A Reunion of Sorts

Last month Henry graduated from PreK at the CDL and will be starting Kindergarten this fall. The hardest part of the transition thus far has been the separation from his friends. They've been together since Henry was just two-years-old. So, you can imagine how elated he was to have a play date with two of them at the Botanical Gardens on Saturday. If only I could replay their happy screams and giggles!

During their adventures in Never land, they found a calico cat. This poor cat was chased for at least 30 minutes by the Peter Pan mob. Alivia finally caught him near the strawberry patch.

 

(I wish I could grow Zinnias like this.)

 

 

We paused for Party Pics at the fish pond.

 

And while breaking again on the rocks of another water feature, we noticed the sign posted nearby - "Water Feature is for Viewing Only".

Oops.

 

Peak-a-Boo

 

I'm sure this guy has a story or two...

 

 

We're already asking about our next play date. Let's make it happen soon!

 

 

Waving Wheat

Even though my dad hasn't been in the wheat farming business for years, I spent the first 18 years of my life near wheat fields. When we left the farm, and moved "in town", wheat was still the first thing I saw when I woke up in the morning. We lived on a dead end street with wheat to the north and west of our home. I could gaze out across the west field from my bedroom window...and this was AFTER moving into town. Thus, going home in June, during harvest, is always a must. Right after the wheat has turned and temperatures creep into the '90's. When the air turns sweet and everyone has a spring in their step.

 

 

And when we're not watching the waving wheat and combines, we swim.

 

 

And when we're not being fish, we're eating them. The first thing Sam does after stripping off his swimming trunks is head for Grandma's stash of snacks.

(The boy LOVES to be naked.)

 

Sam's Mickey Mouse Birthday

Sunday night...

Sam,

My stomach aches...I just made the biggest blunder. I ERASED ALL of the pictures from your birthday party on Saturday. ALL of them. I'm just sick. I actually cried...really and truly. And now I can't sleep. I've tried to think of every possible way to retrieve the pictures. I even read through the camera manual. Unfortunately, the images are gone.

Although I have no evidence, it truly was a magical day. It was your first birthday party so I went the extra mile. You had a Mickey Mouse cake, which thankfully I snapped a picture of with my iPhone. I even added one of your Mickey figures on top. You had yellow, red and black polka dotted balloons. We even blew up an old Mylar balloon I'd saved from last fall. The balloon was as big as you and Mickey was driving a car. It only took you about 30 minutes to pop it, but until then, you carried it proudly from room to room.

I wrote the above two paragraphs BEFORE I found out about a special software that could restore erased images. Hallelujah! Only a handful of pictures were permanently lost. For this reason, and so many others, finishing this birthday post is special. I had intended to recount everything in words, but thankfully, now I can retell the day in pictures.

We had lots of Sam's favorites. You may know these as pigs-in-a-blanket, but on Sam's birthday they were Hot Diggity Dogs.

 

And Mickey's CLUBhouse Sandwiches. Yum.

 

Papa and his boys.

Sam had just stuffed his fourth Hot Diggity Dog into his mouth.

 

Milk does the body good.

And helps wash all those Hot Diggity Dogs down.

 

The most beautiful niece in all the world.

 

 

A big THANKS to Grandma and Papa for providing the entertainment. It POURED in Stillwater until the party. Thankfully, we aren't paticular enough about our yard to let a small mud lagoon stand in the way of our preplanned fun.

 

 

To avoid the river of water already flowing through the backyard, we had to inflate the pool/slide just off the back porch. This actually worked out quite nicely. Those choosing to stay inside with the A/C were still able to observe the fun through the living room windows.

 

 

 

Take note...Sam started the afternoon with a swim diaper, swim trunks and his swim shirt.

 

What our yard looked like after the fun.

Okay, so this may be a slight exaggeration...but it's not far from reality. Thankfully, one week later and it has pretty much returned to normal.

 

Paula and Leo

 

 

Mom being Mom

(Love her so much.)

 

You can only see his bottom half in this picture (climbing up the ladder), but Sam has shed his swim shirt and is down to his diaper and trunks.

 

Blake and sweet Blakley

 

 

Trip ruled the pool...I think he had a good time, yes?

(This means we need to see more of him...hint, hint.)

 

Miss Lily Davis

This picture doesn't mean much unless you're a Riseling and knew my Grandmother Happy. Loved seeing Leo play with Aunt Linda's bracelets.

Love you, Grandmother.

 

It was only a matter of time. We're down to the diaper, folks.

 

 

 

Happy Birthday to You, Sam!

 

The seven reasons I was heartbroken when I thought I'd lost these pictures...

 

1. Trip

2. Leo

3. Henry

4. Molly

5. Sam

6. Lily

7. Blakley

All of the cousin babies were there except for Peighton. We missed you, Peighton!

A Totally Ticklish Mickey from Aunt Linda and Uncle Tony. How appropriate. And oh how much he LOVES it! Sam's dimples never lie.

 

Sam crashed before his last guest left...a good time was had by all. Especially the birthday boy.