May Pictures

Oh dear.  Where has the time gone?  It's almost July, but I am just now posting our May pictures.

The kids are reading nicely for the moment, so I'm gonna try and do some catch up.  I have to move quickly before they notice me being productive and thwart my plans!

 

Now, looking back at May...

 

We visited the Frederik Meijer Gardens to see the butterflies blooming.

 

Brothers in their striped polo shirts.

 

Claire liked how the flowers matched her dress

 

Claire wanted her picture taken in the butterfly chair...

 

But oh the scowl on her face when Henry jumped in as well.   I love how he has his hand on her leg so innocently while she gives her death glare.

 

Also in May, Claire had her school concert. 

She was happy to be in the front row, smack dab in the middle. 

 

I love being able to chaperon class trips, and in May, the 1st graders went to Blandford Nature Center to learn about birds.

Claire loved the chance to be with her best friend Amelia.  They aren't in class together anymore, so it's really special for them to have this time together.

best buddies

Seeing Claire have so much fun with her friend makes my heart happy.

 

A big month for Claire who also had her Mystery Guest presentation at school.

She researched Helen Keller, and then had to do a speech in front of her class.  Her classmates would then guess who she was.

In the picture above she was sitting with classmate Gabe who was also waiting to do his Mystery Guest presentation that day. 

 

She did a Wonderful Job!

She gave great information so her classmates could figure out who she was.

 

I don't know if all schools do this, but our kids have school pictures taken at the beginning of the year and then again halfway through the year.  I don't pay much attention to the mid-year pictures, but it is pretty fun to see what comes back, especially since it's not too often the kids are able to forgo their uniforms to wear whatever their little hearts desire.

 

Classic Henry in his shark sweater and camouflage pants.

Claire in her favorite fleece and her cozy slippers.

 

Still settling into our house, I set up a makeshift grill one evening to make our Patty Melts.  Joe seemed to find this amusing.

 

Claire wanted a picture of her block village before George knocked it over.  

Smart move Claire!  She is an experienced Big Sister by now.

 

Speaking of George...I just had to snap a picture of

him helping himself to the water pitcher.

Now is that a guilty face or what!

 

Well that was our May, full of great memories. 

I will try to tackle June in the near future.

George's Birthday

Happy Birthday George!  You are two years old.

 

 

We had fun as a family, celebrating your big day.

 

We spent the morning at Frederik Meijer Gardens

playing in the Great Lakes Water Park.

And on our way out of the park we came across their

children's Japanese garden that we spent some time at.

 

After we got home, you went down for a nap and the rest of us worked outside.

You were happy to join us outside once you woke up.

 

Tools in hand, ready to help Dad with a little project.

Any day you get to use tools is a good day.

 

A rice krispy treat "cake" decorated by Claire and Henry

Blowing out your candles

A messy spaghetti meal for dinner.

 

George, you are such a special two year old.  You are smart and clever in ways that surprise us every day.  Your favorite pastime is likely working on house projects.  You would choose a tool over a toy any day.  But you also wouldn't pass up the chance to play outside or play ball.  You are incredibly mobile for a 2-year-old, climbing jungle gyms that, quite frankly, frighten us.  You may not say much, but we know you understand everything, and you communicate with your own system of grunts.  Your vocabulary includes Daddy, Momma, Up, Go, More, Dog, Woof, Ball and lately a good effort with the words Basketball and Grandpa.  You are a great eater, and are adjusting well to life without eggs.    You are a happy, playful boy...unless you aren't able to do something yourself or if we have to tell you "no".   Then you will certainly express your disapproval.  Oh George, how I wish you could stay two forever.  You are awesome!

A Lego Birthday Party

Since the boys' birthdays are just a few weeks apart, we thought we would try a joint party this year. I had a hard time deciding on a theme that both boys would love.  Henry likes Star Wars and the Octonauts.  Georgie likes balls and working on house projects with Grandpa S.  I had settled on a "non-theme" theme party with generic everything, but then one morning I watched as both boys were playing with legos and eureka!  Both boys love legos!  A lego party would be perfect.

Henry helped string the banner.

George helped hang balloons.

Claire is my master party planner and loves to help decorate. 

Since it was a brunch, we had breakfast sandwiches, hash browns and fruit salad, along with some yummy extras that the grandmas brought to share.

Family gathered Saturday mid-morning to begin the birthday celebration.

George figured out that he could use the fan to 

blow the balloons around for a fun game. 

The Sternberg cousins enjoyed their hash browns.

The adults had a nice time visiting with each other. 

And then the real fun began...

Presents!

George the Tool Man.  

Please nobody tell him they are just plastic.

 

Henry pointed out the Great White Shark and explained to us 

that they don't have gills like the blue whales.

The boy is terrified of bugs, but this Bug Explorer Kit was right up his alley.

Grandpa helped George open his gift.

A perfect tower to knock over.

The kids tested the weight limit on Grandpa's homemade balance beam.

A perfect balance beam for staying out of the hot lava.  

Just what every 5-year-old needs!

Aunt Melissa joined in some Lego fun.

And to complete our Lego Birthday Party, a couple of Lego cakes, 

as well as some No-Bake Cookies from Grandma S.  

George needed a little help with his candles, but I didn't realize until afterwards that I had put three candles on his cake!  No wonder he didn't want to blow them out.  I'm sure he was trying to tell me there was an extra candle, but we were all caught up in the excitement.  Don't get ahead of yourself George.  You have a whole year before you need that extra candle.

  

A couple of Post Party Pictures  

Henry with his new race track

I wondered where Claire and George went until I found them in Claire's room. They must have been tuckered out from all the birthday fun.