy...as is his daddy!

We celebrated the end of the school year with a school picnic at a park in St. Paul. It was fun to see Owen running around with all his friends. We also got to meet Gina's dog, Milo, which was a big highlight for Owen. Walter did his best to keep up with the big kids and chased them all over. Jer and I subsequently chased him around, trying to keep him safe and get a little food in his belly. 

We ended the night with Joanne babysitting while Jer went to softball and I went out with some former co-workers. It was really a nice day.

Why do ladies like to keep them long?

I did something I haven't done in my 4.5 years of being a mom yesterday...I went to Toys R Us. I had made a deal with Owen that if he didn't bite his fingernails for 2 weeks and let me cut his nails, he could go get a new Planet Hero. So he made it and we went to cash in last night. Before we left, I clipped his nails and he asked me this as I was cutting them.

We spent some time at a friends house this afternoon and the boys quickly found a neighbor's sprinkler. At first they were letting it just barely touch them, however, by the end of it, they were standing on the sprinkler, putting their faces in it and completely drenched. Walter does his best to keep up with the big kids these days and was the wettest of the bunch!

We are looking forward to Jer's return this evening and a nice weekend at home. Tomorrow is Owen's last day of school which we will celebrate with an all-school picnic in the afternoon. It should be fun! 

These photos are from a few weekends past...

Where was I before I was born?

Owen has been asking me all sorts of difficult questions lately. This was today's question. He is a deep little boy and keeps me thinking.

We had a nice weekend at my parents' house. We spent a few afternoons on the boat - I read while the boys fished. (Owen caught two northern pikes.) We had a couple of bonfire's, I had my 15 year high school reunion, and the cherry on the top was taking a sauna followed by Owen, Jer and my dad jumping in the river. Walter surprised us with some sleepless nights while we were there, thankfully my dad was ready and waiting for the boys in the morning.

Today we had the Cagle's over for lunch. It was great to spend some time with them, as we used to see one another nearly daily this time of year. The kids really enjoy playing with one another and sure did a good amount of laughing together this afternoon.

Friday is Owen's last day of school. Where has this year gone? 

That was nice of him.

Tonight the boys and I went to Target to get some grow capsules from the dollar bins. I gave Owen a five dollar bill to pay for them and he was so excited to get the change back from the cashier. He was recounting the story of him paying for it and said this of the cashier for giving him cash back.

I made my first DVD from our Hawaii trip and am just trying to burn it now...my mac is getting a workout as it is quite warm and still says it has 44 minutes of burning to go! Yikes.

Still no camera here. I will have to swing by my aunt's to get our little one. I did grab one photo of Owen and Lydia yesterday. I'm loving having Lindsay on maternity leave and getting to hold her sweet Lydia whenever we are together...although Owen loves to hold her just as much! Walter just smothers her with kisses. They are both very gentle with her. Yesterday I even got to babysit for a bit. It was a total treat, and an affirmation that two kids is great for us! :)

Watch how fast I can eat this.

We brought John home with us from school today. While the boys were eating lunch, this is what I kept hearing. I told you boys are competitive. Owen told me they were experimenting with how fast they could eat stuff. They had such a fun afternoon together - wrestling, playing baseball, drawing in their nature journals, pretending to be wood workers, lumberjacks, planet heroes and dirt bikers. It was the first time I wasn't asked to play the entire time. Although I thought when this day came I'd be in heaven, I was honestly a bit sad. I did get to hear a lot of great conversations and imaginary play. 

I now forgot our little camera at my aunt's house. So no photo, just a quick Owen story. I miss my camera, the little one just isn't as fun to use.

One quick Walter story, too... On the way to get Owen & John, Walter kept saying "John, van" "John, play" "John, butter" (John, eating peanut butter & jelly at our house) "John, hug". He loves Owen and all of Owen's friends! He is my little chatterbox. He will repeat whatever you say.